"Rodgers - Davante: The first half, it really felt to me like the main reason Rodgers wanted to play in this game was to get Davante Adams the Packers' receiving record. Adams ended up with 18 targets, 11 catches, but only 71 yds (6.5ypc). At some point, though, Rodgers' competitive instincts took over and it became more about winning the game."

^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^

I thought Rodgers was trying to show the NFL just how dominate Adams really is. Then he started to rush for TD after TD. Is Rodgers making it all about Rodgers a bad thing? For me it wasn't. I loved seeing Rodgers once again looking dominate instead of looking like the Rodgers we saw in the 1st 3/4 of the Jets game. Now please just play a solid game start to finish as a team in a 3 phases.

Sidenote: Really enjoy your Braindrains Al they help me feel like hey it's not just me. Keep up the good work. (Spader - Al make it all about you and then make it about me)

Living in New York I had the opportunity to go to the game for free but decided not to,but before the game began I felt I should have gone to support my team then after the game I was really sorry I didn’t, the Packers will be back next year to play the Giants and I will be there.

Your not alone Al, I'm a spoiled fan too. Not so much for the reasons you listed but because this off-season is about as important off-season as the Packers have had here since 1992 IMO.

These last 2 seasons are just the 3rd and 4thg losing seasons the Packers have had since 1992 but the first time they've had back to back losing seasons since 90, and 91. The Packers this time around have something they didn't have at the end of 1991...A QB. Favre didn't arrive until the summer of 1992 and that's when the great run of winning once again started.

I'm anxious these days because I have NO IDEA how or who Mark Murphy is going to hire. I don't entirely trust Murphy either, mostly because of this "Structure" that is the Packers front office. Murphy is a business man playing football guy. I want a football guy playing football guy. I'd feel a hell of a lot better if Gutekunst was doing the hiring.

My hope this January is Murphy gives me hope I'll STAY a spoiled fan, at least for the next 5 years or so. I want to go to Lambeau and KNOW the Packers will probably win the game because their great. Time is running out. The Packers can not screw this up because I'm not ready to go back to the 80's.

thanks for sharing. i felt the same about Rodgers working it for Davante. i think quite a bit more will be written about this, and, in general, what do individual records mean?

i think there is some kind of ideology in Packer Nation now that is divisive. there has been the idea that a true fan cannot cheer for their team to lose. this ideology is supported certainly by people in the industry whose income (and/or personal identity) depends on on-field performance by the Packers. we, as fans have to understand that we are the independent thinkers here.. while we are so often not experts, one thing we have authority on is being a fan. we, as individuals, get to chose how best to be a fan. if someone wants to tank in a particular situation because there is a longer term benefit for the team/for the team's chances at another SB, let that individual feel that. damn, that is allowing for diverse perspective.. screw the group think requirement, and screw the guilt if we are having individual or independent feelings. come April, those who wanted to tank for a better draft order are going to feel more justified in their thinking.. the point is we all want the Pack to win, some think that winning later trumps winning now.

“All or nothing is a two edged sword”. It’s like the line from Shakespeare’s hamlet. “ To be or not to be”. As a fan I want it all and when I don’t get it my first response is the urge to give up. I am so glad the team did not give up.
I love your stuff, Al. Keep it up, please!

I was on the "tank" train 100% after the loss to the Vikings. But 2 days ago, someone here changed my mind. To me, the only good reasons to try and win from an organizational perspective:

1. To show potential coaches that ARod hasn't "lost it." That the problem was MM and not AR.

2. To show Gute what the current players can do - especially those potantially on the chopping block who haven't gotten much playing time.

Momentum doesn't carry over from year to year. It just doesn't. These two reasons are the only ones I can think of that would possibly benefit the Packers more than increased odds of landing a top player in round 1.

And even with that, I'm still not sure I buy it. I was originally upset my team won. Which is weird. But there you have it.

Thank you Jersey Al for your stewardship of CHTV and for your insightful articles throughout the year. Much appreciate your efforts on behalf of Packer Nation!

I am curious what you saw in Lucas Patrick that made you single him out for a positive comment. Ross Uglem saw the reverse (liked McCray and not Patrick) and I share Ross's view. Patrick played a horrible game against the Bears and then was beaten several times against the Jets. What did you see that I didn't?

I felt exactly the same way when the Pack was down 14. However, the Rogers led Packers were not giving in and that made me want that win. I didn't see that fire in Rogers the previous 2 games. The rotating back debate is tricky because playing a back to their strength might be giving the play away to the D. The contributions the young players made(unexpected solid play from Lancaster) were exciting and the main argument that these games do matter because it shows that we can win without our beat up veterans. I'm looking forward to the Lions game and predict that we will see a very motivated Packers team.

I am spoiled as well and this season was terrible but I actually don't think the Packers are that far off. We have seen growth From St. Brown and MVS, whom I think will be primary contributors next year. Jaire will be an All Pro player and his arrow is pointed up as is Clark. A few free angency acqusitions and a solid draft and a new ST coodinator put this team back in contention.

