How to Save the Packers’ Season
It's a long shot, but the defense and run game must steal a game or two.
Sep 09, 2024
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So here we are, using our mental GPS to try to figure out the best way forward and save the season. My basic take is that the interim QB matters little now (more on that in a minute), and the team should focus on getting a couple of other things on better footing:
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Speaking of new, the biggest disappointment Friday night — aside from Love’s injury — was the performance of the highly touted, new-scheme defense. It looked a little different than Joe Barry’s product, but it didn’t produce different results. The simple fact is that if the Packers have even a remote chance of making the playoffs, the defense has to steal a couple of games until Love returns and is not impaired. Friday’s play provided little encouragement on this front, though we do need to acknowledge that it’s not simple to switch to a new system and expect everyone to execute it perfectly immediately. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of time now.
The worry here is that it’s still unclear what this defense is supposed to be. It’s fine to throw around vague bromides like moving downhill instead of backing up, and pinning ears back to bring pressure, but those aren’t schemes. I struggled to figure out what Hafley was trying to do as first the Philadelphia run game, and then the pass game, frequently shredded his troops.
The reality is you can’t “pin your ears back” with running quarterbacks. You have to do the one thing the Packers did well, which is to keep that QB contained. What was odd, though, is that Hafley didn’t try to sometimes sell out on blitzing, which was what tripped up Jalen Hurts last year. Then, the D-line and especially the linebacking corps couldn’t stop Saquon. And then A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith did their damage.
The new safety crew was decent, and Philadelphia left Eric Stokes largely alone, instead picking on Jaire Alexander, who looks nothing like the player from two years ago. Meanwhile, Quay Walker was basically left on an island, getting little help from Isaiah McDuffie. Walker has taken a lot of heat, and I’ve not been a big fan of his from the beginning, but he actually had one of his better games. He just can’t do it alone. Edgerrin Cooper has to step up, pronto. This scheme needs strong linebacker play to work. The Colts are coming to town with another running quarterback.
A second key: This offensive line is not built to run block. A few holes opened for Josh Jacobs late in the game, and Emanuel Wilson had a couple of nice bursts, but for the most part the line was ineffective. I’ve said many times that this is a roster construction problem, and the team needs a road grader. It’s unclear where that comes from, but the Packers cannot win — regardless of who plays quarterback — if they can’t run the ball. It was also interesting how much more effective Jacobs was running from a deep set.
Which brings us to the QB issue. So far, it looks like the Packers are going to bank on Love coming back within a month. I’m not sure that is a safe bet. Regardless, the team seems disinclined to sign someone who would take a couple of weeks to learn the playbook. But did anyone see what Joe Flacco did last year?
So whether it’s Willis or Clifford, it comes down to who will make the fewest mistakes. Again, the goal needs to be to steal a game or two while Love is out. That’s the only hope of salvaging this season. GPG.