The Packers have a shot!!

[RashanGary]

JH-

To me it all comes down to ST. Our offense is putting up yards and points. The D is not giving up yards and few points. The ST is losing us 100+ yards of field position a game. That has to stop. Too many short fields for the D to cover and too many long fields for the O to drive.

Extra: And stop the penalties!

Yeah, those are the two big issues right now. Can they make progress in those areas this late? The Colts defense, the year they won it, got it together at the very end and held it to the SB. Can we see that type of improvement on ST's and with penalties? Probably not, but there's a shot.

I'd say Red zone offense is also an area where slight to moderate improvement could be made. I'd have no problem risking Rodgers body a little in the post season with more runs. I think he's almost impossible to stop in space with the run/pass option near the redzone.

[bobblehead]

I think this goes to what JH is talking about.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091201/PKR07/91201156/1058/PKR01/Vandermause--Special-teams-must-help

The defense is ranked No. 1 in the NFL, while the offense isn’t far behind at No. 6, and on the strength of those impressive numbers, the Packers are well positioned in the NFC playoff picture with a 7-4 record.

If not for the underachieving special teams, the Packers could be challenging the Minnesota Vikings for the division championship.

Shoddy special teams play was most responsible for the Packers’ loss at Tampa Bay, and contributed greatly to defeats against Cincinnati and the second Minnesota game. If the Packers had turned in merely respectable special teams performances, they could have won any of those games.

How much better would things look if the Packers were 8-3, 9-2, or even 10-1?

What-ifs don’t mean much, but consider how a few botched plays here or there could have elevated the Packers significantly in the standings:

♦ Tampa Bay blocked a punt for one touchdown, and then seized momentum in the fourth quarter on Clifton Smith’s 83-yard kickoff return to set up another touchdown. Take away those two inexcusable special teams lapses and the Packers would have won going away.

♦ Quan Cosby’s 60-yard first-half punt return led to a 6-yard Cincinnati touchdown drive, and his 32-yard second-half punt runback to the Packers’ 29 set up a field goal. Take away those 10 points and the Packers would have claimed a narrow victory over the Bengals.

♦ Percy Harvin returned a kickoff 77 yards to set up one Vikings touchdown at Lambeau Field, then added a 48-yard runback to set up another short touchdown drive. For good measure, a Packers holding penalty on a kickoff return led to bad field position, which forced a punt deep in their territory, which led to a 20-yard Minnesota return, which led to another short Vikings’ touchdown drive. No one can gift-wrap 21 easy points and expect to beat the Vikings.

good post, but I'll stick with my mantra....ST do count. We suck at it, and its a facet of the game. Were we competitive "outside" of ST....sure, but unfortunately you have to play ST, therefore we got beat. Can ST improve to merely bad instead of flat out stinky...I hope so cuz it could push us over the edge.

[Fritz]

I've been drinking and my pregnant girlfriend thinks all the stories in the bible are 100% true (well, that's how it all started).

Religion is integrally tied to emotion rather than logic. Just have to let some of that go in order to keep peace.

Wrong answer: "Just have to let some of that go to keep the peace."

Right answer: Don't marry her!

[Smidgeon]

I've been drinking and my pregnant girlfriend thinks all the stories in the bible are 100% true (well, that's how it all started).

Religion is integrally tied to emotion rather than logic. Just have to let some of that go in order to keep peace.

Wrong answer: "Just have to let some of that go to keep the peace."

Right answer: Don't marry her!

Please take your opinions on this non-football topic to the non-football forum so I don't have to read it.

[mngolf19]

My take is that the Packers absolutely have a shot. And yes could beat the Vikes. But it would take something that I haven't seen from this year's team yet. More pressure from D, better OL, less penalties, better ST.

[Waldo]

My take is that the Packers absolutely have a shot. And yes could beat the Vikes. But it would take something that I haven't seen from this year's team yet. More pressure from D, better OL, less penalties, better ST.

Or Brett Favre playing like typical late season Brett Favre, throwing it to the other team instead of his own and whatnot.

The best way to defend against Brett Favre in the playoffs....let him throw the ball.

[RashanGary]

My take is that the Packers absolutely have a shot. And yes could beat the Vikes. But it would take something that I haven't seen from this year's team yet. More pressure from D, better OL, less penalties, better ST.

The first two, we've shown signs of fixing. The last two? We Packer fans can only hope.

[TennesseePackerBacker]

This defense was destroyed against good offenses earlier in the year and likely will be again. They may make the playoffs but I don't think they're fit to win.

You mean like Dallas?

When we played Dallas their D was clicking better than their O imo. I believe Ware was on a hot streak for sacks.

Like Minne. Absolutely slaughtered. Not nearly as close as the scoreboard reflected due to garbage time.

