Despite it arguably being QB Jordan Love's best game last weekend vs. the Steelers, and the Packers really being in it till the end, the defense's impression of a sieve against Pittsburgh's running game ultimately led to yet another disappointing loss. We and many others predicted it, which offers no satisfaction whatsoever. As we've said for a while now, until the Pack can show us that they can click in all 3 phases of the game, we're hard pressed to be optimistic.
So what does that mean for Sunday's game against the Chargers? Let's see.
The Packers offense will need to score and score often in order forthe Packers to have a chance at beating the Chargers.(Photo from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
The Preview
Every preview you read will say that this is the best QB the Packers defense will have seen to this point in the season. The Chargers are number 7 in scoring in the league. They are averaging nearly 27 points per game. If the Packers defense plays the way it did last week, well, the same result can be expected.
Yes, the Packers offense got some things clicking against the Steelers last week. In large part, it might be argued, because RB Aaron Jones was back on the field and involved. A lot. That always bodes well in terms of giving the Pack a chance. RB A.J. Dillon also had a good performance. If the two of them can establish a ground game this weekend and keep LA QB Justin Herbert on the sidelines, that will help. Control the clock. Please.
Jordan Love looked confident last week, made some nice throws, but also missed a few he needed to have, especially in the closing minutes. Let's hope he learned from the mistakes and kicks his game up a notch, as Chef Emeril might say. Need to find a way to close out a game with a W for a change instead of the L.
But it was the Packers defense, particularly against the run, that failed miserably. Two down lineman? How often did we see that scheme? Without adjustments? The Joe Barry approach. Oy. And still the Pack had a shot.
This game vs. the Chargers, who may be as vulnerable as the Steelers on defense, seems like one in which it will come down to how the Packers defense shows up. They have the talent. But, at least to this writer, they don't have (and haven't had for a few seasons now) the defensive coordinator to put them in position to succeed more often than not.
The Prediction
Despite the game being played at Lambeau Field, the Chargers come in at the time of this writing being 3-point favorites.
We hate to say it, but — once again — until the Packers can show us that they can show up in all phases of the game — for all 4 quarters — we don't see this game going the Packers' way against the Chargers offense. Hope we are wrong.
We're calling this game Chargers 34 - Packers 24.
Go Pack Go!!!
