Packers Go For AFC South Sweep
Having won its first 3 games against the AFC South, the Green Bay Packers attempt to sweep an AFC division for just the 3rd time since realignment in 2002.
In the Brett Favre-Aaron Rodgers-Jordan Love era, one of the biggest rarities for the Green Bay Packers has been sweeping an entire AFC division in inter-conference matchups. On Sunday, the Packers have a chance to do that with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
So far this season, Green Bay has three wins in its three AFC games: defeating Indianapolis 16-10, defeating Tennessee 30-14, and defeating Houston 24-22.
A better view of how Daniel Whelan saved the game for the #Packers. Dude is such a stud! #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/KGu6t2j7Fh
— Packerfan Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) October 21, 2024
With Brett Favre as the team’s quarterback, the Packers went 4-0 against the AFC just twice. The first was in 1995, as Green Bay won all four of its games over the AFC Central (beating Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh); the second was a sweep of the AFC West opponents (beating Denver, Kansas City, Oakland and San Diego).
I get fans get frustrated with the INTs and they leap to "Love is Favre" - but they should remember that Favre helped win a Super Bowl and won three league MVPs. We all want perfection but Love is still a young quarterback. Today was actually a step forward, given the final drive pic.twitter.com/DS4IQZ9Q3I
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) October 20, 2024
Under Aaron Rodgers, this accomplishment only happened once, in 2021, which was the first season of 17 games and a fifth AFC opponent. The Packers did beat all four AFC North teams, but lost to the Chiefs in Jordan Love’s first career start. Green Bay swept Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, en route to a 13-4 record.
This Sunday, Jordan Love will be looking for his first road win against an AFC team, after losing to the Raiders, Broncos and Raiders last year, as well as his Chiefs start in 2021.
If the Packers are to get to 6-2 and win a 4th game against the AFC, they will have to avoid the typical “trap” game. Sandwiched between the Jaguars game was the Texans, who have the AFC’s second-best record and in two Sundays against the 5-1 Detroit Lions. The rest of November also includes matchups against the Bears, 49ers and Dolphins.
Packers were 2-5 at this same time last year. They're 5-2 this year. Young team has learned how to win even when they don't have their "A" game.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) October 20, 2024
How important is a 6-2 record for the Packers? This season, losing to Jacksonville, could easily be the difference between hosting a playoff game as a division champion and traveling during Wild Card weekend as the five or six seed. Currently, three of the four NFC teams with five wins are all in the NFC North: Lions and Vikings are 5-1; Packers and Commanders are 5-2.
Since 1992, the start of the Favre-Rodgers-Love era, the Packers have started 6-2 or better 11 different times. In those 11 times, they’ve made the playoffs every year. And in all but two seasons, they won at least 12 games.
The #Packers have started 6-2 or better 11 times since 1996. The records of those teams at end of season:
1996 13-3
1997 13-3
1998 11-5
2001 12-4
2002 12-4
2007 13-3
2011 15-1
2015 10-6
2019 13-3
2020 13-3
2021 13-4— MMcLaugh (@McLaughlinMitch) October 22, 2024
Furthermore, dating back to the first Favre playoff appearance in 1993, the Packers have been the wild card 8 times, compared to division champions 15 times. With the exception of the 2010 Super Bowl run, Green Bay has been a division champion when they’ve made a run to an NFC Championship game or Super Bowl.
For the Packers to build on their three-game winning streak and keep that momentum going toward a 12 or 13-win season, they can not have a letdown against a Jaguar team that is 5-10 in their last 15 games dating back to last November; which includes a 1-9 span from last to December thru their Week 4 loss to Houston.
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Mitch McLaughlin is a Packers fan and shareholder residing in Sacramento, California. He will be writing Packers stories each week on Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter: @McLaughlinMitch
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Comments (10)
Since'61
October 22, 2024 at 06:33 pm
This week's game against the Jaguars is a classic trap game. The Packers are coming off an emotional last second victory over the Texans and could have a leet down against a team that they should defeat. combine that with looking ahead to the their game against the Lions which will be their most important game of the season at that point.
The Packers cannot afford a let down against the Jags and hopefully the coaches will keep the team focused on defeating the Jaguars and on playing ineffective game at a time. They need to take the Jaguars seriously and build on their 3 game win streak. All gas, no brakes. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61
EricTorkelson
October 22, 2024 at 07:31 pm
Beating a really crappy team like New England will probably give the Jags a little confidence plus being at home, but green bay defense will be the difference and the Packers will pull away in the second half..... IMHO
dblbogey
October 22, 2024 at 09:55 pm
If the field is muddy we'll put in Torkelson, he was a great mudder.
EricTorkelson
October 23, 2024 at 03:43 pm
As long as Barty is blocking ... : }
splitpea1
October 22, 2024 at 07:50 pm
How important is this game? We need to win it because the schedule is backloaded with 5 tough divisional games. To be honest, I look forward to being done with the AFC South so we can see how we stack up against our NFC North peers.
JugGirard
October 22, 2024 at 09:15 pm
I know a kicker has been the NFL MVP.
How about a punter and holder?
Daniel Whelan has been turning the field for the Packers all season.
Hope Whelan keeps it going - very valuable, even more valuable given Jordan's play.
joejetson
October 22, 2024 at 09:49 pm
Jacksonville has won two of their last three after a horrible start to the season. So they may have built a little momentum and confidence. Add in playing at home after two weeks in London, so it'll be hard to predict their readiness for this game.
I'd love to see GB jump on them like they did to Arizona. Should also be a good contingent of Packer Fans in attendance.
Get a solid win and then worry about upcoming opponents.
Coldworld
October 23, 2024 at 09:42 am
Their O has been better, but they did play a a true train wreck last week. They have a strong running game a good receiving TE now back to injury as well as a decent WR group, particularly Thomas Jr who is a big receiver at 6’4 who can go deep with 4.3 speed. Not a matchup I want Nixon anywhere near.
If ever there was a player for Stokes to redeem himself against, Thomas Jr is it. Not a finesse route runner at this point, but big and fast. He’s their version of Watson and he’s on track for 1000+ yards.
Their D is not very good at all though, outside of Travon Walker’s rush threat. They have an excellent ST unit and return threat.
The challenge in this one should be to stop Engram at TE an and Bigsby in the run game. If we can’t run and pass on them we are overrating ourselves offensively.
gregmorse
October 23, 2024 at 02:21 am
always special
marpag1
October 23, 2024 at 05:11 am
FUN FACT for the day: Remember when some folks were telling us how the Packers messed up by not hanging on to Tim Boyle? LOL.
After his relief appearance last Sunday, Tim Boyle has now thrown passes in 10 NFL games. All 10 of those games ended in a loss.