It’s hard to say if I’ve ever been more disappointed with a win, but that’s certainly the case with this game in this season. The Green Bay Packers found a way to beat the San Diego Chargers 27-20, but there wasn’t much to like.
Not defensively or offensively.
Defensively, the Packers vaunted pass defense got downright torched. To the tune of 503 yards. That’s fucking pathetic and these assholes should be embarrassed. Offensively, well, we already bitched about the game plan, so we’re not going to do it again.
Well, okay, I will say this. It appeared as if Tom Clements was just throwing some shit against the wall in hopes that some of it would stick. There didn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to what was being called on Sunday. Hey, here’s something that works! Now that we know that, let’s not use it anymore!
Anyway, here are some of the things that stuck out that we didn’t get into on Sunday.
Jeff Janis has earned opportunities
The Packers have zero receivers who can get open on a regular basis right now and that includes Randall Cobb. These guys can’t get separation and Clements is rarely putting them in position to succeed. So, I’ve got a bunch of receivers who can’t beat their man… ah, fuck it! Let’s go deep anyway! They’re due! Right. Yeah. Jeff Janis may be the exception here. And even if he’s not, he deserves the opportunity after Sunday’s effort. He was the Packers’ leading receiver with two catches — yes, that tied him for most receptions by a Packer on Sunday — and 79 yards. The yardage total was 41 more yards than Randall Cobb, the Packers’ second-leading receiver on the day, put up. What was perhaps even more impressive was the block Janis had on James Starks’ 65-yard touchdown run. Starks wasn’t getting into the end zone without that block and Janis put his guy on the ground. Time to give this guy a real look.
Another week, another injury
This time it was receiver and returner Ty Montgomery. Montgomery left with what was said to be an ankle injury. Thankfully, it wasn’t a knee injury. However, we can’t really say anything other than that’s what you get. The Packers went out of their way not to play “injured” guys who probably could have played. One of those guys was receiver Davante Adams, who practiced all week. Had Adams been on the field, Montgomery would have gotten fewer offensive snaps and probably wouldn’t be hurt right now. On one hand Mike McCarthy says, if they’re healthy enough, they’re going to play. Then guys who appear healthy enough don’t play. Well, this is what you get.
Lacy vs. Starks
James Starks had 10 rushes for 112 yards and caught one pass for five, with two total touchdowns. Eddie Lacy had four rushes for three yards and two catches for 17. That’s 11 touches to six and that’s certainly not the traditional breakdown. We can only assume Lacy is in the doghouse for some reason or another. Early in the broadcast, the announcers mentioned that Mike McCarthy alluded to Starks having earned more playing time. And that’s fine, but Starks both started the game and dominated the running back touches. Obviously, no one saw that coming. It worked out just fine, except for the stupidity of the situation. The Packers ran just 17 designed rushing plays on Sunday. That’s four fewer than San Diego, who clearly had no intention of even giving a shit about the run. Meanwhile, you’re averaging 7.9 yards per rushing play. Not only was Lacy underutilized, but the running game as a whole was underutilized. We don’t really care about the breakdown of carries. Use whatever back you want, but exploit the advantage. The Packers had one with their running game and refused to use it. That might have helped with that 16-minute time of possession advantage the Chargers had. You’re a fucking dim bulb, Tom Clements.
Where was the pass rush?
The Packers came away with three sacks on the day, but when the opposing quarterback passes 65 times, that doesn’t look so impressive. The defense blitzed all goddam day and the result was consistent. A bunch of guys crash into the line and a bunch of guys get stood up. Part of it was Philip Rivers’ quick release and decision-making. Part of it was scheme. The Packers kept doing the same thing over and over and over again. It was like, well, it’s bound to work one of these times! It did work here and there in the second half, but the Packers pass rush should have dominated in this contest. They were facing a banged-up offensive line that wasn’t very good to begin with. That’s the most ineffective I’ve seen the Packers pass rush this season. Kudos to Mike McCoy and company for outcoaching Dom Capers. That’s really the only explanation we can give this failure.
Three little stats
We discussed how the Chargers dominated the game statistically, on Sunday. They obviously didn’t dominate on the scoreboard though. There are three telling areas where the Packers had an advantage. The Chargers accrued more penalties (nine to six) than the Packers, had one more turnover and were much worse in red zone efficiency. San Diego was just 2-of-6 in the red zone, while the Packers converted 50 percent of their drives. A play here, a play there and the Packers lose to an inferior opponent at home.
Lots to ponder, lots to fix over that bye week.
John Kuhn for 19 yards. An offensive scheme full of surprises.
