Slow starts are killing the Green Bay Packers. We already discussed the issues involved with being outscored 63-6 in the first half of the last four games. But on top of the terrible play in the first half, poor execution late in games is also dooming the Packers during this recent slide.
Matt LaFleur’s team has lost four games in 2023. During three of the four losses, the Packers held a fourth-quarter lead at one point AND eventually had a chance to go win the game late on offense.
In Atlanta, the Packers coughed up a 12-point fourth quarter lead (24-12) and then went four-and-out on offense with a final chance to win the game.
In Las Vegas, the Packers took a 13-10 lead into the fourth quarter and had two opportunities inside Raiders territory to re-take the lead after falling behind 17-13 late. Jordan Love threw interceptions to end both drives.
On Sunday in Denver, the Packers overcame deficits of 9-0 and 16-3 to take a 17-16 lead in the fourth quarter, but the defense gave up a field goal and Love threw an interception on 3rd-and-20.
There was one success, of course: Love and the Packers overcame a 17-0 deficit and found the winning play — a touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs — to beat the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
But the execution late with the game on the line hasn’t been good enough in recent games.
Against the Raiders, Love was sacked on first down from the Raiders’ 40-yard line to set up 2nd-and-17 before the first interception, and the Packers dropped back-to-back passes — after getting to 1st-and-10 at the Raiders 35-yard line — before Love’s game-sealing pick into the end zone.
On Sunday, Elgton Jenkins got called for holding, setting up 2nd-and-20, and Love threw back-to-back poor passes, including the interception with 1:40 left. The Packers had the ball with 1st-and-10 at Denver’s 44-yard line with 2:29 left. Conservatively, only another 10 yards or so were required to get into Anders Carlson field goal range. Instead, the Packers had a costly penalty and two poorly executed passing plays to end it.
In losses to the Falcons, Raiders and Broncos, the Packers defense gave up a lead in the fourth quarter and Love and the offense didn’t have the game-winning answer. Maybe this is part of “learning how to win” with a first-year starting quarterback and young skill players everywhere.
So, what do the Packers need to do better to win games?
Starting faster is a must. No more two-score half-time deficits. But the Packers need to also find ways to execute better in crunch time. Protect leads on defense. Find answers on offense in the clutch. The Packers are starting too slow and lacking execution with the game on the line.