Packers Periscope: Week 3 vs Denver Broncos
“2-0. And 2-0 in the division.”
That was Aaron Rodgers biggest takeaway from the Packers 21-16 win over the Vikings in week two. At least for the first quarter, Green Bay’s offense appeared to be unstoppable. Head coach Matt LaFleur was dialed in on his play-calling as the team jumped out to an early 21-0 lead. Air or pass, Minnesota had no answer.
Unfortunately, it was short-lived as Minnesota shutout the Packers for the final three quarters. After the game, Rodgers gave Mike Zimmer his due for being a “great coach” and making in-game adjustments to offset Green Bay’s hot start.
The Packers had golden opportunities to score but a Geronimo Allison fumble and a botched fourth-down took points off the board.
The defense is still rolling even after a big day for Dalvin Cook. Jaire Alexander was studly and Kevin King had the incredible sprawled out interception to hold the lead late in the fourth quarter. On the heels of two impressive outings, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine will have a good chance to keep the momentum going against Denver.
The Broncos are 16th in total offense with a very average unit led by an average Joe Flacco. Through two games, they are in the bottom five in the league as far as scoring.
This is a very different Denver team than the group that dominated Green Bay in week eight of 2015. Rodgers had one of his worst performances as a pro being held to just 77 yards passing. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning threw for 340 yards in a 29-10 win.
However, that game was played in Denver and the Packers are 5-0-1 all-time against the Broncos at home.
Denver’s offense isn’t the same as it was four years ago, but their defense is still their bread and butter. Only now they are led by Vic Fangio who has is one of the most successful defensive coaches in the NFL. The Broncos are currently 10th in total defense and fourth in defending the pass. Yet somehow even with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb they have not been able to record a sack on the opposing quarterback. Promising news for Rodgers who has been sacked seven times already.
Look for LaFleur to try and establish a similar rhythm to what he did against Minnesota. The Packers had a balanced attack last week with 34 pass attempts to 33 rushes. One key could be to wear the Broncos’ defense down by keeping them on the field. So far, the Packers rank fifth in time of possession, a number that has vastly improved from last year.
There isn’t a lot to be worried about on Denver’s offense. Flacco is a similar threat to that of Kirk Cousins but with lesser weapons. Just force him to throw and if Green Bay’s pass rush can rattle Flacco like they did Cousins, this one could be a stress-free victory.
Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.
Comments (17)
Lphill
September 19, 2019 at 12:41 pm
there are no easy games , have to stay focused, this is game 3 time for the offense to come alive and put up some points and show the NFL what the Packers are capable of, Green Bay 30 Denver 9.
Candidate for Deletion
September 20, 2019 at 11:27 am
There are no easy games
30-9
Pick one.
Lare
September 19, 2019 at 01:19 pm
After two big division rivalry wins, I hope this doesn't end up being a "hangover" game for the Packers. Control the LOS, hang onto the ball, don't make any stupid mistakes.
TarynsEyes
September 19, 2019 at 01:33 pm
" Yet somehow even with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb they have not been able to record a sack on the opposing quarterback."
The moment Rodgers decides to play his game the Miller/Chubb dry spell ends and becomes a rinse/repeat dowsing.
Packers win this game again on the backs of the defense...20-13
splitpea1
September 19, 2019 at 03:41 pm
"Rinse/repeat dowsing..."--that's pretty funny. I sure hope the Packers have a better offensive plan than the last time they played these guys. That was a horrible game--the score didn't reflect the one-sidedness of it.
Is it too much to ask to see more short drops and quick passes? Teams with good quarterbacks should be able to execute this strategy--if we can't, then we either have a obstinacy or receivers/TE problem. It's nice to see the Packers running the ball more and eating up time of possession, but it's time to start worrying if they can't sustain drives and create scoring opportunities throughout the game.
Tundraboy
September 19, 2019 at 04:05 pm
What exactly would it take for you to show Rodgers some love? Flowers?
TarynsEyes
September 19, 2019 at 05:01 pm
I love Rodgers but he has faults and I'm not ashamed to speak to them.
Tundraboy
September 19, 2019 at 08:12 pm
No question there. I just thought you were awfully positive the last month or so, and we're being a bit hard on Rodgers, considering the level of competion,.....
TarynsEyes
September 19, 2019 at 10:36 pm
I have been and still am positive for the team as a whole and projected at least 9 wins and more if we can catch certain teams when they are hurting. Philly next Thurs is one as they are hurting and will have a short week after they play the Lions. But the play of each is not off the table including Rodgers and his play is as much the issue for the offense as any other for reasons that are well know and mentioned often. I call them his habits that he will struggle to overcome.
Roadrunner23
September 19, 2019 at 01:37 pm
You know that Fangio is feeling the heat from the media and the fans on the lack of pass rush. I guarantee you he is going to turn them boys loose this Sunday. time to run a steady diet of play actions screens and draw plays!
Here’s Hoping Roger’s uniform stays Clean this weekend
go pack!!
Hematite
September 19, 2019 at 01:58 pm
Rodgers has been sacked seven times in two games.
That puts him on track to be sacked 56 times on the season.
I think it's going to be difficult for the Packers to keep Rodgers clean this week as well.
Packers 17, Broncos 10.
murf7777
September 19, 2019 at 03:05 pm
Quick passes and runs will slow down that pass rush. I would love to see that ball come out within 3 seconds most of the time. Then play action and strike with the big play.
Other then Adams will our other receivers get open quickly? I think it is more then just on our receivers. All "11" need to be playing as a unit and knowing the plays calls and schemes without thinking or holding. I still believe it will take some time for that to happen. We saw glimpses during the Viking game and if we didn't put ourselves into 1st or 2nd and long due to Offensive penalties that game very well could've ended in a blow out! Even after the 1st quarter, we had many good plays, but some were taken back and cost us proper down and distance thus putting us into obvious play calling position. What's awesome, is our D is holding us in games, providing time for our O to get to full strength. When our O will be at that level is anyone's guess, my guess, it will take 4-5 games yet.
Fortunately, while our O is developing we have a lot of games at home. Let's get back the home field advantage. This game and next will tell us whether the Packers can bring back the Lambeau Field dominance this year. I'm going with 24-13 Pack.
dblbogey
September 19, 2019 at 03:27 pm
Let's hope Jenkins takes over for Lane Taylor and that our costly free agent right guard starts performing to his contract. The guard play has been poor.
murf7777
September 19, 2019 at 04:07 pm
Per PFF......Turner, the costly FA has the second highest grade next to Bulaga for our O-line. I'm not saying he is playing better then the others, but that is what they say!
ThxJackVainisi
September 19, 2019 at 07:39 pm
I agree on Jenkins. He would certainly be better establishing the running game & I think he'd do just as "well" vs the pass rush.
To get what murf7777 is talking about done I'd like to see Rodgers just trust LaFleur for at least the first half, beyond the scripted plays. Run the play even if you dont like it. If the play breaks down just throw the ball away. Your D is good enough to keep you in the game.
What I'd like to see LaFleur do is target Tonyan a lot. Call plays you'd like to see a healthy (& younger) Graham run. And try to avoid having any TE 1-on-1 against premier pass rushers.
Doug Niemczynski
September 19, 2019 at 10:12 pm
Well, I haven't seen a stress free victory in a long, long time so while that would be nice, I don't see it being stress free.
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