The Green Bay Packers completed a blockbuster trade for defensive end Micah Parsons, and with that came expectations that shot up into the stratosphere.
The Packers delivered on those expectations to start the 2025 regular season. An impressive Week 1 win at home over the defending division champion Detroit Lions was followed by another strong showing against the NFC runner-up Washington Commanders.
They had caught the eyes of many people around the country, and the Packers were the darlings of the NFC. It appeared the team was off to the races and fans were in for a potentially special season.
Two short weeks later, Green Bay has crashed down to Earth and heads into their bye with a heavy dosage of humble pie.
Packers need dose of humble pie ahead of Week 5 bye
A stunning collapse against the Cleveland Browns and barely getting to a draw against the Dallas Cowboys is leaving Packers fans dazed and wondering who the 2025 version of their team is.
They came out of the gate looking like a Super Bowl contender and two short weeks later they suddenly look like they're not much different than last year's group: a good team, but not among the elite even with the addition of Parsons.
The final word on the Packers is far from written in stone, but it's time to recognize this team is indeed flawed and they're not quite the juggernaut they were portrayed to be after the first two games. It could be easy to dismiss the loss against the Browns as sometimes even the best teams lay an egg against a clearly inferior opponent.
But, the tie against Dallas has clearly exposed some issues with the team, and while it is by no means time to panic, there's enough there to maybe at least pump the brakes on the Super Bowl hype train.
For one, the Packers’ defense has suddenly looked very beatable. After manhandling the Lions and Commanders, the fact that they collapsed against the Browns (albeit not without help from the Green Bay offense) and couldn't contain a Cowboys team without Ceedee Lamb means Jeff Hafley's group has a lot of work to do particularly at cornerback.
It'll be interesting to see what adjustments the staff makes schematically coming out of the bye week. The tie against Dallas should especially have them sitting forward in their seats a little more.
The good news for the defense is that Parsons has come as advertised. He's been disruptive and has opened things up for Rashan Gary and even Lukas Van Ness is beginning to reap the benefits of Parsons’ sheer presence. That's a good sign going forward.
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However, the biggest red flag on the Packers right now has to be what's traditionally a strength: the offensive line. Yes, the group is very beat up right now which hasn't helped, but the fact that the Packers have already played so many different line combinations shows not only the injury problem but also the lack of a firm plan. Zach Tom’s oblique injury sure looks like it exposed the depth problem on the line.
On the bright side, Jordan Love has played very well despite the revolving door in front of him. If Matt LaFleur can somehow stabilize the offensive line when they're all healthy, Love should flourish even more. Those pointing the fingers at Love for the Packers' recent issue have clearly not been watching the same film as the rest of us.
Taking a look at the big picture, the Packers are 2-1-1, but they could easily be 4-0. There was no reason to lose to the Browns and they were close to beating Dallas.
The Packers also reminded everyone that they're still the youngest team in the NFL and can still get in their own way. It's a challenge that has plagued this team for the past several years. But, the coaching staff has got to get this young group over that hump if they want to contend for a championship.
Until then, the Packers likely could continue to be a team on the cusp. They can get over the top, but they have to take a hard look at themselves.
Hopefully, this two week break is just the medicine to treat what has been ailing them, and the remaining 13 games look much more like the first two.