NFC North Title Still in Reach for Packers

Despite poor play and dismal results on the playing field of late the Green Bay Packers playoff aspirations are far from gone.

Despite poor play and dismal results on the playing field of late the Green Bay Packers playoff aspirations are far from gone.

Green Bay Packers fans are not used to witnessing their team losing at Lambeau Field even on an infrequent basis.  In particular it has become a rarity losing to division foes especially after being favored by over nine points each game.  Yet that is exactly what happened as the team lost to the Lions and Bears in back-to-back games in Green Bay. 

Mike McCarthy alluded to Packers fans being spoiled not long ago.  Maybe they are. Or maybe they are just loath to witnessing their team playing bad football.

On a night honoring two of the greatest Packers ever Green Bay rolled over to a rebuilding Chicago Bears team that had no business being on the same field as the Packers.  Yet the Bears were the better team Thanksgiving Day.

Such is the sorry state of Green Bay Packers football these days in Titletown.  The Bears deserved this win more than the Packers.

They made fewer mistakes, turned the ball over less and on this night even had the superior quarterback. The banged-up and talent-starved Bears used what little resources they had to craft a victory because they didn’t shoot themselves in the foot as the Packers did and seemed to have more focus in what they wanted to accomplish.  Their receivers got open to a much greater degree than did the Packers wide outs leaving Jay Cutler outlets that Aaron Rodgers never had at his disposal.  The list goes on.

The exhilaration of a promising showing and meaningful road victory against the first-place Vikings just four days earlier is now a distant memory.

Now what?  Where does this season go with only five games left to make their case for the playoffs?

This is still only a two team race for first place between the Packers and rival Vikings with the reward of hosting a playoff game guaranteed the division winner.

On paper the Vikings have the more difficult path.

The Packers last five opponents are the Lions at Detroit, Cowboys at home, Raiders in Oakland, Cardinals in Arizona and closing out the season at home against the Vikings.  The combined records of those teams is only .500 and only the Cardinals and Vikings have winning records. Challenging games yes but hardly a Murders' Row.

The Vikings six games feature the Falcons in Atlanta, Seahawks at home, Cardinals at Arizona, Bears and the Giants in Minnesota, before closing out against the Packers at Lambeau Field.  Their opponent’s record is .580 with three teams boasting winning records.

Despite their recent poor showings and dismal results the Packers still possess the fourth best record in the NFC - perhaps a testament to just how bad the conference is as opposed to how well the Packers have played.

If the Packers can somehow gain some confidence and plug some holes in their passing game, this team could make some noise in the playoffs.  Granted neither will be an easy task and far from a given.  Time is not on their side and their playoff destiny is not in their own hands.  That belongs to the Vikings.

Yet they wouldn’t have to win out in order to punch their dance card for a home playoff game.  Win three of the four prior to the Vikings game and they would enter the Vikings game with a 10 -5 record.  Should the Vikings win four of their next five (not an easy chore), they would come to Lambeau Field with a one game lead on the Packers at 11 – 4.  That would set the stage for a winner-take-all NFC North ‘title game’ on January 3.  Should the Packers prevail the two teams would be tied at 11 – 5 and the Packers would take the crown on the basis of a 2 – 0 head-to-head record.

In 2010 the Packers were in a similar situation. They were banged up and playing poorly at the midway point of the season.  With a week-13 record of 8-4 and in second place to the NFC North leader Chicago Bears the Packers snuck into the playoffs as sixth and final seeded team. As we all know the Packers made the most of their opportunity that year by bringing home the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Packers fan can have hope and realize that there is a genuine opportunity of claiming the NFC North title for a fifth straight year.  But realistically they will go only as far as their broken passing game takes them and fixing it has proven to be a difficult job. 

Mike McCarthy and his staff face one of the more difficult challenges of their tenure in Green Bay.  In the next five weeks we will see just how good they really are.

