After two frustrating home losses, the Pack got back on the winning side of the ledger with their trip to the Meadowlands to take on the NY Giants last weekend. With a final score of 27-20, the Packers did what they needed to do against an inferior opponent.
Of course, as we know, so far this season the Packers have played down to the level of their opponents. Many reasons for that, but at least during the second half of the Giants game, head coach Matt LaFleur took the reins off the offense a bit and allowed QB Jordan Love the opportunity to go downfield, with good results. Now, there were still far too many dropped passes by both offense and defense, but in the end they did enough to win by 7. We had predicted a final score of 20-13 so we had the margin correct just not the tally. So it goes.
Let's now take a look at Sunday's game at Lambeau Field against the ViQueens ... the first of five NFC North Division games in the final remaining seven games of the season. Like many, we're of the view that backloading this many division games is not a great thing for the schedule. But it is what it is and it will definitely determine playoff seedings.
The Preview
The ViQueens swept the Packers in last season's two matchups, and they have won two straight at Lambeau Field. That's just wrong on so many levels, isn't it, Packer fans? Of course, they had a better quarterback than J.J. McCarthy directing the offense then, too.
The young QB, as most do, is struggling; he may yet turn into a good QB but right now ... not so much. Let's pray his coming out party isn't today. If the Packers want to get some takeaways today, McCarthy should be good for an INT or two. The Vikes aren't horrible, of course, they do have playmakers. And, as we all too well know ... the Packers seems to have it in them so far this season to let lesser opponents hang around far too long and give them the opportunity to win with a field goal.
We don't see that happening today.
There are now seven games remaining in the regular season, five of which including today, as we noted earlier, will be against NFC North Division opponents. This is where you can make or break your season.
Luckily for the Packers, since becoming the starting QB, Jordan Love has really come on in the second half of the season...right where we find ourselves. That started to emerge last weekend vs. the Giants. It should continue today, with or without Josh Jacobs at running back. (The early word is Jacobs is out, as are LB Quay Walker and WR Matthew Golden among the notable inactives.)
Love will have nearly a full array of receiving targets available today. Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks will share the running back duties. Matt LaFleur should be able, based upon last week's game and the unavailability of Jacobs, to open up the game plan more than he has in the earlier portion of the season. Granted, the issues with the offensive line are still there. But play-action and going deep earlier in the game to stretch the defense can help the running game, too. And might we see a special package or two for backup QB Malik Willis if the situation warrants it? Don't be surprised after what Willis again showed in very limited playing time last weekend when Love was out for a few plays with a left shoulder injury.
The Prediction
The current odds favor the Pack by 6-1/2 points. If the Packers defense plays as they have, and both receivers and defensive backs catch the ball when it comes their way, the Pack should win this one. And it shouldn't come down to whether or not now-beleaguered and still semi-injured (?) kicker Brandon McManus can make a field goal or extra point. We see the Packers taking this game with rounding-into-form play on both sides of the ball. In Week 12, it's about time, right?
We're calling this game Packers 30 - ViQueens 13.
Go Pack Go!!!
