Packers make too many mistakes in loss to Washington in Week 3

In a game filled with mistakes, the Green Bay Packers lost to Washington, falling to 1-1-1 on the season.

In the rain, the Packers had too many dropped passes at key times, and they also gave up 11 penalties, costing them 115 yards. That’s simply not good enough.

Green Bay had no answer for Adrian Peterson, who carried 19 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

Aaron Rodgers, who continued to play hurt, threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns. The first was a 64-yard connection with Geronimo Allison, the other a two-yard pass to Davante Adams.

But the Packers continued to get in their own way throughout the game. Randall Cobb dropped a couple of passes, including on an early third down. Rodgers also threw a bad ball to a wide open Adams on third down in the first half.

Lance Kendricks dropped what would have been a big completion on third-and-10 with the Packers down by 11.

Then came the mistake that finished Green Bay’s chances.

Still down by 11 with little under six minutes to go, Randall Cobb fumbled, giving the ball straight back to Washington.

Mike Pettine’s defense was dominated in the first half, but to their credit, they fought back in the second, limiting Washington to just three points in the final two quarters. But it wasn’t enough, as missed opportunities on offense continued to swing the momentum back in favor of the home team.

The only good news of the day comes from Minnesota. The Vikings lost 27-6 to arguably the worst team in football over two weeks, the Buffalo Bills. It’s the biggest upset of the season to date.

After the early Sunday games, the Packers and Vikings are tied at the top of the NFC North at 1-1-1. The Chicago Bears are 1-1, and play the Cardinals later on Sunday. The 0-2 Detroit Lions host the 1-1 New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.

But it doesn’t matter how the other teams in the division get on this week. The Packers have a lot to improve ahead of Week 4.