Commanders 23 Packers 21: Game Balls & Lame Calls
How low will this season go?
By KenLass
Turns out the Green Bay Packers did simplify the offense. They made it simply awful. Matt LaFleur said he wanted his players to have fun out there. Well, they may be having fun, but it’s not much fun to watch.
The pattern is certainly clear. Green Bay leads early. Offense goes comatose. Defense wears down in the second half. Oh, there was a brief pulse there late in the game, thanks to three Washington penalties, and an outstanding scramble and throw by Aaron Rodgers, coupled with an equally outstanding catch by Aaron Jones. But, as has been typical during this malaise, when the defense absolutely had to make a stop, they allowed the Commanders to run off two first downs, which enabled them to run enough time off the clock to prevent a Packer comeback.
There’s so much going on here, I am flummoxed to be able to pinpoint the problems. I actually thought the revamped offensive line played reasonably well. They allowed no sacks, and Rodgers appeared to have enough time on most of his drop backs. They were held to 38 yards rushing, but much of that was due to the Packers falling behind and having to put it up on every play. The main problem seems to be a complete inability to throw the ball downfield. The thumb has to be bothering Rodgers. He again missed badly on long balls and even the line of scrimmage throws. It’s far from all his fault. His receivers are letting him down as well. Allen Lazard, Aaron Jones, Romeo Doubs and Amari Rodgers all dropped critical passes that might have changed the game.
With no fear of the downfield pass, opponents are moving up and smothering those line of scrimmage throws, and they are far less effective than they were earlier in the season. Green Bay simply must find a way to connect on some of those deep throws and deep crosses to loosen up the defense.
Green Bay’s defense is closer to getting there. They had good pressure on Taylor Heinecke throughout. They were so close to several sacks, but once Heinecke got the ball off, the secondary again couldn’t cover. Giving away the edge is a big issue. More on that below. Most of the game balls are based on first half performance.
GAME BALLS
Aaron Jones
After every loss, LaFleur says the team has to get the ball to Jones more often. This game he finally made good on that. Number 33 responded by being basically the entire offense. He had nine catches for 53 yards and both of Green Bay’s offensive touchdowns. He added 23 yards rushing. If only the whole team played with his desire and relentlessness.
Quay Walker
The rookie has taken a lot of criticism in recent weeks, but he was all over the field, especially in the first half, making clutch tackles. He led the team with 13 stops. Joe Barry also had Walker blitzing in this game, and one of them he pressured Heinecke into missing a wide open Terry McLaurin on third down. Walker’s hard hit on JD McKissick forced a drop in the red zone. A very encouraging outing.
Zach Tom
I may be jumping the gun on this one. I haven’t had time to go back to re-watch his play. But I tried to keep an eye on him during the game and he seemed to hold up. For a rookie making his first start at the critical left tackle position, he gave up no sacks. I may feel differently when I go back through the game, but I didn’t notice much difference from the way Bakhtiari was playing the position this year.
Honorable mentions to De’Vondre Campbell, whose pick six in the first half was the kind of turnover the defense has so desperately needed. Also to Allen Lazard, who played banged up and still caught six of seven targets for 55 yards.
LAME CALLS
Penalties
They’re just killing the Packers. The biggest wound came when a strip sack fumble, recovered and returned for a touchdown by Rasul Douglas, was called back on an illegal contact penalty by Eric Stokes. The call was a bit ticky tack but what course would this game have taken if that touchdown had stood? There were three devastating holding calls, two of them on Yosh Nijman, who was shaky at right tackle. It would help if Rodgers would get rid of the ball on schedule and not force the O-line to protect for so long.
Failure to Hold the Edge
The Commanders rolled up 166 yards rushing, with the most damage being done around the edges. Green Bay’s linebackers just can’t seem to stay disciplined enough to hold their ground at that part of the field. All too often the guilty party is Rashan Gary, who is so obsessed with getting to the quarterback that he bites to the inside too often. But he’s not alone. Preston Smith and Kingsley Enagbare have had issues there as well.
Third Down Offense
It was not until the fourth quarter that Green Bay converted a third down without the benefit of a penalty. Those little short yardage passes that used to work so well are getting harder to execute as defenses creep closer and closer to the line. The Packers simply have to be able to run Jones and Dillon successfully on third and short. That means O-line play that pushes the line of scrimmage downhill. The team is not getting much out of Dillon this year, largely because they are playing from behind a good deal of the time.
THREE AND OUT
-- Jaire Alexander and Terry McLaurin had a mighty battle all day and McLaurin got the better of it. The two killers were the 37 yard touchdown on a beautiful ball from Heinecke, and the third down catch on the sideline late in the game which enabled Washington to bleed more clock. Jaire is one of the best, but he lost this battle.
-- First round draft pick Devonte Wyatt played more prominently in this game. He only had two tackles, but one of them was impressive, as he hustled to chase down a receiver and tackled him from behind to stop him short of the first down. Good experience for the rookie.
-- It was somehow fitting that the wild, multi-lateral play ended with Aaron Rodgers lateraling inaccurately. When Doubs had the ball and was breaking across the middle, I actually thought he had a chance to break it. Oh well, is it too early to start thinking about who the Packers should pick with their top ten selection in the draft next spring?
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (112)
HarryHodag
October 24, 2022 at 07:19 am
I see 7 more losses among the 10 remaining games. I originally picked them 9-8. In both cases, they're out of the playoffs.
What's gone wrong? All the armchair QB's like myself have a variety of opinions but to me the 'vibe' of the team is off. It is a bit like Paul Chryst in Madison.
One thing that is apparent is the loss of Nathaniel Hackett has really set the offense back, along with an offensive line that at times has been offensive. They've lost the tight end in play calling. How is it this year that so many receivers have butterfingers? Dillon has become an afterthought. The didn't use both Jones and Dillon together much last year and it worked better. Each became a feature back and now Dillon is used more like a fullback.
The defense has been good enough to win. But the offense just sucks. You pick the cause.
The special teams are better, buy why on earth is Amari Rodgers returning kicks? His fumble changed the momentum of the game from a probable victory to a loss.
PackyCheese500
October 24, 2022 at 07:27 am
The defense cannot play well if they are so winded throughout the second half because the offense can’t do anything. I predict a 5-12 or 6-11 finish, with wins against the Bears, Lions at Lambeau, and the toss up game is against the Rams
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 07:50 am
The defense was winded, but it wasn't solely on the offense. The defense needs to look at themselves in the mirror a bit.
The drive after the pick 6 in the first half, the defense allowed a 12 play 83 yards drive that lasted 6:08. That is all on the defense.
