Cover 3: Quick takeaways after Packers' loss to the Raiders
The Green Bay Packers fell to 2-3 in the 2023 season after a 17-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Nevada. It was a disappointing game, in which quarterback Jordan Love once again threw multiple interceptions, three this time around, the offense couldn't function in the first half, and the defense was schematically overmatched […]
The Green Bay Packers fell to 2-3 in the 2023 season after a 17-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Nevada.
It was a disappointing game, in which quarterback Jordan Love once again threw multiple interceptions, three this time around, the offense couldn't function in the first half, and the defense was schematically overmatched by Josh McDaniels.
Cover 3: After every Green Bay Packers game, we will talk about three points that defined the matchup.
1) Love concerns
Jordan Love has had predictable ups and downs through his first five games as a full-time starter. The problem is that he had been good on unsustainable things — touchdown percentage, EPA/play with a low completion percentage over expected. And sustainable metrics, like the PFF grade, indicated issues and reasons for concern. And all those questions have surfaced over the last two weeks, including multiple interceptions once again and some bad misses.
With the game on the line in the final drive, Love had some good plays and his receivers didn't help, but Love underthrew Christian Watson and was picked to end the game.
Good and bad moments are part of his growth, but it's concerning for a fourth-year NFL quarterback. He will have until the end of the season to show what he is, but at this point it's impossible to say Love is a long-term answer for the Packers. And if this trend continues, general manager Brian Gutekunst can't guarantee he won't look for another option, at least to create competition. It's still early, but not that early.
2) Offensive woes
The offensive problems are not all on Jordan Love, to be fair. The playcaling and play design have been questionable at best. In the second quarter, for instance, there was a 3rd & 11. The Packers aligned in empty, and there was no motion, no crossing routes, no man beaters. Just receivers running isolated routes.
This was an example, but that's how the entire game felt. It doesn't look like an offense from the same tree of Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. At this point, the unit lacks identity. They try to do a little bit of everything, and haven't been able to execute anything at a truly high level.
The offensive line issues are not new. They can't run block, and it gets exposed without Aaron Jones, as AJ Dillon doesn't have the ability to create many extra yards by himself.
3) Defensive coaching
Since we are talking about coaching, too, Joe Barry's defense had the same issues as it always does. Absurd matchups, inefficiency against the run (even against a bad run offense). In terms of scheme, there were two plays to highlight — or lowlight. The first one was the touchdown to Jakobi Meyers. Rudy Ford was covering from inside the end zone, and couldn't stop him before the goal line.
Later, edge defender Preston Smith was covering Davante Adams, while Jaire Alexander was covering a fullback. Well, it went as well as you could expect.
Running back Josh Jacobs had his highest rushing yards number of the season. Rookie tight end Michael Mayer had one reception for two yards in four games in the NFL. Against the Packers, he had two receptions for 39 yards in the first quarter.
Now, the Green Bay Packers have a bye week. They come back to the field only on October 22nd, when they play at the Denver Broncos. Hopefully for them, it will be enough time for Aaron Jones to be back. But the problems go well beyond that, and Matt LaFleur will have to make a truthful assessment of where this team is and where it wants to go.
Packers lose multiple starters during loss to Raiders
The injuries continue to pile up.
