Packers pass catchers still searching for consistency after six drops against the Lions
GREEN BAY - There are 10 minutes to go in the game with the Green Bay Packers trailing the Detroit Lions 24-6.
Jordan Love and the Packers' offense face a third-and-1 at the 9-yard line, hoping to get a quick touchdown and make a late push.
Love rolls to his right, avoiding pressure from the defense, and throws it across his body to an open Dontayvion Wicks. The ball goes right through Wicks’ hands for an incomplete pass.
The Packers go for it on fourth down, and the handoff to Josh Jacobs is stopped for no gain. Turnover on downs. Green Bay eventually reached the end zone with less than 4 minutes to go, but too little too late.
That dropped pass by Wicks was one of six for the Packers in the 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions.
The receivers dropped four passes on third downs, including two in the red zone.
“It was tough for both teams,” Packers receiver Christian Watson said about playing in Sunday’s rainy, windy conditions. “I think I can speak for everyone and say we left some stuff out there.”
While it’s a young, talented crop of receivers for the Packers, it’s also a group still searching for consistency. They rank in the NFL's top 10 in touchdowns (18), total yards (2,200) and yards per game (244.4). However, they’re also top 5 in the league in dropped passes. Following Week 8, the Packers were third with 18 drops, five behind the leading Cleveland Browns.
“The drops come down to making plays when the conditions are perfect,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. “Obviously, it was wet and just too many drops.”
The Packers sit at 6-3 and 0-2 in NFC North play and have a chance for time away from football with their upcoming bye week.
After the bye, the Packers prepare for the home stretch of the regular season, starting with a road game against the division rival Chicago Bears.
The mistakes from penalties and dropped passes have been issues all season for the Packers.
“Going into a bye it does give us a chance to recharge, get our minds and bodies together,” Packers receiver Romeo Doubs said. “Just prepare for 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-game stretch moving forward.”