Cheese Curds, 12/2: Packers’ win over Giants fails to generate much optimism

The Green Bay Packers won on Sunday. That’s good!

Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdowns, the defense got three interceptions, and the Packers won by three possessions on the road. Normally, that would be cause for celebration.

However, because the opponents were the lowly New York Giants and because the game was close well into the third quarter, there are plenty of stories on this Victory Monday criticizing the way the Packers won. And while most of those criticisms are fair, it’s worth remembering that the green and gold remain 9-3, a half-game up on the Vikings for the division lead, and in position to compete for a first-round bye.

This does not mean that the persistent issues that have affected the Packers in recent weeks can simply be glossed over. There remain questions about who this team is and just how they will respond under adversity. But for now, they did what they were supposed to against a bad team — beat them by multiple scores — and still have everything in front of them.

It’s not such a bad feeling, is it?

Packers get feel-good victory but are missing offensive identity | Packersnews.com
The Giants came into the game with a bad pass defense (27th in DVOA) and a decent run defense (14th). But they bottled up Aaron Jones and, for most of the game, Jamaal Williams while the Packers struggled to really engage that facet of the offense.

Packers, Aaron Rodgers take too long to put away hapless Giants - ESPN
There's a lot of gloom in the media room this week after an 18-point win. Some of it is warranted, but the Packers still have another very winnable game next week before their stretch of NFC North games to close out the year.

5 takeaways from Packers’ 31-13 victory over Giants | Packers Wire
Aaron Rodgers' aggressiveness comes out when he has a free play, and when it does he is nearly unstoppable. So why can't he bring himself to make some more aggressive throws in other situations? Being unafraid to take a calculated chance here and there may be a key to making this offense the best version of itself.

With a heavy heart, Mason Crosby comes through for Packers | Packers.com
Crosby had an awful week, as his sister-in-law passed away a few days ago. He came through for the Packers on Sunday with four PATs and a 47-yard field goal in the snow, and has already headed back to Texas to be with his family. Our thoughts are with the entire family this week.

What we learned from Sunday's Week 13 games - NFL.com
The Ravens' win over the 49ers may push San Francisco down into the Wild Card position depending on tonight's Seahawks-Vikings result. Meanwhile, the Patriots suddenly look like a team that is vulnerable, having lost two games to top AFC contenders.

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