The Packers had been probably the most disappointing group within the NFL through the 2022 common season. At Eight-9, Inexperienced Bay missed the NFC playoffs after shedding at dwelling to Detroit on Sunday evening, ending because the No. 10 within the convention.
Final season, the Packers went 13-Four, matching their win complete within the final two seasons underneath coach Matt LaFleur. They had been the No. 1 seed with the perfect document within the NFL, solely to lose to the 49ers at Lambeau Discipline within the divisional playoffs.
Name it a nasty hangover or a irritating free fall, however here is what drove the Packers — Sporting Information’ unlucky preseason choose to win Tremendous Bowl 57 — to a five-game slide from even a wild-card berth . :
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1. Aaron Rodgers did not play like a back-to-back MVP
When Rodgers was intercepted by Lions rookie security Kerby Joseph whereas taking a snap late in Sunday’s 20-16 loss, it doomed the Packers’ season. It was the third time Joseph had taken Rodgers in two video games.
Rodgers threw simply 9 interceptions, mixed, within the MVP seasons of 2020 and 2021. He had 12 INTs in 2022, his highest complete in a dozen seasons.
He additionally ended his streak of 4 consecutive Four,000-yard passing seasons. His 6.Eight yards per try was his lowest since 2015. His 91.1 passer score was a career-worst. Backside line, Rodgers’ efficiency in 2022, when he turned 39, wasn’t adequate in his worst season ever.
The Packers wanted Rodgers to raise his recreation with some blocking points and a new-look receiving corps. That did not occur. Whereas he did properly to take them from Four-Eight to the brink of the playoffs together with his intangible, his subpar play had already price them past restoration.
2. The Packers have not constantly changed Davante Adams
That is no excuse for Rodgers, however there was no circulate to the receiving corps with out Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Rookie Romeo Doubs had his moments and rookie Christian Watson flashed within the second half. However the oft-injured Allen Lazard has been up and down, and Randall Cobb within the slot hasn’t been a key issue.
He was additionally curious why tight finish Robert Tonyan wasn’t at all times concerned within the passing recreation. Moreover, it did not make sense to not develop the receiving roles of working backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon.
LaFleur has been stopped in his recreation to unfold the ball round successfully, one thing Kyle Shanahan and Andy Reid have performed significantly better with altering offenses. Rodgers was off in his decision-making and accuracy, forcing issues that weren’t there at instances.
three. The Packers’ offensive line has risen to its traditional requirements
The Packers left sort out David Bakhtiari nonetheless recovering from his knee harm early and injured late. Elgton Jenkins was as soon as once more their greatest lineman, however he needed to be moved from proper sort out to left guard whereas additionally coping with accidents. Josh Myers and Jon Runyan have struggled all season. Yosh Nijman has additionally been overpowered a bit at proper sort out at instances (see vs. Aidan Hutchinson).
The unit’s lack of continuity additionally led to some cohesion late on. The Packers must be within the offseason marketplace for an offensive sort out who can play proper facet now left facet later. Along with Rodgers not taking part in properly and the receiving corps in transition, giving up blocking was additionally a hindering issue.
Four. The Packers’ run protection collapsed
The Packers as soon as once more had a powerful go protection with their secondary depth and power and tried to keep up a stress with no wholesome Rashan Gary. However they had been typically run to the bottom with the No. 1 protection. 26 within the league, permitting a median of 139.5 dashing yards per recreation.
In 2021, the Packers ranked 10th within the NFL, permitting a median of simply 108.9 dashing yards per recreation. In ’22, groups might hit and carry them down and keep away from throwing an excessive amount of towards their robust protection within the again seven.
When groups can run the Packers that properly, they will additionally higher execute the sport plan of sustaining lengthy drives to raised match the Packers’ possessions.
5. The Packers offense has been a disappointment when it comes to situational success
Inexperienced Bay has scored touchdowns on simply 51.9 p.c of its journeys into the purple zone, 24th within the NFL. He was additionally 17th on three downs, changing simply 39.5 p.c of the time.
The Packers settled for too many discipline purpose makes an attempt given their prowess with Rodgers, Jones and Dillon. It price them once more towards the Lions on Sunday. A part of that needed to do with Rodgers not delivering as a lot in third-and-manage conditions.
It may be mentioned in some ways, however the Packers merely didn’t play in addition to they might have in lots of key areas regardless of dealing with accidents properly. It was 5 video games worse and no playoffs, elevating main new questions for subsequent 12 months in what might be Rodgers’ last 12 months in Inexperienced Bay.