Packers' Secondary is enjoying a healthy dose of happiness

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The three-game winning streak that the Green Bay Packers will carry into Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars started in Week 5 with a win over the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.

What was the difference?

When Green Bay won at Los Angeles in Week 5, the Rams’ elite receiver tandem of Cooper Kupp (inactive, ankle) and Puka Nacua (injured reserve, knee) was out with injuries. Against the Vikings, Kupp and Nacua combined for 12 receptions for 157 yards and one touchdown as Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes in a 30-20 win.

“It’s what you envisioned when training camp started and it’s nice to have those guys back,” Stafford said.

“You can’t double-cover everyone on the team,” said receiver Demarcus Robinson, who scored two touchdowns against the Vikings after being limited to three catches for 28 yards by the Packers.

The Packers have had a lot of luck this season, especially when it comes to opposing pass catchers.

Before facing the Rams, they hosted the Vikings in Week 4. Minnesota won 31-29, even though premier tight end TJ Hockenson (knee) was listed as physically unable to perform.

After facing the Rams, the Packers returned home to face the Cardinals in Week 6. The starting right side of the offensive line, tackle Jonah Williams and guard Will Hernandez, were out with injuries and standout rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. suffered a concussion. his eighth snapshot of the match.

Week 7 was last week’s game against the Houston Texans. Stud receiver Nico Collins was on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Collins has missed the last eleven quarters of action and still ranks fifth in the NFL in receiving yards. Additionally, Jordan Love faced a defense behind four starters.

The Jaguars could have their full starting lineup on Sunday. Standout linebacker Foye Oluokun, who had more tackles than any other player in 2022 and 2023, is expected to return to the lineup. Their receiver corps will be at full strength, with rookie Brian Thomas and veterans Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis. Additionally, tight end Evan Engram, who caught 114 passes last year, returned from injured reserve a few weeks ago.

“They have a lot of weapons,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Friday.

Next week the Packers play Round 1 against the great Detroit Lions. Speed receiver Jameson Williams, who is second on the team in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns and second in the NFL in yards per catch, will serve the second and final game of his NFL suspension.

After a Week 10 bye and a Week 11 matchup at the Chicago Bears, the Packers will host the San Francisco 49ers. Running back Christian McCaffrey may be back in the starting lineup, but premier receiver Brandon Aiyuk is out with a season-ending knee injury.

Injuries are a way of life in the NFL. The Packers defeated the Colts and Titans last month while Jordan Love was sidelined with a knee injury.

“No one is going to feel sorry for us,” LaFleur has said several times over the years when injuries have hit his team.

Still, Green Bay has been remarkably lucky. There’s no doubt this played a role in the Packers’ entry into Sunday’s game, ranking eighth in opponent passer rating (81.7) and 10th in opponent completion percentage (63 .2 percent).

The last three games, in which the Packers defeated the Rams without Kupp and Nacua, the Cardinals without Harrison and the Texans without Collins, yielded a second-ranked 5.2 yards per attempt.

Despite the 2-5 record, Jacksonville will be a challenge. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has one of the highest passer ratings in the NFL over the past three weeks, and Thomas is among the rookie leaders with 30 receptions, 513 yards (17.1 average) and four touchdowns. He had at least 86 yards in four of the seven games.

“Obviously he gives them a vertical threat,” safety Xavier McKinney said. “He’s a guy with great hands and good speed. I think it helps their offense tremendously, and he’s another playmaker to add to what they already have. They’ve got a talented offense, man.

“We know they are capable of winning games that they just haven’t won, and sometimes that’s just how things work out. “But we do know they have a very talented team and we have to make sure we meet our P’s and Q’s so we can go out there and execute and win.”

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— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) October 25, 2024