Packers have a huge problem on offense, and it won't get better until they find ways to answer it
The Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings game had one specific tactical question. Since the Packers' bye week, quarterback Jordan Love was first in EPA/play against zone coverage and 25th against man going into Sunday's showdown. Vikings' defensive coordinator Brian Flores plays primarily a zone coverage scheme in Minnesota, but he had been playing more man lately. […]
The Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings game had one specific tactical question. Since the Packers' bye week, quarterback Jordan Love was first in EPA/play against zone coverage and 25th against man going into Sunday's showdown. Vikings' defensive coordinator Brian Flores plays primarily a zone coverage scheme in Minnesota, but he had been playing more man lately.
And in this type of circumstances, it was intriguing to see what Flores would prioritize. As an adaptable playcaller and schemer, he decided to go man heavy, and it worked well early in the game to prevent the Packers' offense from operating at a high level after five consecutive 30-point games.
"They played a little more man than we were anticipating," head coach Matt LaFleur admitted after the game. "They had shown that a couple games, didn't think we would get it. That's part of our slow start. We gotta be able to adjust quicker and have some plays in there that we can attack that coverage. That falls squarely on my shoulders."
The lack of success against man coverage can be huge in the playoffs. After all, postseason matchups bring ultra specific gameplans, and teams will try to exploit what you don't do well.
Until the Packers' wide receivers show they can handle this type of coverage, defenses will make them pay for it.
"When they're playing man coverage, it comes down to winning that one-on-one as a receiver. As a quarterback, you gotta have great ball placement and make plays," Jordan Love said. "It's one-on-one coverage, guys gotta go win. And we didn't do a good enough job at that, but that's on everybody. It's not one guy that it falls on, it's a whole team thing. There's a lot of stuff we'll look back on film and have to clean up and figure out a way to win versus that coverage."
Maybe things will improve when Christian Watson is back, but it had already been a problem even before his knee injury.
The Packers need answers to beat man coverage, there's no personnel help on the way, and they are running out of time before it's too late.
It’s getting too late for the Packers to deny what they have been the entire season after another loss to the Vikings
The fight for the fifth seed is over
