Packers Fail to Come Through in Gold Zone Against Bucs
The Packers failed to capitalize in the red zone against the Buccaneers.
The red zone came to be known as the “gold zone” for the Green Bay Packers in 2020. The name stemmed from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s infatuation with the slapstick comedy Austin Powers in Goldmember. However, there wasn’t much to laugh about when it came to the offense’s performance in the red zone during Sunday’s NFC Championship against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
During their first trip to the red zone, the Packers settled for a field goal. There were less than five minutes to halftime, and Green Bay was set to receive the second-half kickoff. Also, no one could have predicted how the final five minutes of the first half would eventually pan out.
In a 31-26 loss, the Packers scored just two touchdowns in four trips down inside the 20 in the biggest game of the year. This was after a year in which Green Bay had the best red zone efficiency in NFL history. 80 percent of their trips to the hallowed “gold zone” ended in touchdowns, to be exact. They were impeccable, they were fluid, they were better than any offense has ever been. Unfortunately, that was before they were one game away from the Super Bowl.
On their final drive, they reached the eight-yard line and were down eight points. So, even if they scored, they needed a two-point conversion to tie. By this time, the offense had already become one-dimensional with the pass. Even after the run game had been their bread and butter during a 13-3 regular season.
So, pass it was for Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers threw the ball three straight times, and they all ended in incompletions. Maybe Rodgers could have snuck in as he escaped the pocket on third down, but remember, he was facing one of the fastest defenses in the league. A rushing touchdown was far from a sure thing.
When Rodgers’ pass to Adams fell incomplete on third down, LaFleur sent out Mason Crosby to kick a field goal to cut the deficit to five. LaFleur reasoned that with three timeouts and the two-minute warning approaching, Rodgers and the offense would see the ball again. From an analytics perspective, it’s understandable why he thought the way he did. From a fan’s perspective, it was absolutely gutless.
LaFleur not only took the ball out of the hands of his MVP quarterback, but he had no faith in the best red zone offense in history. Granted, the offense did have three attempts before that, and they failed to gain even a single yard.
Of course, hindsight is 20/20 but remembering to run the ball in the red zone and as the game progressed could have changed the course of the game. Green Bay threw six straight incompletions after picking off Tom Brady on back-to-back drives. Mixing in a run call on at least one of those drives might have made third down more manageable.
"We probably got a little too much drop back,” LaFleur said after the game. “I put that on myself, just not calling the right plays. The stuff we did so well all season long, we got away from it."
Somewhere along the line Sunday, something went amidst. Did LaFleur lack trust in his other backs after Aaron Jones got hurt? Did he forget his offensive principles altogether? Or, after not playing from behind for most of the year, did he desperately try to get a lead? In the end, it will be a learning experience for the young head coach, but it also doesn’t absolve Rodgers from any blame. He called the play on third down and went on to say if he had known they were going to kick it if they didn’t get in, he might have called something different. Of course, this is all just meaningless chatter when the game is over.
LaFleur lost his balance as a play-caller, and the offense didn’t come through when they needed to most. After being the most efficient team in NFL history in the red zone, their shortcomings in the “gold zone” during the NFC Championship was a key factor in another wasted opportunity to reach the Super Bowl.
Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.
Comments (29)
WendyShields
January 27, 2021 at 12:11 pm
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TarynsEyes
January 27, 2021 at 12:16 pm
Rodgers could have fired the offense up on the 4th down had he tried to run, make it in or not, instead of pulling a Favre by running to the LOS and throwing across his body into double coverage on Adams. It was a show them you're all-in moment. It's a win or go home game to get to the SB. You don't give up and give the ball to the opponent, especially Brady, regardless of his bad 2nd half play.
Dragon5
January 27, 2021 at 12:34 pm
That's ironic, I was thinking just the opposite by "pulling a Favre."
https://edge.twinspires.com/nfl/the-greatest-plays-in-brett-favres-caree...(1994)&text=Down%2017%2D14%20to%20Atlanta,the%20Packers'%20postseason%20hopes%20alive.
Johnblood27
January 27, 2021 at 08:21 pm
Rodgers on 3rd down and MLF on 4th down both exhibited a lack of courage.
The big stage.
Crunch time.
Epic FAILS!
splitpea1
January 27, 2021 at 12:31 pm
I know MLF is a big improvement over McCarthy as far as play design goes, but there is plenty of room for more creativity, especially deep in the red zone. There is still too much reliance on Rodgers having to thread the needle in limited space. I look at some of the stuff KC does and wonder why a few of these things aren't in our playbook. Of course they have Hill, Kelsey, and Mahomes, but we have talented guys, too. Try something unique once in a while!
In order to get over the hump, the Packers need to find more ways to win against playoff-caliber teams. On offense, at least, this may be one of them.
Dragon5
January 27, 2021 at 12:41 pm
Public knowledge in-game adjustments is MLF's achilles. NFCCG only magnified it. Perhaps he suffers from analysis paralysis, which unfortunately is a reflection of lack of conviction (confidence).
Irish_Cheesehead
January 27, 2021 at 04:35 pm
I think there is a lot of creativity in this offense. I just don't know where it went on Sunday. Seriously, it looked like McCarthy came back to call the plays. Open backfield. Rodgers dropping back and holding on to the ball forever waiting for someone to break open 20 yards downfield. What happened to all the quick hitters and misdirection plays? Perhaps it was because we abandoned the run so early.
Packerfansupreme
January 27, 2021 at 12:42 pm
They didn't use Dillon much this season. I'm curious how do you packers fans feel about him potentially being our number 1 back next season. I'm nervous having seen so little usage of him
Dragon5
January 27, 2021 at 12:50 pm
7 life path = injury prone
Competent back up insurance that can pass protect becomes high priority. Suggests Jamal Williams will be retained.
stockholder
January 27, 2021 at 01:37 pm
Dillion isn't electric. Gute drafted a FB. Don't expect more.
