Mike McCarthy Calling Plays Is a Game-Changer for the Packers

The Packers offense has not been itself for a stretch now dating back two months, to a Week 5 win over the Rams that was really spearheaded by the defense. The offensive line was porous, wide receivers were not getting open and/or dropping passes, the running game was largely stagnant, and, yes, Aaron Rodgers was not the most accurate passer in human history.

They bailed themselves out last week in Detroit on a HEROIC Rodgers-Rodgers hailmary connection, but for much of the game it remained clear that the offense had no rhythm before late spells of no-huddle driven by profound urgency. Plays were just not coming together in a harmonious sequence in the way we’ve become accustomed to.

My gut opinion is that despite some of the personnel challenges the Packers are facing from injuries, this move back to McCarthy will have a measurable effect on the Packers offense. Another jolt would come if Ty Montgomery, who’s “hopeful” to return from a high ankle sprain that’s kept him sidelined since Week 7. With Jordy Nelson down, he was the only receiver that was really able to stretch the field, and his presence would at the very least open space for others.

As a Packers fan, I feel really good about all of this today.