The Green Bay Packers needed to bounce back against the Jets, but they were unable to do so. The struggled mightily offense, and the defense could only keep the New York playmakers contained for so long.
Here are my instant takeaways from yet another disappointing Packers performance.
-With Christian Watson out, it was Keisean Nixon returning kicks for the Packers. Amari Rodgers was still on point return duties. We also saw Rodgers used on offense as the motion man and he caught a pass as well. He entered the game with only five offensive snaps this season.
– Green Bay opened in their pony personnel and picked up only one yard. As I wrote earlier in the week, they haven’t had much success out of that package, in part because of their predictability in play calls. You can read more here.
– Joe Barry talked about defensive changes in the secondary, and we saw that. Jaire Alexander was utilized out of the slot, and there was more press coverage. The Packers also utilized their dime personnel, with Darnell Savage and Rudy Ford as the deep safeties and Adrian Amos in the box next to De’Vondre Campbell.
– The Packers have lost a fumble in five of their six games this season. They are also yet to win the turnover battle. Aaron Rodgers mentioned earlier in the week that winning that battle can help cover up some inconsistencies on offense.
– Eric Stokes was on the end of the 41-yard completion to Corey Davis that eventually ended in a Jets touchdown. He has had a rough start to the season.
– The offensive line was really struggling, especially against Quinnen Williams. Running the ball was a challenge, and Rodgers didn’t have much time. Royce Newman, in particular, had another rough performance and, at one point, was replaced by Jake Hanson, who had to leave with a biceps injury. Elgton Jenkins didn’t have the best showing either.
– Have to think those discussions about Yosh Nijman at right tackle and Jenkins at guard will be more serious this week.
– The Packers find themselves incredibly thin at receiver. Sammy Watkins is on IR (although eligible to return this week), Christian Watson was out, and Randall Cobb left with an ankle injury.
– The Packers’ special teams specific additions are all paying off this season, with the latest being Eric Wilson, who was signed just two weeks ago off the Saints’ practice squad and had a blocked punt. Other additions who have had an impact include Keisean Nixon, Dallin Leavitt, and Rudy Ford. With that said, special teams as a whole — specifically the blocking — did not perform well. The Jets blocked a punt as well as a field goal.
– Dropped passes by both the running backs and receivers were an issue today.
– This was the Packers’ last home game until November 13th, when they play Dallas. The next three all take place on the road.
– The Packers’ offense did not perform well at all, but credit needs to be given to the Jets’ defense. They created steady pressure and were sticky and aggressive in coverage. There were numerous instances where Rodgers had nowhere to go with the ball.
– Rodgers was able to connect with Allen Lazard on two occasions, but otherwise, the Packers deep passing game was off again. Rodgers said earlier in the week that it’s the “little details” that are causing issues.
– Behind the elusive Breece Hall, the Jets averaged over 6.0 yards per carry. Green Bay kept him in check for much of the game, but with that home run ability he possesses, it’s often just a matter of time before he breaks once, which is what Hall did in the fourth quarter on an impressive play design. The defense looked gassed by the end of the game.
– David Bakhtiari played almost the entire game today. He was pulled during the last possession when the game was out of reach.
– At halftime, Aaron Jones had just four total touches. Once again, we were left wondering why he wasn’t more involved—although they did get him more touches in the second half. Matt LaFleur needs to be better about finding ways to get him the ball in space.
– In terms of playing time, the Packers had been working Robert Tonyan slowly back this season, but he had his best performance of the season and was the most reliable option in the passing game.
– LaFleur and Rodgers are usually very good about making adjustments and bouncing back after a loss, but that wasn’t the case today. The Jets coaching staff had this defense ready.
– It feels like the Packers’ season is at a crossroads right now.
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