The Packers’ defense finally gave D coordinator Joe Barry and Packers fans what they wanted, a Red Zone stop, make that 3 Red Zone stops, in Sunday’s home win vs Football Team. “I thought our defense really did an outstanding job,” said Head Coach Matt LaFleur after the game. The banged-up Packers defense held Washington to a season-low 10 points.
On offense, QB Aaron Rodgers was his usual expected spectacular self, throwing for 274 yds with 3 TDs all to different receivers and, ho-hum, no interceptions for a 127.6 QB Rating. “We’re just a little bit off on offense,” said Rodgers of his squad, which is missing 3 O-line starters. “We weren’t running the ball well, they were…holding the line of scrimmage. We had to find a way to throw it and…we made the most of single high opportunities,” Rodgers added speaking of the in-game game-plan changes the offense made against Washington’s cover 2 defense and front 7 which dominated the Packers’ efforts to run the ball.
Jubilant Joe & Oh No Joe:
Barry was seen jumping up and down on the sideline and yelling “That’s three!”, following the Packers’ third Red Zone stop of Washington which came in the 4th quarter. Barry, who promised more energy from the defense when he took over as D coordinator, has been a target for the press and Pack fans this season as his defense has struggled in the Red Zone.
Following the game, Barry tested positive for Covid-19, and will likely miss Thursday’s game against the Cardinals in Arizona.
The Feelings:
The best feeling Packers fans can have is the feeling of a win. And, this win, at home, to stay undefeated at Lambeau, and to make it 6 straight, and to extend the Pack’s NFC North lead will feel pretty, pretty, darn good. Stir in a solid defensive effort and it’s not too soon to start dreaming of the playoffs and even hosting a home game in front of a Lambeau Field crowd.
That familiar vibe you might be feeling from Wisconsin and radiating from Lambeau is nerves as the Packers head west in just 4 days to face the NFL’s only undefeated team, Arizona, on Thursday Night Football. Green Bay has struggled under LaFleur heading west, and fans will remember the 2019 loss in San Diego as one such example. The Packers running woes vs Washington will add to the worries. But the worries are future Packers fans’ concerns as, for now, following a win – all is right in Titletown.
The Facts:
Football Team 10 Packers 24
Turnovers: 2/1
Sacks: 4/33 vs 3/27
3rd&4th DN: 5/15 vs 7/13
Rushing: 29/195 vs 15/53
Passing: 25/37 for 235 vs 27/35 for 247
Penalties: 4/50 vs 4/36
The Packers play the Cardinals in Arizona Thursday Night, kickoff 7:20.
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