Packers Snap Counts Versus The Falcons: Week Two
The Packers have some ups and downs as this young team learns how to win one-score games.
The Packers elevated Innis Gaines and Patrick Taylor from the Practice Squad. The inactive players were Christian Watson (hamstring), Aaron Jones (hamstring), David Bakhtiari (up for debate), Caleb Jones, Brendon Cox, Anthony Johnson and Zayne Anderson.
The Packers scored 24 points against the Falcons. The NFL league average in 2022 was 21.9 points per game, per Pro Football Reference. The inability of the offense to gain a first down in the fourth quarter during three possession to help protect a five point lead and to give the defense a chance to rest is an issue. Still, scoring 24 points in the first three quarters won't win every game, but it generally will produce a winning record.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Runyan | 50 | 100 | 4-15% |
| Myers | 50 | 100 | 4-15% |
| Tom | 49 | 98 | None |
| Walker | 45 | 90 | 4-15% |
| Newman | 32 | 64 | 4-15% |
| Jenkins | 18 | 36 | 1-4% |
| Nijman | 12 | 34 | 10-37% |
The pass protection once again was good. Rasheed Walker was shaky on the first two possessions, but otherwise the line only allowed 3 quarterback hits and one sack. The Falcons did manage to get two free runs at Love by using some sort of delayed blitz. However, Jordan Love usually had a clean pocket. The run blocking was again not good enough for a team that many thought would lean on the run in 2023. The running backs managed 61 yards on 19 attempts, good for a 3.2-yard average. Love scrambled twice for 23 yards, bringing the aggregate up to 84 yards on 21 carries, a decent though below-average 4.0 yards per attempt. The Packers gained 60 of their 84 rushing yards in the first half. They ran the ball 5 times in the second half.
Elgton Jenkins got injured at the 13:42 mark in the second quarter when AJ Dillon stumbled on a 3rd and 2 play, making contact with Jenkins from behind. Jenkins left the game and did not return. Initial reports indicate that he has an MCL injury to his knee. Royce Newman replaced Jenkins and held up pretty well on both run and pass plays. With Bakhtiari inactive, Rasheed Walker got the start, but he alternated a bit Yosh Nijman, apparently with Walker preferred for pass protection and Nijman for running plays. Walker also reported in as a tackle eligible a time or two.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Love | 47 | 100 | None |
Love finished with 14 completions on 25 attempts for 151 yards and 3 touchdowns, good for a 113.5 passer rating. He added 23 yards on 2 scrambles. Love probably could have run a couple more times to good effect. That is a very respectable stat line, although he did have a turnover-worthy throw that was dropped by the Falcons. 6 yards per attempt is decent, if not great. Love didn't get much help from his receivers in terms of yards after the catch other than Wicks and a bit from Jayden Reed.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Dillon | 34 | 68 | None |
| Taylor | 11 | 22 | 11-41% |
| Wilson | 5 | 10 | None |
Dillon gained 55 yards on 15 carries for a 3.75-yard average and caught one pass for another 8 yards. Dillon belongs in the NFL but he isn't a number one running back. Wilson gained 5 yards on 3 carries with a long of 7 yards. I would have liked a longer look at Wilson. Perhaps it means that the Packers think Aaron Jones will return sooner rather than later. Patrick Taylor gained 1 yard on one carry on a 2nd and 7 play.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Musgrave | 44 | 88 | 11-41% |
| Deguara | 19 | 38 | 20-74% |
| Sims | 5 | 10 | None |
| Kraft | 2 | 4 | 7-26% |
Musgrave caught 2 of 3 passes for 25 yards. He is still a work in progress as a blocker. Calais Campbell somehow split Tom and Musgrave to make a tackle for loss early in the game. Deguara caught 2 passes for 5 yards, but at least his 4-yard reception was good for a first down. Sims got 5 blocking snaps and Kraft is not ready.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Doubs | 38 | 76 | None |
| Reed | 28 | 56 | 1-4% |
| Wicks | 25 | 50 | None |
| Toure | 23 | 46 | None |
| Heath | 10 | 20 | 7-26% |
Doubs caught 2 of 3 passes for 30 yards and also drew a 43-yard pass interference penalty. Love spread the ball around well, but I would suggest that 4 targets for Doubs is insufficient. Jayden Reed caught 4 of 8 passes for 37 yards and 2 touchdowns. The jet-sweep he took in for a touchdown required every bit of his speed. Wicks caught 2 of 4 passes for 40 yards and a touchdown. His 32-yard touchdown reception had both yards after contact and after the catch: it was a nice individual effort to break that tackle and then run it in for the score. Toure caught 1 of 2 passes for 6 yards. Heath had no receptions on one target. He seems to be the forgotten man in the receiving room.
