Packers Report Card: Offense Stumbles in Loss to Eagles
The Green Bay Packers’ offense delivered a dismal performance during their Monday night clash with the Philadelphia Eagles, leading to a disappointing 10-7 defeat. This loss leaves the Packers with a record of 5-3-1, placing them third in the NFC North and on the playoff bubble as the seventh seed. As fans ponder what went wrong, the latest report card reveals a concerning trend: the offense’s struggles overshadowed the solid play from the defense.
Pass Offense
Jordan Love and the Packers’ passing attack faced significant challenges against the Eagles. Love was sacked three times, with one critical fumble occurring at the end of the first half, effectively costing the team valuable points. He completed 20 of 36 passes for a meager 176 yards, averaging less than five yards per attempt, which resulted in a disheartening passer rating of 68.8.
The receiving corps was severely hampered by injuries, as coach Matt LaFleur described the situation as a “free for all.” First-round rookie Matthew Golden was sidelined with a shoulder injury, while third-round pick Savion Williams played through a foot issue. The situation worsened when Romeo Doubs exited with a chest injury, leaving the team scrambling for options. Christian Watson emerged as the leading receiver with just 45 yards on two catches.
A pivotal moment came on a third-and-10 during their second-to-last possession. Love found Luke Musgrave, who fell short of the first down by just one yard. The absence of tight end Tucker Kraft was glaring, as his physicality may have been enough to secure the needed yardage. LaFleur acknowledged the team’s ongoing struggles, emphasizing the need for a more effective game plan moving forward.
“The bottom line is, if you score only seven points in this league, you aren’t going to win many games,” LaFleur stated. He lamented the performance of the offense while praising the strong showing from the Eagles’ defense. The lack of offensive production has been a recurring theme, as the Packers’ defense has held opponents to 16 points or fewer in all three of their losses this season.
Adding to the confusion was the decision to deploy Bo Melton, a receiver-turned-cornerback, at receiver instead of Malik Heath or a practice squad player. Melton’s struggles culminated in a crucial drop on a fourth-and-9 in the third quarter, raising questions about whether he was set up to succeed in this unfamiliar role.
Grade: D
Rush Offense
The Packers’ ground game also faltered, with Josh Jacobs managing only 74 yards on 21 carries for a 3.5-yard average. While Jacobs showed flashes of promise, the overall inconsistency of the offensive line has hindered the rushing attack all season. Despite LaFleur’s insistence on maintaining balance, the run game has been largely ineffective, inviting defenses to stack the box and challenge the Packers to run.
LaFleur’s reliance on the ground game, despite its struggles, is becoming increasingly questionable. At some point, he may need to shift his strategy and entrust the ball more to Love to ignite the offense.
Grade: C-minus
Pass Defense
On the other side of the ball, the Packers’ pass defense held its own against Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had been on a scoring tear leading up to the game. Hurts completed 15 of 26 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown—numbers that reflect a solid defensive outing. However, two key plays in the fourth quarter, including a 41-yard catch-and-run by Saquon Barkley and a 36-yard touchdown to DeVonta Smith, accounted for a significant portion of the Eagles’ passing yardage.
Despite failing to sack Hurts, the Packers’ defensive backs played well, limiting Smith and A.J. Brown to just 82 yards combined. Given the offensive struggles, the defense’s performance should have translated to victory, but the lack of scoring proved too much to overcome.
Grade: B-plus
Rush Defense
After a lackluster display against the Panthers the previous week, the Packers faced a formidable challenge in containing Saquon Barkley, last season’s rushing champion. The defense rose to the occasion, limiting Barkley to 60 yards on 22 carries for an average of less than three yards per attempt. Hurts added some yards on the ground but was met with resistance, highlighted by a forced fumble by Edgerrin Cooper.
Overall, the Packers held the Eagles to 111 rushing yards on 34 carries, equating to a 3.3-yard average. This performance allowed the defense to force Philadelphia into passing situations, providing a much-needed boost against a tough opponent.
Grade: B-plus
Special Teams
The special teams unit presented a perplexing scenario. LaFleur had mentioned earlier in the week that the kicking situation was competitive. However, confusion arose as special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia indicated a preference for kicker Brandon McManus. When McManus took the field for a long 64-yard attempt, he failed to come close, leaving fans scratching their heads.
The mixed messages surrounding the special teams only added to the overall struggles of the Packers in this matchup. As the team prepares for the remainder of the season, addressing these inconsistencies will be crucial for any hopes of playoff success.
Grade: C
