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View from the North: Packers coach Mike McCarthy under pressure

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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1. Mike McCarthy under pressure

Not many people have defended Mike McCarthy in recent years as much as I have. For the record, I think he’s an excellent head coach with a great resume in Green Bay. Yet after the Packers’ continuing struggles on offense, McCarthy is under pressure.

McCarthy played a major role in Aaron Rodgers’ development early in his career, and he must help revitalizse his star signal caller the same way he did back then.

McCarthy’s record at fixing problems is good. The run game in 2012 was an issue. In 2013, a rookie Eddie Lacy formed one of the league’s strongest 1-2 punches with James Starks. Defense held the Packers back in 2013, but 2014 began the consistent improvements that lead to a strong 2015 unit.

This is his greatest challenge yet. The Packers’ offensive malaise can be traced all the way back to Week 4 of the 2015 season in San Francisco. Little did we know this ‘slump’ would become the norm over a year later. McCarthy must find a fix, but to date he’s drawn a blank.

“I don’t know why the hell I have to come in here and answer questions about what you think went wrong on offense,” McCarthy said last week.

If he doesn’t know why his offense is being questioned, there are serious concerns.

McCarthy also dodged questions comparing the 2016 offense to the success of 2014 and 2011.

Ultimately it doesn’t matter what McCarthy says (or avoids) in press conferences. He knows the offense is broken.

His future will be determined on whether he can find the remedy.

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to the scoreboard following a turnover during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. The Cowboys won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

2. Rodgers: Regression or a blip?

With only one 100+ passer rating game to his name in 17 attempts, can Aaron Rodgers’ struggles still be referred to as a lack of confidence?

Consistency is the issue. It’s clear Rodgers still has the physical tools. He still moves in and out of the pocket with the same athletic ability he once did, and escaping rushers remains a strength. Rodgers’ arm is just as strong, he’s just failing to thread the needle as often as we expect.

Give 2014 Rodgers a wide open Randall Cobb in the end zone 100 times and he hits him on all 100. On Sunday his pass was destined for the press box.

Poor mechanics married with even worse decisions leads to average quarterback play, a term alien to Rodgers. Remember when he went three years without an interception inside Lambeau Field? He now has three in his past two games.

Why Rodgers is struggling is anyone’s guess. Is it coaching (or lack thereof)? Is it poor form? Scheme?

In all likelihood, it’s a combination of all three. Rodgers once said he wants to be coached, yet referred to a recent wet-ball drill as a “silly drill” and one he participated in as a “favor to the coaches”.

I very much doubt a rookie Rodgers would have made those comments, just as Carson Wentz wouldn’t today.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

3. Eddie Lacy health key to ignite offense

It may only be five games into the season, but Eddie Lacy is on pace to smash his yards-per-carry season average. He’s churned out 360 yards from 71 attempts (5.1 YPC) this year. He’s failed to find the end zone, but with only 10 red zone carries to date, touchdowns will come in time.

Along with stellar offensive line play, Lacy’s performances have been one of few positives for the Packers on offense. His ankle is all that holds him back from taking on a bigger role.

His status for Thursday night’s game with Chicago is up in the air, although it’s likely he plays in limited fashion. James Starks has been ruled out with a knee injury, leaving the Packers thin at the position.

The mini-bye that follows the Thursday night game will be crucial not only for Lacy, but the entire Packers offense. If Lacy can escape without worsening his injury, a 10-day break until the Week 8 trip to Atlanta could be exactly what he needs to resume closer to 100 percent.

The Packers will need to run the ball effectively in the Georgia Dome to win, and Lacy gives them a shot to do so.

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

4. Next three games critical for the Lions

Lions fans have a reason to feel frustrated. After winning two straight to enter Week 7 at 3-3, Detroit might be left wondering “what might’ve been” come playoff time.

Sandwiched between some excellent offensive performances saw two duds—at home to Tennessee (3-3) and at Chicago (1-5)—resulted in surprising defeats. Had the Lions taken care of business in two games they were strongly favored to win, we’d be talking about a 5-1 team destined for the postseason.

Playoff dreams are still alive in Detroit, but a tough three-game stretch potentially holds the keys to their destiny.

Jim Caldwell’s team hosts Washington this week, the Redskins entering Ford Field on the back of four consecutive wins. Following this are two road games at Houston and Minnesota, who are a combined 9-2.

The Lions hit the bye following their road trip to Minnesota. If they are 3-6, it’s curtains. But if Detroit can put together two wins from three and take the bye at 5-4, they will be very much alive for a wild-card berth.

The schedule eases up following the bye with games against Jacksonville, Chicago and New Orleans, but a tough three-game stretch awaits at the end of the year (at NY Giants, at Dallas, Green Bay), so putting up victories now is crucial.

Oct 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

5. Don’t sleep on the Bears

On paper it’s no contest. The 3-2 Packers led by two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers host a 1-5 Bears team quarterbacked by Brian Hoyer.

But to assume a Green Bay victory would be wrong, just as it was in this meeting last season. After all, Hoyer is poised to permanently remove Jay Cutler as the Bears’ QB following an impressive run of performances.

Hoyer is outplaying Rodgers, and the numbers back it up.

Hoyer: 130/189, 68.8 percent, 1,396 yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions, 100.8 rating.

Rodgers: 109/181, 60.2 percent, 1,170 yards, 10 touchdowns, four interceptions, 88.4 rating.

Given a choice I’m taking Rodgers every day of the week but what should be a lopsided quarterback battle is far too even. Of course, Rodgers has the ability to torch the Bears defense with five touchdowns this week just as much as Hoyer could throw five picks. But recent trends suggest otherwise.

Vic Fangio has the Chicago defense playing well, the Bears No. 13 in total defense, also No. 13 against the pass. Green Bay is No. 30 in total offense, No. 29 through the air.

Hoyer, meanwhile, leads the No. 3 passing offense into a matchup with a banged up Packers secondary. Green Bay will need to win with its impressive pass rush.

Many are already focused on the Packers’ Week 8 contest in Atlanta. Forget about it. Thursday night’s game is no walkover for a struggling Packers team.

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