The Green Bay Packers offense has come a long way since week one. In their season-opening victory over the Chicago Bears, the Packers offense struggled. That day, the Packers offense only mustered 203 yards passing and just 47 yards on the ground. But as the season has progressed, so has the Packers offense. The Aaron Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers offense is starting to find its identity.
Green Bay Packers Offense Trending Upward
It was going to take time for the Packers offense to get on the same page. Mike McCarthy was not only the Packers head coach from 2006-2018, but he was the offense’s play-caller during that span. But McCarthy was fired during the 2018 season and this off-season, he was replaced with first-time head coach Matt LaFleur.
LaFleur, who like McCarthy acts as his own play-caller, threw out McCarthy’s outdated offensive scheme and installed his more up to date version of the west coast offense. He brought with him a new zone-blocking scheme, a new emphasis on the run game, and an offense designed to scheme receivers open.
Packers veterans, including Rodgers, had become accustomed to how McCarthy ran the Green Bay Packers offense. While McCarthy had success during his tenure, the time had come for a change, especially on offense.
But if the Green Bay Packers offense was to be successful, everyone, including the veterans, was going to have to buy-in. It appears that they are doing just that at the season’s midway point.
Hitting Their Stride
The Green Bay Packers offense wasn’t an instant success. It took some time, especially in the passing game, for the offense to find its identity. But against the Oakland Raiders in Week 7, the passing game started to click.
While the Raiders defense won’t be confused for the 1985 Chicago Bears defense, what the Packers passing attack accomplished was quite impressive. That day, Rodgers completed 25 of his 31 passes for 429 yards with 5 touchdown passes. All five of his touchdown passes went to five different pass catchers.
Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers offense continued their success this past week in their 31-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Once again, Rodgers looked like the player that won two NFL MVP trophies. He went 23 of 33 for 305 yards with three touchdown passes.
Many had wondered if Rodgers would embrace LaFleur and his offensive philosophies. But with the Packers now sporting a 7-1 record and the offense putting up big points, those concerns should be quieted.
Finding New Weapons
If you follow the Packers, you know that Rodgers likes pass catchers he can rely on. First, it was Greg Jennings, then it was the combination of Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, and now Davante Adams. But when Adams went down with an injured toe in their 34-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, a game where Adams caught 10 balls for 180 yards, Rodgers was forced out of his comfort zone.
Losing a player of Adams’ caliber is never a good thing. Especially with there being so many questions at the Packers wide receiver position. But looking back, it might have been a turning point in Rogers buying into LaFleur’s scheme.
Without being able to rely on Adams, Rodgers found himself forced to depend on players he didn’t have the same type of chemistry with. It also forced him into trusting LaFleur and Packers offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett and their offensive vision.
It took Rodgers out of his comfort zone, but that didn’t stop Rodgers and the passing game from producing. Young receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, Allen Lazard, and Jake Kumerow, along with veteran tight ends Marcedes Lewis and Jimmy Graham were all faced with the pressure to step up their game. While they haven’t put up huge individual statistics, they all have contributed.
Adams is a game-changer when healthy. But it appears the Packers have found another game-changer, one that can get it done on the ground as well in the passing game.
Aaron Jones, a former fifth-round pick from 2017, has become a dual-threat for the Green Bay Packers offense. To date, he has rushed for 466 yards on 114 carries with 8 touchdown carries. He has an impressive 4.1 yards per carry average. But he has also been a weapon in the passing game. He has 34 receptions for 355 yards with three touchdown receptions. His pass-catching ability was showcased against the Chiefs. He hauled in seven passes for 159 yards with two touchdown receptions.
With Jones becoming a dual-threat game changer and the young receivers contributing, Rodgers is starting to hit his stride in LaFleur’s offense. Something that should scare the rest of the NFL.
Solid Play Upfront
Rodgers and the rest of the skilled players will grab the headlines. But if it wasn’t for the play of the offensive line, the Green Bay Packers offense might not be as successful as it has been.
The Packers starting tackles, David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga, have shown why they are one of the best starting tackle tandems in the NFL. The key for both, especially for Bulaga, has been staying healthy. Bulaga has faced a lot of criticism for his injury problems in recent years. But so far this season, he has been able to stay healthy. With being healthy, he has played at a Pro Bowl level.
Center Corey Linsley has been a steady presence in the middle of the line. He has helped out with the maturation of guard Elgton Jenkins. Since Jenkins took over for Lane Taylor at left guard, he has played at a high level. The way Jenkins has played, it appears he will be a long-time starter at the left guard position.
The Packers paid big money for Billy Turner this off-season, hoping he would solidify the starting right guard position. His play was rocky to start off the season, but in recent games, he has been solid.
With Aaron Rodgers hitting his stride and the offensive line protecting him, the Green Bay Packers offense is becoming one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. It took some time, but it appears it was worth the wait for Packers fans.
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