Packers: Run game can help fix red zone issues

After Sunday’s victory over the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was noticeably upset in his postgame press conference in regards to the Packers’ offensive performance thus far. And who could blame him? Through the first four weeks of the season they have underwhelming.

The Green Bay Packers have a ton of talent on this offense, including what has shown to be a very capable running game, three explosive wide receivers and a solid offensive line when healthy.

However, through the month of September, the Packers have had issues finding the end zone. Other than a huge second half against the Bears in Week 1 where the Packers scored three touchdowns, they’ve struggled finding their way back.

Through four games, the Packers are averaging just two offensive touchdowns per game. That’s right, two! Now, they have had to face some difficult defensive units, but an Aaron Rodgers led offense with this type of talent around him needs to be better.

Red zone issues

One big reason for the lack of touchdowns is that Green Bay has been limited in the number of red zone chances they’ve given their offense. And when they do get to the red zone, they have struggled mightily.

So far this season, the Packers are averaging just three red zone trips per game. This is ranked 17th overall in the league and barely ahead of their 2017 number that was put up by a Brett Hundley-led offense.

The Packers’ touchdown conversion rate when in the red zone this year hasn’t been impressive either. Out of the entire NFL, the Packers currently rank 28th overall in red zone trips that result in a touchdown. So far this season when inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, Green Bay leaves with a touchdown just 41.67 percent of the time.

Passing game in the red zone

The reason for Green Bay’s red zone issues could be broken up in to a few parts. The first being that Aaron Rodgers has struggled inside the 20. So far Rodgers has completed just eight of his 18 attempts when in the red zone but does have four touchdowns.

Some of this could be attributed to Rodgers’ injury. It has limited his ability to extend the play and find his open receivers as we are so accustomed to seeing. Another reason could be due to Rodgers’ lack of practice with his knee injury.

We have seen Rodgers miss a few throws so far this season that he normally makes. Rust could be a factor as well.

Rushing game in the red zone

Up to this point in the season, the Packers rushing attack in the red zone has been non-existent. Right now an injured Rodgers is having to make a lot of the big plays while the Packers have a trio of productive running backs behind him, but the problem is they are receiving a limited amount of carries.

Through the first four games, Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery have combined for just five total red zone carries and have made up just 33.83 percent of Green Bay’s total offensive plays ran.

In limited action we have seen how dynamic Aaron Jones can be and what great complements Williams and Montgomery can be to him.

In Jones’ two games this season, he is averaging a whopping 6.29 yards per carry and as a unit the three backs are averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Unfortunately, they haven’t been given the opportunities to help this Packers offense find the end zone.

The Packers always seem to start slow in the month of September, so as always, I would anticipate them getting into the end zone more. But to help expedite that process the coaching staff needs to rely more on the running game, which will make this offense less predictable and result in a more effective Aaron Rodgers.