2025 NFL Week 8: Packers vs Steelers Preview & Prediction

Well, Packer fans, we were able to return from the desert of Arizona earlier this week with a 27-23 win over the Cardinals in a game that really went right down to the wire. We called it 30-24 in our prediction; once again, very close.

Will say here what I said to a Cardinals fan on the walk out of the stadium — which was filled with about two-thirds Packers fans as you could hear on the TV coverage I was told — that the Cardinals are so very close. They have now lost five games this season by a total of 13 points, if memory serves. They should also stick with backup QB Jacoby Brissett. He had a great command of the game and had big plays to his top receivers.

But enough about last week. We have some story lines to talk about in tonight's Sunday Night Football extravaganza, don't we? Let's get on with it then.

Packers WR Christian Watson is expected to make his return to the

playing field for the first time since last January after recovering from

an ACL tear. While he has been practicing for the last three weeks, fans

shouldn't expect to see perhaps more than 10-20 plays from him as the

Pack eases him back into playing form. Still, his ability to lengthen the

field and put pressure on the Steelers defense — even as a decoy —

shouldn't be underestimated.

(Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

There are so many ways to look at this game that space and time prevent reviewing each. So let's just note a few:

• The Packers last win in Pittsburgh against the Steelers was in 1970. 1970! With the legendary Bart Starr at quarterback, no less.

• Steelers QB (and, of course, former Packers QB) Aaron Charles Rodgers has beaten 31 of 32 NFL teams during his illustrious Hall of Fame career. The only team he hasn't beaten? The Packers, of course.

• WR Christian Watson will be making his 2025 NFL season debut today. As a down-field threat, he should give a boost to the Packers offense even if he is not targeted much. But we'd expect a few throws to go his way.

• High-priced Packers cornerback signing Nate Hobbs got exposed last week in Arizona. He had difficulty covering the Cardinals big-time receivers and gave up huge yardage. If Rodgers exposes him again it will be interesting to see what adjustments Jeff Hafley and his defense make during the game.

• The only Packers players ruled out for tonight's game are WR Dontayvion Wicks and DE Lukas Van Ness. Among other notables indicated as questionable on the injury report are K Brandon McManus and DT Devonte Wyatt.

• While McManus did practice this week after missing the last two games with a quadriceps injury to his kicking leg, the Packers released TE Ben Simms to make room for retaining K Lucas Havrisik who has been stellar in his appearances, making 100% of his field goals and PAT attempts ... including a franchise record 61-yard field goal to end the first half last week in Arizona. While it's unusual for teams to keep two kickers on the active roster it has been done before. The thinking here is that while McManus may be good to go, ya never know at this stage of his recovery. And releasing Havrisik risks the chance — especially after the way he has performed — that another team might sign him. Gotta hedge your bets. For a while at least.

• RB Josh Jacobs should be a bit fuller speed than last week where he was limited with a calf injury. That bodes well against a somewhat shakey Steelers defense.

• While both Steelers WR DK Metcalf and DE TJ Watt missed two days of practice this week, they both were also full participants on Friday which would lead one to assume both will play in today's game. Darn it!

• Packers DE Micah Parsons got the first three-sack game of his career last week ... and it should have been four if not for a first-time-this-season "hip drop" penalty ... which was also only called once all last season. Oy. Some of those sacks came late in the game when the Cardinals inexplicably decided to try to block him one-on-one. Let's hope the Steelers also try that tonight. And good luck with that!

• Jordan Love seems to love playing on Sunday night. As an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel states: "Love has started four Sunday night games in his career and is 3-0-1, the only blemish a Sept. 28 tie against the Dallas Cowboys. In those four games, Love has thrown 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. He has passer ratings of 118.6, 125.3, 123.8 and 118.1. Dating to 2023, his first year as a starter, Love leads the NFL with a passer rating of 121.1 in Sunday night games and is tied for No. 1 in passing touchdowns. Love’s 121.1 passer rating in Sunday night games is the second best since 2000 (100 pass attempts minimum) behind New Orleans’ Drew Brees (121.7)." Let us hope this kind of performance continues tonight.

We could go on with the bullet points. Lots of bits to look at. But, in the bigger scheme of things, whether this turns out to be "Rodgers Revenge" game against his old team, as some see it, or a confirmation of the changing of the guard for the Packers, this will be a full-on battle for four quarters.

The Prediction

At the time of this writing, the Packers are favored by 2-1/2 points, down from 3 earlier in the week; the odds always seem to adjust closer to game time, as you know. The over-under is set at 46-1/2 points.

We see this game, between two division leaders, as one where the last team to have the ball will likely win. Rodgers is Rodgers for a reason: he's seen everything a defense can throw at him. While his mobility is limited, he is getting passes out of his hand in less than 2-1/2 seconds ... remarkable. And unless the Packers defense can figure out a way to disrupt that rhythm and get pressure on him, it might be a long night for the D. Conversely, if the Packers offensive line can protect Love the way they have been — along with creating rushing lanes for Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson — the Pack will be in it to win it.

