The Packers are still very much alive in the playoff race, but two straight losses don’t really sit well with the team.
What a difference two weeks make.
Fast forward two weeks later and the Packers playoff chances have ago down.
All that momentum the team had after their win against the Chicago Bears earlier in the month is gone.
Injuries Mounting
Even more pressing is the fact that the teams depth is being tested.
Last week, the Packers lost Micah Parsons for the season with an ACL injury.
Then during the Packers loss to the Bears, Jordan Love suffered a concussion.
Two of the top players, you couldn’t lose are now injured.
Furthermore, the Packers suffered yet another season ending injury to Tight End John Fitzpatrick.
This leaves the Tight End corps down to one healthy Tight End in Luke Musgrave.
While Malik Willis filled in nicely, the Packers offense struggled in the red zone.
Settling for field goals instead of touchdowns was just something the Packers couldn’t do.
On Defense, the injury to Parsons really affected the Packers against the Bears.
The Packers weren’t able to get a sack on Caleb Williams.
Unlike the first game against the Bears, there was no pressure on Williams.
Still, the Packers defense found a way to hold the Bears offense to 3 field goals until late in the 4th quarter.
Finding a way to win
While injuries were mounting, the Packers somehow found a way to keep the game close.
In fact the Packers held a double digit lead in the fourth quarter, until the flood gates open.
While the loss is a dark note heading into the final two games, there is some positives from this game.
Without Jordan Love, the Packers offense was able to move the ball down the field.
And without Micah Parsons, the Packers defense was still able to find ways to hold Chicago offense.
Granted, it was all before the Packers as a team broke down.
But it is just one loss and while it may sting, it is not the end of the season for the Packers.
Just Win Baby!
Forget the playoff scenarios and what other teams have to do.
All the Packers need to do is just win and find a way to do that.
With two games left, if the Packers win out, they are in the Playoffs.
It won’t be easy though.
This Saturday, Baltimore comes to town.
Like the Packers the Ravens are fighting for their playoff lives as well.
After a loss to the Patriots, the Ravens need to win this game in order to still have hope to win their division.
Furthermore, the Ravens may be without their starting QB Lamar Jackson, but we’ll have to see how to week goes for Jackson.
Having home field advantage will put the edge to the Packers.
But after that the Packers head out on the road to face the Vikings, who are all but eliminated from the playoffs.
The Vikings though have been on a hot streak winning their last two and could look to play spoiler against the Packers.
But remember when I said earlier that the Packers shouldn’t focus on Playoff scenarios?
Well their is a chance that the Packers don’t need to win out at all and could have a playoff spot by the time they play the Raven.
That is if the Vikings defeat Detroit on Christmas Day.
While that would be a great Christmas present for the Packers, I’m sure the focus will be to still win.
Last year the Packers entered the Playoffs on a sour note losing their last two games.
Even if they are the 7th seed, they want momentum heading into the playoffs.
Ether way these two games are games the Packers will want to win, whether or not the Playoffs are on the line or not.
