NFL Playoff Picture: It's Not Looking Good For The Packers
by Brandon on Dec 13, 2010 12:01 PM CST
in Green Bay Packers Analysis
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PrintLast week, if the Green Bay Packers wanted to win the NFC North, then they could win out and win the division. While both the Bears and the Packers lost on Sunday, it was another NFC divisional loss for the Packers. It was an ugly loss for the Bears, but losing to an AFC team didn't hurt their tiebreakers. Now they are one game behind the Bears overall (9-4 vs. 8-5), and two games behind in divisional games (4-0 vs. 3-2). Tom Silverstein has all the gory details.
With no easy games remaining, and the status of QB Aaron Rodgers questionable, it's tough enough to focus on one game at a time. Now the Bears can almost lock up the NFC North with a win next week against the Vikings since they would have no more than one loss against the NFC North (and the Packers already have two). Otherwise the Packers would need a better overall record, which means the Bears have to lose two of their next three while the Packers win out.
The wild card always remains an option, but there is a lot of competition for those two spots, and the Packers are currently behind for both of them. The Giants have a tough road ahead, but the Saints keep winning and the Buccaneers won't go away. It's almost easier to see them winning the NFC North than winning a wild card spot.
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McCarthy,
not good or smart enough to take things to the next level, but not bad enough to lose his job.
I generally do not listen to those who panic and attack (a player, coach, or GM) after a loss. But after watching the traits and flaws of McCarthy the past few years, I have finally come to a conclusion that he is a few IQ points short of what is needed for excellence.
Another pathetically weak start to a game, left the team without a point on the board when the Pack lost its top RB/QB. A true success-based team does not get beat up by and give life to a loser like Detroit. Lame coaching lost that game.
What the hell does this have to do with the Playoff Picture?
There are PLENTY of McCarthy threads…
by Bush League All Star on Dec 13, 2010 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
What's that Hitler quote?
The one about saying something loud enough and long enough…?
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
I believe it was something to the effect that if you
repeat something often enough, long enough, people will believe even the untrue.
In ‘Common Sense’, Thomas Paine wrote,
Time makes more converts than reason.The same is true of repetition!
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
I'm putting the Packers playoff chances at 10%
First of all, it wouldn’t surprise me if Rodgers is done for the year. I know nothing suggests that, but concussion #2 in one season means extra care on this one.
Second, winning out is the only way, and that doesn’t look likely. I suppose the Patriots could look past their next game, but considering that they clinch home field through the playoffs with a win and Steelers loss, they will probably be extra motivated. There is no way anyone gives the Packers a chance in that game, as the Patriots are better right now in almost every way (passing, rushing, receiving, even their defense is playing better now)
Also, I may be alone in this feeling, but I think there’s a good chance that the NFL sends the Bears-Vikings game next week to Chicago if it can’t be played in the Metrodome. Don’t say it’s impossible, because they’ve done it before (Saints-Giants a few seasons ago when the Superdome was unusable and they didn’t have a plan in place yet).
Basically, the Packers need a miracle right now, and I don’t think it’s going to happen. After this season, I hope the Packers are never overhyped like this before a season again. I would be happy with them being called the worst team in the NFL before the start of every season. This is what comes with high expectations, high disappointment. No expectations = no disappointment.
I'm not the only one thinking that Bears-Vikings may get sent to Chicago
“The Vikings are set to host the Bears on Monday Dec. 20, but no decision has yet been made on the game site. Officials could consider the open-air stadium at the University of Minnesota — which was not able to host the Week 14 game on such short notice — although it has significantly less capacity than the Metrodome. The NFL also may have to consider sending the Vikings on the road to a neutral site — or possibly back to Chicago, where the Bears beat the Vikings on Nov. 14 — for another week.”
...interesting...
Favre would fold like a tent outdoors.
by Curly Lambeau on Dec 13, 2010 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
haha
good one.
Yeah, that titanic collapse is a metaphor waiting for its application.
Apparently it’s an easy fix, though. Like, it happened a bunch of times in the early 80s. But, when I first saw that video, I was like “and so begins the Los Angeles Vikings era.”
by Curly Lambeau on Dec 13, 2010 2:03 PM CST up reply actions
its an easy fix but it takes a few weeks
The only glove he needs is a batting glove. - RWShow on Adam Dunn signing.
That's the advantage to having a roof made a fabric
Of course, you saw the video that had the obvious disadvantage.
I had to watch that video a few times, I wasn’t sure if it was sped up originally.
