Packers News, 10/27: Will someone on the Packers’ receiving corps please step up?
Somehow, according to at least one metric, the Green Bay Packers still have an above-average passing offense. The Packers are 14th when it comes to passing DVOA over Football Outsiders — a far cry from the top-two finishes of the past two years, but still theoretically doable when it comes to putting together a solid offense.
However, other analytics sites tell a different story. According to EPA, the Packers rank 22nd in EPA per dropback, a sign that things are clearly not working consistently.
One of the problems for the offense was certainly inconsistent staffing at wide receivers. The Packers continue to shuffle players in and out of the roster due to injuries, youth and inconsistency, and it seems virtually none of those players have been able to develop an enduring relationship with Aaron Rodgers. To make matters worse, Rodgers has struggled with decision making and accuracy on even the seemingly easy throws — NFL Next Gen State picked him up from 2nd place in the NFL in EPA and CPOE on flat/out routes last season dropping 30th or worse in both metrics this year.
What now? In short, the Packers need someone in the receiver room to step up and take charge. A few weeks ago, Romeo Doubs seemed like that guy, but now he’s back in the kennel. Allen Lazard appears poised to at least miss this Sunday’s game and Randall Cobb is on injured reserve. Meanwhile, Christian Watson and Sammy Watkins are still recovering from more hamstring injuries.
Can anyone take the reins in Buffalo this week? The Packers will certainly need the passing game to have any realistic chance of beating one of the NFL’s best teams. But if the past few weeks are any indication, it’s hard to find reasons to believe it’s going to happen.
Packers rookie WR Christian Watson returns to practice Wednesday | packer wire
The Packers’ reception room is currently a mess through injury with Randall Cobb on IR and Allen Lazard missing practice with a shoulder injury. At least Watson got back to work this week and he could well get more opportunities this week if he can play on Sunday night.
Aaron Rodgers’ inability to hit deep shots limits the Packers’ offense | Packersnews.com ($)
Green Bay’s deep passing game is virtually non-existent right now, although offense ranks high in explosive plays in the early weeks of the season. But while the team had plenty of passes of 20+ yards early on (many due to yards after catch), those have dried up as Rodgers makes little attempt to play passes on the field or even mid-range.
Aaron Rodgers stands by comments about Packer’s offense, says no one raised issues with him | ESPN
Is that because no one has objected to his comments, or because no one feels like they can challenge him about what he said, even in private?
Struggling packers’ offense needs to step up preparation – Sports Illustrated
Obviously, the Packers’ receivers make a lot of mistakes, and those need to be cleaned up just like Rodgers’ problems. But there is no simple answer to the question of how to get rid of these problems quickly.
Mike’s midweek chat: How will the Packers handle the Bills’ guns? | Packer.com
Should the Packers put Jaire Alexander on Stefon Diggs and leave Gabe Davis as a deep threat under Eric Stokes and the Safeties’ cover, or vice versa?
Death in strip club delays trial for death in strip club | Denver Post
One of the lawyers assigned to defend the club, Shotgun Willie’s, in a wrongful death lawsuit next month died at the same club a few weeks ago.
