While the Packers may not be in good shape healthwise, two more players to IR this week, they are sitting just fine as far as the playoffs are concerned. I don’t play the “if the playoffs started tomorrow” game, that is for radio personalities. The fact is there are five games left to play and the Packers for all intents and purposes control their own destiny.
Of course the easy way is to win them all and win the division, but I think 11-5 will win the NFC North. If the Packers just win their NFC games they might even have a chance for the No. 2 seed and a bye in the first round. If the Packers and Eagles win their respective divisions with identical records the Packers win the tiebreaker. I don’t think we have to worry about the NFC West.
The Packers didn’t play that bad last week, in fact I think they played well in spite of their head coach’s poor decisions, so I’m more worried about Mike McCarthy’s game day decisions than I am the play of the team. I would still like to see the offense finish drives better but Aaron Rodgers has been all-world the last few weeks and they are starting to get used to not being able to run the ball. If they can keep that up in inclement weather they should have no problems.
I think the Packers will win a tough battle Sunday against the 49ers by something like 27-14, then blow out the Lions in Detroit. Aaron Rodgers lights it up in Motor City and this year should be no different. After that I really do like the Packers chances against the AFC version of themselves – the New England Patriots. It may be in New England but it’s on the turf the Packers like and the Packers’ defense is better than the Patriots.
I’m not even worried about the Giants and Bears the last two weeks at Lambeau Field. The G-Men are in their usual late season swoon and the Bears’ blessed existence is about to come to an end. Every week the Bears get a break. From facing Yancey Thigpen at quarterback in Miami to Asante Samuel being out last week for the Eagles to Drew Carey starting at quarterback this week for the Lions. The thing is, free rides don’t make playoff teams. The Bears will implode before that last game if you ask me.
I’m not going to bitch about the running game any longer, either. It is what I thought it was. McCarthy has put the offense in Rodgers’ hands and we are going to sink or swim on his performance. The offensive line better step its game up and keep Rodgers upright and actually block somebody on the few chances they actually do get to run block. Do all that and all will be well – one home game and trip back to Atlanta. Yeah, I said it. Packers at Atlanta for the NFC Championship. So it shall be written, so it shall be done.