Normally this is where I'd give a last look at the Green Bay Packers and their upcoming opponent for a Sunday game.  With this week's contest already in the books and with the last play of said game having been shown eleventy hundred times, I thought I'd ramble on about the state of the team.

Their record is 8-4, which isn't bad at this point in the season.  It's not great, however, when you remind yourself that they started out 6-0 and in doing so, they played some dominant football.  Heading into this past game against the Detroit Lions, the Packers were one loss away from falling two games behind the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC North lead and having their playoff chances reduced to a wild card, if any.  With the win over Detroit, Green Bay at least puts themselves in position to win the division on their own, should they accept the challenge of doing just that.  The Packers face the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings at home and have road games at the Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals.  They should at the very least split those four games and finish 10-6 at worst but crazier things have happened.  After watching this year's team lose two straight home games to divisional opponents that they have dominated for several years running, it would seem that no game is a gimme.  And that's true in today's NFL, regardless.

I don't know what to make of this year's team.  In my heart, I want to believe that they'll go on a late run and still accomplish all that I aspired for them back in August.  My head says they can certainly do it, but have anything but an easy path.  The Carolina Panthers are 11-0 and in complete control for home field advantage throughout the post season.  With a head-to-head win over the Packers, the Panthers would have to lose out and Green Bay would have to win all remaining games just to have a chance at the number one seed.  And that doesn't account for what the Cardinals might do themselves, which could give them the top spot, even if Green Bay can win them all.  We've seen this Packers team, guided by head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers and what they've done both at home and on the road in the postseason.  Home sweet home hasn't been so sweet for the Packers and so not playing at Lambeau Field may not turn out to be a bad thing.  Having to return to Arizona or Carolina, however, may be very hazardous to their health.  Both teams are playing extremely well and getting the job done week after week.  Carolina has appeared in the playoffs the last two seasons and appear poised to finally take a step forward after getting run off the field.  The Cardinals ironically were having one of the best in franchise history last season when they lost starting quarterback Carson Palmer and were bounced from the January tournament by. . the Carolina Panthers.  Those two teams could be on a collision course for the NFC.

Or, the Packers may step in and remind everyone who they are and that they may have more to say about this season before it's over.  

Defensively, the Packers are playing well enough to give themselves a chance to win most any week, minus the game against the Denver Broncos.  This is a turn from past seasons where the defense always seemed to falter just enough and at the worst time.  The defensive line is getting a good push, thanks to the likes of Mike Daniels and Datone Jones.  When B.J. Raji shows up big, that front is nearly impossible to stymie.  We rarely see Packers general manager Ted Thompson extend a player's deal in the middle of a season, but Daniels appears to be getting richer and richer with each passing game.  Thank goodness the Packers have good cap space and that the cap will likely increase, yet again, in 2016.  

The secondary has played much better despite the loss of two good veteran cornerbacks.  Rookies Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins are playing above expectations and appear to have the corner position in good shape for years to come.  And in the middle of the defense, Clay Matthews is making plays and shoring up this troublesome area.  Finally, we saw Jake Ryan replacing Nate Palmer and Ryan promptly led the team in tackles against the Lions and had a fumble recovery.  Had to feel good to play well in front of many fans who likely cheered Ryan on at Michigan.  

Offensively, well, that's not as simple.  Yes, it was a miraculous and magical Hail Mary play to end the game against the Lions.  That's not something any team can rely on time and time again.  I'd like to think that a win like that can catapult this team to a big run to end the season, but then I remember the first half.  Zero points and not a hint of rhythm or momentum to speak of.  Rodgers missing receivers, receivers dropping balls and running backs getting stuffed in the backfield was the theme and with that, it's hard to get ahead in games, especially on the road.  

