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Packers’ protection problems threaten to deepen late-game slide

Green Bay is considering changes to its offensive line after Minnesota overwhelmed the Packers’ protection and erased a 12-point lead Sunday. The 39-22 loss extended Green Bay’s losing streak to six games, with the team preparing to face the New York Jets next.

Packers’ protection problems threaten to deepen late-game slide
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Green Bay may adjust its offensive line after a breakdown-filled loss to Minnesota exposed continuing problems protecting quarterback Jordan Love. The Packers surrendered a 22-10 lead in Sunday’s 39-22 defeat, allowing Minnesota to score 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Love was sacked four times and faced pressure throughout the game, including on the strip sack and interception that helped set up the Vikings’ final two touchdown drives from inside the red zone. “Whatever we do, we need to make sure that we find continuity as quickly as possible,” LaFleur said Monday. “The more guys play together, typically the better they play together.” Green Bay entered the season with uncertainty along the line after injuries limited the projected starters during training camp. Left guard Aaron Banks missed Sunday’s game with a knee injury, forcing Donovan Jennings into his first career start. Right guard Jacob Monk made only his second career start, while right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele had been limited during camp while recovering from a partially torn patellar tendon. Jordan Morgan started at left tackle for just the second time. LaFleur said the unit committed protection errors that should not have occurred. The line also struggled to create running room, as Green Bay averaged 3.1 yards per carry. The Packers’ offensive problems extended beyond protection. They scored touchdowns on only one of four red-zone possessions, committed 12 penalties and failed to convert a fourth-and-1 after LaFleur chose to take points off the board early in the fourth quarter. Minnesota scored on all four of its trips inside Green Bay’s 20-yard line. The loss continued a troubling pattern for the Packers. Including last season’s playoff defeat at Chicago, Green Bay has lost six consecutive games, its longest losing streak since it dropped the final five games of 1990 and the first two of 1991. During the current skid, the Packers have been outscored 90-15 in the fourth quarter and overtime. In their last two games, they have been outscored 47-6 in the fourth. LaFleur rejected the idea that halftime adjustments were the central problem Sunday, saying Minnesota largely stuck with the same plan and simply executed it more effectively late. There were some positives. Christian Watson caught six passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns, while Matthew Golden set career highs with six receptions and 95 yards. Bo Melton returned a kickoff 59 yards and downed a punt at the 4-yard line. Keisean Nixon recorded an interception and half a sack. Green Bay’s defense also generated three sacks of Minnesota quarterback Carson Wentz despite playing without pass rusher Micah Parsons, who is expected to miss at least the Packers’ first four games while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The defense also absorbed a costly sequence involving safety Javon Bullard. He was flagged for unnecessary roughness on a hit that knocked Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray from the game, then drew an illegal-contact penalty that erased a third-down sack during Minnesota’s go-ahead touchdown drive. Cornerback Brandon Cisse left with cramps late in the second half, while Banks’ knee injury remains another variable for a line that LaFleur said needs to establish a stable starting group quickly. Green Bay next travels to face the New York Jets, who opened their season with a 23-10 victory at Tennessee. The Packers will play only one of their first four games at Lambeau Field.

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