The Green Bay Packers have had a tough season. Injuries have played a huge part for the Packers this season. They key injury is star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has been out since the first quarter of the game against the Bears three games ago. Entering the game with the Bears, the Pack were looking good to make the playoffs with a 5-2 record, despite injuries to wide receivers James Jones and Randall Cobb, tight end Jermichael Finley, and star linebacker Clay Matthews. Once Rodgers got injured though, things seem to change instantly for the Packers.
The Packers then went on to lose 3 straight games. Rodgers broken collar bone on his non throwing shoulder could heal within the next few weeks. The Packers are only one game out of first in the NFC North. Even with the last few weeks being tough for the Pack, they still have a good chance to make the playoffs. The first thing that the Pack need to do is not to panic. With the new running attack, the Packers can pound the ball if things get cold in the frozen tundra.
If Aaron Rodgers were to come back for the Thanksgiving day game verse the Lions or the week after that would help. Seneca Wallace and Scott Tolzien haven’t played very well in Rodgers absence. The former MVP is the center of the team. Without Rodgers, it will be an uphill battle to make the playoffs. The defense needs to step up. They have given up 27 points in each of the last three games. The offense needs to finish in the red zone. Rodgers knows how to finish drives with touchdowns, but the Packers without him haven’t. They have turned the ball over too many times to win close games in the red zone. The Pack will need to get back on track against the Vikings next Sunday if they want to have a chance at the playoffs.