The Green Bay Packers offense is fifth in the NFL in yards gained and eighth in points scored. That is despite the fact that the offense has struggled in the red zone this season. Through 11 games, the team has scored just 24 touchdowns in 44 trips to the red zone or a 54.5 percent touchdown rate. That places them 20th in the NFL. There are multiple reasons for these struggles including untimely penalties, poor play calling, and dropped passes. Last week, the Pack went 5-for-5 in the red zone. The way they did it also revealed two keys to solving the Packers struggles in the red zone.
Two Keys to Solving the Packers Struggles in the Red Zone, Number One: RB Josh Jacobs
The most obvious thing the Packers did well last week in the red zone was to give the football to running back Josh Jacobs. Jacobs scored three touchdowns against the 49ers. All three of them came from a yard out.
Jacobs has run for seven touchdowns this season. Six of them were from 10 yards out or less.
The Packers star running back has a knack for the end zone. He has twice topped 10 rushing touchdowns in a season during his NFL career, scoring 12 times in 2020 and 2022. He is on pace for 11 this season although you would expect his touchdown total to go up as the weather gets colder and teams emphasize the run more.
After the game, Jacobs told Tom Brady of Fox Sports that he was the solution to the Packers red zone problems. “You know, coming in each week, we know that that’s the thing we struggle with the most. So, whenever we’re down there, I just tell them, ‘Man, give me the ball and we’ll figure it out,’” Jacobs said.
The formula worked to perfection against San Francisco. The Packers had 16 snaps in the red zone and ran the football on 13 of them.
Jacobs’ ability to make tacklers miss in close quarters makes him a dangerous weapon in the red zone.
Number Two: A Great Receiving Weapon
If Jacobs should be the primary weapon for the Packers in the red zone, their next weapon should be tight end Tucker Kraft.
Kraft has caught six touchdown passes which leads the team. No other Packers receiver has more than four.
Five of the six touchdown catches have come in the red zone. His ability to make yards after contact makes him a great red zone target. Kraft doesn’t need to get far downfield to score in the red zone. His ability to break tackles and make the first man miss make him a dangerous weapon.
Kraft’s touchdown against the 49ers illustrates this perfectly. He caught a short pass at the 11-yard line in the middle of the field. Zach Tom delivered a block to give Kraft a little room. Then he broke two tackles, one at the five and another at the two, going over the last defender to get into the end zone.
The Packers need to take advantage of Kraft’s skills. He can make scoring in the red zone easier for the team because he can simplify the offense.
Two Keys to Solving the Packers Struggles in the Red Zone: Other Options
While Jacobs and Kraft are the team’s best options in the red zone, there are other options. Romeo Doubs will miss Thursday’s game against the Dolphins after he entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. He is a good red zone target when healthy.
Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are tied for second on the team with four touchdown catches each. Wicks has had issues with drops but he knows how to get open. The Packers have used Reed mostly on short passes that are schemed up for him. Using him more in the red zone would be a good idea.
Jordan Love is also capable of running into the end zone although his injuries this season make that a bit less likely.
Overall, the Packers have the weapons to be successful in the red zone. They just need to execute better and utilize those weapons to their potential to improve in this vital aspect of the game.
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