5 Things To Watch For In Week 7 – Packers v. Broncos

With the Green Bay Packers coming off a bye week this upcoming week, here are five things that you can keep an eye out for to see if they can get back on track in Denver against the Broncos.

What Changes? – Packers Offense

This is a very broad term, I know, but this team has some changes to look for on both sides of the ball scheme-wise, and it will be interesting to see what changes. For the offense, they have gone flat in the first half, ranking 30th out of 32 in points averaged in the first half. While in the second half, they’re ranked first in the league in points. The slow starts need to be better; otherwise, slow starts usually end up chasing, and that’s exactly what the Packers have done the past two games, fortunately, ending up 1-1.

Some things to look for on offense, in particular, would include how they approach the run game. Hopefully, having Aaron Jones back and if Matt LaFleur can implement “drive starter” plays again. Those two things, along with the offensive line getting some much-needed rest this past week, should at least kickstart the offense to be better in the first half.

What Changes? – Packers Defense

On defense, the scheme also needs to be better. Despite being the side of the ball that has kept the Packers in games, especially the Raiders game, the scheme still needs some work. Specifically, playing 5-10 yards off in coverage on third down and short should not be a thing. When going up against veteran wide receivers, they know to cut that route short at the sticks and pick up the “give me” first down, if you will. Allowing teams to just pick up first downs to avoid giving up the big play will wear this defense down as the game goes on, and ultimately, it allows teams to keep running the clock down as well.

Another improvement has to be some sort of audible play if there is a mismatch. There should be no reason, for example, that Preston Smith is guarding any wide receiver one, especially someone of the caliber that Davante Adams is. That wasn’t the first time we’ve seen that happen either, as Smith also ended up on Justin Jefferson last season. While that isn’t the reason they lost the game, limiting the mismatch mistakes is something that should hopefully be worked out during this bye week.

Will Aaron Jones Be Healthy?

While Aaron Jones played limited snaps against the Lions in week four, he missed week five again with his hamstring injury. Arguably, the best playmaker on the offense has been missed quite often, both in the run game and the passing game as well. If Jones can be back and healthy, the Packers will need to up his touches, as getting him more involved will only open things up for Love and slow down the game for him.

How Will The Secondary Match Up?

The Denver Broncos, despite not having the best offense thus far, actually bring a really solid wide receiver room into this game with Jerry Juedy, Courtland Sutton, and Marvin Mims. It will be interesting to see how Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and Keisean Nixon hold up against the passing game, as well as if Rudy Ford can continue his great play at safety. Another thing to watch for will be how they can adjust on third down this upcoming game. If Joe Barry can put in a scheme on third down and short instead of giving up the easy first down to avoid the big play, this defense has the personnel to have many key stops.

How Will The Offensive Line Change?

Offensive Coordinator Adam Stenavich said in his media time this past week that he will gear the offensive line’s focus toward improving their switch-blocking effectiveness. He also stated he doesn’t like the push that he has been seeing in the run game, and that will all go back to technique, which will be their main focus going forward. The thing to watch for, barring a hopeful Aaron Jones return, is how effectively they can run the ball and, by doing so, how much more the offense opens up for Jordan Love to work.