The 2nd half they opened up the 1/2 on defense. They allowed a 5 play 74 yard TD drive. Packers offense had the ball for 6 plays. The defense gets on the field and allows a 16 play 72 yards drive that lasted 8:48.
My point is they are not getting off the field. We can blame the offense for not playing well, which they are not. But the defense needs to get stops. They are supposed to be one of the best in the league. If they are, they need to get off the field and get the ball back to the offense to give them more chances.
jannesbjornson
October 24, 2022 at 09:13 am
Barry cannot figure out a heavy front and control the edge. Gary was crashing too much and didn't get help from the safety. Ford should see more reps as a slot guy. He targets and hits people. The rest are on their heels.
Cubbygold
October 24, 2022 at 09:44 am
Yeah, a lot of this is on the expectations right? Defense allowed 23 points, but they scored 7, so net 16 points on the road. Hard to criticize that too much, especially when the offense is being so ineffective and keeping the pressure on the defense the entire game. But, if all these first round picks and investment into that side of the team justifies higher expectations for this group, then they definitely aren't meeting those expectations. This defense is good enough to win a lot of games with many of the packer offenses over the past 10 years - but they certainly aren't winning us games on their own. And they could be if they'd stop dropping all these interceptions, they could be winning these games because of the defense. The bar is just a little bit higher these days for that side of the ball, which is why a 16 point effort still feels meh
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 10:27 am
The defense has played well at times, but when they need a crucial stop, they simply can't get it.
They scored a TD and had a 2nd called back because of a ticky tacky call. They had another fumble that they recovered and went against them.
The defense played very well and applied a ton of pressure yesterday. They just weren't able to get off the field a ton.
When its 3rd and long they have to find a way to get off the field. Its just that simple.
Packers1985
October 24, 2022 at 10:31 am
But again whom did the defense face so far the defense faced some no name qb's or qb's shorthanded by weapons. May be some of those would've gone significantly more we had had faced better offenses. Again i am not defending the offenses's play they have played the worst football but still defense has only played slightly better than offense.
Cubbygold
October 25, 2022 at 05:14 am
Yeah, absolutely. The defense had to win a few games early in the season while the offense adjusted to the loss of Adams. With the WRs getting injured, even more so. Statistically they've been ok, but you're right - if they were a great defense they would have feasted on these lesser opponents.
GregC
October 24, 2022 at 07:29 am
Good breakdown of the game. The new O-line was an improvement, but not a dramatic improvement. Early on, the emphasis was on getting the ball out quickly so they didn't have to hold their blocks for long. Later, when asked to protect Rodgers for longer, they held up well, but I wonder if the Commanders were playing more of a prevent-type defense by that point. Nijman seemed to have the most problems, with a couple of holding penalties. Maybe that's why the coaches were reluctant to put him on the right side.
The run blocking was not good, although they ran the ball so seldom that there was no opportunity for the O-line to get into a run-blocking groove. The most successful runs were Aaron Jones on the outside.
Cubbygold
October 24, 2022 at 09:40 am
It all depends on the situation, right? They had issues - but Washington has a great front, and 69 was out for the game, and they benched Newman for the first time. So you lose your most important guy, you bring in two 'new' starters, and you shuffle guys around to new positions. That's a heck of alot of change for one game going up against a good front.
baldski
October 24, 2022 at 01:42 pm
So, why not put Nijman on the left side where he played most of last year and put Tom on right side?
GregC
October 24, 2022 at 06:18 pm
I'm guessing that after last week's game, they had finally decided to insert Nijman at RT as a way to get their best five on the field, so he had practiced there all week, and then Bahktiari's knee flared up at the end of the week, and they didn't want to shuffle Nijman back to LT. I still think they should've done it, though.
rstain99
October 24, 2022 at 07:30 am
Simple stuff they are losing at the line of scrimmage both sides of the ball no running game which means other teams just concentrate on pass. Can't stop the run which plays into the fact that secondary is overrated JA was very average yesterday. The fact Joe Barry is still coaching is amazing he never makes any adjustments they never seem ready to play at start of games. Very pitiful squad at this point. Time to cut Amari Rodgers find another punt returner enough of waiting for his potential.
HarryHodag
October 24, 2022 at 07:52 am
As much as I've badmouthed Amari Rodgers as a returner, he is starting to show some life as a pass receiver. They need him now in that role. Watson isn't going to see the field any time soon and Watkins is a ghost, you think he's there then he disappears. Cobb is hurt yet again. Lazard got his bell rung so he might be out awhile.
jurp
October 24, 2022 at 08:08 am
Watkins must be invisible because there was one play, shown during the night game's halftime, with the view from behind Rodgers,, where Watkins was wide open - something like 10 yards of separation - and Rodgers threw what may have been a checkdown to a receiver in the same line of site as Watkins. Rodgers throws to Watkins and it's a big-play TD instead of another missed third-down conversion.
baldski
October 24, 2022 at 01:44 pm
Maybe Rodgers needs glasses at age 39?
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 08:16 am
I agree about Rodgers as a WR. IMO he needs more playing time. He was the one guy yesterday at the WR that actually looked good. Lazard was ok, but had a bad drop on the first series.
What I liked about Rodgers is that he made guys miss. Also I felt he got a bad spot on the one 3rd and long play. I felt he got to the first down marker before he was touched.
I think Rodgers needs more opportunities on offense.
Coach Cleve Steamer
October 24, 2022 at 10:17 am
He needs another year or two. He’ll be playing for Detroit in a couple of years.
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 10:29 am
Right now who else is there? With the players on the field currently he was one of the few guys to actually catch the passes thrown to him.
coolhand
October 24, 2022 at 09:13 am
Lazard got hurt when he missed his block and didn't touch anybody. I don't get these pro athletes getting hurt this way.
jannesbjornson
October 24, 2022 at 09:17 am
Toure' should have the reps. He showed he belongs with his limited time on the field. He is smooth and has length, something Amari Rodgers does not possesss.
PeteK
October 24, 2022 at 10:33 am
Are you guys still drunk ? His fumble and dropped TD cost us the game. Did not look any better during preseason.
GregC
October 24, 2022 at 06:20 pm
Dropped TD? Did I miss something, or are you talking about the long pass that Aaron Rodgers overthrew?
PeteK
October 24, 2022 at 07:53 pm
Yes, you missed it hitting both his hands. Check the replay , it was certainly a catchable pass.
NickPerry
October 24, 2022 at 07:32 am
Game Balls... Okay, this is REALLY hard to come up with one and I have to use Ken's answer with Zack Tom. I also thought Preston Smith played a decent game but unless I rewatched the game I'm not 100% certain about that. There's also the fact I wouldn't EVER rewatch that game again. Why? I already know this is a HORRIBLY coached football team led by a guy who will have a dead cap hit in 2023 of $99,778,568.00... Hey, look at the bright side. It's not $100 Million AND we'll probably get a top 2 pick in the 2024 draft. That's just awesome, the 70s are back. Thank you, Mark Murphy!
