Green Bay Packers: Stock watch after Week 14 win vs. Redskins
Stock Down: Killer Instinct
Even as Terry McLaurin made a fantastic catch with 1:17 remaining the fourth quarter to cut the Green Bay lead to 20-15, there was never a huge amount of doubt that the Packers were going to win. Their pass defense limited Dwayne Haskins enough while Aaron Jones and the rushing attack controlled the action to give them control of the game. But yet, the fact that it was so close on the scoreboard sounds the alarm to a certain degree.
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One of the most frustrating aspects of this Packers team in 2019 is their often-apparent lack of killer instinct. Yes, they have some decisive wins against teams like the Giants and Raiders. However, in a game like this one or back in Week 5 against the Cowboys, they have clearly been the better team on that day but have taken their foot off the gas.
That’s something that Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff need to address or at least be aware of as the postseason approaches as it could come back to bite them if they don’t find the right approach.
Stock Down: Packers Pass-Catchers
Whenever Davante Adams returned from his turf toe injury that held him out for several weeks, most Packers fans assumed that the passing game would see a large uptick. And while there have been games (see Week 13 against the Giants) where that’s been the case, Sunday at Lambeau was not one of them as Adams, Allen Lazard and the rest of the pass-catching corps was quite ineffective.
Outside of running back Aaron Jones, who led the team in receiving, no pass-catcher for Green Bay had more than 50 yards on the day. Jimmy Graham was the closest with three catches for 49 yards but, in a favorable matchup against a lacking secondary, you expect more from Rodgers and the passing offense. Part of that is on the quarterback (we’ll get to that) but the receivers and tight ends have to step up when presented with great opportunities as well.