The Green Bay Packers traveled to Atlanta, Georgia in a week eight matchup against the Atlanta Falcons and hours before the game, both wide receivers Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery were declared inactive. This may have been the downfall of the Packers as they lost a close one, 33-32. Here are the Green Bay Packers week eight takeaways.
Green Bay Packers Week Eight Takeaways
Aaron Rodgers Great Again
The absence of Randall Cobb at wide out and Ty Montgomery as a receiver/running back was bound to lead to a high volume of passes. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw the ball 38 times, completing 28 passes, for 246 yards and four touchdowns. Rodgers found seven different receivers and spread the ball around on scoring plays. Jordy Nelson, Jeff Janis, Trevor Davis and Geronimo Allison were all on the receiving end of touchdowns.
Rodgers was also the leading rusher for the Packers. With both Eddie Lacy and James Starks out due to injury, Ty Montgomery would have been used as a hybrid back. However, Montgomery was inactive due to an illness; therefore, Knile Davis and Don Jackson filled in. They combined for 14 yards on seven carries. Rodgers carried the ball six times for 60 yards.
Defense Struggles Against Strong Offense
The battered Packer defense struggled today against a high-powered Atlanta offense. Falcons running back Tevin Coleman was inactive due to a hamstring injury leaving Devonta Freeman and Terron Ward to take the work load. Freeman and Ward combined for 81 yards on 17 carries. Freeman also rushed for a touchdown, the first given up since week one.
The Packers also struggled against the pass. However, they were able to keep wide receiver Julio Jones in check. Jones caught just three passes for 29 yards, all in the first half. Matt Ryan was able to win by spreading the ball out as eight different receivers caught a pass from Ryan in the game. Mohamed Sanu and Taylor Gabriel would each catch a touchdown along with Devonta Freeman catching a touchdown for his second score.
Week Nine Preview
The Packers are now 4-3 on the year, and the Minnesota Vikings appear to be the front runners to win the division halfway through the year. If the Packers want to have any chance of winning the NFC North division title, they need to get better defensively and get Montgomery and Starks healthy. The Packers head back home to take on the 3-5 Indianapolis Colts.
