Eyes Front: There Can Be No Excuses in Denver
7 ways Packers must show improvement against struggling Broncos.
Prior to the Raiders game, I wrote that the Packers’ performance in Vegas would tell us how far the team can get this year. The answer was emphatic: not far at all. As Jim Mora once famously asked with astonishment: “Playoffs? PLAYOFFS?”
Yes, Aaron Jones ended up sitting again while a banged-up, makeshift offensive line struggled to find its footing. Yes, the team is young and inexperienced. Yes, Joe Barry continues to defy rational thinking with moves like lining up Preston Smith opposite Davante Adams.
The reality is the Packers are one missed field goal (by the opposition) away from being 1-4, with the only good performance coming against a bad Bears team. This is a developmental year, and seeing progress remains far more important than the team’s record. But alarmingly, we’re seeing the opposite, a regression across the board that must show signs of turning around in Denver. And there can be no excuses if it doesn’t happen:
1. The Packers have played one game since Sept. 28 and will have had 13 days off since they lost to Las Vegas. That is a ton of time to get with the drawing board and into the film room. The most baffling thing about watching the great regression is what has happened to the scheme we saw and loved in game 1. Romeo Doubs was open constantly in the middle of the field, finding the soft spots in the zone or getting open via scheme. Sure, play action with a healthy star running back helps, but watching this team steadily creep back to the worst of the Mike McCarthy days has been painful. So, let’s hope the Packers are looking at the film of how Josh McDaniels ran the Raider offense, with Jakobi Meyers open every other play. There is no excuse to not bring back a creative, motion filled LaFleur version of Shanahan/McVay concepts.
Denver, meanwhile, has played six games with no breaks, though it will have been 10 days since they lost to the Chiefs.
2. The Broncos have been one of the worst teams in the league, with one win over the same bad news Bears. Some pundits are speculating that there is tanking going on in this establishment, but I don’t think that is how Sean Payton rolls. The team is smartly ridding itself of pricey, aging veterans like Frank Clark and Randy while they have a few ounces of trade value, and is trying to build for the future.
3. Denver’s defense, if you can call it that, has given up the most points in the league, including 70 in one game against Miami. The Broncos are last in virtually every defensive stat, although they played a little better most recently against the Chiefs. Denver has gone from Orange Crush to Mush, especially against the run. So there will be no excuse, even if Jones sits out again, for MLF not to have a game plan that exploits this.
4. With Russell Wilson under center, the Broncos’ offense has been mediocre to anemic. Only once has a wideout had more than 100 receiving yards in a game, Marvin Mims Jr in week 3. The most yards for a running back in a game has been 72, from Jaleel McLaughlin against Chicago. There will be no excuse for another boneheaded game plan from Joe Barry, and if that happens he should be fired immediately after the game.
5. The Packers’ offensive line has to show improvement. Jenkins appears fully healthy, and while Rasheed Walker has been too often overmatched, there is no excuse for not seeing progress, in both pass protection and the run game.
6. Whether it’s drive-killing penalties or special teams miscues, the Packers have been sloppy and undisciplined, and there is not excuse for not cleaning that up.
7. LaFleur needs to prevent Jordan Love from throwing deep and concentrate on the middle of the field. There are no excuses for not making this adjustment. And Love is experienced enough in this offense to be able to understand and anticipate where his receivers will be.
Make no mistake, Sean Payton still knows how to coach, and we cannot assume Green Bay can just have its way. But Matt Lafleur needs to show he can bring in a team that is well-prepared, plays aggressively and with physicality, with a smart scheme and disciplined execution.
There can be no excuses.
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Jonathan Krim grew up in New York but got hooked on the Packers — and on hating the Cowboys — watching the Ice Bowl as a young child. He blames bouts of unhappiness in his late teens on Dan Devine. A journalist for several decades who now lives in California, he enjoys trafficking in obscure cultural references, lame dad jokes and occasionally preposterous takes. Jonathan is a Packers shareholder, and insists on kraut with his brats. You can follow Jonathan on twitter at @Jkrim.
