It won’t be as easy for the Packers this week.
Matt LaFleur proved why he is one of the league’s best offensive minds. Placed in a daunting scenario without his franchise quarterback and having to build a game plan for Malik Willis, who had only spent 19 days with the team, LaFleur dug deep into his bag and created a masterpiece.
The Green Bay Packers ran all over the Indianapolis Colts with a bunch of creative play-calls. Indianapolis had no answer, being hit with unscouted look after unscouted look. By the time the Colts’ defense caught up, it was too late.
If Willis starts again in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans, the Packers can’t rely on the same plan to work. Even if Jordan Love returns, he won’t be at 100 percent and LaFleur may want to lean on the run game.
Former Packers fullback John Kuhn has issued a warning to LaFleur and the team that it won’t be as easy this week.
John Kuhn warns Packers that game plan won’t be as easy vs. Titans
Speaking on The Brick & The Stick podcast with The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, Kuhn discussed why the Packers’ task this week will be more challenging. Unlike in the game against the Colts, they won’t have the benefit of surprising the Titans with many unscouted looks.
“You roll into a game with 30 percent unscouted, that’s the general rule of thumb. The Packers had about 60 percent unscouted in this game, maybe 70 percent,” said Kuhn. “And now, you’re not going to be able to have that type of misdirection, that type of unknown going into a second straight ballgame.”
“They’re going to have to win with dominance, with physicality, by winning their one-on-ones,” Kuhn added.
It’s an excellent point from Kuhn. While the Packers had to figure out what plays they could run with Willis at quarterback last week, imagine the Colts’ challenge. They had no idea what to expect. The Titans will.
If Willis gets the start again, the Packers will want to lean on Josh Jacobs and the rushing attack, but the Titans will have a far better grasp of the game plan LaFleur used last week. The scheme helped Green Bay in the first half against Indianapolis, but as Kuhn notes, it will take more against Tennessee.
The Packers can still lean on the run game, but it will require the offensive line to consistently win their blocks and each player to execute their assignment. They won’t catch the Titans off-guard with their scheme.
As Kuhn says, they must win their one-on-ones.