Aaron Rodgers, Packers still on the hunt for a 'galvanizing moment'
-- There hasn't been any semblance of "R-E-L-A-X" or "run the table" for the Green Bay Packers yet this season, but that isn't to say the moment won't come.
For now, they're still on the hunt for that "galvanizing moment."
It's the one moment where the fortunes -- or misfortunes -- of the Packers' 2018 season completely turn in the opposite direction and a spark in the form of a winning streak is lit.
As quarterback Aaron Rodgers said last week, that moment will be unprompted, similar to the phrases he coined in 2014 and 2016 that boosted the Packers to regular-season dominance and ultimately playoff berths.
His desire for that "authentic" moment didn't change following the Packers' Thursday night loss in Seattle in which they led the Seahawks for a majority of the game up until the final five minutes of the fourth quarter.
"It has to be an authentic moment for times like that," Rodgers said. "The moment will be right at one point for us to have a moment that gets us going in the right direction. Hopefully, it starts with a nice couple days off here. Guys getting healthy mentally, then come back and get ready to finish out these last six games the right way."
The Packers would have to win their final six games without a further blemish on their 4-5-1 record just to get to 10 wins; the so-called "benchmark" set by coach Mike McCarthy before the playoffs can even enter the discussion.
Impossible? The Packers have made a trend out of falling victim to self-inflicted wounds this past month, losing on critical fumbles against the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots. Their trip to Seattle was no different, as the Packers struggled to maintain any form of consistency on third downs (3-for-11) and fell flat in the red zone (1-for-2).
The Packers managed just two first downs on three offensive possessions in the third quarter, along with 114 total yards in the second half.
"Of course there’s hope. Of course we believe in each other," Rodgers said. "It’s just going to take one galvanizing moment. Whether that’s a speech or a practice or something happens in a game, something’s gotta get this thing going. I thought we had moments tonight where that’s the way we were going."
One of the most frustrating parts of the Packers' offensively in 2018 has been their overwhelmingly disappointing approach with the number of skill players they have to work with. No offense with Rodgers at quarterback, Aaron Jones in the backfield and Davante Adams as No. 1 receiver should be this insufficient and sporadic.
The Packers, who have yet to win a game at U.S. Bank Stadium, essentially have one last chance to turn their season around. Thankfully, it'll come after players have a chance to recuperate and get healthy.
"I still believe we have a lot to play for," Rodgers said. "That’s going to start with a tough trip to Minnesota on Sunday Night Football.”
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (17)
GBPDAN1
November 16, 2018 at 11:20 am
I didnt like the all the sacks and pressures on Rodgers tonight. Some of that is on Rodgers, but our guards are leaking presure, too. If we had sutton and Lang in their prime we'd be better on Offense. And of course Rodgers hasnt been himself either.
I like the potental of our D. If we pick up a few peices in the off season and we stay relitivly healthy, we will field a top 10 - top 5 D next year. That and add a few peices on Offense and this team will turn the corner and legitimately contend next year. We just needed to build up the roster after Teds last 3 years of failures. Of course we need to get a new innovated HC and a non broken Rodgers, also
beercheese
November 16, 2018 at 07:00 am
Not that better talent wouldn't help, but you can't always have the best in the NFL at every position. There was several moments where a play caller could have helped out the pass protection - draws, screens, quick slants. The play calling is on the coach, but I've always felt that Rodgers can be his own worst enemy. The run plays where instead of handing off, there is a quick pass to a receiver in the flat.... those plays kill me. I get it, he's thinking that instead of 3 or 4 yards on the ground we'll get 5 or 6 with a quick pass. You even hear the announcers say "that's as good as a run right there". There's the added bonus that a receiver may break a couple tackles and have a huge gain. Soooo.... isn't a RB capable of breaking a couple tackles and having a huge gain?
It just seemed like the passing game went really well early on against Seattle because of the "threat" of the run game. Green Bay hasn't had the threat of the run game for a long long time. It's bad enough that the play caller abandons the run for long periods, but it's counter productive for the quarterback to "assist" with it.
Linemen always say they like to run block because they are firing out at the defense, rather than backing up and taking the punches, that's got to be a little demoralizing for the line and the back as well, over time. You're quarterback is basically saying we're not good at it so lets not do it.
In the end, Rodgers is clearly one of the best - all time. How much better could he be if he was always facing a defense that had to honor the run game. Sure his stats might be down a little, but I believe the W/L record would make up for the fewer yards or less TD passes.
Hopefully the next coach will be able to harness the talent of the team, rather than riding the QB like this one has been doing.
Skip greenBayless
November 16, 2018 at 02:03 am
I heard the press conference and Rodgers got a little testy with Rob Demovski about his question on giving up hope for the season. One of the few times I saw Rodgers get a little pissed with the media.
NJMagic
November 16, 2018 at 02:50 am
This game was 100% on Rodgers and McCarthy. One just signed for 100+ million. One is getting fired.
