Green Bay Packers Break Down

Pike Temple, Sports Reporter

The Packers looked atrocious in week one against the Saints. Rodgers threw for two interceptions. He passed for 133 yards and completed fifteen out of his twenty eight pass attempts. The former MVP had a QBR of 36 against New Orleans; not a very MVP-esque start to the 2021 season. The narrative changed week two against the Lions. The wannabe Jeopardy host threw for 255 yards, completed 81 percent of his passes, and threw for four touchdowns with a passer rating of 145. Aaron Jones looked as dominant as ever against Detroit. Jones recorded four touchdowns on the night, one rushing and three receiving. Davante Adams had eight receptions for 121 yards. The offense hummed, for most of the game. The Packers defense, on the other hand, struggled in the first half. The run defense had a typical outing, not allowing the big play, but yards on the ground were gimmes for the Lions. The defense improved in the second half, after Jared Goff and the Lions were forced to throw the ball due to the point deficit. A few pleasant surprises emerged from week two with returning vet Randall Cobb, free agent addition De’Vondre Campbell, and rookie first round pick Eric Stokes. Cobb emerged as the number one slot receiver, De’Vondre Campbell accumulated 13 tackles and an interception, and Eric Stokes showcased his man coverage ability. Stokes stuck to his receiver like glue on his two key pass breakups on fourth down. If Green Bay expects to compete for a Super Bowl, Cobb, Campbell, and Stokes will have to play a big role. Overall, the defense will have to improve in order to compete with the other offensive juggernauts in the league, but there were positives on defense that revealed better things to come. The Green Bay Packers will fly to San Francisco in their week three matchup against the 49ers. The defense will be tested by a solid offense and the Packers young offensive linemen will be challenged by a now healthy, talented, San Fran defensive line led by Nick Bosa. Green Bay has a fairly rough schedule this season. The Packers will face ten teams that made the playoffs last season, not including the 49ers which were plagued with injuries all through 2020 but previously made it to the Super Bowl in 2019. The offense can score 21 plus points a game and the defense should be able to hold opposing offenses to under that 21 point mark. The Packers will be a very good playoff contender; postseason Aaron Rodgers is a whole different animal. Green Bay has enough talent on both sides of the ball in order for the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay to end in fairy-tale fashion.