Green Bay Packers: 11 Quick Observations from Bounce Back Win
By Paul Bretl
Where is the pressure?
Last week, Jameis Winston had the most time to throw in the pocket with an average of 3.13 seconds, according to PFF ($$). This week, that title may belong to Jared Goff. For much of the game, the pass-rush was nowhere to be found until the score dictated that the Lions ditch the run. This includes Rashan Gary, who outside of a sack, had a relatively quiet game.
You can be upset at Kevin King and the cornerbacks all you want, but if opposing quarterbacks are going to have the kind of time that Goff did in the first half, there isn’t a whole lot the secondary is going to be able to do. At some point, Joe Barry is going to have to dial up some blitzes–which fortunately, we did see him do just before halftime and into the third quarter.
Kenny Clark still needs help
For the second week in a row, that Green Bay Packers defensive front was absolutely bullied by the opposing offensive line. While they didn’t give up any huge runs — a 12 yard run by Swift was the longest by a running back — Detroit controlled the line of scrimmage, consistently picking up four or five yards per carry. Not to mention that, as I already discussed, there was no pass-rush whatsoever from the interior group either.
Green Bay Packers second-half defense
As ugly as the first few drives were, some credit should be given to Barry and the defense for their second-half performance. In the third quarter, the Lions ran just nine total plays on offense. After letting Detroit work their way down the field, the Packers got a fourth-down stop. The next possession, Green Bay would recover a Goff fumble.
To end the game, they would then force another punt, an interception after Jonathan Garvin was able to create some pressure and a turnover on downs in the final minutes. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a lot of work to be done, but it was nice to see some stops and turnovers, especially when they needed them.
I’ll also give credit to the Green Bay Packers’ offense as well, who helped turn Detroit one-dimensional in that second half as they quickly turned it into a two and three-score game.