Awful situational play calling- 3rd down keep the drive alive with OCCASIONAL deep shot
It doesn't matter of Aaron is changing the playvall
NJMagic
November 16, 2018 at 02:51 am
Whoops so angry I hit submit.
If McCarthy has lost Aaron R's trust he STILL has to go.
But also... 11 runs for mini- Aaron??? Really?!
Rak43
November 16, 2018 at 03:35 am
Aaron Jones had 11 touches in first half and the Pack scored 21points, second half 5 touches = 3 points. Nuff said!
croatpackfan
November 16, 2018 at 06:34 am
I slept here in Croatia, hoping to find out good news in the morning (my morning). I found mourning...
First I watch condensed game (40 min) and I could not believe they lost that game. Than, I said: "OK, there must be something what was not shown in the condensed form!" And I watched full replay... Still, I do not know how in the world Packers lost that game.
I believe they again have prepared beautiful game plan. It started with perfect D play and brutal execution from Packers O.
Who is guilty? I do not know. I read in 3 articles here how many of you are calling Mike McCarthy for not using Aaron Jones more. Well he had only 3 yards per carry. And, I believe, Aaron Rodgers very often change the plays at the line of the scrimmage. But I will let other experts to find out is this the truth...
Aaron was again out of game. He was in for 2 first quarters and than his throws became all over the place. Some deadly on target, some unbelievable misses. Like that throw on 3 and 2 during the last possession.
Now, I will say my bold prediction. Packers will run the table to the end. They must, because it is the question of balance. This year the balance is to much on the side of miscues, mistakes, referees "mistakes" and nervousness from many players.
This is my hope, my prediction and my view...
And, I would like if everyone here can stop in negativity. We all knows there is many things that went wrong. Some of us blames TT, some MM, some BG, some of us blames players... I believe there is combination of everything. So, I will not say that we stop talking about things we feel they are wrong, but lets not do it as we knows who or what is went wrong. Lets try to understand why things happens and lets start to believe in this team together...
Thank you!
Slim11
November 16, 2018 at 08:26 am
JMHO, the Seahawks took away the run by keying on Aaron Jones in the second half. It worked.
They didn't take away Aaron Jones in the screen game in the second half. Aaron Rodgers, and to a lesser degree Mike McCarthy, did that. There were several times where Rodgers could have hit Jones on a check down to a screen and refused to do so.
The defense played well until the offense started getting too many three-and-out series. Then the defense is getting worn out and the injuries started to increase.
Untimely penalties were a problem too. Most were spot fouls costing the Packers field position almost every time.
PackCop
November 16, 2018 at 04:50 am
Stop beating themselves would be a good start to finding that moment. Is Rodgers allergic to throwing short passes to wide open players? Is this offense allergic to executing on third and short? Is McCarthy allergic to giving Jones touches?
I remember the days when the offense was a juggernaut and the defense gave you ulcers. Now the opposite is true, even with arguably the most talented offense Rodgers has had since Jermichael Finley was in Green Bay.
Razer
November 16, 2018 at 08:46 am
Well said. What should be our strength has become our weakness and not through lack of talent.
Lphill
November 16, 2018 at 05:49 am
I’m not saying it cost the game but some questionable calls as usual I guess it just wouldn’t be Seattle.
badaxed
November 16, 2018 at 06:12 am
How can we expect different results when we see the same insane play calling. Every team in the nf l plasters our receivers knowing Rodgers will hold on to the ball ignore the open short receiver try for the bomb ,take a sack , run it himself, or throw it away. What is apparent now is his accuracy due to his poor pass mechanics has suffered dramatically. McCarthy has to go because he has no control over his quarterback . When the steering wheel falls off time to get a new car.
CrispyATX
November 16, 2018 at 07:01 am
I was not part of the “fire McCarthy” crowd until last night’s decision to punt on 4th and 2. Why would you take the ball out of your 9-digit quarterback and put your depleted defense back on the field to win it for you? Just stupid. He’s gotta go.
Pack12
November 16, 2018 at 08:18 am
When a team keeps losing close games then you have to start looking at the Head Coach. Whether it is abandoning the run or going for deep bombs on short yardage situations, MM does not seem to be the leader the Packers need. Great teams know how to win. With the Packers I always find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's time for a change.
stockholder
November 16, 2018 at 08:43 am
Tom Brady would disagree. Arron Rodgers is no Tom Brady. He's Daryl Lomonica now. The mad Bomber!
Chuck Farley
November 16, 2018 at 09:03 am
The packers out played the hawks. Wilson looked like crap. Couldn't hit a barn with a tractor most of the night. Pass rush outstanding, run game outstanding. Play calling was decent most of the game.
3 plays cost them dearly and sealed the season. 55 yard run and 18 yard run cancelled for dumb penalties.
Running into their receiver on 36 yard pass, dumb penalty. That is why they lost the game. Shooting yourself in foot at game 11
calabasa
November 16, 2018 at 10:57 am
Shooting yourself in the foot.
Dumb penalties.
Declining playcalling.
Sounds like coaching to me.