Inside linebackers’ impactful play opening up…

GREEN BAY – There were just five yards separating Darrel Williams and the Packers’ end zone when Krys Barnes came charging into the flat this past Sunday in Kansas City.

After a pre-snap assignment switch with fellow inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, Barnes knew it was up to him to prevent the Chiefs running back from scoring after Williams caught a third-and-goal pass underneath and turned upfield.

Barnes quickly diagnosed the play and delivered a powerful shoulder tackle that torpedoed Williams out of bounds a yard shy of goal line. Campbell, trailing close behind, began wagging his index finger to signal Barnes’ rejection, which saved four points as Kansas City settled for a Harrison Butker field goal.

“It’s crazy because you rarely see plays like that anymore,” said safety Darnell Savage, who watched the play develop while covering Kansas City receiver Demarcus Robinson over the middle. “Most of the time when a guy gets that close, normally they score.”

Barnes’ play is just one example in a season of impact plays from Green Bay’s inside linebackers, who collectively have been a catalyst in the defense’s best start in a decade.

Campbell has received a lot of attention for what he’s added since signing with the Packers in June, and deservedly so. The sixth-year veteran recently was honored as the NFC Defensive Player of Month after notching 45 tackles (three for loss), two forced fumbles, an interception and a sack in October.

However, Barnes has taken a major step in Year 2, too. The former undrafted free agent had a team-high nine tackles (one for loss) on Sunday, a performance the entire coaching staff agreed was Barnes’ best game in a Packers’ uniform.

“Most of the season I think I’ve been in my head a little bit too much as far as thinking about so many things, whatever it might be, kind of overthinking stuff,” said Barnes, who has 36 tackles and a sack in eight games with six starts.

“One thing I usually do before a game is I pray, but this week I prayed about just God giving me peace and letting me go out there and play, show what he’s blessed me to do, and I think that’s what displayed on Sunday.”

Barnes came out of nowhere a year ago to not only make Green Bay’s roster but also emerge as the team’s every down “Mike” linebacker responsible for relaying the defensive calls.