Kyle Shanan of the San Francisco 49ers advise the Green Bay Packers on Joe Barry.

Kyle Shanahan, coach of the San Francisco 49ers, is delighted with the Green Bay Packers’ defense’s recent improvements under defensive coordinator Joe Barry.

The Packers concluded the 2023 regular season with a below-average overall defense, placing 17th in the NFL. Nonetheless, that porous wall was nowhere to be found in the Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys, who made life difficult for Dak Prescott and company en way to a 48-32 victory.

While the Cowboys scored 32 points, they weren’t able to get anything going offensively until garbage time in the fourth quarter. Through three quarters, Dallas scored just 16 points while the Green Bay offense led by Jordan Love and Aaron Jones already pulled away with 41 points at that point.

The Packers picked off Dak Prescott twice and sacked him four times, all while protecting their own quarterback in Love. The Green Bay offensive line didn’t allow a sack and even paved the way for 143 rushing yards.

Kyle Shanahan Praises Joe Barry, Green Bay Packers’ Defense

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Kyle Shanahan was asked about his assessment on Joe Barry’s work on the Green Bay Packers’ defense and how it looked against the Dallas Cowboys. Sure enough, the San Francisco 49ers head coach didn’t hold back in his praise, noting that they are “extremely sound.”

Shanahan particularly noted that the Packers defense getting healthier is a big factor as well, and it’s something he and the 49ers need to be cautious of when they meet in the divisional round.

“They looked real good versus Dallas. I haven’t got to watch much of them until these last 10 days and obviously picked it up a lot more these last two days. I think they’re a very good defense. The numbers don’t always tell the truth,” Shanahan said of the Packers’ defense, per 49ers WebZone.

“They had a couple games that got some cheap yards, but they’re good in the run, good in the pass. They can get to the quarterback. They’re extremely sound. They’re getting healthier. A ton of respect for Joe. I got to work with him my first couple years of my career in Tampa. He’s been involved in a number of different defenses, played against him a few times with the Rams. Then in Green Bay, his scheme just keeps getting sounder and better.”

If the Packers can replicate their recent success against the 49ers, it’s not hard to see them pulling off an upset. Sure enough, though, Shanahan and Co. will do their best to prepare for that challenge.