Green Bay’s playoff run ended last Sunday against Philadelphia after an ugly 22-10 loss. While there was hope that the Packers would finally prove their worth and go on a run, the team looked the same as it had for weeks.
The defense held Green Bay in the game as long as they could. Green Bay made the same mistakes as they have all season. The same mistakes that became their identity. The opening kickoff set the tone for the kind of game the Packers would play as return man Keisean Nixon fumbled. The Eagles would easily capitalize off the immediate turnover and the game was quickly 7-0.
The Packers had a habit of digging themselves a hole against good teams, and that did not change against the Eagles. The Packers were down 10-0 at halftime, finding themselves in another deficit they would have to try to overcome.
The injuries also did not help as the Packers lost both wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed to injuries that knocked them out for the majority of the game.
The offense remained inconsistent, and Jordan Love had arguably his worst game of the season. Love finished the game 20/33 for 212 yards and 3 interceptions. The Packers lone touchdown came from running back Josh Jacobs.
Jacobs said this following the loss, “The thing that hurts the most I feel like, you know, knowing that it’s not going to be the same group of guys in this locker room. Knowing that came in everyday and gave it everything I have so, shit hurt.”
The Packers ended the season on a pretty disappointing note, but I have picked my MVPs for the offense, defense and special teams. Here are the guys that stood out this year.
Offensive MVP
The offensive MVP, in my opinion, was without a doubt Josh Jacobs. The new addition from free agency proved to be a key player in the Packers offense this season and will likely have another big role next season.
Jacobs finished the regular season with 301 carries for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns. Jacobs added 18 carries to his total against Philadelphia, earning 81 yards and a touchdown. A great locker room guy and an impressive player on the field, Jacobs will continue to be a star for the Packers offense next season.
Defensive MVP
The defensive MVP goes to another Packers newcomer this year, as he was also picked up in free agency by Green Bay. The Packers added a solid piece at safety in Xavier McKinney. McKinney was named a first team All Pro.
McKinney started in all 17 games this season for Green Bay. McKinney finished the season with 85 tackles, 11 passes defensed, a fumble recovery and eight interceptions. The Packers have been missing that consistent play at the safety position for years. McKinney is the first Packers safety to earn first team All Pro honors in 24 years.
Special Teams MVP
The Packers entered the season without an answer at kicker until Brandon McManus took over. McManus took over in the middle of October after rookie kicker Brayden Narveson proved to be a liability.
McManus finished the season 30 for 30 on extra points and 20 for 21 on field goals made. McManus was 3 for 3 from 50+ on the season. Another later addition to Green Bay’s squad that proved to be valuable. Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst when asked if he would want McManus back in Green Bay next year, “I would.” Having McManus back next year would grant another year of reliable kicking.
Overall, some may call the Packers season a disappointment, but it is important to remember the Packers were once again the youngest team in the playoffs. The team will enter the 2025 season with spending money and will have a chance to address needs on both sides of the ball.
