Aaron Rodgers, Packers' offense on the cusp of 'getting things going'

-- Things could eventually click for the Green Bay Packers' offense, and it could happen as soon as this week.

According to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the offensive unit is "very close" to finally kicking into second gear and putting it all together to unearth the potential that dominated a lot of the talk over the offseason.

"I don’t feel like we’re far off," Rodgers told Packers.com after Thursday's practice. "I feel kind of like after Washington a couple years ago, we’re very close to getting things going. Like I said then, I’ll say it again now, I feel like if we can get off to a better start on offense, it makes the entire squad play with a different type of confidence."

The Packers have been plagued by slow starts in a good majority of their five games this season, even falling behind to the Detroit Lions 24-0 going into halftime last Sunday. It was the largest halftime deficit of Rodgers' career.

It's been a tale of two halves for the Packers in 2018. They currently sit with the fifth-highest second-half scoring average in the league, and that's after putting just 12 on the board in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings, seven against the Washington Redskins and six against the Buffalo Bills.

They trailed the Chicago Bears in the season opener 20-0 before they touched the ball in the second half of that respective game before rallying back to win off of 24 second-half points.

"I think we have a lot of trust on the offensive side of the ball -- we have to," Rodgers said. "We’re an adjustment offense. We have routes that adjust, plays that adjust, runs that adjust. If we didn’t trust each other, we couldn’t go out there and execute. Now we need to execute at a higher level, but we’re not far off.

"In this league, the difference between being a great team and an average team is very small. It’s a few plays every game, and the difference between scoring 23 a game and 35 a game is plays that we need to make and that we expect to make and that I’ll make going forward."

Rodgers has been responsible for missed throws and seemingly failing to cycle through his progressions in some cases without getting skittish in the pocket. It's causing him to roll out and try to make plays on the run -- with a bad knee -- and while that's typically been his strength, it's proven to be Rodgers' kryptonite this season.

There may be a possibility he reverts back to being strictly a pocket passer this Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. In Sunday's loss to the Lions, Rodgers suffered what he referred to as a minor "setback" with his knee.

He also entertained the idea of sporting a bulky brace -- typically of the offensive lineman type -- once again after wearing a much smaller one for the first time against the Lions.

"I got to be in the rehab group again [Thursday], got a lot of good work in. ... Just hoping to get back out there tomorrow and have a feel-good Friday, and then practice Saturday and be good to go. Hopefully be back to where I was heading into Detroit."

When Rodgers was hindered significantly by the knee injury in the second half against the Bears last month, he was forced to get the ball out of his hands quicker and the Packers ran the offense almost primarily through the pistol and shotgun formations. They could revisit those options this Monday night with Rodgers' knee nagging him throughout the week.

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (19)

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CAG123's picture

October 11, 2018 at 08:35 pm

I just don’t see why they constantly do what’s not working for large parts of the game only to switch to what does work in the 2nd half and then play catch up and that’s not just from this season it’s always like this.

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Community Guy's picture

October 11, 2018 at 09:15 pm

i sense the Packers offense is ready to put some really good tape together on Monday night.. IT IS TIME.

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LeotisHarris's picture

October 11, 2018 at 09:30 pm

This headline, and the quotes from Aaron remind me of an old article in The Onion. Area Man Confused by Buffet at Ponderosa Restaurant. Don Turnbee said "I wasn't sure which way to go once I took my plate, but now I'm really close to figuring it out."

How many plays difference is there between being a bad team and an average team? Asking for a friend.

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Jordan's picture

October 11, 2018 at 10:20 pm

Hilarious. I love the Onion.

What does it mean if the Packers offense can't have success at Lambeau Field against one of the worst teams in the NFL that has nothing to play for but pride? IDK

I haven't watched the 49ers this year but their defense is giving up 29.2 points per game and ranked 29th. Not sure how the Packers matchup.

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kevgk's picture

October 12, 2018 at 11:50 am

The difference is two fumbles and failed redzone appearances. If you want to change maybe 4 plays, change those and the Packers win in Detriot.

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TKWorldWide's picture

October 11, 2018 at 09:42 pm

Cusp, shmusp.
Just get it done.

