By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

LaFleur’s lackluster offense fails miserably while Green Bay’s ‘D’ bends, then breaks

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Matt LaFleur figured it was a good idea to depart Friday for Sunday’s Packers-Chargers game in Carson, Calif. An even better idea would have been returning Saturday.

The Packers never showed up in an embarrassing 26-11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Green Bay’s offense muddled its way to a season-low 184 total yards at Dignity Health Sports Park, where at least they left with their health still intact.
Obviously, LaFleur’s game plan is ripe for criticism.

The trick is identifying what the plan was in order to criticize it. The Packers ran five plays for 7 yards in the first quarter. They possessed the football less than four minutes. They were flagged for three false-start penalties despite the cozy confines.

Then it got ugly.

That is unless you’re a masochistic Packers’ fan who favors death by field goal.

It was Chargers 3-0 after their first possession. It was Chargers 6-0 after the first quarter. Then it was 9-0 … and 12-0.

While Chargers kicker Michael Badgely risked repetitive stress syndrome, Packers’ fans were just plain stressed.

The passing game was ineffective; the running attack invisible.

The Chargers’ defense employed the most basic strategy. It rushed four and dropped seven into coverage. It worked primarily because two of the four that rushed were Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram III, who had 1 ½ sacks each.

It was hardly the offensive line’s finest three hours.

Rodgers was harassed constantly.

Aaron Jones rushed a non-descript eight times for 30 yards. Jones’ long run of the day was 7 yards. He caught one pass for minus-1 yard.

Rodgers’ passing numbers hardly bear repeating. Nevertheless, and for the record, he was whatever for whatever with not enough yards and only one touchdown.

Actually, Rodgers was 23 of 35 for 161 yards, so like I said …

Davante Adams must’ve thought he was in the wrong huddle. Nothing that occurred against the Chargers resembled what he’d seen in the Packers’ previous four-game winning streak.

After a month-long absence with turf toe, Adams’ return was as unremarkable as the Packers’ performance. He caught seven passes for 41 yards on 11 targets. His long catch was 9 yards. He remains touchdown-less this season.

The receivers were as non-threatening as a litter of kittens.

Allen Lazard caught three passes for 44 yards and Geronimo Allison chipped in with two catches for 21 yards. Jake Kumerow and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were shut out.

The Chargers (4-5) resembled the 12-win playoff team from a year ago for the first time this season.

The Packers (7-2) can take solace in the fact that every other NFC North team also lost. On the other hand, they should be ticked at missing a chance to grab the division by the throat.

Rodgers suggested the team could use its comeuppance.

“This was a good slice of humble pie for us,” he said. “We’re kind of rolling, 7-1, and starting to listen to the chatter maybe a little too much. I think this will be a good thing for us.”

The Packers’ execution was poor and their effort suspect.

“We just couldn’t get that spark that we needed,” Packers cornerback Tramon Williams told reporters. “We were looking for it to come from somewhere, but we just couldn’t get it for whatever reason. But at the same time, we need games like this.

“We’re going to be better from it.”

After the game, Jaire Alexander was asked what negative effect the loss would have on the defense’s confidence.

“None,” he replied. Then he spelled it out, “N-U-N none.”

Perhaps Alexander doesn’t want it to become a habit.

Rodgers is all for exploring the team’s approach on the road.

“We’ve got to be honest with our routine and the decisions we made in the last 48 hours, and make sure that our head is in the right place the next time we come on a big road trip,” he said.

“I don’t think it was complacency at all,” Rodgers continued. “I just think whether it was the trip, not everybody taking care of themselves the right way over the two days, or we were just tired, or the differences in temperature. But those are just excuses, and the facts are that we just weren’t locked in from the start, and that’s a little disappointing.”

For his part, LaFleur acknowledged the poor performance and accepted the blame.

“I’ve got to do a lot better job of putting our guys in position, because we really didn’t even get into the game plan,” he said. “It was a spread, throw-it-all-over-the-yard kind of game, and that’s not what we want to be.”

The Packers punted on each of their three first-half possessions. They finally scored a touchdown on a Rodgers-to-Jamaal Williams 10-yard pass with 6:21 to play.

