The Green Bay Packers (3-4) gave up a 14-3 lead by allowing 20 straight points and were then unable to complete the comeback on Sunday at FedEx Field, losing 23-21 to the Washington Commanders to extend the team’s losing streak to three games.
It was over when…
… Terry McLaurin beat Jaire Alexander for a 12-yard completion to convert 3rd-and-9 with 2:06 left in the fourth quarter.
Game balls
– RB Aaron Jones: He received only eight carries (for 23 yards), but he also caught nine passes and scored both of the team’s touchdowns, including a pretty 22-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
– OLB Preston Smith/LB De’Vondre Campbell: Smith was consistently disruptive, especially on the edge against the run. Campbell had a pick-six and three tackles for losses.
– CB Keisean Nixon: The Commanders didn’t give him a kickoff return opportunity, but he had two tackles on special teams.
Key stat
0-for-7: The Packers didn’t convert a single third down or fourth down.
Scoring
7-0: Aaron Jones 4-yard touchdown (extra point)
7-3: Joey Slye 22-yard field goal
14-3: De’Vondre Campbell 63-yard interception return touchdown (extra point)
14-10: Antonio Gibson 9-yard touchdown (extra point)
14-17: Terry McLaurin 37-yard touchdown (extra point)
14-20: Joey Slye 31-yard field goal
14-23: Joey Slye 19-yard field goal
21-23: Aaron Jones 21-yard touchdown (extra point)
Quick hits
– The Packers are a rudderless football team because they don’t do anything well consistently.
– The Commanders held the ball for over 37 minutes and ran 72 plays compared to just 47 plays for the Packers.
– The Packers are fortunate the defense finished 1-for-4 allowing touchdowns inside the red zone or this would have been a blowout.
– Penalties, including one negating a defensive touchdown, killed this team.
– The Packers ran the ball 12 times compared to 35 dropbacks for Aaron Rodgers.
– Another mostly dominant start for the Packers defense devolved quickly. Washington started the second half with three-straight scoring drives. Overall the Commanders rushed for 166 yards.
– The Packers got four of the team’s 16 first downs via penalty, including three on the final touchdown drive.
– Catching the ball was a big issue for the Packers passing game. So was accuracy from the 38-year-old quarterback with a bum thumb.
– Romeo Doubs didn’t catch a single one of his four targets, including three drops.
– The Packers have lost to Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson and Taylor Heinicke over the last three weeks. Guess who is next?
– The Packers are staring a 3-5 start straight in the face. Can this team get things solved in time for next week’s primetime showdown?
What’s next
The Packers go on the road to play the Buffalo Bills, who are coming off a bye week.
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