The Packers only had 224 total yards. They were efficient in the red zone (2 for 3) and scored touchdowns in both goal to goal situations and that bodes well for the future. Their 23:45 time of possession does not.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Clark | 61 | 74 | None |
| Slaton | 50 | 61 | 10-37% |
| Wyatt | 48 | 59 | None |
| Wooden | 36 | 44 | None |
| Brooks | 23 | 28 | 6-22% |
Kenny Clark had 6 tackles (1 solo), 2 quarterback hits and a half sack. Slaton had 4 tackles (1 solo) and a quarterback hit. Wyatt had 3 assisted tackles. Brooks had one assisted tackle and Wooden had no statistics. The running backs for the Falcons gained 172 yards on a whopping 35 carries for a 4.9-yard average. That's not a good result. Ridder ran 10 times for 39 additional yards on the ground. That is just a 3.9-yard average, but 6 of his runs were "successful" runs including 6 that went for either a first down or a TD. The Packers played a lot of defensive linemen on average per snap, but it didn't help much. Jonathan Ford was not elevated, but it is hard to say whether he would be helpful until he plays in a real NFL game. Atlanta gained 211 yards on the ground and had 82 offensive plays on their way to over 36 minutes in time of possession.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Walker | 82 | 100 | 10-37% |
| Campbell | 68 | 83 | 6-22% |
| P. Smith | 58 | 71 | None |
| Enagbare | 40 | 49 | 8-30% |
| Hollins | 26 | 32 | 4-15% |
| Gary | 22 | 27 | None |
| Van Ness | 18 | 22 | 6-22% |
| McDuffie | 2 | 2 | 17-63% |
| Eric Wilson | 18-67% |
Walker and Campbell led the team with 17 and 14 tackles, respectively, and 8 and 7 solo tackles, respectively. Walker added a quarterback hit. McDuffie was brought in as a third ILB on 2 snaps. He had no statistics. It looked like the Packers at times played Walker and Campbell wide. Bijan Robinson made a lot of players miss tackles.
Preston Smith had 6 tackles (4 solo) with one quarterback hit. Enagbare had 3 tackles (2 solo) and Van Ness had 2 tackles (1 solo) including a tackle for loss. Rashan Gary had 2 assisted tackles and a half sack (which means he is credited with a quarterback hit as well). Gary had at least a couple of hurries, but it was a quieter game than last week's.
Someone needs to sit Gary down to remind him to maintain the edge rather than crashing inside immediately. It looked like perhaps Rasul Douglas said something to him after Ridder made the zone read as Gary crashed inside, allowing Ridder to pretty easily run for a touchdown from the six yard-line. The Packers are likely to extend Gary for big money soon, and it would be nice to get a more complete player than Zadarius Smith was for the Packers. Gary is a good tackler when he is where he is supposed to be.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Savage | 82 | 100 | 11-41% |
| Douglas | 82 | 100 | 11-41% |
| Alexander | 82 | 100 | 6-22% |
| Ford | 82 | 100 | None |
| Nixon | 38 | 46 | 12-44% |
| Valentine | 2 | 2 | 7-26% |
| Leavitt | 22-81% | ||
| Owens | 17-63% | ||
| Gaines | 16-59% |
Allowing 67 receiving yards to the opponent's best receiver (Drake London in this case) is not terrible. London did score a touchdown. The Packers locked down TE Pitts, who had just 15 yards on 5 targets. They allowed three explosive plays, including a 45-yard reception to WR Mack Hollins. Bijan Robinson chipped in 48 yards on 4 receptions, and Jonnu Smith also caught 4 for 47 yards. Ridder only threw passes to five different players (including 2 WRs, 2 TEs and 1 RB), whereas Jordan Love targeted 9 different players. It should be noted that the Falcons' offense is odd and unlike that of other NFL teams in some ways. For instance, they only played 1.78 WRs on average per snap, and those were almost all Londan and Mack Hollins. The Falcons played 1.78 TEs per play and gave 17 snaps to their fullback, who has 57 touches in his 10-year career.
If you are going to force the opponent to make long, slow drives then you have to be good in the red zone and take advantage of mistakes. Ridder threw three turnover worthy passes (including a duck caused by a Packer -perhaps Kenny Clark) but the Packers only intercepted 1 of them, dropping two others. The Falcons only were successful on 2 of 5 trips into the red zone. Indeed, they only converted 6 of 15 third down tries (40%), mitigated by getting first downs on 3 of their 4 fourth down attempts, but that only improves their percentage to 47%. Yet on 10 possessions, Atlanta punted once, lost possession on downs (only after an 8 play, 4:42 long drive that went from their own 8 to the Green Bay 41), lost possession due to an interception, and they had a kneel down at the end of the game. On their 9 real possessions, the Packers were only able to get off the field twice.
WR: 2.48
TE: 1.40 (More than last year, about the same as game one)
RB: 1.00
OL: 5.12 (it appears that Walker lined up as a tackle eligible on 6 snaps.
DL: 2.66 (a high number of true defensive linemen on the field for GB)
ILB: 1.85
OLB: 2.00
DB: 4.49 (So not as much nickel and normal)
Statistics courtesy of NFLgsis.
