Green Bay Packers are on life support after another poor offensive performance. What we learned.
LANDOVER, Maryland — A quick recap of the Green Bay Packers' 23-21 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday at FedEx Field:
Big picture is Packers are in trouble ... big trouble
The Packers' season is more than just in trouble, it’s on life support after their offense didn’t look any better despite reshuffling the line this week than it did the previous two games. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t getting a lot of help but, regardless, he’s playing poorly, and the Packers are in their worst position since 2018 when they finished 6-9-1.
NFL WEEK 7 SCORES: Commanders stun Packers; Panthers upset Tom Brady, Buccaneers
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Turning point is when Packers couldn't convert on fourth-and-1
There were several potential game-turning plays In the fourth quarter. The Packers were in Washington territory and had a chance to keep a drive going for the possible go-ahead touchdown when they faced a fourth-and-1 at the Commanders’ 37. Aaron Rodgers tried to hit Romeo Doubs on a quick out, but Doubs dropped the pass after getting hit by cornerback Kendall Fuller, and that ended the drive. Washington then drove down for a field goal that put the Commanders up 23-14.
Thumbs up to getting Aaron Jones involved in the offense
Coach Matt LaFleur got Aaron Jones going early. Jones had eight touches in the first quarter, including a 4-yard touchdown on a middle screen/shovel pass that put the Packers ahead 7-0. That appeared to be a good sign for what might come, but the Packers’ offense went stagnant after that touchdown.
Thumbs down to cornerback Eric Stokes
So much to choose from, but if you’re looking for specific players who had a bad day, cornerback Eric Stokes is as good a choice as any. The Packers returned a fumble by Taylor Heinicke for a touchdown in the second quarter, but the play was called back because Stokes was penalized for defensive holding in coverage. Stokes also appeared to be responsible for missing the coverage on Antonio Gibson’s wide-open 9-yard touchdown pass earlier in the second quarter. And he picked up a personal foul in the fourth quarter for hitting Curtis Samuel after the play was over, which helped get the Commanders in position for a field goal that put them up by two scores (23-14) with less than 7 minutes to play.