8 major reasons Packers didn’t make the playoffs for 2022
The Green Bay Packers were 8-9 in 2022. They missed the playoffs the first time since 2018. Matt LaFleur’s started 3-1, slogged through a 1-7 midseason stretch and finished 4-1, but the final loss – in Week 18 at Lambeau Field to the Detroit Lions – eliminated the Packers.
What went wrong? It’s never just one thing for a disappointing football team.
These are the top five reasons the Packers failed to make the playoffs in 2022.
The defense failed against the top teams
The highly touted Packers defense just wasn’t good enough against the top teams. The Packers allowed 24.3 points per match against playoff teams. They also gave up 27 points in four games (which were 1-3). Despite massive investment in Joe Barry’s group, the Packers ended the year ranked 17th in points and 28th in yards per play. The defense was crucial to an evolving offense. But the Packers were too exposed by Justin Jefferson and other Vikings in the opener.
Inconsistent scoring offense
The Packers were 7-1 when they scored less than 24 points in 2022 and 1-8 when they scored more than 22 points. This inconsistency was especially painful early on. Green Bay was 4-8 when the Packers lost to the Giants. They had only scored 20 points or more in two consecutive games (Week 4-5). The killer blow: Matt LaFleur’s team scored 25 total points in two losses to the Lions, who finished 28th in points allowed in 2022. The Packers scored just 16 points in a crucial game at Lambeau Field on Week 18.
Situational offense
The Packers offense was ranked 17th on third down (39.5%), 28th on fourth down (43.8%), and 29th overall for the regular season. 24th in the red zone (51.9). It’s really hard to win in the NFL when extending drives is a challenge, the risks taken on fourth down don’t pay off and trips inside the 20-yard line don’t consistently result in seven points. In losses to the Giants, Giants Jets Commanders, Titans, Titans, and the Jets, the Packers were unable to capitalize on their offense.
Aaron Rodgers was not an elevator operator
Aaron Rodgers covered up more than just a few issues and raised more than one team during his Hall of Fame career. The 39-year-old just couldn’t do it in 2022. After losing his All-Pro receiver, the offensive line shuffled, his thumb was broken, he threw to an inept skill position group, and lost his consistent excellence of his MVP seasons. It all factored into one of Rodgers’ worst statistical seasons. He threw 12 interceptions, averaged 6.8 yards/ attempt, and received a passer rating (91.1). Rodgers’ absence from the game was not compensated by the Packers lacking the talent or coaching.
Home and division woes
The Packers were 5-3 at their home (one loss in London), and 3-3 against NFC North 2022. The Packers were 24-4 at Lambeau field and 16-2 against division during Matt LaFleur’s first three seasons. How’s this for unordinary? Green Bay lost three games at home to non-playoff team and was swept the Lions. The Packers are a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs, winning more games against divisions than they won at home during the Aaron Rodgers era.
Three-game October losing streak
The Packers lost five straight games but it was the three-game losing streak that started it all that hurt. The Packers lost a 20-10 lead to the Giants in London. They were then beaten by the Jets at Lambeau Field. After that, they lost a 14-3 lead to the Commanders. The Packers lost 77 total points over a three-game period against quarterbacks Zach Wilson (Taylor Heinicke), and Daniel Jones (Zach Wilson). The Packers attempted to get back in the playoff race late with this string of losses.
Unfortunate Christian Watson injuries
If rookie Christian Watson had been healthy, would the Packers have finished 8-9? This seems unlikely considering how important Watson was to the offense during the last two months. Watson would have made the offense more effective and more consistent if he had been available immediately. The final eight games, which were spread over a 17-game season, saw Watson score 66 catches for 1,111 yards and 17 touchdowns. Watson had 121 snaps between Weeks 1-9. He also played 386 snaps between Weeks 10-18.
Keisean Nixon’s (too late) emergence
Another possibility: What if Keisean, the newly minted, was Keisean Nixon? first-team All-Pro kickoff returner, had been the team’s primary punt and kickoff returner all season? That job first belonged to Amari Rodgers, who fumbled five times – creating a few devastating turnovers – before he was released and Nixon got a turn. Watson brought the offense back to life while Nixon ignited the special teams and was a true game-breaker as a returner. The first half of the season featured a lot of wasted opportunities – and avoidable mistakes – in the return game while Nixon sat on the bench.