Photo courtesy of Dale Zanine of USA Today Sports
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Comments (69)
Thegreatreynoldo
September 18, 2023 at 06:15 am
I chose to use a photo of Jayden Reed mostly by default. He seemed to have as good of a game as anyone. I also didn't know who was responsible (if any one player was) for holding Kyle Pitts to 15 yards. 17 and 14 tackles is noteworthy, but I'd have to go back to see if Walker and/or Campbell had some missed tackles. I think quite a few of the players had some.
I really thought about using a photo of Royce Newman since he easily exceeded my expectations, low though they were. But I thought jersey Al would have a stroke if I used Newman's photo. I also thought Savage had a good game for Savage and a pretty decent game overall.
For the fantasy folks out there, Atlanta only had 5 players catch a pass in week one (well, 6 if you count Ridder catching a pass to himself). If one of those 5 gets injured, I don't know who their depth guy is. Scotty Miller is one WR and Keith Hodge is the other. Hodge has been around and doesn't look terrible.
Scoring 24 points is a bit above average. Allowing 25 points ain't very good. And the Packers let Ridder look much better than he did in week one when he threw for 115 yards and a 32 QBR (but a good passer rating of 111.8). Against the Packers, his passer rating was just 78 due to the INT but his QBR skyrocketed to 79. Love had an 81 QBR. [I don't like QBR but passer rating also has limitations.]
Iain
September 18, 2023 at 08:58 am
Darnell Savage couldn't tackle my Granny.
dobber
September 18, 2023 at 09:04 am
Thanks for the quick turnaround for us, TGR!
stockholder
September 18, 2023 at 06:27 am
I know it's voodoo to talk about Love.
But the 4th quarter blow up is on him.
0 for 6. The qb sneak. And a dropped INT.
His biggest mistake was not taking the small gains.
He can't force it to these WRs. Their just not good yet
And neither is he..
Kenny Clark Got no help in the 4th .
Savage still played better than last year.
But I so want him moved to SS.
He just can't defend the deep pass.
And then won't play aggressive.
Point - Savage is a SS.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 07:55 am
I disagree with you on Love as the major issue in the 4th quarter.
Your point on Clark is more apposite. Not having a third big guy in that game meant that we were relying on penetration types when we went big to supplement Slaton and Clark, who were out there for 2/3 of the game given time of possession.
This is a mistake we continue to not learn from. I’m not saying Ford is great (who knows till he’s tried), but it’s telling that the vast majority of the time, the Falcons ran at the man who wasn’t Slaton or Clark, particularly the latter. The Bears couldn’t make us pay, but the Falcons did so in spades. They are far from the first team to do so.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 18, 2023 at 08:54 am
Wooden played 36 nondescript snaps. Not sure that he was helpful, but he has some juice, which is what the Packers are all about.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 09:33 am
There is a time and place for juice and also one for stoutness. Yesterday was always going to be one where stoutness was needed first and juice second. Yet Ford remained on the PS unelevated. That’s just tactical ineptness. Ford may or may not be good, but he’s stouter than Wooden or Wyatt. To not give ourselves that option against that team was baffling. It suggests a degree of over confidence well and truly debunked, again. We don’t learn.
Elevating Taylor was fine, for STs and I would have had both him and Wilson running more too by the second quarter. Ford should have been the other. This week maybe not, since no Kamara particularly, but the essence of winning as a coach is using what you have smartly to give you the best chance to win each game, not default personnel thinking.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 18, 2023 at 09:50 am
Agreed. I was being sarcastic. All the defensive linemen have juice. The only one who is or might be stout is on the PS. (Clark can be stout when he wants to be.) Pennel left in 2016. They put up with Lowry for years for his supposed juice. I suppose Lancaster is inapposite to what I insinuated. [Lancaster was out of football in 2022 and is now on Denver's PS.]
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 10:59 am
There is clearly a philosophical issue at work, without doubt. Like many good ideas, it may simply become a weakness when taken too far.
stockholder
September 18, 2023 at 09:59 am
Ford isn't the answer either.
These OLBs are.
But you're still wrong on Love.
And I'm going to support firing everyone.
You didn't learn from the Firing of MM.
The Falcons put the Defense on their Heels.
No containment.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 11:00 am
OLBs are not going to consistently stuff a good rusher. That’s about alm that needs to be said in response to that.
stockholder
September 18, 2023 at 07:15 pm
TJ Watt- Gute was in charge of scouting.
TT had problems.
Who really messed up there.
I say Gute after watching his drafts.
NickPerry
September 18, 2023 at 06:40 am
Thanks TGR!
That last 13 minutes or so of the game was tough to watch. I just don't get why after years and years of not stopping the run, spending pick after pick, after pick on the defensive side of the ball, they still can't stop the God Damn run!
