PackersNow

Ben Kurkowski
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Football
  • Updated Semiweekly

Get the latest updates on the Green & Gold because it’s always Packers season at PackersNow.

  1. 6h ago

    Injuries Keep Hitting the Packers; Replacement Options Before It’s Too Late

    The Packers escaped with a 17-14 win over the Buccaneers, but it certainly didn’t feel like a performance worth celebrating. Green Bay barely survived a winless Tampa Bay team without its starting quarterback, and once again injuries have created even more questions about where this team goes from here. In this episode of PackersNow, I break down why the running game finally showed some signs of life and how that helped unlock Jordan Love and the play-action passing game. Love was much better than the box score suggests, while a revamped offensive line featuring Laken Tomlinson and Travis Glover finally gave the offense something resembling functional protection. But the Packers still have major problems at running back. MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson continue to put the football on the ground, Chris Brooks is now dealing with an ankle injury, and there aren’t many obvious replacement options available. We’ll also talk about the highs and lows on special teams, including Trey Smack’s massive 58-yard field goal and another costly miss from Daniel Whelan. And finally, the biggest story: Edgerrin Cooper is out for the season with a torn Achilles. You can’t truly replace a player like Cooper, but Brian Gutekunst has to find a way to strengthen this linebacker room before it’s too late. The Packers have already shown they’re willing to aggressively address weaknesses on this roster. Now they need to do it again.

  2. 5d ago

    The Cavalry Has Arrived: Packers Completely Rebuild Their Offensive Line; Preview Bucs

    The Packers finally did something about their offensive-line disaster. Kevin Zeitler. Mekhi Becton. Laken Tomlinson. After three weeks of historically bad pass protection, Brian Gutekunst has aggressively attacked Green Bay's biggest weakness — and these additions could completely change what this offense looks like. In P#411, we break down why Kevin Zeitler could immediately become Green Bay's best offensive lineman, how a MUCH bigger offensive line could create an entirely new identity in the running game, and why simply going from historically bad to average up front could transform this offense. Then it's onto Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are 0-3, Baker Mayfield is out, and undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will make his first NFL start. The opportunity is sitting right in front of Green Bay. Can the new offensive line protect Jordan Love? Can the Packers finally establish a running game? And can Green Bay take advantage of a depleted Tampa Bay team and get its season back on track?

  3. Sep 26

    The Packers Have an Offensive Line Crisis

    The Packers have a serious problem, and it starts up front. Green Bay's offensive line has been one of the worst in football through three games, Jordan Love is getting pressured at an alarming rate, and the running game has completely disappeared. But I don't believe this is primarily a Matt LaFleur problem. This is a personnel problem. In P#410, I break down why the criticism needs to shift toward Brian Gutekunst, just how poorly Green Bay's young offensive linemen have performed, why Anthony Belton may be playing out of position, and why the Packers can't afford to simply wait for this group to develop. Plus: • Jordan Love has already been hit or sacked 27 times• Why Green Bay needs veteran offensive-line help now• Why Kaleb Johnson deserves more opportunities• What really went wrong defensively against Atlanta• Why the defense eventually ran out of gas• My thoughts on booing the Packers at Lambeau The Packers are built to win now. It's time to protect Jordan Love like it.

  4. Sep 23

    Packers-Falcons Preview: Pressure Penix & Let Jordan Love Attack

    The Packers return to Lambeau Field on Thursday night looking to improve to 2-1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Michael Penix Jr. is back under center for Atlanta, but after three ACL tears and nearly a year away from meaningful football, Green Bay has to make him uncomfortable. Lukas Van Ness has been one of the NFL’s most impactful defenders through two weeks, Edgerrin Cooper continues to be a weapon as a blitzer, and Jonathan Gannon has consistently found ways to generate pressure. The other priority? Stop Bijan Robinson and force Atlanta into obvious passing situations. Offensively, the Packers need to change their approach. Green Bay has run the football on 55% of its first downs while using play action on only 19% of Jordan Love’s dropbacks. Meanwhile, the Packers have one of the NFL’s least efficient rushing attacks and the league’s worst third-down conversion rate. It’s time to flip the script: throw earlier, use more play action, create better second-down situations, and put this game in Jordan Love’s hands. Plus, we break down Green Bay’s mounting offensive-line injuries, why Atlanta’s depleted secondary should be attacked, a potential Matthew Golden breakout game, Christian Watson’s opportunity to bounce back, and another impressive start from the Packers’ special teams. All that and more on PackersNow.

