Behind Enemy Lines: Intriguing Packer views on the Week 9 showdowns with Rams

III: The Green Bay Packers are 2-5. What area has been the team's biggest disappointment? It's most pleasant surprise?

Dairyland Express Paul Bretl:
As alluded to already, the biggest disappointment is the offense. In the Packers last five games, they've been outscored 73-9 in the first halves of games. The truly concerning aspect is that many of the same issues this team experienced last Sunday against (the) Minnesota (Vikings) have been persistent for a month now.

Due to self-inflicted mistakes, such as the aforementioned penalties, dropped passes, missed blocks, etc., this offense has put itself in long down-and-distance situations routinely, which gives the defense the advantage and allows them to do the dictating. The passing game just isn't anywhere near good enough right now to shoulder the playmaking burden in those predictable situations. That leads to short drives, then punts, and the offense can never fully get into its gameplan. Then, as the defense gives up points, there becomes even more of a burden on the inconsistent passing game, and the vicious cycle continues to repeat itself.

Individually, there have been some really good performances this season by a few players, most notably Rashan Gary, who returned in Week 1 from an ACL injury suffered last season. Working his
way back from injury, the Packers eased Gary back in from a snap count standpoint earlier in the season, but he made the most of the opportunities. Gary currently ranks second among all edge rushers in PFF's pass rush win rate metric. Second-year right tackle Zach Tom has looked the part, and at a position for the Packers that has some uncertainty in 2024 and beyond, Tom looks like he could be a long-term answer at a key position. 

IV: Do the Packers still have a path to the NFL Playoffs? What does that look like?

Dairyland Express Paul Bretl:
Mathematically, sure, the Packers could make a run. However, there has been nothing from their play on the field to suggest that will happen. Of course, the Packers want to win, but the ultimate goal is to
figure out whether or not they can build around Love moving forward. Beyond the win-loss columns, what matters most right now is seeing progress from the offense over the final 10 games.