THIS loss was a combined effort from MLF and Joe Barry IMO. Matt LaFleur became passive and played not to lose once AGAIN. Joe Barry once again showed he has NO CLUE when Robinson was lined up wide on 3rd down and Campbell playing 10 yards off. Barry actually showed many examples of NOT having a clue. But on that one? Even my friend Cassi said something about it, and she knows NOTHING about Football!
I keep telling myself this is a YOUNG TEAM and it's going to take a while. Those blaming Jordon Love need to reevaluate. Asking Love to get his team in FG position with 56 seconds left on the clock, no timeouts, his entire left side of the O-Line out, and no Watson or Jones is a pretty big ask.
Love didn't lose this game. The Defense, Joe Barry, and MLF with his lost and confused expressions are to blame! To bad it's not just an expression. He really IS lost and confused.
greengold
September 18, 2023 at 06:52 am
Personally, Nick, I think it’s like getting pissed off at the ‘96 front 7 for not being able to stop Barry Sanders. Not equating both defenses, but Bijan Robinson is looking like he’s that special of a dynamic talent.
It’s pretty funny hearing Santana & Gilbert talking about trying to stop Sanders.
MLF’s O failures late gassed his own already worn out D. That’s where we lost. … Well, one of the many places where this game was lost… (Jaire? CTFB).
Joe Barry, why didn’t you rotate out your DL more? Why do you have Rudy Ford in at S, but you DON’T have Jonathan Ford in there helping your DL, rotating this group regularly to keep them more fresh to stop a punishing Bijan Robinson?
How do you they not anticipate this? Fans can see it. MLF? Joe Barry?
RCPackerFan
September 18, 2023 at 06:53 am
I mostly blame this loss on Barry and the defensive players. The offense scored 24 points without 3 of their star players and lost another in the 2nd quarter. We knew going into the game and into the season that the offense was going to be a bit of a work in progress. We knew it was going to take time. The Defense knew it needed to step up their game. They didn't.
Right now the only thing I am blaming LaFleur on is retaining Barry. That is the only thing I am blaming him on. LaFleurs hands were a bit tied yesterday with the youth and the players he had on offense.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 08:06 am
He is solely responsible for the delay of game that prevented a field goal attempt on the first drive. I also subscribe to the view that he went conservative once we were 12 up. That’s a tendency that we’ve seen many times. He’s just not one to kill games ruthlessly. He needs to be.
Less directly, I see issues with the OL. Yes, we protected well till late, but the run blocking in the middle was again bad. I don’t recall a lane all game. Moreover, what was going on at LT? Nijman had played there effectively. Just let him settle, or, if Walker is better then let him. If both are competent, then put one at RT and let Tom help inside.
It’s the best overall mix that matters, and right now, on a team that needs to run, I do not believe we have that or are making sound personnel choices.
Run blocking aside, with Dillon’s struggles, 3 carries for Wilson was far too few. He got stoned on his first opportunity (poor call), flashed once, and was gone. Heck, Taylor had one chance. He’s a guy who hits the line hard. Let him if Dillon is not. What is there to lose? Half a yard average wins that game alone. Just too chaotic in terms of personnel (like forgetting Jones last week) and too conservative with personnel.
LaFleur was spitting at the defensive run performance by his standards post game. Well you got the continuity you wanted Matt. That was a chillingly close parallel to the worst games of last season. Then you said that can’t be tolerated. Then you retained Barry after a few games against hobbled and weak offenses. Now you have to find a way to fix him. Good luck.
RCPackerFan
September 18, 2023 at 09:12 am
"He is solely responsible for the delay of game that prevented a field goal attempt on the first drive"
How is he solely responsible for it? They went to kick the FG. The FG unit had the time to get set up and kick. They didn't.
"Less directly, I see issues with the OL. Yes, we protected well till late, but the run blocking in the middle was again bad. I don’t recall a lane all game. Moreover, what was going on at LT? Nijman had played there effectively. Just let him settle, or, if Walker is better then let him. If both are competent, then put one at RT and let Tom help inside."
Not having Bakhtiari and then losing Jenkins in the 2nd quarter is what really impacted the offense. First drive on the sack Walker doesn't get the blitzing guy and allows the free runner to Love. I believe losing Jenkins hurt the run game a lot.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 09:37 am
He’s the HC. His job is to call TOs when things like that are about to happen if the coordinator hasn’t. It’s his team: the buck stops with the HC. Hardly a revolutionary stance or a controversial one. If you want to hang your hat on that to defend LaFleur, good luck.
stockholder
September 18, 2023 at 10:09 am
Look at the TE snaps.
They needed a Te to block -
To help out the LT or Dillion.
Deguara 19? Sims 5?
Kraft 2.?- Future Bust
Or is MLF Still getting Gute’s draft of LOVE,
Dillion and DeGuara shoved down his throat.
Regardless. Love didn't lead in the 4th qtr..
stockholder
September 18, 2023 at 07:14 am
Your always right Nick- Fire everyone.
There is No point to waiting for a Team.
When you're so unhappy with the coaching.
We need Murphy gone too.
