2022/2023

The Packers had a poor second half to their game in London and fell 27-22 to the Giants, dropping their record to 3-2 on the season.

The Packers scored first with a field goal and a touchdown. They scored 10 more points in the second quarter to take a 20-10 lead at halftime. They fell apart in the second half, unable to stop the Giants and unable to score any points on offense. The only points they scored all half were on a safety, points the Giants intentionally gave them to give their punter more breathing room.

Thoughts about this frustrating performance:

The Packers were running the ball efficiently in the first half. They mostly got away from it in the second half. Aaron Rodgers was unable to connect on anything deep down the field. After the Giants drove 91 yards in 15 plays down the field to tie the game, Rodgers threw 3 straight passes, all incompletions, giving the ball back to the Giants. You can’t win a game doing things like that.

Speaking of that long drive by the Giants, they also had 11 plays for 86 yards in the first half. Daniel Jones and his quarterback draws were nauseating to watch. Too many receivers were wide open down the field on key plays. Penalties were frustrating too. Twice the Packers sacked Jones, only to have them wiped out by penalties. The Giants scored points on both possessions.

If you could point to a single play that really got the Giants going on offense, it’s a 40-yard burst by Saquon Barkley when he lined up under center and took the direct snap. It seemed like the Packers’ defense was running backwards trying to catch up ever since that play.

As much as I like Matt LaFleur, I need to call him out because that was a terrible second half for the team. The Giants’ coaching staff did a much better job of making adjustments at halftime. Perhaps the defining period of the game was the 3 straight passes by Rodgers after the Giants tied the game. That only took 26 seconds of game time off the clock after the Giants held the ball over 8 minutes on their tying drive. The Packers gave the ball back to the Giants, who gladly accepted the gift and drove down to take a 27-20 lead in the game.

I could go on and on. The defense didn’t get any takeaways either. For a unit that was hyped as one of the best in the league, they looked lost out there at times. Perhaps the Giants’ 3-1 record was no fluke. They kept their poise and their focus, even when trailing for much of the game. They deserve credit for their performance.

The Packers finally got their trip to London, but they didn’t make the most out of it. It is now a long trip back to Green Bay and a long week of practices and preparation as they look to avoid losing consecutive games when they take the field next week. They return to Lambeau Field, where they will face off against the other team from the Meadowlands, the New York Jets at Noon Central Time. It will be the first noon game of the season for the Packers.

The Packers have a lot of work to do. They got away with all of their mistakes vs New England but not this week. They have to do better or they might fall to the Jets. We’ll see how they respond to this setback in London. Take care Packer fans!

Go Pack Go!

@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901