 

 

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Comments (84)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
bears suck forever's picture

November 28, 2015 at 02:32 pm

Perhaps 5 running backs and no receivers is the answer.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2015 at 02:48 pm

I forgot how much you suck

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Bearmeat's picture

November 28, 2015 at 02:55 pm

Just ignore him in his self misery, down-vote all his comments, and put on "fan friendly comments" only. I guarantee within 30 minutes of each of his posts, they'll disappear off your screen because he'll have a -4 rating and then you won't have to deal with him anymore.

If I remember correctly, because of overwhelming popular support, this beautiful feature was specifically designed by Behnke to help the site become bovine-free. :)

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NashvilleCheesehead's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:30 pm

Go. Away. Again.

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Bearmeat's picture

November 28, 2015 at 02:48 pm

You said it all Jeff. IF GB can plug the holes in their passing game, they still have everything in front of them. It's going to take the coaches putting the players they have with their current abilities in the position to succeed though, and I'm not sure the coaches are going to/able to do that.

My bet is that this is a mid-tier playoff team by the time it's all said and done. I'd bet they win the division, get the 3rd seed and lose in the divisional round to the Cards. Things to fix for sure, but a complete rebuild on the offensive side won't be necessary. Even though they haven't shown it this year, they have in the past. There's too much talent for the GBP under MM and AR to be so bad on offense.

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ray nichkee's picture

November 28, 2015 at 03:49 pm

I wish I could cyber plug the hole in your cocky prick mouth. You are the little kid on the playground that has no friends and cocks off till you get your ass beat and continues to cock off while getting a beat down.

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WKUPackFan's picture

November 29, 2015 at 06:49 am

Ray - Your post deserves a thousand thumbs up. He's a dickless non-wonder.

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Dan Stodola's picture

November 29, 2015 at 10:20 pm

Maybe we can get cow and mr trump, err tWins together so they aren't pathetic and alone. Solve theit problems so they dont bother us anymore. Can't think of 2 more pathetic people who need each other more!

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NashvilleCheesehead's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:31 pm

Go. Away. Again.

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D Ernesto's picture

November 29, 2015 at 06:50 pm

Ya and lets tell Mike to make our average speed receivers to become faster, get some agility, lose some weight and learn to catch balls that are contended. This is not about holes you have a team of untalented players.
It's not like they have a cold and it goes away.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2015 at 02:50 pm

I won my Super Bowl, bagged an 8 point 200 lb buck. I should have went to the camp Thursday night, instead I watch that dumpster fire at GB.

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TommyG's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:39 pm

Congratulations! We dream about bucks that size here in SOMD.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:53 pm

TY, I was pumped.

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EdsLaces's picture

November 28, 2015 at 03:02 pm

It's easier on your heart if you don't expect a w each week though.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2015 at 03:31 pm

not welcome back asswipe. you suck

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NashvilleCheesehead's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:32 pm

Go. Away. Again.

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cheddarhead's picture

November 29, 2015 at 09:29 am

You know if the receivers we have caught half the balls thrown to them we would b having a different conversation. Not all Rodgers fault. Time for a change, maybe Quarless and Montgomery back might make a difference. Instead Davante club hands. Who knows.

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WKUPackFan's picture

November 29, 2015 at 06:51 am

Learn something about the salary cap. Have one of your retarded kids read it to you.

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ray nichkee's picture

November 28, 2015 at 03:53 pm

Stodola, where the Fuck are you? Please don't tell me you are bi-polar and cow is your other half.

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Dan Stodola's picture

November 29, 2015 at 10:26 pm

I have family visiting since Friday and surgery Tues. Sorry you're mostly on your own till after next wknd. Smack cowpie and mr trump err tWins upside the head in my absence!

