2024 Midseason NFL Statistical Check-In

WOAHHHHH, we're a third of the way there. God I love Bon Jovi. What else do I love, you ask? Stats. As I did last year, I'm going to check in periodically throughout the season to see where the Green Bay Packers and their statistical leaders rank among the rest of the NFL. Last season, we checked in quarterly, however I waited until the 1⁄3 mark this year due to Jordan Love's injury. Spoiler alert: the team looks a lot better than they did last year!

*All players have played 6 games unless otherwise noted

Passing Yards

Completion %

Passing Touchdowns

With stats like passing yards and touchdowns, it shouldn't be expected of QB Jordan Love to be anywhere near the top with only four of six games played this season. Despite fewer starts (and an egregious number of dropped passes by his receivers), Love is actually tied for the second-most TD passes in the league. It took him eight games to reach this number last season. When you factor in some of these drops, it's not far-fetched to think he could actually be leading the league right now.

His completion percentage is ugly, but as I said, the receiving room has a case of the dropsies at the moment. I also don't intend to place the blame solely on Love's targets here. Love has been playing a lot riskier this year, which has led to some uncatchable balls, as well as more interceptions. After four games last season, Love had just 3 INTs compared to 6 this year. It'll be interesting to see how his completion rate changes as the season goes on. Last year, we saw a vast improvement from the first quarter of the season to the end: he was at 56% completion after 4 games, and at 64% by the end of the season.

Rushing Yards

Rushing Touchdowns

Rushes of 20+ Yards

I was really excited to dive into this season's rushing stats, because last year, we saw an injured Aaron Jones rotated in and out as the starter. My main takeaway after six games? Derrick Henry is going to be MVP. I'm sorry to talk non-Packers for a moment, but my GOODNESS.

Back to business: RB Josh Jacobs, while being top-5 in rushing yards at the moment, looks like he's still finding his rhythm in the Packers offense. If things are only heating up, this is great news, because he's already on pace to have 1,314 rushing yards (77.3 yards per game). The last Packer to rush for that many yards was Ahman Green in 2003, with 1,883 yards. The Packers have a few games remaining in their schedule against teams who have below-average rushing defenses: Miami (125.8 yards per game allowed), Seattle (144.7 yards per game allowed), and New Orleans (133.7 yards per game allowed). I'd expect Jacobs to add to his number of explosive plays during these games. It's nearly impossible to replace the impact Aaron Jones had on this Packers offense, but Jacobs has been a really solid addition so far.

Receiving Yards

Receptions (and Targets)

Yards After Catch

Jayden Reed, how far we've come. After EIGHT games last year, the Packers' leading receiver was also Reed, with 333 yards. This was 64th-most in the league. In six games this season, he's established himself as one of the league's more reliable pass catchers, with a 79.4% completion rate. The young receiving room has another year under their belts, and it's been a huge help for Jordan Love and Malik Willis as he stepped in during Love's absence. Can you imagine last year's early-season receiving room with Malik Willis?

Another note on catches vs. targets, because you know I was curious and checked: just for comparison, Dontayvion Wicks has been targeted almost as often as Reed, 32. He has 11 catches. I'm a believer, however, and I think this will turn itself around. There's a reason Wicks has so many targets.

Passing Yards Allowed Per Game

Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game

Field Goal %

They did it. The Packers have a statistical leader in a defensive category. The impact S Xavier McKinney has had on this Packers' defense so far cannot be overstated. The turnovers he's created have been absolutely electric and momentum-shifting, and even when he's not taking the ball back, he's stopping opposing offenses from making a play at all. His contract has paid for itself already.