I know I know, last week was a tough outing for the Packers. I’m right there with you, but remember this is a LONG season. There’s a lot of reasons to be optimistic. Packer Nation just needs to remember the offseason talking points. There was always going to be an adjustment period with a new Defensive Coordinator and the youth of the players. We still have a great roster, and we are heading into Week 5 batting .500.
Keep in mind as well that this was after having our franchise QB sidelined for 50% of the season thus far.
Here’s the 2 biggest reasons why the Packers will bounce back against a battered Los Angeles Rams roster this weekend.
1. Cooper Kupp & Puka Nacua Still Sidelined
The Green Bay Packers secondary has for the most part shined brightly this season. We’ll see if Xavier McKinney can go 5 for 5 this weekend on interceptions.
Meanwhile, the absence of Jaire Alexander & Carrington Valentine on the field was more than noticeable.
However, this week, the Packers will tee off against a battered Los Angeles Rams offense. LA will be without wideout studs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, which should lead to a nice reset for the defensive backs after a sloppy performance against Minnesota.. The Rams offenseive line is also suspect which should allow for the Packers edge rushers to get to the QB much more efficiently.
No Pressure and Blown Coverage
The defensive line not getting pressure against Minnesota certainly didn’t help matters. Check out LaFleur’s comments below regarding the lack luster pass rush against a stout Vikings offensive line.
Jaire and Valentine have both returned to practice this week giving us all a sigh of relief. While I understand that no pass rush leads to a higher probability of defensive backs getting burned, I still feel like Eric Stokes and Keisean Nixon need to step it up.
Especially Nixon, whom the Packers invested in this offseason. Gutey spoke about the importance and high value of the slot corner position, and how pivotal it has become. Take a listen for a refresher on his exact comments.
While I certainly hope to have my foot inserted in my mouth over this, I haven’t seen the upside to Nixon’s coverage that Gutey expressed in the video above.
2. Jordan Got His Groove Back
All in all it was a shakey return for Jordan against the Minnesota Vikings. That first half was tough to watch between inaccurate throws and drops by normally sure handed receivers like Romeo Doubs and Tay Wicks.
Did the Green Bay Packers rush Jordan back onto the field too quickly? Maybe.
Could Malik Willis have had a better outing? Maybe.
Does it matter at this point? NO!
The Packers Were Definitely Pass Heavy
Jordan finished Sunday’s game completing 32 of 54 attempts with 4 Touchdowns and 3 Interceptions. Above all, the stat I’m most focussed on there is 54 attempts.
50+ passing plays is an insane number, and certainly not what I expected to see.
I think LaFleur said it best here regarding Jordan getting back into a rhythm. Hopefully he’s right in that he’s “got his groove back.”
Jordan himself didn’t shy away from giving an honest take on his performance either after last week’s game.
However, he met with reporters in the locker room Wednesday where he looked back to his confident, calm, & composed self again.
With reports that Romeo Doubs has been day to day due to personal issues, and Christian Watson once again dealing with injury, Jordan being in rhythm will be crucial to a victory against Los Angeles on Sunday.
Sometimes You Need To Get Humbled To Succeed
There is zero reason to hit the panic button here. We are not even 1/3 of way through this season. While it would have been nice to get a leg up in a divisional game, there’s still plenty of football left ahead of the green and gold.
Personally, I would rather get the kinks worked out now rather than trying to rally late in the season. Sometimes you need to get humbled before you can reach your true potential.
Final Thoughts On The Packers vs Rams
It’s always great to see this “Shanahan-Tree” rivalry come back into the fold.
In my mind, the Green Bay Packers biggest threat this week, is the Green Bay Packers. Hopefully after looking back at the tape, they can get some of the fundamentals cleaned up.
We’ve seen a lot of laundry hit the field so far this season, and a surprising number of those flags have been thrown due to the play of LT Rasheed Walker and LG Elgton Jenkins. We’ll see if the Packers Offensive Line Coach Luke Butkus can get the squad back on track.
On a brighter note, Jordan Morgan has returned to practice this week. Having him healthy and back in the rotation with Sean Rhyan at Guard should help to strengthen what has been an inconsistent offensive line so far this season.
If Jeff Hafley’s defense can get pressure, and the offensive line can keep an Aaron Donaldless defensive line in check, I see a 28-10 victory coming to swiftly ease the nerves of Packer Nation.
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