The NFL season is only four weeks old. There is still plenty of time for teams to change the narratives surrounding their seasons. But as it stands right now, the Green Bay Packers are a young, flawed, injured, inconsistent team. We knew that was the case before the season started. What we did not know was that the Packers would be 2-2 and be in second place in the NFC North.
There are a handful of common sentiments about the Packers before the season started:
- Jordan Love will be inconsistent but show flashes.
- Opponents will challenge the defensive scheme, and it will occasionally struggle.
- Injuries are going to affect the Packers.
- The young players’ inexperience will be on display.
- Green Bay’s record will be better than people think.
Jordan Love
This season was all about Love. Green Bay’s development of the future franchise quarterback was always the most important part of this season. If Love showed he’s got the stuff to be a successful pro quarterback, then the season is a success. The record, the wins, and all the other parts of the team are more or less irrelevant in comparison to the future franchise quarterback.
So far, we’ve gotten that. Love has been one of the better quarterbacks in the league. The Utah State product is middle of the pack in yards but is top-five in touchdowns. Love’s interception numbers have not been crazy, he’s been responsible with the ball. Love has made some special throws and shown he’s got the gusto to handle the spotlight. The comeback against the New Orleans Saints was incredible. But the letdowns against the Lions and the Atlanta Falcons were not as super. Love’s got the talent, he’s got the attitude. Love is giving Packers fans reason to believe.
The Defense
Once again, the Packer’s defense is getting gashed on the ground.
It’s the same old story when it comes to Green Bay’s rush defense. The Packers are allowing the third most rush yards per game at 155.2. They are middle of the road or worse in every other major defensive stat. It’s embarrassing as a spectator to watch the way this team deploys their defense. The amount of talent and skill on defense is insane. Eight first-round picks are sprinkled into Green Bay’s defense. Yet, they have very little to show for it. There is no need to get into the Joe Barry discussion. We’ve documented his shortcomings on this site.
Injuries
The injury bug has already hit the Packers hard. Recently, they put David Bakhtiari on IR, and his season is more than likely over. But the Packers experienced injuries before the first game. Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson were both questionable before the Chicago game. Eric Stokes has been out since last year, and his return is questionable.
In the first four games, the Packers have lost Aaron Jones, Jaire Alexander, Luke Musgrave, Elgton Jenkins, and De’Vondre Campbell. If you had to make a list of Green Bay’s top ten players, almost all of those guys would be on it.
Now, Jones, Watson, and Doubs have all been okay to play, and Alexander, Campbell, and Jenkins do not have long-term injuries. Nonetheless, the injuries the Packers have faced have been significant. Missing those veteran leaders puts the pressure on the younger members of the team.
Inexperience
Last week, injuries forced the Packers to start a duo of sophomore tackles in Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker. Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Musgrave, Watson, and Doubs are all either in their first or second years of the NFL experience. Green Bay also had to start rookie Carrington Valentine at corner on the defensive side of the ball. Second-year linebacker Quay Walker was fantastic until he showed his youth once again with an undisciplined penalty on special teams.
A plethora of miss-timed routes, miscommunication, and penalties have hampered the offense. Love has often thrown balls to places without a receiver or just a bit late, or a little too early. That was to be expected. There’s a big learning curve in the NFL, and it will take some time for all these young players to mesh together until the Packers run like a well-oiled machine.
Record
Some pundits had the Packers finishing last in the North. The Packers had the lowest odds to win the division. After Jared Goff and the Lions beat Green Bay 34-20 on Thursday, it’s clear that it’s Detroit’s division to lose. The Packers still find themselves in a much more favorable position than their other division rivals. The Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears have a combined 1-7 record.
But Packers fans are not surprised at Green Bay’s record. 2-2 is a fair reflection of where the Packers are at as a team. They should have won the game in Atlanta, and they probably should have lost the New Orleans Saints game. The Packers have put their highs and lows on full display. They’ve had crushing defeats that leave everyone searching for answers and roaring comebacks that were an incredible thrill. The Packers have shown that they are a team to be reckoned with. They are not an easy win on any team’s schedule.
The Packer’s record will be better than people think
People said these things about the team before the season and through four weeks. And, for the most part, they’ve all become true. Ultimately, what we’ve seen from the Green and Gold should be a sigh of relief for fans. Love has shown promise, and the young guys are adjusting to the system. Injuries hurt, and the defense is still broken, but there is a sense of optimism in Green Bay.
Ain’t that fun?
