Acme Packing Company
The goal in the NFL is to go 1-0 every week, and this week, the Green Bay Packers are 1-0. Now, is a 27-23 nail biter against the Arizona Cardinals ideal? No, especially when it comes against backup QB Jacoby Brissett. Do I care? A little bit! Let’s unpack this week’s winners and losers from a very dumb football game, as the Packers move on to 4-1-1 on the season.
I simply cannot quit Josh Jacobs and don’t plan to anytime soon. For the third straight game, Jacobs had multiple rushing touchdowns. Next week, he can make it 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and tie Derrick Henry for the most consecutive games with multiple rushing TDs since LaDanian Tomlinson had EIGHT back in 2006 (!).
Today’s performance is even more impressive when you remember Jacobs has been battling an illness which had him vomiting during last week’s game, and a calf injury which made him a game time decision today. He finished the day with 13 rushes for 55 yards and two scores.
The Packers TE looked great today, picking up serious yardage when it was needed, and coming in clutch with a sideline catch on 4th and 2. He also found his way to the end zone for the second straight week. Bonus points for his blocking today too! Kraft finished the day catching 5 of 10 targets for 58 yards and a score.
On both sides of the field today, the Packers absolutely failed on third downs. In the first half, the offense was just 1 of 5 on third down. After what I’m assuming was a spirited halftime pep talk from Matt LaFleur, the offense promptly went 3-and-out to start the second half. Coming into today’s game, the Packers had the league’s best conversion rate on third downs with 52.3%. Really uninspiring play from a Matt LaFleur offense that has the ability to steamroll teams, but actively chooses not to.
On the defensive side of things, we saw too many explosive plays given up on third down, including a 35 yard pickup by Marvin Harrison Jr. on 3rd and 14, a Trey McBride TD on 3rd and 4, and this 43 yard bomb caught by Zay Jones on 3rd and 23. With the play we saw on both sides of the ball today, the Packers are honestly quite lucky to come out of this one on top.
I think we officially have a Nate Hobbs problem. A Hobblem, if you will. Jacoby Brissett knew where Hobbs was at all times today, and took advantage, rightfully so. It felt like the entire Cardinals highlight reel consisted of plays targeting the defensive back. This season, Hobbs is allowing a passer rating of 120.9 when targeted. At what point does Jeff Hafley make the switch to Carrington Valentine outside, and why isn’t Hobbs playing more in the slot, an area in which he excels?...
