The Green Bay Packers are currently on a ten-day hiatus after losing a close game to the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. And I’m just here to remind you that “there is a lotta ball game left.” Green Bay is currently 9-4 with four games remaining. Out of these four games, the Packers should be favored to win three out of the four.
Matter of fact, the Packers may be able to clinch a playoff spot as soon as next Sunday against the Seahawks. The thing is… well here’s the truth: Green Bay won’t win the North this year. They lost that chance when they lost to the Lions on Thursday.
So yeah, they aren’t playing for that opportunity anymore. The Packers are looking to clinch a playoff spot and maybe look to make sure that they are either the fifth or sixth seed. Just because the Packers are more than likely a wildcard team doesn’t make it impossible for them to still achieve their goals. Matter of fact, in 2010 Green Bay proved that a wildcard-6th seed can win the Super Bowl.
The Green Bay Packers season isn’t over. However, they will need to be playing their best ball heading into the playoffs.
How do the Packers do this?
The Packers are very close. They played the Lions like it was a heavyweight championship match and it really just came down to who was going to have the ball last. And yeah, the Lions might be incrementally better than the Packers right now. But that won’t necessarily stay that way heading into the playoffs.
For Green Bay to have a chance, they have to keep improving. These are some areas in which they can still improve.
Get Healthy
It seems like most people couldn’t help but talk about all of the injuries the Lions had on their defensive line, they but weren’t mentioning all of the injuries the Packers were having to deal with. Green Bay went into Detroit with Edgerrin Cooper, Jaire Alexander, Romeo Doubs, and Corey Ballentine missing the game due to injuries. They then lost their starting rookie safeties in Evan Williams and Javon Bullard. Arguably, the Packers were missing so much more than the Lions were. No excuses, but the Packers need to get healthy.
Offensive Efficiency
The Packers offense needs to continue to improve with its efficiency. It certainly felt like Green Bay was constantly running close to zero on the play clock against the Lions. This was especially true on third down. Green Bay also didn’t get into a rhythm until the second half. They were way too conservative in the first half. Speeding up the process of play calling could go a long way.
Packers Defensive Pressure
Finally, the defense needs to get off the field. To do this, they need to get pressure. Don’t get me wrong, this has improved quite a bit over the past couple of weeks but with the lack of depth at the corner position, the pass rush has to get home. I think that getting some of the young guys more looks could help. Arron Mosby, Brenton Cox Jr., Karl Brooks, and Colby Wooden have added some additional pressure when they have been given opportunities. Green Bay also has to find a way to get pressure with just four rather than blitzing to add pressure.
The Packers Are Getting Close
Green Bay is nearly there. This team has the potential to get where they want to go. The problems from the beginning of the year have drastically been reduced. This season isn’t over with yet. There are a ton of games that still need to be played.
Let’s hope for eight more.
Go Pack Go!
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Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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