The Green Bay Packers seem to be finding their stride in recent weeks. The team is trying to peak at the right time and to lock up a playoff berth as the calendar flips to December. While the offense does seem to be getting more effective, here are three things that the Packers offense can do to improve the passing game even more:
Three Things the Packers Can Do to Improve the Passing Game, Number Three: Throw More to Josh Jacobs
On Thanksgiving, the Packers found out what can happen when they get running back Josh Jacobs more involved in the passing game. Jacobs caught four passes on four targets for 74 yards. The yard total was a season high.
The big play was a 49-yard gain that helped set up a field goal that clinched the win for the Pack. On that play, Jacobs demonstrated how dangerous he can be when he gets the ball in space. He was able to fake out several Dolphins defenders on that long gain. Making defenders miss is one of Jacobs’ best skills. He has an even better chance of doing that in space as opposed to between the tackles.
Jacobs would also provide quarterback Jordan Love with another dangerous check down option. That means even if the play doesn’t result in a big gain, it keeps the team in manageable down and distance situations. That allows Love and head coach Matt LaFleur to use the entire play book and keep opposing defenses off balance.
Number Two: Get the Ball to Jayden Reed Downfield
Jayden Reed has been an important part of the Packers offense in recent weeks. He caught two touchdown passes and gained 23 yards on an end around during last week’s game.
Lately, LaFleur has tried to scheme plays up for Reed on screens and passes near or even behind the line of scrimmage. While these are effective, they are not the only thing Reed can do.
Reed can be a dangerous receiver downfield when lining up in the slot. He already has made some big gains on plays downfield with his 4.45 speed. But downfield throws to Reed have been few and far between in recent weeks. In the last three games, Reed has eight catches, but the ball traveled a total of 34 yards downfield on those eight catches or an average of a little more than four yards per play.
Reed has catches of 70, ,53, 51, 42, and 41 yards this season. He can make big plays downfield and would give the Pack another weapon besides Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks in that area.
While the short passes and throws behind the line of scrimmage have been effective, mixing in some downfield throws that take advantage of Reed’s speed and elusiveness would help create big plays. They could also open up more opportunities underneath by making defenses more aware of the potential for a deep throw.
Three Things the Packers Can Do to Improve the Passing Game, Number One: Keep Feeding Tucker Kraft
Tight end Tucker Kraft may be the ultimate check down weapon. The 6’5”, 259-pound South Dakota State alum is tough to tackle because of his speed and running ability. He can easily turn a short pass into a sizeable gain. Even if he’s tackled, he helps keep the offense ahead of the chains.
Kraft has averaged 9.6 yards per catch on each of his 36 catches. That means even a short pass to the big tight end usually gets close to a first down.
Having Kraft as an option on short passes keeps the offense productive and moving when the downfield targets are covered. It also allows Kraft to do what he does best, break tackles and pick up yards after the catch.
It hopefully also provides more incentive for Love to not force the ball downfield and to take the outlet pass for a steady gain.
That becomes even more important in the cold weather in December and January when the ball is harder to grip and throwing long is more challenging.
By doing these three things, the Packers offense can be even more dangerous, more effective, and reduce mistakes.
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