3 Ways the Packers Were Completely Exposed in Embarrassing Loss to Chargers

The Green Bay Packers entered Week 9 as the heavy favorites against a injury-riddled and struggling Los Angeles Chargers squad. This was going to be a cakewalk for Green Bay, right?

Instead, it was the other way around, as the Packers lost 26-11 to the Chargers in a game that was never close. It was a concerning loss for the Pack, as it was the first time this year they were completely shut down. Here are three ways LA exposed them.

3. Defensive Play Calling

You have to give credit where credit is due; the Chargers took advantage of the opportunities presented to them by the Packers, especially on defense. With a little over three minutes remaining in the first half, the Chargers faced a third and short. You'd expect defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to call in his defensive backs close to the line of scrimmage. Instead, he had them playing nearly 10 yards back. The end result saw the Chargers convert on a seven-yard run by Austin Ekeler for the first down, leading to an eventual field goal. How this defensive formation by the Packers was even considered is mind-boggling. Not only that, but this unit has surrendered an average of almost 26 points per game over their last six contests.

2. Rodgers' Insistence on Targeting Davante Adams

Star receiver Davante Adams was activated for the first time since suffering his Week 4 turf toe injury. Usually, a receiver returning from injury is eased back into game action. That wasn't the case for Adams, who was targeted a staggering 11 times in Los Angeles, which resulted in seven catches for just 41 yards. If Adams' five-game absence proved anything, it's that Green Bay has great depth at the wide receiver position with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, and Allen Lazard. Instead, head coach Matt LaFleur immediately put the focus back on Adams, and it bit them.

1. Run Game Neglected

Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams create one of the more dynamic running back duos in the NFL. As with any NFL team, a potent running game takes pressure off the passing game. So, where were Jones and Williams? Oh, they took a backseat to Davante Adams in the offense. In total, the two had just 10 carries for a total of 40 yards. That's a vast contrast to Los Angeles, who had rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries. Los Angeles killed clock and scored on the ground. Take notes Green Bay, this method actually helps you win games in favorable matchups.