The Green Bay Packers began the season with back-to-back wins over NFC contenders, beating the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders without much struggle. They entered their Week 3 matchup with the Cleveland Browns as heavy favorites to start the season 3-0, and appeared to be in line to do just that as they were leading 10-0 with under four minutes left in the game.
A late-game collapse, however, saw the Browns kick a game-winning field goal as time expired to hand the Packers their first loss. Following such a brutal choke job, Green Bay has found much of its roster under a microscope -- which was not the case following the 2-0 start.
While the defense has been elite, leading the league in scoring defense and ranking third in total yards allowed, the same cannot be said for the offense, which ranks 18th in scoring offense and 21st in total yards.
Jordan Love has, naturally, gotten most of the criticism due to the nature of the position he plays and his late-game interception against Cleveland. A different facet of the Packers' offense was named as the biggest surprise amid the ongoing struggles.
Packers' running game has to be better for team to reach potential
Green Bay fielded one of the league's best rushing attacks in 2024, as they finished the year ranked fifth in rushing yards and touchdowns. Josh Jacobs led the way with 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns on 301 carries. The unit has hardly had the same success this season, ranking 20th in yards and 15th in touchdowns through their first three games.
Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon labeled the struggling running game as the biggest surprise of the Packers' season, writing:
"Veteran back Josh Jacobs is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, which is way down from 4.4 in 2024. He couldn't move in Cleveland, which prevented the Packers from pulling away in a game they ended up losing. A lot of that falls on a struggling offensive line, although injuries are a factor there too."
Jacobs has just 180 rushing yards on 58 carries, although he has found the end zone twice in the first three weeks of the season. The Packers will need him to get going in order to be the complete, well-rounded team that many expect them to be.
Additionally, if the three-time Pro Bowler is able to pick things up, it will take a lot of pressure off of Love -- who, outside of his costly Week 3 interception, has been good this season.
Green Bay's defense has already proven to be elite following the addition of Micah Parsons, which will allow the team to consistently lead games. The Packers have trailed for zero seconds of regulation in the opening three games. The ability to run the ball and run out the clock will be pivotal for Matt LaFleur's squad.