Aaron Rodgers, offense deserve blame for another Packers playoff failure

We can, and will, talk about the Green Bay Packers‘ special-teams failures in their divisional-round loss to the San Francisco 49ers. But the fact is, none of that matters if Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense put in a strong performance.

We’ve seen countless frustrating playoff exits where the defense has given up a ton of yards or failed to get a stop at a key moment.

But both this season and last, this wasn’t the case. When breaking down where things went wrong on Saturday night, it starts with the offense taking a look in the mirror.

Missed opportunities from Aaron Rodgers, Packers offense

It doesn’t all fall on Aaron Rodgers’ shoulders — of course not. Some of it is play-calling, and that’s on Matt LaFleur. Marcedes Lewis fumbled on the Packers’ second possession and Josiah Deguara dropped a key third down that he should’ve made.

But when you’ve got an MVP at quarterback, you expect them to make plays when the team needs them the most.

Rodgers had that opportunity Saturday night but didn’t take it.

The punt-block touchdown for the 49ers is perhaps the most memorable play from the game, and that falls on the NFL’s worst special teams unit. But that block wouldn’t have even been possible had Rodgers thrown a better pass to Davante Adams, who drew one-on-one coverage against Josh Norman.

Even after the Packers gave up the TD on special teams to tie the game, Green Bay had enough time to take the ball down the field, score a game-winner and punch its ticket to the NFC Championship Game.

Facing a third-and-11, Rodgers forced a pass deep downfield to Adams, who was in double coverage. For this play to work, everything had to be perfect. The probability of it succeeding was tiny.

What Rodgers missed was a wide-open Allen Lazard in the middle of the field. Like, wide open. There were no 49ers defenders in the same zip code.

In the regular season, Rodgers hits Lazard for a significant gain. Lazard would’ve caught the football around midfield with green grass ahead of him to move the Packers into field goal range.

We can’t blame protection — it was perfect. Rodgers had all day. We can’t blame the play call — it worked beautifully.

Had Rodgers hit Lazard, the Packers are probably in the NFC Championship Game.

Defense stepped up, offense failed

One of the big concerns entering the game was how Green Bay’s rush defense would hold up against San Francisco’s offense.

The answer was just fine.

San Francisco averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. As soon as the Niners got behind the chains and had to pass, they struggled. Jimmy Garoppolo finished 11/19 for 131 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. He was sacked four times.

Joe Barry’s defense held the 49ers to six points, forced a turnover, and came up with a huge fourth-down stop. Even if we add in the special teams nightmare that gave the 49ers a touchdown, the Packers allowed 13 points in a home playoff game.

For a team built on offense, you can’t ask for any more than that. Score 14 points and you are in the NFC Championship Game.

On the opening drive, Rodgers was on the money, the 49ers had no answer for Adams, and Green Bay marched down the field to take a 7-0 lead. But San Francisco adjusted, took Adams out of the game, and that was it.

Offense misses opportunity for second straight season

Saturday’s loss to the 49ers was a completely different game to last year’s NFC title game exit to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that game, the Packers allowed 31 points including a deep touchdown pass to Scotty Miller to end the half.

But let’s not forget that one of those Bucs touchdowns came after an Aaron Jones fumble set them up in the red zone. And also that the Packers’ defense intercepted Tom Brady three times in the second half. Following two of them, the Packers went three-and-out.

The biggest memory from that game was Rodgers not scrambling for a potential game-tying touchdown then LaFleur deciding to kick a field goal.

Another failure by the offense

While Aaron Rodgers is the Packers’ QB, this team wins with its offense. They just need the defense and special teams to hold up.

The latter didn’t on Saturday night but, thanks to dominant defensive play, the Packers only allowed 13 points in the game.

Even with Aaron Rodgers, who could be about to win his second straight MVP award, the Packers failed offensively. And that’s what hurts the most.