It’s been a tale of two teams with the Green Bay Packers so far this season.
They’ve been dominant in the first half of games, especially in the first quarter, but have struggled in the second half.
They have allowed zero points in the first quarter, a remarkable feat over five games played.
However, they have allowed the most points in the NFL in the fourth quarter.
Head coach Matt LaFleur recently admitted he and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley are trying to get to the bottom of that.
“That’s something ‘Haf’ and I we’re kind of like just nitpicking, like, ‘Why is it happening?’ Because if you look at the scoring differential, I just looked at it, I think in the first quarter throughout the course of the season, we’ve scored 24 points and the opposition scored zero. And then it’s the same, I mean, there’s a big discrepancy in the second quarter as well, but the second half I think we’re minus-6 on the season,” LaFleur said. “We’re just like, ‘Why is that happening?’ Are we running out of gas?’ Obviously [the Cincinnati Bengals] got the ball to start the second half (in Week 6), they go on that 18-play drive or whatever it was, ate up near 10 minutes on the clock or whatever it was. I don’t know, does that gas you out? Does that make you more tired? Do we need to roll more guys in the first half?”
It’s worth noting that the Packers have given up multiple scores with big leads late in games.
Their defense has taken its foot off the gas, allowing the opponent to march down the field as long as they stay in bounds, so the clock can continue to run.
So, it’s not like they’re letting their opposition get back in the game.
They’re just swapping yards for time.
That’s not to say it’s not an important issue or something that needs to be addressed, especially in close games.
It has already cost them in a loss to the Cleveland Browns and a tie with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Packers need to stay focused for the entire game, regardless of the scoreboard.
NEXT: Analyst Shuts Down Concerns About Matt LaFleur
