The Evolution of the Packers Offense from Week 1 to Now

The Green Bay Packers have grown considerably on offense since Week 1. 

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams—USA TODAY Sports.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams—USA TODAY Sports.

Watching the Green Bay Packers methodically pick apart the New England Patriots defense Sunday at Lambeau Field made it difficult to believe we were seeing the same offense that once played like a scared underdog in the season opener against the big, bad Seattle Seahawks. 

Here’s the thing: These Packers clearly aren’t a carbon copy of the club that got blasted in the Pacific Northwest to kick off the 2014 season. 

Now 13 weeks and 12 games in, the Packers have established their own bully identity—thanks largely to an offense that is now much more diverse, much more explosive, much more aggressive. 

Back in Week 1, the Packers shielded stud receiver Jordy Nelson from the same area code of cornerback Richard Sherman, choosing instead to sacrifice Jarrett Boykin to Sherman’s half and play one-sided football. Boykin didn’t see a target. Meanwhile, Randall Cobb struggled to create separation and the Packers received next to nothing from the tight end position. 

The fearful plan and lack of supporting cast handcuffed quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who didn’t attempt a pass against Sherman’s coverage or complete a throw to a wide receiver not named Cobb or Nelson. His long completion was only 23 yards, and Rodgers threw for just 189 total on 33 attempts. 

The Packers played right into Seattle’s hands. All-Pro safety Earl Thomas needed to manage only one half of the field, and Kam Chancellor dropped into the box and stuffed the run. The Packers operated scared and lost convincingly to the champions. 

Maybe Week 1’s disaster played into preparation for New England. The Packers certainly could have avoided All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, who is as skilled a cover player as any in football, including Sherman. Instead, head coach Mike McCarthy developed a smart, aggressive plan that put dictation of the matchups in Green Bay’s hands. 

The Patriots made no secret of their desire to take away the Packers’ two most dangerous receiving options. Most of Green Bay’s snaps saw a double team on Nelson and Revis latched onto Cobb. It was a predictable strategy but also the most logical one, given how well New England handled Detroit’s tandem of Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate using a similar plan a week earlier. 

The Packers could have attempted the same response as the Lions, lining up Nelson and Cobb in traditional roles and banking on the two receivers winning the majority of their matchups. McCarthy took no such chances, building his plan around getting the football to rookie receiver Davante Adams early and often and manufacturing touches for Cobb. Throw in a few opportunities for Green Bay’s emerging tight end position and the Packers overwhelmed the role players for the New England defense. 

Adams caught six passes for 121 yards. Most came against down-the-depth-chart cornerbacks Logan Ryan and Alfonzo Dennard. Instead of a decoy, Adams was a catalyst—a go-to player in matchups that heavily favored the Packers. He dropped a touchdown pass but otherwise played the game of his life. 

When the Patriots continued double-teaming Nelson, rookie tight end Richard Rodgers smoked safety Patrick Chung for a 32-yard touchdown with no help in sight. Andrew Quarless made two first-down catches against Chung’s single coverage. 

Running back James Starks also ran a go-route against linebacker/end Rob Ninkovich and made an athletic reception on a back-shoulder throw over 20 yards down field. Boykin lined up alongside Rodgers in the shotgun and caught a swing pass for six yards.

Most impressively, McCarthy plugged in Cobb in the backfield on a number of plays—which served to eliminate the one-on-one battles with Revis. He caught underneath passes for first downs against Kyle Arrington and Ryan, ran twice for eight yards and exposed Ninkovich in coverage for an easy 33-yard gain off a wheel route out of the backfield. New England never found an adjustment to No. 18 lined up next to Rodgers behind the line of scrimmage. Scheme won the day.

The Packers were also unafraid to challenge Revis. He won five of his seven targeted battles, but one of the two losses—a 45-yard scoring completion to Nelson before the half—represented arguably the biggest play in the contest. Nelson beat Revis to the inside on a skinny post, outran McCourty to the corner and scored at the pylon, giving the Packers a nine-point cushion at the break. They ended up needing all seven points. 