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Comments (57)
NickPerry
October 20, 2023 at 06:58 am
"There will be no excuse for another boneheaded game plan from Joe Barry, and if that happens he should be fired immediately after the game."
While I agree 100% with Jonathan about Barry, we already KNOW Matt LaFleur will have several excuses ready at the podium should things go back-ass backwards for the Defense Sunday. Just like he has the last 2 plus seasons. Joe Barry ONLY knows "boneheaded gameplans".
" Jenkins appears fully healthy, and while Rasheed Walker has been too often overmatched, there is no excuse for not seeing progress, in both pass protection and the run game."
What? There absolutely IS an excuse Jonathan, it's called coaching. This team has REGRESSED the last few weeks, really since the 4th quarter of week 2 when they blew a lead to the Falcons. IMO Jenkins hasn't been as good even before his most recent injury. Runyan is worse, Meyers a catastrophe. Walker? Walker is about where a 7th round draft pick who didn't play last season should be, and Tom SHOULD be at Center.
Hey, thank God they paid Nijman over $4 million to just SIT. IMO the best O-Line the Packers could put on the field Sunday would be Walker (LT), Jenkins (LG), Tom(C), Runyan (RG), and Nijman (RT). Actually it would probably be best to have Nijman at LT and Walker at RT, but WHATEVER it would take to get Meyers OFF the field I'd be all-in on that one.
That's ALL on coaching!
Cheezehead72
October 20, 2023 at 08:24 am
As much as I do not like Berry as the DC other than one game the defense has been good. The offense has had one truly good game.
Offensive play calling should be leaning on running the ball mainly between the tackles because the OL is not good enough to protect on outside running plays. They need Love to use short and intermediate passes. I agree that long passes should be used sparingly. Take what the defense will give you.
Defense we need more run blitzes and guys need to hit the hole faster and get off blocks.
Guam
October 20, 2023 at 09:13 am
CH72: The problem is that opposing defenses know the Packers' TE's can't block worth a damn which eliminates most stretch (outside) running plays and that Love struggles with the deep ball. So defenses clog the middle of the line and bring their safeties up to hinder the short passing game. The defenses are taking away what the Packers can do and the Packers seem unable to do anything else. The Packers can't take what the defenses are willing to give.
Cheezehead72
October 20, 2023 at 09:35 am
There has been some success running up the middle. And with Jones coming back we might have the speed to get outside. If you are somewhat effective running up the middle that opens the play action and will get the defense moving up opening up the medium passes. If the safeties are playing up you can still pass to the outside.
The Broncos have a very bad run defense so we can work on the running game Sunday.
Guam
October 20, 2023 at 04:52 pm
We'll see if Jones helps with the outside game. Yes, he has speed, but he still needs some blocking and between our TE's and tackles, I dunno.......
Packers0808
October 20, 2023 at 09:57 am
And everyone thumbed me down when I kept hollering to bring back Lewis for his blocking. Now didn't didn't that come back nicely to bite us in the ass! Guess coaching football at high school level for 23 years taught me something.
Bitternotsour
October 20, 2023 at 11:36 am
if GB needs a slow footed big guy for additional blocking they can use a back-up guard or tackle. Lewis can't even get on the field in Chicago!
jannesbjornson
October 20, 2023 at 04:20 pm
Tyler Davis was the blocking TE. He was injured in pre-season action. He would have helped the edge, but the point of the story is to have legitimate OTs manning the critical Flanks of the greenhorn QB.
Guam
October 20, 2023 at 05:01 pm
I was okay with Davis as the inline blocker, but when he went down they needed to find somebody who could actually block. It sure isn't Musgrave or Kraft to this point.
I worry about Kraft as he was supposed to be a good blocker in college (and went to a college that ran the ball!) and so far I have seen nothing from him as a blocker. Packers' third round jinx strikes again........(I know - very early, but sheesh, his blocking is bad).
jannesbjornson
October 20, 2023 at 06:19 pm
Whomever is coaching the TEs, needs to be reassigned. Campbell has LaPorta hitting on all cylinders. They do get intensive coaching at Iowa in a pro-style scheme. Musgrave was never a blocker at Oregon State. Kraft can create damage, but he needs to be out in space, 1:1 against LBs or DBs, not helping the OT do his job.
dobber
October 20, 2023 at 11:48 am
Well...they can't run the stretch plays because the only RB they've been willing to give the ball can't get there.