Speaking of running backs, it was beyond disappointing to learn on Friday that Eddie Lacy had been benched for the first part of the Lions game because he missed team curfew the night before the game.  His running mate, Alonzo Harris, wasn't so lucky as he also missed curfew and was promptly cut just hours before game time.  That's something totally controllable and it shows how unbelievably lazy Lacy can be.  It's not like he can't afford a clock and after two-straight 100-yard games, you'd think even Lacy, who admittedly doesn't watch football when he's not playing, would be more fired up and ready to do it again to the next opponent.  He had one yard against the Lions.  One.  Yard.  He was completely ineffective and while the offensive line was patch worked together, Lacy showed no burst nor desire when running with the rock.  Perhaps someone should remind him of how much better this offense was last year when both Rodgers and Lacy were playing well at the same time.  They only helped guide the Packers to the NFC Championship game in Seattle, a game they should have won easily.  The sad part about that thought is, I don't think Lacy would really care right now.  Maybe he would and he's just misunderstood.  Either way, Lacy, who is still dealing with an ankle injury, isn't himself and the Packers need more, a lot more, in the backfield.  So much so that they worked out former Wisconsin Badger and Denver Bronco running back Montee Ball on Friday.  They didn't sign Ball and perhaps the move was just for show, but there's something amiss in Packerland and as it relates to Eddie Lacy's standing with the team.

Then there's the injuries.  The Packers aren't dealing with many new injuries, but the ones they have continue to linger.  Receiver Ty Montgomery has missed the last seven weeks with a high ankle sprain.  His return is a complete question mark.  And with Jared Abbrederis once again shelved with an injury the Packers brought in former Raiders receiver Denarius Moore for a workout earlier in the week.  Abbrederis is back, but had minimal impact in the Lions game.  Jeff Janis was back to running sloppy routes and despite his speed, still can't become a legitimate deep option for the passing game.  As Phil Simms pointed out during the Detroit game, the Packers receiving corps are a mess.  Not always, but often enough that it sticks out like a sore thumb.  Against very good teams and in playoff games, this current set of pass catchers is going to have to play out of their minds every week if this team wants to succeed on offense and win games.  

Adding to the issues are all of the injuries on the offensive line.  It's causing protection issues for Rodgers and the run game is inconsistent as well.  Both Bryan Bulaga and T.J. Lang missed Thursday's game and center Corey Linsley and left tackle David Bakhtiari both had to come out at one point against the Lions.  It's no secret, every one of those guys are playing hurt.  Josh Sitton, the team's best offensive linemen for years running has also had one of his tougher seasons.  Injuries can't always be controlled, but the Packers are paper thin on the line.  When Bakhtiari went out, Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah promptly blew by Josh Walker and laid a hit on Rodgers that could be heard all the way up in the U.P.  If the Packers are going to get by these last four games with superior results, the line is going to have to come together and somehow avoid more bumps and bruises.  With 10 days off before their next game, I am hoping to see the original starting five back together when they take the field against the Cowboys.

Lastly is the offensive coaching staff.  Tom Clements, Edgar Bennett, Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers.  Who's calling plays?  The answer is: they all are.  Let's not fool ourselves into thinking McCarthy doesn't jump in during games.  Bennett seemingly helps game plan, as an offensive coordinator would.  Clements is labeled the play caller but we still don't know to what extent.  What I do know is that in week 13, for an offense to be so predictable at times is pretty deflating when this was a team capable of greatness just a month ago.  They ran the ball more against the Lions and stuck with it longer, but the toss, stretch and sweep runs have got to go.  Have to.  This offense is not good enough for backs to be running east/west.  In the passing game, the slant has reappeared and went for a touchdown to Adams, his first of the season.  While the calls may be predictable at times, I won't say they need to overhaul the scheme.  But with the skill level of the receivers at about a 6 out of 10 right now, they all are having to play their best every week just to make the offense go.  That's a lot to ask.

I'm looking forward to a stress-free Sunday with the Packers having already played and won their game this week.  With a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Vikings would drop out of first place in the NFC North and the Packers would be back in.  At that point, the Packers would control their destiny in the race for a division title and at least one home playoff game.  Right now, that's all we can ask for given how they've played.  And that may be all they need to bring back some of that old magic.