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Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, left, is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebacker D.J. Wonnum, Sunday, in Minneapolis.
After struggling a lopsided loss of their opener for a second straight 12 months, the Inexperienced Bay Packers can solely hope the remainder of their season additionally has a well-recognized really feel.
The Packers fell 38-3 to the New Orleans Saints of their first recreation final 12 months however went on to complete 13-4 and earn the NFC’s prime playoff seed. They’re leaning on that have as they attempt to bounce again from Sunday’s 23-7 loss at Minnesota.
“I believe numerous our veterans, this isn’t their first rodeo and never the primary time they’ve suffered a defeat,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur mentioned Monday. “But it surely’s at all times fascinating to see how younger guys reply to a defeat or not enjoying your greatest. You’ve obtained to be important, however on the identical time, you continue to should attempt to put your arm round these guys since you need them assured.”
A kind of younger guys is rookie second-round decide Christian Watson, who obtained huge open however dropped a possible 75-yard landing cross from Aaron Rodgers on the Packers’ first play from scrimmage.
That was essentially the most obtrusive of many errors the Packers made on a day that left them open to second-guessing.
Because the Vikings constructed a 17-0 halftime lead, Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson not often needed to match up towards Jaire Alexander, the Packers’ greatest cornerback.
Jefferson capitalized by scoring two touchdowns and completed the day with 9 catches for a career-high 184 yards.
“Why I wasn’t on him, that’s not my name,” Alexander mentioned after the sport. “Anyone who watches me play, you realize that’s what I need.”
LaFleur famous Monday that it’s powerful to assign a single cornerback to a selected receiver for the course of a whole recreation “except you might be dedicated to enjoying man protection each snap.”
He complimented the Vikings for the way in which they created advantageous matchups for Jefferson and used him a lot the way in which the Packers utilized Davante Adams, the two-time All-Professional wideout now with the Las Vegas Raiders.
This marked the second straight 12 months the Packers didn’t play most of their starters in any exhibition video games and misplaced convincingly of their season opener. LaFleur mentioned Monday the 2 components aren’t essentially associated and famous the Vikings additionally rested most of their starters within the preseason.
“Clearly it didn’t harm them,” LaFleur mentioned. “So possibly we’re doing one thing fallacious in apply, no matter it could be. However actually it’s disappointing, I believed our guys had been locked in, able to go.”
WHAT’S WORKING
The Packers averaged over 6 yards per carry, with Aaron Jones operating for 49 yards on 5 makes an attempt and A.J. Dillon operating 10 occasions for 45 yards. Dillon additionally had 5 catches for 46 yards, each workforce highs. The issue was the Packers didn’t get the ball sufficient to their two dynamic operating backs.
“We’ve obtained to get them extra concerned, whether or not it’s within the run recreation, cross recreation, nonetheless it could be,” LaFleur mentioned after the sport.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The truth that Dillon’s 46 yards receiving led the workforce underscored the necessity for extra manufacturing from the wideouts. The Packers didn’t have their prime returning receiver accessible with Allen Lazard battling an ankle harm.
An offensive line lacking injured tackles David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins allowed 4 sacks and didn’t give Rodgers sufficient time to throw. The goal-line offense let Inexperienced Bay down when an unblocked Za’Darius Smith stopped Dillon on fourth-and-goal from the 1.
A protection that believes it may be among the many league’s greatest didn’t drive a turnover.
STOCK UP
New P Pat O’Donnell landed three of his 4 punts contained in the Vikings’ 20-yard line.
STOCK DOWN
Watson squandered a chance to make an prompt impression on his first NFL snap. … CB Eric Stokes, S Adrian Amos and S Darnell Savage struggled in protection through the Vikings’ first-half flurry. … G Jake Hanson obtained crushed on a sack by Smith and had loads of bother in his first profession begin.
INJURED
Reserve LB Krys Barnes (ankle) was carted off the sphere within the fourth quarter, although LaFleur mentioned Monday the harm won’t be as important because it seemed. … LB Quay Walker and reserve CB Keisean Nixon left with shoulder accidents. … OG Jon Runyan left within the third quarter with concussion signs.
KEY NUMBER
395 — The variety of consecutive passes Rodgers had thrown towards NFC North groups with out an interception earlier than Harrison Smith picked him off late within the second quarter. Rodgers’ final decide towards a division foe had been on Dec. 29, 2019, towards Detroit.
NEXT STEPS
The three-time defending NFC North champions will likely be trying up at Minnesota and Chicago within the division standings this week as they put together to open their residence schedule towards the Bears on Sunday evening. The Packers have crushed the Bears six straight occasions.
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