Packers: Positives, negatives from Week 5 win over Cowboys

A thrilling win in Dallas pushes the Green Bay Packers to 4-1 on the season, and to first place in the NFC North. There is still significant work to be done, but the Packers are in solid shape.

After their embarrassing performance against the Falcons and lethargic win over the then winless Bengals, the Packers have responded well with blowout wins over Chicago and a close one over the rival Cowboys.

Aaron Rodgers remains undefeated at AT&T Stadium dating back to his first appearance in Dallas, Super Bowl XLV. The Packers are now 4-1, a strong start for a team that usually hits its stride late in the season. Here are some positives and negatives from their week five win.

Positive: Davante Adams

Davante Adams is going to get paid this offseason. The fourth-year wideout has made huge strides since being drafted in the second round out of Fresno State in 2014. Four touchdowns on 23 receptions including the game-winner on Sunday have made Adams one of the NFL’s most reliable number two receivers.

The Packers should have no problem showing Adams the money this offseason. The 24-year-old has shown extreme toughness through several long-term injuries, and has improved significantly after a somewhat disappointing first two seasons. The Packers should make re-upping Adams a major priority for them this offseason.

Negative: Kevin King injury

Losing Kevin King in the first half against the Cowboys was a huge blow to the Packers secondary. King has been productive thus far this season, and losing him for any extended period of time would be extremely costly. King sustained a concussion late in the first quarter of the game, leaving coverage responsibilities on Dez Bryant up to Davon House.

King needs to be on the field for the Packers. Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins still aren’t getting it done, and House can’t be the only solid defensive back on the team. The Packers need King and Josh Jones to play as much as possible this season to finally improve this defense.

Who saw this coming? After an impressive preseason, Jones was inactive for opening day against the Seahawks.

With Ty Montgomery sidelined and Devante Mays yet to carry the ball, Jones was given the start at running back. Jones averaged almost seven yards a carry on 25 attempts against Dallas, providing the type of balance in the Packers offense that has been missing for way too long.

While 125 yards can’t be expected of Jones every time, but when Montgomery gets back, the Packers may have something in their running game at long last. Jones is an extremely shifty runner who finds holes well. Montgomery is more of a bruising, between the tackles runner who can split out wide as a receiver, much as Jones did several times.

Negative: Jamaal Williams

Jamaal Williams has done barely anything since being drafted. Montgomery got the majority of the snaps through the first four games, while Williams has struggled to do much of anything so far. Ten carries for just 33 yards and no touchdowns is a bit discouraging for a player some even projected as the starter going forward this season.

Now that Aaron Jones has leapfrogged him on the depth chart and Montgomery is the established starter, Williams may see a further dip in carries and production.

Positive: Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy had one of his best games as head coach of the Packers on Sunday. Several outstanding play calls and creative play designs were crucial to the team’s success on Sunday. Going for it on fourth-and-1 from midfield is extremely risky, but McCarthy drew up an outstanding play.

With three receivers near side, the Packers had blockers to that side of the formation. Suddenly Randall Cobb came sprinting across the formation, misleading the safeties to the opposite side of the field. Rodgers then pitched the ball back near side to Jones who was escorted by several offensive linemen and the remaining two receivers. The conversion was a huge play in the game, as it led to a go-ahead score for the Packers.

Negative: Dean Lowry

The Packers are still waiting to hear from Lowry. The former fourth-round pick out of Northwestern enjoyed a promising rookie season, but to this point in 2017 he has hardly made a dud. Just six tackles in five games is deeply disappointing for a player of his potential. The Packers may look to give Chris Odom some more snaps before too long.

The problem with Lowry’s no-show, is that the Packers front seven could actually be pretty good if he were more involved. Mike Daniels is a stud while Kenny Clark is budding into a potential star at defensive tackle.

Ricky Jean-Francois and Quinton Dial have helped shore up a usually suspect run defense, while Ahmad Brooks has been solid when spelling Clay Matthews and Nick Perry. The Packers were confident letting go of Datone Jones partially because of their interest in Lowry, but so far very little has been produced.