Tuesday, October 15, 2024
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers (4-2) came up with a big win against the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) in their game on Sunday, Oct. 13 — a win the team said is due largely to the performance by their defense.
Safety Evan Willaims said that he felt the defense did their job and made plays that allowed the offense to do theirs.
“I feel like our rush integrity was good, staying in our lane. We did our job taking away their primary reads and then forcing them to step up and try to make things happen,” said Williams.
The Packers defense forced three fumbles from the Cardinals, each recovered by the Packers for a turnover.
Williams said this is due largely to their efforts to focus on the ball from a defensive standpoint.
“We’ve just become a really ball conscious group, honestly. We kind of knew that with how it was going to be today with the weather we were going to have a chance of getting the ball out with it being a little bit more slick,” said Williams of hosting the Arizona-based team in a rain game.
Packers Wide Receiver Christian Watson said that these big plays from the defense allowed them to go out behind the ball and find the endzone.
“In my unbiased opinion I think we have the best defense in the league. It’s crazy how efficient they are getting the ball back for us. We want to build our brand around complimentary football and they are the best at getting it back for us,” said Watson.
After facing a 34-29 loss to the Eagles in their first game of the season, as well as a 29-31 loss to the Vikings at Lambeau Field, Watson said getting this win was big for the team as they get deeper into the season.
“It was huge. That was a big swing,” said Watson. “It was a huge swing for us. Anytime you can have huge momentum going into a drive like that, that’s complimentary football at its best.”
However, Watson said that having some key players back in the mix also made some significant plays.
“Honestly after missing the game last week I knew I could play — just because I really wanted to. It was really a win-thing for me. I knew it might hurt a little bit and might be a bit of a nagging thing but I’m trying to play ball. I went out there and scrambled before the game last week,” said Watson.
“I’ve been with Rome (Doubs) every step of the way. He knows the impact he makes when he’s out there with us just to have him go out there and make plays,” said Watson of the impact the offense was able to have.
Doubs secured two touchdowns while Watson found the endzone once against the Cardinals.
Packers Wide Receiver Jayden Reed also said that he was glad to have most of the offense healthy — physically and mentally — and back on the field.
“We need Rome, so it was great to have him back and that showed today in a big way,” said Reed.
The Packers will return to Lambeau Field next week to face CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans (5-1) on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 12 p.m.
