What's the biggest issue for the Packers' offense?
The Green Bay Packers' offense has been under the microscope during a three-game losing streak.
With a critical NFC North matchup on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, we asked our NFL team:
What's the biggest problem with the Packers' offense?
The obvious answer is the loss of Jordy Nelson. The Packers haven’t found anyone else to give them the deep threat that has made Nelson one of the NFL’s best receivers the last few seasons. But the Packers have enough other weapons to compensate, and they’re guys who’ve been in the system so finding a rhythm shouldn’t be a problem. But it has been, which makes me think the larger problem is the play calling. Remember that Mike McCarthy gave up offensive play-calling duties so he could be more involved with the defense and special teams, a definite trouble spot last year. Tom Clements knows Rodgers and the offense as well as anyone, having worked with Rodgers first as his quarterbacks coach and then as the offensive coordinator. But there’s a creativity that is missing from Green Bay’s game plan this year. McCarthy and Rodgers both said there was no need to make a change, but it’s telling that McCarthy spent much of his week with the offense.
Too much pressure on Aaron Rodgers -- literally and figuratively. Rodgers, big-time leader and all, once told me that he expects and accepts pressure as part of his job. So that mindset won't change. But too much around him has broken down -- most notably the loss of Jordy Nelson to stretch the field and the lack of a consistent running game. And without Nelson, the other wideouts who complemented the deep threat, have been better covered by defenses who need not worry about Jordy. Then there's that other form of pressure. During his MVP season last year, Rodgers was one of the five least-pressured quarterbacks in the NFL. That was reflective of good pressure, Rodgers' rhythm to get rid of the ball quickly and having a complete offense. This season, the only quarterback in the NFL who has been under more duress this season is Russell Wilson. What a huge difference, which plays out with Rodgers, bless him, trying to extend too many plays while escaping the rush. Hey, this is what makes Rodgers special. There's no better quarterback in the NFL for improvising and stinging a defense for a big play. But all of that greatness, that's no way to run a consistent offense. The improv plays need to happen occasionally, not on every other throw.
It’s probably an offensive line that has left Rodgers ducking for cover and missing reads he usually makes. Wait, it’s probably the absence of injured WR Jordy Nelson and his ability to stretch defenses, draw the opponent’s No. 1 corner and generally provide explosive plays. But actually, I think it’s a lackluster running game and Eddie Lacy’s failure to consistently draw extra defenders into the box to open things up downfield for Rodgers. (Seriously, though, this is entirely Olivia Munn’s fault …)
It's well-worn territory, but the wide receivers are the biggest problem. Aaron Rodgers hasn't been his sharpest, and the disappearance of the running game has warped the offense. But the receivers' inability to create separation has rendered a once-fearsome attack toothless. There's no need to provide safety help over the top, which strains the offense elsewhere. And the blitzes that Rodgers once mastered now are paying off.
The receivers just aren’t getting open. With Jordy Nelson suffering his torn ACL in the preseason, none of Green Bay’s outside threats have stepped up. Davante Adams, James Jones and Ty Montgomery haven’t scared opposing defenses, with good reason. Randall Cobb has been productive in the slot, but he’s not getting the explosive plays we’ve become used to seeing from him, as defenses have continued to commit safeties to help cover him. As a group overall, they’re just not getting the job done. Aaron Rodgers is fielding snaps and hanging in the pocket for as long as he can, waiting for targets to get open. When they don’t, the offensive line has struggled to hold blocks and Rodgers has been hit or sacked.
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