Packers shares defensive announcement after Week 6 win against Bengals
The Green Bay Packers got a major boost just before the 2025 NFL season , when they landed pass rusher Micah Parsons via a trade.
In the first two weeks, Green Bay’s defense looked impressive, even with Parsons playing with a back issue. Since then, however, the Packers have struggled to play consistent great football on that side of the field. One thing that’s been consistent about Green Bay’s stop unit, though, is its ability to shut down opponents in opening drives.
“THE PACKERS HAVE NOT ALLOWED ANY POINTS ON THE OPENING DRIVE FOR 9 CONSECUTIVE GAMES,” read the graphic on Green Bay’s Instagram post on Monday, which also said that it’s the longest active streak in the NFL this season.
That streak hit its ninth game in last Sunday’s 27-18 win by the Packers over the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field.
Fans react to Packers’ announcement after win against Bengals in Week 6
“Now we gotta finish up strong as well! Second half not so good! Let’s go pack!” said a fan on X.
Another one said: “Yessirrr, GO PACK GO!!!
”
From a commenter: “Now let’s have that same defense for the rest of the game too.”
“That is awesome…. But let’s figure out how to CLOSE GAMES! That’s more important,” a social media user posted.
Via a different commenter: “We can do better. Go Pack Go
”
Said another: “We have to keep it going PACK!”
As a whole, Green Bay’s defense is giving up just 20.4 points per game and 280.2 total yards per outing, 10th and fifth in the NFL through six weeks of the season, respectively.
Star Forward Pricing Himself Out of Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche star Martin Necas picked up another two points in the team’s victory over the Buffalo Sabres. It was the third multi-point performance of the year for the 26-year-old forward in just four games.
Necas is rolling for the Avalanche, and it’s coming at a perfect time for the scoring winger. Playing on an expiring contract, Necas can test the unrestricted free agency market next summer if he and the Avs don’t come to terms on an extension before then.
The Avalanche obviously want to retain Necas, and he seems very happy with the situation in Colorado. The problem is that Necas’ performance and the trending market suggests that he could command a salary north of $10 million on his next deal. That’s a huge win for Necas, but it potentially spells the end of his short tenure with the Avs.
Pricing Himself Out
Necas is priming himself for a massive next contract. He will turn 27 mid season, meaning he will be in his physical prime over the life of this next deal.
Some players have chosen the route of sacrificing a bit of cash to help the team’s financial flexibility. Some others, players in positions like Necas, are set to cash out whether it’s with Colorado or on the open market.
Look at last year’s top forward free agent, Nikolaj Ehlers. He landed an average annual salary of $8.5 million with the Carolina Hurricanes. Ehlers is an excellent top-six winger, but Necas' production over the past three years vastly outpaces Ehlers. If he's worth $8.5, what does that make Necas worth?
The MacKinnon Cap
While the salary cap is expected to rise more and more over the next five years, the Avalanche may be dealing with a bit of their own self-imposed cap until 2027 at the earliest and 2031 at the latest. That upper ceiling is the annual salary of top players Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon. Makar currently makes $9 million for two more seasons and MacKinnon carries a cap hit of $12.5 million.
Colorado certainly wants to retain Necas, but the MacKinnon cap hit is the absolute limit for the Avs. They won’t pay anyone more than their MVP superstar and it’s understandable if they wouldn’t want to surpass their two-time Norris Trophy-winning defender’s salary as well.
That puts Necas and the Avalanche at a potential standstill. Will Colorado move, follow the rising salary cap, and pay Necas a salary north of $10 million? Or, will the scoring forward have to test the market to find that contract? Through the early portion of the season, Necas’ play has put him in position to land a huge payday. The only question is who will be handing out that huge check?