Aaaaand we’re back to bitching about Dom Capers and play-calling, that didn’t take long.
So it’s McCarthy’s fault that Montgomery got inured because he didn’t want to risk putting Adams in when it wasn’t necessary?
Exactly. “Five More” is usually great, but that injury “theory” is just reactionary and short-sighted.
I recall correctly, it was Monty who complained about putting Adams out onto the field too early a few weeks ago.
Funny, because if Adams went out there and tweaked his ankle you would have been bitching.
I’m happy that we pulled out a win with a bunch of back-ups while giving our starters chance to heal for another 2 weeks before facing best defense after bye. Backups also have chance to develop in real game and they stepped up like Janis and Randall.
Safeties were always out of position. Hope Burnett is back after bye. That would help alot.
Starters to have back almost 100% after bye should be: Adams, Ty, Lacy, Raji, Burnett, and maybe Perry (80%). Cobb should also be healthier as well as Lang and Bulaga. This assumes that Burnett or anybody else does not hurt themself in practice in next couple of weeks.
Packers need to work on their little girly ankles
What we learned yesterday…..
1) Phillip Rivers made Micah Hyde his bitch yesterday.
2) Shields may be paid like an elite corner, but can’t play like one. (Catch the ball)
3) The defense was on the field way too long. The offense didn’t do the defense any favors there, but at the end of the day, it’s the defense that’s responsible.
4) Eddie Lacy…wtf the last 2 weeks? IF, he’s hurt, don’t play him. When i see Lacy now, i see a overweight 260lb back that’s ineffective. If this dude hopes to score a big 2nd contract in the NFL (with any team) he might want to start giving a fuck about his body.
5) Usually when a defense gives up 548 yards, that translates into more than 20 points, so kudos for the defense holding the Chargers to 2 of 6 in the red zone.
6) With all that said…it’s hard to bitch about our team when they are 6-0. Lets get healthy, get players back like Burnett and Adams and keep this undefeated season rolling against Denver!!
Agreed on all points but number 2 and partly on 4. The only bad play Shields had was that dropped pick; yeah, Keenan Allen and Rivers had a huge game, but a lot of that was underneath stuff. The 2 big catches Allen had on Shields were absolutely picture-perfect pitches-and-catch. As for the D they definitely need to get of the field on 3rd down, at one point the Chargers were like 7 of 11, which is borderline ridiculous, our man coverage just could not keep up with the drags and crossing routes, especially Hyde, Rollins, and Randall. That said, our offense could not sustain a drive to give the D some rest.
number 3 not 4…
I’m wondering has Rodgers so little confidence that he keeps trying to draw the D offside to get a free play for a deep throw?
Or maybe Munn is realy pregnant and is he wondering who did it. Anyway he’s not the guy I’m used to lately.
Or maybe it’s because he has 1 starting receiver out of 4 and that guy is getting double teamed every game.
Rivers had a career day in terms of attempts, completions, yards, & accuracy…yet only has 20pts and a loss to show for it. That is because the REAL key stat to the game was SD rushing 21 times for only 60yds. Not to mention our D forcing two rushing fumbles & subsequently Gordon from the game. And stuffing both run attempts from inside the 3yd line on their final drive. Yes, the pressure schemes were pretty bland and we need to get to the QB better than that…but I’ll take an opponent padding the stat sheet via the air over a team gashing us for 5yds a pop on the ground. Once the field shrunk..it was to our advantage.
As for the offense, a lot to fix in the passing game but its almost impossible to judge given the personnel/injuries. Players make plays & there is a reason Janis & Abbrederis dont normally play yet we’re leaning on them in a big way yesterday. I will say this, however: No way we march down and get the FG late with MM calling the plays. RRodgers for 25yds on first down & 33 yards to Janis on 2nd & 8. MM runs the ball there in both instances. GUARANTEED. We’ve all seen it a 1000x. He even lamented in his presser that he would’ve ran it more. Run more overall? Yes. Run then? No!! It was wildly refreshing to be on our front foot & attacking with a lead late in the 4th! MM might have been thinking “circle the wagons” and play not to lose but he wasnt allowed to advertise it & concede momentum by virtue of his play selection. Bitch about Clements all you want but I loved him having the balls to try to dagger them instead of the usual hang on for dear life BS. And because of it worst case we were looking at a tie in regulation. 6-0 & I’ll take it. Get healthy, healthy, healthy!! Two brutal road games coming up.
Eddie Lacy needs to spend more time at the gym and less in the buffet line for a while. Dude looks slow out there and is sporting some serious thunder thighs.
Im sure Adams being out there would have stopped Motgomerys injury. I think ur running out of legitimate things to complain about