Somehow, the Green Bay Packers are nonetheless within the playoff hunt.
They misplaced 5 video games in a row at one level this season, and earlier than their win in opposition to the Chicago Bears final week the Pack had misplaced seven of eight. Yet, after a 24-12 Monday Night Football victory in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay might clinch a playoff spot.
Will their season lengthen previous Jan. 8? That is very unlikely. The Packers at the moment have the sixth-best document among the many NFC wild card groups, and their subsequent recreation is in Miami in opposition to the Dolphins. Even in the event that they one way or the other win their subsequent three video games, they nonetheless want loads of assist to again their manner into the playoffs.
If a miracle occurs, nice for the Packers. Maybe not internet hosting a playoff recreation will convey again vibes from the 2010 season and spur Green Bay to a championship. Aaron Rodgers’ skilled, and private, standing has taken a success this 12 months. A championship this season might flip the narrative on Rodgers’ profession to a without end constructive.
At two video games beneath .500, the possibilities for an look within the second season are slim. However, what they’ve proven currently is a group that may be capable to carry Rodgers by the remainder of his contract extension, and probably to championship No. 2 within the close to future.
It wasn’t the Packers’ intent to lose Davante Adams after making Aaron Rodgers the highest-paid participant within the NFL. Unfortunately, for them, arguably the NFL’s greatest extensive receiver not needed to play in northern Wisconsin. He booked for Las Vegas, and left the Packers with a receiving corps that was on the similar time each outdated and unproven.
Per standard, the Packers didn’t spend their greatest NFL draft picks on extensive receivers. Instead, they chose a few perceived initiatives. They are explosive, but in addition not broadly publicized skills — FCS star Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs of the 2021 National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. The athleticism in each was evident, nevertheless it wasn’t seemingly that these rookies would be capable to shortly catch on with an growing older Rodgers. Also, Watson handled accidents through the summer time and the primary half of the common season, stunting his development.
There had been an incredible many struggles in Green Bay’s passing recreation. Also, with the protection underperforming, the Packers’ 2022 season derailed shortly. Even when Doubs’ game-breaking expertise briefly made an look in Week 8 in opposition to the Buffalo Bills, he bought damage the next week.
Two weeks later, Watson’s athletic items lastly went on full show in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys when he averaged 26.75 yards per reception and scored three touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, speedy Watson — who ran a 4.36 40-yard-dash on the mix — has hauled in 4 extra landing passes since.
Against the Rams, Doubs returned from harm, and for the primary time, each extensive receivers would get to expire of the identical huddle whereas displaying important consolation within the offense. In truth, the entire Packers’ prime go catchers had been wholesome final evening, and Doubs and Watson had been the best gamers of that group.
Watson was a second-round choice and Doubs was picked within the fourth spherical. Expecting these two rookies to be Rodgers’ principal targets within the twilight of his profession is a tall job. The Athletic’s Kalyn Kahler reported final week that the longer term Hall of Famer doesn’t formally train his hand alerts to new gamers. Yet, they’re nonetheless quizzed on them the day earlier than video games.
This clandestine operation is meant to maintain info in-house, however in a 12 months during which Rodgers needed to depend on rookie extensive receivers greater than ever earlier than, his being so secretive may be capable to clarify the “mistakes” that he lamented earlier this season. How are new employees presupposed to know what to do, particularly on the fly, if the data is deliberately withheld?
Then once more, possibly it has all labored out. The rookie wideouts look like one of the best of their place group, and likewise authentic playmakers. All the early season strife may result in the Packers again atop the NFC North in 2023.
That after all assumes that Rodgers’ injured thumb on his throwing hand is giving him as a lot bother as his alerts may need brought on Watson and Doubs this season, versus him turning 39 years outdated on Dec. 2.
In order for him to lastly clutch that elusive second Super Bowl trophy, subsequent season they should give the looks of lifelong associates from OTAs by the postseason.