Because I doubt anyone here can stand Losing.
And I don't see that changing as long as this
team only has Arron Jones.
greengold
September 18, 2023 at 06:40 am
“The inability of the offense to gain a first down in the fourth quarter during three possession to help protect a five point lead and to give the defense a chance to rest is an issue.”
One of the biggest reasons for the Packers loss. No question. When MLF’s O produces nothing but 3 & outs… up 24-12, your D, already worn down from trying to contain a phenom in Bijan Robinson, will have no gas left in the tank.
Poor situational football & in-game decision making by Matt LaFleur grabs the Packers by the boo boo.
There sadly was a plethora of other reasons for the Packers stealing defeat from the jaws of victory.
Thanks for the breakdown, TGR.
RCPackerFan
September 18, 2023 at 06:55 am
There was no complimentary football especially late in the game. The defense needed a break and the offense couldn't get a first down to give them a break.
greengold
September 18, 2023 at 07:30 am
I agree, RC. 100%. Ugh.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 08:19 am
The play that made me irate was the wholly unnecessary face mask by Owens. 15 yards of free field position and preventing a young QB being backed up against his own end zone. Sorry, inexcusable from a veteran only here for STs. Players have been cut for less. He should be.
Leatherhead
September 18, 2023 at 09:35 am
We could have punted the ball out of bounds, and there would have been no return and no penalty. But you don’t like that idea. You’d rather risk the return and the penalty.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 09:41 am
What’s that got to do with a player who had no reason to grabbing a face mask? Nothing.
In actual fact, the kick was an excellent one, the first gunner had the returner halted and Moore right in front of him. Then Moore grabs his face mask.
Leatherhead
September 18, 2023 at 10:07 am
Because punt units are the bottom of the roster, and stuff like that always happens if you give it the chance.
You expect perfection, from LaFleur on down to the bottom of the roster. Not going to happen. Embrace reality.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 11:02 am
Missing a point about Owens completely to bang on an old drum.
Leatherhead
September 18, 2023 at 12:14 pm
And you are missing the point completely. If not Owens, someone else. If not the face mask, something else. If not then, some other time. It’s the nature of the beast. You like to complain about it; I think we should do things differently.
dobber
September 18, 2023 at 08:34 am
I chuckle because we keep throwing out this "complementary football" thing.
It's nebulous. What does it really mean?
Just say: nobody could make a play when they really needed it.
RCPackerFan
September 18, 2023 at 09:13 am
Complimentary football as in, when the defense needs a rest the offense needs to extend a drive. When the offense is struggling we need the defense to step up and get stops.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 09:43 am
I think it means they all beat the odds not to make one in any phase.
But yes, essentially, you are right.
RCPackerFan
September 18, 2023 at 06:45 am
Looking at the snap count there wasn't to many surprises.
One of the biggest surprises overall to me is that Kraft is getting less snaps then Sims. Neither got a lot of snaps but Kraft only got 2 snaps and Sims got 5.
I was a little surprised with what they were doing at LT yesterday. With Walker and Yosh rotating a bit.
Other then that not a lot of surprises as far as snap counts.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 08:23 am
In game one they used Sims to block. It looked like they did so again. Then again, Musgrave disappeared in the second half for some reason. That’s a bigger question for me than Kraft not seeing the field.
HawkPacker
September 18, 2023 at 09:11 am
Also, I do not think that Musgrave should be used on ST's. He is too valuable at the TE position and we can't afford to get him hurt during a ST play!
RCPackerFan
September 18, 2023 at 09:18 am
I think Musgrave is a guy they have to make plays for. He is that talented. They need to design and create ways to get him in space and get him the ball.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 18, 2023 at 02:55 pm
I don't see what's wrong with Nijman at LT. I don't understand why they weren't using him more. I was happy to see a sixth OL out there.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 19, 2023 at 12:32 am
Nijman isn't as good as fans for some reason think he is. He is a low end starter at best, a guy who a team can scrape by with. I've been writing that for a year now. That's why GB didn't extend Nijman. Ditto for Runyan, who had a good year in 2021 but was below average in 2022 and during his rookie year in 2020, and he has been well below average so far in 2023.
TxFred
September 18, 2023 at 06:48 am
Pack needs to develop run plays for AJ. He has to be closer to the line of scrimmage. Starting 7 yards off is not working. He's too slow and/or the OL blocking collapses too soon. Either way doing the same thing game after game is not good. Quit that damn 1st down passing!!!!!. Take a page from the Falcons, run the ball down their throats till they gag, THEN air it out. GPG!!
RCPackerFan
September 18, 2023 at 06:57 am
Actually I really liked him in the Pistol. Finally they got him moving downhill while getting the ball. He is not quick enough to shuffle to the side and take the hand off and take off to the OL. The holes close up to fast for him. He needs to be running forward and getting the ball. I hope they move forward with more pistol formations.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 08:27 am
Dillon isn’t right. His balance is off too often. We saw glimpses of what he can do in the 3rd quarter, but too often he’s going down without help. Part of me thinks he should be rested and spend some time with a coach working on basic body angle and the like. Then again, perhaps that’s what has been happening. If so it’s not working.
