The Green Bay Packers Could Be Dangerous If They Take Care of Business and Get a Little Help
Unless you’re a Green Bay Packers fan, you probably don’t want to see them in the playoffs. We’ve seen this before from an Aaron Rodgers-led team when the Packers sneak into the postseason and cause some damage.
It happened in 2016 when Rodgers said he believed the Packers could “run the table” after a 4-6 start. They did just that, winning their final six games of the regular season and the first two of the playoffs. They lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the conference championship. It also happened in 2010 when they made the postseason as a wild card and won three straight road games before beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl.
Green Bay could put together a similar postseason run this year if they can run their win streak to five games and get a little help elsewhere.
The Green Bay Packers are getting hot, but is it too late?
It’s been quite a struggle for the Packers this season, but it appears they’re righting the ship. But is it too late?
Ever since the departure of Davante Adams via trade this offseason, the Green Bay passing game has been a mess. Even with Rodgers, a four-time MVP, under center, the Packers struggled to move the ball for much of the season. Rodgers worked with a young and inexperienced receiving corps that battled injuries and a case of the drops.
Rodgers also battled through injuries, playing much of the season with an injured thumb. He uncharacteristically has thrown 11 interceptions this year. It’s the first time since 2010 that Rodgers has thrown double-digit picks in a season.
Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, Green Bay’s two promising young receivers, have been injured for much of the season. Watson missed time early in the season, while Doubs suffered an ankle injury against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 6 and didn’t play the rest of the month. He returned to play in a Monday Night Football win over the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 19, but Watson left last Sunday’s game against the Dolphins with a hip injury and is questionable for Sunday’s game with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Packers have won their last three games after starting 4-8. At 7-8, the Packers are still alive for a playoff berth but need a little help.
The Packers could make some noise if they get into the playoffs
For the last two seasons, the Packers have been the top seed in the NFC, and it hasn’t gone well. Last year, after a bye week, they suffered an embarrassing home loss to the San Francisco 49ers after putting up just 10 points in a 13-10 loss.
If the Packers managed to sneak in, they’d likely be riding a five-game winning streak and would have little pressure on them as underdogs. If Watson and Doubs are on the field, the Packers could make some noise.
There are plenty of ifs, and the first one is to see if they can actually finish as one of the top seven teams in the NFC. It all starts with Sunday’s game against the Vikings.
The Packers can make the playoffs if they win their two remaining games (at home against the Vikings and Lions) and the Washington Commanders lose one of their two remaining games (home to the Browns and the Dallas Cowboys). They could also get in by winning both of their games and having the New York Giants lose both of theirs (home to the Indianapolis Colts and at the Philadelphia Eagles).
Who would’ve thought a month ago that the Packers would be in a position to lock up a postseason berth? Not only could they do so, but they could also do some damage if they get healthy and ride that hot streak into the playoffs.
