Fourth Quarter Defense Proves to be Difference From '07 For Packers

It's been a disappointing 2008 season, to say the very least, for the Green Bay Packers. After going 13-3 last season, big expectations were placed on this season's Packers to repeat that performance, and at 5-8, those expectations have not been met. So what has been the difference between the 2007 and 2008 Packers?

Many will say Brett Favre, but look no farther than Green Bay's fourth quarter defense to find your real answer.

Let take a look at the 2007 season and examine how the defense played in the fourth quarter of some the Packers' close games.

Packers 16, Eagles 13

Favre was a no-factor in this game, and it was the defense and special teams that got the Packers started off on the right foot in 2007.

Special-teamer Tracy White recovered a fumble in the end zone for the Packers only touchdown, and Jarret Bush recovered another fumble with 59 seconds remaining to give Mason Crosby the opportunity to kick the game winner. The last fumble recovery was set up by the Packers' stop of the Eagles that forced them to punt with under two minutes left in the fourth.

In addition, the Eagles were only able to muster 38 fourth quarter yards and zero points—another testament to the play of the Packers' fourth quarter defense.

Packers 31, Chargers 24

Favre put the Packers up 24-21 with just over two minutes to play, but the defense sealed the deal for Green Bay after that.

On the Chargers next possession, Nick Barnett intercepted Phillip Rivers and ran the ball down to the Chargers' two-yard line. Brandon Jackson punched in the touchdown on the next play, and suddenly the Packers were up 31-21. San Diego would get a garbage field goal with 20 seconds left, but the winner was already determined.

Chargers racked up 85 yards in the fourth, but 43 came on the final drive where they put up the garbage field goal.

Packers 23, Vikings 16

I'll take nothing away from Favre—he played absolutely great—but it was again the defense that sealed the win for the Packers.

Minnesota was given the ball with under two minutes in the fourth and an opportunity to tie the game up at 23 with a touchdown. Instead of allowing the Vikings to drive for the tying score, Atari Bigby intercepted Kelly Holcomb to end Minnesota's chances.

While the Vikings did score a fourth quarter touchdown to make it close, the defense made the final stop when it mattered.

Packers 17, Redskins 14

This game was flat out won by the Packers defense. Charles Woodson scooped up a fumble and rumbled into the endzone to put Green Bay up by the decisive score of 17-14 in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Packers defense was dominant. They forced the Redskins to turn it over on downs twice, punt twice, and recovered a fumble. In all, Washington was only able to gain 40 fourth quarter yards.

On the Redskins last drive—which began 1:13 left in the fourth—Green Bay shut down Washington's offense and finished them off with a turnover on downs.

Packers 19, Broncos 13 (OT)

Favre played another great game, and his throw in overtime was awesome, but he wouldn't have had that chance without a valiant stop of the Broncos at the end of the fourth.

Denver was down a field goal with just over two minutes left, but Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler drove his offense down the field. In a heroic red-zone hold, Denver was only able to tie the game at the 13. Favre's incredible throw followed, but the defense made it possible.

The defense gave up over 100 yards to the Broncos in the fourth quarter, but the made the necessary stop in the red-zone.

Packers 33, Chiefs 22

This was a back-and-forth slobberknocker, and to Favre's credit, he had a terrific game. He set the Packers up with a four point lead with just over three minutes left, but then the defense took over.

The Chiefs ensuing possession started with 3:05 left in the game, but were forced to punt after going three-and-out and losing seven yards. Green Bay gave the ball back to Kansas City, and this time, Woodson picked off Damon Huard and ran it back 46 yards for the clinching score with 1:10 left.

In total, the Chiefs were able to accumulate around 100 yards in the fourth, but the two stops after the Packers took the lead sealed the deal.

Packers 37, Lions 26

Another superb Favre outing, and in all honesty, the defense didn't play well. However, the defense again made two huge fourth quarter stops.

Green Bay went up 34-26, and the defense was able to stop the Lions from that point on. After getting the ball back, Favre and the offense got Crosby in position for a field goal that made it a two possession game. Fact of the matter is, however, that the Lions were stopped when they had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

Detroit was stopped on downs with under two minutes to go, but were able to rack up nearly 150 yards in the final quarter.

2007 Analysis

In total, that's seven games in 2007 that the defense sealed in the fourth quarter. Also, don't forget about the first Bears game. The Packers defense gave up the lead with just over two minutes to go, but Favre was unable to bring the Packers back in the final two minutes.

Fast forward to 2008. No doubt the Packers have played several close games, so let's examine how the defense has faired in the fourth quarter of these games.

Packers 24, Vikings 19 and Packers 48, Lions 25

Not surprisingly, during the Packers two game winning streak to start the season, the defense played just like it did during 2007.

