Packers: What went wrong Week 1 against the Vikings?

What went wrong for the Green Bay Packers in Week 1?

Green Bay Packers fans are becoming numb to poor Week 1 performances.

Since Matt LaFleur took over the reins as head coach in 2019, the Packers have only scored more than 10 points once during a Week 1 game, and that game two years ago against the Minnesota Vikings.

The other three opening games had poor offensive production, and this past Sunday was no different.

There were many things that went wrong on Sunday, but three key issues jumped out as reasons why the Packers have started 0-1 for the second consecutive season.

Poor offensive line play

For four quarters against the Vikings, the offensive line could not protect Aaron Rodgers. The rebuilt Vikings defensive line with newly acquired Za’Darius Smith had their way with the young guys on the Packers line.

Rodgers was sacked four times on Sunday, one of which he fumbled the ball after getting sandwiched between two Viking defenders, giving the ball back to a team that was already up two possessions.

Although the Packers were down two of their star linemen in David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, this was no excuse for how poor the line played, especially after having an entire offseason to prep for this game against the Vikings.

If Green Bay can get healthy, the offensive line will play much better with their stars back, but till then, the young guys on the line are going to need to step up and play to the standard set for them.

Defense did not live up to the hype

All offseason, NFL and Packers fans alike were high on the potential of the defense. With two first-round picks spent on the defense in 2022 and six total since 2018, the group was supposed to be special.

Alas, Green Bay’s defense played completely opposite to what was expected, allowing 395 total yards, 269 passing with over 120 rushing yards. Not great.

On top of allowing all these yards, Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson set a new career-high in receiving yards. He finished his day with nine receptions for 184 yards and two scores. This is unacceptable for a team with a cornerback room with Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Rasul Douglas.

The Packers had no game plan to stop Jefferson and it showed on his second of two receiving touchdowns. With 45 seconds left in the first half, Vikings QB Kirk Cousins stepped up into the pocket and delivered a pass to a wide open Jefferson, who easily ran in for a 36-yard score to put his team up 17-0 against the reigning NFC North champs.

If Green Bay wants to compete this year in the NFC North, they’re going to have to figure out a way to stop this electric connection between Kirk Cousins and Jefferson. If not, it will be a long season for the boys in green.

Aaron Jones needs more touches

The Packers’ offensive plan going into this game needed to rely heavily on the ground game with the two-headed monster of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Sadly, it did not.

Jones ended the day with only five attempts on the ground and five targets for three catches throughout the entire game. For the best offensive weapon on the team to only finish with eight touches is a recipe for disaster.

If Jones was not producing against the Vikings, it would be understandable to not have as many touches, but this wasn’t the case.

Jones averaged 9.8 yards a carry against a very good Minnesota defensive front. For someone producing a such a high level, it’s insane to not continue to feed him the ball.

Going forward this year, Jones will have to be involved more in the offensive game plan till  Rodgers builds a good connection with his new, young wide receiver corps.

Overall, Green Bay came into this game unprepared to compete at the level they were expected to and it showed on the gridiron.

Next Sunday night they take on another division rival, the Chicago Bears, who are coming off a big win against one of the best teams in the NFC. They will be ready to compete. Green Bay needs to dig deep and recover from their Week 1 dud.

Luckily, under coach LaFleur, the Packers know how to bounce back after a tough loss.