Instant takeaways from Packers third straight loss with season in the balance

In what felt like a must win game, the Green Bay Packers put together another ugly performance, this time losing to Washington.

If you’re up for it, here are my instant takeaways from the Packers’ performance.

– With two more road games still to come, including one in Buffalo, followed by games against Dallas, Tennessee, and Philadelphia, the Packers season feels like it is hanging on by a thread as they fall to 3-4. It was a sloppy game with little energy once again.

– Without David Bakhtiari, the Packers went with an interesting offensive line combination with Zach Tom at left tackle, Jon Runyan at right guard, and Yosh Nijman at right tackle. Combined, those players came into the game with no NFL snaps at their respective positions.

– To help the offensive line out against a very good Washington front, we saw a lot of quick passes and a few runs outside, allowing the athletic big men to get in space. Some of the wide runs were successful, but a lot of the screens and passes to the flat went nowhere, and the pass catchers simply weren’t getting open elsewhere. Green Bay also didn’t want Rodgers hanging on to the ball long with this offensive line–so the play calling felt a bit limited.

– Washington played a lot of 2-shell, again taking away the deep ball, but the Packers were still unable to move the ball via underneath routes with additional defenders to navigate because the Commanders didn’t blitz or through the run game—although they barely ran the ball. I know Washington has a very good defensive front, but why did the Packers run the ball only 12 times? In an RPO heavy offense, I think the run part is forgotten about.

– Drops were an issue again, as was Aaron Rodgers’ accuracy. There are just way too many miscues beyond what I mentioned every possession. Green Bay averaged 4.3 yards per play and totaled fewer than 200 yards. This offense is not good.

– In less disappointing news, Aaron Jones was involved more in the passing game. For whatever reason, this hasn’t been the case in past weeks. Regardless of the opponent, he needs to be the focal point each week, and truthfully, he still could have had more opportunities.

– Prior to the game, I wrote about the turnover opportunities that could be there going against Tyle Heinicke, and the Packers had plenty of chances. Truthfully, they should have capitalized on more of them.

– Rashan Gary is a one-man wrecking crew as a pass rusher, but there were a few big runs that materialized because he didn’t set a strong edge.

– Again, the defense started off playing well but then went through stretches where it couldn’t get stops. Washington pretty much did whatever they wanted in the run game and did just enough through the air to extend a few key drives. With that said, the Packers’ offense not being able to move the ball doesn’t help the defense, either.

– Jaire Alexander matched up with Terry McLaurin for much of the game. McLaurin had five receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown.

– Green Bay can’t keep putting Amari Rodgers back there to return punts. He’s put the ball on the ground three times this season, and when he does field it correctly, there is no playmaking ability.

– One area where the Packers have been good this season has been at not committing penalties. But that wasn’t the case today, and a few of them were either illegal formation or illegal motion penalties. What the heck are they doing out there?

– There isn’t anything that the Packers can hang their hat on and say they do well. This ultimately is the biggest issue.

– Just another rough game for Eric Stokes.

– Rashan Gary left early due to a concussion and Allen Lazard because of a shoulder injury.