The Green Bay Packers’ offense struggled mightily against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns had the top-ranked defense in the NFL before the game and will remain at the top after a dominant performance against the Packers’ offense. The Packers have a perfect opportunity to get back on the right track in their Week 4 game against a bottom-ranked Dallas Cowboys defense.
Packers’ Offense Through Three Games
The results on the offensive side of the ball have been a mixed bag through three games. Green Bay scored 27 points in its first two games. That was good for the sixth-most points per game in the NFL after Week 2.
Jordan Love was kept clean in the season opener against the Detroit Lions, not getting sacked once. He was sacked twice in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders, but one of them he took on purpose at the end of the game to keep the clock running.
The Packers’ offense had opportunities to score more points in each of their first two games. Against Washington, Love failed to connect with rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden on two throws that would have been touchdowns if completed. They did eventually score on one of those drives anyway.
The Browns pass rush dominated the Packers’ offensive line on Sunday, sacking Love five times throughout the course of the game. Their defensive line also pushed around Green Bay’s offensive line in the run game, keeping them to just 2.6 yards per carry. Josh Jacobs was held to just 30 yards rushing on the day.
After not turning the ball over in the first two games, Love threw his first interception of the season in Cleveland. It came at a critical time in the fourth quarter and gave the Browns good starting field position to score their only touchdown of the game. Love responded well by driving the Packers’ offense down the field to get them in range to set up a go-ahead field goal.
Rushing the ball has been a struggle for the Packers’ offense through three games. They are ranked 27th in the NFL in yards per carry, averaging only 3.4 yards per carry. The offensive line has been poor in creating holes for the running backs. Part of the problem may be due to having to shuffle offensive linemen because of injuries to Zach Tom and Aaron Banks. Whoever is playing needs to block better regardless.
Dallas Defense Through Three Games
The Cowboys defense gave up 24 points to Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1, 40 points to the New York Giants in Week 2, and 31 points to the Chicago Bears in Week 3. The 30.7 points per game they have given up ranks 28th in the league. Dallas has surrendered 397.7 yards per game to opposing offenses thus far, ranking 30th.
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson and Bears quarterback Caleb Williams both had their best games of the season against the Cowboys.
Wilson completed 30 of 41 passes for 450 yards and 3 touchdowns versus Dallas. He threw an interception in overtime. The Cowboys were able to sack Wilson three times during the game.
Outside of setting a career high in passing yards against Dallas, Wilson has played poorly. In Week 1 against the Commanders, he was 17 of 37 for 168 yards and 0 touchdowns. On Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, Wilson completed 18 of 32 passes for 160 yards along with two interceptions. Wilson is in jeopardy of being benched for rookie Jaxson Dart in Week 4.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams tied his career high with 4 passing touchdowns on Sunday versus Dallas. The second-year quarterback threw for 298 yards, completing 19 of 28 passes.
Chicago’s offense was in the middle of the pack at 15th, averaging 22.5 points per game, before exploding for 31 against Dallas. They also ranked 15th in yards per game, gaining an average of 328 yards per game, in their first two games. The Bears had 385 yards of total offense on Sunday.
In the NFL season opener in Philadelphia, Dallas was able to keep the Eagles’ passing game in check. The defending Super Bowl champions’ offense got off to a slow start to the season. Quarterback Jalen Hurts only threw for 158 yards and didn’t add any passing touchdowns in Week 1. Hurts added 62 yards and 2 touchdowns with his legs.
Giving up 107.9 yards per game, the Dallas defense ranks 17th in the NFL. Kenny Clark, acquired from the Packers in the Micah Parsons trade, leads the interior of their defensive line.
Matchup
After a rough outing in Cleveland, Jordan Love and the passing attack are set up for a big outing in Week 4. When given time to throw, the Packers have been able to generate big plays in the passing game. The Cowboys defense ranks 29th in the NFL with only 1.3 sacks per game. Green Bay’s offensive line should hold up much better in Dallas.
Getting Josh Jacobs back to his 2024 form is a priority for Head Coach Matt LaFleur. Explosive run plays have been hard to come by for the Packers offense so far in 2025. Staying ahead of the sticks and putting the offense in favorable down-and-distance can be a catalyst for big scoring days.
Although missing offensive linemen and pass catchers due to injury, the Green Bay offense has enough talent for a monster day. Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden, and Tucker Kraft will see a lot of targets. If the Packers’ defense keeps playing like they have, this game might get ugly. A statement win before a bye in Week 5 is just what the Packers need.
