The Gjallarhorn got us!
Yes — this will be my excuse: The Minnesota Vikings’ blaring, oversized ceremonial Viking horn thing was so loud, so intense, that it forced the Green Bay Packers into making many on-field (and off-field) mistakes.
It’s so much easier for me to come up with a fantastical excuse like this than to face the reality that the Packers are in deep trouble. There is much to be concerned about after new Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and his testy, energized squad grabbed the keys to the NFC North Penthouse on Sunday.
Led by perpetually doubted and highly paid quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Vikings played with passion, precision, and a renewed nastiness toward their division rivals. On the other hand, the Packers were as we left them last January at Lambeau Field: soft, unfocused, and frankly not really up for this — the Fox NFL game of the week.
The Packers’ defense had no answers for Cousins and Jefferson. Green Bay’s offense had too many mistakes and lacked the sizzle and intensity you’d expect from a supposed Super Bowl contender. The flood of justifications for such a poor showing are flowing in from the Packer faithful. We had injuries. We were fine after last year’s Week 1 blowout loss. Rodgers just needs time to gel with his young WRs. It’s a long season.
These are excuses that are easy to make. But the harsh reality is that the Packers have a different blaring noise to contend with — the ringing of alarm bells in their own building. Here are five observations from Sunday’s lackluster effort.
1) The Packers need to throw more interceptions. That’s right, I am advocating for Aaron Rodgers to channel his inner Brett Favre. Start slinging it. Trust your physical freak rookie receivers — and if they fail, continue to throw to them. Learn to tolerate a few interceptions, a few drops, a few mistakes.
On balance, it might yield more production than trusting slow-footed, over-the-hill veterans to separate from the defense to the degree that makes you comfortable. Your athletic rookie wideouts will eventually start making plays, but only if you chuck it to them. Let go, Aaron. Let your ego live with 17 interceptions instead of your customary five or six per season. Matt Stafford threw 17 INTs last year, and how’d that work out?
2) Low amperage: Get amped! This is a division rival, a game you get up for. Was it the Christian Watson dropped pass that deflated this team to the point of no recovery? If so, holy hell, the Packers are in deep, deep trouble. The body language and energy on Green Bay’s sideline looked like 53 men sitting through a time-share condo presentation somewhere in Iowa.
3) Special teams, we needed you. We needed a kick return, a blocked punt, a spark, and we got, well, the same.
The Packers are taking steps to address special teams inadequacies…blah blah blah is a line the team trots out, and I keep falling for, year after year. I will believe this when I see it. Please, Packers special teams, show me something before I am 90.
4) OFFSEASON PACKER SENTIMENT: The defense is going to be an elite unit in 2022.
IN-SEASON REALITY: 30 minutes into Week 1, Justin Jefferson hangs six catches, 158 yards, and two touchdowns on that elite defense. The Packers record one sack all day.
Getting caught off guard by Justin Jefferson can’t be a good sign.
Not being able to pressure Kirk Cousins into mistakes — also not good.
Fix it.
5) Davante Adams, PLEASE COME BACK TO WISCONSIN. We have cheese curds; Vegas does not. We have fish boils; Vegas does not. Wisconsin has fun fall day trips to Door County (just look at those leaves!), tractor pulls, supper clubs, venison brats, and the Wisconsin Dells boat tours. If that’s not enough to lure you back, I can’t help you. I just wanted to remind you, Davante, that all of the above amenities are still at your disposal should you demand a trade out of Vegas with an eye on returning to Lambeau.
Please. Come. Back.
Next week: The 1-0 Chicago Bears travel to Lambeau. If this team can’t get focused — get nasty — for this one, then maybe it’s time to consider signed up for that time-share condo (the basement unit) of the NFC North. Tune out the noise, Packers, and reset the year this Sunday night.
