Packers win ugly over Jaguars

In what can only be described as one of their ugliest performances of the season -- and there have admittedly been more than a few this year -- the Green Bay Packers somehow managed to beat a woeful 1-5 Jacksonville Jaguars team that the Pack made look like Super Bowl contenders.

Yes, it was that bad.

Installed as prohibitive 15-point favorites, the Packers hung on to win by nine points, 24-15. The key to the victory, as it finally turned out, was a blocked punt which the Packers recovered in the endzone for a touchdown, as well as a poor decision early on by the Jags to go for the 2-point conversion after their lone TD.

The Packers again had no rushing attack, and QB Aaron Rodgers was left to find covered receivers most of the afternoon. On those occasions where no one could get open, Rodgers had to endure pressure and sacks, including one which led to a fumble in the redzone and a touchdown by the Jags (mentioned above).

The day was so bad that K Mason Crosby, who hadn't missed a field goal inside 50 yards all season (although he has had some wild misses from outside 50) dinged one off an upright for a miss from inside 35 yards...normally a chip shot for him. That's how you can always tell things are going kattywampus (look it up).

Fortunately for me and you, dear readers, I vented most of my frustration with this game in real-time via Twitter (@packfansunited). Thus, not much more to say at the moment. Look to Packers uber-beat writer, Bob McGinn, for the gruesome details and analysis in his report.

The best that can be said about the game yesterday is that it was a win for the Packers. In the end, that's what matters. Although the manner in which the team is playing -- fairly regularly, it seems -- doesn't bode well at this moment. They have lots of things to get straightened out at the halfway point of the season...things that they shouldn't have to get straightened out at the halfway point of the season. The Packers also have a growing list of injured players and the bye will do them lots of good. It can't come quickly enough. But they have to get through the Cardinals first.

The Cardinals come into Lambeau next Sunday on a short week, playing the 49ers tonight. They aren't great, but the Jags are worse and took the Pack to the brink of a loss. Unless the Packers play with much more urgency and passion than they did yesterday they could well go into their bye week at 5-4 instead of 6-3. Given the way Da Bearz (6-1...how does that happen???) are also winning ugly, the Packers need to stay close. They can't let one slide at home to the Cards.

More on the Packers and Cards coming throuhgout the week.