Wondering if we could chat about what constitutes a “good” run defense. Wes suggested that the Packers’ run defense against the Giants was fine because there weren’t explosive plays. I agree that they can be a game-changer and the Packers prevented that but it was notable on Sunday that the Giants regularly got 4-5 yards on early downs. There was very little backfield disruption. Is the main aim to prevent the big plays or to make the early downs less productive?
Wes and I disagree on that performance by the run defense. On 37 runs (not including one kneel-down), 17 gained four-plus yards. Of the other 20, two were short TDs and one a fourth-and-short conversion. That’s too much success in my book. The opponent running it nearly 40 times is by itself an indication of too much success, which controlled TOP and limited Green Bay’s offense to eight possessions. The Packers were one of the best run defenses in the league through six games, but the first half at Pittsburgh showed leaks, and the two outings against Carolina and New York, sandwiched around an outstanding effort against Philly/Barkley, weren’t up to the standard they’d set. They can’t afford to get into some Jekyll & Hyde pattern with the run defense. It’s got to settle down.
Still plenty of football in the season to go on a run. What one deficiency does the Pack need to lock down most urgently to get to the playoffs and beyond?
The offense still needs to play cleaner football. This last game, the pre-snap penalties vanished but the drops were back. There are going to be competitive penalties and contested catches/breakups, but the whack-a-mole with self-inflicted stuff has to end for this team to win consistently. Defensively, in addition to the note above, they have to take advantage of opportunities. Aside from the recently obvious, I think back to the Carolina game and Xavier McKinney‘s strip sack that bounced right to the Panthers. Nobody’s fault perhaps, but those plays are the difference-makers. They also need to get more impactful pass rush from players other than Micah Parsons, which wasn’t a problem early in the year but seems to be now. That’s how the defense will progress from just keeping them in games to possibly dominating them.
Richard from Livermore, CA
The vibe seems to be that we are not a very good team? Yet often just a few plays decide a game. Winston is known for taking chances with his passes, giving us five opportunities for game-changing interceptions. A second pick earlier in the game could have put us up by two scores and probably taken NY out of their conservative, ball-control offensive plans, totally changing the complexion of the game. IMO we just needed to catch one or two more of those passes and it would have been a 10-plus point win.
Right. I totally agree. Then make the play. Because failure to do so will likely result in losses the rest of the way against a lineup of teams all considerably better than that sorely shorthanded Giants squad.
On the Edgerrin Cooper missed tackle on the screen play, it appeared that he was pushed in the back just enough that put him slightly out of position.
Nope. I took one look at the film and saw it right away. He went for the ball instead of securing the TFL to force the punt.
One word to define the watchability of our beloved Packers: Exhausting.
My dad texted me that exact word as soon as Sunday’s game ended. I admit that’s hard to read when I’m about to embark on five hours of postgame work. I’m not allowed to be exhausted after just watching.
I didn’t see the game, but the last TD drive looked like two heave hoes. The first prayer was thrown and caught thanks to the play made on the ball by Savion Williams. The second one was thrown into double coverage and Christian Watson outplayed his double coverage for the TD. I’m not seeing anything spectacular by Jordan Love, just throwing it up and hoping his man makes a better play on the ball than the defenders. But somehow we’re 6-3-1 except here comes better competition and division games.
The play to Savion was third-and-10, went off schedule, gotta make something happen, single coverage. I even called it a heave in my postgame coverage, but he gave his guy a chance. The ball to Watson was also against man, but as LaFleur detailed Monday, another defender read it well and fell off the tight end to help. Love’s throw was so good the second guy didn’t matter. That was no heave, that was a dime.
Jordan Love is not the issue. Full stop.
It’s what we’ve been trying to tell everyone. He’s not flawless, and he’ll have his bad plays or even a rough game, but this QB can play, folks.
What the Eagles did to the Lions’ explosive offense puts our game into perspective. No excuses, but it is a reminder that perseverance through adversity – bad calls, injuries, mistakes, etc. – might be one of the most important factors to winning it all. Where is this team from the never-stop-grinding standpoint? Are they still in it to win it?
That’s one thing I don’t question about this bunch. Their attitude, their belief, their togetherness, their willingness to grind, it’s all there. They don’t back down from any challenge. It’s what I admire most about this team and why seeing them struggle to play to the level they’re capable is frustrating.