Michael Penix Jr. could unleash the Falcons’ explosive potential; plus, two teams with scary playoff upside

When Jeff Hafley left Boston College to become the Packers’ defensive coordinator last season and gave up his head coaching role to take on an assistant position at the NFL level, some wondered at first what the move said about the state of college football. Now, after watching Hafley thrive in Green Bay this season, along with former college assistants Mike Macdonald (Seahawks HC) and Jesse Minter (Chargers OC), I think it’s time for a new topic of conversation: how the college game prepares defensive coordinators to dominate the pros.

The Packers have emerged as contenders in 2024, and their defensive streak is a must-see for anyone who wants to know why. Under Hafley, the Packers rank among the top 10 in the NFL in the two most important defensive categories: points allowed (20.5 per game, eighth-most) and takeaways (26, fourth-most). Championship teams keep opponents out of the end zone and find different ways to create turnovers, and Green Bay excels at both tasks — thanks to a creative approach with elements routinely found at the college level.

From their extensive use of simulated pressures (four-man rushes with linebackers or safeties/cornerbacks as the fourth rusher) to hot blitzes (six-man pressures with a three-deep/two-under coverage), the Packers crush opponents with a thinking man’s scheme that challenges quarterbacks and play-callers to make sound decisions under mental and physical duress. Also, Green Bay incorporates its entire defensive roster into the pass rush to keep opponents guessing every week — a whopping 16 Packers have at least half a sack this season.

The variety and versatility of Hafley’s defensive deployment creates headaches for opponents trying to identify potential rushers at the line of scrimmage and second/third level. Additionally, his unique approach allows the Packers to maximize a defensive lineup filled with young, athletic defensive players who offer diverse skill sets.

Consider how pass rusher Rashan Gary serves as the so-called “queen of the checkerboard” in third-down situations, able to adjust anywhere along the defensive front to attack a weak link on the offensive line. Then there’s linebackers Quay Walker (a 2022 first-round pick) and Edgerrin Cooper (a second-rounder this year), who have the speed, athleticism and physicality to overwhelm and overpower running backs in pass protection. Their interchangeable skill sets enable Hafley to mix in different blitzes and simulated pressures to keep quarterbacks guessing on every snap. And should Walker have to miss any time with an ankle injury that took him out of last week’s win over Seattle just before halftime, Cooper should be able to pick up the slack, based on the stat line he put together in that game (five tackles, one sack, one interception) .