The end result was 478 total yards and 26 points, although there’s no telling what the final would have been had Green Bay been sharp at all in the red zone. Four lost chances at touchdowns and a missed field goal kept the Packers from blowing out a team that entered Lambeau Field on a seven-game winning streak. Of Green Bay’s nine possessions, seven ended in scoring opportunities, and another closed the game. It was deadly efficient offense, even if the final result inside the 20 wasn’t there. 

The differences between the Packers of Week 1 and the Packers of the present are clear. 

For starters, Green Bay is now much more than just Nelson and Cobb in the passing game. Adams is a blossoming playmaker with star potential. Go back and watch his routes against the Patriots. He’s already a technician of route-running. Adams will be a difference-maker down the stretch. 

Rodgers and Quarless aren’t game-breakers at tight end, but every week their influence on the offense grows. They are making enough plays in the middle of the field to keep defenses honest on the edges. Rodgers and Quarless have both caught important touchdowns.  

Having secondary players capable of impact opens up the playbook and allows McCarthy to be more creative. His gameplan against the Patriots simply doesn’t work unless Adams steps up to the challenge and other role players make the most of their opportunities. 

Just as importantly, the Packers offensive line has gelled into a strength. Rodgers again had a mostly stress-free day against pressure, and Eddie Lacy is starting to pick up more chunk gains on the ground. The Packers will be hard to beat if the front five are playing this well in the postseason. 

Add it all up, and the Packers are considerably more advanced on offense now than in Week 1. Maybe that’s to be expected. Three rookies have shed the label and filled in the gaps that were present to open the season. McCarthy has more bullets to fire. 

A team that once played scared of the bully is now pushing others around. It’s certainly possible another meeting with Seahawks will come in January, but the Packers now look more capable of throwing a legitimate counterpunch. 

 

Zach Kruse contributes to Cheesehead TV. He is also the Lead Writer for the NFC North at Bleacher Report. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].

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Comments (59)

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Idiot Fan's picture

December 02, 2014 at 09:37 am

I predict that MM goes fairly vanilla for the rest of the regular season. In both the Saints and Patriots game there were clearly some cool, unscouted looks. I'm sure he would like to save those - plus some others that he's been saving entirely for the playoffs - for January.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

December 02, 2014 at 02:30 pm

I agree to a certain extent.

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MarkinMadison's picture

December 02, 2014 at 09:43 am

Spot on. At the beginning of the year I thought this team was a year away from making a serious playoff run precisely because HaHa and Rodgers would need time to develop. Not only is HaHa playing well, but Adams has surpassed Boykin (thank goodness), Linsley stepped in for Tretter (with no pre-season snaps to Rodgers) and is playing excellent football, and Rodgers is starting to contribute. This will probably go down as the best rookie class of the Thompson era.

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RCPackerFan's picture

December 02, 2014 at 10:33 am

'This will probably go down as the best rookie class of the Thompson era.'
I agree.

I love this draft class... Right now they essentially have 4 starters from it.

Clinton-Dix while has had his rookie moments has been a very good pick. He will only get better.

Adams route running was sensational in the New England game. He was making moves of a veteran. Those double moves were really impressive. He is really improving as the season goes on. Looks like another 2nd round WR gem for Thompson.

Rodgers is a player I feel is ascending. Watch him these next few games. I think he will be involved more and more in the passing game. A few weeks ago, A-Rodgers made comments of him being a good cold weather player. Which might be a little insight that they are going to be using him more down the stretch. (the last 2 games he has 2 TD's btw).

Linsley is the steal of the draft. He has been outstanding. IMO he should be the offensive rookie of the year. No other rookie has played as much and as well as he has. He won't win it cuz of the position he plays, but he deserves it.

