Packers Question of the day - Super Bowl or bust?
Since the success of the 2010 campaign, the Packers have fallen victim to a playoff loss in every post-season appearance since that Super Bowl win nearly six years ago.
Some attribute the failure to Mike McCarthy, Ted Thompson, lack of execution, etc. The excuses and finger-pointing are endless. But in 2016, is a Super Bowl appearance a requirement in order for McCarthy - or even Thompson, to keep their respective jobs? Or will big changes be seen at the end of the season if expectations aren't met?
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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 (53)
Gianich
October 04, 2016 at 09:22 am
It's tough to say. Damned if you do and don't sort of thing. The Packers have the talent to win the big one. Denver lost the Superbowl and fired the coach who brought them there and two years later they win it all....
KenEllis
October 04, 2016 at 09:37 am
Why would 2016 be any different than 2011-2015?
MM & TT won the Super Bowl in 2010.
With ARod at QB they can skate into the playoffs, maybe win a game, blame injuries when they bow out before the Super Bowl, get ready for the draft, get rid of a few veterans, and start 2017 just like they have the past 6.
SpudRapids
October 04, 2016 at 11:42 am
When has McCarthy ever blamed a loss on injuries?
KenEllis
October 04, 2016 at 01:55 pm
Never that I can recall which is a credit to MM.
That has not stopped plenty of MM fans from blaming injuries, however.
Big_Mel_75
October 04, 2016 at 09:27 am
I don't think MM can get us there. He is to set in his ways.
SpudRapids
October 04, 2016 at 11:39 am
https://theathletic.com/17986/2016/08/23/pompei-packers-mike-mccarthy-ad...
As I aways say "don't confuse intent with results."
Tundraboy
October 04, 2016 at 04:03 pm
If he doesn't adjust he is taking us nowhere.
Point-Packer
October 04, 2016 at 09:28 am
NFC Championship or bust.
NMPF
October 04, 2016 at 09:32 am
No changes as long as Murphy, Thompson are pulling the strings.
Savage57
October 05, 2016 at 07:51 am
Whether people like it, or agree with it, or not...
The iconic nickname is "Titletown".
Not "Made The Playoffstown".
lebowski
October 04, 2016 at 09:35 am
I know we Packer fans are a spoiled lot, with annual playoff appearances not being good enough. But the old adage "if you're not getting better you're getting worse" does seem to apply, just doesn't feel like we're a better team than we were a few years ago.
PaulRosik
October 04, 2016 at 01:33 pm
2014 was the season this team was pointed towards. The offense was a juggernaut and scored 40 plus per game in Lambeau as an average. They screwed up late in the season to make them have to go on the road in that infamous NFCCG. They seem to have suffered a hangover since that.
The Packers have suffered some terrible playoff losses. Do those games mean they should fire the coach and start over or continue?
Tundraboy
October 04, 2016 at 04:05 pm
Have wondered that as well. Next 8 games will tell us.
TarynsEyes
October 04, 2016 at 11:45 am
" Division Titles are important. But I don't lose any sleep over it. Because we have a bigger goal. We don't hang Division Title banners around here." Mike McCarthy.
" Super Bowl or bust every year.....anything less is fodder filled with excuses." Tarynfor12
ray nichkee
October 04, 2016 at 01:06 pm
#NickPerrycanplayball
PaulRosik
October 04, 2016 at 01:35 pm
Super Bowl is always the goal. But it can not be the only thing that defines success or obviously 31 coaches are getting fired every year.
TKWorldWide
October 04, 2016 at 07:46 pm
I guess it must take more than a HOF qb then.
packrat
October 04, 2016 at 09:55 am
The other 31 teams are all trash? After the 70s and 80s I'm appreciative of a GM and a HC (and a President) who are capable of keeping GB as a model of effectiveness year after year. What other team fans would not like GBs record for thee last 25 years?
