GREEN BAY WIS. Marcedes Lewis hasn’t been a big part of the Green Bay Packers’ offense this season, but if their season is to be saved — and that seems like a big if — it might be because of the veteran tight end.
Not because of anything Lewis will do on the field — because at 38 years old, he’s only a part-time player with one catch for 2 yards this season — but with his locker room presence and veteran guidance.
After the incident, it was Lewis who brought the team together. Sunday’s 23-21 Loss to the Washington Commanders FedEx Field: The Packers saw their losing streak extend to three games at FedEx Field.
“One thing I told the guys … in times like this, individually, when I’ve had, whether it’s a couple bad plays, play a couple games you’d rather have back, you just lean on your work,” Lewis said. “We go out there and we bust our butt every day. It’s about finding our rhythm, and all it’s going to take is one, and they come in bunches after that. Time to get back to work.”
That message wasn’t just for the offense.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, said it came through clearly to him. Joe Barry, the NFL’s defensive coordinator, allowed Joe to let him shadow a No. For most of the game, 1 receiver. For the New York JetsHe won the fight. Garrett Wilson. Against the Commanders Terry McLaurin The matchup for individuals was won.
“It’s not much panic in my eyes or in my voice,” Alexander said. “Every dog have their day. I’m still the greatest. That’s what I know, so you just have to keep practicing your craft. It’s important to remember what it took to get you here in times like these. Marcedes Lewis said that earlier, so that’s perfect.”
It must still happen.
After the second loss in this streak, quarterback Aaron Rodgers called for a simplification of coach Matt LaFleur’s offense. Whatever changed — or didn’t change — the end result was much the same.
“We scored 14 points [on offense against Washington] Seven in a matter of seconds [situation], seven on a short field,” Rodgers said. “Last week, we scored 10 points — three in a two-minute, seven in a no-huddle. It hasn’t been winning football on offense.”
Personality could be the problem. Or, a shortage of personnel.
If they are their most trusted receiver Allen Lazard, if the shoulder injury he sustained late on Sunday against the Commanders keeps him out for any length of time, then it’s an even more dire situation.
Rookie receivers Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson They have not been helpful. Watson has missed two of his last games with a hamstring strain and has been unable to play in all seven of his games. Doubs was unable to catch any of four balls that were thrown at him on Sunday.
One play showed just how good the offense is. Rodgers turned to his right late in the first quarter. Doubs, who was at the right slot, took the deep route to his left. This, according to LaFleur Monday, was the right decision on paper. Rodgers realized there was no coverage, so he figured Doubs might also see it and would adjust his route to the left. That’s where Rodgers threw it, and Doubs was nowhere in the vicinity.
“I think these are some of the things that you’re just going to go through with younger players,” LaFleur said. “And you would love for him just to notice that there’s nobody out there, throw his hand up. But I can’t fault him for that. I think he’s trying to do everything perfect, and I think that’s just something that comes with experience.”
To top it all, Yosh NijmanThe play was rescheduled for a later date.
While Rodgers did not mention any one play in particular, he could have been talking about that play when he said: “There has to be something inside that has the accountability for performance where we’re just having way too many detail mistakes.”
“It could be a total wrong route or it could be a wrong stem or it could be the release, we’re just not good enough to overcome some of those things right now,” Rodgers added. “We have talent on our team, for sure, but it has to consistently show up from all of us, otherwise why would we have any confidence moving forward?”
It didn’t help that the Packers had to scramble just hours before the game because David Bakhtiari’s left knee became problematic again. They practiced last week with a new offensive line. Bakhtiari was the one from left to correct. Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan Nijman. It was shuffled largely to allow Jenkins to return to his Pro Bowl left guard position and not play right tackle.
Bakhtiari being declared inactive, instead of moving Jenkins back to right tackle, and Nijman back to left tackle, they plugged rookie Zach Tom He will start his career at the left tackle
To top it all off, LaFleur had to use more shotgun snaps than he intended because taking snaps from under center bothered Rodgers’ sore right thumb. He used tape to cover his thumb for the second half, having not taped it the week before or against Washington.
Rodgers insists that he believes this season can be salvagedHe agrees that this should be the universal belief.
“I mean, it should be,” Rodgers said. “Unless they don’t think they’re the right person for the job. I think I’m the right person for the job. So, might have to ask them.”
Although the last stretch was supposed be the easiest, the Packers lost the game as favorites to the Giants Jets and Commanders. Now, they’re 3-4 and huge underdogs going into Sunday night’s game at the 5-1 Buffalo Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), who are coming off their bye.
Caesars Sportsbook reported that the Packers were currently a 10.5 point underdog against Bills as of Monday. If that line doesn’t drop, the Packers will be the biggest underdog they’ve been in Rodgers’ career as a starter. The Packers haven’t won a regular-season or playoff game when they have been an underdog of 7 points or more since Week 10 of 2005.
“It feels eerie,” Lewis said of the state of the team. “Like weird, almost. Think about how you can find an answer for every question you ask when you go out there. I just feel like we haven’t gotten to that point yet, whether it be injuries up front, guys shuffling in and out at the receiver position. Offense, it’s tough. That groove is essential. Trusting the man in front of you is essential. When you got guys in and out, it’s tough to do that. Obviously, there’s no time to sit and lick our wounds.”