The Green Bay Packers are off to as good of a start as they could have hoped for. When the schedule was announced in April, the Packers and those around them likely would have settled for a 1-1 start with two games coming against NFC playoff contenders.
Of course, the Packers have done better than that. They have not just won, they’ve been dominant through two weeks — winning both of their games by two scores.
This week will be different.
For one, they’ll be on the road, traveling to Cleveland for the first away game of the year.
The other difference is that the Browns were not an AFC playoff team a year ago. They are not expected to be a playoff team this year. They’re 0-2 on the season and are coming off a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Packers have a prime opportunity to get to 3-0, and here are the keys to doing just that:
1. Myles Garrett
The Cleveland Browns do not have a lot of great players, but they do have one great one on the defensive side of the ball.
Myles Garrett is on track to be fitted for a gold jacket when his playing career ends.
After an offseason contract dispute, Garrett agreed to a contract extension to keep him in Cleveland for what will likely be the rest of his career.
One issue in Green Bay currently is the health of their offensive line. Aaron Banks is injured and missed the Washington game. Ditto for Zach Tom, who missed the game with a torn oblique muscle.
Coach Matt LaFluer said he’d give the two guys all the way up to game time for whether they’d be able to play, but it did not sound like either one was close.
If Tom cannot go, Darian Kinnard and Anthony Belton were in rotation a week ago, and they’ll have their work cut out for them.
The Packers used a bunch of two tight end sets against Washington and likely will need to do the same against Cleveland to make sure they keep Garrett under control.
2. Sound the alarm
It’s a small complaint, but no doubt one that Jeff Hafley is talking about through the first two games. Hafley said his goal was for his team to lead the league in forced fumbles and takeaways.
When they do take the ball away, the Packers have an alarm they’ll sound as the turnover alarm.
Through two games, the Packers have just one takeaway, with Evan Williams picking off Jared Goff in the season opener.
This week, there will be some opportunities to take the ball away. Joe Flacco is Cleveland’s starting quarterback. Flacco has had a penchant for putting the ball in harm’s way during his career. He threw one interception against the Ravens.
The Packers’ secondary should be at full strength with Nate Hobbs making a cameo in the team’s game against Washington.
They’ll need to catch the ball when it is thrown to them.
3. Avoid the lull
Again, complaining about a 2-0 start can feel nitpicky, but the Packers have had some struggles during their 2-0 start.
Most of those struggles have come on offense.
In the 27-18 win over the Commanders, the Packers led by two scores for a majority of the game but failed to deliver a decisive blow early.
As a result, the Commanders pulled within one score early in the fourth quarter.
The Packers, ultimately, were able to put together a drive that ended in a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft to put the game out of reach.
The reality is the game should have been out of reach much sooner than that. Against an inferior opponent, the Packers need to look to bury them early.