Pack once again sacked in Week 1
Like last year, Week 1 was not the Packers’ week as they once again looked out of sync and dropped their season opener on the road, this time, a 23-7 defeat at Minnesota.
After the Vikings scored a touchdown on their opening drive, it appeared momentarily that the Packers would match that, but Christian Watson dropped a sure TD pass from Aaron Rodgers and it didn’t get any better from there. Later in the half, the Packers failed on 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Rodgers threw an interception late in the half, and though they would score a TD in the second half, their offense never looked right. Their defense wasn’t much better as they struggled to get off the field and didn’t force a single turnover.
The first week obviously doesn’t define a season, but it’s clear the offense has to get a lot better. There was a huge lack of chemistry. It wasn’t unexpected for many of us as most of the starters don’t play in the preseason. This is basically a preseason game for these players. What is disappointing is how poorly the defense looked at times. It must be something about playing in Minnesota because they didn’t look good last year in the game between the two teams at US Bank Stadium. Perhaps they still will emerge as one of the top defenses this year, but they didn’t show it in this game.
Perhaps it’s just an overreaction and the Packers will once again have a great regular season. However, this game has done nothing to silence the critics who say the starters should have played together in the preseason, and the critics who said they should have gone after some veteran receivers in the offseason will have a lot to say about that as well.
What about the Vikings? Are they a legitimate threat to surpass Green Bay and take over the NFC North, or is this win their Super Bowl? Time will tell, but I won’t dismiss this team very quickly. The Packers got knocked down and now they have to get up and come back swinging.
Now the Packers are 0-1 and have a lot to work on this week as they prepare for their next opponent, the Chicago Bears, which will take place at Lambeau Field next Sunday night. The Bears won their opener vs the 49ers in a rain-soaked Soldier Field, and we know they will be fired up about this game as they look to change the narrative in this series, which has gone mostly Green Bay’s way since 1992.
Let the Vikings have their moment. If they keep it up for a full 17 games, then good for them. The Packers just need to focus on getting better and being prepared for their game next week in prime time. Take care Packer fans!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
