Sunday Spotlight: Green Bay's defense

When the Packers lost, 30-23, to the Vikings on October 5 in Minnesota, part of the problem was a defensive game plan that was close to downright timid. Dom Capers' defense focused on spying Adrian Peterson with its inside linebackers, and covering the flats and seams as opposed to blitzing Brett Favre(notes). Favre was not sacked once in the game, and defensive end Aaron Kampman(notes) was the only Green Bay defender to record a single quarterback hit. Favre predictably carved the Green Bay defense up, completing 24 passes in 31 attempts for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers -- owners of another 3-4 defense with great talent -- did to Favre what they do to just about every quarterback they face: Bring pressure from the perimeter and force the quarterback to adjust. Favre was sacked four times, completed only 33 passes in 50 attempts, threw no touchdowns and a pick, lost a fumble, and looked very much like a quarterback who could be flustered by ...