Deeper Look into the Stats for Packers Offense in 2012
The Packers offense is 16th in total offense and ninth in scoring offense as the bye weeks drags on. Here's a deeper look at the unit's stats through nine games.
By Zach Kruse
Looking at numbers across a few statistical spectrums, including from Pro Football Focus, here's a sampling of some interesting tidbits we found on the Green Bay Packers offense through nine games in 2012:
- Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on pace to complete 67.0 percent of 581 attempts for 4,236 yards (7.29 yards/attempt), 44 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His passer rating is second in the NFL at 107.4. A season ago, Rodgers competed 68.3 percent of 502 attempts for 4,653 yards, 45 touchdowns and six interceptions in 15 games.
- As he alluded to on his weekly radio show with Jason Wilde of ESPN 540 in Milwaukee a few weeks ago, Rodgers is on pace to set a new career high in attempts with 581. His previous high is 541, set in 2009.
- Rodgers' 7.29 yards per attempt would be his lowest number since taking over as the Packers starting quarterback in 2008. His previous low came in '08 (7.53).
- As was the case in 2011, Rodgers is still at his absolute best when opposing defensive coordinators bring blitzes. Over 113 blitzed drop backs in 2012, Rodgers has completed 70 of 100 passes for 777 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions (119.9 passer rating).
- Seven of Rodgers' NFL-high 25 touchdowns have come via passes thrown 20 or more yards in the air. Only Drew Brees has more this season.
- 15.7 percent of Rodgers' drop backs utilize playaction, 10th least among starting quarterbacks. His completion percentage drops 11 points when using playaction, however, which is the second-worst dropoff in the NFL.
- The Packers are averaging just 3.1 yards per carry when running directly to the left or right of center Jeff Saturday.
- The running game has been most successful between left tackle and left guard (26 carries for 145 yards, 5.6 yards/carry) and outside right tackle (17-97-5.7).
- Of Randall Cobb's six carries, five have went for more than 10 yards and first downs. His two runs of 20 yards or more is tied with Alex Green for the team lead.
- The Packers are on pace for more 20-yard runs, first downs from runs and total rushing yards than 2011.
- Nine different receivers average less than 10 yards per reception this season. The total average yards per catch of 11.0 is down almost three yards from 2011, when the group averaged 13.7 a catch.
- The passing game is on pace for only 44 plays of 20 or more yards. In 2011, the group had an NFC-high 70.
- The Packers have 30 drops this season. Cobb (seven), Jermichael Finley (seven) and Jordy Nelson (six) lead the way.
- Cobb is on pace to catch 80 passes for 885 yards and 11 touchdowns. Also, Rodgers has a passer rating of 131.0 when targeting Cobb this season, the top quarterback-receiver combination in the NFL.
- Nelson is fourth in targeted passer rating at 121.4.
- James Jones doesn't have a drop over 64 targets.
- Jones has already set a career-high in touchdown receptions with eight, which also leads the NFL. He's on pace for 14.
- Cobb has the second highest catch rate of any NFL receiver from the slot (78.6) and third-most receptions inside with 33.
- Despite being targeted just nine times this season, Tom Crabtree has as many 20-yard catches as Jermichael Finley (three). Crabtree is first in the NFL in yards per catch (30.5) among players with at least five catches.
- Finley has lined up in the slot 72 times this season but has received just 10 targets.
- Over 18 pass-blocking snaps, Finley hasn't allowed a quarterback disruption (sack, hit or hurry).
- The Packers have three players on pace to catch 70 or more passes (Cobb, Jones, Jordy Nelson). If completed, the trio would become the first in team history to do so over one season.
- Rodgers is on pace to be sacked 51 times, but the Packers offensive line is rated the seventh-best among PFF's pass-blocking efficiency (75 pressures over 378 drop backs). The team is 28th in sacks allowed per pass attempt.
- Marshall Newhouse has allowed 18 pressures (five sacks, three hits and 10 hurries) over 378 pass-blocking snaps. Bryan Bulaga has allowed 27 over 357.
- Saturday has been credited with the third-most sacks allowed among centers (three).
- Green (53 pass-blocking snaps) and John Kuhn (29) have been responsible for just three total pressures.
- The Packers are converting 41.7 percent of third downs, down from 48.1 in 2011.
- Green Bay is currently 18th in average yards per game. No Packers team under the direction of Mike McCarthy has finished a season outside the top 10 in that category.
Comments (23)
November 08, 2012 at 04:44 pm
Good stuff.
