5 Key Areas Packers Must Improve After First Quarter of Season

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with quarterback Jordan Love (10) after a failed two point conversion attempt againt the Detroit Lions during their football game Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with quarterback Jordan Love (10) after a failed two point conversion attempt againt the Detroit Lions during their football game Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with umpire Fred Bryan (11) during the fourth quarter of their game Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Detroit Lions beat the Green Bay Packers 34-20. /

Packers Weaknesses: Lack of Discipline

n a surprising turn of events, the Packers have transitioned from being one of the NFL’s most disciplined teams during LaFleur’s tenure to one of the most penalized. This shift can largely be attributed to the infusion of youth throughout the roster.

Through four games, they rank 28th by averaging 7.8 penalties per game and 26th in penalty yards per game at 62.8.

While they improved in this area against the Lions, they still couldn’t fully shake the bug. A crucial late-game penalty by Quay Walker, who jumped over the line on a field goal attempt, handed Detroit an automatic first down. This allowed the Lions to burn two extra minutes off the clock and eventually find the end zone for a game-sealing touchdown.

In light of this growing issue, the coaching staff must engage in some serious introspection and work diligently with their players to curtail these costly mistakes.