We're calling this one Packers 30 - Steelers 27.

Go Pack Go!!!

NFL 2025 Week 7: Packers vs. Cardinals Preview & Prediction

Happy Day in the Desert, Packer fans! Yes, we're talking about the Packers visiting the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. And they aren't the only ones; we will be there, too! We'll do our best to  to bring you all a victory. More on that in a moment.

But first, a look back at last Sunday's game at Lambeau versus the Bengals. Our predicted score: 27-17. The final score? 27-18. We love it when we get it so close! But what made it that close was a Packers defense that couldn't get off the field (remember that roughly 10-minute possession by the Bengals to start the second half?), couldn't get to QB Joe Flacco, the human statue (for the second time in three weeks lest we forget), and couldn't cover Cincinnati's two top wide receivers. What went right for the Packers was that QB Jordan Love had a solid game (despite the redzone interception), RB Josh Jacobs got going in the second half and scored two TDs, rookie WR Matthew Golden had his best game so far in his young career, special teams didn't have any major breakdowns, and that a kicker signed over the weekend to replace the injured Brandon McManus was 100 percent on the money with his field goals and PATs. It was all good enough to put the Pack at 3-1-1 and atop the NFC North. Can you believe it? Yes, lots of work still to do in all phases of the game.

Rookie WR Matthew Golden had his best game so far in the win

vs. the Bengals. He and the Packers look to continue to excel this Sunday

vs. the Cardinals in Phoenix.

(Photo via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

And the ongoing lesson, of course, is not to take any team for granted. Especially not the 2-4 Cardinals. Let's take a look at this game in a bit more detail to see why.

The Preview

Let's consider that the Cardinals four losses have been by a combined total of 9 points including several last second losses on field goals and in their last game, a blown penalty non-call on the last play of the game in the end zone that would have given the Cardinals the win. QB Kyler Murray was out for that game and veteran Jacoby Brissett wound up getting the start and throwing for more than 300 yards. It could be argued that the Cardinals are one of the best 2-4 teams in the league. And that should make the Packers nervous whether Murray plays or not.

Now if the Packers play up to their own level of talent — and do so for a full 60 minutes — they should come away with the win. But given that it seems as if the Pack is still trying to figure out who they are...well, as we saw in Cleveland and Dallas, anything can happen.

It looks as if Packers K Brandon McManus will likely not again be available; that wasn't a factor with the on-the-mark replacement in the last game. He also got solid protection from the blocking unit and that will once again be needed to make that part of the game work...which could just be the difference in the game. Word also has it (on Saturday) that RB Josh Jacobs may not be able to go; perhaps a gametime decision. The Pack would miss his impact if he is unable to go, which could alter the outcome.

The Prediction

Thankfully, the stadium in Phoenix is enclosed as the temperature forecast for Sunday is about 90. Yowza. Hopefully, the Packers players will ignore the outdoor temps and focus on turning up the temperature on their opponent inside the stadium. Nothing is a given in this league this season. While the Packers are at the time of this writing 6-1/2 point favorites (down from 7 points earlier in the week), that spread also doesn't seem to give Arizona the credit they are due given the record.

Still, we think the Packers will finally start putting more of their game together than not. If so, we are calling this one Packers 30 - Cardinals 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

P.S. We have been spending the past few days in Arizona. We ran into two busloads of Packers fans — 110 we were told! — wearing all their Packers gear in Sedona, AZ on Friday. On Saturday, we ran into a bunch of individual Packer fans in Jerome, AZ...some of whom said they had also seen the horde of Packers fans in Sedona! Expect a lot of Packer fans at this game. And that may very well be part of the story on Sunday, too. Ya never know.

2024 NFL Week 7: Packers vs. Texans Preview & Prediction

Last weekend, Packers fans, Green Bay played its most complete and balanced game so far this season beating the Cardinals 34-13. The Pack dominated Arizona on both sides of the ball. QB Jordan Love threw for 258 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT (the latter coming after a slip by the receiver). Total yardage for the Packers amounted to 437 compared to 303 for Arizona. The rushing attack amounted to 179 total yards for Green Bay compared to 89 for the Cardinals. The Pack's defense also continued its takeaway binge, recovering 3 fumbles by Arizona and also getting an interception (by Xavier McKinney, of course). The Packers dominated time of possession by nearly a full quarter.

A great win, especially against a team that had just the week before beaten the Packers' kryptonite team, the 49ers.

So that was then. Now is now. Which brings us to the matchup Sunday between the 4-2 Packers and the 5-1 Houston Texans.

You won't be seeing the Packers in their traditional home colors today.

