Cory's Corner: Keep The Roller Coaster Going
The Packers are on the doorstep of a fourth-straight playoff berth.
This Packers season has been the epitome of a roller coaster.
The ride was ascending nicely as Green Bay got out to a 3-1 record. The Packers then descended like a heavy boulder by losing seven of eight — including an awful 15-9 performance at Detroit in Week 9.
Now the Packers are riding a four game win streak, including dismantling the Vikings last week.
Through all that, there was still a glimmer of hope.
“There was something in there that had hope,” said Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has averaged 202 passing yards during the winning streak. “But a fool’s hope I think.”
And yet, here we are. The Packers are 8-8 and are on the doorstep of a fourth straight playoff appearance.
But this year just seems a little different than two NFC Championship Game losses and an NFC Divisional Playoff defeat. I know, on the surface that sounds silly.
But beating the Lions isn’t automatic. These aren’t the same Lions that make you think of a winless season or years of ineptitude. Even if the Seahawks win, which boxes the Lions out of the playoffs, Detroit is playing for something. A win means the Lions will be over .500 for the first time since 2017.
And that’s why this game is so interesting. The Packers know what they are going after, but this is completely new territory for the Lions. Heck, the Lions haven’t played on Sunday Night Football since Sept. 23, 2018.
This game will be dripping with urgency. The playoffs started for the Packers back on Dec. 4 in Chicago when the winning streak started. The offense has averaged 29 points a game since Week 10, the defense is looking like a defense that is stocked with playmakers and the special teams is, well, special again.
This is different because the starters are playing until the end. You won’t see any notable Packers sitting because they have the division already locked up.
“We’re just a way more confident team,” said Packers wideout Allen Lazard. “We have our identity now. We know what we’re fully capable of. If we just go out there and play our game, play hard for four quarters, we’re more than certain the results will take care of themselves.”
He’s right. The Packers are a running team that sets up the pass. Granted, I would prefer not to run it out of the shotgun, but I don’t want to quibble.
This team has truly proven that a season is very long. A team can change, morph and mutate. There has been so much transformation not just on the field, but off of it as well. As evidenced by Rodgers’ air guitar riffing this past Sunday, this team is having so much fun again.
And that’s why this team is dangerous. Not just because they are talented, but because they have found joy again. The expectations are minimal because nobody thought the Packers would get this far.
But now it’s almost poetic that the Packers have to beat the Lions in order to get in the dance, because nobody has expected anything out of the Lions in a long time.
This might be the only roller coaster that you hope never comes to a stop.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (13)
Savage57
January 07, 2023 at 06:24 am
No one, players or fans, could have hoped events and circumstances played out any more favorably for this team.
Now, standing upon the precipice, it's up to the Packers players and coaches to take advantage of all that good fortune, rise to the moment to seal the deal to make the postseason based solely on their play, not the play of others.
No one knows who or how they might emerge the victors, but It's what teams that are worthy to contend for championships do. They find a way.
We all want a win, but what I want to see as much as a W is a team that demonstrates they belong in the tournament. Convince me you're not going to crush my soul in the wild card game, should you earn the chance to play in one.
PatrickGB
January 07, 2023 at 06:55 am
Actually, Rodgers was playing the Air Bass. It’s the backbone of the band. If Rodgers remains the backbone of the band we win. Stick to the basics. Be a game manager and don’t throw interceptions in the red zone.
LambeauPlain
January 07, 2023 at 07:52 am
Had the Packers defeated the Lions in week nine, they would already be in the playoffs at 9-7 and probably resting starters tomorrow.
In the first meeting, their current strength, the OL, was anything but. But they are playing well now and I think the adage "the game is won in the trenches" will be the story.
Packer OL vs lions DL...advantage Pack.
Packer DL vs lions OL...even.
A few weeks ago, this "even" would have been advantage lions. Now, with Slayton replacing Lowry (the weak link), Reed playing some of his best ball all year, Kenny back to his Pro Bowl form, and flashes from rookie Wyatt...this is trench warfare I am looking forward to.
Guam
January 07, 2023 at 08:53 am
I have a little different take LP although I usually strongly agree with your sentiment that "games are won and lost in the trenches".
I think this game turns on Rodgers' performance. He played one of the worst games in his career at Detroit earlier this year and gift wrapped the win for the Lions. The defense played well enough to win (the defense held Detroit to 15 points in Detroit where the Lions have been prolific scorers this season), but the Rodgers lead offense could only manage three field goals. If Rodgers can play to his normal level for this season, the Packers should be okay. If he reverts to "hero ball" or rediscovers the inaccuracy/poor decision making he displayed in the first game with Detroit, the Packers will be done for the year no matter what happens in the trenches.