The part i love about this draft class though is these 4 guys are playing huge key roles now and obviously look to develop into better players. Don't forget we have other players that can develop into really good players as well..
Khyri Thornton and Jared Abbrederis are on IR, but hopefully they will be able to come back next year and make an impact. Rodgers was very high on Abbrederis. Other drafted players Carl Bradford, Demetri Goodson, and Jeff Janis are all gaining much needed experience. Bradford is in the midst of making a position change so we'll see how that works out. To be honest, I would still rather have Rolle then Goodson, but we have him so we will see how he turns out. I am excited to see how Janis will look with a year basically redshirting. He has the physical tools, just has to get caught up to the speed of the NFL and learn the play book fully and get on the same page as Rodgers to earn more playing time.

Also don't forget the undrafted guys. Pennel and Elliott. Each week they get more playing time. I really look forward to seeing how they develop as well...

As a whole, this draft is Thompson's best.

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 10:18 am

How important is/was the 1st game of the season versus Seattle? --- About the only team that could take the #1 seeding away from GB is Seattle. ---- If the Pack lose another game, it's very possible a return trip to Seattle will happen for the NFC crown. ----- I remember reading here how insignificant game one was ---- not so much anymore.

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RCPackerFan's picture

December 02, 2014 at 10:35 am

I remember reading here how If the Packers didn't win that game their season was over.
I also remember reading that if the Packers didn't get a first down on the first drive that their season was over...

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 10:48 am

You are really prone to exaggeration, aren't you?
Remember, outrageous statements require outrageous evidence.

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RCPackerFan's picture

December 02, 2014 at 11:08 am

Nope.
And I'm not going to take the time to look it up, but it was stated by a certain person (that removed himself from this website this week).

He stated that if the Packers didn't get a first down on the first drive that that game was over in which would end the Packers season.

He also stated that if the Packers lost against Seattle that their season was over. That there would be no point of playing any of the remaining games.

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PackerAaron's picture

December 02, 2014 at 10:37 am

Funny, I remember reading how that game could end up having playoff implications.

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MarkinMadison's picture

December 02, 2014 at 02:56 pm

I think that we all understand when you are playing the defending Super Bowl champs that it COULD have an impact on playoff seeding. I think we all grasp that it is better to win than to lose. But the fact that the Packers lost that particular game against that particular team will only matter if they finish the season with the same record. Ten weeks ago I would have thought that at the end of the season Seattle would be 13-3 and Green Bay would be 11-5. Right now the Packers are a game up on Seattle, and Seattle has the more difficult remaining schedule, with games at Philly and Arizona, so it seems more likely that the shoes will switch feet. At the end of the day, if you happen to end up being right it will be more about luck than brilliance. So let it go already.

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 04:18 pm

Luck !!! ---- Has nothing to do with luck.
COW may very well be correct. ---- GB's season & playoff hopes are determined by game one of the season. ---- Those in the know saw it when the temp was still in the 80's. ---- You all are still are in denial.

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barutanseijin's picture

December 02, 2014 at 06:53 pm

Nonsense. Say Seattle ends up with the number one seed. Are they guaranteed a victory in the divisional round? No, they'll have to play the game. Which they might lose. They've lost at home this year. Likewise, the Packers might lose before a possible playoff matchup with Seattle. It's absurd to say the first game has determined the Packers fate.

We're you mooing about the losses to KC and Dallas in 96? How about the regular season loss to Atlanta in 2010?

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HankScorpio's picture

December 02, 2014 at 07:14 pm

Is everyone just conceding that a Packer playoff game in Seattle is an automatic loss? Not me. With the playmakers on this team, I'll take my chances any time, any where.

The article touches nicely on the reasons I think they can score more than in week 1. I would add that Rodgers is playing at an insane level, even for him. That's a pretty nice ace to put up the sleeve.

