The Green Bay Packers are 10-0 and are almost assured of making the playoffs, but coming off less than stellar performances two of the last three weeks one has to wonder if they maybe peaked a little too early this year. The Packers now face a tough two-game road trip that will surely shed more light on the subject.
The Packers have a huge game at Detroit and follow that with a trip to play the Giants in the Big Apple. While the Giants didn’t look very good last night, it is still a tough trip. Thursday’s game has all the makings of a 63-60 college-like game. The Lions’ defense is better but the Packers’ offense is better. Last team with the ball probably wins.
The Packers did not play very well at all yesterday against an inspired Tampa Bay team that was determined to upset the defending champions. Only the Bucs own mistakes prevented that from happening. The two areas of concern of late are the usual defense and now an offensive line that can’t pass block. MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers is getting killed back there and is being forced to scramble way more than he should. He took a helmet-to-helmet hit yesterday that could have ended his season.
I’m amazed that Dom Capers hasn’t been able to adjust his defense like he has in previous years. Are the players simply not playing as well? I just don’t get it. Same thing for the offensive line, which was shaky earlier, settled down for a while, and now is a sieve. Josh Sitton has turned into a penalty machine, Chad Clifton is out with an injury, there is a first time starter at left guard. Maybe it’s a combination of all of those things. Not even trying to establish a running game doesn’t help either.
The Packers, especially Rodgers, met the press after the game yesterday in a somber mood. I think they know they dodged a bullet, which also tells me I think they were looking ahead to the Lions’ game. If that is the case I would expect the Packers to play much better on Thursday.
I don’t think the Packers will go 16-0, so winning a game ugly won’t be the low point of the season. How the Packers respond to the loss will be the telling point. Did they let one loss turn into two or did they use it as motivation to start another late season Super Bowl run?
I am almost, and I emphasize almost, to the point where I think a loss might not be the worst thing in the world. I’d hate to see it but it has been a loss that turned around each of the past two years. First an embarrassment inTampa in 2009 and then a moral victory in a loss at New England last year. Of course it’s not like the Packers are that terribly much in need of a turnaround, but the fact is they have to play better than they have the last few weeks to win games in the playoffs.
I still think the Giants are the best bet to break the streak. Like the Lions, they have a dominant defensive front that can put pressure on Rodgers. Two weeks in row facing that kind of pressure is going to be tough.
I do expect the Packers to play better Thursday in Detroit. Will it be enough against the suddenly resurgent Lions? Good question. Can’t wait to find out.