  5. Sep 21

    Packers FINALLY Finish! But the Offensive Line Needs Help NOW

    The Packers FINALLY found a way to finish. After losing Jayden Reed, Zach Tom, Aaron Banks and Donovan Jennings during a rainy game at MetLife — and then fumbling the football down 10 in the fourth quarter — it looked like Green Bay was headed toward another crushing loss. Instead, the Packers came all the way back and won. We break down how a depleted offensive line somehow held Jordan Love's pressure rate to just 28%, why Green Bay's run defense has quietly been one of the NFL's best through two weeks, Lukas Van Ness' breakout performance, and the special teams plays that completely changed the game. But the injuries create a major problem moving forward. Green Bay desperately needs offensive-line depth, and I believe Kevin Zeitler plus another veteran tackle should be on Brian Gutekunst's shopping list immediately. There's plenty to clean up — including 22 accepted penalties through two games — but after six straight losses, the Packers finally have some momentum again. Let's break it all down. #Packers #GoPackGo #GreenBayPackers #PackersNow

  6. Sep 18

    Packers vs. Jets Preview: Can Green Bay Fix Its Biggest Problems?

    The Packers have a chance to bounce back in Week 2 — but the Jets may be built to test the exact weaknesses that crushed Green Bay last week. New York is willing to run the football over and over again, while Aaron Glenn's defense blitzed on 46% of its opponent's dropbacks in Week 1. That's a major concern after Jordan Love was pressured on 54% of his dropbacks against Minnesota. So what has to change? We break down the Packers' offensive-line options, how Green Bay can attack an older Jets secondary with Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft, why the defensive front has to be better, and how Sunday's expected rain could completely change this matchup. Green Bay needs a response after Week 1. Can they finally finish one on Sunday?

  7. Sep 15

    Can This Packers Team Win? The Offensive Line Could Ruin Everything

    The Packers just suffered another crushing loss — and at this point, it’s becoming a trend. Green Bay was outscored 22-0 in the fourth quarter against Minnesota, and over its last five meaningful games, the Packers have now been outscored 87-12 late in games without scoring a single touchdown. So why can’t this team finish? A massive part of the problem may be the offensive line. The Packers had successful runs on just 7 of 21 rushing attempts against Minnesota, Jordan Love was pressured on 54% of his dropbacks and was hit 15 TIMES. Those are numbers that simply aren’t sustainable if Green Bay expects to contend for a Super Bowl. Today we break down Brian Gutekunst’s recent investments on the offensive line, why Green Bay may need to make a move for Kevin Zeitler, Matt LaFleur’s controversial fourth-down decision, and why the Tucker Kraft extension still gives me a ton of hope for where this offense can go. Can this Packers team still win? Absolutely. But they need to fix the offensive line before it ruins what could be one of the NFL’s best offenses.

  8. Sep 10

    Packers vs. Vikings Week 1 Preview: 3 Keys to Starting 1-0

    The Packers open the 2026 season Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, and there are a LOT of unknowns on both sides. Minnesota has completely changed its offense with Kyler Murray at quarterback and Frank Smith bringing over concepts from Miami’s run game. With a healthier offensive line and Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings and T.J. Hockenson around Murray, this could be a significantly better Vikings offense. For Green Bay, the questions start on defense. Can the new 3-4 front fix a run defense that collapsed late last season? Can Edgerrin Cooper help manufacture a pass rush while Micah Parsons is out? And can a young secondary survive against Minnesota’s weapons? On the other side, Green Bay finally gets Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft healthy at the same time, but injuries along the offensive line could completely change how Matt LaFleur has to call this game. I break down both matchups and finish with my three biggest keys for the Packers to start the season 1-0.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Get the latest updates on the Green & Gold because it’s always Packers season at PackersNow.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Kurkowski
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    421
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ben Kurkowski
  • Show Website
    PackersNow

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