If I recall correctly, Bulaga was already at 24 pressures after 6 games so he was really improving in that area. Too bad he's now hurt...hopefully not a season-ender, though I'm guessing it may be.
Zach Kruse
November 08, 2012 at 04:46 pm
Denver, you are 99 percent correct. He was at 24 leading into Week 6, and has allowed only three in the four games since. Impressive turnaround, but, as you said, likely to be stunted for awhile. It's too bad.
November 08, 2012 at 04:56 pm
This is a fantastic in depth look at the Packers up to this point. I love statistics -- so seeing these is really refreshing. Great job Zach.
November 08, 2012 at 05:02 pm
"The Packers are averaging just 3.1 yards per carry when running directly to the left or right of center Jeff Saturday"
We really need to draft a bruising center next spring.
November 08, 2012 at 05:25 pm
As Aaron Nagler would say: "Why run when you can win?"
November 08, 2012 at 07:15 pm
Is there a third Pouncey? Lol
November 09, 2012 at 08:16 am
Do people think they will draft a center or is Lang's future at center?
November 09, 2012 at 10:11 am
Isn't EDS supposed to be the next center?
November 09, 2012 at 10:53 am
I've never heard any mention of Lang moving to C someday. I'd be really surprised if that happened.
Newhouse to G instead of Sherrod would certainly be best based on last year's Sherrod at G attempt...don't see them trying that again.
November 09, 2012 at 01:22 pm
According to McCarthy, playing Lang at center was considered before they signed Saturday.
Link: http://packerupdate.net/?tag=t-j-lang
November 09, 2012 at 01:53 pm
Very interesting and completely missed that at the time.
Thanks for the info.
Although in the meantime here's hoping TJ does a good job at RT. He'll definitely have his work cut out for him with the upcoming opponents.
November 08, 2012 at 08:12 pm
Boy, do they miss Jennings. He demands a lot of attention, has a knack for separation, and almost always seemed in sync with QB1
November 08, 2012 at 09:12 pm
Stats are cool. Very interesting to actually see how productive the offense still is. The numbers are slightly less than last year, but are far better then most teams. Defense?
Still, a super bowl caliber team with all of the injuries. Lets get healthy and bring it back to Titletown!
November 09, 2012 at 01:42 am
The red zone stats are amazing considering the absolute lack of a power running game down there, as well as no real red zone tight end threat. Rodgers and the receivers are just so in sync, especially when the play breaks down
November 09, 2012 at 05:35 am
"Rodgers is on pace to be sacked 51 times, but the Packers offensive line is rated the seventh-best among PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency (75 pressures over 378 drop backs). The team is 28th in sacks allowed per pass attempt."......?
These stats also say that kuhn, Green and Finley are doing a great job at pass blocking. So the O-line is ranked 7th best in pass protection, and RBs and tight end are p blocking well, but are on pace to give up 51 sacks?
November 09, 2012 at 08:38 am
QB holding onto the ball too long. Though this is also results in a higher Completion rate for A-Rod since he isn't throwing the ball away or forcing the ball into coverage resulting in amazing catches or INTs. Same issue he had in 2009.
November 09, 2012 at 07:41 am
The best one on there: "James Jones doesn’t have a drop over 64 targets." Boss.
November 09, 2012 at 09:36 am
"The running game has been most successful between left tackle and left guard..."
I can't believe this. I feel like whenever they run left it's six inches and a pile of dust. Is it possible that a couple of Cobb's long runs happened when he bounced left, skewing the average?
November 09, 2012 at 03:59 pm
That really surprised me as well.
November 09, 2012 at 10:55 am
JJ is basically a freak right now. Last year most of us could care less if he stayed or left. Fast forward to this year gregs vagina starts to hurt n BAM James (all businees) Jones has 8 tds in 9 games! Im glad he stayed n glad he keeps playin great! By the way the "all business" is because of the turtleneck...obviously.
November 09, 2012 at 04:48 pm
If I had my way both Hawk and James Jones would have been traded in the offseason so Im glad that TT doesn't listen to me.
I can admit when im wrong, yo.
November 09, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Fer shiz.
November 10, 2012 at 07:26 am
A long rest may help the Pack survive the onslaught of injuries. But the lack of starters may be the best thing for this team in the long run.
The rookies are now stronger and have a lust for the spotlight that will power them the rest of the way. "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger". As the starters mend and come back they to will feel the pressure of the rookies in the wings and play inspired or at least frightened of losing their starting positions.