Look at our schedule, this stretch was probably the roughest stretch of the overall season.
Sun., Sept. 9 Philadelphia Eagles
Sun., Sept. 16 @ New York Giants
Sun., Sept. 23 San Diego Chargers
Sun., Sept. 30 @ Minnesota Vikings
Sun., Oct. 7 Chicago Bears
Sun., Oct. 14 Washington Redskins
Sun., Oct. 21 Open Date
Mon., Oct. 29 @ Denver Broncos
Sun., Nov. 4 @ Kansas City Chiefs
Sun., Nov. 11 Minnesota Vikings
Sun., Nov. 18 Carolina Panthers
Thurs., Nov. 22 @ Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving)
Thurs., Nov. 29 @ Dallas Cowboys
Sun., Dec. 9 Oakland Raiders
Sun., Dec. 16 @ St. Louis Rams
Sun., Dec. 23 @ Chicago Bears
Sun., Dec. 30 Detroit Lions
It probably wasn't the time to try and establish the run, get behind and try to play catch up on those defenses. The Bears defense might be wounded and battered, but they will bring it on Sunday no doubt, so we probably we see the same again. Add to that the Bears secondary is probably tatered the worst.
We never tried to establish the run in any game, maybe the Eagles game being the exception. Some point to the lack of trust, faith or talent as being the reason.
I think some mindset changes, slight tweaks in the blocking scheme, and committing to the run, and we will see this teams running game start producing more. Will they be among the best in the NFL, no, but should balance the O out a bit.
So far, we have exposed the weaknesses of the opposing defenses, utilized the bias that favors the passing game in the NFL current rules, and maximized the greatest strength on this offensive team. The right arm and mind of veteran Brett Favre.
Additionally, you are starting to see those linebackers bailing out of the box on the defenses. Teams are going to start to game plan for those short routes by hedging the backers out even more. The Pack have established an identity on offense and the world knows it.. but sooner or later we will start to sneak the running game into the offense. It will be something like the tojan horse redux... they will think we have abandoned it completely until it bites them in the arshe. The Backs and Line will become more confident in the attack and it will begin to produce.
To me, by gameplanning away from it and riding the hot hand is a sound strategy at this point until the defenses lax. Then try to establish the run and gain confidence in it.
We tend to forget how emotional the game of football is.. beating the running game into the ground when it is not working is a mistake.
Sooner or later we will need it to start to roll, I think post bye is about when it will start.