Guam
October 20, 2023 at 04:54 pm
Jones can get there unlike Dillon, but he still may find no holes.....
The_Justicar
October 21, 2023 at 05:15 am
I think I can predict the excuse for this week if we lose…”well, you know, we had that mini bye followed up with an actual bye week. It was just too much time off. Felt like we just came out of the pre season. Guys not really in football shape physically or mentally with that much time off”
Packerpasty
October 22, 2023 at 10:15 am
and they're young....always young..
stockholder
October 20, 2023 at 07:02 am
But Matt Lafleur needs to show he can bring in a team that is well-prepared, plays aggressively and with physicality, with a smart scheme and disciplined execution.
You know in your gut that isn't going to happen.
He's done in GB and the players know it.
It started with Rodgers. And it will end with Love.
The pricy aging vets are here too.
They got their money. They read the negatives.
Nobody is going to Bust their butt for Barry,
when he's got a foot out the door.
It's time to just hope for the best.
Something to build on.
NickPerry
October 20, 2023 at 12:10 pm
"But Matt Lafleur needs to show he can bring in a team that is well-prepared, plays aggressively and with physicality, with a smart scheme and disciplined execution.
You know in your gut that isn't going to happen."
Stockholder, I couldn't agree with you more on this part of your comment. MLF has showen time and again he CAN'T do this.
stockholder
October 20, 2023 at 01:33 pm
Too many things have to go right.
Everyone had such high expectations after camp.
I No longer feel MLF can live up to that statement.
Not because I think he's a bad coach.
But because this team lost too many players.
And the coaches have been scrutinized beyond his control.
Love is No longer a question mark. He must be the answer.
jannesbjornson
October 20, 2023 at 04:25 pm
Gutey's guy. Gutey's O line and skill positions. Year Six.
T7Steve
October 20, 2023 at 07:06 am
"Only once has a wideout had more than 100 receiving yards in a game, Marvin Mims Jr in week 3. The most yards for a running back in a game has been 72, from Jaleel McLaughlin against Chicago."
Jonathan, how much better are our stats? We started out good in the red-zone and now can't even get into it anymore.
Take away their Miami game and how far apart are the Ds? We haven't given up a bunch of points, just points at the worst times.
Like Nick says above, if we don't fix the O-line problems, this won't be a get right game for us, it will be homecoming for the Broncos.
dobber
October 20, 2023 at 01:11 pm
I tend to agree: most of the analytics were blown up by the Miami game. Still, some pretty iffy teams (e.g. the Jets and Bears) have had field days against them, too. They've also sold off a couple of pass-rushers from their depth chart...but were able to keep the Chiefs within two scores last week.
I have no idea what to expect on Sunday.
I played on some pretty crappy teams in HS, and seeing another down-and-out team come into your place and knowing you have that very realistic opportunity to win a game often helped gear us up...that said, losing to that down and out team at your place often was soul-crushing. I wonder how much soul either of these teams has left?
Packerpasty
October 22, 2023 at 10:22 am
we will soon see how much soul either of these teams have...
mrtundra
October 20, 2023 at 07:11 am
"No excuses." We've been saying that for weeks, now. Same old same old.
coolhand
October 20, 2023 at 09:00 am
Oh, I'm sure MLF will have plenty of excuses if the Packers lose. It will be his usual schtick.
RCPackerFan
October 20, 2023 at 08:15 am
"The reality is the Packers are one missed field goal (by the opposition) away from being 1-4, with the only good performance coming against a bad Bears team."
Does everyone believe the Packers would be 2-3 if Jones played every game? I am willing to bet if Jones played we easily could be 4-1. Jones changes everything for the offense. That is why we desperately need him back. Hopefully he can finally play this Sunday.
