Packers have lots of work to do before Playoffs begin
The Green Bay Packers were cruising along against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16. Until they weren’t. Then, a game that Green Bay controlled for most of the afternoon became far too close and required a last-minute stop to avoid an upset loss at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay has rolled to the best record in the NFL at 12-3 and are in prime position to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the only first-round bye. Their two remaining games are against the Minnesota Vikings and at the Detroit Lions. If the Packers win both of those games there’s no drama in their playoff seeding.
The Packers have accomplished this by winning close games–a constant theme throughout Matt LaFleur’s tenure in Green Bay. The Packers haven’t always looked great according to advanced metrics but find a way to pull out victory after victory after victory.
In order for the Green Bay Packers to round into prime shape before the playoffs begin, they have some work to do on the field.
With the NFC being loaded this year, the Packers need to be on their A-game in order to accomplish their ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl. They’ve had moments all season long where they’ve flashed the dominant potential they have. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to put it all together.
The Packers scored 21 points in the first half and then jumped out to a 24-12 lead early in the third quarter. They weren’t able to finish the deal, as they failed to score the rest of the game. That included back-to-back three-and-outs in the fourth quarter that allowed Cleveland to get right back into the game. It took a last-minute interception–the defense’s fourth of the game–to escape Lambeau Field with a victory.
This type of failure to finish games on a high note has been a theme for the Packers this season. They’ve been fortunate enough to win, but the games have been U.G.L.Y.
This is fine against a team like the Cleveland Browns, but won’t cut it when they play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship game. Those teams are good enough to capitalize on the Packers’ mistakes and leave Lambeau with a victory, sending Green Bay home in a disappointing fashion once again.
Next. Green Bay has to elevate Jaire Alexander by Wednesday. dark
In LaFleur’s first season with the Packers, he became famous for his catchphrase, “all gas, no brake.” He needs to take that to heart and apply it to this year’s team. The Packers are well aware of the issue as they discussed it in their post-game interviews. Now, it’s time to put it into action before it’s too late.