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Roadrunner23's picture

November 28, 2015 at 04:21 pm

I have to admit that I have been quite dis-hearted with the Green & Gold, I love the Packers but hate this years version. But all is not lost, I still am expecting this team to cobble together a winning season and a playoff run.
McCarthy has a history of doing this even though things at the moment look bleak.
Hang in there Packer fans, I foresee good things on the horizon.
NostraDANus

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GVPacker's picture

November 28, 2015 at 04:33 pm

Agree with your reference to the 2010 season Jeff. The loss at Tampa Bay which included a blocked punt the OT loss at home to Miami and Washington on the road. Those were some disappointing games and I think most Packer fans were disgusted at the way the season was going just like now. This current crop of players has to get healthy and get their act together and play with some heart! Let's see if Mike McCarthy gan light a fire under their butts and get them motivated!

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NickPerry's picture

November 29, 2015 at 08:30 am

In some ways this FEELs like the 2010 Packers. Lots of injuries, up and down games from Rodgers, the offense never really putting up a lot of points. In 2010 they lost to Atlanta to go 7-4, lost 2 of the next 3 games and won the last 2 to sneak in. The defense is playing well, just not at the level of the 2010 defense. That 2010 team also had Jennings, James Jones only 5 years younger, DD, and Jordy Nelson just starting to become the Jordy we had coming into this season.

Woodsons leadership would be hard to replace, and Philbin was a better OC than either Bennett or Clements. BUT, if Montgomery can get and stay healthy I really believe he can help turn the offense around. Had Monty not been hurt his Senior year at Stanford he'd been picked much higher in the draft, he was THAT good his Junior season. I also like Abby if he can stay on the field. He's an excellent route runner and has great hands, he's just doesn't have much bulk to protect him from hits like he took on the sideline.

Lacys the biggest difference though. The Packers had Jackson and Starks in 2010. Brandon was a good 3rd down back, great at the blitz pickups, but I'll take Lacy and Starks all day long.

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4thand1's picture

November 29, 2015 at 08:16 pm

This team is just like the 2010 team!!! Now put a hole in your head please!

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4thand1's picture

November 29, 2015 at 08:16 pm

This team is just like the 2010 team!!! Now put a hole in your head please!

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ray nichkee's picture

November 29, 2015 at 09:39 pm

You better have somebody help you with that hole just incase you miss. I'm sure you won't have to go far to find help.

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Point-Packer's picture

November 29, 2015 at 10:30 pm

Just put a hole in your head, regardless.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

November 28, 2015 at 05:03 pm

"Mike McCarthy alluded to Packers fans being spoiled not long ago."

If being spoiled means we know that running the same plays over and over when they aren't working is bad coaching then sure, we're spoiled. If spoiled means your sick of 10 yard "off" coverage on 3rd and 5 then sure, spoiled. If being spoiled means we know Nate Palmer keeps making mistakes that show he doesn't understand his responsibilies then sure, we're spoiled. If it also means we get upset when the only passes the "probowl caliber" Adams can catch are in Madden 2015 then sure, we're spoiled.

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Michael David's picture

November 28, 2015 at 05:47 pm

The fact of the matter is that we are 7-4 and everything in front of us. Sure, there are plenty of weaknesses on this team like the ones you described, but pretty much every NFL team has glaring holes. I'd much rather be in our position than the Philadelphia Eagles, who are 4-7, having given up 45 points in back to back games, with a roster full of dead money because their GM signs players who do not perform to their contract. If we look around the league, we should feel lucky about how well our franchise is constructed; even with a few brutal games this year, we are still a team that has consistently been a contender every year, and will have plenty of opportunities to win titles if this year isn't the year to win a championship.

Basically, my point is that as bad as things have looked, it could be alot worse. Unfortunately, way too many fans are calling for the firings of coaches and front office personnel, the same people who have built the consistent winning culture. Don't let a bad stretch of football cloud your judgment on how good this organization is.

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NashvilleCheesehead's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:33 pm

Go. Away. Again.

