Although the Green Bay Packers nervously eked out a win in Glendale against the Arizona Cardinals, the performance was far from convincing. Jordan Love did not have a great day, nor did a hobbled Josh Jacobs. Defensively, Micah Parsons and company leveled up their game, although the team’s holistic approach continues to be questioned, with Matt LaFleur at the center of it. Here are three key takeaways from the Packers’ first road win of the year.
#1: Unable to Lean on Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers Offense Looks Shaky
Offensively, it was far from a complete showing from Jordan Love and company. While they avoided turning the ball over, the team was just 3/10 on third down and looked off the pace in the first half. Love was only 19/29 for just 179 yards. Josh Jacobs was able to suit up despite a calf injury but was limited to just 14 carries. Green Bay only managed 262 yards of total offense.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 19: Emanuel Wilson #23 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Excluding the long overtime match against the Cowboys, backup running back Emanuel Wilson got his most touches of the season but only managed to turn his six carries and two receptions into 15 total yards. Such an outing won’t leave fans feeling great about the backfield in a situation where Jacobs is not able to manage his usual 20 carries per game.
Offensively, things still don’t seem fully clicked into place, which may have something to do with the coaching staff. More on that later.
Sep 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur motions from the sidelines during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
#2: Defense Finally Finishing With Sacks
Defensively, Jeff Hafley’s unit has been criticized in recent weeks, but Sunday’s performance was a step in the right direction in one major area – making splash plays. Firstly, the pass rush awoke from their slumber and had a strong day of actually turning pressures into sacks.
Micah Parsons led the way with three sacks by himself as the team tallied six total sacks. Quay Walker, Rashan Gary, and Kingsley Enagbare all also chipped in. It was a significant step forward for a team that had been one of the top teams in pressure rate, but yet were still in the bottom half of the league in sacks. Carindals signal-caller Jacoby Brissett felt the heat throughout the game.
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) is sacked by Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Micah Parsons (1) in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images
Additionally, the Packers defense managed to help their team win the turnover battle for the first time since Week 1. With only two turnovers forced on the season entering Sunday’s game, It was Gary who turned a sack into a strip-sack and allowed safety Evan Williams to recover the fumble.
The defense has been a stout group for most of the season (outside of the Dallas game), but to be a truly elite defense, they will need to continue to produce sacks and turnovers as the season progresses.
Sep 22, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) celebrates the sack against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
#3: Matt LaFleur is Part of the Problem
Despite the unconvincing performance, head coach Matt LaFleur expressed that he was proud of his team for the way they played.
“There was a lot of things that didn’t go right, but the guys kept battling, and that’s what it takes in this league.”
Despite the kind words, fans had a lot less positivity about the game, especially about LaFleur’s contribution (or lack thereof). Even those who might called him an overrated coach in the past would likely not fault LaFleur’s play-calling abilities. However, that does not seem to be the case anymore.
LaFleur should give up play calling duties.
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) October 19, 2025
No one will piss away second and third downs on runs like Matthew LaFleur
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) October 19, 2025
Hey. Big LaFleur defender here.
LaFleur should be embarrassed about today.
— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) October 19, 2025
Philosophically, LaFleur can be faulted for continuing to play a slow-paced style that does not allow the offense to have more opportunities to score. Particularly with the luxury of having a strong defense, doing a better job controlling the ball, winning time-of-possession battles, and giving Love and the offense more drives is of great importance.
Third down offense continues to be an issue, as the Pack went 3/10 on Sunday. Despite the team’s strong running game, Love continues to be on almost a pitch count in the passing game. Only twice has he eclipsed 30 attempts per game, with one of those being 31 against Washington and the other being 43 in an overtime shootout in Dallas. With Jacobs clearly not 100% against Arizona, LaFleur did not choose to let Love loose.
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) shake hands after the second half at State Farm Stadium. Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – Imagn Images
This Packers team will not reach their Super Bowl ceiling with Love committing turnovers in crucial situations, but it also will not maximize their potential with Love being kept on a leash and limited from stretching the ball down the field consistently. Even if the running game continues to be the tone-setter on offense (as it should), LaFleur needs to do a better job giving his quarterback opportunities, whether it is more tempo on offense to give the team more possessions, sharper 3rd-down play-calling, or even something as simple as dialing up more deep shots, the offense does not currently feel like it is able to make the most of its many talents.
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