Packers defense starts to do its part

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers thrived on big plays from its defense last year, but didn’t produce nearly enough of them the first half of this season.

That’s starting to change now as the Packers move closer to a second straight NFC North title.

The Packers (8-3) scored three touchdowns off turnovers Sunday night in a 41-25 victory over the Bears (5-6). The Packers have eight takeaways in their last four games after forcing just four turnovers in their first seven games.

The Packers’ 12 overall takeaways still put them in the bottom half of the NFL rankings and well off their pace from last year, when they forced 25 turnovers.

But they’ve picked up the pace and gotten more aggressive lately.

“As coaches, typically you get what you emphasize,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Monday. “Obviously, (we) did not do a good enough job emphasizing that early in the year. I think our guys are taking that to heart, they’re taking it personal. They want to show everybody that they can be a great defense.”

The Packers defense scored one touchdown on its own. After Za’Darius Smith sacked Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky to force a fumble, Preston Smith picked the ball up and ran 14 yards into the end zone to give the Packers a 27-3 lead.

Darnell Savage Jr. picked off two of Trubisky’s passes for his first two interceptions of the season.

“I think everybody’s been doing their job and we’re talented enough to make those plays when we get our opportunities,” Savage said after the game. “We’re going to keep that up.”

The Packers defense remains a work in progress. It ranks just 19th in the NFL in scoring defense and allowed David Montgomery to rush for 103 yards on just 11 carries Sunday. The Packers added some depth Monday by claiming defensive lineman Anthony Rush off waivers from the Bears.

But the Packers might be good enough on offense to make a deep playoff run by outscoring teams, as long as their defense can make a few big plays to help the cause. Aaron Rodgers threw four TD passes Sunday to continue his push toward a potential third MVP honor.

LaFleur raved about Rodgers after the game by saying, “this is as good as I’ve ever seen anybody play.”

“In my eyes, he’s an MVP player, no doubt about it,” LaFleur said.

What’s working

The Packers are scoring 31.7 points per game. They scored TDs on their first three drives of the game and on two of their first three series in the second half. The offensive line lost center Corey Linsley and guard Lucas Patrick to injuries and still didn’t allow a sack.

What needs work

The Packers defense let up a bit late in the game by allowing two fourth-quarter TD drives with the game out of reach. Over its last five games, the Packers have allowed the Vikings’ Dalvin Cook, Jaguars’ James Robinson and now Montgomery to all exceed 100 yards rushing. Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor rushed for 90 yards against the Packers last week.

Stock up

Rodgers has thrown 33 TD passes with only four interceptions. He already has his highest single-season touchdown pass total since 2014, when he had 38. … WRDavante Adams has caught a TDpass in six straight games for the NFL’s longest active streak. … The entire offensive line deserves plenty of praise, but Elgton Jenkins and Billy Turner get special mention for making seamless position switches after injuries to Linsley and Patrick.

Stock down

Mason Crosby’s having a very good season, but he missed an extra-point attempt after the Packers’ first TD.