After starting the season 2-1-1, the Packers entered its bye week looking like one of the better teams in the NFL.
Beginning the season with two victories over two of the better teams in the NFC in the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, it appeared that the Packers were quickly establishing themselves as one of the better, if not the best, team in the NFL.
A Week 3 upset loss to the Cleveland Browns changed the opinion to some, but that game could be chalked up to a fluke due to Cleveland’s strong defense.
Even after losing to Cleveland, the vibe surrounding the Packers entering the Week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys was still high. Then in one of the wildest Packer games in recent memory, Green Bay tied with Dallas. Even though the two teams tied, the Packers seemed to take it more as a loss than a tie, given the expectations and mistakes in the game.
“Right now it feels like a kick in the gut,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. “(The tie) feels more like a loss than anything else. I think what is disappointing is when you have opportunities to win games, which we had an opportunity in both games to win, and when you don’t win the game, it is disappointing.”
Instead of riding the momentum to what should be an undefeated start to the season, Green Bay entered the bye week with seemingly more questions than needed after its hot start. Even with the disappointing results in the previous two weeks, there are a few standouts for the Packers through five weeks.
The first of those stand outs has been the play from Jordan Love. Throughout his young career, Love has shown brilliance at times but that has been somewhat overshadowed by points of inconsistency.
Those mental mistakes and turnover issues we saw early in his career have subsided through the first four weeks of the season, as Love has recorded 1,000 passing yards and eight passing touchdowns to just one interception.
On top of Love’s strong play has been the play from both Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary. The two players have a combined seven sacks on the season, with Gary leading totaling 4.5.
Having two dominant edge rushers is a nightmare to plan for, as theoretically offensive coordinators can’t put too much preparation into one player over the other, because the other player will wreck the game. This opens up either Parsons or Gary to see a one-on-one block, while also giving other front-seven players an opportunity to see less blocking help. On the season, Green Bay has totaled 11 team sacks.
Finally another positive point to this Packers team is its crowded skill position rooms. Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave form one of the better tight end duos in the NFL, and Josh Jacobs and the run game is one of the elites in the NFL, which should get back on track with weaker run defenses coming up in the Packers schedule.
The thing to be most excited about though is the receiving room. With Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks, Malik Heath and Savion Williams, there is an abundance of playmakers. As Golden continues to progress in his rookie season, Doubs still is Green Bay’s best receiver and the guy that Love continues to go to when the offense needs a big play.
“I just think that when his number is called upon, he delivers,” said LaFleur, about Doubs. “In four years, (Doubs) has done everything the right way. It is really cool to see a guy have success like that, and I expect that to continue, because he approaches the game the right way, he comes to work every day with the right mentality, he puts the work in, he does extra work and he does all of the little things required to help you become the best version of you.”
The offense may get a shot of excitement in the arm sooner than later as well, as when asked, LaFleur mentioned that there have been discussions about opening the practice window for Christian Watson, who has been sidelined with a knee injury dating back to last season.