The thing is
I’m pretty sure that team would have fanatic fan support, well beyond whatever they got in Minnesota. Portland would be a great location for an NFL team, BUT they don’t have a stadium large enough for one…yet.
The largest stadiums in the state of Oregon, by capacity…
Autzen Stadium, Eugene: 54,000
Reser Stadium, Corvallis: 45,674
PGE Park, Portland: 20,000
And you have a drastically decreasing list afterwards. Portland would need a brand new stadium for anyone to play there…
Wisconsin, Big Ten Champions for the first time since 1999...
You'll notice NCAA has no letter for the incompetence within...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Dec 14, 2010 9:04 AM CST up reply actions
The Vikings
would probably have a better chance of getting a brand new stadium built just for them in Portland than in Minneapolis. LmAo.
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
No...
Winning out is nice, but we necessarily don’t have to. The must win games are the Giants and the Bears. THOSE WE MUST WIN TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. Our playoff chances are 41% right now. I believe the Buccaneers are at 33%. Giants, as of right now, are like 66%. They lose and that drops a lot.
by Bush League All Star on Dec 13, 2010 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
We're at a low point, but all's not lost
“It’s not WHO you play, but HOW you play.”
…and we definitely learned the downside of that this week. But, if the Pack get woken up by this wake up call, then anything’s possible.
Also, don’t go putting the Vikings game into the Bears win column just yet. Again, we just saw how any team can win and any team can lose on any given Sunday.
Now, having said all that, it is definitely the case that we stunk up the place yesterday. One of the most un-inspired offensive performances I’ve ever seen. This reminds me of how Bill Parcells used to go to the podium sometimes and say “if we keep playing like we are now, we won’t win another game all year. We’re a BAD football team right now.” I mean, the Packers players have got to be embarrassed right now. You can’t put up 7 points against the Lions?? …jeez.
A half incapacitated Rodgers or fully aware Flynn isn't beating the Pats
I get the “rah rahs” and “keep the faith” comments, but at some point, gotta stop deluding yourself. This team does not have the pieces healthy for a down two games with 3 to go situation.
looks rough
I think everything depends on the Giants game right now. A loss there and the Packers have little to no chance. A win there and against Chicago and we’d only have to worry about Tampa Bay. If Minnesota beats Chicago, then we’d be playing for the division if we win against New York or New England. It’s a tall order, but a bigtime performance against New York isn’t impossible
It depends on who is QBing
And even if Rodgers is in there, he took a week or two to really look right after his last concussion. The mere presence of #12 doesn’t really mean much, he’s gotta be fully healthy in the head. And after concussion #2 I can’t think he’ll be running that much, not at least like he has been in weeks past.
At this point, we need to be playing with Rodgers long term future in mind, not for a chance to go one and done in the post season.
No, I'm not saying rah rah
I’m saying that, if they play well they can beat anybody. You might disagree with that, and that’s fine. But, given our performance yesterday, IF we play well is hardly boosterizing. I mean, that’s one big “if.”
…btw, I actually thought before the season that we’d get swept by the Bears and split with the Lions. That d-line is no joke, man. We all remember Corey Williams, Suh is every bit as good as advertised, and this Avril is good too. …and when they get what’s-his-nuts back next year… Y’know… These are not your grand-daddy’s Lions.
by Curly Lambeau on Dec 13, 2010 1:56 PM CST up reply actions
Well, that's a pretty generic statement
If the Bills play well they can beat anyone too. The issue is the capacity for this team to play well pretty much went down with Rodgers head first dive. I like Flynn but I’m not seeing him solving the Patriots and Giants in such short time.
Yeah, sure, it’s generic. But it’s absolutely the most important thing in football. Remember the ‘07 Giants. We crushed them in week 2, they looked flat most of the year, the vultures were calling dibs on Tom Coughlin’s soft tissue, and then, all of a sudden, they pull together as a team and “figure out” everybody. Football is %100 about giving max effort and playing as a team. Everybody’s got to do their talking with their play.
Now, your example of the Bills is a good point. You need talent too. Do we have the necessary talent? I think we do. It’s debatable (and probably all academic at this point anyway, since we’re certainly not playing that well right now, and haven’t been all year, so…). I don’t know, maybe there’s no chance. But I’m not ready to give up and start thinking about the draft yet.
by Curly Lambeau on Dec 14, 2010 12:38 AM CST up reply actions
Right
Football is %100 about giving max effort and playing as a team. Everybody’s got to do their talking with their play.