TommyG
October 04, 2016 at 07:25 pm
packrat, I feel that you are absolutely correct. While I do not have a memory of the 70's I did certainly live through the sinful 80's. That decade of absolutely pathetic Packers football (certainly compared to the last two decades). We were what the Jags, Browns, or Titans are today: a match-up fans chalked up as a W when the schedules were released. This team is fun to watch because each game might be a win. There is not a single team on the schedule (or in the league in my opinion) that is an automatic entry in the L column. Rejoice, friends, for we have an awesome football team!
mrtundra
October 04, 2016 at 10:03 am
It's not okay for other teams in our division to think losing the division title is okay. Why should it be different for us? The vikings hang their hats on winning the NFC North because it means they beat us and also because that is all they have.
Michael Grunewald
October 04, 2016 at 07:29 pm
I agree with this in total. There is plenty of blame to go around. Picking toward the end of the first round means you end up drafting developmental projects. Perry is finally looking like a player... likely pricing himself out of the Packers plans. Will Datone Jones follow suit? Remains to be seen. The year two defensive have crash landed, though guys drafted higher at the position in recent years have had their challenges. (Gilbert/Kirpatrick/Waynes to name a few).
The allergy Teddy T has to free agents while often spending above market on his own (Shields, Burnett, Cobb, etc.) is another contributing factor. Shield was signed to essentially the same deal Talib got, character notwithstanding Talib is a REAL and consistent playmaker. Shields is slightly above average. Burnett is solid downhill against the run, a liability in coverage, and takes terrible angles in pursuit. Cobb, getting low end number one dollars, continues to play like a number three.
The offensive play calling is very predictable. Too many shot gun runs, too few slants and crossers to beat man coverage. Until they can beat press man consistently, the passing game will continue to struggle. I am not putting a boatload of stock in the Lions game, as arguably their two best defenders (Ansah/Levy) were on the pines.
The defense bleeding away leads will continue to be an issue. Bend, but don't break...limit the big play and look for the turnover is all well and good, but unless Randall ups his game (close to 400 yards against average receivers in the last two weeks), I fear no lead is going to be safe.
TKWorldWide
October 04, 2016 at 07:47 pm
Moo.
mrj007
October 04, 2016 at 08:58 pm
Well said tot....
PackerBacker
October 04, 2016 at 10:55 am
I think we as fans sometimes forget that the Packers structure is built to be steady and not make changes without a major reason. Consistently making the playoffs and having the chance to win a Superbowl does not equal a major reason for a change. Plus, the Packers have been the second most successful team as far as winning consistently in the league. Why would you rock that boat. The current GM and coach are doing a good enough job to make the Packers organization a ton of money. That's their measure of success.
mrj007
October 04, 2016 at 09:11 pm
I think that if you only count the last 16 regular season games GB is 8 and 8..
Average. Which is about the pace for this year. 9 and 7 and maybe a wild card is who they are.
I think the pre season expectations need really adjusting.
It is still WAY better watching than from 1970 thru 1990. That sucked
Denver fired Fox after multiple playoff appearances, got some players in FA and won the title. They absolutely destroyed GB last year.
I am happy being a fan and will cheer the Pack to their ultimately predictable play this year which should be good enough to be entertaining but won't end with a Championship.
NickPerry
October 05, 2016 at 07:06 am
No, McCarthy's and Thompson's measure of success are Super Bowls, Murphy's job is to make the Packers "A ton of money". If Thompson and McCarthy become more worried about the bottom line than winning, it's time for both of them to go. Thompson and Ball manage the Cap and that's ALL they should be concerned with when it comes to the teams financial success.
guzzi2000
October 04, 2016 at 10:58 am
If you are not trying to win the Super Bowl, then what is the point. What athlete or team enters a game and is playing to be second. There seems to be a paradigm shift of sorts going on that making the playoffs is good enough. What's next a 500 team is good enough. It's pro sports the goal should be to win it all. I for one want to see a team that is showing improvement not a steady decline. Win it all or make some changes.
carusotrap
October 04, 2016 at 04:18 pm
Actually, it's pro sports; the goal should be to make money. Of course, teams want to win, but the bottom line is the bottom line.