The Packers also had a punt blocked, which set up the Chargers’ first touchdown to make it 19-0 in the third quarter.

By then, it was pretty much over.

The Packers mustered just six first downs and 69 yards through three quarters, while the Chargers’ offense played keep-away.

“It was a frustrating day,” LaFleur said. “We just have to hit the reset button, like we say every week, and get back to the drawing board … just be more prepared for these situations.”

The Packers won’t have long to wait.

The Carolina Panthers and Christian McCaffrey present another legitimate challenge this Sunday at Lambeau Field. Driven by the recent humiliation, and the fact that all the garbage should be out of their system, I suspect the Packers will be sharp.

Then again, I thought that Friday when the Packers flew out.

By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

Rodgers’ precision passing, use of RBs too much for Kansas City in 31-24 win

GREEN BAY, Wis. – It’s all about the art of adjustment.

The Packers’ offense actually has improved (more diverse, less predictable) since it lost All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to a turf toe injury four weeks ago.

When Adams returns, perhaps for this week’s Chargers game, Green Bay’s offense may be unstoppable.

The Packers’ 31-24 victory over the Chiefs at Kansas City Sunday night illustrated the point.

The Chiefs’ defensive game plan was fairly apparent. They lined up in man coverage, mugged the Packers’ receivers at the line and blitzed Aaron Rodgers. The thought was to create enough doubt in the receivers’ minds, and enough pressure on Rodgers, to disrupt the passing game’s rhythm and force mistakes.

And it worked, but only to the degree the Packers allowed it.

The Chiefs hadn’t accounted for the Packers’ not-so-secret weapon, a triple-threat running back (run, catch and block) and touchdown maker by the name of Aaron Jones.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur knew he needed to get the ball out of Rodgers’ hands as quickly as possible, so he called on Jones and Jamaal Williams to catch it out of the backfield.

They combined for three touchdown catches, including two by Jones, who was simply electric.

Jones ran 13 times for 67 yards and caught another seven passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. The 5-foot-9, 208-pound speedster grabbed a 4-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring, and he caught a 67-yard touchdown pass to close it.

In between, Jones was sensational. He even showed toughness by battling through a shoulder injury in the first half.

“He’s very talented,” Rodgers said. “And I think this scheme is giving him the opportunity to do a lot more out of the backfield. You know, we’re splitting him out and throwing the ball to him. We kind of caught lightning in a bottle there a couple of times. Hit him on a slant-and-go for 50 and on a screen pass for 70 or whatever. He’s a talented guy. I’m very proud of him.”

Afterward, a beaming Jones told reporters he caught “thousands” of passes at home during the offseason to prepare for LaFleur’s offense, which requires running backs to catch it.

“I caught good balls, bad balls, high balls, low balls,” Jones said.

On Sunday night, he caught seven passes on eight targets. Clearly, all that hard work under the Texas sun has paid off for the former the UTEP star.

“He’s an explosive weapon,” LaFleur said. “You don’t find too many running backs that you can put them on the outside and run a slant-and-go. I think he’s dynamic as a runner, a receiver, a pass protector.”

Rodgers called the Packers’ way their winning “interesting.”

Indeed, it is.

The Packers are winning despite Adams’ absence because they’re playing as a team. Adams, the ultimate team player, will be the green-and-gold icing on top of the cake when he returns.

Meantime, the depth behind Adams is developing with each passing week.

Allen Lazard (five catches, 42 yards) and Jake Kumerow (two catches for 48 yards) are improving with every snap. The more they play, the better they’ll be when Adams returns.

Experience matters, so long as you make the most of it. Lazard, Kumerow and the rest are doing exactly that.

LaFleur’s got a good thing going and he knows it.

“I totally trust our quarterback,” he said, “and I trust Aaron Jones as a receiver. He made some great plays all night long.”

The Packers opened a 14-0 lead only to see the Chiefs – led by backup quarterback Matt Moore – put up 17 unanswered points to go up 17-14 at the half.

When Patrick Mahomes was sidelined with a dislocated kneecap last week, Moore stepped in to finish the game. With a week to prepare, he played extremely well.