The transformation of the defense since the bye has been remarkable. They just ran a gauntlet of talented offenses. Ok, the Bears are underachieving vs a lot of team. The Sanchez is Sanchez things only goes so far in explaining holding Philly in check. Other teams are failing where the Packers succeeded. Most impressive was the effort against the Pats. I admit when the Pats got down to the 20, I was checking clock for whether Rodgers would have time for a FG. But this time, against a top-notch foe at the very top of their game, they held. Stopped a run, Ha-Ha disrupted Gronk just enough and the Mike & Mike show got the first sack at the biggest possible moment. If they can do it vs Brady and NE, they can do it to anyone.

Matthews can spy Wilson to neutralize his run game. Matthews also shores up the overall run defense. If they can force Russell Wilson to have to throw at those DBs...well, I would like that a lot.

Yeah, it's loud. So what? This team has played in loud venues. It won't rattle them.

I'd rather the road go through Green Bay. But I'll be no more or less excited to watch the playoffs unfold either way.

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Tundraboy's picture

December 03, 2014 at 12:40 pm

Thought the same and feel exactly the same way. Thanks for laying it all out I also feel we have yet to play our best football this year.

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TKWorldWide's picture

December 02, 2014 at 07:50 pm

Samson, is this sincere?
Or an overt attempt to fill a certain "void"?

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

December 02, 2014 at 10:07 pm

I was thinking exactly the same thing. You finally get rid of one and another just like him pops up.

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Otto's picture

December 02, 2014 at 11:21 pm

Are you sure it's not the same one?

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murphy's picture

December 02, 2014 at 10:53 am

There are a half dozen other teams that are still in reasonably realistic play for the #1 seed. Only the Cardinals truly control their own destiny for it right now, but with how they've looked lately it seems unlikely that they'll hold onto it.

The argument made by a certain talentless hack was that the season was over due to the Week 1 loss, because "the playoffs will go through Seattle and the Packers can't beat the Seahawks". I'm sure idiotic phrases like "Blood. Bath" were also written, just like every other week of the season.

I don't remember many people saying that losing to a likely conference playoff team wasn't significant, just that it didn't make the rest of the season meaningless.

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 12:57 pm

You want everyone just to go by your memory?
That was awhile ago.
Provide at least some support. ----People making defamatory comments about someone who can't defend himself because of self-exile is, unfortunately, par for the course on this site.

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PackerAaron's picture

December 02, 2014 at 02:34 pm

Wait, so you're the one who throws out the claim about something being said on the site - without any supporting evidence - and then shoot down all responses because...they lack evidence.

That's some special disingenuousness.

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:31 pm

Wait ----Hey, you're the one who justifies a poster (albeit - an extremist) to self-exile even though his only crime is disagreement with the house opinion. ----At the same time you allow someone like Stroh (DannyDS) to post at will even though he's banned for good reason. --- Just a little integrity would be nice.

Try it sometime.

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4thand1's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:04 pm

Get off your high horse. How long have you been posting? I smell something rotten in Denmark.

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:30 pm

Try football.
This is a Packer blog. Not a venue for your individual evaluation of other posters. --- I doubt your participation has anything to do with the Pack.

If you're just a "make-believe fan", please go away !!!!

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dullgeek's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:41 pm

It's also not your packer blog. You're here as a guest. Behave like one.

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:44 pm

Bite It !!!

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Amanofthenorth's picture

December 02, 2014 at 05:15 pm

OK seventh graders, Recess is over.

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PackerAaron's picture

December 02, 2014 at 08:08 pm

Uh, Samson? Cow took it upon himself to place himself in exile. We haven't blocked him. He's free to post whenever he likes.

Good to see you have no intellectual honesty whatsoever. I can disregard anything else you post.

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murphy's picture

December 02, 2014 at 10:11 pm

I didn't make him leave, nor did anyone else not named Cow. He made his bed. Now he's lying in it (on his own volition).

Google indexes the site; why don't you take the time to find some evidence to support your position? Why is the burden of proof on me and others with similar recollection?

Par for the course? You lost me there, but I've only read CHTV for a few years. Please elaborate further.

