A Different View of the Packers' 37-29 Loss to Carolina
On the one hand, the Green Bay Packers are 6-2 and tied atop the NFC North division with a number of winnable games on the horizon. On the other hand, there are some clear issues with the team, the culmination of which have resulted in a pair of rather ugly losses consecutively.
At this moment (maybe not three weeks from now) the Packers' sum of their parts are in poor form. Some of the issues would be non-factors on their own, but added together, it creates legitimate concern.
Below are a few of the things I noticed in their 37-29 defeat at the hands of the undefeated Carolina Panthers, some of which should be corrected or at least acknowledged.
Aaron Rodgers has gotten into a bad habit of falling or leaning back as he makes throws, resulting in more innaccurate passes.
Even when he isn't under pressure, Rodgers is instinctively moving away from the pocket and throwing from some odd angles. It's been particularly evident on throws to the outside where he loses some zip on the ball.
It's likely he has psychologically succumb to the consistent struggles of the offensive line, subconsciously training himself to avoid the contact - whether it's coming or not.
Much like a baseball player who adjusts his swing for an injury, when he heals, the poor mechanics still exist. It takes time to readjust and have everything come back to normal. The Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun was a fine example of this in 2015.
The other reason he's possibly doing this more often is that he's searching for ways to fit throws into windows. With the documented problem receivers have had getting separation, throwing from a different angle and arm slot can help in some instances.
Overall, however, he's doing it too often on routine passes and costing the team completions.
Cam Newton's inconsistent accuracy was the Packers' defensive MVP on Sunday.
Newton missed a handful of wide open receivers throughout the game, including a pair that should've been sure touchdowns.
He overthrew Greg Olson streaking all alone up the seam for what would've been a 35-yard strike and a 24-7 lead in the 2nd quarter. Carolina cashed in with a field goal instead. Then Newton misfired late in the 3rd as Jerricho Cotchery had tons of space in the front corner of the end zone.
Carolina settled for another field goal there, keeping the contest a two-score deficit at 30-16. A TD likely would have been a nail in the coffin putting the Panthers up 34-16 with about 20 minutes to play.
While the inaccuracy is a criticism of Netwon, it's an equally-damning indictment on the Packers' defense. They could've easily given up 45-50 points on Sunday (puke).
Green Bay's consistent defensive pressure in the first quarter of the season was clearly a function of playing with the lead.
It's not breaking news that it's easier to play defense when you have a lead (except for the Panthers apparently), but it's worth an examination.
As I wrote after their week 5 win over the St. Louis Rams, the Packers' defense had been on the field for only 11 plays when the opposition was actually in the lead. So through the first 5 games of the season, Green Bay's defense saw 88% of their snaps knowing the opposition had to play catch-up.
Especially in the 2nd half of games, that makes an offense more predictable and gives the 'D' more opportunities to pin its ears back and play aggressively - likely the major reason for added pressure.
A former staple of the Green Bay offense, the screen pass looked as effective as ever late in the contest.
Considering the overall struggle to run the ball with any authority and the o-line's issues protecting #12, a commitment to the screen would be a temporary fix to both. The 29-yard touchdown for Green Bay's third score was the ultimate verification that the screen can - and should - be utilized.
James Starks' athleticism seems to be a perfect fit for running this once "mandatory" call with the likes of Dorsey Levens and Ahman Green.
Even Eddie Lacy, if he's at least healthy-ish, could actually benefit in that it will naturally create space so he can get some momentum. He doesn't have the ability to create his own space on handoffs right now, that's obvious to the most novice football evaluator.
If the Packers can execute just 4-5 screen passes a game, it could easily open up other aspects of the offense both on the ground and through the air.
These are just some of the items that caught my attention. It's also obvious the defense's issues are compounded by missing some of their top cover men, the receivers still can't win most one-on-one battles, and they did lose to a pair of undefeated teams on the road.
Good thing the hapless and toothless Detroit Lions come into town with the NFL's worst record at 1-7. Should the Packers lose to snap their 24-game home winning streak (including playoffs) against the Lions, then the season takes on a whole different tone.
I wouldn't bet on that happening, though.