The Green Bay Packers struggled dearly in their most recent loss to the New York Giants, but one bright side was the front four and the constant pressure they were able to put on quarterback Eli Manning. It was a pass rush that has been missing from the defense for quite some time, and in order for this defense to be successful they must keep this recent success of getting after the quarterback going.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers dialed up a few blitzes throughout the game in an attempt to rattle Manning. And for the most part, it worked. He was able to bring the linebackers up to the line, make Manning feel uncomfortable in the pocket, and force him to get the ball out of his hands quickly. The blitzes were successful, but it was nice to finally see the pocket collapse even when blitzes weren’t called.

Linebacker Clay Matthews led the rush for the Packers and looked much quicker and more comfortable without the club on his injured right hand. The defensive scheme for Capers is a 3-4 look which is made to give the defense more speed with athletic linebackers in the middle. This set should allow you to get after the quarterback with the front three defenders while bringing up one of the linebackers which gives the look and feel of a “front four rush.” Matthews is the linebacker that is brought up the most to get after the quarterback, and on Sunday he did just that.

Matthews got after Manning, and although he only had one sack he was able to close the pocket on him and force him on several occasions to get rid of the ball before he wanted to. Along with Matthews, linebackers Brad Jones and AJ Hawk were able to create some havoc and got after Manning as well. Both Jones and Hawk recorded a sack in the game.

It is known to many teams in the NFL that the Packers’ secondary has struggled dearly this season. If Capers can get the defensive tackles, ends and linebackers to play as a unit and start to play quicker in an attempt to continue getting pressure on the quarterback, they will take a lot of the weight off the secondary and allow them to jam receivers knowing the ball has to come out quicker.

The Packers’ season is starting to fade on them quickly, and every game from this point on is just about a must win. With three divisional games remaining, the Packers’ defense must step up to the occasion and start making plays. I have faith in the defense as a whole, but in order to have success the active pass rush that was shown against the Giants must become a trend for the Packers.

Michael Tiscia is a Green Bay Packers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.