Green Bay Packers v. Dallas: The 4 Big Takeaways

The Green Bay Packers survived and were able to leave Dallas with a win on Sunday and here are the four big takeaways from what we saw on the field.

Just as they have done for most of the season, the Green Bay Packers were able to get off to a quick start in the first quarter which put them in the driver’s seat. However, just as we’ve seen in previous weeks, things got a little hairy in the second half as well.

But offensively Aaron Jones was able to carry them to victory and defensively, they came up with some timely turnovers and sacks that helped secure the win. The Packers now sit at 4-1 and are in sole possession of first place in the NFC North.

Watching this game was a bit of a roller coaster ride emotionally as there were plenty of ups and downs but through it all, these are the four biggest takeaways from Green Bay’s victory against the Dallas Cowboys.

Matt LaFleur was Fantastic

Without a doubt, last Thursday’s loss to Philadelphia was a tough one to take and it presented Matt LaFleur with his first real bit of adversity as the Packers’ head coach. While Green Bay had the advantage of having a few extra days to prepare, we still didn’t know how they would respond on the road against a talented Cowboys team.

But what we saw from LaFleur and the rest of the team was a fantastic performance. Coming into the game there were some concerns about how effective the offense would be without Davante Adams or Jamaal Williams and a banged-up Bryan Bulaga. But they were able to get off to another fast start as they outscored Dallas 14-0 in the first quarter and they were able to maintain control for the majority of the game.

We saw just how dangerous this offense can be when they are able to establish the running game and keep defenses off-balance. In the passing game, nine different players had at least one reception with the receiver group hauling in four, the tight ends six, and the running backs 11, respectively.

Another key for the offense was the screen game which LaFleur also utilized quite a bit in 2018 as the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans when he was able to pick apart this Dallas defense at that time as well. And once again, he was able to use it to his advantage it this past Sunday.

Overall it was a masterful coaching job by LaFleur and this is why the Green Bay Packers brought him in.

Wide Receiver production just wasn’t there

We knew that the Green Bay Packers would be without Davante Adams in this game, so throughout the week, there was plenty of speculation around who would step up in the receiving game. Although Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS) had a great catch on the sidelines and was able to draw a key pass interference penalty, while Jake Kumerow almost found the endzone, it wasn’t an overly impressive performance from the group.

Between MVS, Kumerow, and Geronimo Allison they would be targeted 10 times during the game, but they would only make four catches that totaled 55 yards. As I mentioned above, LaFleur did a wonderful job to get the tight ends and running backs involved which helped alleviate some of the pressure on these three. We still don’t know how long Adams will be out but these are opportunities that the other receivers need to take advantage of.

Brian Gutekunst needs to be Executive of the Year

We know about the MVP award and Coach of the Year, but Executive of the Year goes to the top GM in football for that season. Well based on Brian Gutekunst’s offseason additions, I don’t know how he won’t win that award this year.

Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith have made a huge impact this season both on and off the field. Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos have finally given the Green Bay Packers some reliability and playmaking ability at the safety position. Then there is Rashan Gary who continues to get more attempts each week and we can see why the Packers drafted him where they did.

Meanwhile, the interior offensive line has greatly improved with the additions of Elgton Jenkins and Billy Turner at guard. Even some of the lesser-known acquisitions in Chandon Sullivan and Will Redmond had huge plays in Sunday’s win.

This roster needed an infusion of young, talented players and that is exactly what Gutey did this offseason. So far, it has paid off immensely.

Aaron Jones was Phenomenal

This takeaway goes without saying but it had to be mentioned. The Green Bay Packers desperately needed a playmaker on offense with Adams out and Aaron Jones stepped up and carried the team to victory.

Jones would finish the game with 107 yards rushing on 19 attempts which averages out to 5.6 yards per carry. He would also score all four of Green Bay’s touchdowns. Additionally, Jones was very effective in the passing game as he would haul in seven receptions for another 75 yards. It was a phenomenal performance from Jones when the Packers’ offense needed him most.