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TommyG's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:43 pm

Cow, I disagree here. I believe that what we are seeing on the field is a direct result of beating BB once and then losing the way we did to Seattle. I do believe that if we had overcome the Seattle hurdle, New England would've toppled as well. I believe we are seeing that game's hangover; still seeing it. Our packers came into this season expecting to coast through the regular season and get right back to that NFCC.

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WKUPackFan's picture

November 29, 2015 at 06:54 am

Fallacy? That's a fancy word. Who looked it up for you?

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Dan Stodola's picture

November 29, 2015 at 10:33 pm

Damn right Michael David. Anyone calling for firing Thompson and/or McCarthy are idiots!

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Tundraboy's picture

November 28, 2015 at 07:08 pm

Thanks for saying what needed to be said.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:32 pm

I must have missed that MM quote. I completely agree with Jeremy. If it was said clearly, then that lowers my opinion of MM considerably. It is another way of saying that we fans are spoiled because we expect GB to win. If an employee of mine had said that I was spoiled by past good results and that I should find his current work product acceptable, I might have fired him on the spot. Talk about a whiner - no wonder Adams complains to the refs with this example.

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Michael David's picture

November 28, 2015 at 05:51 pm

Corey makes excellent points; as bad as things look, the Packers are in position to turn things around and still be potentially a 3 seed. My expectations for this season have dropped dramatically, but I'll still be watching and hopeful they turn things around. I do believe they have the talent and coaching to make a run if this offense gets itself turned around.

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D Ernesto's picture

November 28, 2015 at 11:14 pm

Your all kind of assuming the Packers can actually play winning football. Have you been watching the games lately or what? Just where is the talent. Passing game is in the tank, pass defense is horrid. That doesn't bode well down the strecth playing winning teams on a roll's

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Michael David's picture

November 29, 2015 at 04:36 am

You are right in that at this point, I really don't know how they will play and my expectations of the next five games will be dramatically lowered because of what they have showed to me in the past five games. But there's nothing wrong with a fan trying to stay positive and having hope that things could turn around, especially with a team that has done it before. I remember in 2009 how our O-line looked atrocious in the first half of the season, and after losing to the Vikings and then the 0-8 Bucs, we went 7-1 on the rest of the season and our O-line started playing better.

Realistically, I seriously doubt we make much of a run at this point this year. But I do believe that if our receivers step up and start playing better, it will fix alot of the problems with our offense.

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WKUPackFan's picture

November 29, 2015 at 06:56 am

We're (I'm) assuming you are as a large of a waste of human life as Cow is.

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TommyG's picture

November 28, 2015 at 05:51 pm

NFC north still within reach is like telling the man, wearing concrete shoes, whose face is only 6 inches from the water's surface, that breath is still within reach... If only he can wait 6 hours for the tide to go back out.

Baring a meltdown from the vikes, we are limping into a wildcard spot. Considering our remaining opponents, it's more like backing in.

We are now in the "mathematical" part of the season. Most of us who also follow bad baseball teams know this game well. 10 games out with 20 games to play. Sure, we are in it, but come on.

Look forward to the Detroit game. Maybe we get one back. If not, enjoy watching and cheering. This isn't our year, Packers fans. Enjoy what remains for what it is. We still get to hype the game, watch the game, and over analyze the results. Enjoy it! But do not for a second pretend we are righting this ship.

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Rossonero's picture

November 28, 2015 at 05:55 pm

Who is Cow, a Bears or vikings fan? Vikings have not done anything since the Favre days and never won a Super Bowl. Bears haven't been to the playoffs in 5 years and haven't won anything since 1985. Not in much of a position to talk.

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TommyG's picture

November 28, 2015 at 06:02 pm

Believe it or not, cow IS a packers fan. He simply represents the unbelievably overly critical side of fandom. He says a lot of what we think, but does so to the extreme. More than anything else he provides the poo poo to our rah rah. He is always there to remind us that no matter how well our team is doing there are always things to fix. I like having cow around. I fact check his statements and in turn become a more educated fan because of it. Though he was dead wrong about Kaep in San Fran. Boy did that guy fall from grace.

