Lombardi Ave
FanSided

10 things Green Bay Packers must do to reach the Super Bowl in 2020

By Freddie Boston

DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 6: In this handout provided by General Motors, Super Bowl XLV Most Valuable Player Aaron Rogders (L) receives the keys to a new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible from Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw after leading the Green Bay Packers to a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 6, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by General Motors via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 6: In this handout provided by General Motors, Super Bowl XLV Most Valuable Player Aaron Rogders (L) receives the keys to a new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible from Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw after leading the Green Bay Packers to a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 6, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by General Motors via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 30: Jamaal Williams #30 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball during the first half of a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on December 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 30: Jamaal Williams #30 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball during the first half of a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on December 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

6. Improve third-down offense

For the Packers offense to reach its potential, it has to convert on third down more frequently. Green Bay was successful on third down just 36.8 percent of the time, which ranked 23rd in the NFL.

It sure felt like every time the Packers faced a third-and-short, Aaron Rodgers would hold on to the ball and either take a sack or throw deep, often unsuccessfully.

Or how about third-and-long when the Packers would hand the ball off and effectively give up on converting? They may as well have saved everybody some time and brought out JK Scott to punt on third down.

Again, it’s no surprise to see the teams leading the way in third-down percentage. The Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints all ranked inside the top seven.

Through Matt LaFleur’s scheme and play-calling, as well as the success on first and second down, the Packers can improve on the “money down”. This also goes back to the point about being more balanced. If Green Bay leans on the ground game more often, it’ll likely be able to set up more manageable third-down situations and also open up the play-action passing game.

Fixing the third-down offense will be key in a playoff run.

Home/Green Bay Packers News