Green Bay Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy today took the unusual step of naming playoff captains without the Packers even being in the playoffs. The chosen ones are Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson on offense, Julius Peppers and Morgan Burnett on defense and Randall Cobb and Jarrett Bush on special teams.
Trying to read between lines is hard but the move is reminiscent of McCarthy having his team fitted for Super Bowl rings on the night before facing the Steelers for the championship four years ago. Does he think his team is on the verge of collapse and he needed to light a fire under them? Or does he sense this team has what it takes to win it all and wants them to get in playoff mode right here and now?
Even as good as the Packers have played in the second half of the season, the Packers could go either way. Looking at the NFC playoff picture the only way the Packers can guarantee a ticket to the dance is to win their last two games. Even if they beat Tampa Bay this week they are not assured a spot without help which means they may have a win to get in situation against Detroit December 28.
I think the Packers do have a team that can win it all but a loss of focus the last two weeks could leave them on the outside looking in. McCarthy’s move does amp up the urgency and has quickly changed the feel of a week after an ugly loss. In McCarthy’s mind the playoffs start now.