Lame Calls... LOL, where to start. I actually have to start to get ready for work, so as much as I'd love to sit here for the next several minutes and be my long-winded self, I think I'll just point to the last several weeks of this season. No need to rehash it.
I've been ESPECIALLY supportive of Brian Gutekunst. Now I don't think it would make a bit of difference this year though I suppose it could, but it would be something that would help NEXT year. Well, if we want to screw up a Top 2 pick that is. But I'm curious if Gute will make a move for Chase Claypool or DJ Moore for example before the trade deadline. Teams have ZERO respect for the WRs and if/when they do beat their man deep, Rodgers either overthrows it, underthrows it, or throws it 10 yards out of bounds. I'm watching Gute...
Oh, and MLF... I'm now 100% on board with Coldworld. I honestly believe he can't coach this team out of this mess. He's lost this team IMO. The Packers WILL BE 3-9 when they play the Bears. They'll be on an 8 game losing streak, and I wouldn't be surprised one bit if Jordon Love is the QB by then.
Guam
October 24, 2022 at 08:00 am
NP: Agree that Preston Smith played one of his better games. Held the edge for most of the game and rushed the passer well.
I am not sure making a move for a WR is the answer even though drops are hurting the Packers. I thought Rodgers was playing poorly due to the intense pass rush he has been facing but he had plenty of time in the pocket against Washington. Even with time, Rodgers was just inaccurate with his long throws and low on a percentage of his short throws. A better WR will still not catch these errant passes. The larger problem maybe age has finally caught up with Aaron Rodgers.
I wonder if San Francisco would be dumb enough to trade for AR given Garapolo will not get them to the Super Bowl? Probably just wishful thinking........sigh.
Cubbygold
October 24, 2022 at 09:35 am
Idk about contract stuff, my guess is 12 is untradeable. Set that aside, I'm pretty sure SF would laugh at the idea that Rodgers will provide them with better QB play, especially in the playoffs.
Guam
October 24, 2022 at 10:08 am
I suspect you are correct about SF. Unfortunately the Packers waited one year too long to trade Rodgers. Instead they signed him to a cap breaking contract. I will never forgive Murphy for that move.
NickPerry
October 24, 2022 at 04:13 pm
I'm so right there with you Guam. People need to REALLY start voicing their displeasure with Mark Murphy. This guy has completely screwed the Packers over for the next several years.
I know it's easy to say now but even if the Packers were 6-1 or 5-2 I would still say TRADING Aaron Rodgers would have been the BEST thing this team could have done. We've been extremely lucky to have had first Brett Favre and then Aaron Rodgers. It's been 30 years of great play by two 1st ballet HOF QBs.
Cubbygold
October 25, 2022 at 05:15 am
Vote with your $ - an empty stadium speaks loudest
NickPerry
October 24, 2022 at 03:55 pm
"I wonder if San Francisco would be dumb enough to trade for AR given Garapolo will not get them to the Super Bowl? Probably just wishful thinking........sigh."
LOL...I've thought the same exact thing, actually yesterday and again this morning...How FUNNY... I highly doubt SF would be THAT stupid PLUS, they don't have ANY draft picks left to trade although if they took the contract at this point it would HAVE to be good enough.
Cubbygold
October 24, 2022 at 09:36 am
DJ Moore is untradeable - would accelerate a massive cap hit for Carolina.
jlc1
October 24, 2022 at 10:07 am
Agree that MLF seems to have lost this team. It feels so much like the last weeks of the McCarthy era.
Leatherhead
October 24, 2022 at 03:57 pm
NP...
"Oh, and MLF... I'm now 100% on board with Coldworld. I honestly believe he can't coach this team out of this mess. He's lost this team IMO. The Packers WILL BE 3-9 when they play the Bears. They'll be on an 8 game losing streak, and I wouldn't be surprised one bit if Jordon Love is the QB by then."
The last two offseasons, we've had the MVP returning at QB, but that's not going to be the case this year. Perhaps he'll decide he's had enough and pursues happiness doing something else. Or he can be traded. Or perhaps the decision will be made for him by some defensive lineman.
From the beginning, Gutekunst/Murphy made it clear they were going to ride Rodgers the best they could AND prepare the team for the post-Rodgers era, which IS coming. They have their horse, he's had time to learn and grow and develop.
I'm no capologist, by any means, but if Rodgers retires after this season, I think it mitigates quite a few of the cap issues.
As regards "this mess", I'd just point out that despite everything. EVERYTHING. We still have as good or better record than most of the NFC teams. We had two hard bone jobs by the officials and had they gotten either one of them right we'd have won this last game.
I don't know if the Packers are going to suddenly start playing like we think they should. Maybe people are going to have to go before things change .
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 07:35 am
Game Balls:
Aaron Jones - He is our star on offense. When he gets the ball in his hands good things happen.
OL - The reshuffled OL I felt played its best game of the year. They had some mistakes, a couple of holding penalties and whatnot. But Washington has a very good front and they didn't pressure Rodgers much at all.
Campbell - You get a pick 6, no matter what else happens in the game you are getting a game ball from me. I felt Campbell was really playing good overall.
Douglas - He was all over the field. I just wish he would have turned a couple of the PBU's into interceptions.
Lame Calls:
WR's - The first series of the game its 3rd and 4. Lazard drops a first down pass. I want to say I saw a stat that said the WR's dropped either 7 or 8 passes. Doubs I think dropped 4 passes. The one was a 4th down play that would have been a first down. A couple of them were 3rd downs that likely would have gotten first downs. Just an awful game by Doubs. Watkins definitely was not going 100%.
Honestly the only WR that I felt good about was Amari Rodgers. He at least made some plays when he caught the ball.
There were definitely some inaccurate throws. The QB deserves some blame too. But a WR should catch 95% of throws that hits their hands. This group of WR's feels like its about 65%.
Officiating - Refs were over officiating the game. That call on Stokes that took away the TD was just horrible. If they are going to call that, then they have to call every play like that in the game.
The Packers 1st challenge shouldn't have to be challenged. The official was right there. It was clearly not a completion. The packers had to waste a challenge on that? The 2nd Packers challenge I felt should have been GB's ball. I never saw where the guy regained control of the ball. it was moving when the DB knocked it out of his hands and it was clearly recovered by GB. Everyone will have an opinion of that play, but IMO, that should have been GB ball. And it only took the Refs about 4-1/2 hours to figure it out.
