Packers struggle with Adams taken out of gameplan

Green Bay’s offense looks to get back on track against Tennessee

The Green Bay Packers offensive showing against the Carolina Panthers left many people questioning several aspects of the Pack’s offense.

Coach Matt LaFleur talked about getting away from the running game in the final half after it had been so effective during the first half. The Packers offensive line had one of its worst pass protecting games of the season as quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked five times.

While those things certainly played a role in the offense’s shortcomings, a lack of pass-catchers outside standout receiver Davante Adams also was an issue.

Carolina made a concerted effort to take Adams out of the game, and it led to one of the worst showings in the Packers’ passing game all season.

Rodgers completed 20 of his 29 attempts, but for just 143 yards. After factoring in the lost yardage on the five sacks, Green Bay had just 96 net passing yards in the contest.

“Even though we were obviously very efficient running the football, we need to find ways to keep getting Davante involved because he’s such a difference maker, and I didn’t feel we got where we could get him the ball a whole lot tonight,” said Rodgers.

“Obviously, they didn’t really give him a lot of single coverage, maybe one or two plays the entire game, but we’ve got to keep finding ways to get him the ball because he’s just so dynamic.”

Adams was held to just 42 yards on seven receptions, with a long reception of 14 yards.

Most of Adams’ receptions came on short throws, and he wasn’t able to pick up many yards after the catch.

One target that Adams didn’t haul in was on the Packers first offensive play after going up 21-3. Adams had the ball go off his fingertips on a deep pass up the right sideline. A catch could have led to more points before halftime and put the game away for good.

Instead, the Packers had to punt later in the drive. It was the first of five straight punts for Green Bay.

“I just think we’ve got to move him around,” said LaFleur on how the team could get Adams open still when teams try to take him away. “I don’t think we motioned him probably as much as we have a lot this season.

“We’ve got to find ways to get him the rock. He’s such a valuable part of this football team and when he’s doing well, usually we’re doing well on offense. But it’s not just him. We’ve got to find ways — if teams are going to zero in on him — we’ve got to find ways to consistently move the ball and that obviously didn’t happen in the second half.”

Green Bay was unable to find ways to move the ball against the Panthers.

The team’s leading receiver was Allen Lazard, who caught five passes for 56 yards. His 22-yard catch on a key third down in the fourth quarter was the team’s longest pass play in the game.

Lazard also had a critical drop that cost the team a chance at points. He dropped a third down pass from Rodgers on the left sideline just before halftime.

The only other Packers receiver that was targeted in the game was Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was unable to get his hands on the pass, which forced a punt. Valdes-Scantling did draw a defensive pass interference penalty on the team’s second touchdown drive.

After the game, Rodgers mentioned that a couple of the sacks he took were coverage sacks. In other words, nobody was getting open.

“We didn’t have guys open all the time as we have had much of the year,” said Rodgers.

Adams has been the guy that’s been open most of the year, but with multiple defenders on him, the other Packers’ receivers couldn’t step up.

It’s an issue the team’s dealt with over the past few years and why so many fans and analysts expected the team to draft some receivers in the most recent draft.

The quick passing game and offensive scheme has silenced many people’s thoughts on the team’s pass-catchers, but showings like the one against the Panthers show the issue has really just been masked all season.

You can bet that teams are going to try taking Adams away in the playoffs, and then the question becomes whether other receivers can get open enough or if the team can ride its running game to wins.

LaFleur and the rest of the Packers’ offensive minds will try and scheme up ways to keep Adams in the game even when teams send extra coverage his way. They also likely will try and find ways to get other receivers open on a more consistent basis.

It’s an issue the team will have to figure out during the season and with guys already in the building, but should be something the team addresses in the offseason — unlike they did before this season started.

Morgan Rode is the sports editor for NEW Media. Readers can contact him at sports@newmedia-wi.com.