Irish_Cheesehead
January 27, 2021 at 04:39 pm
I think he's a beast and fans will be pleasantly surprised. Watch some of his college tape. He proved he can catch the ball, which he was never asked to do in college. I think his pass blocking was what kept him on the sidelines this year, but that's true for a lot of first year backs. I do think we bring Williams back. At least I hope we do.
NickPerry
January 28, 2021 at 05:11 am
I do too. The ONE game he saw enough carries he gained what, 124 yards and scored 2 TD's. A RB like that NEEDS more than 5 carries a game to really get going. Personally I can't wait to watch him next year in the 4th quarters of games just wearing out opponent's.
I'd like to see Williams back too, BUT I'd much rather see Lindsey back and if they an afford Williams great.
Packerfansupreme
January 27, 2021 at 12:42 pm
They didn't use Dillon much this season. I'm curious how do you packers fans feel about him potentially being our number 1 back next season. I'm nervous having seen so little usage of him
Coach Cleve Steamer
January 27, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Nothing new here. Season over with no answers.
Demon
January 27, 2021 at 12:50 pm
I have resigned myself to the fact that the Packers are just chokers on par with the Vikings.
Last years NFC title game and 2016 vs the Falcons were against teams that were superior in talent and coaching. Other nfc title game lossed and playoff losses have largely been choke jobs pretty much since SB xxxii loss vs Denver.
LeotisHarris
January 27, 2021 at 07:05 pm
That's harsh, bud, and not remotely fair. Do you ever stop by the Vikings Hall of Fame to view their Super Bowl trophies?
Leatherhead
January 28, 2021 at 09:58 am
Yeah, that seems kind of nonsensically harsh.
We were one or two mistakes away from a trip to the Super Bowl.
Dragon5
January 27, 2021 at 02:08 pm
What I find most disturbing is that PFF graded the Packers OL #2 and yet MLF doesn't have the confidence to play a little black & blue ball near the goal line with a now seasoned rookie RB sledgehammer that had a career game at Lambeau just a few weeks prior? Make no mistake, the NFCCG was a mere sample of what occurred during the regular season as well (opting to pass near the goal line), which again brings up my suspicion from early in the season that they tried to curb Aaron Jones value by reducing his rushing touchdown output--it was cut in half from 16 to 9 on perhaps a legit strategy that they might be able to retain him at a lower price point. Call it a conspiracy or whatever you want, the fact that they refused to utilize the #2 graded OL near the goal line literally minutes away from a Super Bowl appearance brings in to question, can MFL get the job done? Buckle up Matt, 2021 (OX year) will be one of the most challenging years of your life.
Irish_Cheesehead
January 27, 2021 at 04:46 pm
You don't have to look back a few weeks to see the sledgehammer. They only gave Dillon three carries, but on one he took several defenders for a 6 yard ride. Why they didn't use him on the goal line is a mystery.
TarynsEyes
January 27, 2021 at 06:07 pm
PFF grades don't win games.
Leatherhead
January 28, 2021 at 10:02 am
The line had back ups at two positions. But we should have tried for the TD.
Lare
January 27, 2021 at 04:37 pm
Unless the Packers do something to improve the defense, it doesn't matter much what they do on offense.
Leatherhead
January 28, 2021 at 10:13 am
Nonsense. Minus the TD scored off the Jones fumble, Tampa scores 24. Minus the bomb that never should have happened, they had 17. This was an above average defense this year, and will be again next year.
We made some costly mistakes that cost us, but this was a good team on both sides of the ball.
LeotisHarris
January 27, 2021 at 07:02 pm
Credit to Doug in Sand Point for 2/3 of this; if Redmond catches the gimme INT at the end of the half, Adams catches the first quarter TD he dropped, and 12 looks to a wide-open Lazard in the end zone after his defender fell we'd all be talking about the Super Bowl.
The more I reflect on how this game was given away, not lost, the worse it feels.
jannesbjornson
January 27, 2021 at 08:30 pm
One or two plays determine playoff games.
Leatherhead
January 28, 2021 at 04:27 pm
True. But Jones was one of our best players, andRodgers and Adams failed repeatedly in the end zone. When the game deciding plays involve your best players and they fail.......
Demon
January 28, 2021 at 03:18 pm
Does that mean that they choked? That game was there to be won. Kinda like the 2014 nfc title game was. Im not a believer of luck, karma etc. You make your own luck. This was a team loss on so many levels. Coaching, players, play calling, preperation, you name it the packers choked. Very depressing and it doesnt get any easier year after year.
Im not done being a packer fan. But my allegience is subsiding. I wont plan my weekends around the games anymore. If im home and the packers play, great! Ill watch. But if the fish are biting, or my car needs washing the game will be second choice.
Bearmeat
January 28, 2021 at 09:43 am
Nailed it. Great article. The reason we lost was the play calling. Especially in the Red Zone.
Cheesey51
January 28, 2021 at 05:11 pm
Answer me the other question before we throw the coach under the bus,"Why on 3rd and 8 in the redzone and outside the pocket, didn't Rodgers run it in? Even if Rodgers had gained 1/2 the yardage, moving the ball 4 yds closer wouldn't hurt the scenario & probably makes it a no brainer to go for it for MLF.
Also how many plays does Aaron change during a NFC Championship game? LaFleur keeps saying he should not have been so quick to get away from the run(even though I hardly noticed any TE help to either OT) or was it Rodgers?
I do not know. Bucs played good enough to beat us