Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers has said that the team's defense can take the "next step" in 2013.

The NFC North side have been focusing on improving the defense after giving up a a total of 579 yards to the San Francisco 49ers during the playoffs in January.

Capers told the team's website: "My hopes are that we can take the next step. We have more experience. We've added some guys, I think they're going to help us. I think that'll bode well in terms of taking the next step.

"We've had as good a competition as we've had since I've been here. The more competition you create, the better you are. You've got to be able to have different personnel groups."

The Packers face the Kansas City Chiefs this evening before playing the 49ers in the opening game of the regular season.