1. "The most baffling thing about watching the great regression is what has happened to the scheme we saw and loved in game 1. Romeo Doubs was open constantly in the middle of the field, finding the soft spots in the zone or getting open via scheme. Sure, play action with a healthy star running back helps,"
Some reasons for regression. Injuries is the top of the list. Losing Jones & Bakhtiari in week 1 really hurt. Jenkins missed a couple of games. Watson finally returned last week. Jones hopefully will return this week. Missing these key players has hurt the offense. Its not only the guys that have missed games. Its also the guys playing through injuries. Runyan and Tom have been playing hurt which has hurt their play. The biggest issue is our OL right now. Hopefully Jenkins, Runyan and Tom are close to 100% now.
7. "LaFleur needs to prevent Jordan Love from throwing deep and concentrate on the middle of the field. There are no excuses for not making this adjustment. And Love is experienced enough in this offense to be able to understand and anticipate where his receivers will be. "
I want to see them get the ball out quick and into playmakers hands. And when I say get the ball out quick, i don't mean throws behind the LOS. I want to see some slants and some RB option routes. Things that get the receivers moving forward and getting them the ball on the move.
dobber
October 20, 2023 at 08:47 am
"Does everyone believe the Packers would be 2-3 if Jones played every game? "
I'm right there with you in that he's the most versatile and talented offensive piece this team has. He makes everything go...however, the offensive brain-trust has had multiple weeks to figure out how to adjust the offense in his absence and hasn't been able to do it. Instead, they've become increasingly ineffective.
I would even go a step further to say that since RBs tend to have the shortest shelf-life among offensive playmakers and are the most injury-prone, you'd think a good coaching staff would already have some idea what to do if that guy goes down. Plugging in RB2 is a plan, but it hasn't been working out.
coolhand
October 20, 2023 at 09:05 am
Their answer has been to make Dillon the feature back. That is not his best position. He is too slow and only good to run straight ahead. Jones has speed and that is what we need to replace him but for some reason the coaches won't trust Taylor or Wilson with the job. If you won't play them, why are they on the roster? Now with Taylor gone, we only have Wilson, so will he get a chance? He showed speed in the pre season, let's see what he can do now.
RCPackerFan
October 20, 2023 at 11:21 am
Wilson did show the speed on one play in the preseason. I am trying to remember outside of his 80 yard play in the preseason, what did he do? I can't remember any other big flashy plays.
jannesbjornson
October 20, 2023 at 04:27 pm
The defense made No attempt to stop him on that particular play. A flag football game.
Vachio
October 20, 2023 at 12:13 pm
Outside of Barry Sanders and Jim Brown, there's not a back in NFL history who would produce well given the blocking up front the last 4 weeks.
jannesbjornson
October 20, 2023 at 04:29 pm
They are on the roster because Gutey did not bring in any RBs from the first 4 selections in 2021,2022, 2023. No depth and definitely no speedy back to gain the corner on a wide-zone scheme.
RCPackerFan
October 20, 2023 at 10:53 am
"however, the offensive brain-trust has had multiple weeks to figure out how to adjust the offense in his absence and hasn't been able to do it. "
Let me ask this. When the OL has been as bad and injured as it has, and Dillon has been subpar, and the other RB's haven't done anything, what more can they really do? Now I'm not an apologist for the offensive staff. But in reality how much more can they really do?
My question for you though is what has Dillon, Taylor or Wilson done to give you faith they can do well at anything really? They tried going to a power game against the Raiders. And Dillons numbers improved some. but not much. Taylor and Wilson offered nothing.
dobber
October 20, 2023 at 11:59 am
"Taylor and Wilson offered nothing."
Taylor has played almost 1/3 of the offensive snaps (Dillon about 2/3) since Jones' injury. The only guy they really give the football to is Dillon. Taylor has been mostly a breather/3rd down protector back when he's been used (15 total touches this season). Sometimes you fire someone up to see if they can bring some juice.
"what more can they really do?"
Aren't they supposed to be smart enough to come up with something? Run some two back sets to change things up for the D? Pitch someone out who might be able to get to the edge or maybe run a wheel?
I think the answer is TRY SOMETHING?
