Packers Offense Battled Significant Obstacles Against the Falcons
By GilMartin
After two games, the Green Bay Packers offense is still clearly a work in progress. That was to be expected with the team coming in with a quarterback with one NFL career start prior to this season, no wide receiver with more than one year of experience in this league and two rookie tight ends taking most of the reps at that position.
But in Week 2, this inexperienced group managed to put 24 points on the board on the road despite missing four of their most important players on offense.
Yes, the offense stumbled in the fourth quarter and the Packers lost the game by a point after holding a 12-point lead. There are still growing pains for this talented but inexperienced offense. But there were plenty of things the Packers overcame to put 24 points on the board.
The Packers were without four of their most important offensive weapons by the second quarter of the game. They started the game without starting running back Aaron Jones who was out with a hamstring injury he suffered against the Bears in Week 1.
Jones is the catalyst of the Green Bay offense. His speed and ability to break long runs help keep the chains moving. They also keep defenses honest as a receiver out of the backfield.
Without Jones, the Packers running game struggled. The other three running backs averaged only 3.2-yards per carry after gaining 61 yards on 19 carries. The longest run by a running back in the game was just eight yards. A.J. Dillon carried 15 times for 55 yards, Emanuel Wilson gained five yards and three carries while Patrick Taylor gained one yard on his only rushing attempt of the game.
That meant the defense could emphasize stopping the passing game as the running threat was greatly reduced. Again, the Packers still put up 24 points in the game.
The Packers also started the game without starting left tackle David Bakhtiari who was out due to swelling in his knee. Bakhtiari is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro who remains one of the best pass-blocking offensive tackles in the game.
Then in the second quarter, the Packers lost left guard Elgton Jenkins to an MCL sprain. He was unable to return to the game and is expected to miss several games starting with the home opener against the Saints in Week 3.
Jenkins is a two-time Pro Bowler at guard and is a very versatile offensive lineman who can play all five positions along the line. He is also one of the Packers better run blockers.
When Jenkins left the game, the Packers lost their two best offensive linemen and both starters on the left side. The offensive still only allowed one sack in the game.
The Packers were also without their top deep threat in second-year wide receiver Christian Watson. The former North Dakota State star struggled early in his rookie year but caught fire after a breakout performance against the Cowboys in Week 10.
Watson finished 2022 with 41 catches for 611 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He also scored twice on end arounds for nine touchdowns for the season in just 11 starts.
In addition to Watson elite combination of size and speed, having him on the field benefits the offense in other ways. Watson’s quickness helps open things up for other receivers on the field because defenses must account for him on every play. Safeties often follow Watson which creates space elsewhere on the field. Plus, the threat of the deep pass prevents the defense from worrying exclusively about short and intermediate passes.
Love could have panicked without four of his top offensive weapons, but he didn’t. He still threw for three touchdowns and had no interceptions for the second consecutive game.
While he only threw for 151 yards for the game, the Falcons committed two pass interference penalties after getting beaten deep downfield on long pass patterns. Those two penalties were worth 44 and 43 yards. Had those passes could have gone for even more yards if they were caught and the receivers stayed on their feet.
Either way, Love played well overall but still showed growing pains along with his inexperienced receiving corps.
The Packers offense overcame significant injuries and still scored 24 points on the road. It wasn’t enough to win the game, but it did give the team some encouraging signs during what was expected to be a year of transition for the offense and the team.
You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
Comments (27)
PhantomII
September 23, 2023 at 11:13 am
Yes, a terrible run of luck, I'd say. A.Jones is the true offensive juggernaut. Watson can be if healthy.....The good thing is we have leaned more heavily on Doubs and Reed....and they have not been overwhelmed by the pressure. I would venture to say by seasons end the loss of either Jones/Watson for a short period of time will be able to be spread over Doubs/ Reed and Musgrave. The only "HUGE" problem is the RB2 is not even close to holding up the run game aspect of it. Gute needs to strike a trade or promote depth and use it often...now. The OL depth will continue to be pressed. Let's hope the Defense can step up a bit and catch the gifted INT's and tackle better. GPG
WD
September 23, 2023 at 11:18 am
The tactical goal of the offense is to score 25 or more points per game. The goal of the defense is to limit the opponent to less than 25 points a game. If both Offense and Defense reach their goal every game the Packers go undefeated. We lost the Atlanta game because the defense dropped two interceptions and gave up 25 points and the offense scored less. This ain't rocket science.
