Good morning, everyone. On Sunday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers will be taking on the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park. I am here to give you my thoughts on what the Packers need to do to win the game. Let’s get right into it.
The key for the Packers on offense is to get to a fast start in terms of scoring points. The good news is that Davante Adams might be back for the Packers in this game. However, he is a game-time decision. Regardless of whether or not he plays, the offense should be able to move the ball down the field. The running backs (Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams) need to run the ball very well against the Chargers defense. This would help set up the play-action passing game, which can confuse the pass-rushers (who include Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram). QB Aaron Rodgers needs to be very accurate with his throws to all of his targets. Without Davante Adams, plenty of other players have stepped up when it was time for them to make a play. Last week, Jake Kumerow made a great diving catch that set up a touchdown for Green Bay against the Chiefs. Even the running backs have made plays in the passing game. Aaron Jones had 159 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, and Jamaal Williams made the great catch in the back of the end zone. Even if Davante Adams comes back, Aaron Rodgers should still throw the ball to many targets. The scheme by LaFleur has helped Rodgers by having plays designed to get the receivers open. In turn, the receivers can’t drop any passes thrown by Rodgers. As always, the offensive line needs to protect Rodgers from any sacks. The O-line also needs to create the holes for the backs to run through. To win the time of possession battle, the Packers need to sustain long drives on offense. Converting third downs will help Green Bay in doing this against the Chargers. In the red zone, the Packers need to score touchdowns to put more pressure on the Chargers to answer back. Turnovers need to be avoided by the Packers on offense, as they can give the Chargers momentum in this game. Doing all of these things on offense will help the Packers win on Sunday.
The defense will be given a boost in this game, as the stadium will be mostly filled with Packers fans. Regardless, the key is to shut down the Chargers’ running game, which is led by Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekelor. If the Packers can do this, then they can get after QB Philip Rivers and pressure him to force bad throws. I expect the Smiths (Za’Darius and Preston) to get a couple of sacks on Rivers. It would be a bonus if other players, including Kenny Clark and Kyler Fackrell, get a sack as well in this game. If the pass rush doesn’t get to him a lot, it is up to the defensive backs to cover the receivers very well. These receivers include Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, as well as tight end Hunter Henry. The defense also has to look out if the running backs are used in the passing game. What is very important for the Packers to do on defense is to tackle well. There have been times during the season, including last week against the Chiefs, that the tackling has not been good for the Packers. This needs to be fixed quickly, starting with Sunday‘s contest. As always, the Packers defense needs to stop the Chargers from converting third downs to force them to punt. In the red zone, the defense needs to force the Chargers to settle for field goals. Turnovers are crucial for the Packers on defense, especially in critical situations. Whether they are fumble recoveries or interceptions, any turnover can give the Packers more chances to score points on offense. Doing all of these things on defense can help the Packers win on Sunday afternoon.
I have a good feeling that Special Teams will be better for the Packers this week. For one thing, JK Scott should do better in terms of flipping the field with his punts. For another, the return game should be better in terms of avoiding mistakes. Last week, Darrius Shepherd let the ball go all the way to the Green Bay two yard line. That mistake ended up resulting in him being cut (then re-signed to the practice squad). Now, the main returner should be Tremon Smith, who is back with Green Bay. Whoever returns the football for the Packers can’t make any mistakes, including turning the ball over. On the other side, the returns need to be covered well by the Packers to avoid momentum-changing plays. In the kicking game, Mason Crosby needs to make all of his kicks, whether they are field goals or extra points. It’s up to Hunter Bradley to snap the ball accurately to make sure that everything goes well for the field goals and punts. Doing these things will help the Packers win on Sunday.
If the Packers do all of these things, then they will win against the Chargers and improve to 8-1 on the season. This game will be pretty much a home game for the Packers, even though it‘s in California. I think that the stadium will be at least 80% Packers fans. Even with this, the Packers need to do well on all sides of the football to win this game. I have no doubt that the Packers will do just that. I will be back with my post-game thoughts on either Sunday night or Monday morning. Have a great day, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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