The Green Bay Packers are fresh off a massive road win against the Carolina Panthers, albeit closer than expected. The Packers edged out the Panthers 33-30, but only after blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead. The 30 points scored by Carolina marks their most scored this year, including the preseason. Naturally, Packers fans seem fed up with defensive coordinator Joe Barry, especially after their team’s recent stretch of struggles on defense. One fan, in particular, devised a diabolical plan to get the defensive signal-caller canned by creating a DraftKings Sportsbook account.
i’m taking matters into my own hands pic.twitter.com/qcd3CCf46p
— Michael Allen 🧀 (@MichaelAllenNFL) December 27, 2023
Sports betting is illegal for NFL players and employees and will result in suspension or getting banned from the league. Most notably, Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Calvin Ridley received a year ban for betting on games.
Green Bay Packers DC Joe Barry: Tough 2023 Season
Joe Barry joined the Green Bay Packers in 2021 after spending four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams as an assistant head coach and linebackers coach. Barry has posted lackluster results as the defensive coordinator over the past two seasons despite the front office spending capital on defensive assets. The Packers burned their top two picks on linebacker Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt in 2022. They also signed corner Rasul Douglas, standout De’Vondre Campbell, and defensive tackle Jarran Reed but took a step back in production. They allowed 21.8 points per game, the 17th most in the league.
It’s been much of the same this season, with the Packers entering Week 17 outside the top half of the league in the least amount of points per game allowed. The Packers again burnt draft picks on defense, drafting linebacker Lukas Van Ness with the 15th overall pick. Packers fans have soured on Joe Barry for his defensive playcalling and inability to put his players in the correct position to succeed.
Green Bay Packers: Road to the Playoffs
Despite being on the outside looking in, the Packers can still make the playoffs with two weeks left. A good start for their postseason hopes begins with a win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17. Loses by the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks would also greatly benefit the Packers. As it currently stands, six teams in the NFC are either 8-7 or 7-8.
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