Coldworld
September 23, 2023 at 12:05 pm
It’s normally cited as 22 points. Maybe it’s gone up, but statistically 24 scored should win more than 50 percent of the time and 24 conceded should lose.
Leatherhead
September 23, 2023 at 12:43 pm
It kind of varies from year-to-year , but scoring 24 or more gives you a better than average chance to win. I annoyed some posters here by frequently citing our phenomenal record when we scored 24 or more.
Since'61
September 23, 2023 at 11:42 am
The Falcons game was lost because of injuries on the offense, poor preparation and planning for the Packers defense to stop the Falcons ground attack, two dropped Ints and, as usual, some questionable coaching decisions during the game.
In two road games to open the season the offense has scored 55 points or 27.5 PPG. I think that's very good given the inexperience of our QB and receiving corps (WRS and TEs).
Going into the Saints game it looks like we will not have our 2 most experience OLs to play against a strong Saints defense and we still may be without our 2 best skill position players, A. Jones and Watson. This could make for a long day for the Packers offense. The big question is can the Packers defense step up on their home field and keep the game close enough for the offense to overcome their injury situation? Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61
Racingdad
September 23, 2023 at 11:53 am
We shall see if Joe barry can have the defense ready to go!! Or if he should be the one to go !!!
bjkdad44
September 23, 2023 at 01:00 pm
Indeed!
Coldworld
September 23, 2023 at 12:16 pm
Actually, I’m very interested to see how we respond in terms of personnel if players miss due to injury.
Are we going to start Walker and Newman, will we risk Rhyan, who outplayed Newman in preseason or do they move Tom as has been floated and, if so, whom do they replace him with?
I’m also interested in what they do at RB. If Jones plays, is Wilson inactive. If Jones doesn’t, will they really give Wilson a chance to get going?
At CB, I expect Jaire to play, but do we leave Douglas on there their fast returner/WR Shaheed? That’s not a great matchup and Shaheed has been catching deep balls reliably. I’d put Douglas on Thomas and Valentine on Shaheed, ideally.
I posted my keys to the game in response to Herman’s pod cast, but I think we can do it and, in some ways, match up better than is being portrayed in areas that are glossed over.
dobber
September 23, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Posted almost simultaneously.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 24, 2023 at 01:22 pm
Wilson has not been given real opportunity in the first half. MLF is using both him and #28 improperly, telegraphing plays with repetiveness.
Valentine got beat deep but I'll credit him with being right there on the play.
jannesbjornson
September 23, 2023 at 12:57 pm
You have to wonder if this guy has a Plan B to flex from HIS call sheet and utilize the next best option? Can he get his squad to pivot into another vector of attack? Not calling the Time Out on the first FG attempt is another mark against this guy. If Carlson hits one, the outcome may be different.
Packers1985
September 23, 2023 at 01:08 pm
Injuries happen to every NFL team. So i dont think bringing it up will sound as an excuse. Coming to this Sunday they might be without their 3 starting Players in their secondary if Watson is back that'll be best situation packers Wr's.
Racingdad
September 23, 2023 at 11:49 am
Let’s all remember this is a learning year for our qb and wrs, te’s maybe also oline to see what we have in walker, Ryan, jones,etc . Reguardless of wins , loses, I really hope they grow as a team this yr and can draft a few more pieces and/ or aquire fa’s next season to fill missing holes,etc. YES we would all like them to compete for playoffs and they very well could do that . Still need to draft a top safety ( good class this year) or 2, a good rb , and of course always more oline, wr , so enjoy the season no matter what .
Duneslick
September 23, 2023 at 12:02 pm
Your blaming the receivers for not catching and staying on their feet on the pass interference plays. They were poorly thrown and under thrown balls that got the PI because of the throw
TarynsEyes
September 23, 2023 at 12:07 pm
There should be no PI on underthrown balls, but if need be, against the WR as he likely needs to run over the Defender to get it.