Three and Out
- Zach Tom imo played really well. So well i really don't get why he hasn't been on the field before this game. If Bakhtiari can't play I have no problems putting Tom in at LT.
- Front 7. They played really well. They were 1/2 step away from the QB almost all day. Walker had a couple of really good blitzes off the corner. I don't want to say they were lucky, but they got the ball off and somehow it got in the hands of their receivers.
- Offense needs a playmaker. The only playmaker they have is Aaron Jones. They severely miss Christian Watson. Since he has been out the offense feels like it has no speed. Defenses clearly don't respect the Packers WR's. And to be fair, the Packers WR's have been banged up. Lazard has been in and out. Watson has missed more then he has played. Watkins just came back after missing 4 games. Cobb is out at least 4 weeks. Our top 4 guys to start the year have not played enough. Watkins, Lazard, Cobb, Watson have missed significant playing time.
I wasn't one that felt we were going to make a move for a WR before. But at this point, unless they make a move I don't see how this offense will ever be good this year. Which it maybe too late at this point.
PackyCheese500
October 24, 2022 at 07:40 am
The announcers on Fox were TERRIBLE, I thought! It’s like it was being officiated by two Vikings fans
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 07:55 am
When you aren't listening to the top guys on each station, you notice how bad the other guys are.
Now that being said, I didn't mind them.
Coldworld
October 24, 2022 at 09:50 am
It’s hard not to sound like a Vikings fan watching that. Neutrality in the face of a showing that bad is going to be painful.
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 11:29 am
I honestly don't really listen to what they say to be honest. I mean I hear them talking but most of it is background noise lol.
Esquetoi
October 24, 2022 at 09:38 am
When Johnston opposed the call on the field when the Packer receiver got hooked I lost it. It's as if counterintuitiveness got him a bonus.
Since'61
October 24, 2022 at 10:11 am
I keep the sound turned down. Even the alleged best network teams are awful. The only time I turn up the sound is during a review like the challenge the Packers made when they knocked the ball loose and recovered. I couldn't understand why it was taking so long. That review took at least 10 minutes. Ridiculous. In any case I suggest turning down the sound and just watch the game without the airheads. For years I have found it helps me focus on the game much better and I don't get frustrated listening to commentators who have no idea what they are talking about. Thanks, since '61
Cubbygold
October 24, 2022 at 09:22 am
Would love some playmakers too - at the end of the day this team has $53M in cap hit going to 12, 69 and Z. Smith. That's a lot of unproductive dollars and a hurdle that is just too large to overcome I suspect. We can talk about Newman or Amari Rodgers or play calling all we want, but this is the real story that's playing out, on top of the injuries like you've said.
Just imagine if we had an impact rookie receiver, a healthy pro-bowl LT, and $20M in cap to spend on complementary weapons. Whole different team.
Coldworld
October 24, 2022 at 09:53 am
We had been inexorably heading to a point where it was Rodgers or new players. We reached that after last season. We chose Rodgers. It looked dubious then and it is being shown to be now.
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 09:59 am
Honestly I think the injuries are the biggest story. In the offseason before the season started most of us felt ok with the WR's. We had a mix of some veterans and some real young talent. We knew it wouldn't be as good without Adams, but as a collective bunch we felt they would be good enough.
The problem is that that they have simply been hurt way too much. We have played 7 games. Watkins missed 4. Watson has missed 3. Lazard and Cobb each missed 1. Doubs has played every game, Rodgers has but hasn't been used on offense much. Toure for the first time this year was active on game day. They brought up Winfree for the 3rd time in 6 weeks. That kind of shows how there has been non rhythm.
IF our WR's had been healthy this entire time I think our offense looks completely different.
Cubbygold
October 25, 2022 at 05:17 am
Yeah, or even play this season out where the o-line is healthy and the top 5 players are on the field each game. Big difference I'm sure.
EnemyTerritory
October 24, 2022 at 09:31 am
It’s too late at this point. Time to sell not buy
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 10:00 am
It maybe is.
BUT, I will say there is a lot of season left. Adding 1 player could completely change the offense and ignite the team. Sometimes making a bold move does that.
Not saying it will happen. Just saying it could.
stockholder
October 24, 2022 at 09:40 am
Tom- Every scout said he was to small for LT. The reshuffling will continue. Bet on it. Rodgers best chances of getting hurt will be the Buffalo game. From the blind side!
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 10:05 am
Combine measurements:
Bakhtiari - 6'-4" 299 lbs, 34" arms, 9 1/2" hands
Tom - 6'-4" 304 lbs, 33 1/4" arms, 10 3/8" hands
This is a pretty good comparison for Tom really.
Coldworld
October 24, 2022 at 09:47 am
Rodgers caught one pass in space. He showed why he’s not a receiver on the long pass, which pretty much any other catcher would have made a better attempt on. He’s got such a small catch radius. Blind alley unless you are going to scheme him open in space, but I’d rather they did that for Doubs and Toure and Watson if he returns. That’s a few plays a game strategem at most.
Rodgers cannot return again (or at least not on a rational team). We need to use Doubs or find a reliable guy and bench or cut Rodgers. Sadly they won’t do either. But that’s part of why we are where we are.
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 10:08 am
Rodgers caught 2 passes in this game. He caught 1 pass last week. I'm not saying he is a start. But they have him and they need to be using him.
I like Doubs, but he is a rookie. Yesterday he dropped 4 passes that hit his hands.
I agree they can't have Rodgers return anymore. But they need to start finding ways to use him on offense.
T7Steve
October 24, 2022 at 11:04 am
How'd we do going through the easy part of the schedule? Can only get better now? Think they're hiding the best part of the playbook?
RCPackerFan
October 24, 2022 at 11:26 am
"easy part"
Vikings - 5-1
Giants - 6-1
Jets - 5-2
Commanders - 3-4.
Maybe the really bad loss they have had is the Commanders. Maybe the 3 other losses are not as bad as they first appeared? They are combined 16-4.
As for the rest of the season, its not easy. 4 of their next 6 are on the road. 4 teams above .500.
At Bills (5-1)
At Lions (1-5)
Cowboys (5-2)
Titans (4-2)
At Eagles (6-0)
At Bears (2-4)
T7Steve
October 24, 2022 at 02:40 pm
Yes. Before the season, the only iffy one (per "experts") was the TB game and maybe the Viking game in this first stretch. And we won the TB game. Every year is such a hairball to guess for the "experts".
Leatherhead
October 24, 2022 at 04:11 pm
That's a solid summation, RC. This part:
"But at this point, unless they make a move I don't see how this offense will ever be good this year.,,"
Yeah, 15 points a game or so isn't going to cut it. We have our line, it's mid-season, and I don't think a talented, healthy, offensive lineman is going to fall out of the sky. If we can keep this bunch healthy, we should be able to get something going on offense.
