Well this is familiar.
Once again, the Green Bay Packers have had an unbearably underwhelming season. After being a popular Super Bowl pick in the off-season, the Packers are treading deep water in the NFC North with a 4-5-1 record, placing them at third in the division. To make matters worse, the Packers just got handed another loss by their conference rivals, the Seattle Seahawks, on Thursday Night Football. Many are writing off the Packers as post season contenders.
And for good reason.
Amounting injuries
The Packers have always had a bad history with injuries, and it seems like no one is immune. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ knee injury has hobbled him for a good portion of the season, his starting receivers have been constantly rotating on and off the injury report, and the defense has lost key players to week by week rehabilitation.
The most prominent injury to date is a broken foot sustained by defensive tackle Mike Daniels. This injury was sustained in the second half of the Seahawks game, while tight end Jimmy Graham left the game in the first half with a broken thumb. Linebacker and edge rusher Nick Perry is still out, like he always seems to be, and stud cornerback Kevin King is still questionable.
And thats not all.
Green Bay really needs to get healthy if they want any shot at a playoff berth, as not only is It necessary to have your best players ready, but keeping the same names on the field can create some must needed chemistry, especially in the Packers Secondary.
Lockeroom blues
The good news is the Packers know their backs are against the wall. The bad news is no one seems to be using it for any sort of motivation. Injured wide receiver Randall Cob said it best himself. “I was frustrated watching [the Seattle game], so can add on to that. Everybody senses that frustration. It’s not fun. When you come to work, you want to enjoy what you do. When you’re not winning games, It’s not nearly as fun.”
Wow. Thank you, Randall Cobb, for your infinite wisdom. How about defensive back Tramon Williams? Is he concerned?
“Concerned? Maybe a little bit.” Williams said. “I’m not going to lie to you. Maybe a little bit. But am I optimistic? I’m very optimistic that we can still get the job done. It’s not going to be easy, as you all know, but I’m optimistic that we can get the job done.”
Thats awesome, Tramon. Thanks for not lying to me. Can I borrow some of that optimism?
An unlikely path to the playoffs
I feel like the Packers have been in “must win games” for the past 3 weeks. Meanwhile, the NFC doesn’t care how I feel, and has remained competitive for a wild card spot. Of course , the easiest way for Green Bay to reach the postseason would be to win out over the next six weeks and steal the division at 10-5-1. This sounds great, and it sounds familiar, but the Packers head into Minnesota to play the Vikings this Sunday.
Green Bay tied Minnesota 29-29 in their first meeting way back in week 2. Both teams are hot and cold, but a convincing win over the Vikings will put the Packers in a good spot statistically and mentally to make a run. The last would be to drop one game (either to Minnesota or another team on the schedule) and try to limp into the playoffs as a 9-6-1 wild card squad.
With how muddled the wildcard race has been in the NFC, it’s possible. However, the Packers would love a home playoff game, something not granted to them in this scenario. I know I’ve been saying this for a long time, but the Packers need to right their course on Sunday against the vikings for any “optimistic” shot at the playoffs.
