The key to the Green Bay Packers’ first quarter success last season actually came second. Down that is. In fact, Green Bay was historically good on second down last season, but particularly in the first quarter, Aaron Rodgers hit big plays and found far more success with an aggressive style than the offense did the rest of the game.
According to Sharp Football’s 2020 season preview, the Packers were the second-most aggressive passing team on second down in the first quarter when looking at average depth of target (aDOT). That may seem like an awfully specific data set, and it is, but it’s also when the Packers offense was at its best over the course of the season: in the first quarter, or on second down.