Lacking a Deep Threat, Packers Flaunt an Efficient Passing Game
- Tim Muma
- Oct 13, 2015
- 3 min read
When your team wins five straight games to start the season, it can be a chore to find things to actually complain about. Even Dom Capers has avoided the ire of the fans with how well the defense has played.
Still, it hasn't been difficult to notice that Aaron Rodgers hasn't connected on his patented deep balls this season. As ESPN Wisconsin writer Jason Wilde notes, Rodgers hasn't even thrown a pass that has traveled 40 or more yards in the air (at least one that counted).
The obvious thought is that Jordy Nelson's absence has created this void. One would hope that with defenses cheating forward to slow down Eddie Lacy and contain Randall Cobb, Green Bay will have extra opportunities to go long.
Thus far, it simply isn't happening.
Explosive plays can serve multiple purposes: igniting your offense, demoralizing the defense, tilting field position or best of all, putting up 7 points quickly. At the same time, they aren't necessary to run a consistent offense if you're taking full advantage of the opportunities you have.
Despite missing those highlight reel throws, the Packers rank 5th in football in yards per pass play (net yards), averaging 7.4 yards each time Rodgers looks to throw. This includes yardage lost due to sacks.
That's the exact same number they finished 2014 with when they led the NFL in that category. When the Packers finished 15-1 in 2011, they also led the NFL (8.1 yards/pass play).
Not coincidentally, the offense scored the most points in the NFL in both those seasons.
In 2010, Green Bay was 3rd with a 7.1 yard average as they captured the franchise's 13th NFL Championship in Super Bowl XLV.
The offense clearly struggled last week against a tough St. Louis Rams defense. They gathered just 14 first downs (fewest in a game this season) and gained 322 yards of offense, tied for the lowest total this year (week 1).
It also marked the second consecutive week Rodgers and Co. scored only 17 points.
While the lack of recent points are a concern, the consistent efficiency of the passing game is a positive trend.
Overall, Green Bay is 5th in scoring with 27.4 points per game (one defensive touchdown), but only rank 20th in passing at 236.8 yards/game.
However, there have been other mitigating circumstances hurting the aerial attack as of late.
Rodgers had three turnovers vs. the Rams - a rare occurrence that cost Green Bay points
Against San Francisco, the Packers were clearly focused on ball control and the running game
Offensive line injuries creating protection problems and limiting slow-developing routes
Potential deep threat - Davante Adams - has essentially missed the last 3 weeks with an ankle injury
Jeff Janis has not developed as Rodgers and the coaching staff had hoped
What might this all mean moving forward? Well, there are still plenty of variables that can help the offense exponentially - and some of it would simply be a continuation of recent events.
Week 6 versus the San Diego Chargers will likely be more of the same offensively. The Chargers have allowed only 218.8 passing yards per game - 8th lowest in the NFL. At the same time, San Diego is giving up 7.1 yards per pass play - 6th most in the league.
That gets the Packers into the bye week where they can get a bit healthier and reset their offensive game plan for the final 10 games of the regular season.
The schedule doesn't get any easier with matchups on the road against the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers. With (hopefully) a stronger offensive line, a recovered Adams, and a full two weeks to break down the opposition, that may be enough to get the passing game untracked and officialy "loose."
With the way Rodgers takes care of the football and how well the defense is playing, the offense's counting stats will rise provided they continue to be one of the best in the league when it comes to net yardage on passing plays - and anything over 7 will do.
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