Moore completed 24 of 36 passes for 267 yards, two touchdowns and a 107.l passer rating. It was his first NFL start in more than two seasons. He had been a high school assistant football coach before Chiefs head coach Andy Reid called upon him in August.

“We played hard and aggressive,” Reid said. “But you know what? When two good teams play each other, sometimes a turnover here or there can affect you and that’s a little bit what happened tonight. But we can all do better, starting with me and my guys.”

After the Packers tied it at 17-17 on Mason Crosby’s 35-yard field goal in the third quarter, LeSean McCoy fumbled on the Chiefs’ next possession.

Five plays later, Rodgers hit Williams on a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it Green Bay 24-17.

Undaunted, the Chiefs strung together a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie it at 24-24.

The Packers responded with their own 75-yard touchdown drive, except it took just two plays, capped by Jones’ 67-yard catch and run on a beautifully designed screen pass.

The Packers forced the Chiefs to punt on their next possession, and Kansas City never got the football back.

Alex Light, the Packers’ backup tackle, deserves kudos for handling three snaps at left tackle while David Bakhtiari went out briefly, and 13 snaps at right tackle to finish the game when Bryan Bulaga left with an injury to his right ring finger.

Bulaga expects to play against the Chargers.

Packers’ defensive tackle Tyler Lancaster also merits praise for his forced fumble and recovery of McCoy’s miscue.

“I figured I wasn’t going to make the tackle so I reached my arm out,” Lancaster said. “I had no idea that I knocked it out but the ball came rolling to my chest and lo and behold I got the recovery as well.”

The Packers (7-1) play three of their next four games on the road. They are at the Chargers before hosting Carolina. After their bye week, they’re at unbeaten San Francisco before traveling to New York to face the Giants.

Rodgers, who was 23 of 33 for 305 yards and three touchdown passes, is playing at an MVP level. Based on his first-half numbers, Rodgers is on pace to throw 32 touchdown passes to two interceptions for 4,684 yards and a 65.4 completion rate.

Along the way, Adams will return and the offense will be at full strength, presumably for an NFC showdown at San Francisco.

In the words of ex-Ravens linebacker Bart Scott: “Can’t wait!”

By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

Rodgers throws for five touchdowns, notches perfect quarterback rating

GREEN BAY, Wis. – After a hard-fought 10-3 Week 1 win at Chicago, Aaron Rodgers declared, “We have a defense.”

Six weeks later, I’d like to add, “You’ve got an O-Line, too!”

With more time to throw than it takes to trim his beard, Rodgers whistled while he worked over the Raiders’ defenders, deftly zipping passes here, there and everywhere they weren’t.

When Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur mercifully stopped Rodgers’ aerial assault, backup QB Tim Boyle cheerfully traded his clipboard for a mop to finish up Green Bay’s 42-24 victory.

Rodgers completed 25 of 31 passes for 429 yards and five touchdown passes – one for each offensive lineman – in the Sunday afternoon rout at Lambeau Field.

In the process, Rodgers proved Vince Lombardi wrong.

Green Bay’s legendary coach once said, “We will chase perfection relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.”

With Rodgers’ receivers catching excellence, and Raiders’ defenders chasing relentlessly but hopelessly, Rodgers did indeed attain perfection.

His perfect 158.3 passer rating was the first of his career.

“I still don’t understand how they put that rating together,” he said, “but it sounds pretty good.”

The Packers’ human blockade consisting of tackles David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga, guards Elgton Jenkins and Billy Turner, and center Corey Linsley was equally amazing.

“Collectively, we didn’t get enough push up front,” Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said. “We didn’t get in (Rodgers’) face enough. We have to get to the quarterback to help our guys out on the back end.”

Crosby had the Raiders’ only sack.

The protection allowed Rodgers to survey the Raiders’ defense as casually as he might a lunch menu: “I’ll have five touchdown passes, a scramble for a score and a side of celebrations.”

Rodgers’ play was gourmet delicious and Packers’ fans ate it up.

