At points during their matchup against the Broncos, Green Bay looked like the better team, but they were unable to make key plays when they mattered most. The defense played well at times, but the young Packers offense needs to improve in a few areas. Here are some things that went right, and wrong, for Green Bay.
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Packers Need Time to Gel
Moreau Problems for the Offense
On his fourth team in seven seasons, cornerback Fabian Moreau seems to have found his footing in Denver and was a big reason why the Packers offense had problems getting into a rhythm against the Broncos. Moreau played well in coverage and made a handful of key pass breakups, especially late in the game, to help Denver pull out the win.
With Moreau manning the cornerback position opposite Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos defense appeared to be closer to playing up to its potential, after significantly underperforming through its first six games. On the season, Moreau has been solid, allowing only two completions for 7 yards on five targets his way.
Big Runs Became Backbreakers
Coming back from an ACL injury he suffered in 2022, Javonte Williams received the most carries he has (15) since week 3 of last season, and he made the most of it against Green Bay. The few chunk plays that Williams was able to rip off came at key points for Denver, and his steady performance as a runner allowed the Broncos to keep their offensive attack short and methodical.
Russell Wilson was held mostly in check as a runner, but both he and Williams ripped off gains of more than 20 yards, and Wilson’s scramble late in the second quarter helped the Broncos get into position to kick a field goal to give them a 9-0 lead at the half. Williams’ 21-yard scamper in the third quarter also helped Denver score on that possession. These two runs helped propel the Broncos to scoring possessions that ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.
A.J. Dillon Still has Juice
After struggling early this season, Dillon was decisive against Denver while playing with the burst and power that he showcased early in his career. With Aaron Jones being used minimally against Denver, and having little success, Dillon kept the Packers offense from completely sputtering when they needed yards on the ground.
Not having a formidable rushing attack has otherwise plagued this offense, so Dillon’s downhill running Sunday was an encouraging sign, given how much of Matt Lafleur’s offense relies on the run game and play action.
Dillon has been on the record saying he has played with hesitancy at times in 2023, but the Packers tilt against Denver showed that he can play fast without overthinking his reads, which should theoretically lead to more touches, and efficiency, down the stretch for the running back.
The Youth Movement is Real
Green Bay is one of the youngest rosters in the league, and that continues to come with growing pains. While the future may appear bright regarding their salary cap and recent roster construction, the inexperience and youth of the Packers is showing itself as a double-edged sword. The organization has been intentional in building around Jordan Love and protecting themselves with a team-friendly contract for the quarterback, but the fact of the matter is that this team is relying largely on first and second-year players to carry the load and come up big in crunch time.
While teams in the past have had success with this, such as Kansas City in 2022, the Packers are different in that Love is still in the early stages of his career and has not seen enough game experience to be consistent, and clutch, in the closing stretches of games. The Packers game against the Broncos was still Love’s seventh career start.
The flashes from Love, especially in the final minutes of close games during 2023, have at least indicated that he is unafraid to throw downfield and take chances on big plays, especially when they are needed. While this trait led to an interception that sealed the victory for Denver, Love showed that against both New Orleans and Atlanta he is willing to stretch the field, even if it means taking chances.
Players like Luke Musgrave stepped up against Denver, as did Romeo Doubs and even the Packers seventh-round pick, Dontayvion Wicks, who converted a pass to Aaron Jones and caught one pass for 17 yards. Between Doubs, Musgrave, Christian Watson and Jaylen Reed, Green Bay has seen flashes out of their players, and with more reps with Love, the Packers have a chance to establish a young and talented nucleus on offense.
Slow Starts Still Sinking the Packers
Not only has the team proved that they are apt to play differently in the second half as opposed to the first, but Love, too, has been a different quarterback in the second halves of games so far this season.
Through six games, Love has thrown 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the first half of games, but in the second halves of games, he has tossed 8 touchdowns to 5 interceptions, with four of those picks coming in the 4th quarter of games (per ESPN stats). To no coincidence, the Packers have routinely found themselves trying to catch up to opponents in the fourth quarter, which has led to more chances downfield and, in turn, more mistakes by Love.
Love needs to be more consistent in the first half but also more careful in the fourth quarter if the Packers are to close the gap on their divisional opponents.
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