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RCPackerFan's picture

December 02, 2014 at 11:01 am

The thing to remember is that the Packers offense is a very slow starting offense. They are a timing and rhythm offense who honestly doesn't have enough practice and game time to get into rhythm for week 1.

Also, the Packers in general are one of the youngest rosters in the league. Getting those players up to speed for week 1 is difficult. Look at the number of rookies contributing big time now compared to week 1.
Since week 1, Clinton-Dix and Adams are now starters. With a number of other rookies playing major roles.
Also the coaches have learned how to use their players since week 1.

The part that I really like most about this years team is that the Coaches (McCarthy/Capers) have adjusted their schemes to best fit their players. And they have put their players in best positions to succeed.

Since week 1 McCarthy's offensive game plan has changed. He isn't using 1 formation the whole game like he did for much of the Seattle game. He is bringing in multiple players and formations to get the offense in matchups that Rodgers can exploit.

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Gman1976's picture

December 02, 2014 at 11:15 am

I really like how you have complimented the Coach. One of the great joys besides winning and seeing younger players stepping up and doing a great job is seeing our coaching staff growing and making new moves on this chess board called a football field. I'm so glad that even at this stage of their careers Mike McCarthy and Dom Capers are not staying in some failed rut of the same plays and the same players. This is not easy for older men (let alone an older management team). Kudos to them and to Ted Thompson for being a management team that is doing what is necessary to be a winning team!

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 12:44 pm

Will you say the same if MM has a lousy game in the playoffs & the Pack bow out again at one & done?

It's so easy to be gushy & complimentary after a big win. Unfortunately, many who post here are capable of turning on a dime. If a team wins for the "fans", then the sun rises just for them. ---- Lose & that rail car has your name on it.

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PackerAaron's picture

December 02, 2014 at 02:35 pm

"many who post here"

For someone who only posts to complain about this site, you spend an awful amount of time here.

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:09 pm

Really not true.

I go in streaks. Not really necessary to be here to any great extent. Your site has too many 'yes people' who are nothing more than bobble head dolls when it comes to the Pack, the NFL and football in general. ---- Sorry.

Try this. ----- Do you realize how insignificant CHTV really is?
http://www.packerpedia.com/blogroll.html

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4thand1's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:05 pm

OK rloser, you're back, we get it. Start calling everyone homers now.

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:20 pm

Try football if you can. ---- Do you know anything about football?????
This blog is about football, not your personal quirks or peculiarities about other posters.

Truth is: - You should have been banned ages ago. You serve zero purpose to any discussion about my team --- the Pack.

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4thand1's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:43 pm

I've probably been watching the Packers before you were born. Try not being an asshole. I must have missed the memo, the Packers have a new owner?

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Samson's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:48 pm

I shook Vince's hand when I was 16 at a gas station outside Kaukauna.---- Match that. ----A$$hole.

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zeke's picture

December 02, 2014 at 10:18 pm

"Do you realize how insignificant CHTV really is?"

Take that, Nagler.

And by the way, your martinis suck!

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Packer_Pete's picture

December 02, 2014 at 04:56 pm

"many who post here are capable of turning on a dime" - I know, you and cow don't have that problem. After all, the Packers are bad, all their D players suck, and if they win then only because the other team was a pushover. Sure. I am just baffled that so-called "Packers fans" constantly come here to bash the team. This team is 9-3 and has a legitimate shot of having home field advantage. Guess that is not good enough for some. As for me, I am happy once they make the playoffs, since any- and everything is possible in the playoffs. but one has to get in to have a shot to win the SB. At the same time, at the moment the Patriots are clearly the best team in the AFC, no matter their perceived or real "talent deficiencies", as they demolished all the other legitimate AFC contenders already this season. If there was a talent gap then they wouldn't have won those games convincingly. Brady makes his WRs better, Edelman is a good slot WR, and Gronk is the best TE in the NFL. Their D has a very good secondary, and their front 7 is not shabby either. Yet the Packers dominated this game, after I've had to hear for a full month now what Brady would do to this Packers D. I believe in this team, period. They will make the playoffs and hopefully achieve much more. If not then not. It's not life or death, just football. But they would get me through January and February with a SB win :)
At the same time, anybody who believes the Steelers have a legitimate shot to win this season didn't see the Tampa or Jets games...

