The Green Bay Packers got off to a strong start to the season, beating two contending teams decisively in their first two games. But, during the last two contests, the team struggled and had disappointing results. They had a late collapse to lose to the Browns and then settled for a tie with the Cowboys in a game the Packers should have won had they executed better. The Packers are still 2-1-1 through their first four games. Here are five things the Packers need to work on over the bye week:
Five Things the Packers Need to Work on Over the Bye Week: Number Five: Play Calling and Efficiency
The Packers stumbled badly late in the game against Dallas. On the final drive, both the play calling and the efficient execution of the plays that were called hurt the team. Green Bay had the ball at the Dallas 19 with 52 seconds remaining in overtime. They needed a field goal to tie and a touchdown to win.
Unfortunately, both the play calling and the execution were poor. Emanuel Wilson ran for seven yards out of the shotgun to pick up a first down. It took 20 seconds to get off the next play, which was another run-pass option (RPO) that was a checkdown to Matthew Golden. It lost 3 yards, and the Packers called their second timeout with 28 seconds left.
A pass to Wilson then lost another yard, and the Packers took 22 seconds to get off the next play, an incomplete pass on 3rd-and-14 which fortunately left the team with one second left on the clock. In fact, the lack of efficiency almost caused the clock to run out. The Packers failed to manage their time well and didn’t take enough shots at the end zone. With one second left, Brandon McManus kicked the game-tying field goal from 34 yards out.
“The operation was way too slow. Obviously, the play calls sucked; they weren’t good enough,” head coach Matt LaFleur admitted after the game.
This inefficiency and lack of purpose must be cleaned up. The Packers seemed to be playing not to lose rather than to win.
Number Four: Penalties
Penalties remain a problem for the Packers. There have just been too many pre-snap penalties and careless mental errors all season. Illegal formations, ineligible man downfield infractions, lining up offsides. The Packers are the youngest team in the league, but they cannot afford to continue to hurt their own cause.
Through four games, the Packers have had 35 penalties accepted against them. This does not include declined infractions or plays with offsetting penalties. That’s an average of nearly nine penalties per game.
The Packers need to clean this up because they won’t be able to defeat elite opponents if they also have to overcome so many of their own mistakes.
Five Things the Packers Need to Work on Over the Bye Week: Number Three: Run Blocking
The Packers running game has struggled this season and the biggest reason has been poor run blocking by the offensive line. Josh Jacobs finally had a good game against Dallas, but nearly all of his yards this season have come after contact, and the contact has often come behind the line of scrimmage.
Yes, injuries are a factor. Zach Tom has been out of the lineup and he’s the team’s best run blocker. The move of Elgton Jenkins to center has not exactly worked out well, so far. Aaron Banks was brought in to be a big, physical runner but he’s also been hurt.
The depth has been severely tested, but the run blocking hasn’t been good all season, and it goes beyond the injuries. The Packers don’t need to be a dominant running team, but they do need to do enough to allow Jacobs to be productive. That will set up play action passes and open up the offense.
Number Two: Fix Special Teams
This season is the fourth year Rich Bisaccia has been coaching the Packers special teams. The Packers have given the former Raiders interim coach input into draft picks; they’ve allowed him to bring in special teams aces to the roster and even promoted him to assistant head coach. The one thing we haven’t seen is improvement on special teams.
The Packers would have likely beaten Dallas if not for a blocked extra point that was returned for two points. It not only was a three-point swing, but it shifted the momentum to Dallas who was down 13-0 and then scored 16 unanswered points to lead 16-13 by halftime.
Penalties, poor decisions on punt and kick returns and poor coverage have continued to hurt the team. The coverage killed the Packers again against Dallas. After the Pack took a 34-30 lead late in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys got a 45-yard kick return. That set up the go-ahead touchdown for Dallas.
The Packers special teams cost them dearly against Cleveland and Dallas. They need to fix this before it costs them more important games later in the season.
Five Things the Packers Need to Work on Over the Bye Week: Number One: Get Healthy
The offensive line is missing two starters and a rookie second round pick who serves as a top backup. Getting improved health and play from Tom, Banks, and Anthony Belton would certainly help the team play better.
Getting Devonte Wyatt healthy again would also be a big help to the defensive line. The bye will also allow Nate Hobbs to heal further and get Christian Watson closer to practicing and eventually playing with the team.
It’s basic, and simple, but necessary for this team to get healthy during the bye week while they engage in some self-scouting.
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