The Packers have advanced to their early week 5 bye week. Knowing your team has a week 5 bye entering the season is normally not favored by most coaches, however, here’s why the early bye week benefits the Packers.
A week 5 bye week means the Packers will have 13 consecutive weeks of football to come after this week is over. While most would prefer a mid to late bye week, the Packers are arguably in great need of this early bye.
Green Bay is coming off a loss to the Browns and a tie to the Cowboys. The level of play they put on display weeks one and two has been almost entirely absent the last two games. There has been little consistency within all phases of the team.
So, how exactly does this bye week benefit Green Bay so much? Well, for starters, this provides them with the opportunity to get back to almost full health. The Packers were without starting right tackle Zach Tom and starting left guard Aaron Banks against Dallas.
Zach Tom also played only one snap against Cleveland before exiting the game. The Packers also lost defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt for the majority of the game against Dallas.
There is even a chance for wide receiver Christian Watson to make his return following the bye week as his ACL recovery seems to be going extremely well. Overall, these injuries definitely played a part in the struggles we’ve witnessed the last two games.
Do the injuries tell the whole story? Absolutely not. The rhythm the team put on display in weeks one and two has been non-existent, and they need to figure out why. The last two games have been filled with inconsistencies across the board.
One could argue the Packers are two plays away from being 4-0. Both of those plays occurred on special teams.
From a blocked field goal that likely would have won the game in Cleveland to a blocked extra point attempt that resulted in two points for the Cowboys. It has not been good enough.
Unfortunately, that has been the theme under special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. The Packers have struggled mightily on special teams since Bisaccia took over. There have never been any consistencies within the unit since he took over, which leaves me with little confidence it will get better.
Weeks one and two were great, weeks three and four were all what we are used to from the special teams unit. Not only is the execution sloppy, but the Packers need to find an actual punt returner.
Additionally, the inconsistencies are occurring on the offense and defense as well. The offense managed to put up a measly 10 points to the Browns. Against Dallas, the offense was the only reason they didn’t lose.
The defense kept the Packers in the game against the Browns but were helpless against the Cowboys offense, who was without CeeDee Lamb.
The Packers have put what seems to be their floor and ceiling on display thus far this season. This bye week could be critical for helping the team find a way to play more consistent as well as getting back key players from injuries.
