The Green Bay Packers created a truly odd start to the 2025 season with two dominant, impressive wins over legitimate contenders (Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders are 4-0 in games not against the Packers to start 2025) and one truly shocking loss after leading 10-0 in the fourth quarter to the previously winless Cleveland Browns, who had lost eight straight games entering the contest.
In the span of just three weeks, the Packers have provided a glimpse at something approaching the team’s ceiling and what is almost certainly the team’s floor.
Three games isn’t a big sample size, but it is close to 20 percent of the team’s regular season games over a 17-game schedule, and some themes are emerging.
Five things to know from the Packers’ 2-1 start:
Pass-rush has been dominant
Through three games, Micah Parsons (15), Devonte Wyatt (13), Rashan Gary (13) and Lukas Van Ness (11) all have over 10 pressures, per PFF, and the Packers rank third in PFF’s pass-rushing grade. Parsons has been everything the Packers could have asked for and probably more; his pass-rush win rate to start 2025 is a ridiculous 27 percent, and it’s clear his presence has made life easier for every other pass-rusher on the defensive front. Gary leads the NFL in sacks with 4.5, Wyatt is second among interior defensive linemen in pressures, and Van Ness is enjoying a breakout start to his third season. It’s all coming together for the defensive front in terms of rushing the passer, with Parsons helping take the group to a whole new level.
Perimeter cornerbacks on lockdown
Worried about the cornerbacks to start 2025? Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Nate Hobbs have been excellent in coverage through three games, allowing a combined 10 catches on 26 targets for only 92 yards. Nixon has defensed almost as many passes (5) as he’s allowed completions (7), while Valentine and Hobbs have allowed only three total catches for 27 yards. Pressure fron the front has certainly played a factor — quarterbacks have had to make quick, hurried decisions more often than not. And the Packers have consistently played coverage to limit the big play and force quarterbacks to check the ball down underneath and to the middle of the field. In big spots, however, the perimeter cornerbacks have handled business. Combined, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Terry McLaurin and Jerry Jeudy caught 10 passes for 110 yards and zero touchdowns against the Packers.
Big struggles along offensive line
Jordan Love has been under pressure on over 40 percent of his dropbacks, and Josh Jacobs has averaged only 3.1 yards per carry. By PFF grade, the Packers rank 28th out of 32 teams in pass-blocking grade and 29th out of 32 teams in run-blocking grade through three weeks. Among the six offensive linemen who have played at least 70 blocking snaps, not a single one has an overall blocking grade over 60.0, creating a shocking start for a group that ranked among the best as pass-blockers a year ago. Of course, injuries have played a big part. Elgton Jenkins was injured to start training camp, delaying his move to center. Aaron Banks and Rasheed Walker both missed time during training camp. And Banks and Zach Tom both left injured in Week 1 and Week 3. As a result, Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton have been forced into action at various spots. A lack of continuity — combined with playing three really good defensive fronts to start the season — has made life tough on the Packers offensive line to open 2025.
When giving Love time…
Love has been under pressure too much, and he’s been about league average in terms of performance under pressure. But big things have happened when Love has been protected to start 2025. From clean pockets, Love has completed 43 of 51 passes (84.3 percent, second among QBs) for 560 yards (11.0 yards per attempt, first) and five touchdown passes (fifth), good for a passer rating of 136.9 (second). Attacking down the field is Love’s super power, and he’s 17 of 28 passing for 383 yards and three touchdowns when throwing at least 10 yards down the field this season. Give Love time, and he can pick apart a defense in the intermediate to deep areas of the field and consistently create explosive plays. The problem is pressure has prevented some chances to throw down the field, especially during Sunday’s loss in Cleveland.
Special teams and penalties
The third phase has been a mixed bag of really good (Daniel Whelan, a few Savion Williams kickoff returns) and really bad (kick/punt coverage vs. Washington, field goal protection units vs. Cleveland). Unfortunately, the really bad stuff has hurt Green Bay in big spots and could be a fatal flaw (again) come playoff time. On the penalty front, the Packers have 28 (not including three declined and one offsetting) in three games, ranking tied for the fourth-most in football. The 14 on Sunday in Cleveland tied Tampa Bay for the most in Week 3. Matt LaFleur’s team has 12 pre-snap penalties, highlighting a lack of discipline. It’s been a three-phase problem: the Packers offense has 12 penalties, the defense has 10 (seventh most) and the special teams have six (fifth most). Championship teams can’t have meltdowns on special teams or undisciplined penalty issues.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 5 things to know from Packers’ 2-1 start to 2025 season
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
