Packers’ Coaches Must Take Long Look in Mirror Following Loss to Lions
No, the Green Bay Packers shouldn’t clear house or start firing certain coordinators on their coaching staff. However, they do need to take a long look in the mirror following their embarrassing loss at the hands of the Detroit Lions.
The Packers got off to a great start against Detroit, picking off Jared Goff on just the third play. That gave them the ball deep in Lions territory and a golden opportunity to punch the ball into the endzone and take a 7-0 lead.
Unfortunately, the offense went three and out on three passing plays and had to settle for a field goal, a preview of what was to come on a long night for the offense.
The Green Bay Packers must take a long look in the mirror following their embarrassing loss to the Lions, starting with their coaching staff.
Green Bay’s offense was out of sync all night, as they were down 24-3 just a couple of minutes into the second quarter. Matt LaFleur’s gameplan appeared to rely on the passing game and strayed away from Aaron Jones, who returned from injury to suit up against their division rival. Unfortunately, Jones, the Packers’ best offensive player, only touched the ball six times in the game.
The Packers’ offensive line was dominated all night, creating little to no running room (when Matt LaFleur actually decided to call a running play) and giving Jordan Love very little time to throw the ball. The result was 12 carries for a whopping 27 yards and five sacks taken by Love.
The defensive line didn’t fare any better. They were constantly pushed off the line of scrimmage, creating gaping rushing lanes for David Montgomery to stroll into the endzone on three occasions. He finished the night with 32 carries for 121 yards.
On the backend, Green Bay continued to blow coverages, leaving players wide open. One play after getting beat for a 35-yard reception by rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, Rasul Douglas bit hard on a measly fake, allowing Amon-Ra St. Brown to be wide open for a 24-yard touchdown. Oh, and there were missed tackles.
Completing the trifecta, special teams was a disaster again. They had multiple penalties for the fourth straight game, including pre-snap ones. Keisean Nixon continues to be overzealous in the return game, constantly returning kicks from eight to nine yards deep in the end zone and failing to bring them out past the 25-yard line. Jayden Reed also tried to pick up a rolling punt inside his 10-yard line that bounced off his hands and caused a mad scramble for the football. Luckily, Kiondre Thomas recovered it and prevented any further damage.
The Packers are indeed the youngest team in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean they have to play like a bunch of fools. From LaFleur to defensive coordinator Joe Barry to special teams coach Rich Bisaccia, they must take a long, hard look in the mirror. It’s clear they aren’t preparing the team properly and getting them ready week in and week out.
Next. Packers have a Bakhtiari Problem. dark
LaFleur has work to do with his offense before he looks to Barry as a scapegoat. The time may come for the Packers to move on from the unproven coordinator who continues to fail upwards, but, for now, there’s work to be done in all three phases. The Packers have eleven days before their next game and plenty of issues to address. If they don’t look better the next time out, there should be some major red flags going off in the front office of Lambeau Field.