APP #62 - We've Got An…Offense?

Year two of the Matt LaFleur era started off surprisingly well putting up 43 points on the road against a division opponent.

Let's not kid ourselves though - it wasn't exaclty a "hostile environment" considering there were ZERO fans in the stands due to Covid 19 restrictions.

OFFENSE:

The offense started with an 8 minute drive that ended in a field goal. Hell they threw in a reverse on the opening drive too.

Aaron Rodgers was a man possessed today - he finished with 4 passing TDs and should have had a 5th but Davante Adams dropped a short quick slant on the goal line earlier in the game.

Speaking of Rodgers: he had at least 2 (if not 3) unbelievable, vintage Rodgers throws in this game.  An absolute dart to Davante for a TD in the end zone and a scrambling bullet to a tiny window to Allan Lazard.  Outside of Patrick Mahomes, nobody in the league can make those throws.

MVS was and is an enigma - the guy had a brillant long TD catch and then had back to back absolutely brutal drops right off his hands.  Rodgers continued to feed him though and he had a couple more nice catches because of that.

Davante Adams played great, save for his dropped TD.  He is easily the best WR on this team and he may very well be a top 3 WR in the league right now.

Packers RBs caught an array of short passes too. Honestly, it's good to see alot of screens and dump offs from Rodgers at this point in his career.

The running game was serviceable, which is a bit odd because I think we all thought that the Packers would lean on the run game heavily vs. passing.  However, with Aaron Rodgers on fire and slinging it all over the joint you don't mess with that formula.

DEFENSE:

The defense started off basically where they left off to end the season last year - they could not stop anyone running the ball with Vikings. In fact, they gave up an easy, quick 2 minute touchdown drive right after the Packers ate up 8 minutes to start the game.

Jaire Alexander played well - he had a delayed blitze early that resulted in a safety on Kirk Cousins and he had an INT later in the game as well.  He did give up a TD to Adam Thielen late in the game.

Kenny Clark injured his groin early in the game and did not return - if that is a multiple week injury the packers are in even more trouble with their run defense because Clark is easily their best D-lineman and he might be their overall best defensive player.

Darnell Savage is an enigma - he has his moments but so far he hasn't lived up to his draft status.  They need better play out of him.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Not much of anything to report here, which is a good thing I guess.  Crosby made a couple field goals and the coverage and return units seemed ok.

PREDICTIONS:

J 30-24 Packers, A 30-21 Packers, E 24-21 Packers