Packers optimism over after loss to Titans; LaFleur: ‘There is no margin for error’

Carmen Vitali

NFC North Reporter

The Inexperienced Bay Packers had been driving excessive 4 days in the past.

Positive, that they had a fast turnaround with the Tennessee Titans coming to city on Thursday night time. However they may not be blamed for hoping they may flip their season round after a win over the Dallas Cowboys, and the next recreation got here in opposition to the league’s Thirty first-ranked passing offense.

It was a superbly Lambeau night time, too, with snow flurries and 26º temperatures. Soccer climate, in fact

Certainly, Inexperienced Bay might stave off Tennessee and make the most of some classes discovered in opposition to America’s Crew to place sufficient factors on the board for a second straight win.

Quick-forward a bit, and the Packers surrendered 408 whole yards and 320 internet passing yards because the Titans cruised to a 27-17 win at Lambeau Area.

“I do not even know what to say,” stated dejected Packers head coach Matt LaFleur after the sport. “This was nothing like a number of days in the past.”

Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill accomplished 22 of 27 cross makes an attempt and transformed seven of 13 third down makes an attempt as he prolonged drives. Like, actually prolonged drives.

Particularly within the first half, the Titans stored the ball out of Aaron Rodgers’ fingers as a lot as potential, with a 10-minute drive within the second quarter that did not yield factors however gained them the time of possession battle by the huge margin of 19:25 to 10:34 at halftime.

And although the Packers had been capable of get their fingers on the ball for longer within the second half, they had been almost powerless in opposition to a second-ranked Tennessee run protection. It prevented them from deploying the technique that labored so effectively in opposition to Dallas final week, after they appeared to seek out an offensive identification via the bottom recreation. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon mixed for 203 dashing yards on Sunday. Thursday night time? That they had simply 53 whole.

Rodgers threw the ball 39 occasions, finishing 24 of these makes an attempt. There have been drops. There have been mistimed throws. There have been unhealthy routes. And it was the identical story that has plagued them for many of the 2022 season: nobody is on the identical web page on the subject of the passing recreation.

“I will have to return and watch it, however it was a bit off tonight, for certain,” LaFleur stated. 

“I believed Ryan performed very well for them,” added Rodgers. “They stopped the run. They clubbed us on the again finish. We knew this crew would throw quite a lot of flags. Mix that with me lacking some throws and us not capitalizing on a pair alternatives … we might by no means recover from that hump and get the ball again with an opportunity to take the lead.”

The Packers had been two-of-three contained in the crimson zone — truly higher than their season common of 51.7%, which ranks twenty third within the league. They’re changing simply 25% of fourth downs, good for thirtieth this season, and so they had been 0-for-2 on Thursday night time. 

That wasn’t the one pattern that continued, both. In response to ESPN, Rodgers is 3-46 in his profession when trailing by double digits within the fourth quarter. A kind of wins got here Sunday in opposition to Dallas. Thursday falls within the different column.

The one vibrant spot is that rookie Christian Watson appears to have lastly turned a nook, even when his offense hasn’t. Watson once more scored a number of touchdowns on the night time, ending up in the long run zone twice after doing so 3 times only a few days in the past. He now leads all rookies in receiving touchdowns this yr.

It is time to face the truth, Packers followers. There isn’t a 2016 mojo coming to avoid wasting this group and take them into the postseason. FiveThirtyEight had the Packers’ playoff possibilities at simply 12% heading into Week 11. With a win, that determine would have gone as much as 20%. As a substitute, it drops to only 5% with the loss. 

“We’re not in an excellent place proper now that is for certain,” stated LaFleur. “Like I instructed the fellows, there is no margin for error, interval.”

In an ideal encapsulation of the night time as a complete, Rodgers was requested the place he goes from right here. 

Rodgers replied: “House.” 

Carmen Vitali covers the NFC North for FOX Sports activities. Carmen had earlier stops with The Draft Community and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She spent six seasons with the Bucs, together with 2020, which added the title of Tremendous Bowl Champion (and boat-parade participant) to her résumé. You possibly can comply with Carmen on Twitter at @CarmieV.

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