Tuesday Cheese Curds: Packers defense needs to plug some leaks

It’s tough to point out issues from a team who just won a game 42-24, but there were two glaring problems with the Green Bay Packers’ performance on Sunday.

The middle of the field was open far too much and the run defense continues to be a nuisance.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was able to feed the ball to tight end Darren Waller far too often, an issue that the Packers were not able to completely correct even in the second half. This is problematic considering Green Bay will he tasked with stopping Travis Kelce Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. This is where the Packers miss Darnell Savage the most and the inside linebackers will have to step up to prevent Kelce from feasting even more than Waller did.

As far as the rush defense, Josh Jacobs over and through the Packers early and it’s fair to wonder how safety Adrian Amos is feeling after Jacobs bulldozed him in a display of sheer power. Oakland had to abandon the running game thanks to their defense not being able to stop Aaron Rodgers and that soared Green Bay’s defense additional pain.

The defense has some work to do if they are to stop the Chiefs’ offense, even without MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes. They have plenty of weapons even with Matt Moore under center. Receivers Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins will own the middle of the field if the Packers leave it that open again and don’t count out LeSean McCoy either.

Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is facing his first strong headwind of 2019 and it will be interesting to see how he responds.

Now onto today’s cheese curds.

Packers looking to ‘clean up’ issues on defense—Packers.com

After a dynamite start to the season, the Green Bay defense has shown some cracks the past few weeks. If the Packers want to contend for the Super Bowl, the big plays will need to be cut down when they start facing elite teams in the postseason.

Packers’ defense embracing ‘bend-but-don’t-break mentality’—PackersNews.com

That said, the defense has locked down when needed. It is a script eerily similar to what propelled the Packers to Super Bowl XLV in 2010.

’It’s completely different with him’: Newcomers amazed by Aaron Rodgers—ESPN

If you think it’s amazing watching Aaron Rodgers on TV or from the Lambeau stands, just think what it’s like being his teammate.

Packers might have something in WR Allen Lazard—Packers Wire

Did the Packers find a diamond in the rough in the undrafted Allen Lazard? Early indications are pointing to yes.

California woman returns library book 74 years overdue—UPI

Thankfully the library did away with late fees otherwise this poor woman would have funded the library for the next millennium.