NFL Midseason Report Cards: ‘D’ Doesn’t Stand for Dominant for Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Jordan Love has struggled. The first-half offense has been terrible. Aaron Jones and Christian Watson haven’t delivered their expected impact because of injuries. Joe Barry’s defense has underperformed relative to the talent.
Otherwise, all is good in Titletown.
Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano created midseason report cards for each NFC team, and Matt Verderame did the same for the AFC.
The Packers got a D. Only four teams got a worse grade. The good news is three of those teams are on the second-half schedule.
Here’s a look at what’s ahead for the Packers, who beat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday and will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers this week. Much more extensive comments are available by following the links.
at Pittsburgh (C): “The Steelers are 5-3, but how can you be excited about their present or future?” Quarterback Kenny Pickett is 26th in passer rating – one spot behind Love – and has thrown only six touchdown passes.
vs. L.A. Chargers (C): After blasting the Jets 27-6 on Monday, the Chargers are 4-4. Shouldn’t they be better with the likes of Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack? “Los Angeles isn’t a bad team, but it’s not a real contender, either.”
at Detroit (B-plus): The Lions are 6-2 and seem destined to win the NFC North in a rout. After beating the Chiefs in Week 1, their last five wins have been by at least 12 points. “The Lions are stout in the trenches and have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball to make noise in the postseason.”
Romeo Doubs (87) celebrates a touchdown by Luke Musgrave (right) vs. the Rams.
Photo by Wm. Glasheen/USA Today Sports Images
vs. Kansas City (A-minus): The Patrick Mahomes-led offense has been a disappointment, but the Chiefs are 7-2 and control the No. 1 seed. “Kansas City has shut down some of the league’s best attacks, holding the Lions, Dolphins and Jaguars to a combined 37 offensive points.”
at N.Y. Giants (F): Of the 32 teams, the Giants got one of three Fs. They’ve lost six of their last seven games. Adding injury to insult, quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn ACL against the Raiders. “The Giants might have buyer’s remorse after the four-year, $160 million contract extension they agreed to with quarterback Daniel Jones in the offseason.”
vs. Tampa Bay (C-minus): After starting 3-1, the Bucs have lost four in a row. But they reside in the NFC South, so they’ve got a chance. “The Buccaneers are now familiar with the Baker Mayfield roller-coaster experience.”
at Carolina (F): The Panthers started the season 0-6 and are 1-7. In a blockbuster trade with the Bears, they moved up to No. 1 in the 2023 NFL Draft to acquire quarterback Bryce Young. He’s 29th in rating but is hardly the biggest problem. “The offensive line they kept intact regressed, and the signings of running back Miles Sanders and tight end Hayden Hurst haven’t worked out.”
at Minnesota (C-plus): The Vikings started 0-3 but have rallied to 5-4 and in control of the No. 7 seed in the NFC. Can they keep it going without quarterback Kirk Cousins, who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles? “On the defensive side, the unit has drastically improved under defensive coordinator Brian Flores.”
vs. Chicago (F): The Bears are 2-6. On the bright side, they could have a couple top-five picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. “I nearly didn’t fail the Bears because they own the Panthers’ first-round pick, which might be a top-three pick in 2024. But similar to Carolina, Chicago also failed to gain many positive results from its young quarterback.”
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