Scorigami!
That’s a unique NFL score, for those of you unaware…
A 40-40 deadlock against the Dallas Cowboys was the first Packers tie in seven years.
But it feels like a defeat. A Green Bay Packers defense that had been dominant through three weeks was finally exposed.
The Cowboys, without star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, somehow went and dropped 40 points on Jeff Hafley’s unit.
This was, without doubt, the worst defensive performance since Hafley took charge at the start of 2024. Dak Prescott had all day to throw with zero pressure, and the Packers looked out of sorts from the first snap.
Losing Devonte Wyatt hurt cannot excuse how badly almost everyone played. Sophomore linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who has been brilliant so far this season, had his worst game as a Packer.
Defence bullied and beaten
The pass rush had been the heartbeat of this team, masking the fact that cornerback is the obvious area to exploit.
But the Cowboys offensive line – also missing starters – handled the Packers with ease. Dallas used screens, misdirection and quick throws to exploit the aggression, and Green Bay never adjusted.
There were missed tackles everywhere. Through the opening three games, this defense had been downhill, ball-hawking, fearless. On Sunday, they looked timid, and it showed in the 40 points allowed.
Special teams cost… again
Two blocked kicks in two weeks, both of them leading directly to opposition points. If those kicks are made, the Packers are potentially 4-0 instead of 2-1-1.
Special Teams co-ordinator (and assistant head coach) Rich Bisaccia is one of the best-paid in the league. It simply is not good enough.
Coaching questions mount
Head coach Matt LaFleur loves to say “All gas, no brakes.” Yet this season, it has felt more like “tap the brakes and hope the defense saves us.”
Against Dallas, the coaching was conservative when aggression was needed. On a 4th-and-2 in Cowboys territory, they punted.
The two-minute drills were an outright disaster, and the clock management was so poor the Packers almost failed to make their game-tying field goal in overtime. One second left. One.
Offense did its job
Jordan Love was superb, going 31-of-43 for 337 yards and three touchdowns, with one fumble, for a 126.1 rating. After some rocky moments last week, he looked composed and in command behind a makeshift offensive line.
Romeo Doubs continues to prove himself as the Packers’ top wideout, with six catches, 58 yards and three touchdowns. He made clutch grabs throughout. Rookie Matthew Golden deserves credit too, with five catches, 58 yards and a brilliant 4th-and-6 conversion.
The run game remains a concern though, mostly due to offensive line issues, but Josh Jacobs finally broke out. He had a huge presence in the passing game, with 157 total yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Where next?
If the Packers are serious about contending, the inconsistency has to be fixed.
The talent is clearly there. Both the offense and defense have shown they can perform at an elite level. But special teams and some ill discipline is flat-out costing wins. It cannot be allowed to continue.
Now comes the bye week. Time to reset and get healthy, time to get Christian Watson back and time to get the offensive line patched together.
The Cincinnati Bengals are up next and the response has to be sharp.
