Packers Stock Report: Rushing Attack Soars, Passing Game Flops

The Green Bay Packers remain alive in the NFC playoff hunt after their 26-20 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. It was ugly at times, but the Packers found a way to dispatch a bad team in a game they had to have, mostly due to a strong rushing attack and a seemingly revitalized pass rush.

Here’s this week’s stock report:

Rising

Dean Lowry: A sack and a key 62-yard fumble return for a score contributed to Lowry ending up as the Packers’ highest graded player on Sunday, according to Pro Football Focus. In a position group pretty well stocked with talent, Lowry has taken advantage of his reps and seems poised to factor in even more down the stretch.

Jake Ryan: After struggling at times this season, Ryan had himself a nice little afternoon against the Bucs. He totaled 10 tackles, including a sack, but his work against the Tampa Bay screen game really stood out. Twice, Ryan was able to work himself free and make tackles in the open field, keeping the damage to a minimum. While his buddy Blake Martinez once again led the team in tackles, Ryan deserves credit for his performance on Sunday, too.

Jamaal Williams: Even if fellow rookie Aaron Jones got the glory on the game-winning touchdown run, the Packers would never have been in a position to win without a huge effort from Williams. He anchored the Green Bay rushing attack with 113 yards on 21 carries, including their first touchdown of the afternoon. Williams seems to finally be showing the ability that made him the top choice behind Ty Montgomery coming out of training camp, and it will be interesting to see how the Packers use him and Jones together going forward.

The Read-Option: This was something nearly everybody thought they’d see a lot sooner from Mike McCarthy and Brett Hundley. The Packers have used it sparingly, but it proved to be a big factor on Sunday. Whether Hundley did a great job of selling the handoff action or the Bucs weren’t well-prepared, the third-year quarterback seemed to have a lot of open space to run to when it was called. Maybe it was the matchups, maybe McCarthy realized Hundley just wasn’t going to get it done in the passing game—either way, give the head coach credit for knowing when to use it.

Falling

Passing Game: Backup quarterback or not, to manage just 77 yards against the league’s worst passing defense is just unacceptable. Thankfully, the running game picked up the slack offensively, Dean Lowry added a defensive score, and Tampa was not able to take advantage of a Packer offense that scored 13 points in regulation. Green Bay will no doubt lean heavily on the running game next week in Cleveland, and Hundley made enough key plays with his legs against the Bucs, but they’ll likely need a lot more out of the passing attack, even against a winless opponent.

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Comments (16)

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GBPDAN1's picture

December 05, 2017 at 11:40 am

Hundley better play better this week. Losing to the Browns would be beyond embarrassing. The problem is, Hundley doesn't belong on an NFL field.

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stockholder's picture

December 05, 2017 at 01:12 pm

Every week I see Ryan and Martinez doing the job. Mathews and perry outside. These guys are really playing well together, and I rate them Rising too. IF I'm TT I"m thinking your crazy wanting a LB #1. Just stop the puppy whining. You will not see a LB taken at #1.

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Packer_Fan's picture

December 05, 2017 at 01:19 pm

MM needs to go all out in the Cleveland game. He needs to use the read option regularly to get Cleveland not stuffing the box to go all out on the run game. That is what happened on the Jones touchdown. The Bucks had the inside run bunched up. But Jones qui

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croatpackfan's picture

December 06, 2017 at 09:38 am

When team knows it coming, they will prepare for it, so it will be harder to achieve success using read-option.

Read-option completely surprised Bucs. That is why Brett Hundley was so succuessful in it...

Packers need to establish normal game flow, not base their offense on tricks.

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DD's picture

December 06, 2017 at 08:53 am

You're correct. Browns will study the option for sure. Bet MM stays boring with no creative options. How about end around with Janis? Cobb in motion more? Quick slants? Back set with Williams and Jones at same time, with blow given by Rip or Mays combo? Try dome different receiver sets with Allison, Campbell, Janis, why not? We have some hard runners, but we need some pass game that gets more then 80 yards per game! The box will be stacked!

