Packers offense starting to show signs of life
No, it wasn't the fact the Green Bay Packers (4-6) scored the most points they've scored since Week 1.Nor was it the fact that Jordan Love passed for a career-high 322-yards to go along with two touchdowns and zero interceptions (it was his first multi-passing TD game with zero INTs since Week 2).It was the […]
No, it wasn't the fact the Green Bay Packers (4-6) scored the most points they've scored since Week 1.
Nor was it the fact that Jordan Love passed for a career-high 322-yards to go along with two touchdowns and zero interceptions (it was his first multi-passing TD game with zero INTs since Week 2).
It was the clean pockets. The open running lanes. The downfield blocking. The act of snatching the ball out of the air and not allowing a defender to break up a game-winning touchdown pass. Crisp routes, good reads, physical play – it was all there on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
It was, to put it simply, execution. It was good execution, at that. And the best part is we've now seen the offense improve a little bit more and more over the last three weeks.
Yes, the Packers offense -the unit that looked like it had no business being on a football for the better part of the first half of the season- is starting to show signs of growth, life, and progress.
"I think It just feels like we're trying to find our groove, right now, and we're getting into that groove," Jordan Love told reporters after the game. "[We're] finding that rhythm and starting the game fast. You know, limiting the three-and-outs, things like that, that are just drive-killers. Limiting the turnovers, things like that. So it just feels like we're getting in that groove [and] everyone's kind of getting settled in. That chemistry is building day-by-day. So you know, I think we're in a really good spot, right now."
Now, this isn't a surging unit that's going off for 30+ points a game. Not by any means. There is still a lot of work to be done and it's not going to get any easier if Aaron Jones and Emanuel Wilson miss time – which it looks like that is going to be the case to a certain extent.
It is starting to look like a unit capable of exploiting mismatches and using creative ideas to manufacture chunk plays. It's easy to love what the Packers did with Jayden Reed – he looked exactly like the guy everyone envisioned when he was drafted in the second round back in April. Matt LaFleur's scheme has always been one of the better schemes in the NFL, but it's not an easy one and it takes a good bit of work to pull it off correctly.
But it certainly looks like things are on the up, even if the last few defenses aren't really considered the cream of the crop.
"There's so much learning that goes into it, behind the scenes," said Love. "The guys just continue to work every day, continue to grow and learn from every rep. Mistakes, things like that, that happen on the field – [you] store that information and learn and grow as players. I like the trajectory that's offensive going right now, for sure."
We'll quickly find out how much the Packers offense has improved
The Packers' reward for one of their best offensive performances is an immediate turnaround against a tough Detroit Lions defense on Thursday/Thanksgiving. You know, the same Lions defense that absolutely dominated the offense in Week 4.
Then, the Packers face the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All three of those teams have more than capable defenses and half the games are on the road.
These next four games will be tough, but they're not impossible. If Love and co. can continue to grow while limiting the mistakes, then we could easily have a much different outlook on the trajectory of this team and where it could ultimately go.
