More Banjo: Week 9 @ Los Angeles Chargers

[Radagast]

As the dust settles on the Packer's loss to the Chargers, no Packer fan ever likes a GB loss. They remain in the lead in the NFC North as well as being NFC strong contenders for a playoff bye. Yes, Go Pack Go.

The best coaches/teams learn more from a loss than from a win. Let's look at some of the things that went wrong.

Turner and Bulaga were vulnerable to a pass rush that sacked Rodgers. Both looked like they started the game tired. Additionally, run blocking by the Packer O-line looked tired. The low energy level of the the O-line play was glaring. That said what will be needed to take place before they play Carolina at Lambeau? IMO, the most critical need is for rest. Less practice in pads with more focus placed on walkthroughs at 1/2 speed that focus on opposition tendencies. Just showing up with a playbook for an NFL game is not good enough and the Chargers loss makes that point apparent.

Next, the Packer Defense allowed too many big plays. The Chargers did their homework on the Packers and it showed. The Packers D went from outstanding goal line stands to giving up yards both on the ground and in the air. Were the Packers overthinking on Defense or were they also very tired as well?

GB's professional coaches will closely examine this Chargers loss and should turn it to the Packers advantage moving forward. I had rather learn about these weaknesses now, rather than discover them by surprise in the playoffs.

IMO, GB looked slow and tired. Unless they get rested and do a better job researching Carolina, this same scene could repeat itself again and at home in front of the Packer faithfull. Let's hope this will be a wake up call to not look past ANY game/team.

[pbmax]

https://twitter.com/MoveTheSticks/status/1191387062353592321

Preston - Amos - Lowry - Clark - Martinez - DoctorZ

Savage is off screen but appears to be on LOS outside of DoctorZ. Would appear to be a seven man front.

D slants to its right. Lowry defeats a block but not fast enough to close. Clark is double but gets out of it. He and a closing Martinez actually close off Gordon's target hole (offenses left A gap) BUT...

Both are over played to their right and Martinez cannot get through his blocker to squeeze the hole. Which may not have mattered because DoctorZ has played a C gap technique even with Savage up with him. So NO ONE is in the B gap to stop Gordon from cutting back to his right and getting 10+.

With just two videos/screen shots, they are over playing play side and getting burnt backside due to poor discipline. This looks a lot like Raji in 2011. He was beating blocks left and right and getting penetration, but leaving gaps behind when they penetrate.

They have two guys in some gaps and no one in others. Pretty poor play. Not playing as a unit.

[pbmax]

If Clark, Lowry, DoctorZ and Preston all defeat blocks and the hole is that wide, its easy to blame Martinez. He doesn't play it well at all. He recognizes cutback too late and gets sucked into the block again. He's too eager to get play side and out of his gap.

But his D lineman are not being gap sound. They are more worried about winning the block than making the stop.

You could live with one problem. But not both. SD is giving the play away with where they want to take the players but only Clark wins his original gap. Even Lowry who "won" rust away, ends up in the wrong gap. He and Clark are both in the hole. If they could close, it's a win. But they can't and there is too much cutback room.

[pbmax]

Sometimes, when the D dares you to run it, you should run it. Right down their throats until they are forced out of their defense.

Not sure they were daring them. They loaded up the box on early downs. It was a nickel and they played 4-2-5, with seven in coverage.

Chargers Run D in nickel played much better than the Packers run D in nickel.

[mraynrand]

Not sure they were daring them. They loaded up the box on early downs. It was a nickel and they played 4-2-5, with seven in coverage.

Chargers Run D in nickel played much better than the Packers run D in nickel.

Like other games we’ve seen, the front four esp the ends are just going full speed upfield to the QB. You can catch them in that but you have to adjust. Maybe it doesn’t work because you are just having and awful day, but it didn’t seem like they adjusted all that much except to chip and help in pass pro but that wasn’t all that effective either. I’d check the game tape but I’m not sure I want to watch that again.

[pbmax]

Like other games we’ve seen, the front four esp the ends are just going full speed upfield to the QB. You can catch them in that but you have to adjust. Maybe it doesn’t work because you are just having and awful day, but it didn’t seem like they adjusted all that much except to chip and help in pass pro but that wasn’t all that effective either. I’d check the game tape but I’m not sure I want to watch that again.

I'd be more comfortable with that if they had succeeded more with runs generally. But it doesn't seem like they were.

I was surprised to see outside zone again when it seemed that inside zone would eliminate the outside rushers from chasing.

Also possible Packers, due to mistakes, were entirely predictable on down and distance.

[Bossman641]

Rivers between the hashes...10/11 for 197 yards.

Teams are (once again) killing us in the middle of the field. Feels like they can get yards anytime they need them.

[Radagast]

Much homework to do before Carolina comes to play in GB.

[George Cumby]

Rivers between the hashes...10/11 for 197 yards.

Teams are (once again) killing us in the middle of the field. Feels like they can get yards anytime they need them.

This sounds distressingly familiar. Are they gonna get that fixed or clean up the communication?

[mraynrand]

I'd be more comfortable with that if they had succeeded more with runs generally. But it doesn't seem like they were.

I was surprised to see outside zone again when it seemed that inside zone would eliminate the outside rushers from chasing.

Also possible Packers, due to mistakes, were entirely predictable on down and distance.

