The Green Bay Packers went into their Sunday Night football game against the San Francisco 49ers with high expectations. The hope was they could beat the 49ers and move into a tie with the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, and the 49ers for home field throughout the NFC playoffs.
Instead, the offense and defense both struggled and now there are more questions than answers surronding this team.
Let's look at somethings we learned about the Packers on Sunday night.
The Packers in fact “don't have a defense.”
Remember after the Packers beat the Chicago Bears in Week 1 when Aaron Rodgers said it was nice the Packers finally have a defense.
“What we did on defense, I think we showed the league and folks watching that we’re not just an offensive football team anymore,” Rodgers said via the Packers team website. “We’ve got a defense.”
Maybe Rodgers should have waited more than a week to make his claim because it's clear this team's defense isn't good. The Packers gave up 37 points to the 49ers, and couldn't seem to get off the field at any point.
It's clear for this team to have success it still comes down to how much the offense does, because the defense isn't going to step up and do their part.
Something is holding Rodgers back…maybe Matt LaFleur
Article Continues BelowThere is no doubt the 49ers defense is elite, but the play calling, especially early in the game was an issue. The gameplan the Packers brought into the game wasn't working early, and the team continued to try it.
There is no saying that a different gameplan would have helped Rodgers because a lot of the struggles were his fault, but it might have helped at least a little bit.
Rodgers threw for only 104 yards and a touchdown. The Packers also failed to pick up a third-down conversion.
Need to have a good running game
The most shocking thing we might have learned on Sunday night is how important it is for Rodgers to have a good running game, especially against a defense. Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones combined for 83 rushing yards. With their lack of success on the ground, it made them one dimensional, and the 49ers defense was able to key on Rodgers.
If the Packers want to win the NFC North and have success in the playoffs, Adams and Jones need to help carry the offense.