The Green Bay Packers (2-3) head to Denver to take on Sean Payton and the Broncos (1-5). The Packers are coming off a bye and are the healthiest they have been all year.
This is as close to a must-win game as it gets, a game that could define this young season.
Here are some of the biggest pregame storylines for the Packers week two matchup against the Broncos.
Can The Green Bay Packers Offense Start Fast?
The Packers are 31st in first-half points, averaging just 5.2 points per first-half. This is a domino effect to a poor offense. They are averaging 2.6 points in the second quarter, which is good for last in the league. They have not scored a point in the second quarter in their previous three games. Matt Lafluer must find a way to get this offense going earlier.
In the first half, they are losing the time of possession battle, which leads to a worn-out defense in the second half. This Packers team has to sustain drives and play complementary football. Once the offense starts doing that, the defense will only get better. The defense has been solid on the year, but this is unsustainable to win games.
The Denver Broncos are 32nd in the league in opponent’s first-half points. They are giving up an average of 16.8 points in the first half. This is a get-right game for the Packers offense. Some drastic changes may be needed if they still struggle to score in the first half.
Run the Damn Ball!
This Packers team needs to run the ball better. Jordan Love is averaging 32.4 pass attempts per game. The sweet zone for Jordan Love is between 20-25. Run the ball more, pass less. Expecting a first-year starter to play hero ball with a young skill group is a recipe for disaster.
The Denver Broncos are last in the league against the run, surrendering 172.3 yards per game. Aaron Jones is expected to be back. He may not be in line for a full workload, but I expect him to pick up chunk plays. If they can establish the run, the passing game will open up.
After the bye week, if they learned anything, it should be to run the damn ball.
Can the Defense Stop the Run?
This is a common theme for the Packers defense. They limited Josh Jacobs of the Raiders to 20 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos are a middle-of-the-road team in running the ball, averaging 106 yards per game.
The Packers leading tackle, Quay Walker, participated in practice and is expected to be back. Stopping the run and getting off the field will be important, especially at a higher altitude.
The Green Bay Packers should have their entire defense back outside De’Vondre Campbell. Eric Stokes, who had come off the pup, aims to return this week. They have no excuses but to dominate with the full defense back. This young team is going to have to keep relying on the defense.
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