It’s been a long week at 1265 Lombardi Avenue, literally and figuratively.
The Green Bay Packers had an extra day to shake off the 38-3 drubbing at the hands of the New Orleans Saints to open the season, getting their chance at redemption Monday night when the NFC North rivals Detroit Lions open the home schedule at Lambeau Field.
They’ve also had an extra day to prepare but it’s also allowed more time for things to go haywire to start the 2021 campaign. Things like defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery testing positive for COVID even though he’s been vaccinated. He’s the only staff member to come up positive after 8 members of the Saints organization tested positive when the team returned from Jacksonville last weekend. Montgomery has been isolated from the team and won’t attend Monday night’s game. Other assistants on the staff will handle Montgomery’s duties on game night.
Then there was the Za’Darius Smith move to the injured reserve list. The veteran will have to miss the next three weeks before he’s allowed to return to practice. Then the team will have 21 days to bring him back to the active roster. A back injury has kept the team’s best pass rusher on the sidelines for all but about 5 days since training camp began.
Finally, the social media speculation about Aaron Rodgers and his game one performance has been entertaining. Is he really all in after his off-season issues with the front office? Is he single handedly trying to sabotage the season from within? Could he possibly force the Packers trade hand before 2022 arrives?
Time to play another game.
When the Packers have the ball.
All good play callers can sense a rhythm to their calls. Positive yards on early downs and the chains move. Then new personnel groupings enter the huddle as the series continues. That never happened in the opener as the Packers ran just 12 snaps before the two minute drive at the end of the half when they already trailed 17-3. That circumstance is a game plan wrecker. The Packers need to get the run game established and get plenty of players touching the ball early.
For the second week in a row, the passing game will go up against a depleted secondary. Detroit lost Jeffrey Okudah to a season ending injury in their opener. Plus, the Lions front four isn’t nearly as established as New Orleans. The 49ers piled up 38 points in only three quarters last week.
Lucas Patrick did re-emerge from the concussion protocol and is questionable for the game. If he can’t go, either Jon Ruynan or Jake Hanson will get the shot at left guard and that would form a very young interior which could slow the hope for improved offensive production.
Regardless, another low scoring affair will really get the speculators howling.
When the Lions have the ball.
I think the Lions got the short end of the Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff quarterback swap. Especially after Stafford’s favorite downfield targets also left the Motor City. No Kenny Golloday, no Marvin Jones. Only tight end T.J. Hockenson remains for Goff to consistently win matchups with.
The running game did get a boost however with former Packer Jamaal Williams bringing his energy to the backfield already with a nice two way back in De’Andre Swift.
A lot is being made of Za’Darius Smith’s absence but in reality, the Packers have done a vast majority of prep work without him more than with him. Rashan Gary and Jonathan Garvin have gotten plenty of reps in the new system. The Packers have to do a better job disrupting and moving the line of scrimmage. Gaps in the run game have to get closed and pressure on Goff must produce hits at the least and preferably, sacks.
The bottom line.
Home should be where the heart is. Even Rodgers admitted the team was low on energy for the opener and there’s no reason for a replay. Lambeau will be filled for the first time since end of the 2019 season. The team was rightfully embarrassed by last week’s show and the streak of not losing consecutive regular season games under LaFleur will continue.
I like the Pack 27-17.
