Green Bay Packers defense shines while offense falls flat against Bills
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers offense couldn’t match the intensity of the defense in their win over the Bills in week four.
The Green Bay Packers 22-0 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday was the first shutout by the team in eight years. Mike Pettine had the defense clicking in all aspects as they forced rookie Josh Allen into throwing a pick, fumbling in Green Bay territory, and taking seven sacks. The Packers defense had demonstrated glimpses of brilliance through the first three weeks, but this week’s showing was the first time they maintained it throughout the entire game. On the other hand, the offense scored two touchdowns in the three possession win, however, plenty of points were left on the field.
Rodgers threw for 298 yards and a touchdown against a young defense. His lone interception was the result of a tipped pass that flew off the hands of tight end Jimmy Graham and into the hands of safety Jordan Poyer. It was Rodgers first interception of the season and broke a streak of 150 consecutive pass attempts without one.
After the game, Rodgers didn’t hide his displeasure with the offense’s display.
“We were terrible on offense,” he said. “”We were a championship defensive-level and non-playoff team offensive-level today. That was not great by any stretch of the imagination. We need to find ways to get our playmakers in position to get some more opportunities.”
“You know, a game like today,” Rodgers continued. “Davante (Adams is) a tough cover for anybody, but he should have had 20 targets today. They couldn’t stop him. They dared to play one-high a few times. So, we have to find ways to get him the ball and Jimmy (Graham) as well.”
Rodgers may be unhappy with his outing, but it was a much-needed win following a displeasing loss in Washington. Dropped passes plagued receivers last week and it was more of the same facing Buffalo. At least this time the defense was able to start fast and maintain a level of dominance throughout the game.
The play of the day may have come from rookie corner Jaire Alexander who got his first career interception off an arid pass from Allen.
“He was eyeing down my guy the whole time,” Alexander said. “Got flushed out of the pocket, still thought he could throw it like he was open from the start or something… just made the play.”
On the pick, Green Bay’s pass rush got pressure on Allen like they did for most of the game. It was the most productive game all season for the Packers front seven as they helped force three turnovers.
“I’m very proud of our defense and they were consistent all four quarters,” Mike McCarthy said in his post game press conference. “The continuous pressure, and the ability to lock them down on the back end too, is so important.”
Surprisingly, they avoided any roughing the passing penalties on their way to seven sacks. 2016 third-round pick Kyler Fackrell had a career game with three sacks as a backup. The defense surrendered only 145 total yards to the Bills, their fewest of 2018.
The Packers will look to build off a stout performance by the defense when they take on a division rival in the Detroit Lions next week.