Searching for Answers, Putrid Packers Run Game Will Face Ferocious Lions

The Packers' run game was supposed to be one of their biggest strengths. Through three games, it's been anything but, forcing the offense to rely on its inexperienced passing attack.

This could not have been the plan for the Green Bay Packers.

Coach Matt LaFleur knows about the youth that runs through his passing game.

He knows that his quarterback, Jordan Love, is a first-year starter.

He had to have known that there would be growing pains in the passing game with their reliance on young players.

One of the plans to combat that was to rely on two of the veterans on the offense.

Running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon were supposed to lead what was a dynamic run game to help offset any struggles the passing game might have early in the season.

Because of the training camp limitations in terms of time on the field and time in pads, it’s difficult for an offense to build a strong running game and a strong passing attack. With the need to get Love ready, the running game by necessity was pushed to the back burner.

With the obvious caveat that Jones has only played 2 1/2 quarters this season, the run game has struggled mightily in the first three games.

“I think it’s hard to pinpoint just one or two things. I think there’s a multitude of things. We’re going to start with what position we’re putting these guys in, in terms of our scheme,” LaFleur said on Monday.

“I also think that we’ve got to make sure that when we have opportunities, whether it’s a double-team or what-not, we’re playing with really good fundamentals, great pad level and physicality. I think that’s the basis for it. And then our runners, when given the opportunity, they’ve got to hit the right holes. I think there’s a lot that goes into it."

LaFleur is right. Not much is going right in the run game.

Dillon is the team's leading rusher. He has 107 yards and is averaging a paltry 2.7 yards per carry. Of 48 qualifying players, that ranks 42nd.

The days of Dillon rumbling into the secondary with multiple defenders on his back are difficult to remember.

One of Dillon's strong suits is supposed to be closing out games, as a tired defense may be wary of trying to tackle a big, bruising running back.

The Packers' AJ Dillon ran into a brick wall against the Saints. (Photo by USA Today Sports Images)

Dillon and the offensive line failed their first test in that regard against Atlanta. With the offense facing a third-and-short, Dillon took the ball and fell down short of the first-down marker.

That's something that has happened far too often the last two seasons.

Dillon loses his balance, and the play fails.

Dillon has only broken three tackles this season, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s an unacceptable number for a back with his skill-set.

On Sunday, it appeared he was beginning to cede snaps to Patrick Taylor, who didn't even crack the initial 53-man roster.

Perhaps that was for good reason. Taylor is not the most explosive runner, but he is a better passing game player than Dillon.

From a running standpoint, Taylor is going to get the yards that are blocked for him by the offensive line and little more. Preseason darling Emanuel Wilson has 11 yards on five carries.

The team’s second-leading rusher is Love. That’s not a sustainable formula. Love is a good runner, but not to the level of someone like Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts. The rushing attack in Philadelphia can be built around the quarterback. That’s not the case in Green Bay.

The issues are not solely on the running backs.

Patrick Taylor got more opportunities on Sunday. (Photo by USA Today Sports Images) / USA Today

Vince Lombardi famously used to teach his running backs to run to daylight.

Run plays for the modern-day Packers look like a cloud of darkness.

There simply aren’t enough holes being opened by the offensive line.

Injuries are one reason for that. David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins played one full game together. Bakhtiari hasn’t played since the opener. Jenkins missed the last game-and-a-half following an MCL injury.

The group that has been healthy has struggled to provide that daylight.

According to PFF, only one offensive lineman for the Packers has an above-average grade as a run blocker other than Bakhtiari.

Right tackle Zach Tom has those honors. Center Josh Myers and guards Royce Newman and Jon Runyan have all been average or well below it. In replacing Bakhtiari, Rasheed Walker has been fine as a pass blocker but has had his struggles in the run game, as well.

Things aren’t getting easier on this struggling unit. The Detroit Lions are coming to Lambeau Field for a Thursday night showdown and bringing a run wall with them.

Opposing running backs are averaging just 3.2 yards per carry against the Lions.

“They’re very similar to New Orleans as far as their structure. Their linebackers are very aggressive, and I think they’re very instinctual players,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said.

“But their interior guys do a really good job, just getting off blocks and things like that. They’re very disruptive. So that, and a combination of they’re always trying to have an extra hat in the box with the safety, 32. They’re a pretty aggressive bunch. They did a good job versus Atlanta.”

That last line might be an understatement.

Bijan Robinson torched the Packers for 124 yards on 19 carries.

Detroit just held him to 33 yards on 10 carries.

They shut down Atlanta’s running game as a whole. Atlanta’s dynamic running back combination of Robinson and Tyler Allgeier gained 45 yards on 17 carries.

Seattle Seahawks standout Kenneth Walker mustered only 43 yards on 17 carries the week prior.

The Packers had virtually no success against the Lions a year ago. Their running backs ran for 147 yards on 42 carries over two games. That was good for 3.5 yards per carry.

The first matchup between the two teams last year had Aaron Rodgers lead the Packers in rushing.

Running against this Lions team is tough sledding.

Those were the games, however, this team was supposed to thrive.

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