The Green Bay Packers are reeling after Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos. Fans and analysts are attempting to diagnose what is wrong with the team and point blame in certain directions. However, when we step back and look at the team the problems aren’t isolated, they are everywhere.
Packers tTE Luke Musgrave (88)
Green Bay Packers: Offensive Issues
Jordan Love is taking the most heat which is how the NFL works. The quarterback is the most important position, so they shoulder a lot of the blame. It isn’t just Love. This young receiving group is showing its age. On more than one occasion, players have run the same routes, cut off their routes too soon, or simply not been on the same page. The offensive line, which was supposed to be a strength, cannot seem to put a good 60 minutes together. Even Elgton Jenkins is getting bad penalties and whiffing on blocks.
I’ll get more into the coaching later, but the play-calling isn’t doing this team any favors either. The number of trick plays that have been run is mind-boggling. The Green Bay Packers offense can barely get the simple stuff down and is now being asked to execute highly precise plays. Deep shots are taken on the 3rd and 3. The running game is abandoned for no reason. The sequencing seems off at times.
Packers LB Quay Walker (7)- Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Green Bay Packers: Defensive Woes
Overall, the defense hasn’t played poorly. They have held opponents to minimal points and players like Rashan Gary are having career years. However, their situational play is atrocious. Take Sunday for example. The Packers took a one-point lead late in the game. When the Broncos got the ball back, Joe Barry went right into his prevent, no big plays defense. That works at the beginning of the game. In this situation, the defense should be doing everything they can to make sure they preserve this one-point lead. Want to take pressure off your young quarterback? Don’t constantly put everything on him. This is just one example of poor situational awareness.
The play of the defense hasn’t been stellar either. Keisean Nixon looks lost as the nickel corner and gets burned at least three times a game. The defensive line can rush the passer but when the play is a run, they constantly get little push or miss tackles. Injuries have made this a rotating cast of characters which doesn’t help the continuity. While the scheme is not great at times, players are also not helping.
Packers HC Matt LaFleur – Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports
Coaching
The last two games have led many to question Matt LaFleur. The Monday night game against the Raiders was on 11 days rest after a Thursday night game. Having the offense score 3 points is unacceptable. The Green Bay Packers went into a bye week and then played Denver. The same thing happened. Green Bay was shut out in the first half against the league’s worst defense. This is on coaching.
I get that players are not playing well and are young but to come out and lay a goose egg after this much time to prepare is poor preparation on the coaching staff’s part. Matt LaFleur is not on the hot seat. He has won 47 games in four years. However, if this becomes a trend, I expect that seat to warm up.
The Green Bay Packers have plenty of time to turn things around. This is a season of getting reps for the young team and trying to build something for the future. However, improvement must be shown, or this team could have some tough questions next offseason.
