PAD LEVEL!
Just kidding. Mike McCarthy does not believe that pad level is the reason the Green Bay Packers are losing games, unlike so many other times in the past.
Apparently, this Green Bay Packers team has the appropriate pad level because we haven’t heard Fat Mike mention that one time during this disgusting season.
Unfortunately, while they might have their pad level down, the Packers do have some other problems. McCarthy has pinpointed the main culprit for the losing football happening in Green Bay right now and it is, for a change, completely logical reasoning.
“The biggest hole in our football team is our turnover ratio. I’ve been talking about it all year. We’re not taking care of the football, we’re not taking the football way. Until that changes, we’re going to be fighting uphill.”
It’s interesting that McCarthy has not been talking about this all year. In fact, this is the first time we’ve heard him mention turnover ratio.
That’s not to say he hasn’t mentioned it, but it just doesn’t seem like it’s been a theme. In any case… no shit.
The Packers have a -6 turnover differential this season. That currently has them tied for 27th in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. The four teams below them are Cleveland, the Giants, the Jets and Jacksonville.
There’s only one team with a winning record in that bunch.
While we’d like to point the finger at the defense for not taking the ball away, it’s an all-around problem. The Packers’ 16 giveaways are the ninth-highest total in the league.
Their 10 takeaways have them ranked 23rd in the league. Clearly, not very good on either front.
It’s more glaring on the defensive side of the ball though. As we’ve discussed ad nauseam, Dom Capers’ defense — and its success — is predicated on pressuring the quarterback and forcing turnovers. The Packers haven’t been able to do either of those things this season.
And thus, the product you see on the field.