If you want to crown them, than crown their ass!

Seriously, you and a lot of other people seem to forget the NFL is 17 weeks, and then the slate is wiped clean for the playoffs(Playoffs?!?). This season is by no means over, and no, the only part of our team that got punched in the mouth by Minnesota was the O-line. If we can rectify that problem there is no reason to think the Packers might reach a third meeting with the Vikings. Which history says bodes very well in our favor.

We have 5 games left, and Joe Pesci willing, atleast a playoff game to prove what this team is made of. The Pack have hit their stride of late and are coming off a mini bye-week. We will beat the Ravens on Monday night at home.

[mngolf19]

My take is that the Packers absolutely have a shot. And yes could beat the Vikes. But it would take something that I haven't seen from this year's team yet. More pressure from D, better OL, less penalties, better ST.

Or Brett Favre playing like typical late season Brett Favre, throwing it to the other team instead of his own and whatnot.

The best way to defend against Brett Favre in the playoffs....let him throw the ball.

I'm sure MN and Favre are hoping all teams continue to hope for this.

[MadScientist]

My take is that the Packers absolutely have a shot. And yes could beat the Vikes. But it would take something that I haven't seen from this year's team yet. More pressure from D, better OL, less penalties, better ST.

Or Brett Favre playing like typical late season Brett Favre, throwing it to the other team instead of his own and whatnot.

The best way to defend against Brett Favre in the playoffs....let him throw the ball.

I'm sure MN and Favre are hoping all teams continue to hope for this.

It's a strategy that will work really well if someone would cut the hefty bag off of the dome and force Brett to play outside in January.

[sharpe1027]

It's a strategy that will work really well if someone would cut the hefty bag off of the dome and force Brett to play outside in January.

Or make him play from behind early.

[mngolf19]

It's a strategy that will work really well if someone would cut the hefty bag off of the dome and force Brett to play outside in January.

Or make him play from behind early.

Closest thing will be the game in Chicago on Dec 27 I believe. So we may see then. Otherwise Arizona this wknd and Carolina in a couple are the only outdoor games left. Heck, AZ could still be indoors.

[woodbuck27]

A huge week for the Packers with Baltimore at Lambeau.

Eyes will be on Philly at Atlanta as well.

1 p.m. ET, FOX - Philadelphia at Atlanta

Series leader: The Eagles have won six of the past seven.
Streaks: Philadelphia has a 15-11-1 overall series lead, including the playoffs.

Consider this an early wild-card game. This contest is essential for both teams, and Atlanta goes in without Matt Ryan, and with Michael Turner wounded. The Eagles will be without Brian Westbrook, and likely DeSean Jackson as well. The Falcons are very tough to beat at home, and the Eagles haven't looked like world beaters lately, just finding ways to win games. You have to wonder, with Michael Vick making a return to the place where he became a Pro Bowler, is this the week he takes on a bigger role in the Wildcat? Would make for quite the homecoming. With no Westbrook or Jackson, that is all the more reason to try to get Vick on the field in some capacity, even if it's lined up in the slot or as a back. Look for Asante Samuel to make his mark again, jumping on underneath stuff against a limited quarterback. He could be a big factor.

Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy leads NFC rookies with 528 rushing yards. ...

Eagles CB Asante Samuel has the most interceptions since 2006 (27). ...

Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez has scored a touchdown in four consecutive December games. ...

If the season ended today, the Eagles would have a wild-card spot and the Falcons would be on the outside looking in.

************************************************** ***********

Baltimore at Green Bay Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Series leader: The Packers have won two of the three matchups in the history of the series.


The Pack is back, but this will be a big test. This is another contest neither team can afford to lose, and is a rare out-of-conference game with so much at stake. Both clubs have climbed back into the wild-card scene. Baltimore has three in a row against the NFC North, before finishing at Pittsburgh and Oakland. Losing any more than one of these games does them in. Aaron Rodgers is on a tear, but Baltimore's defense is back to being an elite unit since its bye week. This could be a game where Green Bay's loss of Aaron Kampman and Al Harris is felt. Both Rodgers and Ravens QB Joe Flacco are looking to take steps in the fourth quarter of games, and Ray Rice will end up carrying a significant load for Baltimore. Dude is playing incredible football right now. Ravens RB Ray Rice has at least 100 yards from scrimmage in eight consecutive games.

Baltimore QB Joe Flacco needs two touchdown passes to surpass his rookie total of 14.

... Rodgers has a 102.6 passer rating in 14 career starts at home.

... Green Bay S Nick Collins aims for his third straight game with an interception.

... If the season ended today, the Packers would have a wild-card spot and the Ravens would be on the outside looking in.


GO PACK GO!