Bye week adjustments

Following two straight disheartening losses, Green Bay’s bye week provided a welcome opportunity to assess the first five games and what has gone wrong of late, particularly on offense.

Getting outclassed by the Lions was perhaps to be expected, with the two teams at different points in their cycle, but the Packers’ performance versus an underwhelming Raiders club will have been a huge disappointment to Matt LaFleur.

LaFleur has not been helped by a litany of injuries to key offensive pieces, but in the last two losses especially, he has failed to implement an effective game plan or make the necessary adjustments to turn a sputtering offense around.

Scoring just 13 points against Las Vegas is inexcusable, and changes need to be made in order to establish an identity on offense moving forward, starting this week.

The inactive list

You thought the Packers were going to come back from the bye with a clean bill of health? Well, think again!

Green Bay enters Sunday’s game with nine players listed as questionable: Zayne Anderson, Elgton Jenkins, Aaron Jones, Darnell Savage, Eric Stokes, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Jaire Alexander, and Yosh Nijman, while De’Vondre Campbell is doubtful to play.

Anderson, Jones, Savage, Stokes, Walker, and Wyatt practiced all week in a limited capacity, so would appear to have a decent chance at suiting up. Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated reported Eric Stokes will be activated from the PUP list and make his 2023 season debut in Denver.

Jenkins and Alexander did not practice on Friday, while Nijman was a late add to the injury report, limited on Friday with a knee injury.

Every team deals with injuries, but the Packers’ have been hit particularly hard in terms of absences to key personnel. Getting Jones back might be the most important boost LaFleur and Jordan Love could receive right now.

Can Love bounce back?

After a promising start, Love has come back to earth in recent weeks, throwing just one touchdown compared to five picks in the last two games.

Love’s decision making, which had been mostly excellent in the first three games, has gone somewhat awry, which is perhaps the most concerning aspect of the last two performances.

Having his full complement of skill position players for the first time this season would help, but Love has to play better than he has recently. Facing the defense allowing a league-high completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks, Love could be primed for a bounce back.

The Broncos secondary

It is something of a surprise to see a group of defensive backs led by the excellent Patrick Surtain struggling so desperately.

Between Surtain, slot cornerback Ja’Quan McMillan and safety Kareem Jackson, the Broncos have three defensive backs ranked in the top 31 at their respective positions by PFF. The weak link is a glaring one, though.

Damarri Mathis is ranked 111^th, or dead last, out of all qualified corners per PFF. Whoever lines up next to Surtain must expect to be busy, and Mathis has not been up to the task. Look for the Packers to target Mathis early and often.

Rashan Gary vs Mike McGlinchey

Gary’s swift return to the field and to dominant form has been incredibly impressive. He has clearly been Green Bay’s best player through five weeks.

With Preston Smith drawing the more difficult assignment of Garrett Bolles on the left side, Gary should have plenty of joy facing the weaker of the two tackles in Mike McGlinchey.

Green Bay’s defense held up its end of the bargain against Las Vegas, spearheaded by Gary, who had another sack and is now up to 4.5 on the season. His ability to harass Russell Wilson will be a significant factor if the Packers are to get back to winning ways on Sunday.