Yes, inside zone. Keep running that. Post game interviews with SD defenders: they claimed to have all the pass/ run cues figured out. Were ‘never surprised’ Maybe they were talking with people in the Lions‘ organization?

[KYPack]

In the spirit of "surveying the wreckage" I checked out some Charger sites. The Charger DL is going to get a huge boost in the coming weeks.

I sure didn't realize it, but both Charger DT's were out for this game. Both Brandon Mebane and Justin Jones will be back, possibly a soon as next game. Jones is very solid and Mebane is a legendary , old fashioned, 2 gaping DT. Think a Grady Jackson who can rush the passer some. The DT that flashed against us was Jerry Tillery their '19 top draft pick. Their top sub interior DT was also out and will return shortly. With those two crazy edge rushers free to wreak havoc, that DL will be a factor. The Bolts might have something brewing in that soccer field in LA.

[pbmax]

Coach's post mortem: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sport...ip/4160510002/

1. They did fly out Friday. Its been done before. Going to reevaluate.

2. DIdn't do a good enough job conveying what kinda team they were about to play (more like 12-4 last year than the record this year)

3. Rodgers said it was important for everyone on offense to reevaluate how they used the extra day in California – the 48 hours before kickoff – to prepare for a game

4. Lack of preparation, as well as overconfidence, was a common refrain in the locker room, and not just from the offense

5. LaFleur said no one missed curfew, but did not say how late curfew was set, or if he loosened restrictions on how his players spent their time.

6. He said the defense needs to figure out its gap-integrity issues, a common problem this season.

7. He said receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling needs to be put “in better spots” to produce.

8. “There’s no doubt,” LaFleur said, “I was not patient enough with the game plan.”

Not going to deny gbgary, I liked reading #8

[KYPack]

Coach's post mortem: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sport...ip/4160510002/

1. They did fly out Friday. Its been done before. Going to reevaluate.

2. DIdn't do a good enough job conveying what kinda team they were about to play (more like 12-4 last year than the record this year)

3. Rodgers said it was important for everyone on offense to reevaluate how they used the extra day in California – the 48 hours before kickoff – to prepare for a game

4. Lack of preparation, as well as overconfidence, was a common refrain in the locker room, and not just from the offense

5. LaFleur said no one missed curfew, but did not say how late curfew was set, or if he loosened restrictions on how his players spent their time.

6. He said the defense needs to figure out its gap-integrity issues, a common problem this season.

7. He said receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling needs to be put “in better spots” to produce.

8. “There’s no doubt,” LaFleur said, “I was not patient enough with the game plan.”

Not going to deny gbgary, I liked reading #8

The Bolts have yet another defensive returnee that can really bolster their D. All World SS Derwin James should be returning around December 1st if not sooner. If they can field all their players in time, the LAC should get quite a few stops and sacks out of that bunch.

[Fritz]

What we got today was a bad performance by players and coaching staff. But some people can't handle the idea that Rodgers and LaFleur are working quite well together. They need to believe there is a rift between the 2. Whatever.

When the Packers were winning, there was no rift. When they lose, there's a rift.

I am also ready to pounce due to this loss. They may not finish 6 - 10, as I predicted, but now you can see how they will fall apart the rest of the season and finish 7 - 9. It's going to get ugly. The defense gives it up more than my sister did in high school. Bulaga is acting his age. Bahk is slipping. Bringing Davante Adams back has screwed up the offense's collective head.

Watch that Panthers' running back rip the Packer defense to shreds next week. Watch the team go into the break with two losses in a row, dazed and confused and pointing fingers.

W're doomed! We're all gonna die!

PS - on a serious note, WTF on the Packers' special teams? They seem to be getting worse and worse every week. Teams deliberately kick the ball short on kickoffs to force the Packers to return it, knowing they'll be stopped three to five yards short of the 25 yard line. JK Scott seems to be losing his mojo. Our punt returners go backward. Opposing returners are gashing the coverage units. It is this, seldom-spoken of part of the game, that is really hampering both the offense and defense. Why oh why wouldn't Murphy allow The Flower to hire the expensive guy he wanted, instead of Shawn Meninges, or Shaun of the Dead, or whoever he is?

[Joemailman]

When the Packers were winning, there was no rift. When they lose, there's a rift.

I am also ready to pounce due to this loss. They may not finish 6 - 10, as I predicted, but now you can see how they will fall apart the rest of the season and finish 7 - 9. It's going to get ugly. The defense gives it up more than my sister did in high school. Bulaga is acting his age. Bahk is slipping. Bringing Davante Adams back has screwed up the offense's collective head.

Watch that Panthers' running back rip the Packer defense to shreds next week. Watch the team go into the break with two losses in a row, dazed and confused and pointing fingers.

W're doomed! We're all gonna die!

PS - on a serious note, WTF on the Packers' special teams? They seem to be getting worse and worse every week. Teams deliberately kick the ball short on kickoffs to force the Packers to return it, knowing they'll be stopped three to five yards short of the 25 yard line. JK Scott seems to be losing his mojo. Our punt returners go backward. Opposing returners are gashing the coverage units. It is this, seldom-spoken of part of the game, that is really hampering both the offense and defense. Why oh why wouldn't Murphy allow The Flower to hire the expensive guy he wanted, instead of Shawn Meninges, or Shaun of the Dead, or whoever he is?

You should start the Game Day Thread.