“Individual accountability” needed for Packers to bounce back

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers saw a brutal 35-14 loss at Lambeau Field on Thursday, Sept. 24, to the Atlanta Falcons. 

According to Packers Safety Evan Williams, each player needs to step up and take individual accountability if they are going to clean up their mistakes and bounce back before they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road next Sunday. 

“There was a lot that went wrong. Can’t point one finger. Everybody plays a part in this. We’ve just got to find out what went wrong and correct it,” said Williams. 

“Everybody taking accountability is where it starts. Understanding that we’re all pieces in this puzzle. When we don’t get that result we want it’s not because of one play or one person — it’s the whole system.”

The Thursday night loss demonstrated a poor showing in all three phases. 

On defense the Packers allowed 498 total yards and 35 points while the offense struggled to secure a mere 329 yards — 312 of which were passing — and averaging only 1.9 yards per carry. The Packers offense no doubt struggling to mold their style of play around the hole created with running back Josh Jacobs’ absence. 

Special teams played their part in the loss with a 47-yard blocked field goal attempt by Trey Smack in the second quarter. 

Packers Tight End Tucker Kraft seemed to struggle in his third game back since returning from his ACL injury last season. 

“I myself was not playing to my standard, and that’s something I have to resolve on my own. That could be the case for some other people in here, but that’s one of the mistakes we made. There’s no pointing fingers,” said Kraft after the game. 

This loss comes after a Week 1 39-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and a Week 2 overtime 20-17 win over the New York Jets where the Packers narrowly escaped a three game winless start to their season. 

“We’re three games in and we’ve dropped two to NFC opponents,” said Kraft. 

“Guys are too good in this league to make mistakes like we were on the field. That’s how we get behind constantly.” 

The Packers will have a few extra days after their Thursday Night Football showing to attempt bounce back when they take on Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 4.