Packers: 5 Takeaways From Week 6 Win
By Anthony Nash
If you thought last week wasn’t pretty, then you might have been in even more of a state of shock this week. However, an ugly win is still a win, and the Green Bay Packers are now 6-0 after a 27-20 victory over the San Diego Chargers.
After five weeks of stifling defense, Philip Rivers and the Chargers managed to absolutely carve up Dom Capers unit to the tune of 548 total yards (488 of which were through the air). The offense struggled at times, but got the job done when it needed to.
At the end of the day, what matters most is points, and the Packers did hold San Diego to only 20, including a goal line stand to clinch the victory. What can we learn from all this? Let’s take a look at five takeaways from the win.
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1. Cardiac Pack
Every game in the NFL won’t be a blowout, and the same can be said about games in Lambeau Field. While Green Bay is usually known for closing games out early, this one went down to the wire. After making it a 27-20 game, the Chargers proceeded to march up the field, where they eventually faced a second-and-goal from the Packers’ 3-yard line.
On that second down, Rivers would overthrow Antonio Gates on what was a good route while leaving Danny Woodhead wide open.
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Two plays later, the Chargers went right back to the same play, although this time the Packers defense pressed Gates immediately, leaving rookie Damarious Randall enough time to just barely jump Rivers’ throw to Woodhead, knocking it down and securing the win.
While this was an ugly win, at the end of the day the team did what it needed to do: survive. All this shows is that the team can grind out games and earn hard fought victories, something that translates well once the playoffs come.
2. Raji was missed, and so was the defense
When the season started, I don’t think many Packer fans would have said they needed B.J. Raji in order to succeed on defense. Flash forward six weeks, and that’s where we are. With no Raji in the lineup (he was out with a groin injury), the defensive line got almost no pressure on Rivers.
Some of that could be attributed to Rivers moving around and releasing the ball quickly, but it was pretty evident that Raji’s missing presence was felt.
As a whole, the Packers defense played about as bad as you can play in a game. While they did come away with the win and had an impressive goal line stand to win it, allowing 548 total yards of offense isn’t good at all. It’s pretty clear that the defensive side of the ball is banged up; Nick Perry, Raji, and Morgan Burnett are all crucial parts of the defense, and were all out Sunday.
The bye week couldn’t have come fast enough.
3. Backup players continue to step up
When Jordy Nelson went down with a torn ACL and Randall Cobb hurt his shoulder, a lot of people wondered what would become of the Packers offense. It didn’t get much better when Davante Adams injured his ankle and had to miss some time. However, as is usually the case with Green Bay, major contributions by the teams back up players have helped offset any problems.
During yesterday’s win, the team got some huge help on a handful of plays by both tight end Justin Perillo and wide receiver Jeff Janis. Janis led the team in receiving yards, hauling in 79 yards on just two receptions, but they were pretty big ones.
During the fourth quarter, on their field goal drive, Aaron Rodgers scrambled out of the pocket and flipped the ball to Janis, who showcased his speed by jetting up 33 yards. Earlier in the game, Perillo hauled in a 20-yard catch, kickstarting a drive that ended up in a field goal.
While we might not be able to expect this type of production every game, it’s nice to know that when called upon, every player on the roster can make an impact of some kind.
4. Is Eddie Lacy OK?
Through six weeks, Eddie Lacy has amassed only 260 yards and one touchdown, far from the totals many fans have expected from him. This can easily be attributed to the ankle injury he suffered early in the season. Obviously with the bye week, Lacy will get a ton of rest for his ankle, and he could be even closer to, if not at, 100 percent healthy by the time Green Bay plays again.
Still, it’s a bit troubling the way Green Bay is handling the running game.
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For most of Sunday’s contest, James Starks was obviously the go-to running back. After his 65-yard touchdown run, he was in for most of the game. Early in the fourth quarter, however, the Packers switched out Starks for Lacy, who promptly fumbled it on the first play he got.
Lacy is a back who gets better the more touches he gets, and it’s really a surprise that he would fumble it when you keep him out of the game for so long. If Lacy is not 100 percent healthy, it might just be best for the team (and him) to see him sit out until he’s ready to go.
5. Thank God for the bye week
It seems as if every year, the bye week comes at the best time for the Packers, and this year is no different. With too many players to name injured in one way or another, a week off is going to give everyone time to finally rest and get better, especially with a matchup as big as the one they have looming.
When Green Bay travels to Denver in two weeks, it will be a battle of undefeated teams, and our first chance to see how the team can against a high caliber defense on the road this year. Thankfully, the bye week this year lands just when the Packers needed it to, as they have a chance to get fully healthy and ready to knock off Peyton Manning.
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