Maggie's Pre-Game Six Pack – 2021 Bye Week

The Week 13 bye is the latest the Packers have ever had. On the off week, here are six things to keep in mind moving towards the conclusion of the regular season:

1. Offense Catching Fire

The Packers offense has started to find its stride. After averaging 21.6 points for the first 10 games of the season, Green Bay put up 30-plus points in two straight weeks against the Vikings and the Rams. 

Still, the offense looks unfamiliar compared to last season’s No. 1 ranked unit. That Packers offense averaged 31.8 points per game and also ranked first in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on a whopping 80% of trips. This season, Green Bay continues to struggle in the red zone, ranked 25th in the league with only a 55.3% success rate. 

What’s more, quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished the 2020 season winning his third MVP award. While his 2021 numbers are still solid with 23 touchdowns, four interceptions, and 2,878 yards through 12 weeks, his 2020 totals were unprecedented. Additionally, Davante Adams and Aaron Jones combined for 29 touchdowns between the two of them, but we’ll talk more about Adams in No. 3. 

With Marquez Valdes-Scantling back in the lineup, Adams should see less Cover 2, making the offense more productive as a whole down the stretch. Veteran Randall Cobb has also been a welcomed addition to the lineup, ranked second on the team in receiving yards (375) and boasting the highest catch percentage (71.8%) of the wide receiver room. 

2. Third Time’s the Charm

Per the dope sheet, this is the fourth time in franchise history that the Packers have won at least nine of their first 12 games in at least three straight seasons, with the most recent stretch being 1965-1967 (good years for the Packers). 

According to Stathead.com, Green Bay is also the only team in the NFL to start the season 9-3 or better in each of the last three years. That’s an impressive start for Head Coach Matt LaFleur, who after a win against the Rams last Sunday has still yet to lose back-to-back regular season games. 

3. All-Pro Adams 

This one is worth revisiting after writing about Davante Adams in Week 6. He’s well on his way to another All-Pro season for the Packers. His 104 yards last Sunday against the Rams brought his receiving total to 1,083 yards on the season. That marks the third time in his NFL career that he’s eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, though he came close with 997 yards both in 2016 and 2019. 

Adams is averaging 98.5 yards per game in 2021, which would put his season total at 1,576 yards (if we subtract his one-game absence), surpassing his previous total of 1,386 yards (in 15 games) in 2018. That 98.5 yard per game average, should it stick, would also set a career high for Adams, whose previous high came in 2020 (98.1). 

For his career, Adams has 7,651 yards. That’s sixth all-time in franchise history. With 484 yards through his final five games of the regular season, Adams would surpass Jordy Nelson (7,848), Don Hutson (7,991), and Sterling Sharpe (8,134) for third all-time behind only James Lofton (9,656) and Donald Driver (10,137). 

Adams has already climbed the franchise record books this season, becoming second all-time in receptions with 626. He trails only Driver’s 743 receptions, though Driver did that in almost 100 more games. Adams is also third in franchise history with 67 touchdowns, and while Hutson’s 99 scores seems insurmountable, he’s on pace to surpass Jordy Nelson’s 69 touchdowns for second all-time.

4. No Place Like Lambeau 

The Packers have won 10 straight regular-season games at home. Per the dope sheet, it’s the longest streak for Green Bay since a 12-game stretch in 2014-2015. It’s also the longest streak in the NFL since the Patriots won 13 regular season games between 2018-2019.

Green Bay finishes the season with three home games meaning they could potentially tie New England’s record. Those matchups include next week against the Bears on Sunday Night Football, on Christmas Day against the Cleveland Browns, and again on Sunday Night Football in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings.

5. We Really Got a Defense 

The Packers defense has been impressive under coordinator Joe Barry. According to the dope sheet, Green Bay’s 3,860 yards allowed this season are the fewest through 12 games since 2010 when the team only allowed 3,797 yards. What’s more, Green Bay’s 242 points allowed are the fewest by the team through 12 games since 2015, when the Packers allowed 238 points. 

Even without All-Pros Za’Darius Smith and Jaire Alexander in the lineup, a number of Packers are having some of their best seasons, including free agent acquisitions Rasul Douglas and De’Vondre Campbell. Campbell is playing a career-high 98% of snaps, allowing the lowest passer rating, completion percentage, and yards after the catch of his career, while Douglas had his first career pick-six against the Rams on Sunday. Third-year pro Rashan Gary also leads the defense with 6.5 sacks which is his career high. Green Bay has 28 sacks and 12 interceptions through 12 weeks, and the team is 9-0 when forcing at least one turnover on defense. 

6. Finding Something Special about Special Teams

The Packers are going to need to get special teams figured out quickly, as kicking gets more difficult as the Frozen Tundra freezes. Normally, inclimate weather is an advantage for Green Bay, but that hasn’t been the case this season. 

Despite having the best statistical season of his career in 2020, hitting 100% of his field goals, Mason Crosby has had a rough start to his 2021 campaign. While some of that hasn’t been entirely his fault, as the field goal protection hasn’t always been up to par and there have been issues with the entire operation from the snap to the hold, Crosby hasn’t looked like Crosby. 

He’s missed at least one field goal in four straight games, as well as in six of his last eight games. He’s inching closer to the worst season of his career statistically, the 2012 campaign where he missed 12 field goals and completed only 63.6% of attempts. For comparison’s sake, he’s missed nine field goals so far in 2021 with a completion percentage of 66.7%. 

If you’re looking for a special teams silver lining, look no further than punter Corey Bojorquez. His 82-yard punt is the longest in the NFL this season and the second-longest in franchise history behind only Don Chandler (90 yards). He’s also averaging 47.8 yards per punt. For context, that 47.8-yard average ranks third all-time in franchise history, behind only Tobin Rote (56y/p) and Bob Cifers (49y/p). I know. Just what you asked for. Punting stats from the 40s-50s. But for a more recent comparison, punter JK Scott had a career average of 44.6 yards per punt with a long of 67.