Just in case anyone needs to be reminded, we saw the Green Bay Packers open 4-6 last season and took a four-game losing streak into the final six weeks of the season. The team ran the table behind brilliant play from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Mike McCarthy’s team came all the way back to win the NFC North. Three years earlier, the team’s star signal-caller was out for seven games with a broken collarbone but returned for the final Sunday of the regular season and led the Packers to a thrilling 33-28 victory over the Bears at Soldier Field.
Once again, Green Bay was a division champion.
At the moment, the Pack sports a 5-4 record, tied with the Detroit Lions and two games behind the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. If we are to see Rodgers this season (once again on the mend with a collarbone injury), it won’t be until Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers. Which means third-year quarterback Brett Hundley must play efficient football. And the former UCLA product looks like he’s starting to get the hang of things.
Solid effort in Chicago
In last Sunday’s 23-16 win at Chicago, Hundley led a Green Bay Packers’ offense that rolled up 342 total yards – including 160 yards on the ground (on 37 carries). McCarthy’s team was 7-of-16 on third-down conversions and did not commit a turnover in the seven-point road win.
The young signal-caller connected on 18 of his 25 throws (72.0 percent) for 212 yards, including a 19-yard scoring toss to wide receiver Davante Adams in the fourth quarter. Hundley was sacked three times but also ran twice for 16 yards – one of those jaunts a 17-yard gain. One week earlier in the 30-17 Monday night home loss to the Lions, the three-year pro didn’t throw a TD pass or an interception.
But he hit on 26-of-38 passes for 245 yards in the 13-point setback. You will recall in his previous two appearances against the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints, Hundley combined for 244 yards through the air (30-of-58), one touchdown and four interceptions.
Utilizing the personnel
Eight different players caught passes in the Green Bay Packers’ win at Soldier Field.
Hundley did a good job of spreading the ball around. Adams was targeted eight times and totaled five receptions for 90 yards and the aforementioned score. Fellow wideout Randall Cobb had three catches for 52 yards, 38 of those yards coming on one grab. And veteran Jordy Nelson pulled down three passes for 20 yards. This week, keeping the Baltimore Ravens’ defense off-balance is extremely important. If Hundley can adequately spread the football around, the Packers’ offense should enjoy some success.
