Is Another Slow Start in the Cards for the Packers?

Last season the Packers lost in Seattle to the Seahawks in the first game of the 2014 NFL regular season. They would go on to lose in Detroit to the Lions two weeks later in a game that saw the Packers' offense get absolutely stifled. Sandwiched in between those two losses was a seven-point home win against the New York Jets that if it weren't for an incredible second half offensive explosion, the Packers could have easily been 0-3 to start the year. 

The start to the 2013 season was no different than 2014 with a week two home win crammed between two road losses. The only difference between the 2012 season and the 2013 and 2014 seasons was that the Packers lost at home week one before going on to win week two and lose on the road in week three.

That's a 1-2 record after three games in each of the last three seasons.

This year the Packers' first three games will be in Chicago and then at home versus Seattle and at home versus Kansas City. All three are no doubt, winnable games for the Packers. As with any game, there are no guarantees in the NFL, especially at the start of the season. 

The Chicago Bears have brought John Fox aboard as their head coach to replace Marc Trestman, which is a big unknown. I would definitely feel more comfortable with this game if it was in week two or three.

The Seattle Seahawks have beaten the Packers the last three times they have played, all of which were in Seattle, including the gut-wrenching playoff loss last year. In two of those three games, in my opinion, the Packers greatly out-played the Seahawks--but ultimately could not get it done and win.

The Packers have only beaten the Chiefs twice since Super Bowl I, the most recent game ruining the Packers' perfect regular season in 2011.

Those three teams will run out Matt Forte, Marshawn Lynch, and Jamaal Charles against the Packers' run defense that was suspect at best in the first half of last season and much better in the second half. Which run defense shows up in 2015 in obviously a mystery. Suspensions to Datone Jones and Letroy Guion aren't enormous to begin with, but it leaves very little depth on the defensive line and one poorly timed injury to the line (or even to the linebackers) could leave the run defense in tough shape.

The potential defensive line issues coupled with a very young secondary could leave a lot hinging on the offense that struggled mightily for most of the first three games last season.

Starting 1-2 each of the last three seasons does have a silver lining for the Packers, it means they went 28-10-1 the remaining 13 games of each of those seasons, with half of those 10 losses coming when Rodgers was injured in 2013.

I don't think a 1-2 start is likely, but then again I thought the same thing the last three seasons. Weeks 4 through 6 this season are very winnable for the Packers before a bye week and a game in Denver, all things considered it is a favorable schedule if you ask me. 

If past success is any indication of future success and the Packers can manage to get two or three wins in the first three weeks of this season, they should be in for a big year. After all the last two times they did that they won the Super Bowl one season and went 15-1 in the other season.

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Comments (17)

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NickPerry's picture

July 30, 2015 at 06:18 am

I still think the Packers head into the bye 6-0. Personally I think McCarthy being more involved with the entire team will have the Packers playing at a higher level to start the season. Last season it took until week 4 for the offense to really get going. The year before the defense gave up huge leads against Indy and the Bengals. I think this team will be better prepared out of the gate. Sure would help if Guion gets reduced to a one game suspension, especially in weeks 2 and 3.

Side note: Does anyone know what happened to Rollins? He's on the NFI list (Non Football Injury).

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Guisado's picture

July 30, 2015 at 07:20 am

hamstring tweak; not supposed to be serious, but we've heard that before.

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 30, 2015 at 06:31 am

Slow start?
No.
I'm already R E L A X ed.
I suggest everyone do the same.

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D.D.Driver's picture

July 30, 2015 at 08:03 am

Agreed. I'm anticipating intensity and focus like we haven't seen since 2011. They know what they let slip away last year.

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MarkinMadison's picture

July 30, 2015 at 07:20 am

As many question marks as there are on the defense there are really only two starting personnel questions on offense: (1) Is R2 ready to be the starting TE, and (2) Will Kuhn lose his job? Everything else is about depth, and even there the Packers' offense is in better shape than most. Worry all you want about who the 6th OL will be, most teams are worried about OL #4. Taking a look at the offense as a whole, the only real concern with the offense is whether they can get more red zone TDs, and even there the Packers were still #2 in scoring last year, so how much can you whine?