The situation at WR is not good, but even it we brought in Jerry Rice at the top of his game, Rodgers is still going to have to throw him the ball. I think that it's going to be Lazard, then the rookie with butterfingers, then the old guys who are usually hurt, then the rookie who's been banged up since training camp started, then the guy who never gets targeted. That's not a real imposing group.
I'd support the move for a WR.....IF he was the real deal with a future, and not some castoff or gun for hire. Nobody is going to trade away a good WR cheap.
Roadrunner23
October 24, 2022 at 07:36 am
The packers are a train wreck
Time to blow it up and blow #12 out of Green Bay
Should’ve traded him to Denver when his value was high
HarryHodag
October 24, 2022 at 07:55 am
They should have traded him to the Raiders BEFORE he signed his first extension. Now the second extension essentially bankrupts the salary cap for several years.
Esquetoi
October 24, 2022 at 09:42 am
...and told Adams, YOU ARE THE GUY!!!! Sign him with Jordan Love would've catapaulted Love into success. And mostly it would be team success.
Packerpasty
October 24, 2022 at 09:54 am
I don't think Adams would have wanted that, he saw Love daily in practice he knows how mediocre the guy is..Adams and Rodgers lit it up for years, don't get goofy..
PackyCheese500
October 24, 2022 at 07:38 am
Time to rebuild. Aaron Jones is our best offensive weapon right now, but his cap hit is huge next year, so this is likely his last year with the Packers. Why not trade him for some handsome compensation (like a 2nd-rounder) to a RB-needy contender, like the Buffalo Bills? Also, next year, Chiefs OT Orlando Brown is likely gone. Think they would be interested in trading for D-Bak? Maybe even a first-second rounder?
If it wasn’t obvious before, this game showed it: MLF is not a good coach, and my guess is that he never was, but the Rodgers-Adam’s connection on offense covered up for his ineptitude. I think he and Barry are likely gone after this season. As a Huskers fan, he reminds me of how Scott Frost would say the same thing over and over again in the post game press conference (with MLF: we have to get Jones the ball more) but nothing ever changes.
Gutey has been okay, but he has had some bad whiffs in recent memory. Amari Rodgers, perhaps Darnell Savage (although he could be better if he transitioned to nickel CB), Quay Walker over Devin Lloyd, Devonte Wyatt, Christian Watson over George Pickens and Alec Pierce (which also cost us another second round pick), and Sean Rhyan. I think we need a new, better GM, who is better in selection and also who will do the necessary moves in FA when we are contending (we could have signed available difference making players in 2020 and 2021 that would have likely taken us further but Gutey said nope: read this article to see: https://zonecoverage.com/2022/uncategorized/brian-gutekunst-built-a-mans...
Murphy is the WORST. It was likely his idea to keep A-Rod instead of trade him for a fortune to Denver. We need a new owner as soon as week 18 is over.
Also, add Rasul Douglas to game balls. Even though he dropped 3 picks, he was consistently around the ball and made some good pass breakups. Needs to work on those hands , though. So does everyone.
Cubbygold
October 24, 2022 at 09:17 am
Yeah, unfortunately this is a team without a plan. They had a plan a few years ago - move on from Rodgers and build around MLF - but then chickened out and backpedaled. I'm with you that they should sell and start the rebuild, but that would require a plan from management and they just don't have one. They want to be good forever without acknowledging what 12s contract did to their future.
I would love to see what the return for a trade of 12 would be at the moment. Cap impacts aside, it would be humbling for 12 I bet.
Coach Cleve Steamer
October 24, 2022 at 07:39 am
Does anyone really have any faith that this coaching staff will …?
PackyCheese500
October 24, 2022 at 07:40 am
NO.
coolhand
October 24, 2022 at 09:20 am
Steno is no OC, and now both the offense and the O line are suffering. MLF should have fired Barry and hired a more aggressive DC and should have hired a proven OC and kept Steno as O line coach.
Packerpasty
October 24, 2022 at 09:54 am
nope..
egbertsouse
October 24, 2022 at 07:47 am
So The Flower told them to “have fun,” huh. Great. Maybe he’ll do a Mike Sherman and take them out for ice cream. Or frozen custard from Gilles.
Instead of channeling Sherman, he should do a little Bill Belichick and tell them to “Do your effin’ jobs!”
egbertsouse
October 24, 2022 at 07:58 am
Now I‘ve made myself hungry . I don’t like Minnesota ice cream. Or Minnesota brats. Frozen custard ? Forget about it! I run across the border to get those items.
T7Steve
October 24, 2022 at 08:01 am
Thanks, Ken.
Game Balls: Preston Smith played well and protected the edge well. The ILBs switched sides allot and I think that's where Ken thought he was not containing well. I haven't read snap counts yet, but I was surprised how many plays Gary wasn't on the field. Is his toe injury worse then was let on? Think he was also being tended for a concussion.
I was scared when Bakh was ruled out and thought that that would put Nij back on the left so, I was happy they stuck with their best 5. It will get better (esp. when Bakh gets back) and how much better would it have been if they'd had this from the start of the season? Why have we at CHTV seen this and been calling for this since camp and the coaches refused to see it?
I thought Walker was used and put into positions better and his speed showed, and it made Campble more effective too. This looks encouraging.
Lame calls: The receiver ran into Savage (should have said Stokes) on that play, and this is starting to be a trend around the NFL, so these DB's have to learn to adjust and not get hung out to dry.
The D could live with the back-and-forth competition between Jaire Alexander and Terry McLaurin. I'm just glad they stuck with it and let those guy's battle. It would have been much worse if anybody else had been covering McLaurin. Jaire needs to hang onto those INT chances and it would have been a different game.
I actually feal better about this loss than the others. I think they're closer to fixing things now that they have the O-line to work with. It all starts with the lines. I just hope it wasn't too big a setback for Bakh.
jvole
October 24, 2022 at 08:06 am
Amari Rodgers still returning punts is a symptom of an underlying coaching failure. Royce Newman failing for 1.3 seasons is another. Allowing a special teams disaster all of last year.
Lafleur cannot seem to act decisively when problems are staring him in the face.
packerbackerjim
October 24, 2022 at 08:15 am
Game: The realigned OL was adequate, a quantum leap from previous games.
Lame: My overreaction hoping Murphy’s replacement shitcans Gute, MLF, and hires Payton.
Nate-1980
October 24, 2022 at 08:19 am
I hope gutes gone soon, he set this whole thing up for failure by not replacing Adam or really even trying .. Don’t tell me hammy Watkins is the answer..
