Mike McCarthy: Packers did not intentionally avoid Richard Sherman

The Green Bay Packers did not throw one pass Richard Sherman’s way during their loss on Thursday night to the Seattle Seahawks. Not one.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Packers only threw three passes to the right side (Sherman’s side of the field). Two of the passes were to the backfield.

Knowing that Sherman would stay on one side of the field as he always does, the Packers lined top receiver Jordy Nelson on the left and threw to him 14 times out of 33 passes by Aaron Rodgers. 30 of Rodgers’ 33 attempts went to the left away from Sherman. But head coach Mike McCarthy says the team did not intentionally avoid Sherman.

“I don’t think you ever make a conscious decision not to throw to one side of the field,” McCarthy said via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Frankly, it was more of a decision to put Jordy on the left and see if he would come over and play him. They played their defense and obviously they did a heck of a job. I’m sure they feel good about where they are today.”

OK, how about answering this question, Mike: why did you line Jordy up on the left? Oh, because you wanted him to avoid matching up with Sherman? Exactly.

McCarthy’s saying one thing but the actions said another. They were avoiding Sherman whether they admit it or not. And the plan did not work.