McCarthy says team needs to work on red zone offense

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Talk about it

The Green Bay Packers have two key division games coming up, Sunday at Minnesota and the following week at home against the Chicago Bears.

The Packers and Vikings both trail the Bears by a game in the NFC North standings, but Green Bay could move back into first with wins over both teams.

One thing the Packers will need to do is perform better in the red-zone.

In Sunday’s loss at Tennessee, the Pack only scored one touchdown in four trips within the Titans’ 20-yard-line.

“Our decision-making was poor as a whole in the red zone, and it factored in the outcome in a number of those series,” Packers’ Head Coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Monday.

McCarthy said Monday his team must do a better job of taking what the defense gives them, while staying within their basic offense.

Aaron Rodgers took the blame for Sunday’s loss, but McCarthy said his quarterback wasn’t the only one at fault.

Rodgers threw an interception and lost a fumble, but the coach also said Donald Driver dropped two passes, Ruvell Martin and Greg Jennings ran poor slant routes, Ryan Grant didn’t lift his knees high enough and Jermichael Finley failed to time his jump properly on a potential touchdown.

The Packer players are off today (Tuesday) and will start practicing Wednesday for their Sunday Viking contest at the Metrodome.

Clifton will be ready

McCarthy says left tackle Chad Clifton will be ready to play next Sunday. Clifton was a late scratch in Sunday’s overtime loss at Tennessee, when he suffered a reaction from a change in anti-inflammation medicines.

McCarthy said Clifton is expected to be a full participant when practice begins on Wednesday for the Viking game.

The coach also said Aaron Rodgers’ recovering shoulder made it through yesterday’s game just fine and he’s yet to decide how much practice the quarterback will get on Wednesday.

“He is sore, but I anticipate him practicing on Wednesday. As far as what his pitch count will be, that is something we'll determine Wednesday morning in the Wednesday medical meeting,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy also said corner Al Harris played well against the Titans, but he wasn’t really tested. Harris was playing his first game since rupturing his spleen Sept. 21 against Dallas.

Tags: wisconsin sports, packers, chicago, bears