GregC
September 18, 2023 at 07:02 am
Thanks for this. You refer to Emmanuel Wilson as "Walker" a couple of times, which is confusing.
After an excellent pre-season, Malik Heath has turned out to be a non-factor so far, but Dontayvion Wicks really arrived in this game. He looked like a real NFL receiver out there. And that's after he looked lost in the first game. He could join Watson, Doubs, and Reed to form a really strong 4-deep WR corps.
I loved the flea flicker on the first play. The Packers almost never run trick plays. Usually they are the ones getting tricked. True to form, they got burned later on a flea flicker by the Falcons.
The two long pass interference penalties by the Falcons are not in the Packers' offensive stats, so the production of the passing game was actually better than it looked. One of those plays (the flea flicker to Wicks) would've likely gone for a TD without the penalty. The other one (to Doubs) was an underthrown ball, but when your receiver beats the CB deep, you often get a penalty on an underthrown ball. Those plays were not lucky. They count.
In spite of throwing an interception and two more passes that should have been intercepted, Ridder is a much better QB than I had been led to believe coming into this game.
The Falcons' run-oriented approach is a difficult one to win with in the NFL, but they executed it well, and they have a great RB in Robinson who is hard to tackle. The Falcons played ball control, dominated time of possession, and wore down the Packers' defense. As frustrated as I am with the Packers' missed opportunities, I kind of have to tip my cap to the Falcons for a game well-played. Maybe our young team will learn something from this.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 18, 2023 at 07:24 am
Fixed (I hope!).
dobber
September 18, 2023 at 08:03 am
"After an excellent pre-season, Malik Heath has turned out to be a non-factor so far, but Dontayvion Wicks really arrived in this game."
I've been pretty pleased with how the young guys have done so far. This offense has asked a lot of its WRs without their field-stretching #1, and these guys are still occasionally getting open deep. To be honest, if Watson's healthy, Heath likely gets no offensive snaps. IMO, the Packers aren't pushing the ball downfield enough...but that's also part of protecting the development of their QB.
"The two long pass interference penalties by the Falcons are not in the Packers' offensive stats, so the production of the passing game was actually better than it looked"
Agreed: it all counts.
"Ridder is a much better QB than I had been led to believe coming into this game."
He's a true game manager and limited in how he throws the ball. He benefits from not having to carry the offense, and even in the 4th quarter, he wasn't carrying the offense.
"The Falcons' run-oriented approach is a difficult one to win with in the NFL"
Most teams who run as much as ATL wants to usually have a very mobile QB making 10-ish called runs per game. Their OL is good, and their WRs are big and physical, and block well. They're a .500 team, probably, but they match up very well with the Packers D.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 08:31 am
Heath was used as a blocker on mostly run plays in game 1. That seems to be how he was used again here. Toure too, though not as exclusively. If that’s a way of keeping the asks for the young guys manageable, then ok, but it is likely already becoming a tell.
WD
September 18, 2023 at 07:22 am
Observations. Quay Walker made a lot of tackles and played with the most energy. Where was the other inside LB? Secondly, the new RB for the Falcons was the 8th pick in the draft for a reason. They even had him on the edge as a WR. He could arguably be the best RB in the league. Finally, we really need to get our guys healthy. The goods news is everyone in our division lost so we are tied for first. Time to focus on the Saints and our return to Lambeau.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 18, 2023 at 07:32 am
The other inside linebacker made 14 tackles (7 solo). Quay Walker made 17 tackles (8 solo).
Walker played 82 snaps while Campbell played 68, some 14 fewer snaps. Both ILBs had a ton of tackles.
Edit: OKay - entered nerd stage. Walker had .207 tackles per snap and Campbell had .206 tackles per snap. Campbell had slightly more solo tackles per snap (.1029) than Walker (.0975/snap). Quantify, quantify....
greengold
September 18, 2023 at 07:38 am
With both Watson & Jones out, it became painfully obvious that the Packers are lacking that true marquee talent at both WR and RB. Skill positions.
Musgrave could be that, but MLF doesn’t go to him enough. There’s none of that killer instinct in the play calling. Flea flicker to Wicks was a success early. Run it again and make them stop it. Go to Musgrave, again and again and again. Make them stop it.
Seems LaFleur struggles to keep his foot on the pedal. AGNFB?
Jet concepts? Bring Melton up from the PS with Watson out, and you can run all of them.
LaFleur disappointed the hell out of me yesterday.
dobber
September 18, 2023 at 08:09 am
They don't need Melton to run jet sweeps.
It's not Musgrave that concerns me. It's the lack of faith that they seem to have in any of the other TEs...enough so that they're going tackle eligible instead of putting another guy on the field that the defense at least needs to locate and account for.
