Green Bay lost 35 to 14 at home on Thursday and was booed off its own field, leaving a coach in his eighth season saying he does not know what his offense currently does well.
How bad were the numbers?
Historic in the wrong direction. The Packers offense produced 17 rushing yards, 225 fewer than Atlanta. The total ties for the third fewest in franchise history across more than 90 years. They attempted only nine rushes, four from each of two backs and one quarterback scramble. Through three games they have gained 146 rushing yards, the fewest by any team through that point since 2019, and fewer than Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson gained on Thursday alone.
Why has the run game collapsed?
Personnel and protection. The leading rusher from each of the past two seasons is on the commissioner exempt list and unavailable. The offensive line has been unstable, with a right tackle lost to a season ending knee injury in Week 2 and a rookie becoming the third different starter at left guard in as many games. A line that cannot establish a push also cannot protect, and both problems showed.
How much pressure did the quarterback face?
Twelve quarterback hits, despite only one sack. That is a distinction worth understanding. A low sack number with a high hit count means the quarterback is getting rid of the ball under duress rather than being brought down, which preserves the sack statistic and degrades everything else. It followed a Week 1 loss in which he was hit 15 times.
What do his numbers show?
A 52 percent completion rate through three games, the second lowest by any quarterback through his team’s first three in 20 years and the lowest in the league since 2011 among those with at least 100 attempts. On Thursday he completed 28 of 53 for 312 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, volume produced while trailing rather than while controlling a game.
What summed it up?
A fourth and one at the Atlanta 7 on the opening drive of the second half, trailing 17 to 7. The coach went for it. The quarterback had no time and no option, and the throw toward the end zone was nowhere near its target. A short yardage play inside the ten that cannot be run and cannot be protected is the Packers offense in a single snap.
How did the crowd react?
With boos, and the locker room split on it. A tight end said he does not associate Lambeau Field with that reaction and questioned what it was meant to achieve, while acknowledging the players are capable of handling it. A receiver took the opposite view, describing the sport as an entertainment business and saying the team has to produce something better before expecting support. Both positions are reasonable and the disagreement is honest rather than a rift.
Is there precedent for recovering?
The quarterback pointed to 2023, his first season starting, which began poorly before the team improved sharply and finished strong. That is a real comparison. It is also one made from inside a 1 and 2 start rather than after it, and the roster and line situation differ.
What has to happen?
The line, before anything else. No scheme adjustment addresses a group that cannot generate movement or hold protection, and the identity question the coach raised cannot be answered until it stabilises. Everything else about the Packers offense is downstream of that
