Green Bay Packers v. Vikings: 5 Big Questions Ahead of Matchup
By Paul Bretl
Can Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers passing game find a rhythm?
This Green Bay Packers’ offense — particularly the passing game — hasn’t quite been clicking like it did a season ago. We’ve seen some dropped passes, miscommunications, Rodgers’ accuracy has been off at times, and the entire unit has struggled to find a rhythm.
As is often the case, there are likely a number of reasons as to why, but a big one has to be the lack of practice time that Rodgers and his receivers have had together.
Rodgers was back at practice on Friday for his first full one prior to the Arizona game on October 28th. With Marquez Vales-Scantling on IR since Week 3 and not returning until the Kansas City game — when Rodgers was out — Friday was the first time he and Rodgers had really practiced together since the San Francisco game.
Davante Adams went on the reserve/COVID list on October 25th, so he and Rodgers hadn’t practiced together since October 22nd. And with Allen Lazard missing practice all week, he still hasn’t practiced with Rodgers since the October 22nd date either.
"“If you trace it back, I mean, shoot, we haven’t really practiced a whole bunch,” LaFleur said via Sports Illustrated. “Basically, the week before Arizona was all walk-through, so it’s not like he was getting a ton of time with these guys, and then we had different receivers the last time he played. And then you’re getting all these guys back [while Rodgers was out with COVID] so, naturally, there was probably a little bit of a dip in terms of from our passing game, but I think it’s everybody."
Sure, Rodgers is one of the best to do it and has a special on-the-field connection with each of these receivers. But as we saw against Seattle, rust is real, and practice time matters–even for a former MVP. And against a Mike Zimmer defense that has made things very difficult for Rodgers and the passing game over the years, finding that rhythm won’t be easy on Sunday.
"“We’ve got to get back out on the practice field,” said LaFleur via SI. “We need those guys to continue to work on the timing portion, making sure that the details of our route depths and our assignments are on point because, I think right now if you just look at as a whole, there is opportunity out there for us.”"