Coldworld
October 24, 2022 at 09:59 am
It starts with LaFleur. Nothing changes unless you take him out of the picture.
When Murphy (seemingly) brought Rodgers back, that largely ensured we’d have no cap to bring in a big name.
Nate-1980
October 24, 2022 at 08:16 am
Here’s an idea maybe our useless gm could actually go out and get a wr in a trade?? What a thought of not having rookies and a bunch of washed up bums for Rodgers to throw to ?? I’ll hold my breath while his dumbass sits on his hands..Dj Moore would help us and Carolina is selling off their team, DO SOMETHING!!
Coldworld
October 24, 2022 at 10:08 am
With what? Who turns this team into last year let alone a winner?
At some point you just have to accept that the window closed last year. No player is saving this team. The coaching is poor, the tactical acumen lacking. We can throw picks to lessen our future draft capital in years where we are laden with dead cap already. Let it go. It’s done. It was last winter but no one seemed able to admit it.
Get rid of LaFleur, he’s proven to bring nothing. Hope to at least be able to look organized. Try to develop youth and look to next year. Like it or not, that’s the best option.
Roadrunner23
October 24, 2022 at 08:39 am
MLF is being smothered by the MVP’s shadow!
Time to make this your team MLF!
Tell AR to Fuck Off and run YOUR offense or sit the bench Super star
That is all….
Packerpasty
October 24, 2022 at 09:56 am
all of which is not going to happen..
Philarod
October 24, 2022 at 08:53 am
Admittedly, this has been the toughest three-game stretch in memory, with a surefire fourth straight loss upcoming in Buffalo. But even at 3-5, a playoff appearance is not impossible.
What to do? If available, I would bring in a WR and either bench or cut Amari. There has to be accountability.
Is Aaron Rodgers injured, in a slump or betrayed by a bad supporting unit? Maybe, a little of all three, but I just don't think the two-time-defending league MVP suddenly got old or ineffective. I still have trust.
Maybe, the Pack will respond to playing with house money in Buffalo. And if, as likely, we lose, maybe we can go on a 6-3 (may be only need 9 wins to get in the playoffs) or 7-2 run in the second half. Not likely, but I'm not giving up on the season. Not yet.
badaxed
October 24, 2022 at 09:51 am
Father time is undefeated. Age and attitude has caught up with the "Diva". Like watching Johnny Unitas or Drew Brees at the end. Sad. Worst of all is the Salary cap hell. My neighbor was a season ticket holder in the 80's. A round of beers would be bought if the packers achieved a 3 yard gain. Winning a game was optimistic fantasy.
LeotisHarris
October 24, 2022 at 08:56 am
How low can this season go? Right now, I'm feeling like the bottom of the barrel it the limit.
I took my daughter to see the Packers play the Titans at Lambeau in 2004. We witnessed a 48-to-27 humiliation with Tennessee scoring the most points by a visiting team (to date) at Lambeau Field. The Packers lost their fourth straight game. There was loud, sustained booing and a mass exodus far before the end of the game. Not exactly the kind of experience I had in mind for the kiddo.
I'm glad the prime time humiliation coming Sunday night won't be at Lambeau. Once that happens, we'll see if there's any pride in these guys. Rough road ahead. Maybe we can ruin the Vikings' season?
stockholder
October 24, 2022 at 09:01 am
I'm not giving any balls away. Because this team has none. If you're a WR, You must want the ball. Do they? Or are they afraid?
I'm not upset about the way Tom played. But the moving of guys around Is going to get you penalties. Yes- I'm referring to Nijman.
How did Tom get ahead of Nijman on the depth chart. Especially after Bahk's No go. (Nijman was groomed for LT) Not RT.
So now we had a rookie protecting #12 blind side. And guys that never played RT on the right. A team is built on Tackles!
The goal shouldn't be to get Rodgers hurt. So Love gets more time to screw up this club. And you know it will get Rodgers to retire.
The pressure has always been to win. If LeFluer can't see what his coaches are doing. He's part of the problem.
jannesbjornson
October 24, 2022 at 09:41 am
I would bee working the phones all week to bring in a WR like Moore or Jeudy. That shit-show with drops on critical third downs has to be eliminated. Gutedkunst has proven his inability to secure blue chips at the skill positions, so the draft picks can go to a better cause. Maybe Watson shows up by the Dallas game?
stockholder
October 24, 2022 at 09:50 am
Too soon to count on a Rookie making a 3rd down catch. I doubt he brings in anyone unless it's a bargain. And that might put Lazard and Tonyan, in jeopardy for next year. We might be close to a sell. And I'm pointing right at Jenkins, Savage, Amos and Lowrey.
Tundraboy
October 24, 2022 at 09:05 pm
MLF is grasping at straws but his bungling of the Oline since last year's playoff disaster, and in spite of the lesson learned is simply beyond the pale. He can't even follow his own latest plan, which is not even much of a plan. Only this stuff happens in Green Bay.
Cubbygold
October 24, 2022 at 09:07 am
AJ Dillon was a great addition to a team that had a dynamic passing game. He added a different threat to the mix that opponents needed to respect. Here was this team that was all finesse, timing, skill - and AJ added pure muscle and a battering ram approach that complemented Aaron Jones. That's not this team anymore, which is why he's so ineffective. Teams aren't fearing the deep ball, and so they have no problem being in position to meet Dillon at the line of scrimmage. MLF needs to adjust and put Dillon on the bench so that Aaron Jones can play more snaps. Love Dillon, was excited about his skillset, but this team can't use him properly at the moment.
Second - this is the exact scenario that all the 'trade Rodgers' fans feared. I hope the 'pay the man' crowd is happy, because the next 5+ years are going to be painful. This isn't going to be a quick turnaround, and wouldn't be even if Love was an elite prospect waiting to hit the ground running. The financial impact of these vet contracts are going to ensure this is a slow process, which in turn is going to lead to continued uncertainty around whether the team can win with Gute and MLF. I don't think they survive a 5 year rebuild, which means we're likely looking at a whole coaching staff rebuild before this team is competitive again. I hope I'm wrong.
jannesbjornson
October 24, 2022 at 09:46 am
Put Dillon behind Deguara in the I-formation and run him downhill. The RPO stuff takes him in a lateral motion and inhibits his first steps. He was brought in for a bit of power football; the team retreating into their finesse pedigree.
Tundraboy
October 24, 2022 at 09:10 pm
It most likely will end in flames. Half measures trying to work with the existing status quo is precisely the reason it is so dysfunctional. Need to rip ALL the bandages off eventually. There will be tough times but even if it takes years we will be better off for it. We've been through worse.
skyler
October 24, 2022 at 09:10 am
Too bad the Packers and Gute could have pulled off a trade for Rodgers last year. John Schneider did a great job trading Russell Wilson at the right time and getting a boat load of picks. I have always wondered what the Packer would have been like with Schneider as our GM.
jannesbjornson
October 24, 2022 at 09:47 am
Two more SBs.
