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Carolina decided to do everything in her power to take out Davante Adams and all the big games, disguising covers behind unconventional fronts. The Packers didn’t adjust and tried to force the issue, perhaps looking more for a punch than the regular production that had served them so well.
The result? Five possessions, 49 total yards, one basket, three sacks, 1 for 6 on the third down (16.7%) and the need for a one-scoring victory (24-16) against a team that two weeks later would finish 5-11.
“We took a very close look at it,” said offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. “Fortunately, we won this game, and you take the opportunity to learn, to grow as a group.”
One thing the Packers saw was how they rushed for 159 yards in the first half against Carolina and didn’t insist on continuing to run the ball despite the header for the entire second half. .
The following week, the Packers ran for 234 yards against Tennessee on a snowy night, and that set the tone for the No. 1 offense in the league to reach another speed.
In their last three games, all against playoff opponents – the Titans, Bears and Rams – here are the numbers: 25 possessions, 1,248 yards, 17 scores (15 TDs, two FGs), two sacks, 16 of 27 on the third try (59.3%), and an average victory margin of almost 20 points.
“It’s kind of the sense of urgency that we had,” said center Corey Linsley of the end-of-season push, “knowing that if we’re going to get to where we want to go, it’s going to take this concentration level. , that level of intention, that extra level of whatever you need to do to be your best. “
It might be an overstatement to say that the second half against Carolina was the best thing that has happened to the Packers, but there’s no denying that a lesson was taken into account in two quarterbacks of football that Rodgers called it “clunkers” at the time.
“I think it was a good reminder for all of us how important it is to just be patient, and if the teams are not willing to stop the race, maybe there is no need to. give up at all, “Rodgers said this week.
“This is something that we tackled last week against a team (the Rams) who also wanted to play shell cover, and I think we were patient with the run and it paid off for us.”
The Packers’ 188 rushing yards, using all three forwarders, in last week’s playoff win, brought their tally in the last three games to 501 rushing yards on 92 carries, a solid 5 average. , 4 yards. Even knock out Aaron Jones’ 60-yard run to open the second half against the Rams, and the running average is still 4.8 over that span.
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