GREEN BAY, Wis. – It’s not just fresh legs from the bye week that have the Green Bay Packers flying around at practice this week.

This is a new approach.

Coach Matt LaFleur shortened the scouting staff’s periods in exchange for more competitive displays involving the starting offense and the starting defense.

That’s something he did last season and credits with helping the Packers improve from 3-6 at midseason to the playoffs.

“I thought last year was good for us,” LaFleur said. “I thought then we were starting to show some more improvement.

“I thought it was important in the first half of the season to implement a new defensive plan and have as many card periods as possible. But I think we’re at the point now where we can do a little less card and do a little better against good.”

“Cards” is the language used by coaches for the scout team, as scout team players refer to the play drawn on the card shown at the meeting. “Good to good” means beginnings versus beginnings.

Jeff Hafley’s turnover-producing defense is a big reason why the Packers posted a 6-3 record heading into Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

With Hafley’s plan established, LaFleur, in consultation with his coaches during the bye, decided to increase the level of competition on the practice field in hopes of increasing the level of play on game days.

Hafley liked what he saw during a spirited week of practice.

“This is your best self and you get better that way,” Hafley said.

Hafley appreciates that LaFleur chose to step on the gas instead of backing off.

“There’s a lot of guys going the other direction towards the end of the season, and they start coming in and dialing the number down,” Hafley said. “But I think how can we get better in the second half and improve on what we did?

“I’m grateful that he has that mentality and wants to do it. Because you know how to get better at football? “You are playing football against good players.”

The Packers offensively need to be better at third down football. LaFleur’s offense entered Week 11 ranked 19th with its third loss, while Hafley’s defense ranked sixth.

There were about 10 snaps during Thursday’s third down period, Hafley said.

“Jordan Love, our wide receivers and our O-line, this is arguably one of the best, most explosive offenses in the NFL. So today instead of one pass or three quarter pace (scout team period) we got 10 reps.

“So our guys got better today and there were some shots both ways, right? You’re not going to win every single one, but that’s what you want and hopefully we continue to do that.”

Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich saw firsthand how that approach worked, as Jordan Love and the rest of the offense took off last season after a dismal first half of the season.

“I think it just provides a quick look,” Stenavich said. “You never know what coverage you will get. It’s like a game that has an unexplored view and you just have to react and play the game. I think it is very valuable for everyone. Sometimes when you’re in card periods or peek periods, you don’t get that good of a look, so whenever you can go up against the defense and get quick looks, I think that’s helpful.

LaFleur heralded the changes the day after the Packers lost to the Lions in their final game before the bye. Reflecting on last season, LaFleur recalled that “practices had more energy.”

So far, so good.

“I feel like the last two days the energy has been exactly where you want it to be,” LaFleur said.

Now, he has to show up in a rivalry road game.

“The last two days they came through it, they really did,” Hafley said. “Yesterday was physical. It was really competitive today. Our guys know how good they can be and they see us getting better and they’re excited about that. “There’s a different energy they’re coming back from the bye week with, which is very encouraging and these guys are a lot of fun to coach.”

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