Packer_Fan
January 07, 2023 at 07:57 am
This year has become a series of adjustments. Adjustments to find the good team. Adjust for the OL to get healthy and finally to start Bak, Jenkins, Myers, Runyan and hopefully Tom. Adjustments for Rodgers and Lafleur to let the run set up the passing. Adjustments to wait for Watson to push the long ball. Adjustments to finally get Nixon to return punts and kickoffs. Adjustments to bench Savage. And Adjustments to use cover 2 and 6 so that the players can be used for their strengths. And just barely in time to make the playoffs.
pantz_bURp
January 07, 2023 at 09:05 am
Ohio Players or Red Hot Chili Peppers?
Go, go, go...one handers...go, go, gooo
*Not a big roller coaster kinda guy,...mark me in the tilt-a-whirl column please...thanks. But, both kinda leave me super nauseous if left on the ride for too long. Kinda like __________. ;)
Bird is the word. Woke up, bright eyed and bushy tailed. I am going to give y'all a big ol' virtual hug.Come here ya one-toothed varmintz. 🙃
I am torn becuz I am a Leo, but also a Packer fan...I have conflicting voices in my head regarding this upcoming game. Oh well, I hope you are brighter after reading my post. At least, that is my goal.
✌️out
And, with every upvote or downvote (no difference with either), you are burning a calorie. Sooo, think of this as mental/physical yoga on this beautiful morning. We got this!
Namaste
After these next few games (🤞), it will be like Paul Harvey talking to us, "Now, you know...the rest of the story".
And, I am not a big statistics kinda guy. I get bored with all the statistics thrown around to validate. Validate, shmalidate... statistics are like a vapor trail from a jet. My eyes are on the jet...it tellz me all I need to know.
Plane and simple...pad level happenz!
croatpackfan
January 07, 2023 at 09:07 am
As it looks now, if Packers win, next game is vs 49ers or Eagles. I doubt Cowboys will win division and Vikings are behind both 49ers and Eagles.
Packers showed they can win over Eagles in regular season game. Yes, they lost, but they were playing with OL that did not gel yet.
If they will playing vs 49ers, it is the time! Time to brake that spell and win that game.
Enough with ifs.
I have no doubts that Lions will play with fire, no matter if Seahawks lose or win their last game. It is chance for them (as Cory stated) to finally reach winning record. And second place in division!
What is interesting is that Lions lost this season almost same number of close games as Vikings won that games. Their 1-6 record at the beginning of the season might be very easy at least 3-3. They won last 7 out of 8 games.
I trully hope ACR will play as part of orchestar, not as solo player just supported by the band. Just like he played last game vs Vikings.
That will be clear path to win the season last game, before play offs.
LeotisHarris
January 07, 2023 at 09:20 am
Regardless of admin dysfunction, the sliding hill, the giant contract and all other woes we choose to wrap ourselves in, it feels good as fan to have a meaningful game to look forward to. A meaningful game that will lead to another week of looking forward to a meaningful game is most welcome when it's below zero outside and the ground is covered with ice. One more, please.
TarynsEyes
January 07, 2023 at 10:07 am
“It feels good as a fan to have a meaningful game to look forward to. A meaningful game that will lead to another week of looking forward to a meaningful game is most welcome when it's below zero outside and the ground is covered with ice. One more, please.”
Sorry to burst your bubble, but this game vs the Lions is the last for any below zero temperature games. Is this a below zero game Sunday? No more home games for the Packers, even with a win. 7th seeds get no home games.
Yesterday, in an article, you stated the past is always changing also. The past cannot change, it can only be interpreted differently to a fit a present narrative or agenda, which isn't changing the past, but lying to the future.
LeotisHarris
January 07, 2023 at 11:32 am
Oh, Taryn. I'll try again, and type slower this time just for you.
Having a meaningful Packer game this time of the year is most welcome because where I live the outside temperatures are below zero and the ground is covered with ice from recent storms. Please forgive me if I find joy and hope in looking forward to watching this team right now. My bubble remains intact.
TarynsEyes
January 07, 2023 at 12:01 pm
Oh, LeotisHarris, your original comment did not make it clear you were referring to outside your abode, but made it easy to think you were talking about next week's game being on the Frozen Tundra.
LeotisHarris
January 07, 2023 at 03:38 pm
I'll take that as high praise since it's comes from someone who deserves to be a 2023 nominee for the Shams Charania Award for Excellence in Divulging of Information Through Syntax Comprehended by Many.
PatrickGB
January 07, 2023 at 01:09 pm
I strongly dislike jumping ahead to possible future games when we have not yet made the playoffs. The Lions are a tough opponent this year. Yet IF the team does make it, then there is the possibility that we could play in Philly. I imagine it would be cold there.