“Yeah, I think this was the most complete that I’ve played,” Rodgers said. “I felt good about the timing. There were a lot of balls thrown on time, and obviously the line played fantastic.”

Rodgers completed passes to eight different players.

Jimmy Graham hauled in four passes on four targets for 65 yards and a touchdown. Geronimo Allison, who was coming off a concussion, caught four passes for 33 yards.

MVS also played while dealing with knee and ankle injuries.

“We had a lot of guys step up; specifically Marquez and G-Mo,” LaFleur said. “Shoot, two days ago, we didn’t even know if they were going to play, and I thought those guys came and put together gritty performances.”

With All-Pro receiver Davante Adams (turf toe) still sidelined, that’s what teammates do on winning teams. They continue to play with and for each other.

Then there’s No. 12, who showed the Packers’ newcomers precisely why he is considered among the all-time great QBs.

Even LaFleur said Rodgers continues to amaze him.

“A lot of times that ball leaves his hand … I’m always like in awe,” LaFleur said. “So yeah, he’s pretty good.”

The Packers (6-1) are pretty good, too.

The NFC North leaders are considered among the conference favorites along with New Orleans and San Francisco.

The Raiders (3-3) were pesky in the first half.

Rodgers’ 2-yard touchdown pass to Jamaal Williams gave Green Bay a 14-10 lead with 3:27 to play in the first half. The Raiders’ Derek Carr answered with a 48-yard completion to tight end Darren Waller to the Packers’ 3-yard line.

Here’s where the Packers’ defensive hustle paid dividends.

First, Will Redmond’s hustling tackle ultimately saved a touchdown when he brought Waller down at the 3.

Second, Blake Martinez’s desperate but determined dive to keep Carr from scoring also paid off. With Martinez in pursuit, Carr reached for the pylon with the ball in his left hand. It squirted free for a fumble and went into the end zone for a touchback.

Instead of trailing 17-14, the Packers got the ball back at their 20-yard line with 1:49 to play in the half.

Rodgers capped the seven-play, 80-yard drive with a 37-yard touchdown toss to Jake Kumerow to make it 21-10.

The Packers received the ball in the second half and Rodgers wasted no time hitting Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 59-yard completion. Four plays later, Rodgers scampered in from the 3 to push Green Bay’s lead to 28-10.

The Packers’ defense surrendered 484 yards, including Josh Jacobs’ 124-yard rushing performance, but it stood tall when it mattered most. The Raiders were 3-for-6 in the red zone, with all three failures resulting in no field goals and zero points.

Kevin King’s end zone interception thwarted one red-zone drive, and the Packers’ goal-line stand erased another.

Carr’s fumble at the pylon enabled the hat trick.

Carr completed 22 of 28 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns, but his two turnovers proved costly.

Now, the Packers must prepare for a Sunday night encounter with Andy Reid’s Chiefs in Kansas City. The Chiefs (5-2) will be without star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Capable veteran Matt Moore will start in his place.

It’s not always who you play, but rather when you play them.

Surely, the Packers will be favored over the Chiefs minus Mahomes in what begins a rugged stretch. They play four road games in the next six weeks, including one at home and the bye.

In July, the Packers’ upcoming stretch of games appeared difficult if not impossible to navigate.

Today, it seems quite doable.

By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

Green Bay’s red-zone defense, big plays overcome turnover-plagued performance

GREEN BAY, Wis. – While Aaron Rodgers lobbied for Allen Lazard to get into the game in the fourth quarter, the Lions’ defenders pleaded with the officials to do likewise.

Rodgers got his wish. The Lions got what they deserved.

Lazard caught four passes for 65 yards – all in the fourth quarter – including a 35-yard touchdown grab to make it a two-point game with 9:03 to play. After Green Bay’s defense got a stop, the Packers drove 77 yards to Detroit’s doorstep, where Mason Crosby nailed a 23-yard field goal at the gun to give Green Bay a 23-22 victory Monday night at Lambeau Field.

It was Green Bay’s only lead of the game.

Afterward, Aaron Rodgers shook his head in disbelief.

“It didn’t feel like a win until right at the end,” he said, not that he was complaining.