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Samson's picture

November 28, 2015 at 06:48 pm

Actually, Cow, your comments over the past few years have never really bothered me. However, your predictions here are a bit too extreme, again. --- You go too far. This place is 98.5% homers. As a result, if you aren't slobbering over how great the Pack are at all times, the homers will pounce on you. (even if you're spot on in many areas)

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2015 at 09:00 pm

If the packers go 8-8 I'll leave for good. Like you on the other hand, will welch and rear your ugly head. Care to make another wager cowpie? Pack wins at least 9 you take a little hike? You never really left anyway. You're so full of shit.

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WKUPackFan's picture

November 29, 2015 at 07:00 am

Better to vent here than to beat your kids like usual. You are following your child porn conviction guidelines, correct? Can't live 1000 feeet within a school or church.

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D Ernesto's picture

November 28, 2015 at 11:09 pm

They have to beat Dallas to get to 8-8. Tough job.

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holmesmd's picture

November 29, 2015 at 07:15 pm

Dallas is horrible

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4thand1's picture

November 29, 2015 at 09:16 pm

You forgot the brilliant owner, you dumb dick.

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TommyG's picture

November 29, 2015 at 01:37 pm

The scores are off, but the picks are not outlandish.

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Rossonero's picture

November 28, 2015 at 06:15 pm

TommyG: Wow. We're all frustrated, but Cow sounds more like a troll than a fan. Doesn't take much thought to find new ways to say the Packers suck. They are going through something we have never seen before, but at 7-4 I'm not giving up just yet.

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TommyG's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:28 pm

Cow and I have had a couple back and forth conversations over the years. He may seem like a troll, but like I said he really just represents the anti-homer; often to the extreme. While I do not agree with many things he says I do enjoy the reality check. Perhaps he is wrong about a statement he makes, but in verifying that statement as false I become a more informed fan. Believe me though, he is a packers fan.

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4thand1's picture

November 29, 2015 at 08:31 am

TG, he gets more responses than anyone and loves it. He feeds off of it and eats it like candy. I know he didn't leave for a year, and I'm sure he was on other sites doing the same shit. I don't believe for a second he stayed away from here. I really don't mind him, if this is therapy for him, so be it. I like helping mentally challenged people.

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holmesmd's picture

November 29, 2015 at 07:18 pm

Giving up on your team at 7-4 with 5 games left is weak and lame. Looking to the draft with 5 games to go is the behavior of a quitter. I'm glad the team & the staff don't think like that. I'm under no delusion that this team is playing well right now but I have more character than to give up on them just to save myself from disappointment.

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4thand1's picture

November 29, 2015 at 09:17 pm

like the viqueen game?

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Samson's picture

November 28, 2015 at 06:34 pm

The Pack were pretty much assured of some kind of playoff spot when they started out 6-0. It's hard to NOT make the playoffs with that kind of start. --- However, it's hard to have much confidence in this team once the playoffs start. -- Not enough play makers on either side of the ball. --- I'm not sure AR can carry this team all by himself. ---Plus, MM and his cronies are too average to make a difference.

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stormin's picture

November 28, 2015 at 07:32 pm

First and goal to goal and they can't hit the winning TD ! Packers do not deserve to go to play offs and embarrass us again. The only good moment Thurs. night was seeing Bart Starr, he was the QB when as a kid I started loving the Pack!

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:28 pm

This talk about playoffs. We're 1-4 in the last 5, 2 losses within the division, at home to teams we don't lose to at home. The offense is inept. At this rate we'll be lucky to win 9 games, and I have come to terms with that, maybe picking 11-20 we can land a difference making TE or ILB... maybe. But this team, as I type this... is bad. The D is respectable given the O can't do shit... but oh, that O. Our QB isn't QB'ing, our WR aren't WR'ing, our O-line isn't O-line'ing... you get it. I don't know why, but boy... do we suck right now.

