The Green Bay Packers have now lost three games in a row. With the Ravens winning 41–24, the Packers officially have no chance of winning the NFC North. Thanks to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings, however, Green Bay has still qualified for the playoffs.
But what now?
With one game remaining in the regular season, there won’t be much to play for in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings.
First Things First
The Packers need to find a way to get healthy. It feels like every game over the past month, Green Bay has lost players to injury. At some point, the “next man up” mantra falls short. It doesn’t always work like that.
That’s why it’s incredibly important that the Packers view Week 18 as a bye week of sorts. I know it’s not completely possible to sit everyone, but many starters shouldn’t be playing at all.
Green Bay needs to get healthy — and fast. Week 18 won’t matter in the win-loss column. What matters is health.
Packers Defense Needs To Find Its Way
The Packers’ defense needs to find consistency, something that’s been missing ever since Micah Parsons went down in Denver. This has been especially noticeable in the run defense. Green Bay needs to stop the run. I said this a few weeks ago before the first Bears game, and it still hasn’t come to fruition.
The Ravens just rushed for 307 yards against the Packers. Derrick Henry alone ran for 216 yards and four touchdowns. If Green Bay can’t stop the run, they won’t make a deep playoff run — or even win a playoff game, for that matter. They need help along the interior defensive line.
But where is that help going to come from? That remains to be seen.
When the Packers defense had what little success it did against the Ravens, it largely came from run blitzing. Generating pressure with just four defensive linemen disappeared once Micah Parsons went down.
Packers Offense Needs To Score
Honestly, against the Bears last week and the Ravens yesterday, the Packers offense has moved the ball fairly well — at least until they reach the red zone. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Jordan Love or Malik Willis under center; this offense needs to score around 30 points per game to be successful. And that won’t happen unless the red-zone issues are fixed.
Part of the red-zone struggles stems from the lack of a run game. Ever since Josh Jacobs injured his knee, he hasn’t looked the same. The run game also hasn’t been effective since Zach Tom went down with his injury.
All of this circles back to the first point: the Packers need to get healthy. That means resting starters next week against the Vikings.
Season’s Not Over
The season isn’t over, but it’s looking bleak. It just hasn’t been the Packers’ year — too many injuries and too many early inconsistencies. In the Wild Card round, Green Bay will most likely face either the Chicago Bears or the Philadelphia Eagles. My guess is the Bears, but you never really know.
The Packers can beat the Bears, but stringing together four straight wins at this point seems highly improbable.
Still, I refuse to give up hope.
They ain’t dead yet.
As always,
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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