The Packers (5-1) sit alone atop the NFC North despite trailing 13-0 early and 22-13 late. They won despite committing three turnovers to none for Detroit.

They won despite being without star receiver Davante Adams (turf toe) for a second straight game, and not having Geronimo Allison (concussion, chest) for much of Monday night’s game.

Afterward, the Lions blamed the officials. They would be better served to look in the mirror. They had plenty of chances to take control of the game, but Green Bay’s defense wouldn’t allow it.

The Lions rushed for just 56 yards on 20 attempts. Kerryon Johnson’s long run of the game was a measly 8 yards. Matthew Stafford threw for 146 yards in the first quarter, but only 119 the rest of the way.

Green Bay’s defense held Detroit to 3-of-13 on third down attempts, and 1-of-3 in the red zone. The Lions mustered just 13 first downs for the game.

To the Lions’ credit they came out in attack mode.

With Packers safety Darnell Savage Jr. sidelined with a high ankle sprain, Detroit opened with a flea-flicker to Kenny Golladay for 66 yards to set up an opening drive field goal. On its second possession, Stafford went deep to Marvin Hall on the first play for 58 yards. It set up Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown run to make it 10-0.

The Lions stretched it to 13-0 on another of Matt Prater’s five field goals. Lambeau Field was dead silent.

No matter.

The Packers’ defense adjusted after its awful start and fairly outplayed the Lions the rest of the way. They sacked Stafford three times and repeatedly turned touchdowns into field goals.

The Packers didn’t win because of sub-standard officiating. They won because they had 22 first downs to Detroit’s 13. They won because they outgained them, 447-299, and outrushed them, 170-56.

The Packers had six penalties for 48 yards; the Lions had eight penalties for 50.

The Packers’ three turnovers, coupled with the Lions’ fast start, made it close. The better team won.

In part, it’s because Green Bay’s offensive depth – which was put to the test – ultimately aced the exam.

While Aaron Jones had a forgettable night, Jamaal Williams stepped up to rush for 104 yards on 11 carries. He also caught four passes for 32 yards and a touchdown.

On the final drive, Williams’ heads-up play kept the Lions from getting the football back and effectively ended the game. With first-and-10 at the Detroit 11 and 1:36 to play, Williams rushed for 8 yards before wisely sitting down at the 3-yard line.

The Lions were forced to use their final timeout. Rodgers took a knee twice and Crosby hit the game-winning field goal.

At receiver, Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught two passes for 48 yards while being draped by Darius Slay most of the night. Darrius Shepherd got his first real chance to play on offense and struggled mightily. His fumbled punt led to one Detroit field goal. His dropped pass at the goal line was intercepted by Justin Coleman, whose 55-yard return set up another Detroit field goal.

Look for the Packers to acquire a veteran receiver this week. My best guess would be Denver’s Emanuel Sanders.

Also look for Lazard to get increased playing time, especially if Rodgers has anything to say about it. And he does.

Rodgers completed 24 of 39 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked just once, but despite having ample time couldn’t find any open receivers.

Enter Lazard.

“I actually sit next to him in the team meetings,” Rodgers told reporters. “We’ve struck up a pretty good friendship. The thing that got me was, which you love as a quarterback, and that’s when your receiver’s coming back and telling you he wants the ball and what route he wants to run … that was him coming back in the huddle, telling me what play he wanted, and for a young guy to do that, how can you not have confidence in that?”

Crosby got the game ball from Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, but Jamaal Williams and Lazard also came up big.

“That was fun, yeah,” Crosby, 35, said of his first Lambeau Leap after hitting the game-winner.

Now, the Packers must prepare for the Raiders on a short week.

They also have to decide whether to acquire a receiver while Adams continues to mend.

By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

Green Bay’s offense owns red zone while opportunistic defense picks Dallas apart

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers visited “Jerry’s World” on Sunday and treated it like a class trip to an amusement park.

They didn’t get separated. They didn’t split up. They didn’t lose their way. They stayed together and stuck to the plan.

Then they took the Cowboys for a ride.