Cow, why are you here? Are you not a - dork in your mom's basement - of your word? You leave, you no come back. Go on now... git!

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EdsLaces's picture

November 28, 2015 at 10:29 pm

We need that play making TE or mlb so freakin bad.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 29, 2015 at 03:43 am

*and, not or.

I totally agree.

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Michael David's picture

November 29, 2015 at 04:42 am

I actually disagree that this is a 'bad team'. When you look at it, there's really only one facet to our team that is bad--our passing game. Obviously, that's a huge part of our identity, which is why we LOOK so bad right now, but in reality, our defense has been good and keeping us in games, our running game and blocking have improved; it really comes down to the receivers not stepping up and making it extremely hard for Rodgers. Not sure if that's getting fixed, because we all overrated the talent of this receiving corps apparently, but if for some reason it does get fixed, this team will start winning games again, because every other part of this team is playing pretty well.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 29, 2015 at 11:11 am

D has looked pretty good the last 3, but who knows, that can change really quick with this D. We were 2nd in total sacks through 6 games and then inexplicably hit a three game stretch without a single one. During that stretch they hemoraged yards, career day for Rivers and made Peyton look 27. What I'm trying to say is, we can't count on this D week in and week out.

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Iain's picture

November 30, 2015 at 06:55 am

You know Ted won't pick a TE or ILB in Round 1

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 28, 2015 at 08:54 pm

Unless I am mistaken, GB still controls its own destiny. If GB wins all of its remaining games, it will be the division winner and get into the playoffs no matter what any other team does. Note that that would mean the MN loses its last game against us since I am positing that GB wins its remaining 5 games. I think that is a factual error in the article.

I think that GBś running game is good enough that we need only patch our passing game to get into the playoffs. I would agree that to win some playoff games, we need to fix the passing game.

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D Ernesto's picture

November 28, 2015 at 11:06 pm

Hell I question whether they can even give Dallas a good game down the road. Its iffy.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 29, 2015 at 12:33 am

I caught that too, and you're right. I almost mentioned it, but since there's zero chance of this squad winning out, I didn't waste my time. I'm not a pessimistic guy, I usually find the silver lining... this offense is fundamentally broken, it's time to come to terms that this ain't our year.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 29, 2015 at 03:20 am

I just pointed it out as a factual error, and did not mean to imply that I think GB will win all of their remaining 5 games. I hope we do, but I do not think it is a realistic expectation at this point. However, I do not think MN is likely to win out either. I do think MN could go 3-3 and GB could go 3-2 or better. At any rate, I'd like to see if the OL can get healthy, and to see GB play with Janis and a healthy Montgomery and Abby before I write off the season.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 29, 2015 at 03:40 am

Gotchya.

"I'd like to see if the OL can get healthy, and to see GB play with Janis and a healthy Montgomery and Abby before I write off the season."

Me too... me too. OL, Abby and Ty... man would that be nice to have them all available at once. If Ty and Abby were active the last 3 weeks, i really think we're 3-0 instead of 1-2, we just needed a few plays, i think they could've put us over.

Janis, I'm done talking / thinking about him. For whatever reason he just isn't on the field for the O... inept and sparkless as it's been, he gets few snaps. He must really blow at practice... can't think of any other reason they won't at least try him when nothing else is working. He could run all go-routes for all i care...

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

November 29, 2015 at 06:21 am

Just noticed that I (like Stroh) hadn't posted since my bovine buddy returned. Didn't want anyone to think I was the prodigal cow. I'm admittedly way too much of a homer to even think the thoughts he thinks.

Without any rational basis for this belief, I think the Packers right the ship on Thursday, beat the Cowboys and Raiders, and then spank the Queens at the end. But probability-wise 11-5 is about as likely as 9-7. It all depends on if the collective hearts on the team can have a Grinch-like transformation.

