The Green Bay Packers had the chance to write their wrongs in an ugly game and came up short. The theme of starting slow in the first half is setting the team back. The team lacks an identity on offense and needs someone to step up. The bye couldn’t come at a better time for a reeling team.
Here are this week’s studs and duds vs. the Las Vegas Raiders.
Stud: Green Bay Packers Runningback AJ Dillon
I have been harder on him than anyone, but he ran with purpose. Dillon was seeing the holes better and was finishing his runs. He ended the day with 20 carries, 76 yards and a touchdown. Of the 76 yards, 54 of them were after contact. There’s nothing to brag about against a subpar defense, but he was one of the few bright spots on offense.
Dud: Green Bay Packers Quarterback Jordan Love
We all came into the season expecting a roller coaster and were in the middle of it. Jordan Love finished the night 16-30, 182 yards and three interceptions. A game that he can learn a lot from looking back at the film.
The first interception was problematic; he never saw the linebacker. If the linebacker hadn’t been there, another Raider was waiting. Improvement is needed, whether it’s not trusting the line or having issues reading the defense. He never got in a rhythm, and it felt like he was pressing all game.
That said, for this Packers offense to go, they will need better from Love. Hopefully, the bye week will allow him to reset and prepare for the rest of the season.
Dud: Coach Matt Lafluer
Early on in the game, Matt Lafluer was getting cute. Against a poor defense like that Raiders, they shouldn’t have needed to dig deep in the bag. To start the third quarter was exactly what it should have been to start the game—a heavy dosage of AJ Dillon with play-action.
At the end of the first half, Lafluer called a timeout to “ice” Daniel Carlson. It was a 50-plus-yard kick, and there were 10 seconds left. It was the Packers last timeout of the half. Carlson missed the kick, giving the Packers a chance at a field goal at the end of the half if they could pick up 15 yards. The only problem is the Packers had no timeout. Knowing that they could have a chance to put points on the board was a questionable decision.
He has to construct a plan to get the offense starting quicker. Constantly falling behind is a recipe for disaster and should be visited during the bye.
Stud: Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry
Yeah, I will take the flack on this one. Outside of Preston Smith matched up with Adams, and the defense played well. They were missing De’Vondre Campbell. Quay Walker and Darnell Savage had early exits as well. The Packers played two backups at the inside linebacker position, and the defense performed well.
They came in with a solid game plan on the Raiders best players. Josh Jacobs had 20 carries for 69 yards, and Davante Adams recorded four catches for 45 yards. They constantly shadowed Adams with a safety; they made a point he wouldn’t be the reason they lose.
Dud: The Offensive Line
The Packers offensive line had one guy to stop: Max Crosby. Crosby finished the game with six hurries, a sack, and seven tackles. The pocket was constantly collapsing. Jordan Love was hurried on 15 of his 30 dropbacks. For him to successfully go through his progressions, the line has to be better.
Jon Runyan was the highest-graded Packer in pass protection, earning 87.4 from PFF. Surprisingly, Elgton Jenkins had the lowest pass protection grade of the lineman with a 55.5, and he had given up three quarterback hurries. Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom each gave up four pressures as well.
The line has a lot of work to do.
Stud: The Defensive Line
The Packers defensive line played one of its better games. Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and Kingsley Enagbare recorded a sack. Devonte Wyatt had the highest pass-rush grade of 70.9, finishing the game with three hurries.
This is the type of performance the Packers will need out of their line to win games.
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