The Green Bay Packers dropped their opening game on the road to the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 39-22, succumbing to coach Kevin O'Connell's team on an emotionally charged day at U.S. Bank Stadium. Coach Matt LaFleur, who may be on the hot seat now, and his staff began the process of reevaluation afterward, bringing up a familiar face from the Packers' practice squad.
Following the game, odds were released from BetOnline.Ag showing coach LaFleur's Packers with a better chance (-155) to miss the playoffs as opposed to making them (+125). Green Bay has made the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons, but now faces an uphill battle with a questionable offensive line, according to Dan Orlovsky, and a division loss already on the ledger.
Things look tougher than expected for the Packers, but typecasting them as likely to miss the playoffs is absurd.
The Packers' passing game looks strong
The Packers' passing game looks stronger than at any point in recent memory, and quarterback Jordan Love's maturation is a big reason why. Love threw for 387 yards against the Vikings on a day when his defense did little to help him and his teammates on offense.
Love, now in his seventh year out of Utah State, is 27 years old and coming into his own as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. His unit has dealt with serious injury setbacks in recent years and a lack of depth that appears to have been solved. Last season, one of his top targets, Tucker Kraft, went down with an ACL injury and only played in eight games. Kraft is getting best NFL tight end consideration, and he is probably Green Bay's most confident player on offense, which will only benefit Love going forward.
At receiver, Matthew Golden played well against the Vikings, giving hope that he has turned a corner and can become something similar to the game-breaking weapon he was at Texas. Golden had 95 yards against the Vikings, a much better follow-up to his 361-yard, touchdown-less season as a rookie. Golden makes exciting catches at times; now it's up to him and Love to unlock his world-class speed with more throws down the field.
Christian Watson was the star of Week 1 for Love and the Packers with six catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Watson has shown he has the talent to be a top-flight wide receiver but hasn't always had a whole lot of help, causing defenses to key in on him. With Kraft running down the middle of the defense attracting attention and Golden threatening to sneak behind opposing defensive backs, Watson should thrive this season.
The Packers might not be as complete of a team as the Chicago Bears or Vikings, but they have the offense to outscore anyone in the division, and it's just getting started.
The Packers have a manageable schedule
Article Continues BelowThe Packers fell behind the eight ball with their Week 1 loss, but hope springs eternal during a 17-game NFL schedule. Green Bay will travel to New Jersey to take on the New York Jets in Week 2, a potential trap game but also one the Packers should win going away.
Love is capable of putting up points in bunches, something Jets quarterback Geno Smith is far less capable of doing, as he is generally more of a game manager. The Packers get a quick turnaround after the Jets game with the Falcons headed to Lambeau Field on September 24, followed by time off before a road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 4.
LaFleur's team will then close out the month of October with home games against the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys before a road game against the Detroit Lions on Halloween and a home game against the Carolina Panthers on the 29th.
Green Bay has a real chance to win at least five or six games in their upcoming seven-game stretch, which would put them at 5-2 or 6-1 headed into November.
Matt LaFleur's consistency stands out in Green Bay
LaFleur's consistency stands out during his time as head coach of the Packers. With seven seasons under his belt, he has failed to record a winning record only once. LaFleur's aggressiveness cost him vs. Minnesota, but will come in handy against overmatched opponents like the Jets and Falcons in the coming weeks.
The Packers have the talent to make the playoffs comfortably this season, but their roster needs time to gel after an incredibly challenging opener against a revitalized Minnesota team.
Now is the perfect time for LaFleur to double down on his Packers and up the ante, as they march forward to what should be an exciting couple of months. The oddsmakers are hoping to trick emotional fans into betting against the Packers after a rough first week, but sports bettors shouldn't take the bait.