Green Bay Packers v. Washington: Instant Takeaways from 6th Straight Win

The game was close throughout the first half, but a turnover early on in the third quarter gave the Green Bay Packers a two-score lead over Washington. With the help of a few defensive stops, Green Bay was able to maintain that lead and win by a few scores.

With the game having just finished, here are my instant takeaways from the Green Bay Packers performance.

– Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and Matt Ioannidis. It was another tough task for this Green Bay Packers offensive line and we saw them have their share of struggles. Although they did seem to improve as the game went on.

– Terry McLaurin entered the game with 57 targets, the fifth most in football per PFF ($$), and he was a focal point today, as expected. With someone like McLaurin, you likely won’t stop him, but the hope is to contain him.

– We know how important establishing and sticking with the run is for this Green Bay Packers’ offense. But they didn’t do that today–like at all. This was a very pass-heavy game and it was head-scratching at times.

– Aaron Rodgers was incredibly efficient against a Washington secondary that is giving up the most passing yards per game this season.

– Davante Adams. That is all.

– Washington was without Brandon Scherff and Samuel Cosmi on the offensive line, but especially in the first half, this unit held up well against the Green Bay pass rush. Eventually, Green Bay was able to get to Heinicke in the latter part of the game.

– Dean Lowry now has three straight games with a sack.

– I wrote last week how Rashan Gary was leaving his mark on games despite the gaudy sack totals. While he wasn’t getting home in the first half, he did still generate some pressures and we saw him force a fumble on the opening drive of the third quarter. He then came up with a big sack in the fourth quarter. I think Gary’s pressure total this week is going to be higher than most would guess.

– As we saw today, bringing down Tyler Heinicke is quite difficult. Coming into the game, he had been sacked just two times this season.

– Given how the last month of games have gone, it was really just a matter of time before the Green Bay Packers surrendered a blocked field goal.

– Through the first six games, Allen Lazard had 10 receptions for 124 yards with a touchdown. On the Packers final drive of the first half, he had five receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.

– While Davante Adams can take a bulk of the targets, there was a fairly equal distribution among the receivers, tight ends, and receivers today.

– Corey Bojorquez was fantastic once again. A very nice directional punt that resulted in a fair catch along the sidelines and then a deep punt from his own end zone while under pressure. He then ended the game with a beauty that landed just short of the goal line and spun back to the 4-yard line.

– Even when Eric Stokes gives up a reception, he is usually all over the wide receiver.

– AJ Dillon had been gaining momentum in recent weeks, but he put the ball on the ground twice today–Washington was able to recover one of them.

– Well, I’m guessing it didn’t happen how you thought it would and I’m also guessing that Washington fans were upset about the call, but the Green Bay Packers defense did get their first red zone stop of the season in the third quarter. They then got THREE more after their first one.

– With all the success that Heinicke had getting out of the pocket and running the ball, I am quite nervous for this Thursday against Kyler Murray and Arizona.

– Whitney Mercilus saw his first snaps as a Green Bay on some passing downs with the Packers very thin at edge rusher. He was able to generate a pressure in the fourth quarter.

– This Green Bay defense has been one of the best in football at limiting explosive plays, but they surrendered one today. Jaylon Smith nearly got a sack and Stokes was in a good position, but Heinicke and McLaurin were able to connect.

– Per Wes Hodkiewicz, TJ Slaton is the first rookie to block a field goal since 1993.

– Antonio Gibson is so tough to bring down.

– We didn’t hear his name a lot, but De’Vondre Campbell was very good again. What a signing.

– After a very quiet start to the season, there was an effort to get Robert Tonyan involved today–and he certainly did. Happy National Tight Ends Day, Big Bob. Marcedes Lewis also had three receptions of his own.

– The Packers’ defense held Washington to just 4/11 on third downs and 1/4 on fourth downs.

– It’s certainly not always pretty, but in terms of keeping points off the board and forcing turnovers, this defense has been effective.

– I absolutely loved those throwback uniforms. Hopefully, we see them again.