For much of this season, the Green Bay Packers’ defense seemed to be less than the sum of its parts. There is talent up and down the roster — led by stars like Jaire Alexander, Kenny Clark, and Za’Darius Smith — but maddening situational and schematic decisions have plagued the unit in certain instances.
That’s where defensive coordinator Mike Pettine comes in, and why his job is assumed to be in question. Yes, his unit played better in the second half of the season, but another mind-boggling decision late in the first half of the NFC Championship Game rightfully has Packers fans frustrated.