Much as I anticipated, the Packers’ new and improved defense was no match for Drew Brees and the Saints in the Superdome last night. The Packers were gashed both on the ground and through the air. Throw in a couple of turnovers by the offense and you have a 44-23 rout by the Saints.
Just like that the Packers are back to square one on defense. Granted, they were playing without starters Morgan Burnett and Sam Shields, but the fact is against a quality offense the Packers have yet to play a good game. They were ripped by Seattle and Chicago for huge yards prior to last night’s debacle. If not for same old Jay they would have lost all three. They were able to keep teams like Carolina and Detroit in check but neither one of those teams are lighting it up this year offensively.
Looking back at the first half of the season 5-3 is only one game from where I thought they would be. I thought they would win in Detroit when the season started but the Lions have proven themselves to be a different team under new coach Jim Caldwell. I did have them losing in New Orleans so no surprise there.
However, looking at the second half schedule I think my preseason prediction of 12-4 is out the window. No way the Packers can go 7-1 with the likes of Philadelphia, New England and the resurgent Buffalo Bills on the remaining schedule. Not to mention the Lions in Lambeau to close the season. I think 10-6 would be good but it might not be enough to make the playoffs.
I think the Lions go 11-5 to win the division with the Packers second. The Lions will be favored to win all but two of their final eight games. The Packers can bury the Bears with a win in two weeks at Lambeau, which I think they will accomplish. Its a quick chance for redemption in front of the national TV audience.
The playoff problem is the NFC West has three teams that could easily take three of the six playoff spots in the NFC. Philly is another team in the hunt and if they were to beat the Packers that would give them the wildcard tiebreaking assuming the Cowboys win the NFC East.
It will be an interesting second half of the season. The Packers are not world-beaters, but are not slouches, either. Good enough to win it all? If Aaron Rodgers can go on a run like he did in 2010, it’s possible. But I think their defense will be their downfall, whether it be the regular season or playoffs.