Packers' defensive backs know they
can't afford to let INTs keep eluding their grasp
[November 20, 2025]
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — With a young quarterback up next on
their schedule, the Green Bay Packers are hoping to make the most of
their opportunities for a potentially important turnover.
By an unofficial count, the Packers had five chances for
interceptions against Jameis Winston on Sunday, and they came away
with one of them: Evan Williams’ end-zone pick in the fourth quarter
that helped seal a 27-20 victory over the New York Giants.
“I mean, coulda, woulda, shoulda. You had five opportunities to come
away with interceptions, and we had one,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur
said. “You guys saw the game. Those were in our hands. The
expectation is we’re going to make those plays.”
The good news for the Packers (6-3-1) heading into Sunday’s matchup
with the Minnesota Vikings (4-6) at Lambeau Field is that J.J.
McCarthy is throwing interceptions at an alarming rate.
Not only has McCarthy been picked off eight times — including at
least once in each of his five starts this season — but his 5.7%
interception rate is the worst in the NFL among current starters.
“I think in some ways, you definitely are like, ‘OK, there’s going
to be a lot of (opportunities),'" Packers safety Xavier McKinney
said. "But I also think that they have really good playmakers, where
they can kind of make the game a little bit easier for him.
“From a back-end perspective, we’ve got to make sure that we’re on
our job, doing what we’re supposed to do.”
The Giants scored two of their three touchdowns on Sunday after a
Packers defender dropped a potential interception. The missed
opportunities also allowed the Giants to run 69 plays, the
second-most for a Packers opponent this season.
Both McKinney and cornerback Keisean Nixon pointed out that Vikings
coach Kevin O’Connell is one of the NFL’s top offensive
play-callers. They expect O’Connell to do what he can to reduce the
number of situations that could lead to a mistake by McCarthy.
The 22-year-old McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft,
was sidelined for his rookie season because of a knee injury.
Green Bay lost both of its matchups with Minnesota last season as
Sam Darnold completed 74.7% of his passes for 652 yards for the
Vikings with six touchdowns and two interceptions. So the Packers
know they can't take McCarthy lightly.
[to top of second column] |
Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, left, and Green Bay
Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) tackle Philadelphia Eagles
quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) as he fumbles during the first half of
an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP
Photo/Morry Gash)
“I don’t think he’s considered a rookie, right?
Second year but (basically) a rookie, you know?” Nixon said. “He’s
just young. (It’s) hard for guys to come in and just excel right
away. But he’s definitely a good player. He’s got the arm talent. He
has a hell of a coach. That always helps. Scheme up a lot of guys.”
McKinney said he didn’t impose any punishments on his fellow
defensive backs for their drops — Nixon blamed McKinney for tipping
the one he couldn’t hold onto — but emphasized how those missed
opportunities can be costly.
He also believes the opportunities the defense had against the
Giants are a sign of things to come.
“The picks are going to come. Just, believe me when I tell you. The.
Picks. Will. Come,” McKinney said. “It’s just not all the way there
right now. But they will come, and when they do, I’m going to come
back to the camera like, ‘I told you.’ It’s going to happen.
Sometimes, you’ve got be patient. And once they do come, we’ve just
got to make them.”
Notes: Running back Josh Jacobs, who bruised a knee against the
Giants, was one of five players who didn't practice on Wednesday. If
Jacobs can’t go against the Vikings, third-year back Emanuel Wilson
would start in his place. ... Starting middle linebacker Quay
Walker, who suffered a neck stinger against the Giants, also didn't
practice. ... The Packers haven't yet opened up the 21-day practice
window for wide receiver Jayden Reed, who remains on injured reserve
after breaking his collarbone Sept. 11 against Washington. “He’s
excited to get back,” LaFleur said of Reed. “As am I.”
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
