Packers put in worst performance of season in loss to Chargers

Just one of those days, or a worrying performance for the Green Bay Packers?

The Packers had almost as many penalties (eight) as they did points (11). Outplayed in every phase of the game, the Los Angeles Chargers saved their season with a dominant win over the red-hot Packers.

Sloppy mistakes, poor defense and little success on offense was the theme throughout. The Packers defense once again had little answer for the run. A Chargers ground game that had failed to put up more than 40 yards in three straight weeks had no trouble this afternoon, rushing for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

Mike Williams and Hunter Henry both had big games receiving, with Williams putting up 111 yards on just three catches.

Offensively, Green Bay couldn’t get going. Tackles David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga struggled. The Chargers’ talented duo of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram combined for three sacks, six quarterback hits and two tackles for loss. The Packers failed to adjust, putting them in too many long third downs.

In total, the Chargers finished with 442 yards compared to the Packers’ 139. They converted 45 percent of their third downs compared to Green Bay’s 20 percent. Los Angeles also dominated time of possession, holding the football for just under 36 minutes.

If there’s one positive, it’s that the defense only gave away two touchdowns. The Chargers were just 2-of-5 in the red zone. Green Bay’s defense continued to bend but not break, forcing five field goals, one of which was missed.

But the offense couldn’t play its part, and in the end, the defense was tired and couldn’t make a stop.

If ever there was a week to have this performance, this was it. Fortunately, all three NFC North rivals also lost. And if you had to lose one game, it’d be to a team not in the NFC.

Still, it doesn’t make the performance any easier to take. The Packers have to quickly get back on track to stay in the race for a first-round bye in the playoffs.