Offense Needs Touchdowns Early in Games
Josh Jacobs has scored 9 rushing touchdowns in the last 5 games, all from inside the 10-yard line.
Success for Offense Early in Games Leads to Wins
In 14 games, the 2024 version of the Green Bay Packers has been consistent with not putting together an entire game of quality football. If there is one aspect of their performance that has indicated winning or losing it's been the first quarter offense.
The Packers are 4-0 when scoring a touchdown on its first drive. They have scored a touchdown on their second drive in four other wins. That means they are 8-0 when scoring a touchdown in their first or second time touching the ball on offense.
In the four losses, the result of the first two drives are: Eagles - punt, field goal; Vikings - miss field goal, interception; Lions - field goal, punt; Lions - punt, punt.
Since the bye, the Packers have scored early in the first quarter in four of five games, with touchdowns on the first drive against the Bears, 49ers and Seahawks, as well as a touchdown against the Dolphins after a fumbled punt.
This play design by Matt Lafleur is pure perfection pic.twitter.com/fhjzjogPG9
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) November 25, 2024
The key to scoring early in games has been getting the ball to certain playmakers. Josh Jacobs and Jayden Reed have each finished two of the eight scoring drives. The other four touchdowns on these early scoring drives: Dontayvion Wicks (against Indianapolis), Malik Willis (against Tennessee), Romeo Doubs (against Arizona), and Tucker Kraft (against San Francisco).
Starting with the victory against the Bears, the offense early in games has featured running back Josh Jacobs. The result has been nine rushing touchdowns in the last five games. All nine have been inside the 10-yard line.
Packers with a nice toss zone on their opening drive. Really good job on the cutoffs across the line here. pic.twitter.com/UUwArbHovT
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 16, 2024
If there’s going to be success in January, scoring touchdowns early in games will be vital. Look no further than last year’s two playoff games. In both games against the Cowboys and the 49ers, the Packers took the opening kickoff down the field for points. Against Dallas, the first drive ended in an Aaron Jones touchdown. It was the first of four first-half touchdowns against the Cowboys.
On the flip side, in the loss to the 49ers, the Packers had two impressive drives both end in field goals, and would not score their first touchdown until the third quarter.
Getting the ball into the end zone early in games has led to a lot of success for the 2024 Green Bay Packers.
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Mitch McLaughlin is a Packers fan and shareholder residing in Sacramento, California. He will be writing Packers stories each week on Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter: @McLaughlinMitch
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Comments (5)
Grandfathered
December 17, 2024 at 08:00 pm
Scoring early makes a definite impact on the win loss stats. Coach doesn't mind taking the opening kickoff if given the choice, and I can't disagree with that.
Ritzy
December 17, 2024 at 10:32 pm
What about the Packers defense on opening drives by opponents? If I recall correctly in the 4 losses, the Lions, Vikings and Eagles all took it to us and scored quickly.
porupack
December 17, 2024 at 10:52 pm
Interpreting statistics is tricky. If you score early...it probably means you already have a good plan or superior talent, or better execution, or a little luck....and will simply score more points in 60 minutes of play. Don't they always try to score early? And in-between early and late? And late (if behind). I think we do all agree they don't try to score late in games if they have a lead (lol)
Cheezehead72
December 18, 2024 at 06:05 am
Running the ball successfully impacts the defense in two key ways. First it wears down the defense so they are not as effective later in the game. The other affect is if you run the ball down the field it demoralizes the defense. Defenses believe they can stop the run. Using Jacobs as they did in the opening drive in Seattle was key.
WestCoastPackerBacker
December 18, 2024 at 01:30 pm
One player has effectively solved much of GB's red zone woes. Yay to Josh Jones and yay to LaFleur for actually trusting the run and sticking with it.