By the time it ended, Green Bay’s convincing 34-24 victory over Dallas at AT&T Stadium had the Packers and their fans feeling exhilarated. As for the Cowboys, Dak and Zeke and the rest looked nauseous, just like their stunned, mostly stoic fans.

Certainly Green Bay’s victory had its ups and downs, including a dizzying number of injuries and penalties. But at the end of the day, the Packers (4-1) prevailed by playing together as a team.

While Aaron Jones was running through the Dallas defense, the Packers’ defense was shutting out the Cowboys in the first half. It enabled Green Bay to build a 17-0 lead en route to the win.

Aaron Rodgers was impressed.

“Preseason, they were talking about Chicago as a playoff team,” Rodgers said. “A tough team with that defense … then to come here, the team with Super Bowl aspirations, which they should, because they’ve got a great quarterback and a great defense. To be 4-1 and first in the division is a real accomplishment.”

Rodgers added: “I really like the vibe of this team.”

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur concocted a winning game plan despite Davante Adams’ absence with turf toe. That plan was to get Aaron Jones plenty of touches in space.

Apparently the plan was easier to see than to stop.

Jerry Jones owns the stadium, but Aaron Jones rented it Sunday. The Packers’ running back invited 30 of his closest friends and family members to his Texas homecoming party.

Jones celebrated by rushing for four touchdowns. He finished with 182 yards from scrimmage (107 rushing; 75 receiving) – twice as many total yards as Elliott gained.

“I think I made a pretty big statement, showing what kind of running back I am and what I can do,” Jones said. “I feel like I did go toe-to-toe with (Elliott).”

It won’t show up on the stat sheet, but Jones even completed a pass – to his brother, Alvin – after one of his touchdown runs.

LaFleur awarded Jones the first game ball of his career.

Jones, in turn, tried giving it to his offensive linemen. It’s probably the first time he’s ever said no to getting the football.

“I tried to give it to the linemen because without them I’m nothing, along with the rest of the blocking unit, but the linemen gave it back to me,” he said. “They were like, ‘No, you’re home, you’re in Texas.’ You take this ball.”

When Aaron Jones wasn’t slashing through Dallas’ defense, Aaron Rodgers was making enough plays to keep the chains moving and the Cowboys (3-2) on their heels.

Rodgers was 22 of 34 for 238 yards and an 85.2 passer rating. He completed passes to nine different receivers. That included 18 completions in 19 targets to the running backs and tight ends. He was sacked twice and didn’t turn the ball over.

“I’ve had some good games here,” said Rodgers, who is 4-0 at AT&T Stadium. Matt Flynn rallied the Packers to a 37-36 win here six years ago.

“Four good games,” he added.

LaFleur incorporated the jet sweep and a variety of nifty screens to keep Dallas off-balance. It was an impressive display without Adams and center Corey Linsley, who was injured after 19 plays. Lucas Patrick played the final 55 snaps and held up well.

The Packers may be looking to add a veteran receiver before the Oct. 29 trade deadline. My advice would be to fully explore rookie Darrius Shepherd’s ability to play effectively in the slot. If that proves to be a reach, then I might trade for a receiver such as Denver’s Emmanuel Sanders – a proven, capable veteran.

Defensively, the Packers rebounded from the Eagles loss.

Preston and Za’Darius Smith combined for three sacks and constantly hounded Prescott throughout. The Dallas quarterback was 27 of 44 for a whopping 463 yards but had little to show for it. He threw for two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Amari Cooper took Jaire Alexander to school on a couple plays to finish with 11 catches for 226 yards and a touchdown. Still, Alexander intercepted a pass that bounced off Cooper’s hands and returned it 38 yards to set up the Packers’ first touchdown.

Chandon Sullivan and Kevin King also had interceptions, while Will Redmond and King posted nine tackles each.

Elliott, the Cowboys’ explosive running back, eked out 62 yards in 12 carries with a long run of 14 yards. He made a clever catch along the sideline late in the game, but was largely ineffective.

The Packers have an extra day to prepare for Detroit (2-1-1) which is coming off its bye week. They meet on Monday night at Lambeau Field with first place in the NFC North on the line.

The Lions are a much-improved team from a year ago.

Then again, so are the Packers.