Tundraboy
October 20, 2023 at 05:01 pm
Exactly. What wait til next year's OTAs? Why does draft and develop get dragged out to the point where it becomes counterproductive from a decision making standpoint. It only delays the knowledge that you need to base that ultimate decision on a player anyway.
I really struggle to think of anything that this staff does get right anymore. with the talent they do get and I won't be able to judge Gute until that has changed. It's like they are frozen with fear and can not make any real decision.
Tundraboy
October 20, 2023 at 12:06 pm
"Taylor and Wilson offered nothing."
They were never used save for a token run here or there,
PeteK
October 20, 2023 at 09:21 am
--Injuries to veteran players on a team filled with young players is hampering this team. Jones, Jenkins, Alexander,Bak, and Campbell.
--Take a close look at Denver's schedule they are a tough out: lost many close games, gave up 70 pts which inflates their overall #s, Wilson is still very mobile and dangerous.
ImaPayne
October 20, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Same situation as the past five years just different season. Lots of injuries. Nothing ever changes. I've been saying for years, the Packers, esp, Ted T didnt pay attention to injuries pre draft. He and Gutt too draft guys without regard to the fact many were injury prone in college.
Take Sensenbrener who had three serious concussions in college, we draft him and he has serious concussions and is finally cut because he just was injured all the time.
We got a team of these suckers
TxFred
October 20, 2023 at 09:34 am
Been saying this for weeks. Absolutely no weekly improvement. If a run play does not work MLF draws up another one for next week
Damn it. Run the play in practice relentlessly, to almost perfection!
But, that requires basic & fundamental blocking. MLF & staff have a young, talented and COACHABLE!!!! You better coach them up to their potential, before they turn against you. Your choice.
coolhand
October 20, 2023 at 10:23 am
With all of the time spent practicing, how can these players not know their assignments? That is what practice is for, right? If they mess up, you run it over and over until they don't mess up. Keep it simple at first until they can run the play in their sleep and then move on to more complex strategies.
jannesbjornson
October 20, 2023 at 04:32 pm
If they consistently mess up, then they ride the pine.
TarynsEyes
October 20, 2023 at 09:43 am
There's a difference between an excuse and a reason.
An excuse is for something that rarely happens, a reason is for something that is close to a constant.
Excuses have been allowed to run rampant here for years, while ignoring the reasons for what has ailed previous teams, but not to the obvious level as it is being witnessed this season.
McCarthy's tenor was subject to reasons and were covered up with excuses because those teams won, and MLF's first three were ignored because they won, and yet, both have been exposed by the former getting fired and the present one looking near completely lost due to the same QB, Rodgers.
Yes, give Love a chance, finish the season before deciding his worth, but is MLF hurting or helping Love, or is Love the reason for MLF's obvious failings because, no matter the early comparisons used, isn't Rodgers.
Rodgers is a sore subject here these days, but is he now to be crowned 'The Greatest Cover Up QB of Faults'. It doesn't help fix the reasons, but it should stop the use of excuses. He made the picture clear as day, now we wait to see the fixes, if they can.
This week against Denver shouldn't be used to cover up the reasons, if a win, but regardless of a win or loss, one should be focused on what this team puts into its play and coaching. Did they win/lose because of an excusable incident, or they did/didn't erase reasons? It's a rebuild, or rather a replanting with young seeds, either way, coaches are the water for growth, and that 'supply well' is looking like Lake Mead, draining fast.
Packers0808
October 20, 2023 at 10:02 am
And you still think the blocking of Lewis isn't missed. Almost every response here bitches about poor Oline blocking. Told you so over and over Lewis was needed. Risible! 23 years coaching not arm chairing tells you different.
coolhand
October 20, 2023 at 10:32 am
His blocking didn't help much last year. And with his limited ability in the pass game, with him on the field the opposing defenses knew what was coming.
Packers0808
October 20, 2023 at 01:23 pm
How much wronger can you be, yup catching no big deal, but his blocking was way beyond we have today especially with Bakh gone. Need to learn some football before you speak, maybe?
PatrickGB
October 20, 2023 at 10:18 am
Going younger was a choice. That cap needed it. The team had little or no choice. The young offense is growing, and the coaching will be hit and miss as they learn too.