I want to see bursting square thingies around their hearts as they claw their way out of this morass.

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nygary's picture

November 29, 2015 at 09:49 am

WHERE ARE ALL THE TT LOVERS TODAY. HES SO HEAD STRONG TO NOT USE FREE AGENCY IT KILLS ME.

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4thand1's picture

November 29, 2015 at 08:37 am

That is his biggest flaw, not using FA especially when they have the money to do it. Vernon Davis would have been cheap to get, the kind of deal TT likes. One or two good years from him could have made a huge difference.

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IcemanBT's picture

November 29, 2015 at 08:34 am

at this point i tend to think it is a coaching issue more than a player issue. this far into the season and they still have problems with execution? that is on the coaches. it is time to change the game plans to fit the players that you have - not try to make the players do what they can't......see : nate palmer ! and i don't know what McCarthy is doing during games now that he is not the play caller, shouldn't he have more time to actually manage the game? like watching the play clock, or have someone watch the play clock? too many times we have wasted time outs because the clock was about to expire. the team right now looks flat in too many games at the beginning, again that is on the coaching staff to make sure this team is ready to play. maybe the changes in staff from last year to this year are a bigger problem than the lack of play makers? would just like to see them play competitively from the start to the finish and see what happens.

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D Ernesto's picture

November 29, 2015 at 06:59 pm

Jimmy Johnson was recently asked, 'what does a great coach get with so so players?'. His answer, a coach with a lot of losses. The other thing I heard him say at another time, you can't coach speed, you have to draft it.

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4thand1's picture

November 29, 2015 at 08:51 am

What gets me is MM putting all the money on AR. Remember when they won it all in 2010/2011? He said "I have a championship QB and I'm going to ride him". It's exactly what he's doing now, only they don't have the receivers to do it.

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packersbrewers's picture

November 29, 2015 at 08:45 pm

We weren't going to avoid paying Rodgers. To me that isn't the issue. I would expect the MVP QB to be able to raise the level of play of his receivers.

Rodgers has played games without Nelson and with a very similar set of receivers and done fine. He's survived without a running game. We know he's capable, but there is more to the offensive issues than paying Rodgers and having no money for star receivers. We know Cobb is better then he's playing. I don't think Adams is half as inept as he seems. Jones has shown he can put up 100 yard games.

I don't know exactly what the issue is (confidence, scheme, play calling, not buying into the coaches, lack of preparation???....) but I don't think it is as easy as adding one star receiver. This offense is a mess. I can't seen even adding Jordy Nelson to it would improve it greatly. It's deeper then that.

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4thand1's picture

November 29, 2015 at 09:19 pm

I didn't mean paying Rodgers, I meant expecting him to do it all.

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Since'61's picture

November 29, 2015 at 09:46 am

The Packers defense is playing well enough to win, however they are not good enough to carry the team. Therefore the offense needs to reduce and/or eliminate their mental mistakes and get healthy. The return of Ty Montgomery is our best hope for getting this offense going again. Hopefully he will be back for the Dallas game. Our run game has been very good the last 2 games and we need to capitalize on it. As for our receivers, the reality is that Jones and Adams are not very good and we have been playing without a TE for all intents and purposes. It's possible that the return of Quarless will improve the level of our TE play. In the losses to the Lions and Bears we were just one or two plays from victory in both games. The returns of TY and Q, plus effective use of the running game could make those missing plays happen. Also, I would use Janis to stretch the field, at this point I don't see how it could hurt and it may open things up for Cobb and Ty, when he returns, and it may help to open things up for the ground game. I don't know if this team will be ready for the Lions, on the road, and they are a hot team right now. However, unlike many here, I will not give up on any game until it's played and I won't give up on this team as long as Aaron Rodgers is standing. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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Since'61's picture

