Green Bay Packers v. Rams: 5 Big Questions Ahead of Week 12 Matchup
By Paul Bretl
Can the Green Bay Packers offense get off to a fast start?
One big difference between this year’s Green Bay Packers offense and the dynamic unit from 2020 is that this year’s team does not get off to those same fast starts.
As I always like to point out, there is more than one reason for this, but two of the big contributors seem to be a lack of practice time and play-calling. In previous articles, I’ve documented how the lack of practice time for Aaron Rodgers and his receivers has likely led to some miscues on offense–in short, outside of last Friday, Rodgers hasn’t practiced with Davante Adams or Allen Lazard since the third week of October, and he hasn’t really practiced with Marquez Valdes-Scantling since prior to Week 3.
"“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."
And things didn’t get any better this week with Rodgers missing all three days of practice with a toe injury.
The other issue at times has been the need to try to push the ball downfield early on. This past week’s game against Minnesota is a prime example of this. Through much of the first half, we saw a heavy dose of the passing game with Rodgers holding on to the ball and looking for the deep shot. However, in the second half, there was a better run/pass mix with more motion, quick passes, and play-action–and in what is not a coincidence, the offense was much more effective.
As I highlighted in my first big question, the principles from the second half of the Vikings game will need to be applied to this week’s matchup with the Rams. If Green Bay can open the game doing these things, it will hopefully lead to a faster start.
"“At times the last couple years we’ve been so good in the first 15 to 20 plays that we script, and scoring on opening drives, touchdowns,” said quarterback Aaron Rodgers via Packers.com. “Hasn’t really been the case this year. We’ve been a lot slower starting, so we gotta look at that.”"