Packers: Handing out grades after disappointing 2022 season
The Green Bay Packers were incredibly inconsistent throughout the 2022 season.
They won three of their opening four but then lost five in a row and seven of eight. They responded with four straight wins, but lost in the season finale to the Detroit Lions.
It all added up to an 8-9 record, not good enough for a wild-card berth.
Unsurprisingly, the Packers’ end-of-season grades reflect this inconsistency.
Packers offense: C
Green Bay’s offense took a step back in 2022, which isn’t all that surprising having lost Davante Adams in the spring.
Aaron Rodgers finished with 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, numbers way off his MVP seasons in 2020 and ’21. His 12 interceptions were his most since 2010, and his 91.1 passer rating was the lowest of his career as the Packers’ starter.
Green Bay’s offense ranked 17th in total yards, 17th in passing yards, and 15th in rushing yards.
While there were moments of brilliance, they were few and far between.
According to TeamRankings.com, Green Bay scored a touchdown on just 51.85% of red-zone trips, ranking 24th in the NFL.
Packers defense: C
The defense improved late in the season, but this unit fell well short of expectations in 2022.
Let’s start with what they did well: stop the pass. Green Bay ranked sixth in passing defense.
Jaire Alexander made a career-high five interceptions, while the Packers had a total of 17 picks, tied for fourth-most in the NFL.
However, the pass rush struggled following Rashan Gary’s season-ending injury, and Green Bay’s run defense was awful. The Packers gave up 139.5 rushing yards per game, ranking 26th in the NFL.
Packers special teams: B
Green Bay’s special teams came a long way in 2022.
While they were far from perfect, they made significant improvements, with special teams actually becoming a strength late in the season.
Amari Rodgers’ struggles as a returner continued, eventually leading to the Packers moving on from their former third-round pick. They switched to Keisean Nixon, who started playing like Devin Hester, leading the NFL in kick return yards.
His best was a 105-yard touchdown return against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17.
Mason Crosby bounced back from a disappointing 2021 season, converting 86.2% of his field goals, the fifth-best percentage of his career. He also set a new record, kicking the longest field goal of any Packers kicker at Lambeau Field, a 56-yarder.
Pat O’Donnell showed great consistency as the punter, averaging 44.5 yards per punt and maintaining that level in the colder weather.
The addition of special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia and free-agent signings Keisean Nixon and Dallin Leavitt made a huge difference.