3 Big Things from another Heartbreaking Packers Playoff Loss

Don’t forget to blame the Green Bay Packers offense too

I imagine the play of the special teams unit is going to be talked about ad nauseam in the coming days — as it should — but don’t forget to pass blame to the Green Bay Packers offense as well. They did only score 10 points, after all.

First off, credit to the San Francisco defense; entering the game we knew they were going to pose a difficult challenge for Green Bay. But with that said, it’s not as if the Packers did themselves any favors either.

After an opening drive score, a fumble on their next possession by Marcedes Lewis would inexplicably turn the tide for this unit. Matt LaFleur’s play-calling became conservative and bland–where was the pre-snap motion, the play-action, the misdirection?

As for Aaron Rodgers, the quick passing game that the Packers had relied on so heavily this season went out the window, and it resulted in pressure as well as him hanging on to the football, which isn’t how this offense is meant to operate. We will see what the All-22 shows, but my guess is that there were some easy completions that were passed up.

This is only one example, but the play below from Bob Strum illustrates my point. On the Packers final offensive play of the game, Rodgers throws deep to a double-covered Davante Adams while Allen Lazard runs wide open over the middle.

On top of those issues, the offensive line had what may have been their worst performance of the season, Green Bay lost AJ Dillon in the second half when they really could have used him, and they averaged just 3.4 yards per carry as a team, not to mention that Allen Lazard was the only receiver not named Davante Adams with a reception. Also, the tight ends were a non-factor as well.

Yes, blame the special teams unit, but pass some blame to Rodgers, LaFleur, and the offense as well. There were a lot of opportunities to go up by multiple scores throughout this game, but they never did.