Something is amiss in Green Bay. While responsibility lies with the entire organization when things are so out of sync, the Packers' coaching staff is the biggest issue for this underachieving team.
And it might not be a quick fix.
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Green Bay’s defense continued its awful play of late in its 47-25 road loss to Tennessee on Sunday. But this time, the defense wasn’t alone in its struggles. The Packers fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter thanks to a deluge of non-support from the offense, special teams miscues and an overall listless performance.
The Packers were outgained by the Titans, 231-26, in the first quarter alone. Running back DeMarco Murray ran 75 yards for a touchdown on Tennessee’s first play from scrimmage, and quarterback Marcus Mariota completed his first 10 passes for 196 yards (on his way to a four TD pass, no turnover day) as the Titans scored touchdowns on their first four possessions.
The Packers tried to rally behind Aaron Rodgers and the passing game (since the running game continues to be non-existent), but the defense repeatedly gave up big plays through coverage busts and missed tackles. Special teams contributed a muffed punt that led to a Titans touchdown, a missed extra point and a long kickoff return allowed. The 12 penalties also contributed to the team's demise.
Numbers don't lie in analyzing one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season; a team many (including myself) predicted to be the NFC's Super Bowl representative. The Packers are now under .500 after nine games for the first time since 2008, and they are 9-12 over their last 21 games, including 4-5 at Lambeau Field.
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This is primarily on coach Mike McCarthy and his staff for fielding an undisciplined team that clearly was not ready to play from the start. The same thing happened last week, when the Packers trailed 24-10 at halftime of an upset loss to the Colts.
Against the Titans, the Packers' defensive breakdowns were so glaring, they make one wonder if long-time defensive coordinator Dom Capers will be the next NFL coordinator to get fired during the season. For example, everyone knows Mariota's two best playmakers are Murray and tight end Delanie Walker, yet Capers and his defense couldn't find a way to contain them.
Injuries are a factor, too. Clay Matthews' hamstring kept him out against Tennessee, and linebacker Jake Ryan left the game with an ankle injury. Corner Damarious Randall remained out (groin), and running back Eddie Lacy's absence has severely hampered the rushing attack.
But all teams have to deal with injuries during the season, and the rest of the defense was once again a first half no-show, including 36-year-old former star defensive end Julius Peppers, who has one tackle and no sacks over the past two games.
I've always admired the work of general manager Ted Thompson and his scouting staff — they built a Super Bowl champion in 2010, and Green Bay has been a perennial contender since. But the Packers need to add more quality players and depth to this roster in order to provide their two-time MVP the support he needs. There also appears to be a shortage of leaders on this team.
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The Packers basically have been a home-grown team under Thompson, who builds through the draft and, like all good general managers, augments the roster with smart free-agent signings. But there have been fewer such quality signings in recent years, possibly due to the salary cap pressure that often comes with a playoff-caliber team led by a $20 million-plus-per-year quarterback.
Still, Thompson and his staff need to up their game and find some hidden gems in the draft and free agency again to help the team overcome key injuries.
As for McCarthy, the losing streak and failure to meet expectations have placed him, a Super Bowl winner, on the coaching hot seat.
McCarthy is in his 11th season with the Packers, and we know he's a good head coach, as proven by his record. But as is the case with almost any coach not named Bill Belichick, the questions pop up after 10 or so years: Has his message to players gone stale? Is it in the team's best interest (and McCarthy’s) for him to either move on or shake up his coaching staff?
The only saving grace for this team is the fact that they are still just one game behind the division-leading Lions and Vikings, and they finish the season with a home game against Minnesota and a road trip to Detroit.
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But, at this rate, the Packers might be out of the race by then. Over the next four weeks, they have a difficult schedule that includes road games at Washington and Philadelphia, plus home games against division leaders Houston and Seattle.
The results of those games likely will provide the answers to the questions faced by McCarthy and the Packers. If the rest of the season looks like the past three weeks, big changes might be on the horizon.
