Well, the Green Bay Packers have something to hang their hat on. They outscored the best team in football over the final 30 minutes last night. Not too shabby. The Packers did probably play their best offensive game of the year, though. They had 398 yards, of which 208 were on the ground, led by Aaron Jones. Normally that’s a winning performance. Unfortunately the Packers’ defense can’t make a key stop if their life depended on it.
While the defense did hold the Bills to three second half points, it got boat-raced in the first half when the Bills scored 24 points. After the Packers got a great touchdown catch from Romeo Doubs to cut a 14-0 lead in half the Packers’ defense let the Bills go right down the field with the greatest of ease. There is talent on this defense that is being wasted by poor coaching. I said it when he was hired, Joe Barry is going to be the end of Matt LaFleur someday. That day is inching nearer.
The Bills had the NFL’s third-ranked run defense going into the game and the Packers were able to run the ball with relative ease. How they only scored 17 points is a credit to the Bills. Next week the Packers play the Lions, who are 27th against the run. My guess is the Packers will abandon the run early. Of course they might have to, the Lions can score the ball and the Packers will probably be playing catchup again.
Byers or sellers?
At 3-5 the Packers should be sellers before tomorrow’s trade deadline. Maybe a team like the Rams or Seahawks would be willing to give up some premium picks for running back Aaron Jones. Maybe they decide to save some money and get some draft capital by trading Rashon Gary.
I think it’s highly unlikely Gutekunst does anything before the deadline. Nothing will help this team in the short run, so might as well let it implode and get the high draft pick that comes with it. That would likely entice Aaron Rodgers to retire and the Packers can start the rebuilding process in earnest. That’s my prediction anyway.