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Packer_Fan's picture

December 05, 2017 at 01:20 pm

I give

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Packer_Fan's picture

December 05, 2017 at 01:21 pm

I give up. Tablet messing up

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croatpackfan's picture

December 06, 2017 at 03:10 am

Packer Fan - never ever give up! We stood behind you. Fight through adversities...

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Since'61's picture

December 05, 2017 at 02:40 pm

The OL played well against the Bucs but Williams still had to generate many yards on his own. Jones' game winning TD run was all on him.

The OL needs to play better against the Browns as the Browns have a good run defense. They will probably play to stuff the run and force Hundley to beat them via the pass.

Hopefully Hundley continues to play well on the road. If he does we may see Rodgers back and Hundley's career could be over very soon. If Rodgers doesn't come back Hundley has one more game left at Lambeau. Maybe he gets it by then. Thanks, Since '61

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Roadrunner23's picture

December 05, 2017 at 02:42 pm

Rising:
Vogel the Punter has been pretty good for a rookie

Spriggs has actually been solid in pass pro and very good in the run game

Falling:
McCarthy should have used more read option from the start, even us beer drinking arm chair QB's can see that

The Curious Case of Clinton Dix continues?

The Packers Screen pass Defense has to be the worst in the league, pathetic!

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Coldworld's picture

December 05, 2017 at 05:58 pm

To my surprise, Spriggs has been decent I agree. Add on Fackrell and I could be being overcome with a moment of optimism seemingly out of place here these days

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gary g's picture

December 05, 2017 at 05:01 pm

Spriggs has be a nice surprise. After watching him earlier this year i thought he was a real bust. With more reps i hope he continues to improve and hopefully gets stronger in the off season.

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Packer_Fan's picture

December 05, 2017 at 09:26 pm

MM needs to go all out in the Cleveland game. He needs to use the read option regularly to get Cleveland not stuffing the box to go all out on the run game. That is what happened on the Jones touchdown. The Bucks had the inside run bunched up. But Jones quickness and speed got him to the outside and the touchdown. The point is, the read option gives misdirection. Keeps the other team from just focusing on the running game. Adding Jones in the mix will give issue to the defense and will open opportunities up.

I thought the defense played fairly well. They looked tired in the third and fourth quarters, but they never gave up. However, there were plays where they were just out of position during pass coverage. And then the screens. This is more coaching.

The whole thing is get one more win and see if Rodgers can come back. So use Hundley with the read option as much as possible. Hundley won't win by passing.

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croatpackfan's picture

December 06, 2017 at 03:11 am

I'm glad you did not give up!

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slicknic007's picture

December 06, 2017 at 07:03 am

I will be attending my 2nd ever Packers game on Sunday in Cleveland. The first Packers game I ever attended was 4 years ago in Cincy when injuries and penalties kept us from winning the game. I am hoping to finally get to see a Packers win in person, but for that to happen, Hundley needs to look comfortable in the pocket.
He looked comfortable and poised during the first 2 drives of the Pittsburg game, which was a mirror opposite from the week before again Baltimore. During the Baltimore game, he seemed to play scared. He was hesitant on his reads, would drop back 10+ yards at times, scramble instead of stepping up in the pocket. It may just be me but it seems like he has more nerves playing at home. As if he doesn't want to let the fans down so he second guesses his decisions.
We have seen flashes of what he is capable of when he trusts his protection and plays comfortably from the pocket. If he is comfortable in the pocket and quicker with his reads, I think he can get us a win this week. Go Pack Go.

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DD's picture

December 06, 2017 at 07:39 am

Anytime your QB is throwing for less then 100 yards it's real bad. Sugar coat it anyway you want, but most backup QB's are not that poor. And, how many times will a Capers defense get burned by the screen!! Don't forget folks, the Bears and Bucs are not exactly offensive juggernauts, and Bucs defense is ranked as one of the lowest in the league. So hope, yes, slim? Very. Rodgers will be foolish to come back this year I feel. Just being realistic in viewing games. Gee, the Giants had a GM who won 2 supperbowls in 10 years and is gone along with Magoo, and Coughlin prior. We still need new blood in our system!

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