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
October 04, 2016 at 11:01 am
If i no that i wouldn't be here one game at a time .
daveh
October 04, 2016 at 11:42 am
Super Bowl, Pittsburgh over Minn., sorry, but as Much as I hate to say it..Minn is the best team in the Nfc, overall Pitt looks like the best team in the NFL
dobber
October 04, 2016 at 01:11 pm
Right now, I agree: with Arizona and Carolina dragging (and with high-end QBs in the league's concussion protocol), Minnesota has emerged as the hottest team in the NFC -- and perhaps the NFL. The question is: can they sustain this level of play for 15 more games? Same thing for Atlanta, who has had a hard time sustaining success over the course of a season in recent years. Minnesota is still somewhat limited offensively (but doesn't need to score a lot of points) and Atlanta is scoring but gives up a ton of yards and points. It's one thing to be hot and play this way in October. It's another to still be playing this way in January.
PaulRosik
October 04, 2016 at 01:24 pm
Green Bay played Minnesota on the road to a standstill. They very well should have won with just a play or two off. And since no one wins a Super Bowl in September I say we should keep playing and see how it goes come December.
dobber
October 04, 2016 at 07:44 pm
"The Vikings haven't peaked yet."
To be honest, I don't see them being much more than what they have been the last 3 weeks over the rest of the season.
NickPerry
October 05, 2016 at 07:26 am
When I saw the schedule I thought this would be a Packers loss. Not because Minnesota is better team, but because it's the Home Opener in a NEW Stadium. Any team, not just the Vikings would be hard to beat under those circumstances.
It's been 4 weeks.
Bradford is getting more comfortable, but there's also more and more film being put down every week. After 4 weeks teams can kinda start to determine tendencies, lets see what Bradford is doing 4 weeks from now. Hell given his past, lets see if he's even standing 4 weeks from now.
The Vikings are a good club, no doubt about it. But I'd imagine it won't get any better defensively because they're playing lights out. Offensively the Vikings are going to have problems. Shields can take Diggs out as could any team with a decent CB. After Diggs who do you really have to be concerned with? Rudolph? McKinnen? I don't think so.
The Packers may very well have peaked 2 seasons ago, but I wouldn't count on it. In case you haven't noticed Nelson is playing more like Nelson with each new week. Cobb isn't going to continue to play as poorly as he has, Rodgers looks like he may have his "Mojo" back, and Lacy just reminded everybody how good he can be when he gets the carries.
Slow your roll dude, they've played 3 games and the Vikings 4. There's a long, LONG ways to go.
PaulRosik
October 04, 2016 at 01:22 pm
The Super Bowl is always the goal but it can not be the only goal. You have to judge your team based on how it performed in the regular season and judge progress or regression from the 16 games played.
The playoffs are always a 50/50 proposition when you line up in a one game take all situation with the other top teams of the league. So to judge a team by how it does in the playoffs is the same as judging them by whether they won the coin toss or not. Both are 50/50 chances.
Bohj
October 04, 2016 at 02:01 pm
- 2015 Lost in overtime on broken play.
- 2014 Lost in overtime after regulation collapse.
- 2013 Lost on a walk off FG.
- 2012 Got spanked by Kaep.
- 2011 Lost to eventual SB winner Giants.
- 2010 Won the SB as a wildcard.
- 2009 Lost in overtime on a facemask fumble.
NickPerry
October 05, 2016 at 07:32 am
I still get mad when I watch that game. I'm still not sure which was worse, the 2009 facemask/pull up fumble or the 1998 game in SF when Rice CLEARLY fumbled a few plays before the TD pass to Owens. Instant Replay began was changed the following season where if it happened then, it would have been the Packers ball and no TD to TO.
RCPackerFan
October 05, 2016 at 07:43 am
Just think how history would have been changed if they would have actually called that Rice fumble the right way. Perhaps TO would have never become TO?
