The Green Bay Packers are off to a 2-2 start to begin the season. In a perfect world they would be 3-1 but allowed the Atlanta Falcons to comeback after holding a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter. Their most recent loss was to their division rival Detroit Lions who are on a four-game winning streak against Green Bay.
It hasn’t been a perfect start for Green Bay but there’s been things to cheer about such as Jordan Love’s progression. Something that sticks out though is in the past two games, the Packers are being outscored 45-3 in the first half and have been struggling to find rhythm to begin games. A large part of this is due to coaching.
Offensive Play Calling Is Questionable
Against Detroit, Green Bay’s offense started off with six straight passes and no runs even with the return of Aaron Jones. They failed to establish the run game and Jordan Love was constantly under pressure as the offense seemed to never be on schedule. Matt LaFleur was visibly frustrated after the loss hence his press conference.
While injuries have killed this team, LaFleur must find a way to establish a rhythm to start the games. The offense has looked poor in the first half and play calling must change to keep them on schedule. While all the blame shouldn’t be put on the head coach, the play calling has been pretty questionable.
If this team wants to stay competitive among the elite teams, their offense must stay on pace and help out their defense. Constantly putting their defense back on the field isn’t a recipe for success.
Defensive Struggles, Theme Continues
Green Bay Packers have continued to express their frustration with defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Rightfully so, the defense continues to struggle and just got a beat down in the run game against Detroit. A couple weeks ago Bijan Robinson embarrassed this defense now David Montgomery put up over 100 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries.
Not only has the run defense been an issue, but it has been a common theme for the defense to allow easy yards through the air by giving up too much room. Joe Barry’s schemes have often been questionable and frustrating as the Packers defense allow easy gains.
Green Bay’s red zone alignment against Detroit was a prime example of a defense giving up easy yards and an easy score. An 11 personnel at the two yard line against only two linemen isn’t a recipe for stopping a run. Schemes and personnel seem to be an issue for the Green Bay Packers and Joe Barry must address these issues.
Special Teams Hasn’t Provided Spark
The Green Bay Packers special teams hasn’t exactly been great either. Quay Walker’s penalty that hurt the Packers’ comeback chances sums up the special teams. All-pro return man Keisean Nixon continues to bring the ball out the end zone on every return and hasn’t put the team in plus field position. Jayden Reed also botched a punt return last game that was thankfully recovered.
Rich Bissacia must rally the special teams and get the basics covered. The special teams has a lot of potential but it feels like they haven’t helped the team thus far or provide a spark.
A bright spot on this special teams is rookie kicker Anders Carlson who’s perfect so far on field goals and PATs. Green Bay will be looking for more out of their special teams the rest of the year.
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Javier Delgado is a lifelong Packers fan who is currently majoring in sports journalism at Arizona State University. He writes for PackersTalk.com and you can follow him on twitter at @javierrdelgadoo.
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