The Green Bay Packers are sitting at 9-3-1, staring down a pivotal Week 15 matchup against the 11-2 Denver Broncos. It's more than just another regular-season game - it’s a clash with serious postseason implications.
A win for Denver locks them into the playoffs. A win for Green Bay?
That keeps them in control of the NFC North and the No. 2 seed in the conference. But if the Packers fall short, they could tumble all the way to the sixth seed.
In December, every inch matters.
The Broncos come into this one as one of the hottest teams in football, riding a 10-game win streak fueled by a ferocious defense that’s racked up 55 sacks on the season. That’s not just good - that’s game-wrecking production. For comparison, the Packers have totaled 33 sacks, and that gap has become a talking point heading into Sunday’s showdown.
Micah Parsons, who Green Bay acquired in a blockbuster deal earlier this year, leads the team with 12.5 sacks. He’s been every bit the disruptor the Packers hoped for. But while Parsons has lived in opponents’ backfields, Rashan Gary - second on the team with 7.5 sacks - has drawn more criticism than praise of late.
That’s where defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley stepped in this week, making it clear he’s not buying into the negative chatter.
“Rashan is playing the run game way better than he did last year,” Hafley said Thursday. And he didn’t stop there.
Hafley acknowledged that, yes, the sack numbers aren’t where people might want them to be - especially with Parsons drawing so much attention on the other side. But he pointed to a key factor: opposing offenses aren’t giving Gary many clean dropback opportunities to generate pressure. Still, Hafley made it clear he likes what he’s seeing from the veteran edge rusher.
“Do we want him to have more pressures? Certainly,” Hafley said. “I’m giving you a reason, and yes I am defending him, because I think the guy is playing very well.”
It’s a strong vote of confidence from the coaching staff at a time when some fans are questioning Gary’s long-term future in Green Bay. Despite being voted to the Pro Bowl by his peers last season, Gary’s recent dip in production - especially in the pressure department - has sparked conversations about his value, particularly with his contract situation looming large in 2026.
But inside the building, the tone is different. Gary remains one of the Packers’ most respected voices in the locker room. He was voted a team captain this year - a nod to the leadership and presence he brings beyond the stat sheet.
Could the front office look to restructure his deal to ease the cap hit next season? That’s always a possibility. But if Hafley’s comments are any indication, the Packers aren’t ready to move on from a player they still see as a cornerstone on defense.
Sunday’s matchup will be a test - not just for the Packers’ playoff hopes, but for a defense that’s trying to prove it can hang with the best. Gary may not have the sack totals fans were expecting, but his impact - especially against the run - is still very much felt. And in a game that could come down to a handful of key defensive plays, don’t be surprised if No. 52 has something to say about the outcome.