The Vikings' comeback hopes were turned away once again by a Bigby interception with under two minutes to go in the fourth. In the Lions game, Detroit was threatening to upset the Packers when the defense picked off three Jon Kitna passes and turned them into 21 Packer points (two returns for touchdowns, Jackson run).

At this point, things looked like they'd be just fine in Titletown in 2008. But then all hell broke loose.

Cowboys 27, Packers 16

This game doesn't look close, but remember; the Packers were only down 20-9 at the end of the third. However in the fourth quarter, on a third-and-long play from the Cowboys' 48-yard line, Dallas quarterback Tony Romo found Miles Austin on a miracle throw for a 52-yard touchdown.

Up 18 (three possessions) with under ten minutes to play, the game was pretty much over. Aaron Rodgers would sneak in a touchdown late, but it was for nothing.

In all, the Packers' defense gave up over 150 yards in the fourth quarter alone.

Buccaneers 30, Packers 21

While Rodgers played terribly in this game, so did the defense. Up 21-20 in the fourth quarter, the defense proceeded to give up a touchdown and field goal to give the Bucs the win.

Tampa Bay racked up over 100 yards of offense in the final stanza and controlled the ball for over 13 minutes. When the Packers desperately needed a stop on the touchdown drive, they were unable to get it.

Falcons 27, Packers 24

This was a game that Rodgers played very well in, but the defense couldn't stop anything. Atlanta ran up 370 yards of total offense on Green Bay, and was very balanced (194 passing, 176 rushing).

However, the defense had chances to get stops that would lead to a Packer victory. Rodgers tied the game at 17 on a touchdown pass with just over ten minutes to play, but the defense again gave up ten straight points that doomed Green Bay.

Some may say it was Rodgers' interception that lost this game, but look closer. After the pick, the Falcons scored a touchdown to make it 27-17. Rodgers lead a touchdown drive, but the defense couldn't stop three straight running plays from the Falcons after the touchdown to give Rodgers another chance.

Atlanta tallied nearly 100 yards and 10 points in the final quarter.

Titans 19, Packers 16 (OT)

Rodgers tied this game up 16 with 5:30 left in the fourth, but again the defense couldn't hold. The Titans received the ball with just over two minutes left in the fourth, and drove down the field to set up a potential game-winning field goal.

Rod Bironas missed the kick, but overtime proved to be too much for the Packers' defense. Tennessee drove right down the field again, and this time, Bironas was good on his game-winning boot.

In the fourth quarter and overtime, the Titans racked up almost 150 yards and the decisive field goal.

Vikings 28, Packers 27

Green Bay went up 27-21 with 5:56 left in the fourth quarter on a Crosby field goal. But once again, with the game on the line, the defense faltered.

Minnesota rode Adrian Peterson down the field, and Peterson capped off the drive with a 29-yard scamper that put the Vikings up 28-27. To Rodgers' credit, he lead the Packers to within field goal range, but Crosby's field goal attempt missed just wide.

In all, the Vikings totaled over 100 yards in the final quarter against the Packers.

Panthers 35, Packers 31

This is starting to sound like a broken record. Green Bay kicked a field goal with under two minutes to go to take a 31-28 lead, but the Panthers marched right down the field on the defense.

DeAngelo Williams scored his fourth touchdown of the game to give Carolina the 35-31 lead that it would hold. Rodgers threw an errant interception late, but that shouldn't have mattered.

Panthers gobbled up over 100 yards on the Packers' defense in the fourth, including two touchdowns.

Texans 24, Packers 21

The Packers' fourth quarter defense failed them twice in this game. Ryan Grant put the Packers up 14-13 on the first play of the fourth quarter, but Matt Schaub promptly lead the Texans down the field to regain the lead 21-14 with just over 10 minutes left.

Rodgers tied the game again with a touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson with 5:56 remaining. Yet again, however, the Texans were able to drive down the field and into field goal range for Josh Brown. Houston's kicker was true with his kick and the Packers were sent to another fourth quarter loss. 

In an embarrassing fourth quarter, the Packers gave up 140 yards of offense to the Texans and ten points.

2008 Analysis

Overall in 2008, seven games were swung in the opposition's direction because of fourth quarter defense. In comparsion, seven games in 2007 were swung the Packers' way because of fourth quarter holds by the defense.

So what happened to the Packers fourth quarter defense from 2007 to 2008? One could argue injuries, schemes, personnel, etc.

No matter what the reason is, fourth quarter defense is the obvious culprit to the Packers' demise in 2008. So please don't look at number four, don't look at number twelve, and most importantly, don't look at Mr. Thompson sitting in the press box for the reason as to why the Packers are 5-8 right now.