The Green Bay Packers have lost two games in a row. The common theme in both games? Failing to convert trips to the red-zone into touchdowns.
Denver
Before their game in Denver, the Packers ranked second in the NFL in scoring touchdowns in the red-zone. They turned 68.1% of their opportunities into touchdowns.
Fast forward two games and Green Bay dropped to the 14th best red-zone offense, scoring six points only 58.9% of the time.
In Denver they went 1-4 in the red-zone, settling for field goals on the the other trips. Their lone red-zone touchdown required Josh Jacobs to make the best catch of his career on third and goal from the 14-yard line.
Chicago
The Packers offense followed up that performance by going 0-5 on red-zone opportunities in Chicago.
Green Bay marched down the field on the opening possession of the game, but came away with zero points after a failed attempt on fourth and one from the Chicago’s 7-yard line.
Instead of trying to gain one yard and a new set of downs, Jordan Love failed to connect with Christian Watson on a pass towards the pylon in the end zone.
On their next possession, the Packers ran 14 plays for 70 yards but kicked a field goal from the Chicago 8-yard line.
The next time they had the ball they went on a 16-play 91-yard drive that took 7:53 off the clock. That drive ended with Brandon McManus kicking a 22-yard field goal from the Bears’ 4-yard line.
Instead of having 21 points at halftime, they went into the locker room with a 6-0 lead despite getting inside the 10-yard line every possession.
It was more of the same in the second half. Despite losing Love to a concussion in the second quarter, Malik Willis and the offense continued to move the ball.
On their first possession of the second half, they got down to first and goal from the four. Giving the ball to Jacobs in these situations usually pays off, as he has the second most rushing touchdowns in the NFL this season. Unfortunately, he fumbled on the first down carry and Chicago recovered.
Willis hit Romeo Doubs on a deep touchdown pass in the third quarter, avoiding the red-zone altogether.
Another short field goal from McManus was kicked in the fourth quarter.
A lot had to go wrong for the Packers to lose in Chicago on Saturday. Many will point to failing the onside kick recovery or Keisean Nixon giving up touchdowns in the fourth quarter and overtime for the reasons they lost.
The reality is they should have never been in that position to begin with. The Packers leave Soldier Field with a victory and the lead in the NFC North if they score more than nine points on five trips inside the 10-yard line.
Matt LaFleur needs to find answers for the red-zone struggles. They proved they can be a dominant offense inside the opponent’s 20-yard line during their first 13 games of the season.
Both play-calling and execution must improve to get back to that level.
Green Bay can clinch the playoffs by winning one of their final two games. If and when they get in, finishing long drives with touchdowns can fuel a deep playoff run.
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