Packers offense among the best in big plays created through 2 weeks

Believe it or not, but through two games, the Green Bay Packers offense is tied for the second most big plays in the NFL.

According to Marcus Mosher of PFF and other sites, the Packers have 18 big plays through two weeks, tied with Philadelphia and Cleveland, while trailing only the Lions, who are at 19.

For those wondering, a big run play is a rush of 10-plus yards, and a big passing play is a reception of 20-plus yards.

Of those 18 big plays that the Packers have tallied, 10 have come in the run game, which is the fifth most in that category, along with another eight coming in the passing game, and is tied for the fourth most.

The Packers’ ground total likely isn’t all that surprising, given how dominant Aaron Jones has been this season. Overall, he is averaging an impressive 9.1 yards per rush on 20 attempts and has found a lot of success outside of the tackle box.

Of the 10 big runs, Jones has accounted for six of them, according to PFF ($$). Meanwhile, AJ Dillon has three of his own, while Romeo Doubs has one.

The eight big passing plays, however, may come as a bit of a surprise considering that the offense was stifled for much of Week 1, while Matt LaFleur and company leaned on the run game heavily in Week 2. But nonetheless, this unit has found success via the big passing play.

Sammy Watkins has two of those plays, collecting a 24-yard and a 55-yard reception against Chicago. Randall Cobb also had 20-yard reception during that game on a deep crossing route.

Doubs has had one big play each game, while Christian Watson had a 25-yard catch from Jordan Love during garbage time in Minnesota. Rounding out this list is Robert Tonyan and Jones, with one 20-plus yard reception each–and both against the Vikings.

Sammy Watkins has shown that when healthy, he still has that separation ability as a route runner. Doubs and Watson both bring a speed and playmaking element to this offense that the other pass-catchers just don’t. Meanwhile, Jones has been among the best dual-threat running backs in the game, and Tonyan is a dynamic pass-catching presence at tight end.

The question mark surrounding this group isn’t whether or not they can make the plays — I know it’s early in the season, but they already have shown that they can — but rather, the unknown lies around the consistency at which these pass-catchers can get open and make these plays.

In part, the continued success in the passing game is going to depend on LaFleur scheming his pass-catchers open while also maintaining a run-pass mix that keeps the opposing defense’s honest. It’s also going to require Aaron Rodgers to continue playing at a high level as well.

This upcoming Sunday against Tampa Bay, both the running and passing games of the Green Bay Packers are going to be tested against one of the best defenses in the NFL. While they currently have the second most big plays, adding to that total is going to be a tall task here in Week 3.