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Cheese Curds, 11/20: Packers offense keeps moving in the right direction

The Packers got a much-needed win on Sunday, but more important is how the team looked in that victory.

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Los Angeles Chargers v Green Bay Packers Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers avoided starting a new losing streak on Sunday, coming up with the plays they needed to close out a 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. It was the third straight game in which the offense gained between 390 and 400 yards, and it was also the first game in that span that saw the team avoid turning the football over.

By any measure, the offense is playing better, more consistent football, and scoring more than 20 points for the first time since week two is another indicator. The Packers arguably should have had 27 points instead of 23, if not for four points left on the field by the kicking game, and that total would look a bit more gaudy yet.

But it’s not just the numbers that show improvement; the offense simply looks better. Whether that’s the way the coaches are scheming up touches for dynamic playmakers like Jayden Reed or Jordan Love’s improvisational ability leading to big plays or young receivers picking up yards after the catch, it’s a much more pleasant unit to watch than it was a month ago.

That’s not to say that there aren’t issues to clean up, of course. Love missed on a couple of throws that could have been big gains, and the offensive line needs to be more consistent. But the overall trend on this team and this offense is moving upward, and for a franchise that is not likely to be a contender in 2023, that makes this a successful stretch.

Rapid reaction: Packers showing proof of progress | Packers.com
There are still plenty of things to clean up, but the Packers' offense has steadily improved over the last three weeks, culminating in Sunday's 300-yard passing game from Jordan Love, the team's first in nearly two years.

Behind the Numbers: Progress plus results for Packers offense vs. Chargers | Packers Wire
The 300-yard mark is one big number from Sunday, but other important ones are 25% (the Chargers' red zone touchdown rate) and +1 (the turnover margin in favor of Green Bay).

Packers’ Jordan Love shows more glimpses that he can be the answer at QB - The Athletic ($)
He's not all the way there, to be sure. The missed throws to Romeo Doubs and Luke Musgrave were disappointing. But taken as a whole, Love looked very good on Sunday and is continuing to show the improvement that one would hope to see from a young quarterback in his first year as a starter.

Aaron Jones ‘Caught a Break,’ Inspires Packers After Knee Injury - Sports Illustrated
Jones was worried that he tore his ACL late in the first half, which helps explain his emotional reaction on the field. But it sounds like there is no ACL tear, and he should be able to return at some point this season. Meanwhile, his presence back on the sidelines late in the game helped give the team an emotional lift, as they registered a fourth-quarter comeback win.

Chargers' Brandon Staley asserts 'full confidence' in self, defense - ESPN
In the other locker room, the mood was largely dejected, as the Chargers lost their fifth one-score game of the season and led safety Alohi Gilman to state "we just fed up."

Toronto realtor says rental market is 'unhinged' after someone lists other half of bed | CP24.com
Are we sure that the original post wasn't intended as a dating ad instead?