Packers fail at goal line twice in a row, pull a ‘Seahawks’ to end game

The Green Bay Packers had every opportunity in front of them on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles and fell short in a 34-27 home loss. They can look to two consecutive failed goal-line conversions to end the game as one of the big reasons.

The Packers had the ball at the Philly 1 with around nine minutes left down 34-27. They called four pass plays in a row, including one on 4th-and-goal that ended up being an “everyone go out and let’s see if someone gets open” playground play. Another play seemed like a botched run-pass option.

Then on their next possession, they drove down inside the 10 yet again and gave Aaron Jones a carry on 1st-and-goal and he gained four yards to the three. On the next play, the Packers attempted a slant pass and Aaron Rodgers’ pass was deflected and intercepted by the Eagles to seal the game. The play was so familiar for those who saw the Seahawks throw a pick-six at the goal line on second-and-goal in the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots.

Green Bay’s stalled drives in the first half that resulted in two field goals were other missed opportunities pointed out by Rodgers after the game, who also cited four pass plays as a miss.

One of their big issues was the lack of aggression on early downs to start the third quarter. They ran three times in a row on first down plays in their first two possessions of the second half even though Philly’s run defense is the second-best in the league. Their protection scheme late in the second quarter that put Marcedes Lewis in a difficult situation and resulted in a strip sack was a problem. Jimmy Graham should have caught the fourth-and-goal pass. Rodgers could have been better as well.

Green Bay may be satisfied at 3-1, but they had so many missed opportunities that prevented them from being 4-0.