Coldworld
September 23, 2023 at 12:19 pm
50 percent were inaccurate and 50 percent on the receiver in both games. That’s league average for throws over 20 yards in the air. Let’s not blow things out of proportion.
Oppy
September 23, 2023 at 06:21 pm
Haters gonna hate
LeotisHarris
September 23, 2023 at 03:24 pm
JT O'Sullivan likely knows more about QB play than anyone posting here. Take a look at his last two reviews of Jordan Love. So many of us don't know what we don't know.
Week 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaKj2OvfW5w
Week 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-TUMCkPv4Y&t=354s
Oppy
September 23, 2023 at 06:31 pm
I've been watching JT's videos a lot over the past year or so.
He's tough, but fair, with all his break downs. Knowledgeable, informative, and just enough subtle humor.
He had been mostly positive, but cautious, about Love heading into 2023, pointing out areas that need work. He has been wildly complimentary of both Love's play and LaFleur's offensive play design in these regular season breakdowns so far.
LeotisHarris
September 23, 2023 at 07:36 pm
Agreed, Oppy. JT is an effective teacher.
TarynsEyes
September 23, 2023 at 12:03 pm
You play with what you got against who is on the schedule. That's the usual mantra when the opponent has to endure the same and the Packers win. Let's not use it as an excuse for the loss., when they achieved the 12 pt lead without those players. The team as a whole, collapsed, and failed each other in the 4th quarter.
Packers1985
September 23, 2023 at 01:13 pm
"That's the usual mantra when the opponent has to endure the same and the Packers win"
Couldn't agree more . Many here already started making excuses agreed that the QB1 is into his 1st yr as the Starting QB but rest all are pretty experienced to decently experienced players.
Leatherhead
September 23, 2023 at 12:13 pm
Back in the day, they had a popular expression. It was on Tshirts and everything, and even made it's way into Forrest Gump "**it Happens"
It can take many different forms, but it always happens. All things considered, you have to be pretty happy with the offense. Seven really good quarters out of 8, despite everything.
dobber
September 23, 2023 at 12:18 pm
Will be interesting to see what the OL alignment is this week. Probably will see Rhyan active with Jenkins hurt, but I wonder if they put Newman on the right side (where he started as a rook) and put Runyan back on the left where he started when Jenkins was hurt. Maybe they like Newman on the bench and Rhyan gets to start. Hell, maybe Tom plays guard and they drop in Nijman or Walker at RT?...who knows with this coaching staff?
Slim11
September 23, 2023 at 09:01 pm
Normally, I don’t like shuffling players along the o-line. I didn’t like it when MM did it.
But, if MLF does so to keep Newman off the field, I think that’s a sound decision.
NickPerry
September 23, 2023 at 12:37 pm
Personally I liked the way the Packers have played the first two weeks of the season. If anyone had told me Love wouldn't have thrown a interception yet while throwing 6 TDs through two games I'd have signed up for that in a minute. If you'd told me they'd be 1-1 after two games while Aaron Jones missed 6 quarters of those games, Watson hasn't taken a snap, and the best left side of an O-Line in the NFL only played together one game, I would have taken that too.
I'm just ready for week three, the Packers home opener, and the Saints. I'm tired of the DRAMA of the DB situation. If David Bakhtiari was hurt last Sunday, he shouldn't have played. If he didn't play because it was on turf that's a different matter. Whatever the case was it doesn't matter TODAY. The Saints are in town and are a team the Packers WOULD beat with all their horses. I think they can still win, even without Jones, Watson, and the left side of the O-Line.
Lets kick their asses and have a DRAMA FREE Monday!
vin0770
September 23, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Short handed missing this bad luck that…Ya but….didn’t they have a 12 point lead in the fourth quarter missing those same four players? Winnable game right there if you get off the field with D or do something more than three and out on O. MLF and JB hopefully lost some sleep replaying that in their mind thinking that next time…
Too bad MLF and JB are one trick ponies and what you saw is what they got. Hope I’m WAY wrong, but I’m not optimistic 😢