One-Game Season Commenced, There are Reasons for Hope
The margin for error is zero, and the Packers still need help from their rivals. But hope? It's in high supply after Sunday's sloppy, hard-earned win.
By dnicholson
Playoff mode? Yeah, it’s something like that. Though most teams in “playoff mode” aren’t completely with their backs against the wall. No, the Green Bay Packers are in desperation mode, almost surely needing to win out to have a chance at making the postseason. Even then, as outlined Monday on CheeseheadTV, the Pack will need some help.
With each successive week being a one-week season of sorts, the only thing that matters right now is beating the lowly, winless Browns. Are the Packers a potential victim of a trap game? Absolutely not. If playing for your life ever had an advantage it’s that no opponent can be overlooked.
Aaron Rodgers’ potential return against Carolina 13 days from now is irrelevant if the business isn’t taken care of this upcoming Sunday.
So here’s where we’re at: Sunday’s sloppy win against a below-average Tampa Bay Buccaneers team wasn’t without its fair share of positives.
The front six/seven routinely pressured Jameis Winston, while the back-end rose to the occasion against primary receivers Mike Evans and Desean Jackson. Their combined damage: four catches, 57 yards, zero touchdowns.
This success can surely be carried over against Deshone Kizer and the Browns, even if Josh Gordon’s return is worthy of double coverage throughout.
In addition, Green Bay flexed once again that absent Rodgers it is and should be a run-first team. Jamaal Williams looks like a totally different player than the one who carried in bursts as Ty Montgomery’s early-season backup. He’s a violent runner and has become much more decisive, even if it means cutting to the backside of the play. Williams was undoubtedly the Packers’ offensive MVP on Sunday, tallying 113 yards and a carry-the-load touchdown on 21 carries.
Sunday also demonstrated the Packers’ run game has other dimensions—starting with Brett Hundley. After the offense fell completely asleep in the third quarter and most of the fourth, head coach Mike McCarthy dialed up a read-option on a 3rd-and-2 wherein the defensive end responsible for Hundley had no chance. On the game-winning drive in overtime, the read option led to another, crucial 15-yard gain and first down. Let’s be clear: This is Hundley’s wheelhouse. With a run-heavy approach, combined with no-back, spread looks for easy reads, the occasional screen and play action, Green Bay may have finally discovered a legitimate offense under Hundley.
The wildcard? Aaron Jones.
In total, he played two snaps and registered one carry. That lone carry, on a two tight-end, I-Formation power run, saw Jones—standing all of 5-foot-9, one of the reasons for his fall to the fifth round—hide beneath the chaos long enough to bounce outside and burst the rest of the way for the 20-yard, game-clinching touchdown. Now back from the MCL injury that sidelined him for several weeks, Jones must be a component of the offense going forward. He’s the lightning to Williams’ well-earned thunder.
Sunday wasn’t all a peach. The stagnant, three-and-out offense in the second half opened a door teams better than Tampa Bay would have capitalized on. Defensively, the total inability to defend a screen of any kind is worthy of serious worry.
But the Packers need—hopefully—one more win before Rodgers returns and the fortunes change. Guys like Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb have been all but ghosts, except for a play here or there. That won't be the case if No. 12 makes his return. And if Rodgers returns to a team with more than one way to win a game, it only strengthens the Packers’ chances for riding the wave and running the table—again.
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Comments (14)
pooch
December 04, 2017 at 05:23 pm
With rhe running game and return of Rodgers,absent Mikes bonehead calls excited what the offense could do,defense still a worry
Hematite
December 04, 2017 at 06:03 pm
"Running the table again".
Sorry, I just don't see it happening.
Ds300916
December 05, 2017 at 10:38 am
Dang, guess we should all just give up then. See you all next year!
MarkinMadison
December 04, 2017 at 08:33 pm
They could run the table and it still might not be enough. Time to enjoy a rare high (ok middle) slot in the draft order.
MarkinMadison
December 04, 2017 at 08:34 pm
I love Clark and Daniels. We need new blood at OLB. We need new blood at WR - let's not overpay for Davante Adams please.
al bundy
December 04, 2017 at 08:52 pm
Please don't laugh to hard but the browns won't be a pushover unless there qb. is worse then Winston. They have a lot of top first and second round talent. They gave the lions a scare for a while. Plus we don't know about Huntley. Anyways they get by that and Rogers gets to meet the panthers.
croatpackfan
December 05, 2017 at 07:03 am
Who is Huntley?
TKWorldWide
December 05, 2017 at 10:09 pm
too
their
than
Hundley
Rodgers
flackcatcher
December 04, 2017 at 10:45 pm
Mcdoo got fired to cover up the owners screw up in their hiring an incompetent GM. Going all in and paying over the hill free agents, and not letting your HC to grow your players is the sign of owners meddling. (See Jerry Jones owner of the Dallas Cowboys :( ) Now to cover their behinds and appease the Media in NY they fed Mcdoo to media wolves. And to top it, they are putting crap out that he will never get another HC or OC job in this league. All to cover their dirty hands in overruling Mcdoo in how he handled his team. People in and out of the league know the truth. For the Mara family, this will reflect back on them. And they will deserve every bit off it.
croatpackfan
December 05, 2017 at 07:06 am
Never go back to already consumed relationship. Never get successful outcome...
Since'61
December 05, 2017 at 02:14 pm
I agree completely. I cannot think of one occasion when a coach returned to his former team and it worked out for the better. Thanks, Since '61
croatpackfan
December 06, 2017 at 02:40 am
And that is wisdom I learned not only for coaches and teams. It is applicable to life in general...
jeremyjjbrown
December 04, 2017 at 09:18 pm
Playoff game vs the Browns! Must be the Super Bowl...
Since'61
December 05, 2017 at 01:28 pm
The Packers should defeat the Browns this weekend. If the trend of Hundley playing better on the road continues and we can pound with our evolving ground game we should be able to keep our defense off the field.
Weather(wind) may be a factor therefore establishing our run game and stopping the Browns run games will be the key.
As for the playoffs we still need plenty of help. I think our best route to the playoffs is for the Packers to run the table which means beating Carolina on the road and then the Vikings at home (Vikes may not have much to play for by then). Plus we need Seattle and the Panthers to fall to 10-6 and we would have the tie-breakers over Seattle and Carolina which would earn us the 6th seed behind Atlanta earning the 5th seed.
Division winners: Philly, LA Rams, Minn., N.O.
Wildcards: Atlanta and Green Bay?
Making the playoffs would be great at this point but it would also probably mean that TT and Capers return for 2018. Beat the Browns, FIRE CAPERS, and Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61