MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 13: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers speaks with head coach Matt LaFleur (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers are far from being Super Bowl contenders after barely squeaking out a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Over a week ago, the Green Bay Packers scored a decisive victory over the San Francisco 49ers’ “B-Team,” giving them ample time to prepare for the one-win Jacksonville Jaguars. As it turns out, Matt LaFleur’s crew needed an extra day or two to study game film, because they had their struggles against the Jaguars.
At one point, Green Bay was down 20-17 to Jacksonville in the fourth quarter. However, the Packers bounced back with a six-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to wide receiver Davante Adams to give them the 24-20 lead and they never looked back. Even though the Packers secured the win and improved their record to 7-2, they don’t look like a team that can convincingly compete for a Super Bowl. Let’s face it, no one realistically expected them to do so prior to the season, but it’s still jarring to see Green Bay struggle against a team destined for a top-five selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
If the Packers want to make a run to the Super Bowl this season, there are three things they absolutely need to fix.
Special teams
The Packers haven’t had the greatest luck in terms of special teams. That was evident against the Jaguars, most notably on one particular play. After going three-and-out on their first drive of the second quarter, J.K. Scott punted the ball to the Jaguars. Receiver Keenan Cole took advantage of the Packers’ deficiencies and faked out a pursuing Scott to score a 59-yard touchdown.
Ironically, this came days after the news of running back John Lovett being ruled out for the season with a torn ACL. Lovett actually recorded the second-most tackles on special teams, and played a key role in return coverage. Well, his absence was definitely felt on Cole’s return.
As the old saying goes, games are won and lost on special teams. The Packers are lucky they played the Jaguars, because if it was a better team, they likely would’ve lost. Expect the special teams unit to study game film a bit longer than normal this week.