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Since'61's picture

October 11, 2018 at 10:39 pm

This game should be like an exaggerated practice for the Packers. A good opportunity for Rodgers to get in sync with his receivers and hopefully for Aaron Jones to have a high number of touches (20 rushes and receptions sounds about right).

Whatever happens I'll take a win however we get it and then go into the bye and get this team reset for the rest of the season. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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Rebecca's picture

October 12, 2018 at 05:18 pm

Should be if Mike McCarthy listened to you. Let’s hope! I’d like to some A Jones and a crisp passing attack. Maybe some blitzing since Perry hasn’t been showing up and Clay is gun shy.

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Royalty Free GM's picture

October 12, 2018 at 01:55 am

C.J. Beathard

Who?

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Since'61's picture

October 12, 2018 at 08:33 am

Exactly what I said. hopefully our defense doesn't make him look like Johnny U. Thanks, Since '61

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PAPackerbacker's picture

October 12, 2018 at 03:08 am

We shall see if they're not far off. If the Packers can score 17 to 20 points in the first half and play well like they have in the past 5 games in the second half then they should win the game against the 49er's. They have played better at home and horrible on the road. If they play 60 minutes of football instead of catch up in the second half they will do good. Do not take the 49er's lightly just because they are 1 - 4. The 49er's could come out of this contest 2 -4 if the Packers start the game sluggish and allow the 49er's to score like the Lions did last week and end up playing catch in the second half. MM needs to have the Packers prepared to play competitive football for 60 minutes. And run the ball more. Get Jones involved early in the game, not late in the second half. And take what the defense gives you instead of holding onto the ball, looking for a long passing play. A good running attack will slow down the pass rush and make play - action more effective. Go! Pack! Go!

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4thand1's picture

October 12, 2018 at 06:17 am

"I don't feel like we're far off" doesn't sound like AR is overflowing with confidence. Not like the famous relax or run the table comments. Very close is not executing it's 2-2-1, could be better, could be worse.

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BoCallahan's picture

October 12, 2018 at 06:41 am

“We’re very close to getting things going.” It’s game 6. Shouldn’t things be going by now? How much more time is needed?

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2018 at 07:05 am

I don't think the offense is that far off.

They have been moving the ball. They have put a lot of points on the board in the 2nd half of games. They are there, they just need to get more consistent and make the plays that they have to make. They need to play a complete game.

I think the offense is close.

This would be a great week to get the offense rolling a bit more.

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Bearmeat's picture

October 12, 2018 at 09:07 am

It's going to have to happen, or the season is over. We all know this team will go as ARod does. I do agree, this O has the personnel to be very very good. Is a 2016 style offensive renaissance down the pike?

I think so. ARod's own words lend credence to that belief.

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Samson's picture

October 12, 2018 at 09:49 am

Although losing to the 49'ers at home would be devastating, it won't happen. --- I have little doubt that GB's "O" will look better.

That's not my concern. --- After the Bye, the Pack play 4 out of 5 on the road against the Rams, Pats, SeaHawks and the Vikings. --- Their "O" better be off the 'cusp' & playing very well for those road games or the season could be lost during that stretch.

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ILPackerBacker's picture

October 12, 2018 at 12:23 pm

There is a 50-50 chance the 49ers win the toss and make us go on O first.

Playing from the lead matters alot and idiot MM will never take the ball when he can pretend he will get a double dip.

And not one reporter will ask what metric defines success for one of the worst tactics in packer history

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Spock's picture

October 12, 2018 at 12:32 pm

I think if Rodgers starts getting in a rhythm all will be well. Crosby had a "bad day on the golf course" and I expect him to bounce back (hopefully, he won't need to kick any field goals, just extra points) and by "bounce back" I don't mean goal posts, lol. I'd have even more confidence if MM didn't say this,“He’s a proven, highly successful kicker." about him! All kidding aside, I believe the offense will come together Monday night and have a good night. I also feel that if the defense should do fine, especially since it appears all the CB's will be available. Looking forward to seeing this game.
Go, Pack, Go!

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4thand1's picture

October 12, 2018 at 01:10 pm

The O is ranked 8th in yards, the D 6th. But scoring and giving up points ain't so good.

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