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RCPackerFan's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:23 pm

This is the first year since probably the Super Bowl year that I can remember seeing a little bit of everything from both McCarthy and Capers.

Offensively McCarthy has really figured out ways to attack teams. My biggest gripe with McCarthy early in the season was that he was pretty much using 1 formation (3 WR's, 1 TE, 1 RB). Now he is using everything. He is making the defenses guessing on what they are going to do.
Also he has finally figured out that the RB position can be a threat in the passing game. Not just a blocker.

Defensively this is Capers best year since the Super Bowl. He has finally changed his scheme to fit the players he has, vs making the players fit his scheme. The best thing he could have done though was to put Mathews at ILB. He now has a player in the middle that can affect the offense at any spot.

Our players have really stepped up as the season has gone on, but this years Coaching has really done a tremendous job of adjusting their schemes to get the most out of the players. They deserve a lot of credit.

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Tundraboy's picture

December 02, 2014 at 04:09 pm

I agree and its not just the win against NE giving me arose colored glasses. The actual switch with Matthews and rotating not starting Hawk was a dream come true for me. Being less predictable and stronger in the middle on D has been a while coming, but it came. I really thought we would be that way until next year, but since the NO game and even in that one, I and we have seen a lot of the tweaks we wanted to see. I particlualry like that now that Lacy has proven he can block and catch, that we fully utilize the RB's. I guess Harris has his issues with the staff, but I never thought Starks should be excluded from the passing game, and Sunday proved that. I expect we will see some vanilla play calling and formations for the most part until the Lions but I have a hunch some more surprises like reverses with players like Cobb and Janis are coming soon.

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MarkinMadison's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:04 pm

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Almost every year under McCarthy the Packers start slow, and I agree with your explanation as to why. The only thing to add was that Seattle was also Linsley's first game snapping the ball. On the road. One of the best home environments in the NFL. Against a good defensive line. That is a real mountain to climb. I'm not saying he is the reason they lost the game, but there was a miscommunication and I think he is clearly a better player now than he was in week 1. I honestly wouldn't mind seeing the Packers play the Seahawks in Seattle in the playoffs, because I believe that they would win, and getting that win would be epic.

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RCPackerFan's picture

December 02, 2014 at 03:26 pm

I said it before too, but IMO there was no team in the league that was going to go into Seattle opening night and win. I just thought no matter what it was going to be a loss to whoever played there....

That being said, our team is so much better now then it was then. Both offensively and defensively.

I honestly would rather play Seattle in Green Bay, but to be honest, this team, i think can beat anyone anywhere...

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zoellner25's picture

December 02, 2014 at 01:17 pm

Great story Zach. It has been amazing watching this team grow. Hard to believe we only scored 7 pts on the Lions in September.

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RCPackerFan's picture

December 02, 2014 at 01:35 pm

What is really crazy about that game was that the offense gave up almost as many points (9) as the defense did (10).

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Amanofthenorth's picture

December 02, 2014 at 05:29 pm

....using Lacy in the passing game along with emerging Adams and TE's have made the offense unstoppable. NE hawked on Lacy in the passing game it was very telling of their respect for him out of the backfield.

And he is such a stud on blitz pickups! Does it All!

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RCPackerFan's picture

December 03, 2014 at 06:30 am

For me the point in which the offense got more dangerous was in the Saints game. They lost that game, but what they gained might be worth more then that loss. That was the first game that they really started to use Lacy in the Passing game. Lacy ended up that game with 8 receptions for 123 yards
The RB's being used in the passing game has really created a whole new dimension to the offense that it really hasn't had under McCarthy.