And the issue is that it does not look like, save the Cowboys game, that people are giving 100% on the field the entire game. And that I think goes back to MM. And if it doesn’t, then I guess that goes back to talent; if you can play well but can’t get yourself into gameday mentality until the second half then I would knock that against your talent.
Cowboys and 2nd Vikings game
Packers definitely put together a full game both times, as with Buffalo in Week 2.
Wisconsin, Big Ten Champions for the first time since 1999...
You'll notice NCAA has no letter for the incompetence within...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Dec 14, 2010 9:05 AM CST up reply actions
2nd Vikings game was not complete
The team didn’t show up for the 1st quarter. Buffalo we took the 2nd quarter off and let Buffalo back into the game.
I fail to see how letting a team score ONE touchdown counts as letting them back into the game.
The Packers beat Buffalo 34-7, after all…
Wisconsin, Big Ten Champions for the first time since 1999...
You'll notice NCAA has no letter for the incompetence within...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Dec 14, 2010 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
At the time it was 13-0
The Packers had two good drives that all stalled out with the now familiar “3rd and short incomplete pass” and resulted in field goals. Then after the TD we allowed Buffalo to march 80 yards down the field and score a TD with a single completed pass.
Our next drive?
2 yard loss
2 yard gain
False Start
Incomplete
Punt
Our next drive?
4 yard gain
4 yard gain
Incomplete
After two false starts, a punt
The 2nd quarter was abysmal and any other team could’ve taken advantage of those. Buffalo’s two drives were cut short by a holding penalty and an inexplicable punt on 4th and 2 from our 48 with 21 seconds left.
That TD did NOT let Buffalo back into the game.
It merely let the Bills think that they were back in the game.
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
And that
"It’s not WHO you play, but HOW you play."
is WHY they play the games.
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
save Rodgers to play another day
I hope they don’t play Rodgers against the Pats, even if he’s “ready.” Pack won’t beat them anyway and Hoodie will release the dogs to go for Rodger’s head every play. Might as well lose 35-3 as 35-24, and you save Rodgers a 3rd concussion.
by Egbert Souse on Dec 13, 2010 12:48 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
That's a big plus one on that one
Go ahead and give Flynn some experience (and that will be some experience against the Pats), and let Rodgers get as healthy as possible for the last two games. But I agree with Danwood — we absolutely must think about Rodgers long-term health. I just don’t see this team going anywhere in the playoffs, so if there is any doubt I will gladly accept sitting Rodgers for the rest of the season.
Dont play Rodgers.....
Our playoff picture doesnt hinge on this game…..it is sitting on the shoulders of the ol’ gun slinger….maybe he will forgive us, beat ths
by SpaceGhost34 on Dec 17, 2010 8:22 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Dont play Rodgers.....
Our playoff picture doesnt hinge on this game…..it is sitting on the shoulders of the ol’ gun slinger….maybe he will forgive us, beat the Bears, then we forgive him, setting the stage for us to kick the front door in last week of the year….if we beat new york that is next week….so lets bench rodgers this week and see how the cards lie next sunday…?
by SpaceGhost34 on Dec 17, 2010 8:24 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
These are not the words I want to hear. NEVER GIVE UP!!!!
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
by Jabooty on Dec 13, 2010 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Plus 1,[followed by however many zeros are in a google]!!!
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
Play-Offs??? Nope
I’d pretty much be willing to bet my last nickel that the Packers will NOT make the play-offs this year and the reason is simple…they’ve lost games to teams they should have beat and that usually spells doom for any organization.
It’s sad that the Packer Nation has taken solace this season in the fact the Pack has lost their games by close margins…an old coach of mine put it best when he said “good teams win close games…not lose em”
Oh and P.S.
McCarthy and the entire coaching staff except for Edgar Bennett and Dom Capers has to go after this season ends…with either Capers or Jon Gruden being named as the next head-coach.
Does anyone besides me believe that Gruden is just waiting in the wings, biding his time until the Packer’s job opens? He’d be my choice, and I’d just love to see him as Head Coach…believing that he could and would get the most out of the talent the Packers have.
Um... Kevin Greene?
He’s been a great LB coach, afaic.
I really don’t think this is a coaching issue. Try coaching a team with this many significant injuries into at the very least playoff contention this late in the season.
I don’t think McCarthy’s play calling was great this last game, but to let him go on account of a couple of bad games is nonsense.
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
by AdamA on Dec 13, 2010 3:46 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Don't forget about Mike Trgovac
He’s done a great job with our D-line.
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
cosign
I may be critical of some calls here and there, but I think this coaching staff is one of the best in the NFL, particularly on defense. Barring a couple of consecutive sub .400 seasons, I think this unit should stay as long as they’d like.
