While things were not great for the Green Bay Packers heading into Monday night’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, at 2-2, they could have been worse. But the Packers lost, dropping their record to 2-3. And one of their stars detailed one of the team’s glaring issues.
After Monday’s game, while “being self-critical” of the defense, All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander spotlighted the issues Green Bay faces.
“At this point I think it’s pretty obvious that the defense has to not give up any touchdowns,” Alexander said to a pool of reporters, including Carmen Vitali of Fox Sports. “I think that’s the part of being self-critical of our defense because, you know, the offense is pretty young and they’re still figuring out their mojo. The defense, we’ve got to be the ones to score and stop them from scoring.”
Jaire Alexander with a rather blunt assessment of the Packers offensive struggles.
H/T @CarmieV pic.twitter.com/DDIFFcMN4t
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 10, 2023
Generally speaking, Alexander’s comments didn’t draw big arguments.
The Green Bay Packers have become The Chicago Bears https://t.co/R7aeW1DUr5
— Motivational Pictures With Reality Deep Meaning (@doulbedoink) October 10, 2023
Jaire ain’t wrong https://t.co/b8sSQJcwHq
— Faisal Hassan (@Faazzla) October 10, 2023
Giving up 17 to the Raiders shouldn't be enough to beat you… https://t.co/1faV3mUXtg
— Micah (@WhatTheMicah) October 10, 2023
This is the “if I can just not eat a single carb until we’re through the holidays” strategy. https://t.co/glCauY2qkf
— Steve Czaban (@czabe) October 10, 2023
Since scoring 38 points (which included a defensive touchdown) in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears Green Bay has struggled to find any offensive consistency this season. The Packers lost 25-24 to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, beat the New Orleans Saints 18-17 in Week 3, lost 34-20 to the Detroit Lions in Week 4 and lost 17-13 to the Raiders in Week 5.
The Week 4 and 5 losses were particularly glaring. All but 3 of the 20 points scored against Detroit came after the Lions took a commanding 27-3 lead at halftime. The three points were the result of an interception deep in Detroit territory and came after the offense not only failed to score a touchdown, but didn’t gain a single yard. On Monday, the Packers lone touchdown came after an interception, giving Green Bay’s offense the ball on the Las Vegas 37-yard line.
Monday’s loss stings even worse because the Raiders did not play a crisp game. In addition to Jimmy Garoppolo’s interception, Josh McDaniels made questionable decisions and Daniel Carlson missed two field goals. Green Bay had a chance to win until Jordan Love threw an interception, his third of the game, in the final minute, sealing the Vegas victory.
If there’s reason for the Packers to be optimistic, it’s in the standings. At 4-1, the Lions have an early stronghold on the NFC North. But aside from the 3-1 Seattle Seahawks, every other non-division leader in the NFC is 3-2 or worse. So while a 2-3 record isn’t ideal for Green Bay, the standings offer some reason for hope. That said, if the offense can’t find a spark, that hope will quickly dissipate.
[H/T Carmen Vitali]
