It’s not uncommon for teams to stumble in what is often called a trap game. Every season, we see it happen. The Bills dropped a game to the Falcons, and the Chiefs fell to the Jaguars. This is just part of the NFL cycle. Right now, only one team feels like a true contender. For this season, the trap game is the Green Bay Packers. Their loss to the Panthers at Lambeau Field was a tough hit, especially for a team hoping to pull ahead in the NFC North and escape the wild-card muddle.
That defeat against Carolina, along with previous losses to Cleveland and a tie with Dallas, all shared a familiar thread. The Packers really should have secured these wins fairly comfortably. Sure, the Panthers, Browns, and Cowboys had game plans to exploit Green Bay’s weaknesses, but it’s also clear that Jordan Love and the Packers often struggle against themselves.
The Carolina game highlighted this more so than others. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Ebiro deployed a particularly uninspired defense against the Packers that took advantage of their shortcomings. They played cautiously, challenging Love to make plays. On paper, the Panthers’ secondary didn’t present much of a threat. Sure, Jaycee Horn is a standout corner, but the rest? Well, it doesn’t look great.
Tre’Von Moehrig is a decent safety, but he’s better against the run than in coverage. He typically doesn’t excel in pass defense, which is more critical against wide receivers. Another safety, Nick Scott, tends to be a liability and is possibly the weakest starter on that side. Then there’s Mike Jackson, who often struggles with both coverage and big plays.
In short, they’re not imposing. Watching the Panthers, any quarterback would likely be eager to face them. A clear opportunity existed here. Breaking a two-high shell—especially with a Cover 3 defense like the Panthers often employ—could be achieved by attacking the sidelines and exploiting inside routes. This approach would negate the safeties and pressure the linebackers and corners, who’re responsible for coverage. It’s a “bend but don’t break” defense that aims to limit explosive plays.
Though simple, it can be countered easily. This was essentially the same strategy the Panthers utilized in their recent 40-9 loss to the Bills, where they succeeded in holding Josh Allen to 163 passing yards but paid for it with 216 rushing yards allowed to James Cook.
It’s not clear what kind of game plan Matt LaFleur and the Packers had against Carolina, but it seemed like they were caught off-guard by Ebiro’s two-high shell defense. Instead of relying on Josh Jacobs for a strong running game against Derrick Brown, Green Bay seemed intent on forcing big plays that didn’t align with their strategies. This issue also revolves around Jordan Love, who appeared overly eager to exploit Jackson’s coverage, disregarding simpler, more reliable plays.
Instead, he took the bait and attempted risky throws over the top, which Carolina capitalized on. Love had two interceptions that particularly showcased a lack of forethought—an overestimation of his ability to create opportunities downfield without a solid understanding of the defensive-layout.
The Packers’ offensive decisions were even more perplexing, especially considering the swirling winds at Lambeau that disrupted kickers and deep passes alike. Ultimately, it seemed like they made the worst choices possible, given the circumstances. The question has to be, “why?”
LaFleur has been coaching for six years now, and Love is in his third season as a starter. It doesn’t matter if Love throws for impressive yardage or touchdowns if the team isn’t leveraging those stats effectively—and, right now, they aren’t. Love’s record of 23-17-1 feels too close to .500, especially for such a talented squad as the Packers. While they’re sitting at 5-2-1 this season, it feels like they could easily be 8-0.
Something seems off in how the Packers prepared for this match. Why did Josh Jacobs only get 17 carries in such a close game while Love aired it out 37 times? Just a week prior, against the Steelers, they had a similar matchup but managed to use Jacobs more effectively.
This really felt like a classic trap game. The Packers seemed unprepared, focusing more on their upcoming Week 10 game against the Eagles. That could be an excuse if they hadn’t already made similar mistakes twice. After falling short twice before, complacency can’t be an option.
These problems need addressing if the Packers hope to elevate themselves as one of the premier NFL teams. A sharper focus and improved preparation are crucial. On Sunday, it almost seemed like Green Bay had already accepted defeat before even stepping onto the field, which is a disservice to their potential.
