Aaron Rodgers was sure to point out that the Packers’ victory over the Falcons on Sunday keeps their playoff hopes alive, and they received a bit of help from other teams along the way.

Playoff hopes, however, may be little more than delusion and desperation at this point. Either way, it feels much better to be having that conversation after a win than pointing fingers after a loss.

The Falcons aren’t a great team, and it would probably be a bit reckless to start declaring some 180-turn of fortunes and outcomes, but Green Bay fielded a different looking team on Sunday against Atlanta.

Maybe the Packers were inspired by Mike McCarthy making his last trip back to Lambeau, delivering a goodbye address to the team on Wednesday. Maybe McCarthy’s firing signaled that no one’s job is safe (Aaron Rodgers excluded). Maybe Joe Philbin was simply able to leverage a bit more from this team. Or perhaps Atlanta is just very bad.

I don’t know what caused the Packers to look a little different Sunday, but I liked what I saw. There are still problems with this team, but it was refreshing to see this group perform a bit better than they have been.

Stock Rising: Buy! Buy! Buy!

Energy and tempo: This was the most noticeable difference with the “new-look” Packers. The Green Bay offense, in particular, had a little more pep in its collective step. The play-calling operations were quick and efficient as well.

I was mildly concerned that the play-calling mechanics would be even more herky-jerky than before, as Philbin joked about how out of practice he was calling plays last week. But plays came in smoothly and in a timely manner.

Aaron Rodgers looked to have an extra measure of energy and competitive file on Sunday, which was refreshing. Rodgers, along with much of the team, had a sleepy vibe for much of the season. At least temporarily, McCarthy’s departure has awakened something in this team.

Third downs: Speaking of refreshing, how great was it to see some converted third downs? The Packers’ offense was 7 for 13 converting third down opportunities, their most efficient performance since the win against Buffalo.

The third down defense was also improved, with Atlanta going 3 for 12. The success on this side of the ball was spoiled a bit by allowing Atlanta to convert all three of its fourth-down attempts, though.

Clay Matthews: I have no idea what the future holds for Matthews. He’s certainly been overpaid for the production and health they’ve gotten from him on this contract. But he’s also much better than the angry mob of fans would lead you to believe.

Matthews is still athletic and strong, and I believe he can still be a contributor.

He’s been a great Packer and is a tone-setter with contagious energy when he’s at his best. I’d love to see him stay in Green Bay for the right price. I have no idea if that kind of deal will work out, but I’m still at least a partial believer in CM3.

Bashaud Breeland: I’d also like to see the Packers try to keep Breeland around next year. I don’t want to get too carried away with one tremendous pick-six, but Breeland has proven to be a valuable addition to a secondary that is now staggering to the finish line, greatly diminished by injuries and front office moves.

As always, free agency is about value, so it’d need to be at the right price. But if a proper deal can be struck, Breeland looks like he could have a promising future in Green Bay, and retaining him could free up Brian Gutekunst to invest more draft capital into the offensive line and pass rush.

Tyler Lancaster: The Northwestern product has officially graduated from, “Who’s No. 95?” to “Hell yeah, Lancaster!” On a defense that’s been desperate for some extra beef with Muhammad Wilkerson and Mike Daniels on IR, Lancaster has been a pleasant surprise.

I could see Lancaster making the team next year as a fifth or sixth defensive lineman, depending on what happens with Mike Pettine and the future of the defensive coordinator’s seat.

Here are some fun facts about Tyler Lancaster: 1. He wore No. 1 in college*. Don’t tell Andy Benoit. 2. His middle name is Coatney. 3. He and I share a birthday. 4. Google search results indicate his weight is 249 pounds which hasn’t been the case in a long time (the Packers list him at 313 pounds). 5. He’s on Twitter at @BigLanny6767.

*Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald awards jersey No. 1 each year to “the young man who truly embodies the values and character of the Northwestern football family.”

Stock Falling: Sell! Sell! Sell!

Offensive line depth: Entering this season, I really thought the Packers’ offensive line could be a team strength. As the year has gone on, however, it’s become clear that only David Bakhtiari and Corey Linsley are guaranteed jobs next year.

With all the other starters healthy and in place, the line has performed well this season, anchored by Bakhtiari and Linsley. But rarely do NFL teams get 16 starts from all five primary linemen. Justin McCray has been a bit of a disappointment this year, and Lucas Patrick and Jason Spriggs haven’t made enough progress to lock down future roster spots.

Whatever circumstances have kept rookie Cole Madison from reporting haven’t helped.  I sincerely hope whatever problem exists is fixed, and I wish the young man the best. I don’t mean to be insensitive by reducing his problems to the roster issues they cause, but it’s pretty clear that the Packers will need to bring in at least two new faces to the offensive line group in 2019.