3 Takeaways from Packers' Week 6 Loss vs. Jets

For the first time in the Matt LaFleur era, the Green Bay Packers are on a regular-season losing streak. And if they don't correct some of their major issues, the team's season may continue to trend in the wrong direction.

The Packers fell 27-10 to the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, suffering their second consecutive loss to fall to 3-3. This setback came a week after they lost to the New York Giants in London.

Since LaFleur took over as head coach in 2019, Green Bay had not lost consecutive regular-season games. It had also won 15 successive regular-season games at home prior to Sunday's defeat.

Here are three takeaways from the Packers' Week 6 loss.

Offense Can't Find Any Rhythm

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws the ball against the New York Jets during an NFL game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Six weeks into the 2022 season, the Packers still haven't found the best way to operate their offense following the offseason departure of Davante Adams. They had only 278 total yards and 15 first downs against the Jets.

Green Bay's lone touchdown came on a 25-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers to Allen Lazard late in the third quarter. Its other 12 possessions ended in a field goal, a missed FG attempt, five punts, a blocked punt returned for a TD, a lost fumble and three turnovers on downs.

"Very inconsistent," Rodgers told reporters. "And that’s why we need to simplify things because on the couple drives that we did move the ball, it was very simple things. Very simple plays, no motion."

Perhaps that will help, but Green Bay also needs offensive playmakers to step up.

The team could be without veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb for a while, as he exited Sunday's game with an ankle injury. So, some of the youngsters, such as Amari Rodgers and rookie Romeo Doubs, will likely need to make more of an impact.

It would also help if the Packers could get their running game going. On Sunday, they had 20 rushing attempts for 60 yards, 19 of which came on one carry by AJ Dillon.

Run Defense Still a Major Issue

AP Photo/Matt Ludtke

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20), defended by Green Bay Packers safety Adrian Amos rushes for a 34-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

There are numerous reasons why the Packers have fallen to .500, but one of their biggest ongoing issues early in the season has been their inability to stop the run, something they struggled to do again on Sunday.

The Jets had 179 rushing yards on 33 attempts, an average of 5.4 yards per carry. Rookie running back Breece Hall led the way with 116 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Braxton Berrios also had a 20-yard rushing score.

Green Bay is now allowing 135.2 rushing yards per game despite holding teams to 299.2 total yards per contest. That's why New York kept the ball on the ground and continued to have success while doing so.

"When everybody in the building knows you're going to run the football and they're able to do it, that's a little bit discouraging," LaFleur told reporters.

If this defense doesn't do a better job against the run soon, opponents will continue to exploit that matchup. The Packers need to make whatever changes necessary to improve their run defense for the rest of the season.

Packers Need to Get on Track on the Road

AP Photo/Morry Gash

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

It will be a while before the Packers return to Lambeau Field now, as their next home game isn't until Nov. 13, when they face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10. In each of the next three weeks, Green Bay will be on the road.

The Packers are set to face the Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions in those matchups. The Bills (5-1) will be an extremely tough opponent, but the Commanders (2-4) and Lions (1-4) are teams they should beat.

However, if the Packers don't start playing better, even those lesser opponents could present challenges. Too many more losses, and their season could start to spiral out of control.

"We have to have that urgency to want to improve," LaFleur said. "We're going to have to take a good hard look at everything and really do some great evaluations from a coaching perspective in terms of what's working, what's not working and try to find a different avenue."

While it's still too early for the next few weeks to be must-win games for the Packers, LaFleur is right in saying the team needs to show urgency, especially now they're two games back of the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) in the NFC North.