10/25/22 Hometown Broadcasting Sports Tuesday
25 October 2022 Sports
Tuesday Sports
From Wayne Mausser
The Packers are still trying to figure out what’s happened over the last thee games that leave them 3-4 and struggling in all aspects of the game. The latest loss came Sunday at Washington 23-21 to the Commanders, which leaves them 2 ½ games behind the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. While it’s true they’ve lost a number of players on the offensive line including David Bakhtiari to injury along with Aaron Rodgers right thumb and several wide receivers, the Packers struggling in other aspects of the game as well. The defense has aputtered and has been inconsistent, allowing a number of explosive plays and special teams is still trying to find their way with the right combination of players.
“I think collectively we’ve got to do better,” LaFleur said Monday. “We’ve got to coach better. Certainly the detail of how we’re doing some of the things we’re doing is just not to the level of winning football in the National Football League.”
Next up is a trip to Buffalo (5-1) to try snapping the AFC East-leading Bills’ three-game winning streak.
“I’m not worried about this squad,” Rodgers said. “In fact, this might be the best thing for us. This week, nobody’s going to give us a chance. Going to Buffalo on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ a chance to get exposed. Shoot, it might be the best thing for us.”
The Packers’ chances of getting back in the playoff picture would get a huge boost if Rodgers could recapture the MVP form of his 2020 and 2021 seasons. He instead is engineering the NFL’s 23rd-ranked scoring offense.
Rookie fourth-round pick Zach Tom made his first career start in place of Bakhtairi at left tackle, and the rest of the line had Elgton Jenkins at left guard, Josh Myers at center, Jon Runyan Jr. at right guard and Yosh Nijman at right tackle. Myers was the only person in that group who started at that same position a week earlier in a 27-10 loss to the New York Jets.
All in all, the offense has scored 24 points over the past 10 quarters. Receivers have alo dropped several of Rodgers’ passes. Green Bay has been outrushed 345-98 over their past two games. The Packers are ranked 27th in yards rushing allowed per game (139.6) and 25th in yards allowed per carry (4.8). The Packers also committed nine penalties Sunday.
There were a few bright spots Sunday. RB Aaron Jones scored both of Green Bay’s offensive touchdowns on receptions from Rodgers. Devondre Campbell had 12 tackles — three for loss — to go along with his pick-6.and rookie LB Quay Walker had a team-high 13 tackles. The Packers are off today.
In Monday Night Football it was a schocker in New England as the Bears pounded the Patriots 33-14. The Bears led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, 20-10 at the half and 26-10 at the end of three. Justin Fields was 13-21 for 179 yards and a touchdown along with an interception. He also led the team in rushing with several big runs against the Patriots defense and finishing with 82 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. Running back David Montgomery also scored a rushing touchdown for Chicago who improved 3-4 overall and now tied for second with the Packers at 3-4 in the NFC North.
The Patriots (3-4) could do nothing on offense and benched starter Mac Jones after he went 3-6 for 13 yards and an interception. Backup Bailey Zappe came in early in the second quarter and did throw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jacobi Meyers and led the team another touchdown before the half. But he faltered in the second half and coach Bill Belichick will have to decide who starts the next game. It’s to be noted that Jones still has some injury issues.
After a big 35-24 win at home over Purdue Saturday the Wisconsin Badgers have a bye this week. The Badgers host Maryland on November 5th.
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