The Green Bay Packers' rebuilt defense thrived again in Week 3, making plays all over the field in a 27-16 victory over the Denver Broncos at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Making the performance even more impressive, the Packers' success defensively didn't stem from the play of just one single player. Offseason addition Za'Darius Smith was absolutely dominant rushing the passer, finishing with two sacks and three quarterback hits. Preston Smith, another free agency acquisition, was even better, totaling three sacks and three hits on Denver signal-caller Joe Flacco. Blake Martinez led Green Bay with 12 tackles, including two and-a-half tackles for loss – among 10 of his team's total tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Rookie safety Darnell Savage had his first career interception, one of three turnovers the Packers forced against the Broncos.
Needless to say, it was a true team effort for Mike Pettine's defense in Week 3. One player whose impact loomed even larger than it seemed, though? Second-year cornerback Jaire Alexander, whose seven tackles, two passes defensed, and one fumble recovery fail to convey just how effective he was while helping his team to a 3-0 record.
As noted by Jeff Ratcliffe of Pro Football Focus, Alexander held Denver's Emmanuel Sanders to zero catches on three targets while tracking him on 69 percent of the veteran wide receiver's routes.
Jaire Alexander tracked Emmanuel Sanders on 69% of his routes in Week 3. Sanders had 0 catches on 3 targets in Alexander's coverage.
— Jeff Ratcliffe (@JeffRatcliffe) September 23, 2019
Sanders had two catches for 10 yards on four overall targets. After the game, he told reporters the Broncos are “living in a world of suck.”
The good news for Sanders? He won't be chased by Alexander again over the remainder of the regular season.
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