Major Changes Packers Must Make After 4-6 Start to 2023 NFL Season
The Green Bay Packers enter their Thanksgiving Day battle with the Detroit Lions in better shape than they were at the start of November.
Green Bay improved to 4-6 with home wins over both Los Angeles franchises in two of the last three weeks.
The wins pushed the Packers up to the No. 8 spot in the NFC standings. They have a small glimmer of hope to make a postseason push if they upset the Lions.
Even if they lose to the Lions, the Packers can make a few changes to at least finish the season strong and feel like they accomplished some progress in Jordan Love's first season as the starting quarterback.
Use Christian Watson More
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Christian Watson has been relegated to a red-zone and blocking role this season.
Watson ranks fifth on the Packers roster in receiving yards, but he did come up with an important touchdown catch in Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs earned more targets from Love, but that could change if the offensive coaching staff puts more trust in Watson.
Watson possesses a physical skill set that none of the other wide outs own and that could help the Packers not just in the red zone.
Of course, the Packers should keep throwing to Watson around the end zone, but in order for the offense to reach its full potential, the second-year player must be involved more.
Imagine a functioning Packers offense in which Love has four wide outs to choose from and at least one of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon to rely on in the running game.
That could make the Packers a dangerous team in the final five games once they get past the two-game stretch against Detroit and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Make Tucker Kraft the Starting Tight End
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Tucker Kraft turned in the best performance of his rookie campaign with two catches for 32 yards on Sunday.
That is a meager stat total by the league-wide tight-end standards, but it was a huge step in the right direction for the South Dakota State product.
Luke Musgrave, who was drafted a round before Kraft in April, has had some nice performances inside the Green Bay offense, but he has not been explosive enough on certain occasions.
For example, Musgrave had four catches on six targets versus the Chargers, but he had just 28 receiving yards.
Musgrave has not done enough to be the overwhelming favorite to earn starting tight end snaps, and we will get a chance to see what Kraft looks like as the starter on Thursday.
Musgrave is listed as questionable with an abdomen issue and may not play against the Lions. That could open up the opportunity for Kraft to play well and take over the starting spot when Musgrave returns.
Improve Rushing Defense
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If the Packers are real about a potential playoff push they must improve their rushing defense.
The Packers allowed 355 rushing yards to the Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers in the last two weeks.
They face two difficult matchups against David Montgomery and Isiah Pacheco in the next two weeks.
Green Bay could realistically lose both games to Detroit and Kansas City and then win out to have a shot at the playoffs at 9-8, but the team would rather not take that risk.
The Packers have to find a way to slow down either running back so that their secondary can attempt to win games for them.
Green Bay allowed under 200 passing yards in three of its five games out of the bye and it has the potential to force Jared Goff and even Patrick Mahomes into mistakes if it clogs up the middle of the field.
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