Coldworld
October 24, 2022 at 10:13 am
I think Gute wasn’t the one behind that. Murphy took a very vocal lead on wanting Rodgers back. Other than that, yes, Rodgers and this roster was a marriage doomed from the start.
Dragon5
October 24, 2022 at 09:29 am
#Arch2026
Booner
October 24, 2022 at 09:36 am
Stokes and Amari Rodgers are just not good football players! Mistake after mistake after mistake!
Dragon5
October 24, 2022 at 09:52 am
Temperature check Curdnation...curious how many of us are now hoping we get annihilated in Buffalo?
I fell asleep watching yesterday's game...#truestory
Thumbs up if you agree, thumbs down if you disagree
jimtalkbox
October 24, 2022 at 09:53 am
I just can't believe how bad the team is this year. I think there could be a complelling argument as to whether or not they have the worst offense in the league.
Paper Champs for sure!
skyler
October 24, 2022 at 09:53 am
I have to admit I was wrong about Mike McCarthy's body of work. Ted Thompson had a few good picks (Rodger, Matthews) but most of his drafts were poor, especially towards the end and his FA reluctance was the wurst. Thank you for your leadership, Mark Murphy, NOT. He is 100% responsible for keeping Ted on way too long. McCarthy had to put up with a lot of poor talent on his teams. Fast Forward to today, I like the talent on this team, but not so much a few of the veteran contracts. (Rodger, Bakhtiari) etc. I am convinced that MLF is not a very good coach. Sure, get to 13 wins, but get crushed in the playoffs. Again, thank you Mark Murphy for not trading Rodgers and giving him a contract worthy of his play, NOT. Thank you for not finding a seasoned coach too. I could go on and on, but I know that mediocrity is here to stay with MLF at the helm. We had a long time to enjoy Packer play the last 30 years,
but I fear that with such poor senior leadership as was in the 70's, history will repeat itself. The board of directors' structure and lack of a true owner will haunt this team in the new analytics NFL. Change is difficult, but it has always been difficult in Green Bay.
Dragon5
October 24, 2022 at 09:59 am
**13 win seasons...
**play the Lions / Bears twice a year with a HoF QB ;)
Packerpasty
October 24, 2022 at 10:01 am
just the look on MLF's face tells you he has no clue how to inspire these guys, he should have put in more time as an assistant coach or maybe a Div II head coach for a few years...I dont expect much more this year, the talent isn't there at WR and Rodgers looks old and injured...Tonyan for sure isn't back to what he was either....I hope they don't sell the farm for some high priced WR through the trade route...at this point, its pointless!!!
T7Steve
October 24, 2022 at 10:05 am
In the 70s & 80s all a coach had to do to keep his job was beat the bears once. Extended contract if twice.
Are we back to that? Wonder if we'll play the Bears at their level too?
Remember when coaches used to get fired after they played the Packers?
701Packer
October 24, 2022 at 10:15 am
Good news is we will get to see some Jordan Love next game. Bills will have it wrapped up by halftime.
Dragon5
October 24, 2022 at 10:21 am
“I’m sick of being up here saying the same thing over and over again,” Hackett said.
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/10/24/could-nathaniel-hackett...
apple doesn't fall far from the (coaching) tree
Handsback
October 24, 2022 at 10:30 am
I didn't watch the game, can't comment on what happened. I can speculate that the coaches are losing the team. We saw it in MM's time and seems to be repeating itself.
Maybe the two biggest questions in my mind are the team's resilience and mental toughness. Those two things are interrelated, but show itself differently on the field. Toughness in a team is their goal line defense. Will they stop an opponent after a fumble or interception and hold them to a FG? Will a team get that 1-2 yards on a 4th down play to either score or keep a drive alive? Again that's toughness. Resilience is definitely something that Green Bay lacks. Last three playoff losses where a fumble or dropped pass/interception put the offense into a deep freeze.
The Jet's coach called the Packers out to his team and they found out that the Packers are a soft team. Do soft teams lack toughness and resilience? I would think so.
There is no help coming, you play with who you have on the team. In fact you may end up not even playing with all the guys yo have now. Gutsey may decide it's time to trade stars for draft picks and blow the whole team up. Not sure how I would feel about that, I guess it would depend on the picks. Most likely will be playing a lot of guys to see who has quit and who still has the fire in their belly.
Anyway, another loss and playing the best team in the league next week. Can they fix everything in a week? I don't see how. Now is the me to look for those hidden gems on the roster.
Swisch
October 24, 2022 at 10:52 am
Amari Rodgers didn't drop that long pass from Rodgers late in the game, it was simply overthrown, and too much on a line instead of having enough loft and touch.
Amari did have a nice catch late in the game to convert a key third down.
***
Yes, the fumble by Amari on the punt was really bad, but there's way too much Amari bashing from fans here at CHTV.
If you want to see how difficult it can be for a young wide receiver to adjust to the speed and impact of the pro game, take another look at Romeo Doubs.
I'm still hopeful Doubs is going to be really good, but he has taken his lumps to go along with his successes -- which makes me think Amari deserves more of an opportunity (which thus far has been far less than that afforded to Doubs).
***
To the extent the idea was to rely on three rookies at wide receiver this season, it was bad thinking.
To the extent the idea was to rely on two veterans who are aging and injury-prone at wide receiver this season, it was bad thinking.
To the extent that the Packers could have signed MVS at wide receiver this season -- as the only veteran still in his prime who knows the Packers offense and has experience with our quarterback -- it was bad thinking.
***
By the way, MVS had three catches for 111 yards yesterday, with a long of 57.
Somehow, the powerhouse Chiefs thought him worthy of their creative and potent offense.
With the Chiefs, MVS is part of a diverse passing attack that utilizes four wide receivers, a superstar tight end, and at least one running back (McKinnon, perhaps others).
In my opinion, that spreading out of the football in the passing game is what the Packers should be working toward -- as was highly productive in past seasons with Driver, Jennings, Jones, and Nelson.
Start now.
Since'61
October 24, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Swisch - the Chiefs have Andy Reid who I believe is currently the best HC in the league and has been for quite a long time now. We have MLF. Having said that I agree that our offense can be much more dynamic. However we have nothing close to the WRs that you mentioned in your next to last sentence. Thanks, Since '61
Swisch
October 24, 2022 at 12:27 pm
You're right about our WRs being much less accomplished that those of the Chiefs, but the Packers can begin the development a diverse and effective receiving corps starting now.
