Mike McCarthy Brings Packers Offense Back on Track, into NFC Elite

The worst decision made by Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy in recent memory was stepping back from his role in calling the offense, a mistake that he rectified in convincing fashion Sunday.

With the offense struggling this season in a way that it hasn't during quarterback Aaron Rodgers' tenure, the head coach called his own number and resumed the play-calling duties he passed up over the offseason. And boy, did it show—the Packers ran and passed their way all over the Dallas Cowboys in a 28-7 victory.

Green Bay secured an all-important victory to remain ahead in the NFC North, but the impact of it felt bigger. In the process, the Packers proved they are quickly returning back to the powerhouse that has been squarely in the NFC elite in recent years.

A run game that has been stagnant for months got a considerable shot in the arm with McCarthy taking back control of the offense. He made the crucial decision to get Eddie Lacy going again, and it paid off with Lacy scampering 24 times for 124 yards and a touchdown.

On-field struggles and a missed curfew had Lacy in the doghouse for weeks, but he broke out of it for a vintage performance that showed he's still at the top of his game. He attributed the turnaround to McCarthy, as Donte Stallworth noted:

The focus on the run game gave Rodgers plenty of room to operate, throwing 22 completions for 218 yards and two scores. With mismatches on the outside and in the slot, Randall Cobb had one of his best outings of the year with eight catches on 12 targets for 81 yards.

As the Packers got back to their typical selves on offense, the rest of the running game elevated, as backup James Starks added 71 yards and a touchdown to boost an incredible team rushing performance of 230 yards.

It's not as simple as simply running the ball, but McCarthy found the balance that had been lacking, as Zach Kruse of Cheesehead TV and Bleacher Report noted:

Of course, it's unfair to ask this Packers offense to be the force it's been in recent years with its injury problems. The loss of wide receiver Jordy Nelson alone is a crippling one that has undoubtedly made its presence felt all season, and nagging injuries to second-year wideout Davante Adams and rookie receiver Ty Montgomery have only intensified the problem.

But if Cobb is firing on all cylinders and complementary wideouts like James Jones can step up, Rodgers is so at the top of his game that a rushing presence is all he needs to get it going. Sunday's win was a prime example of that.

There was little doubt during the game that McCarthy had resumed his play-calling post, with Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reporting it pregame and the offense running the way it did. But we heard it from the horse's mouth following the game, confirming that would be the plan going forward, as the team's Twitter noted:

The move back to the McCarthy play-calling that this offense has thrived on was one Packers fans were intent upon for quite some time, and Sunday's performance was a supreme indication as to why. 

Of course, it's tough to suggest that a simple coaching move is going to be the X-factor for a team emerging into the elite in its conference. But you always knew there was something missing from this offense's potential, even with key injuries in certain areas.

The defense has been like it was in previous seasons—good enough to win if it gets the help it needs from Rodgers and the offense. All that's been missing has been consistent offense and balance from that group, something it now has with Lacy buzzing and McCarthy back in control.

Still very much in control of the NFC North, don't overlook the Packers in the NFC conversation while reveling at the spectacular seasons the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals are putting together. If the Green Bay offense continues to be as advertised in Sunday's win, nobody will want to face them come January.