ImaPayne
October 20, 2023 at 10:18 pm
Jefferson was young and almost ended up as the best receiver in the league as a rookie. Youth is not the question its youth who arent that good and need development and we got a raft of those suckers
ricky
October 20, 2023 at 10:48 am
You lost me when you put the words "LaFleur" and "adjustments" in the same sentence. Where there is agreement is with the bad level of coaching for this team. The OC is terrible; the DC is worse; the OL coach apparently doesn't have a clue, and the HC is getting close to quoting McCarthy, who, when asked about a problem with the team, always said, "We're going to address that." It's also time to face some reality. The Packers are not a good team right now, and Denver is going to give them another tough, nail biting game. It would be nice to see a team that comes out on the field, fired up and ready to play tough, aggressive football. But I'd settle for a coaching staff that is ready with "Plan B" when Denver clamps down on the original game plan. The thing is, I've been waiting for that for several years, and it hasn't happened yet.
Johnblood27
October 20, 2023 at 11:20 am
Superior take Ricky!
baldski
October 20, 2023 at 05:41 pm
McCarthy's favorite fix was "pad level". If we just got our pad level lower everything would be all right.
jlc1
October 20, 2023 at 12:56 pm
You can talk about motion or other scheming. Nothing matters if the execution is not there from the Oline. Why should we expect anything better now?
vin0770
October 20, 2023 at 01:02 pm
Accuracy is something you have or you don’t and it looks like Love doesn’t have it…I’m not optimistic.
Need a good strong creative leader to right the ship in MLF…I’m not optimistic.
Need a good sound yet aggressive defense that can make good adjustments on the fly from DC JB….I’m not optimistic.
Need an OL to be more than a sieve and I don’t care who they select to play just do it….I’m not optimistic.
Need the fragile hamstrings of the two most explosive threats to be fine for the rest of the season…I’m not optimistic.
fireball
October 20, 2023 at 02:39 pm
Russell Wilson, if close to his old self, is capable of beating the Packers.
dobber
October 20, 2023 at 03:06 pm
Denver has plenty of pieces on offense to score points--Sutton and Jeudy are good WR with an explosive player (Mims) to threaten defenses, Williams is a good RB playing his way back from an ACL with two backups (Perine and McLaughlin) who add stuff to the offense. The HC and play-caller is supposedly one of the best offensive minds in recent memory. Why aren't they scoring in bunches?
barutanseijin
October 20, 2023 at 08:22 pm
Sean Payton is what his record says he is: a guy who can’t coach a crap roster into anything better than a 1-5 team.
Payton is 153-94 overall with 1 ring. Mike McCarthy is 159-99-2 with a ring, but of course McCarthy is a moron and Payton is a genius of Belichickian proportions.
vin0770
October 21, 2023 at 09:48 am
Payton an over sanctified genius that was suspended for a year because he’s a dick!
ImaPayne
October 20, 2023 at 10:16 pm
I think a lot like Herd on this. This game is Loves ultimatum. Either he shows he can make passes and lead this time or he cant. 4 years learning the system under Rodgers and being in practices, pre season and playing 5 games, its his time to show what he can and cant do.
Herd did not say, Love needs development and time. He thinks Love has had that and then some and its show time now. I agree. If he falls on his face its a sign to the packers, he's not the guy going forward you need someone else.
Time to cut your loses.
Maybe not right now but for sure end of the season and with a new draft pick or veteran.
Wilson can make fools of this defense and Denvers D isnt all that bad.
If Leflower thinks, run run and screen passes will save Love he is dead wrong, you must have a QB you can trust to throw the ball down field, you drafted three new guys who want to be receiving a football delivered to them.
The you know what hits the fan if love is shackled to save Gutt from being exposed as a crap GM who made a big mistake.
Starrbrite
October 21, 2023 at 02:53 am
I’m flabbergasted that following a bye we have a 100 players on the injury list —Denver has one.
What does this say—if anything?
Go Packers!!!
Packerpasty
October 22, 2023 at 10:23 am
Go Pack Go....hey...dont forget..."they're young"....