November 29, 2015 at 12:05 pm

Cow - as fans we can choose to be either positive or negative about how we think about our team. You have chosen to be negative, down on the team and giving up on the season. That's fine, you are entitled to your choice and to be critical of the team. They have earned some of that criticism due to their losses to the Lions and Bears. I have chosen to remain positive about this Packers season. My post did not say that the return of Ty and Q will fix everything, but I did say it could help, combined with using Janis, at least some of the time, and by saying with running game when it is working as it has the last 2 games. I am looking/hoping for solutions for the offense rather than writing off the team and the season. If I felt as you do, in all honesty, I could see no point in following the team for the rest of the season. I'm not sure if anything I have posted will even happen or work, or if the Packers will win another game, but I know there may be some answers even if they are different from what I am suggesting. I've seen enough sports to know that your never as good as you look when you're winning and you're never as bad as you look when you're losing. I also know that one play can turn a game or a season around. In the end you may be right about the season, but this team has been resilient in the past, ( 2010 and 2013 in particular) and as I said in my post, as long as A. Rodgers is standing I will remain positive and believe that we have a chance. Thanks, Since '61

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Since'61's picture

November 29, 2015 at 04:07 pm

I think that we will see some fresh looks from the offense when Ty gets back. Maybe a few with Q as well.
As for Rodgers, he has not played well over the last 4-5 games, but his receivers have dropped 23 passes during that span which is the worst in the league since the Packers bye week. Not an excuse just a fact. Since the 2010 SB run through the first 6 games of this season Rodgers has played the QB position at least as well if not better than anyone who has ever played the position. Even this season, his 4 interceptions should be zero. One was tipped, one hit the ground, the third he was hit as he threw and the 4th his receiver failed to get the spot. None were because of a misread or a poor decision. He is still our best chance for winning, even without quality weapons at his disposal and still the best player on the field for either team. I'm sticking with Rodgers and would rather have him than any other QB in the league. Thanks, Since '61

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Tundraboy's picture

November 29, 2015 at 12:00 pm

Thanks Since 61. Finally a sensible outlook. Let's hope Detroit reverts to form as well. GO PACK GO

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nygary's picture

November 29, 2015 at 09:47 am

4TH AND 1 YOUR EXACTLY RIGHT VERNON DAVIS WOULD HAVE BEEN HUGE. WHEN JORDY WENT DOWN HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AGGRESSIVE TO GET HELP.

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Rossonero's picture

November 29, 2015 at 07:53 pm

What I want is for the WR coaching duties to be taken away from Alex van Pelt. He's in over his head. Plus, if he can't coach up the starting receivers, what is supposed to make us believe he can coach and develop the young receivers like Janis and Montgomery?

Van Pelt has never coached wide receivers anywhere else in his career until now. Makes you wonder about the impact not just this season, but next season and beyond too.

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4thand1's picture

November 29, 2015 at 08:27 pm

E. Bennett did a lot better job, then got promoted. But still, MM is supposed to overseeing everything. Every time they drop a ball, the whole team should be allowed to kick em in their balls. Spice it up a little. They'd be a lot of high pitched receivers.

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Lphill's picture

November 29, 2015 at 09:29 pm

It's over friends , wasted season , Thompson brought in no help at linebacker, tight end or receiver, l wish everyone a great holiday season and I look forward to the draft maybe we will get an inside linebacker , TE and receiver. Goodbye to all !

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nygary's picture

November 30, 2015 at 10:24 am

IT SUCKS TO SEE THIS YEAR GO BYE LIKE THIS. I HOPE TT TAKES A MORE AGGRESSIVE APPROACH WITH FREE AGENCY IN THE OFF SEASON, BUT I DOUBT IT. HE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE JUST LIKE THE PLAYERS. ALL PERFORMANCE BASED. BUT HE WILL SKATE WITHOUT A WORD BEING SAID. GREAT HOLIDAY TO ALL.

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