Offensive Offense and Sublime Solutions

Aaron Rodgers looking for answers

The last two weeks haven't been pretty for the high-powered Packer offensive machine. Aaron Rodgers threw his first interceptions x2 at Lambeau Field since 2012 and, for good measure, lost a fumble also for three turnovers. The Packers averaged just 17 points against the woeful 49ers and the Rams, but still managed to remain undefeated with a little help from their defensive friends. I hope the offense took the defense out for dinner for their titanic efforts.

The line has been beat up all season, especially missing right tackle Bryan Bulaga for the first four games having to rely on turntable left tackle Don Barclay in his absence, but over the first three game Barclay was doing just fine at right tackle as the Packers offense averaged 32 points a game. So that hasn't been the problem.

Last week T. J. Lang went out in the first half and was replaced by Josh Walker and by all counts he did well, so the play of the offensive line isn't the issue.

The running game ground to a halt against the Rams with Rodgers having to scramble more than he wanted or maybe he was just showing he is still young and vital in a young man's game. However, he doesn't quite have the spring in his step he's had in past seasons, but he still gets the job done.

I was thinking since he's been dating the sexually insatiable Olivia Munn he has seemed to have slowed down a bit. Maybe he should follow the old axiom of abstaining before a game and staining after. Just a thought and I volmunnteer to fill her gap while he is saving his strength. I'd do anything for the Packer cause.

Back to the running game. It was just fine against the 49ers gaining 162 yards on 33 carries (4.9 average). Rodgers needed to scramble just 3 times for 33 yards.

However against the Rams the running game ground to a halt with only 86 yards on 27 carries with Rodgers the leading rusher, which is never good, with 39 yards on 8 scrambles leaving the running backs with 19 carries for 47 yards for 2.5 yards a carry.

Not good enough to keep winning. It seemed to me the running backs, especially Eddie Lacy (13-for-27), were going through the motions. They are part of the problem.

Receiving also seems to be the issue. Against the 49ers the wide outs caught 13 of 20 balls (Munn's the word) for 157 yards - a paltry 12.1 a catch. The tight ends or more correctly Richard Rodgers caught 5 of 6 for 45 yards and 9 a catch. The running backs caught 4 of 6 for a measly 22 yards and 5.5 a catch.

Against the Rams it was worse. The wide outs caught 9 of 14 passes for 159 yards, but if you take out the 77-yarder James Jones caught it falls back to earth to the tune of 8 of 13 passes for 82 yards and an average of 10.25 a catch. Richard Rodgers was the leading receiver with 6 o f8 for 45 or 7.5 a catch.

Randall Cobb was complaining of being double-teamed and other complaints by Coach Mike McCarthy were lack of YAC (yards after the catch). It seems funny that Old Man Jones was the only one who could YAC (at least 62 of those 77).

Rodgers has been playing a lot as the only tight end since Andrew Quarless went down, but Quarless wasn't playing much any way, so that doesn't seem to be the issue here.

I think the Packer offense has slowed down in its execution and its play calling seems reminiscent of McCarthy's unimaginative offerings. It seems both Aaron Rodgers and McCarthy feel the same way. Rodgers wants to get back to up tempo and McCarthy wants to use Cobb all around the field, including in the backfield more, instead of being jammed in the slot.

I think the Packer offense gets off the snide this week against the 15th ranked Chargers defense. The Chargers are fourth worse in the league against the run giving up 132.4 yards a game at a 5.1 clip and ninth overall against the pass at 218.8/7.8 a catch while giving up 8 touchdown passes and picking off 4.

An energized Lambeau Field with buxom bouncing blonde-haired, blue-eyed Packer Babes doing their best for Packers and country leading the way (get behind them you topless ugly guys - see SUBLIME AND RIDICULOUS, PART EKIZ) the Packers should get back on track and win 31-17.