T7Steve
September 18, 2023 at 07:57 am
TGR, 82-47 plays says it all. Pretty pleased by the overall play, but of course, disappointed. One of the learning moments we expected this season.
Was confused when they punted after the penalty instead of still trying the field goal in an inside facility. I think it was well within range. They need to get control of their penalties.
Wonder if DB's knee injury that kept him out of the game was just an excuse for fake grass?
dobber
September 18, 2023 at 08:11 am
"TGR, 82-47 plays says it all. "
...and it was a one point game! Usually you see a snap disparity like that and it's a blowout. Between that and the TOP difference, it's no wonder the inability to log even a couple first downs in the fourth quarter had the defense gassed.
"Wonder if DB's knee injury that kept him out of the game was just an excuse for fake grass?"
Given the puff up this week over ARod's injuy and the players' association gripes, I think that might be the case, yes. Disappointing.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 18, 2023 at 09:30 am
Week 3 is at Lambeau. (NO)
Week 4 is at Lambeau. (Detroit)
Week 5 is at LVR, which has grass and a retractable roof.
Week 6 is the bye.
Week 7 is at Denver, which has grass.
Week 8 is at Lambeau (MN).
Week 9 is at Lambeau (LAR).
Week 10 is at Pittsburgh which has grass.
Week 11 is at Lambeau (LAC).
Week 12 Detriot. Turf
IDK. I think I can make a persuasive argument that holding Bakh out for one game (which GB should have won even without Bakh) makes a ton of sense if it is true that Turf greatly increases the chances of Bakh's knee flaring up. Since GB has already paid Bakh $17.5M, getting at least 10 games instead of 2 makes sense to me.
As far as that goes:
Week 13 is at Lambeau (KC)
Week 14 is at NYG (some weird Tray grass field. Don't know)
Week 15 is at Lambeau (Tampa Bay)
Week 16 is at the Carolina Panthers (a horrible turf field).
Week 17 is at MN. Turf
Week 18 is at Lambeau (Bears).
IDK. I'd be okay with Bakh skipping week 14, 16, and 17 if only so the Packers can pound Chicago again. I would not be happy if Bakh had to miss 4 turf games, but it might make sense.
In any event, we don't know if the plan is to not play on Turf or if he just woke up Sunday morning with a sore knee. I think the latter is a far worse circumstance if true.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 09:51 am
The Jets/Giants is the latest version of artificial turf (second year I think). It’s supposedly better but it’s the one Rodgers was hurt on (though I’m not convinced that it was due to the surface personally).
Detroit, NYG and the Vikings are the remaining regular season artificial surfaces we are due to play on.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 18, 2023 at 03:06 pm
5 games on artificial turf.
I hope Bakh plays none of them, but is dressed to bail them out if need be. Between this and letting him not practice to be 100% on game day he should give a steep hometown discount.
I didn't see anything that said Bakh had to save LT yesterday, but I may have missed something. (Beyond the early drives while Walker got settled)
Thegreatreynoldo
September 19, 2023 at 12:36 am
I am distressed to read that Bakh woke up with swelling in his knee. That means even grass (or at least whatever stuff Chicago uses) isn't safe for him. It may be random, but the word that comes to my mind is chronic.
It sounds like just withholding him from Turf games isn't the answer either. Yikes!
dobber
September 18, 2023 at 08:30 am
Fast game yesterday. Two teams who want to run the ball keeps the clock moving...that said, that snap disparity looms large. Atlanta is a bad matchup for the Packers because their strength and identity (running the ball) lines right up with the Packers' biggest weakness. Didn't watch, but "Wayne and Larry'd" it yesterday, and Larry's comment at one point was that every time the Falcons throw the ball, they're doing the Packers a favor--He was absolutely right. Next week will be different: the Saints are talented outside, but they don't have nearly the juice in the run game, and their OL isn't what it used to be.
They needed to get a little more juice and varied approach out there in the run game...more for Wilson: he should've gotten Taylor's snaps, unless they just don't trust him in pass pro. I keep coming back to the point that Dillon might have been a great college back, but he's a complementary/situational back in the NFL, and when he's on the field, teams seem to know what he's going to do and how to stop him. Maybe at this stage they stuck with him so long because he's a good blocker, but then he runs a fair number of routes, too, so he's not always hanging in protection. Bottom line is, that if LaF doesn't know how to do anything with him but run inside hitters, he's just taking up snaps.
True rotation at OLB, which is what we expected with the Packers' depth, but they didn't stay home enough and RBs had no problem getting outside or playing in space.
You point out that Alexander had a bad game, but for a short corner like him, he can be neutralized by big, physical guys like London and Hollins.
I was wondering prior to Sunday whether this was a Jonathan Ford game. He's not going to give much of anything on STs, but he's a ton to move in the middle and is physical. He and Slaton are similar in that regard.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 18, 2023 at 09:42 am
Andy Herman went so far as to note that Tyler Goodson is on a practice squad and thus poachable (unless protected). To be fair, I don't think he advocated for signing Goodson to the 53. Goodson has his own pros and cons. He can run gadget plays (so can Reed and Watson), and he seemed to have some juice to make something out of very little, maybe almost out of nothing. Can he block? Can he play STs?