Let's not forget, costly missed field goals against the Lions cost us the game, We actually beat the Vikings at home if not for a phantom RTP penalty, we were a short drive and field goal from beating the Rams if Ty takes a damn knee, a fumble in the Red zone against the Patriots cost us that game, a bad coaching call cost us the seahawks game. This team has played like crap but they actually had a chance to win all of those games while playing like crap! A new coaching staff could turn things around immediately. The future of this franchise is in the hands of Mark Murphy.

The Packers struggled to beat the Jets. The Jets have won 4 games this year...nuff said.

Al - Like you I didn't want to go the Jets game. I had tickets but I gave them to the family of a disabled vet.
They had a great time.

For me, there was no need to go to a game with the Packers out of the playoffs. I'll catch them next season on a trip to Lambeau.

In any case I watched most of the game from home and it was good to see AR play well. The issues and holes in the roster that we identified since the preseason are still there. Rodgers just overcame them this week which hasn't happened very often this season.

Fire Zook and get better players except for AR, D. Adams, Bak, Clark, Alexander, Martinez and Daniels.
Thanks, Since '61

Sunday the Pack has a chance to finally win TWO IN A ROW this season and get that "winning feeling" set into the team culture a bit again as they head into the off season.

To me, winning on Sunday will be much more important than getting a few better ticks in draft position.

Get the win. Two in a row. Last Sunday was a character builder when they could have given up several times. They didn't.

Don't against the Lions, either. Win!

Today is Candy Cane day. Like the good peppermint taste, it should have opened the nasal passage to clear thinking. Rodgers still can lead. Rodgers wanted to win. Rodgers has us hooked, like the cane design. He kept us believing in hope, rather then the steps this club must now take. The steps to super-bowl are suppose to start with the draft. Not Rodgers ego. I never saw a QB change so much during a year. His nose is plugged with Money. And he's cost the packers this season. But yet we feel grateful we have him. Common we all like candy. So let's understand that the packers have to start the process of finding a new coach before new players. Clear thinking is not thinking about Rodgers. It's about the future. Constant change wrecks the chemistry of a club. Just like candy, the more sugar, the sweeter the taste. The magic, and the ingredients of the packers, is great players. Loyal players who want to succeed. And they are wrapped together like a candy Cane. But let's not get on a sugar high. The team picture has changed. Either the players become a family of sweetness, or their doomed.

lets also not forget how many calls went against the Jets...that was sort of unreal for them being at home...but hey...it much more fun to watch them come back and win for once...now for what we in the U.P. call the "Toilet Bowl"....beat them Lions drop down some more in the draft.....

The last thing I want to see from a "leader" in two "meaningless" games is more of the same type of tunnel vision targeting that #12 has fallen into over the last few years.

I love Davante Adams and have been one of his biggest proponents since his drafting, but I had serious problems with Rodgers forcing the ball to Jordy last year when he was trying to prove "Jordy still has some juice left" and I don't believe trying to force-feed a WR the ball to get him a franchise receptions record sends a great message to the team as a leader.

What this offense needs more than anything is to spread the ball around more, not focus on the star and artificially feed him the ball to get him a record.

We already see to much of Rodgers ignoring other open WRs because he's hoping Adams comes free downfield in a few more seconds.

Who will be next Packers coach?

1. Filapinno was fired
2 . Jim Harbough said no
3. John Harbough is staying in Baltimore
4. Bruce Arians said no
5. Dont think the Packers want to take a chance on a defensive coach or college coach.
6. Josh Daniels does not seem a likely.

Here are some interesting facts I just came across about Rodgers. I am sure more than ever he would love to play the whole Lions game and break some of his own records, as it would certainly allow Rodgers to say he had a good year.

First of all....assuming Rodgers ends up with his only 2 interceptions for the year. Then he needs 228 yards and he will beat his best 4,643 yards he set in 2011 (MVP year). He needs 33 completions and he will break his record of 401 completions he set in 2016. Rodgers will definitely want to play (and definitely will need to throw a lot of his short passes to Adams for completions)....what says you?

I am not saying this as I told you so or as medal or anything but you can checkone of my week old posts. I said it because I meant it as an old timer Pack fan into golden age (Starr) followed by the doldrum age. AR needed to play for the teammates, for himself and to get a win for the organization and not to tank for draft picks. We now have one game ahead of us - BEAT the pussycats. There are some teams that I just dont like - firstly the Vikes, next the Bears - but the Lions -who I usually just laugh at but really I dont like them much either ( but get well Matt - hope the transplant works out). so just lets stop their winning streak against us - they usually win when we are without AR but just let them ride into this offseason with a loss in their mouths knowing that we would have beaten them if Crosby had been on his game last time around.
This has got to be a curtain call for some guys and especially for a few coaches ( special teams, strength and condition etc) Go out and flame these Lions like we did a few years ago 2012 with Flynn.

I'll clarify. Winning divisional games is important. S Derwin James drafted #17--99 tkl, 3.5 sacks, 3 int, 13 pd.
LB Darious Leonard #36--155 tkl, 7 sck, 6 pd, 9 stf. I'll take a Leinenkugel, thanks