At the beginning of November the death was announced and the autopsy report was available almost everywhere. At the beginning of January, the Packers are still very much alive.
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By massacring the Vikings by a score of 41-17, this team reminded us that they are still to be feared.
It’s amazing how quickly the course of a season can change. At halftime, the Cheeseheads had a record of three wins and six losses.
Sooner than later, the team even had to look to their young quarterback, Jordan Love, to assess him in order to make a decision about his future.
Seven games and five wins later they have a respectable 8-8 record and if they beat the Lions next Sunday they will get their ticket to the playoffs. As simple as that!
And to hell with the idea of handing over the keys to the attack to Love! The problem remains for the Packers that they still don’t have a clear idea of what their 2020 first-round pick is worth, which continues to learn on the bench. Suddenly it’s the least of her worries.
The defense rises
How can the Packers’ striking change of course be explained? The simple answer would be to say that it was Aaron Rodgers who returned to his former glory. However, he is not primarily responsible for this resurrection.
On the Packers’ current four-game winning streak, Rodgers has just four touchdowns and two interceptions. He averaged just 202 yards, including just 159 in the overwhelming victory over the Vikings. It’s the first time in his career that the Packers have won four straight games when he didn’t throw more than one touchdown pass per duel.
Rather, the most surprising part of the Packers’ resurgence is holding the defense, knowing full well that coordinator Joe Barry’s days at Green Bay in November seemed numbered.
As in previous weeks, it was his band that made the difference against the Vikings. The defense actually intercepted three passes from Kirk Cousins in addition to losing the ball once. It’s been two straight weeks since the Packers have caused four turnovers, a first for them since the 2016 season.
In the last four games, the defense has limited the competitor to an average of 17 points.
Jefferson muzzled
So the hero of the game isn’t Rodgers or any of his offensive allies, even though running back Aaron Jones excelled with 111 yards on the ground.
Instead, look to cornerback Jaire Alexander, who used coordinator Barry for much of the game against star receiver Justin Jefferson.
He was just beside himself with rage when he physically interfered with him at the line of scrimmage, throwing him off his lane.
It was quite a contrast to the first game of the season between the two rivals, as Jefferson took advantage of the Packers’ zone coverage to destroy them with 184 yards and two touchdowns. The wide receiver, who was averaging 117 yards per game prior to the duel, was limited to a small 15-yard reception.
According to ESPN, Jaire Alexander has faced Jefferson in 20 of his 31 runs. In that regard, Jefferson was only targeted twice and didn’t catch a pass.
Memories of 2010
Oddly enough, the Packers look more dangerous when their backs are against the wall. In the only year Rodgers led the team to a Super Bowl, the team qualified for the playoffs in 2010 with a 10-6 record as the sixth and last team in the National Conference.
From 2019 to 2021, the Packers had some great seasons and Rodgers was even named the most valuable player two years in a row. However, the disappointments in the playoffs have piled up.
For now, Rodgers remains the leader of the roster, but it’s not all down to his skills. After the funeral, the Packers have nothing left to lose. This is where they can make other teams fear the worst if they slip into the playoffs.
THE WINNERS OF THE WEEK
The venerable quarterback played his best game of the season at the perfect time. His 432 yards and three touchdown passes to Mike Evans (207 yards) propelled the Buccaneers into the playoffs as they won the dismal South Division. When the Brady-Evans tandem makes that noise, it’s dangerous.
1. The Patriots
If the playoffs started today, the Patriots would be there. All is not won for them yet, but just two weeks ago the situation seemed hopeless.
2. The giants
It’s the Giants’ first playoff appearance since 2016. Quarterback Daniel Jones shone with two touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns. He earns a lot of money for his next contract.
3. The 49ers
Their overtime win over the Raiders puts them second in the National Conference ahead of the Vikings. They even have a chance to catch the Eagles in first place next Sunday.
4. The Seahawks
The Seahawks have divested the Jets and currently occupy the last available seat in the National Conference for a playoff berth. They need to beat the Rams next Sunday and hope for a Packers loss to the Lions to sneak into the tournament.
THE LOSERS OF THE WEEK
1.Carson Wentz
The Commanders quarterback was once again ferocious in an environment where his team needed to win to survive. With three interceptions he sank his own. When he sank the Colts in a similar scenario last year. He definitely didn’t deserve a starting role anymore.
2. The Dolphins
Remember when the Dolphins threatened the Bills for No. 1 in the East Division five weeks ago? Five defeats later, it all seems like a distant memory, a moment that never really existed. And yet…
3. The Panthers
The Panthers had the Buccaneers in the wires by 11 points in the fourth quarter. After gaining that cushion, they gained 11 short yards and dropped the ball on their next three offensive sequences.
4. The Jets
The loss to the Seahawks officially eliminated the Jets from the playoffs. It’s a shame considering this team was 7-4 as of December. Good years should follow.
5. The robbers
It’s officially the end of their hopes of making the playoffs, despite a fine performance from quarterback Jarrett Stidham. He’s not happy and announces he’ll be leaving for next year after just one start, but it’s still positive.
5 games of the week
1. First launch for LDT
Quebec guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif made his first start of the season in the Jets’ loss to the Seahawks. Right-back starter Nate Herbig is out with an ankle injury. Duvernay-Tardif returned to the Jets in mid-November and was added to the regular squad three weeks ago. He hadn’t started a game since the end of last season. The loss eliminated the Jets from the playoff race, but the Quebecer can still say his mission has been accomplished in his quest to reclaim his place on the field.
2. Duels of young roosters
The two young quarterbacks of the 49ers and the Raiders, Brock Purdy and Jarrett Stidham, had the opportunity to shine in the duel between the two teams. In the loss, Stidham fumed at his first career start. However, at the worst point in time, he became the victim of a wiretapping operation. In overtime, Stidham got pushed around when Nick Bosa pushed his blocker against the quarterback. His pass was affected and Tashaun Gipson easily recovered the floating ball to put it back 56 yards. The interception paved the way for Robbie Gould’s game-winning field goal for the 49ers.
3. The Eagles stumble again
For the second straight week, the Eagles needed a win to secure home field advantage in the playoffs. They eluded him for the second straight week, this time against the Saints. Trailing 13-10 in the fourth quarter, they tried to get back into the game, but a pass from Gardner Minshew was intercepted by Marshon Lattimore, who galloped into the end zone to give his team a 10-point lead. The Eagles must now beat the Giants next Sunday to reach their goal.
4. Pickett prevails
Another club that refuses to give up the ghost is the Steelers, with three straight wins and five in their last six games. Although rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett didn’t have a great game overall (15 for 28, 168 yards) against the Ravens, he performed when it mattered most. Trailing 13-9, the Steelers regained control and Pickett orchestrated a game-winning push for the second straight week. At the Ravens 10 line, he ran away from the pressure to join Najee Harris in the end zone. The Steelers are still alive for the playoffs.
5. Keisean Nixon flies away
One of the under-the-radar players in the Packers’ turnaround is kick-return specialist Keisean Nixon. Against the Vikings, he scored a touchdown on a 105-yard return. Last week he had a long return of 93 yards against the Dolphins. Curiously, Nixon had never returned a punt at any level, even during his three-year tenure with the Raiders. The cornerback leads the league in return yard average this year and the Packers didn’t give him the role until midseason.