After a thrilling week three performance from Love and company, it’s time to take another look at how the Green Bay Packers stack up against the rest of the league.
Green Bay Packers Offense
Even though the Packers came away with the largest 4th quarter comeback in franchise history Sunday against the Saints, the numbers were unfavorable. The Packers currently rank 23rd in Rushing YPG(90.3) behind the Jets (91.3 YPG) and Saints (93.3 YPG). This stat shows how much this offense has missed Aaron Jones in the two weeks he has been out with a Hamstring injury. With or without Jones, the Packers need to create positive plays in the run game to help Jordan Love. The Packers also rank 22nd in total YPG(297.7).
The Packers have managed two positive statistics despite being ranked so low in those two categories. First, they are still working to put points on the board. Currently ranked 8th in the league (26.7 PPG), one spot above the Kansas City Chiefs (26). The second positive stat is 3rd down percentage. The Packers are 5th best in the NFL. They are converting on 46.5 percent of 3rd downs. This ranks ahead of teams like the Eagles, Dolphins, and Chiefs.
The last thing I want to mention offensively is penalties. Currently, the Packers are 2nd in the league in penalties (27) and penalty yards (220). This is a young squad, and mistakes will happen, but there is no doubt that they need to clean this up if they want to be successful on offense.
Defense
It was, without a doubt, the defense that allowed the Packers to beat the Saints on Sunday—pitching a second-half shutout and giving us a glimpse into what we all hoped to see this season. Currently, the Defense is ranked 15th in Total YPG allowed (336.3) behind the Eagles (310) and Commanders (331.7). So far, the strength of the defense has been against the Pass. Currently ranked 10th in the league in Passing YPG allowed (199.7), just ahead of the Ravens (200) and Bengals (200.7).
The apparent weakness statistically has been against the run. The Packers rank 27th in rushing yards allowed per game (136.7). This stat, combined with the offense not running the ball well, will not translate to wins late in the season. Aside from that, the Packers are 13th in Points allowed per game (20.7). That puts the Packers smack in the middle of the Jets (20.3 PTS/G) and the Lions (21.0 PTS/G).
With a short week and a formidable opponent ahead, the Packers should again look to Rashan Gary to create plays on defense. Gary currently has 3.5 sacks. That tied for 5th best in the NFL with Leonard Floyd of the Bills and Denico Autry of the Titans.
Special Teams
Rich Bisaccia needs to rally the troops on special teams. In back-to-back weeks, the Packers special teams have dropped the ball. This week, he allowed a 76-yard punt return to Rashid Shaheed. The Punt unit has now given up 112 total punt return yards. That is 3rd worst in the NFL, behind the Ravens (153) and Colts (123). Also, Daniel Whelan is dead last in the NFL, averaging 33 net yards per punt.
One bright spot is in the return game. Keisean Nixon is 4th best in average yards per Kickoff. Reed is also doing well, returning punts, averaging 11.4 yards per return(10th best).
In conclusion, the Packers need to clean up the penalties. It is hard to overcome penalties for any team in this league. If the Packers can clean up the penalties, play great defense, and start to unlock the run game, we should be in for a great game on Thursday.
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