Which Packer Team Will Show Up?

The win over the Detroit Lions in the Miracle in Motown proved just one thing. You never know which Packers team will show up. Will it be the team that played the first 30 minutes of the Lions game or will it be the team that played the second 30 minutes.

 

The 2015 Packers are definitely a flawed team. The offense, of all things, is the problem right now. The line is beat up and even when it was healthy, or relatively healthy, it wasn't opening holes after the first three games. Eddie Lacy is up-and-down. The receivers don't get open and when they do they drop the pass. Aaron Rodgers has not been himself since the first three games missing and overthrowing open receivers when they do get free.

 

Rodgers Has To Be Healthy

The throw at the end of the game seemed to show Rodgers is over his sore shoulder. Let's hope so. If the Packers intend to win the division and make a serious run to the Super Bowl Rodgers has to be at 110%.

 

Lacy Has To Be Back To Lead The Pack Back

It seems Eddie Lacy had a good week of practice and was looking like his explosive self. He was not against the Lions. He was slow to get going and never hit the hole with any momentum. A rejuvenated Lacy is as crucial to the success of the Packers as a healthy Rodgers.

 

Corey Linsley is out, but J.C. Tretter has filled in nicely at center and Linsley was having a bad year any way. Bryan Bulaga might not play and that is a concern because Don Barclay did not have a good game against the Lions. David Bakhtiari did have a good game on the left side and he needs to be good because there is nobody behind him. Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang were having subpar seasons, so a resurgence by those two is also crucial for the stretch run.

 

The tight ends, Richie Rodgers and Justin Perillo, are dong fine, but the wide receivers are a mess. They are still not getting open and the plays being called aren't designed to get 1st downs.

 

I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I think Coach Mike McCarthy needs to resume play calling. McCarthy said he wouldn't do that, but I think he needs to reconsider.

 

The Defense Has To Be In Beast Mode

The defense has not be the problem lately, but it also hasn't been the solution. The pass rush has faded to black and coverage is still a foreign word to the secondary. In general, the defense has to be aggressive and make hits and solid tackles. The trouble with the defense is that when a stop is needed most they don't rise to the occasion.

 

Hopefully The Cowboys Won't Be King Of The Cassel

The stupid loss by the Vikings to the Cardinals has given the Packers a chance to put some distance between them. The Cowboys are also a mess and normally the Packers would punish the Boys Sunday, but who knows if that will happen. The defense has to play well and I have absolutely no confidence they can.

 

So now it time for my prediction. The way my picks have been going lately I will say the Packers will lose this game. Hopefully that will ensure a win when we need it the most. I hope so.