Like any NFL fanbase, Green Bay Packers fans are getting tired of penalties. Through the first four weeks, Green Bay averaged 10 penalties per game, stopping offensive drives in their tracks and giving opponents painful second chances. This past Sunday, however, was a breath of fresh air.
With an offensive line in constant flux, the Packers struggled early in the season, totaling a dozen penalties among their linemen. False starts and holding calls made the team look unprepared, which shouldn't be too surprising after injuries and inconsistent play resulted in the starting lineup being reworked and veteran help required.
Sunday's rivalry game against the Chicago Bears was a different story, though. Green Bay committed just three offensive penalties. For the first time this season, they avoided being flagged for offensive holding, a great sign for the offensive line and even pass-catchers like Tucker Kraft and Christian Watson, who had been flagged in previous weeks.
The discipline shown by the offensive line provided a glimmer of hope that the unit is starting to hit its stride. Pass protection will continue to be worked on and improved, but making sure mistakes don't derail the progression of the offense is always an important part of staying competitive.
Packers' improved discipline helped fuel Jordan Love's dominant performance
Minimal offensive penalties allowed head coach Matt LaFleur to keep the momentum up, calling big plays that forced the Bears onto their back foot. Jordan Love delivered five throws of 30-plus air yards, finding Watson, Kraft, and Matthew Golden for massive gains.
While a would-be 43-yard touchdown was called back due to a 50/50 offensive pass interference call on rookie J. Michael Sturdivant, Love was free to operate with minimal setbacks, totaling 367 yards, the most ever by a Green Bay quarterback during a home game against Chicago.
The defense played an even more controlled game, recording just one penalty for five yards (a defensive hold on Zaire Franklin). After being called for six penalties of 15 yards or more in the first three games, the Packers were desperate for some clean defense, and that's exactly what they delivered.
In the last two weeks, the defense hasn't had a single penalty worth more than five yards. With just seven points allowed and five forced turnovers, the Packers cruised to a win.
Chicago was penalized just a handful of times as well, accounting for three of the game's seven total calls. This low final count made for a relatively smooth game from a stoppage perspective. The lack of penalties was a welcome change for a Green Bay team that has been flagged the fourth-most times in the league (46) through the first five weeks of the season.
Earning a dominant win is always a welcome sight, but seeing a major decrease in self-inflicted wounds puts the victory in a whole new light. If the Packers can continue to play smart, they'll make it easier on themselves while forcing opponents to work for each first down.
Building on this trend will be essential to the team's long-term hopes, especially given the numerous season-ending injuries that will force the Packers to experiment with different lineups on both sides of the ball.
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