By most assessments, the Green Bay Packers have performed at a middling level during the first quarter of the NFL season. Their 2-2 record neatly aligns with this evaluation.
This situates the Packers in a position ripe for improvement as they return from a brief respite, following their disheartening Week 4 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football. It’s a fortunate turn of events that affords the Packers several additional days of rest before their matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football, followed by a well-timed bye week.
This extended break presents an abundance of opportunities for the Packers to refine their game and build upon the foundation they’ve established thus far in the season. Here are five key areas demanding their attention and improvement.
The Green Bay Packers have five key areas they must improve following the completion of the first four games of the NFL season.
Packers Weaknesses: Forcing Turnovers
In theory, Green Bay possesses the personnel capable of wreaking havoc in the opposing team’s backfield, applying relentless pressure on quarterbacks and creating opportunities for their supposedly aggressive secondary to capitalize on errant throws. The front seven, led by stalwarts like Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, and Preston Smith, has largely upheld their end of the bargain, consistently pressuring quarterbacks on nearly 13 percent of their dropbacks, a figure that places them fourth in the NFL.
However, there’s a glaring discrepancy when it comes to translating this pressure into tangible results. The Packers have managed to muster only four takeaways, a figure that leaves them languishing in the bottom third of the league. This issue becomes particularly vexing when it frequently leaves their youthful offense with a lengthy field to march down. To truly fulfill their defensive potential, the Packers must strive for more game-altering plays, especially in the form of takeaways.
Packers Weaknesses: Run Blocking
Heading into the season, the Packers’ offensive line was heralded as a pillar of strength. All five starters from the previous season returned, and their collective talent was expected to provide critical support while the team’s young playmakers found their footing.
However, the reality has fallen short of these expectations, particularly in the realm of run blocking. The Packers’ offensive line has struggled to consistently open up rushing lanes for their backs, a deficiency that has forced the team to lean heavily on their passing game. As it stands, Green Bay’s 3.3 rushing yards per attempt is 29th-best in the NFL.
While the absence of Aaron Jones due to injury has certainly been a contributing factor, the offensive line itself has failed to create substantial openings on a regular basis. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), their run-blocking grade currently ranks a lackluster 24th in the league.
Packers Weaknesses: Stopping the Run
Compounding their running game woes, the Packers’ defense has been porous against the run, surrendering an alarming average of 4.5 yards per carry, which places them at 25th in the NFL. This issue has persisted over Matt LaFleur’s tenure.
Notably, Green Bay has already yielded two 200+ rushing yard games this season, one to the Atlanta Falcons and another to the Lions. In both instances, their opponents exerted dominance at the line of scrimmage, leaving the Packers looking helpless.
The Packers allowed Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry to depart in free agency, opting for younger talents TJ Slaton and Kenny Clark, while also drafting Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks, who specialize in pass-rushing. While Slaton has held his own in the run game, the other three have faced considerable challenges. Furthermore, the Packers’ outside linebackers have struggled to contain the edge, allowing running backs to exploit this vulnerability. It’s a pressing issue that requires immediate attention from the entire team.
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.
Packers Weaknesses: Not Taking Easy Completions
Jordan Love’s willingness to let it fly downfield has been one of the bright spots in his first four starts as the Packers’ quarterback. However, it might be time for him and Coach LaFleur to exercise a bit more restraint.
While Love’s penchant for the deep ball is exciting, it frequently places the Packers in unfavorable down-and-distance situations. As a result, they’ve struggled to consistently extend drives, currently ranking 26th in the league for first downs. Love’s completion percentage has also taken a hit due to this aggressive approach.
Especially in the early stages of games, LaFleur would do well to call up some shorter passes and easier completions for Love. This adjustment can help the offense find its rhythm, sustain drives, and give the defense a chance to catch their breath on the sidelines. As the game unfolds, ample opportunities will still present themselves for Love to unleash his deep-ball prowess.