Yeah, the defense has some major question marks and little proven depth. But the offense has no excuse for getting off to a slow start this year. None. MM focusing on other areas of the team instead of the offense? Who cares. #12 has two pro-bowl receivers who he has played with for three years, and a #3 WR and a TE that he has played a year with. No reason they can't explode right out of the gate.

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Evan's picture

July 30, 2015 at 07:26 am

Saw on twitter just now that the Packers offense is returning 95% of the snaps from 2014. Highest in the league.

I'm actually struggling to figure out who made up those 5%. Bostick and Boykin?

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 30, 2015 at 07:54 am

Good question. Boykin (225 offensive snaps), Sherrod (140 snaps) and Harris (51 snaps), with a handful for a few others like Dorsey (10 snaps), I guess.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

July 30, 2015 at 07:09 pm

#1 scoring offense, weren't they?

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MarkinMadison's picture

July 30, 2015 at 10:44 pm

Regular season, yes.

This is Green Bay. Round here, what matters is your post-season. Except to Cory. Then it's how weak in the knees the QB can make him that counts.

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egbertsouse's picture

July 30, 2015 at 08:02 am

The slow start is one of those problems that MM always says he will address and then never does, like the stupid penalty issue. I will expect the usual slow start until I see MM do something different.

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Idiot Fan's picture

July 30, 2015 at 02:25 pm

Penalties were a real problem for the Packers, culminating in the Week 2 loss to the Bears in 2010, where they had 19 penalties. After that game, MM vowed to clean up the penalties, and ever since then the Packers have been much better. Here are the Packer rankings by year for average number of penalties per game:

2007 - 29th
2008 - 30th
2009 - 32nd
2010 - 5th
2011 - 1st
2012 - 10th
2013 - 7th
2014 - 8th

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Clay Zombo's picture

July 30, 2015 at 09:05 am

They can start 2-2 as long as they beat Seattle. They need to excercise that demon. Between the fail mary and the epic collapse, Seattle is lucky to be 3-0 againt the Pack. Settle could have a slow start themselves if Kam follows through on boycotting TC for more pay or Earl Thomas isnt ready for week 1.

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Tundraboy's picture

July 30, 2015 at 02:17 pm

Hot start? Why not.

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PaulRosik's picture

July 30, 2015 at 05:01 pm

I expect a lot from this team. They were the NFL's leading scoring team in 2014 and return everyone. For once they have no issues on the offensive line to sort out. They return the MVP quarterback, their top 2 running backs (and 3 if you count fullback), their top three receivers, and top 2 tight ends. When your only questions on offense in camp are who is the number 3 QB, the number 3 RB and numbers 4 and 5 receivers you are in pretty great shape. The fact that the defense has some questions only adds impetus for the offense to score early and often. Barring injuries I look for record numbers from this group.

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packerfan9507's picture

July 30, 2015 at 06:43 pm

I can't help but be worried about playing the Seahawks, not because I'm worried about losing, but because it gives them even more opportunity to watch tape on us.

If Rodgers and the defense are playing as they should, I'm optimistic about a win in this year's NFCC but still, they're a team you'd rather avoid if you can.

It'll be interesting to watch Russell Wilson at Lambeau.

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 31, 2015 at 10:00 pm

Don't worry. Just watch and enjoy.

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joepacker's picture

August 01, 2015 at 06:18 am

This time of year we're all projecting what might happen - often couched as what WILL happen. We're all smart enough to find the most rational projections. But what none of us factors in, is the fact that some of what will actually play out will be completely irrational.

The only thing we really know for sure, is that teams we thought were dogs will get hot in the playoffs. Players we predict as golden will sod out. Games we should win handily will be lost. Guys will get hurt. And any number of unseen variables will become realities.

So, how about a game of what "holy crape, I never saw that coming!" anybody on?

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