Packers offense deserves just as much blame as defense for Week 2 loss

When a team gives up 446 yards, including 211 on the ground, there are bound to be questions about the defense.

While Green Bay Packers fans have every right to be angry at Joe Barry and the Green Bay defense for their pitiful performance on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, the offense deserves just as much blame.

The Packers offense put up 24 points through three quarters, but completely disappeared when it mattered most.

Packers fourth-quarter offense deserves just as much blame in Week 2

The Packers led the Falcons by 12 points heading into the fourth quarter, but a 13-point surge by Arthur Smith's offense left the Green Bay faithful stunned. Atlanta went on to win by a final of 25-24.

The Packers defense gave up 166 yards in the fourth quarter, but Green Bay's offense only amassed 11 yards on 10 plays. That included two three-and-outs and six consecutive incomplete passes from Jordan Love.

In fact, it may shock Packers fans to know that Love's last completion on Sunday was the touchdown pass to Jayden Reed with 56 seconds left in the third quarter. At that point, Love was 14-of-19 for 151 yards with three touchdowns. But afterwards, Love went 0-for-6 for zero yards.

Green Bay also lost the time-of-possession battle. The Packers held onto the ball for 23 minutes and 45 seconds while the Falcons owned 36 minutes and 15 seconds of the clock. Green Bay had the ball for just three minutes and 19 seconds in the fourth quarter, and maintained the lead until there was under a minute left.

The biggest blunder for the offense came when the Packers came up just short of the first down during their second possession of the fourth quarter. A miscommunication between the quarterback and his offensive line saw Love clumsily fall forward without the ball while attempting a QB sneak. The play resulted in a five-yard penalty and the Packers were forced to punt.

It must be said that the Green Bay Packers were without three key pieces of their offense. Christian Watson, Aaron Jones, and David Bahktiari were all out of Sunday's game due to injury. But Green Bay handled their business for the first 45 minutes of the game without a problem.

So, blame Joe Barry and the Packers' defense all you want - they deserve to take some heat. But don't exclude the offense's performance during the fourth quarter. They need to shoulder some of the blame as well.

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