Packers: Five things they need to fix in the bye week

Penalties

As noted, penalties have been an issue for the Packers so far this season, and it’s something they’ll need to fix quickly. Far too often, the offense gets called for a holding penalty or, worse, a delay of game or false start. It’s sloppy, undisciplined play that puts the Packers behind the chains. It’s playing a role in some of the struggles on third down.

In the past two games alone, the Packers have been called for 18 penalties. Ten of them came in Sunday’s win against the Panthers. In Week 10, Green Bay was called for a delay of game twice. One of those penalties came after a timeout, which is inexcusable. The offense also had two false start penalties.

Aaron Rodgers makes adjustments at the line of scrimmage, but far too often the Packers are rushing against the clock to get the play off in time. This isn’t just an issue in LaFleur’s offense, it happened for years under Mike McCarthy.

Penalties can ruin drives, and when the Packers get into games against the best teams in the league (including their next game against the 49ers), it could cost them.

A top priority over the next two weeks should be cleaning up the penalties.