Defenses now have to defend the whole field with the Packers offense. And Rodgers is so good that he will make defenses pay for that.

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Lphill's picture

December 02, 2014 at 06:03 pm

four more games, cant lose track, Packers cant slip up against the Falcons or tampa, we all know how much Lovie hates the Pack, the Bills game is no easy game either so my point is that there still is plenty of football left. all are winnable but Have to stay focused, thats where good coaching takes over.

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4thand1's picture

December 02, 2014 at 07:19 pm

Of the remaining games, I think the Bills game will be the toughest. Who knows what the weather will be? Could be a blizzard, but the Pack can run the ball. The Bills have a really good defense and will hold them in any game. I don't see them having a let down, MM has been around to long to let it happen.

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4thand1's picture

December 02, 2014 at 07:50 pm

I'M sorry, I don't know what got into me, I made a football fact or two.

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Packer_Pete's picture

December 02, 2014 at 08:29 pm

shame on you. after all, on this site, according to certain posters, you can only bash Packers players and coaches, and say they "suck", and that opposing Os would just run all over them and the result would be a "blood bath". then your opinion would be showing the highest football acumen there is...
but hey, I take a team with players who suck when they are 9-3. and all those pushovers they beat the last 3 weeks. even if 2 of those teams share the best record in the NFL...

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lucky953's picture

December 02, 2014 at 08:59 pm

Great article and some really insightful posts! I'd like to emphasize how gradual the TE development has been after the huge loss of Finley. Rodgers showed he can effectively run the seam and as a group, they are contributing more each week. I expect their role to continue to expand which is going to be another headache for defensive coordinators. I think you must also acknowledge that the lack of season-ending injuries has really helped the team grow in cohesive play week-to-week. Schemes are worth paper if the players don't have the experience to execute them, which is what happens when one or two guys are lost for the year every week.

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Packer_Pete's picture

December 02, 2014 at 09:22 pm

This TE group is playing well lately. Bostick is a disappointment, though. I know he got injured, but even before that, he never really showed much this season. Maybe expectations were too high.

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4thand1's picture

December 02, 2014 at 09:25 pm

larry McCarren said Bostick told him he was having trouble grasping the mental aspect of the game. Was making to many mistakes.

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Mojo's picture

December 02, 2014 at 11:31 pm

I remember a team in 2007 getting spanked early in the season and then going on to win the SB.

The Packers crushed the Giants at their home stadium in the second game of the year. At the time I thought there was no way NY would do anything after that. Yet after a season of ups and downs they ended up beating GB in the playoffs and later an undefeated Patriots team.

The point isn't to revel in the Giants triumph or dwell on a painful loss for the Pack, but acknowledge Zach's greater point - teams evolve throughout a season. There's no way I thought the Giants would beat GB @ Lambeau in the playoffs - but they did. These weren't the same teams that met early in that season.

GB is playing at a much higher level than they did in week one. Seattle like GB is very formidable. But I'd give GB more than a fighters chance whether it be in Seattle or GB if that matchup comes to be.

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barutanseijin's picture

December 03, 2014 at 10:08 am

How cool would it be to go into their house trash, loot & pillage. Gag the twelfth man with superior play, make Wilson stick to the passing game because they're so far behind. Make Petey swallow his gum. After the Fail Mary and the loss earlier this year, what could be sweeter?

Not that I would mind a thorough stomping of the Sea Horks at Lambeau, either...

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4thand1's picture

December 03, 2014 at 11:43 am

Cow will come on and tell eveyone how bad the seaschickens would stomp the Pack. Guaranteeing a Packer win.

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Samson's picture

December 03, 2014 at 04:24 pm

Cow's gone but not your obsession. Change your meds. It might help.

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4thand1's picture

December 05, 2014 at 01:36 pm

Cow wasn't a dick, unlike you. I really think the pessimistic act was just a show. If it wasn't, it sucks to be either one of you.

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