All I want to see is some confidence in a running game and the O-line coaching to accomodate it and maybe some greater consideration for in-week player health. I totally appreciate the talent and creativity of those involved in the passing game, but without a running game… well, we see for ourselves what that’s like.
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
'Nonsense'
was an excellent choice of words for that scenario.
Rec’d!
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
Terrible Idea
1. Dom Capers has already proved to be an amazing Defensive Coordinator, but a not so good Head Coach. Plus moving him to HC ends any chance of continuity of him staying here like Lebeau does in Pittsburgh.
2. Nobody has ever gone on to win 2 Superbowls with 2 teams, so I highly doubt Gruden will overcome the odds in history to do it. Especially since he took Dungy’s team and beat a team he’s all too familiar with in the Superbowl. In addtiion, I highly doubt he’s interested after rejecting that huge offer the University of Miami gave him.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
I don’t think Jon Gruden is better than McCarthy. Gruden won with Tony Dungy’s team, and then the Bucs got worse every year he was there until he was fired.
…he’s also a moron in the broadcast booth. He bungles the english language to an almost Emmitt Smith level. Really emotive facial expressions can only take a guy so far.
by Curly Lambeau on Dec 14, 2010 12:42 AM CST up reply actions
As disgusting as it may be...
We may have to be viqueen fans tonight. The Giants are 6-2 in the conference, w/ 3 NFC games left after (vs PHI, @ GB, @ WAS). With some help, they may have the same conference record as the Packers (6-4) going into that week 16 matchup at Lambeau.
'TAAAAAAANNNK!!!' - Any of Francis, Louis, Bill, or Zoey
We have to be Viking fans the next 2 weeks
God, I never thought I’d root for Brett Favre again too. The Vikings need to beat the Giants and the Bears. There is one thing on our side: The Vikings do have the Giants number, much like how we have the 49ers number. If they beat the Giants, we are back in the Wild Card race.
If the Vikes beat the Bears, then we are back in contention to win the NFC North. It aint over yet, but we need to win and we need the Vikes to win. Go Pack and Go Vikes!!!
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Go Packers
I refuse to say the second half of that, however :P
'TAAAAAAANNNK!!!' - Any of Francis, Louis, Bill, or Zoey
I've decided to root for... wait for it
The TAVARIS JACKSON LEAD VIKINGS.
I hope Favre either ends the streak or the Giants take him out of the game and T-jack gets to play.
Rooting for the Vikings makes me feel dirty… but them doing it w/ Tavaris instead of Brett makes me feel a little better
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Dec 13, 2010 5:15 PM CST up reply actions
I didn't view it as rooting for the Vikings.
Rather, I was rooting against the Giants.
Not necessarily synonymous, IMO.
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
conference record doesn't mean squat
when you face the team. The only conference record we need to be concerned with is Tampa Bay’s.
Can we say...
Let’s go Vikings? It might be easier now for Favre haters since he is calling it a day.
Let’s face it, The Vikings hold a big key to our playoff door. If they win one of the next two games, we can afford to lose next week AND still make the playoffs.
Tonight and next Monday night, I’m rooting for the Minnesota Vikings of Detroit with all my heart.
by Rodgers_for_MVP on Dec 13, 2010 5:53 PM CST reply actions
lol @ farve haters
Now that reality has set in for Minnesota, they can start helping us out by winning ballgames.
'TAAAAAAANNNK!!!' - Any of Francis, Louis, Bill, or Zoey
I don't think Favre's a saint
but it’s clear: there’s a huge dropoff in ability between Favre and Jackson, even when Favre’s all battered and old. The man makes bad decisions and throws too many interceptions, but unlike Jackson, he makes great throws and moves the ball to make up for it somewhat.
I'd call that a wash
21 picks + 5 fumbles? That goes beyond awful. And of course Jackson is going to look worse, he’s spent 13 weeks holding a clipboard.If they let him play some damn football, they’d see what they have (whatever that may be).
'TAAAAAAANNNK!!!' - Any of Francis, Louis, Bill, or Zoey
I am not too optimistic about the playoffs...
but a Viking upset of the Bears will change my feelings. Ultimately this week is a loss for us in my book, Rodgers or not. The patriots are just too hot right now, we are getting them at the wrong time. That doesn’t mean we couldn’t ever beat them but they are just playing at such a high level RIGHT NOW that I don’t see how we topple them. This will be a true test of our D…I hope we can hold them to like 20 pts.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
Again,
it is why they play the games!
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
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