Who Could Have Seen the Packers Start 3-0 Headed into Week 4 Against the Eagles

After two consecutive losing seasons and third place finishes in which the Packers went 13-18-1, the team headed in a new direction this season with the hiring of Matt LaFleur as head coach. Although three weeks is a relatively small chunk of a 16-game season, the 3-0 start by the Packers is remarkable. Odds are looking good for the packers, according to top bookmakers covering the NFL in the USA. In fact, it’s the first time since 2015 that the Packers have started the season with three wins. LaFleur is only the third coach in team history to accomplish the feat. So how did they get there at this point?

They began the season with a stern test against the Bears at Soldier Field. A defensive battle throughout, the Packers scored the only touchdown of the day on an eight-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers to tight end Jimmy Graham in the second quarter. The Packers struggled on the ground, gaining only 47 yards on 22 carries and had only 213 yards’ total offense. Fortunately, the defense came up big, intercepting Mitch Trubisky for the only turnover of the game and held the Bears to 254 yards in total offense.

Sep 22, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates with tight end Marcedes Lewis (89) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Week two was another tough divisional foe as the Packers hosted the Minnesota Vikings. Getting off to a lightning fast start, the Packers took the opening kickoff 75 yards in four plays culminating in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Jamaal Williams. Two more touchdowns put the Packers up by a 21-0 score just a little over a quarter into the game. Minnesota mounted a comeback as Green Bay’s offense sputtered the rest of the way. Both defenses were stout from the middle of the third quarter on and the Packers held on to win 21-16. The Packers rushed for 144 yards and picked off Kirk Cousins twice, but allowed 198 yards on the ground.

Back at home for week three, the Packers hosted the 0-2 Denver Broncos. The game was tight in the first half with the Packers taking a 17-10 lead into the half on a seven-yard touchdown run by Aaron Jones. The Packers increased the lead to 14 points on another touchdown run by Jones just three minutes into the third quarter. Denver cut the lead to eight with a one-yard run by Phillip Lindsay, but the Packers sealed the win with a Mason Crosby field goal with 5:46 to play. The Packers held the Broncos to 161 yards in the air, but gave up nearly 150 on the ground.

Moving forward, despite a slow start to the offense, they are led by a future Hall of Fame quarterback so it appears only a matter of time that they are firing on all cylinders. Although allowing the first three opponents to under 16 points per game, the rushing defense has been a glaring area of weakness. Opponents will likely try to maintain ball control by continually pounding the ball on the ground. However, the NFL is clearly a passing league and if the Packers get their offense into gear, teams will be forced to abandon the run. This plays right into the hands of a much improved Packers’ pass defense that has four interceptions and 12 sacks this season.

The next three games don’t get any easier against the Eagles, Cowboys and Lions. The Eagles fell to Detroit at home after another slow first half, but are a team of pride and will likely be at their best to try to avoid a 1-3 start. The Cowboys are 3-0 and Lions have yet to lose a game.

The start by the Packers is more than encouraging. Optimistic, but cautious, with a huge chunk of the season remaining. If you saw this unlikely start coming, maybe reach out to Top NFL Bookmakers and place some wagers on the rest of the season because you are on to something.