2022 Packers Week Four: Offensive Player Of The Game
In a game where the Packers couldn’t move the ball until the end of the game, the team squeaked out an overtime win in Green Bay. Here’s a look at my offensive player of the game.
From the first offensive snap to almost the end of the game, the Packers struggled heavily to get the ball downfield. The lack of chemistry and interesting play calling is leaving Packers fans scratching their heads. Going into the season there were questions as to who would step up in the passing game and how the offense would do but this is worse. Yes, there were some decent drives but the lackluster three and outs are not what Green Bay football is about. Let’s hope that this is just a slow start and not what the rest of the year will look like.
Packers Offensive Player Of The Game: Allen Lazard, WR
The running game was excellent as usual but the passing game is still concerning. What isn’t a question on the offense is who the top wideout for the Packers is. That man, the Lizard king, showed off his skills Sunday afternoon. Allen Lazard caught six of eight passes for a whopping 116 yards. His longest catch and run of the day was 32 yards. Most of Lazard’s catches came in stride and he was able to add on several yards after that. The highlight catch of the day was on the right sideline as he barely beat the defender and dove for a miraculous catch.
With the exception of Week one, in which Lazard didn’t suit up due to an ankle injury, he is off to a good start. I don’t think he is on a snap count anymore after tying the team in targets with Romeo Doubs at eight. Through his first three games of the season, Lazard has 12 catches on 17 targets for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Allen Lazard is the unquestioned number one wide receiver in Green Bay. With Sammy Watkins going on injured reserve early on, Lazard hasn’t had much competition outside of rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs.
Packers Other Notable Offensive Players
Rookie Romeo Doubs is quickly becoming a top-three wideout for the Packers with another great performance, he would’ve easily been the MVP if his other touchdown catch was ruled incomplete, the ground forced the ball out of his hands as he landed in the endzone. Doubs finished the day with five catches on eight targets for 47 yards and a touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, Doubs had his first fumble of the season. He currently leads the Packers receiving group slightly ahead of Lazard at 184 yards but he has played one more game than him.
There’s one player that is sneakily climbing the ladder and racking up the yards. Veteran Randall Cobb has been a surprise this year. I thought his prime years were behind him but he turned back time and is looking really good out there. When needed, Cobb has been there for Aaron Rodgers as he is averaging over ten yards per catch. Sure, he doesn’t have many receptions but his ten receptions have accounted for 150 yards in the passing game through four games. The depth chart should be changed to show Lazard at WR1, Doubs at WR2, and Cobb at WR3 until someone else can step up.
As usual, the Packers’ rushing game was full force. Lead running back Aaron Jones rushed for over 100 yards for the second time this season as he compiled 110 yards on 16 rushing attempts. Co-lead running back AJ Dillon also had success as he rushed a season-high 73 yards on 17 rushing attempts. Neither running back was featured much as a receiver as they were during the first three weeks of the year. Rookie wide receiver Christian Watson had the only rushing touchdown of the afternoon. That touchdown came on a jet sweep for 15 yards as fellow rookie Romeo Doubs blocked downfield.
Packers Offense: What To Look For In Week Five
Through four games this season, the Packers’ offense is still twiddling their thumbs in the first half of each game. It’s not hard to notice that the offense is lost on most drives whether it’s poor throwing, poor route running, or just bad play calls. Head coach Matt LaFleur and the offense need to get on the same page. The best way to do that is to include all your best playmakers on the field at once. It still seems like tight end Robert Tonyan is on a snap count but he’s a big body that the offense needs to utilize more. Short slants and intermediate post routes can consistently move the ball downfield in addition to the running game.
In Week five, the Packers travel to London to face off against the injured New York Giants. The Giants lost both of their quarterbacks Sunday and featured running back Saquon Barkley as their wildcat quarterback. It’ll be interesting to see who starts at quarterback next Sunday. It’ll be an early morning for fans as the game will be at 8:30 am in Wisconsin due to the time difference. The Packers will look to continue their winning streak as they battle with division foe Minnesota Vikings for the leader of the NFC North. Let’s hope the vacation in London next week will help clear everyone’s heads and move forward as one unit versus a bunch of puzzle pieces.
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