Packers: Grades for Week 1 performance in loss to Vikings
Handing out grades for the Green Bay Packers after their loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.
Another season opener, another disappointing performance from the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers will need to quickly bounce back after a poor showing on both sides of the ball at U.S. Bank Stadium.
After the defeat, it’s time to hand out some grades for the three phases of the game.
Packers offense: F
Seven points. That’s all the Packers could manage on Sunday afternoon. It’s their lowest points total since a Week 9 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs last season, the game Jordan Love started at quarterback.
Christian Watson’s costly drop began a frustrating performance from the offense. We saw miscommunications, bad protection from the offensive line, receivers struggling to get open, and Aaron Rodgers holding onto the ball forever.
Green Bay didn’t get the ball in the hands of Aaron Jones or AJ Dillon nearly enough.
Watson’s drop cost the offense six, and a goal-line stop on fourth down prevented another touchdown.
It was a rough day for the Packers’ offense.
Packers defense: D
We saw some good moments from the defense but they were few and far between. Entering the season with sky-high expectations, this was a real disappointment.
Green Bay only allowed 23 points, but that was more than enough for Minnesota to win the game.
To beat the Vikings, you must have a plan for All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The Packers didn’t, and they watched Jefferson catch nine passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
At the very least, Green Bay had to stop the run. That, too, was a struggle, with Minnesota putting up 126 yards on the ground, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt.
Packers special teams: C
The good news? Special teams weren’t an issue.
Pat O’Donnell averaged 44.8 yards per punt, and three of his four punts pinned the Vikings inside their own 20-yard line. Two resulted in fair catches, and another O’Donnell booted out of bounds. A positive start from Green Bay’s new punter.
Mason Crosby had a quiet day, only being required for one extra-point try. But he looked comfortable despite missing most of the summer with injury.
It was a relatively uneventful day on special teams. For Green Bay, that’s fantastic news.