Several Keys to begin 2nd Quarter

The second quarter of the season brings some very interesting contests for the Green Bay Packers. Unlike former Packer’s Coach Mike McCarthy, Matt LaFleur looks at the next game on the schedule only. McCarthy liked to look at the season divided in quarters. For this discussion, I will use the quarter system to evaluate upcoming games.

First up, the Packers travel to Dallas to face the vaunted Cowboys. Sunday night the Cowboy’s took a shot to the chin and lost to the New Orleans Saints, on the road. The Packers lost at home to the Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams now sit at 3-1 leading up to Sunday’s game. The Packers suffered several key injuries, Davante Adams, Jamal Williams, Brian Bulaga, Kevin King and Will Redmond, in addition to those already injured Oren Burks, Jake Kumerow, and Montraveous Adams. These players are regular contributors and if they cannot suit up, Coach Matt Lafleur said the next man up must perform. He also stated there would be some game plan changes if Davante nor Williams could play. The focus of the offense would once again be placed on Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, Jimmy Graham and the young WR corps. That’s a large task to place on the offense. The defense on the other hand will face Cowboy’s RB Ezekiel Elliott, who has a history of torching the Packers and shifty QB Dak Prescott. The Packer’s will have to play an error free game and show they can stop the run, or at least slow it down. A daunting task on both sides of the ball.

Next on the list the Packers will return home to face off with the Detroit Lions, a team that holds a four game win streak over Green Bay. The Packer’s last win in this historical series came in 2016. The Lions have beaten the Chargers and Eagles, while losing a nail biter to the Chiefs and tying the Cardinals. I’m impressed with Lions QB Matthew Stafford and his offense. Matt Patricia seems to have quite a team this season as the defense is playing well also. The Packer’s absolutely have revenge on their mind and will need this game to be a “W.”

A second straight home game in the familiar surrounds of Lambeau Field, favors the Packers in a match-up with Trevor Davis’ Oakland Raiders. On a good note, Oakland Raiders head hunter Vontaze Burfict has been suspended for the remainder of the season and won’t be on the field at Lambeau. This will be a very hard fought contest, but I don’t see Aaron allowing the offense to under perform at this point of the season.

After two home games the Packers are rewarded with a trip to Kansas City to face the Chiefs and QB Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have so many weapons including one of the top TE’s in the NFL, Travis Kelce. I’m not sure how the Packers will defend Kelce. They couldn’t contain Eagles TE’s Zach Ertz or Dallas Goedert in the Thursday Night game. Mike Pettien and his defense will have their hands full, no doubt. The Chiefs defense isn’t what it once was, so depending on who’s healthy, the Packers may be able to exploit the Chiefs.

I would be perfectly happy with a 2-2 record in the second quarter of the season. A 5-3 record at the midway point of the season would also be a success for first year coach Matt LaFleur and most likely far exceed most predictions. Let’s just sit back, and enjoy the journey on which 2019 Packers are taking us.

As Always, Go Pack Go!

PackerGreg