Instead, the Packers will be rolling out their new 'Winter Warning' color scheme.

For more looks, check out these views.

The Preview

This is a game many were looking forward to as it would showcase two hot young quarterbacks — Jordan Love and C.J. Stroud — and teams expected to compete not only for the playoffs but perhaps even the Super Bowl this season.

For the Packers, the Texans are coming to Lambeau Field at an opportune time. Based upon the latest injury reports available, the Packers are expected to be pretty much all-hands-on-deck, with only DL Devonte Wyatt, and TE Luke Musgrave, who was previously placed on the IR list, out. Conversely, the Texans come to town a bit beat up and without several of their key players both on offense and defense which plays to the Pack's advantage.

Jordan Love, as evidenced by his performance vs. the Cardinals, seems to be nearly over his MCL knee sprain, although he will still be wearing a brace on the left knee for protection. WR Romeo Doubs, despite whatever was going on with him the week he was suspended, returned with a subdued vengeance catching two TD passes from Love. WR Christian Watson also seemed to be past his ankle sprain, lengthening the field for a huge and wide open TD pass. RBs Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson continue to get the yards on the ground.

Defensively, the Packers are thriving on and benefitting from takeaways. The linebackers and secondary are making plays. Most fans are still waiting for the defensive line to exert more pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. But keep in mind this is the first season under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley's 4-3 scheme. It seems over the last few games particularly that he is devising different schemes as he has become more familiar with what his personnel are capable of. So perhaps we'll see more pressure on Stroud who, like Kyler Murray last week, is one of those run-pass threats that has so often given the Packers fits. The key will be containing him. In doing so, the Packers defense will also have to stop Houston's running backs, particularly Joe Mixon. While WR Stefon Diggs will be available for Stroud, Robert Woods is out. So not his full complement of weapons, shall we say. On defense, Houston will be shorthanded at linebacker and in the secondary, which should play to Love's advantage over the course of the game.

If there's any question mark in this game it is, we have to say, the kicking game. Oy. It's been a dumpster fire since the Packers opted to let Mason Crosby walk away. The Packers are now on their third active kicker...actually, they have had seven kickers in the building from preseason till now and, as U2 might say, they "still haven't found what they're looking for". I repeat: oy. The team parted ways this past week with rookie kicker, "Wide Right" Brayden Narveson, and signed veteran Brandon McManus. He has kicked in a Super Bowl, so there's that. You can read all about McManus here. Let's hope he can bring the consistency that Narveson et al were unable to bring in their appearances.

The Prediction

Looking at the records, one would probably give the nod to Houston. But the Packers are healthy and the Texans are not. Some may feel Stroud is the better QB over Love; we would not...a push at best.

With the Packers at full strength, the offense humming, and the defense feeling its mojo, we give them the advantage in this game.

Weather is not expected to be a factor; actually, the forecast is very good for this time of year.

The point spread is favoring the Pack by 2-1/2 points at the time of this writing.

We're call it Packers 34 - Texans 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

2024 NFL Week 6: Packers vs. Cardinals Preview & Prediction

The Packers got a big win in Los Angeles last weekend, 24-19. In fact, Packer fans, it was the team's first win against the Rams in LA since 1966 (courtesy of a lengthy stay by the Rams in St. Louis from 1995-2015, of course)! The game turned out to be a bit closer than it should have been, but the Pack found ways when it needed to to escape, coming home with a "W" instead of a "L".

At 3-2 going into the game against the 2-3 Cardinals — also a former St. Louis team, for those that remember (poor St. Louis!)...and, yes, they were in Chicago before that, too, for the history nerds out there! — the Packers are two games behind the 5-0 ViQueens in the NFC North. (Who would have imagined at this stage of the season Minnesota and Kansas City would be the remaining undefeated teams in the NFL?)

Let's look at this game vs. the Cards to see if the Pack can gain a bit on Minnesota during that team's bye week.

 

QB Jordan Love will continue his recovery from his left knee injury against AZ.

(Photo by Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

For starters, the Packers may have both wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs once again available as pass-catching threats; Watson is listed as questionable on the injury report. Without them last weekend, the Pack did just fine, but having these additional threats available — particularly even the threat of Watson to stretch the field against a so-so Arizona defense — certainly opens things up even more for the Packers offense.

Unfortunately, Green Bay placed TE Luke Musgrave on IR late this week, resulting in them picking up TE John FitzPatrick from the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. Tucker Kraft has been the tight end of choice as the season has developed, helping not only with his blocking but receiving skills. FitzPatrick did participate in the team's Friday practice after arriving in Green Bay so he may find himself in a few select blocking sets and perhaps on special teams, as well. The Packers also elevated fullback Andrew Beck from their own practice squad. It would seem from these moves that the Packers are loading up on blocking to help establish and exploit the running game with Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson to open up the passing game. It could be a lot of fun if that were to all fall into place...and not get hampered by offensive penalties as has been the bugaboo so far this season.