Take turns making a few of these guys the primary target on plays during the Bills game.
Scheme the primary target open, and throw to him if at all possible. Have a secondary receiver ready as a quick alternative.
If those two guys are covered, have our quarterback either dump it off to a safety valve, or throw it away. Rodgers could roll out more often to facilitate throwing the ball away if necessary (or if he has time, to do the scramble drill with receivers if necessary).
Use the field horizontally and vertically to get receivers open. Bunch two or three receivers before the snap so that they can cross each other in various ways to get open.
LaFleur and Rodgers are supposed to be masterminds of the offense. It seems they could, just maybe, really enjoy working together to outsmart opposing defenses.
Move the chains on offense and help our defense. Design a few deep throws, too, but with another receiver crossing underneath in case the deep guy is covered.
Let's see if we can't pull of a big surprise against the Bills with the inclusion of Toure and Amari Rodgers as primary targets, maybe even Winfree.
Please, Aaron Rodgers, throw them the ball, even if they're not wide open.
LeotisHarris
October 24, 2022 at 03:52 pm
Swisch, you have an incredible grasp of the nuances it takes be successful in football. Where and how many years did you play? Your "Design a few deep throws, too, but with another receiver crossing underneath in case the deep guy is covered" idea makes me think you have deep roots in the game.
Swisch
October 24, 2022 at 05:32 pm
Thanks, Leotis, I sincerely didn't think of myself as all that knowledgeable about play calling.
However, I did play backyard football all the time growing up, drawing up plays in the grass -- which actually seems to be good experience.
Less fun but still good was tackle football for six years from 4th grade through freshman year of high school. In that last season, I finally got to be a pass catcher as a tight end to a modest degree, with only three catches for the season (1976) but each of them for long touchdowns, all on halfback passes. Then I retired at what seemed likely to be the peak of my career.
In college, the intramural football team I played on was pretty good, reaching the championship game one fall (at our division), which was played in the real NCAA football stadium on campus (a loss to graduate students in the MBA program).
In this intramural format, there were three wide receivers at the line of scrimmage, generally two wide and one as the snapper for the shotgun. Not being all that fast or quick on my feet, I struggled to get open when I was split wide, but at the center position found myself getting open fairly easily -- which seems to be some evidence of the value of crossing patterns through traffic.
Admittedly, this is not anywhere near the credentials of an offensive coordinator in the NFL or even for high school varsity, but I have always loved football, playing and watching.
***
At age 60, I still wish I could play, if somehow there was an opportunity and my cardiologist signed off on it. I've really enjoyed the position of receiver, and trying to make diving, acrobatic catches -- although these days I'd settle for lunging catches. If only my talent and size had been closer to my level of enthusiasm.
(I seem to be doing well about four months after my emergency surgery for aortic dissection on June 27th, with thanks for the encouragement from many here at CHTV in July, and prayers. I soon start a series of appointments at a cardiology clinic.)
***
Finally, I do get a lot of my ideas from reading other fans here at CHTV.
When I say I like bouncing ideas off of other fans, and give-and-take in robust but respectful debate, I truly mean it.
LeotisHarris
October 25, 2022 at 08:08 am
Yikes, that's quite a health scare. Glad you were able to receive good medical care and are recovering well.
Since'61
October 24, 2022 at 11:03 am
Game Balls: Campbell, Preston Smith, Aaron Jones, Zach Tom for a solid first game at LT and Quay walker who played hard.
Lame Calls: Coaching, what are they doing? Third down offense, Dropped passes and dropped interceptions, Officiating, Gary's play on the edge, he take himself out of too many plays.
Speaking for myself it's obvious that Rodgers thumb injury is affecting his throws and when he makes good throws his receivers are dropping them. Now I believe that during practices in the week prior to game day the coaches see the same problems. If Rodgers thumb is affecting his throws during the game it must also affect his throws in the practices during the week.
So the question is if the coaches are seeing how the affect of Rodgers' thumb injury why aren't they giving Rodgers a week or two off for his thumb to heal and give the starts to Love? Is it because Love is that bad or is it because that even with an injured thumb Rodgers gives the Packers a better chance to win than Love?
Just another of many examples that the Packers have numerous issues. Either Gute messed up with Love and the Packers have figured it out which is why they extended Rodgers or they just would rather play an injured Rodgers over a healthy Love. In either case I just don't get it. Thanks, Since '61
splitpea1
October 24, 2022 at 11:11 am
Lame calls additions:
Stokes: Not just the two penalties, but he continues to play too far off receivers; he circles back in and makes the tackle, but too often after the receiver has already made a nice gain or a first down.
Not defending the perimeter on short passes: Something else that's getting old. Opposing receivers are catching short throws towards the sideline with plenty of room to roam and accelerate before a Packer defender shows up.
Rodgers: They showed quick highlights at halftime on SNF, and apparently Rodgers passed up on a couple of open deeper shots in favor of shorter throws. I would need to see more to reach a definitive conclusion, but anyway, Dungy attributed this to AR not trusting what's around him. So here we go with this again.
LLCHESTY
October 24, 2022 at 11:42 am
If the defense doesn't want to get tired in the 2nd half maybe they shouldn't allow 12 play drives coming out of halftime.
If they could actually play run defense there wouldn't need to be any worries about them "wearing down." Their average rushing yards allowed per game has gone up for 4 straight weeks, from 126 to 139 currently. In other words they suck at stopping the run and that isn't the offenses fault.
With all the penalties and TV timeouts these days they should have plenty of breathers.
701Packer
October 24, 2022 at 12:09 pm
They win at least 1 of the last 3 games with Love...
SonsofSamkonGado
October 24, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Who should be making that Top 10 pick? Not Gutey
Grimm
October 24, 2022 at 02:58 pm
Game Ball:
Just because he had a solid game, lets give one to Mason Crosby.
Lame Call :
The officials
They did not decide this game, the Packers simply did not play well enough to win, But this is what I have been seeing.
This year supposedly there are more games going down to the wire than ever. It seems the officials are effecting the game more these days. I lay that on sanctioned NFL gambling. Perhaps with losing I see it more.
In this game when Washington was behind, it seemed like the calls were going their way, When GreenBay was trying to get back in the game, the calls all went their way. Its like their is an agenda to keep the games close. I seems like every game I watch is like this, I really has me wondering if it could be true.
Their is so much money involved in gambling, and considering the NFL is owned by a group of very rich individuals, it seems foolish they would be letting others make money without them getting a cut. I really feel that while winners and losers are not decided, I believe that the NFL and officials want to keep these games close. More viewers and More money gambled. I cant be the only one that ponders this. In any case, Its ruining the game.