The Green Bay Packers’ offense was in a rut in September’s matchup against the Detroit Lions. The O-line encountered difficulties in run- and pass-blocking, Jordan Love threw two interceptions, and Detroit sacked him five times. They never found a rhythm, although there were plenty of blues.
Thanksgiving approaches, along with a rematch agains the Lions. The showdown in Detroit provides a crucial opportunity for Matt LaFleur and Green Bay’s offense to showcase the lessons they’ve learned from their September struggles. And that begins with the play-calling.
Early in the season, LaFleur’s play-calling significantly hampered Green Bay’s progress. His reliance on long-developing plays demanded Love to linger in the pocket for four to five seconds, exposing him to increased pressure and frequently resulting in a sack. The offensive line struggled to maintain solid protection and found themselves unable to block effectively.
In their last four games, the Lions have yielded an average of 29 points per game, showcasing some defensive struggles. Despite these challenges, Detroit exhibited resilience in a strong fourth-quarter performance against the Chicago Bears, allowing only two field goals. However, Dan Campbell‘s defense has yet to reach the high standard set earlier in the season. They notably held the Kansas City Chiefs to 20 points in Arrowhead, limited the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a combined 12 points, and dismantled Green Bay’s offense in Week 4.
It’s evident that the Packers must shift their strategy to improve their chances of success. While Green Bay still wants to establish the run, it’s crucial for LaFleur to bring a substantial number of quick-developing plays to Detroit. By doing so, he can help get Love into an early rhythm, preventing the Lions’ pass rush from gaining confidence. Given the challenges faced in the previous matchup, the implementation of quick-developing plays becomes a key component in neutralizing the pressure on Love. It also provides the offense with a more dynamic and adaptable approach.
Using quick-developing plays should also safeguard vulnerable offensive line positions. With quick releases and short-yardage gains, the line is less susceptible to prolonged engagements, reducing the risk of breakdowns in pass protection.
Game-planning around quick-developing plays aligns seamlessly with Love’s strengths, particularly in short- to medium-distance throws. Recognizing that Love’s accuracy on deep throws is a work in progress, the game plan revolves around keeping him in rhythm with easy completions. By focusing on short and intermediate passes, the Packers not only exploit his proficiency in this area but also set the stage for sustained offensive movement.
Using quick-developing plays becomes especially crucial in ensuring effective ball movement. By capitalizing on Love’s accuracy in shorter throws, the offense maintains a steady cadence, preventing disruptions and increasing the likelihood of successful drives.
Creativity is a crucial element in keeping defenses off-balance. LaFleur must not only call short, efficient plays, he must do so with a level of ingenuity that challenges defensive expectations. Given the injuries in Green Bay’s running back room, we might see more snaps from Josiah Deguara and Tucker Kraft in the backfield. LaFleur could involve them in the screen game, adopting a hybrid fullback role.
Designing crossing routes with strategic overlaps, often resulting in the “pick-and-roll” scenario, can exploit breakdowns in coverage. That play design has the potential to catch defenses off-guard, capitalizing on miscommunications and creating openings for receivers.
By consistently executing these plays, the Packers can force Detroit’s defense to respond by bringing an extra man into the box, aiming to contain the quick gains. If the Lions do that, it sets the offense for a potential deep shot with a one-on-one matchup with Christian Watson on the outside.
Green Bay’s passing offense enters Week 12 with a wave of momentum following great performances against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers. Jayden Reed showcased a standout performance against LA. Moreover, the growing chemistry between Romeo Doubs and Jordan Love continues to solidify with each passing week. Dontayvion Wicks is constantly finding ways to get open. Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft are starting to hit their stride.
The Packers can’t afford to commit the same mistakes they did against Detroit early in the year. The key to victory ultimately lies in the hands of the young playmakers. Success hinges on their understanding of assignments, flawless execution, and a commitment to avoiding mental mistakes. That all begins with LaFleur learning his lesson from the play-calling struggles of Week 4.
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