I also don't know how far away Aaron Jones is from returning.
Coldworld
September 18, 2023 at 11:10 am
I liked Goodson a lot as an option type last year, but unless they trust his blocking he’s not going to get RB snaps and we have others who can take those option snaps now. Realistically he doesn’t replace Taylor’s role in terms of skill or body type on STs and they have barely given Wilson a crack at establishing himself. If Jones is out for an extended period, then maybe, but I think he’d see minimal snaps unfortunately.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 18, 2023 at 03:12 pm
Dobber,
"Bottom line is, that if LaF doesn't know how to do anything with him but run inside hitters, he's just taking up snaps." Referring to Dillon.
Dillon is a power runner and needs power blocking. If MLF isn't going to give him that, he shouldn't be using him to run the ball. #31 Wilson was given up on WAY too soon. Although #28 broke off some nice runs so I understand keeping him in. Not one play had 2 RBs, kinda predictable.
Lphill
September 18, 2023 at 08:38 am
P Smith is older should have gotten a few less snaps that Van Ness could have picked up, way too many snaps for Dillon, he's just not that guy we thought he was.
T7Steve
September 18, 2023 at 10:11 am
I thought Dillan did ok considering the blocking he got. He needs to get through the LOS before he can start punishing defenders, however. I'll give you that.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 19, 2023 at 12:40 am
PFF agrees. PFF indicated that 39 of Dillon's 55 rushing yards came after contact. That suggests that only 16 yards (on 15 carries) came prior to contact. Geez! That's really really terrible blocking. Dillon was one of the top 5 Packers per PFF with a 66.9 grade.
IDK.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 18, 2023 at 03:12 pm
LVN went out injured.
croatpackfan
September 18, 2023 at 08:46 am
Thanks for info TGR!
LambeauPlain
September 18, 2023 at 10:59 am
Contrary to MLF that the team did not play complimentary football...I disagree.
The team, especially MLF and Barry, played copious, conspicuous, complimentary football in the 4th quarter.
MLF had a 12 pt lead so he went into his soft shell... play not to lose.
Meanwhile, Barry Ball, designed to play with a lead (but mostly lose it) showed how complimentary it is to MLFs timidity with a two score lead.
The dual "play not to lose" strategies complement each other perfectly to deliver a loss.
CheesedDeadHead
September 18, 2023 at 08:14 pm
"The inability of the offense to gain a first down in the fourth quarter during three possession to help protect a five point lead and to give the defense a chance to rest is an issue. "
Sigh. TWO possessions. Not three. The Packers had 2 possessions where they lead and went 3 and out. The third possession of the fourth quarter was when they trailed by 1 point with 57 seconds left, no timeouts, and failed to convert a First Down in an attempt to get into field goal range.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 19, 2023 at 12:49 am
Fair. It is not technically correct.
GB threw four straight incomplete passes and gained zero yards on that third possession of the final quarter. They gained 7 offensive yards on 10 fourth quarter snaps. 6 snaps were to protect the five point lead, and as you noted, 4 snaps were for the fourth quarter winning drive attempt.
CheesedDeadHead
September 19, 2023 at 10:55 am
"Fair. It is not technically correct."
I'm not really trying to be nit-picky, but I have seen the same narrative all over the place - "the offense had 3 series in the 4th QTR where they went 3 and out and didn't give the defense much rest".
That third series never would give the defense any rest, so if we are strictly discussing rest then it's only 2 series. We could also criticize the offense for scoring 14 points in the 2nd half and only using 6:00 total off the clock. I guess that didn't give the defense much rest either.
I agree that, in hindsight, they need to get more than 3 for those 2 possessions. In real time the first possession gave the ball back to the Falcons with a 6 point lead and good field position because a vet made a stupid 15 yard foul on the punt. Was it unreasonable to expect the defense to get a stop on one series in the 4th? Not necessarily a 3 and out, but maybe less than 8, 8 and 12 plays for the Falcons? Maybe less than points on every one of those drives? When it was 24-22, then it was clear that the offense needed to pick up that first down on the 2nd 4th quarter series. What was MLFs gameplan? Three runs for the stumbling RB Dillon and no challenge on the spot of the last "fall" by Dillon. Sure they went for it, but the QB starting his 3rd game had the wrong hike word. The fanbase knew the offense was going to struggle with rookies and young guys all over the place (the 2 oldest OL were out of the game) so why didn't the coaches. The Defense has the most vets and yet why aren't they stepping up in the 4th.
To me the only thing tired about the defense was their excuses.
Rhah
September 18, 2023 at 11:35 pm
This team desperately missed Aaron Jones. Dillon looks very replaceable. He seems to lose his footing very easy.