RCPackerFan
October 05, 2016 at 07:51 am
2011...
Joe Philbin's son passed away the week of that game. I still think that played a huge role in them losing that game that year. They came into that game completely flat and emotionless. Which is very understandable to why they would have.
Bohj
October 04, 2016 at 02:02 pm
So...in the Rodger's Era, we were spanked twice, lost in OT by strange shit 3 times, and won the SB once with our worst record. The margin of winning and losing in the playoffs is so small. One single play decided our fate in four of those playoff appearances. If there is one less fumble by grant, one interception caught by hyde, a better return by Burnett, a called facemask, a coin flip difference, bostick. Sorry but that's not a GM or coaching problem. Stay young. Get hot at the end...go on a run..try to win it all. I can live with that.
Bohj
October 04, 2016 at 02:09 pm
We already know how most people on this forum feel about super bowl or bust.....MM and TT. What I want Zachary to ask next would be: how many Superbowl rings would it take to quiet the wolves and stop calling for the heads of MM and TT? One more? Two more? Three more? I mean one more would be realistic and reasonable right? What coach (besides Belicek) has more than two in the salary cap era?
carusotrap
October 04, 2016 at 04:23 pm
Should they lose their jobs? Maybe?
Will they lose their jobs? Absolutely not a chance in the world.
What I'm hoping for is that TT decides on a peaceful retirement and Eliot Wolf slides into the job. I think MM can coach this team to another SB if he has just 10% more aggression in the personnel side of things.
pooch
October 04, 2016 at 05:04 pm
Dump McCarthy,should of got D.Peterson,Mc is old news
rdent
October 05, 2016 at 10:33 am
TT may be thinking of retirement,he promoted Elliot Wolf to the highest position behind himself and wouldn't allow any team to talk to Wolf so it appears the Packers have plans for Elliot
pooch
October 04, 2016 at 05:03 pm
With all thw up and coming quaterbacks in the NFL i will say the window for A.R. is getting smaller and smaller
4thand1
October 04, 2016 at 06:09 pm
This season seems all to familiar. Slow start like so many others. I predict this team will get hot towards the end of the season. NE will be in the SB, book it. Brady will be on a mission and torch everyone. Rodgers and the Packers will shoot it out with him and the Patriots, that will be decided by a Crosby 43 yard FG as time expires.
carusotrap
October 04, 2016 at 06:30 pm
I like your plan.
Hematite
October 05, 2016 at 05:10 am
A great feel good story!
I like it!
TommyG
October 04, 2016 at 07:17 pm
We are spoiled. Where I work I am surrounded by Bears fans. What is their goal each season? Beat the Packers. That's it. Their team is such crap that simply beating their rival is all that they have left. Let us all enjoy the fact that, even with this current version of the Packers, a playoff berth is nearly assured, that they will at the very least be competitive in every game, and that a super bowl appearance is well within the realm of possibility. GO PACK GO
packrat
October 04, 2016 at 10:27 pm
Amen, Tommy G. I remember when HOF GM Ron Wolf first came to GB and said, in effect, We are going to begin winning and fans will be happy for awhile but you will soon begin complaining that we didn't in by enough or we didn't win ever game. Ron Wolf was not only a great GM but also a prophet.
After all is said and done, Wolf and Fave (both in the HOF) haven't done as well as MM and TT. One SB for a career for Wolf and Favre. One SB for TT and AR and counting.
One final thought: GB is not a great team because of Packer fans. They are a great team because they have great players and staff. It ill befits we fans to whine about every little thing that doesn't go our way. '
packrat
October 04, 2016 at 10:33 pm
Twenty-five years of rapture for GB fans versus 25 years of agony in the 70s and 80s. How I would have loved to see one of these games during those days.
Point-Packer
October 06, 2016 at 08:01 pm
How many yards with Beckham get this Sunday?
I'm guessing 225
markpslab
July 14, 2017 at 04:45 am
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