It's November and the Packers Are Healthy

Short and sweet this week: the Packers are healthy.  It's almost as if Jamaal Williams is saying "Hallelujah!"

How long has it be since we could say that in mid-November?  The bugaboo surrounding NFL teams at this point is dealing with the attrition of another season.  It's the nature of the beast.

As the Packers rest up and prepare to head west to take on the San Francisco 49ers, they're in a favorable position while the 9ers are dealing with some key bumps and bruises.  Defensive end Ronald Blair, running back Matt Breida, receiver Emmanuel Sanders, tight end George Kittle and left tackle Joe Staley are among the key injuries San Francisco is dealing with.

It can all change in a second, of course, but to have a team rested and hopefully primed to make a strong run at a key playoff spot is a sight for sore eyes.  It will have been nearly three years since the Packers' last playoff game by the time they're able to play one this season.

Staying healthy is key, but depth is also important.  During the 2010 season, the Packers got high-level production from guys filling in for the injured: Desmond Bishop, Tom Crabtree and James Starks, to name a few.  This season, the Packers are getting some of that from the likes of Allen Lazard, Elgton Jenkins (who are both key starters now), Chandon Sullivan, Will Redmond, and Ibraheim Campbell, back to fill in for Raven Greene.

Green Bay plays four of their last six games on the road, for whatever that might mean for health.  It's far from a given that they can get to January with a full roster of preferred starters, but for now, lady luck has shone on this Packers team.  

In a very competitive NFC race, any advantage is huge.  The Packers are battling with the 49ers, Seahawks, Saints, Vikings and Eagles for a top seed and another bye week before playoff football starts.  Having to go to Seattle, New Orleans or Philadelphia isn't preferred.  

For now, it's all hands on deck for a big Sunday Night showdown with the 49ers, one in which the Packers are in a prime spot to take over the NFC's top seed.

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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

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Comments (10)

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Leatherhead's picture

November 13, 2019 at 01:21 pm

Does anybody think the good health is connected to the training camp changes?

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CJ Bauckham's picture

November 13, 2019 at 01:53 pm

I'm sure it's coincidence.. but it definitely is eyebrow raising. New strength and conditioning head coach this year, too. I've barely even heard the words "pulled hamstring" this season

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Packattack29's picture

November 13, 2019 at 04:47 pm

After seeing what happened last year with the Warriors when they didn’t want to pay Chelsea Lane, I absolutely think a new strength/conditioning coach could dramatically change things either way. Probably a bit of good luck too though for the Packers.

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4thand1's picture

November 13, 2019 at 05:19 pm

You had to say hamstring

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dobber's picture

November 13, 2019 at 02:25 pm

<<Knocks on wood>>

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Lare's picture

November 13, 2019 at 02:45 pm

There's no way to prevent contact injuries, they're going to happen if a player is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As to soft tissue injuries (hamstrings, groins, etc.) the Packers still seem to get their fair share of them, but it doesn't seem like it's as many as in previous years or that they're lasting as long. Maybe Gizzi is doing something different than Lovat.

<<Knock on wood>>

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Dzehren's picture

November 13, 2019 at 04:38 pm

Our health and defensive turnovers are similar to the 2018 Bears. Crosby won’t miss when it counts.

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canadapacker's picture

November 13, 2019 at 04:43 pm

Just rewatched the game again. This time I focused at the snap on Martinez - he wont get injured - he runs away from contact and never gets into the pile. Most of his tackles are after other players have initiated it or are from the side downfield. I dont know what he is looking at but it is easy to see why he is ranked so low. We definitely need help or an improvement in his play. Our D would be so much better with a beast at middle linebacker.

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splitpea1's picture

November 13, 2019 at 08:04 pm

Hey, there should be an honorable mention for Kevin King here!

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Tundraboy's picture

November 14, 2019 at 12:57 pm

oops didn't even want to click the article but now that I'm here. Knock.

Shssssssh.

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