Another player expected to return for the Pack, although still listed as questionable on the Pack's injury report, is Jaire Alexander. Certainly, having him available to go against Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. would be a plus for the defense. He did have limited participation in practice this week so he should see action.

As for the Cardinals, things pretty much begin and end with QB Kyler Murray. He's one of those quarterbacks that have historically given the Packers fits — regardless of defensive coordinator: a run-pass threat on every offensive play. Much like Jalen Hurts in the first game of the season, the Packers need to keep Murray from beating them with his legs. But he's got a strong arm, too. Tough to defend. Has some weapons around him, particularly the aforementioned Harrison. Arizona also has a suitable running back in the relatively unknown (at least in these parts) James Conner. And the Cards defense — especially its red zone defense — hasn't been horrible; in fact, some analysts suggest it was the reason they went against the Niners last weekend on the road and came home with a 24-23 win.

While favored by 5 points at the time of this writing, this game is not a cake-walk for the Packers...no game is. In fact, Bill Huber who has covered the Pack since 2008, just wrote this article for Sports Illustrated entitled 'Three Reasons Why Packers Will Lose to Cardinals'. So while the Packers should win, especially at Lambeau Field, nothing is a given.

The Prediction

While the consensus generally has the Packers winning this game, as the above-linked article notes there are reasons to think otherwise. Clearly, if the Packers don't play to the level of which they are capable — especially on defense — Arizona could pull off the upset just as they did against the Niners.

We, however, feel that the Packers have the personnel and are showing the grit — yeah, grit — and growth to prevail. It might not always be pretty, and they may once again leave some points on the field (and have badly-time penalties) to make it closer than it should otherwise be. But assuming that the Packers can get out to an early lead and make the Cardinals a bit more one dimensional, the Pack will go to 4-2 on the season when the clock winds down to zero at the end of the 4th quarter.

We're calling it Packers 30 - Cardinals 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

P.S. Yes, we know that our Packers score would generally indicate three field goals among the scoring (OK, OK, or four TDs and a safety...happy now?!) in order to achieve the total. But we have to believe rookie K Brayden Narveson has worked on his "wide right" issues so it's not a crap shoot every time he kicks the ball. Today, if he gets three chances, he makes them.

Packers vs Eagles Game Review & Season Prediction Adjustment

Dear Packer fans ...

We knew that the Week 1 Friday night game of the 2024 NFL season would likely be a toss-up, and it was really. The Eagles were favored by 3 and won by 5. We had predicted the Packers to win by a score of 27-24. Close, but not a win and not close enough.

The field was problematic for both teams, with a lot of slipping going on. The game itself was a sloppy performance overall by both teams, as well. But the Eagles did a better job of overcoming their problems on that front, with some assistance by the Packers. The Pack had way too many penalties (cue OL Rasheed Walker for more than his share!), too many missed tackles, an inability to score TDs in the redzone (after 2 early takeaways in these cases BTW, that could have likely put Philly away early), and a deja vu feel for the defense despite the change in defensive coordinator and scheme change from 3-4 to 4-3. Not being able to get a stop when needed ... where we have seen that before???

Packers QB Jordan Love being assisted off the playing field in Brazil at the end of the game vs. the Eagles.

(Photo by Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

But the big news coming out of the night, as the entire sports world now knows, was the knee injury QB Jordan Love sustained with about 6 seconds left in the game. Trying to keep a play alive as his protection broke down, Love was sandwiched between 2 Philly defenders and twisted both his left ankle and knee; he went down immediately in pain and after moments on the ground had to be assisted off the field.

Initially, the thought from the replay video was that it was his ankle. Turns out, not. Instead, we have now learned that Love likely sustained a MCL sprain of the grade 2 variety. Translation — still subject to revision after further testing — is that Love will likely be out at least 3 to 6 weeks according to current reports. On the one hand, we can be thankful that it wasn't an ACL tear which would have been season-ending. On the other hand, the Packers will now have to figure out a way to get through anywhere from the next 3 to 6 games without their hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars quarterback.

Oy.

Options? Not great.

What are the options? We refer you to an excellent overview in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on this topic. Right now, in summary, the Packers can either go with the recently-acquired Malik Willis, bring up 2nd-year backup Sean Clifford from the practice squad, or sign another QB and hope to get that person up to speed in time for the next game vs. the Colts on Sept. 15 and then ongoing until Love's return. Actually, Willis and Clifford would also need to gear up for a bit of an extended run, too.

Who are the opponents over the next 3 to 6 weeks? The next 3 weeks have the Colts coming to Lambeau Field, then at Tennessee, then back home against the ViQueens. Our initial season prediction — looking at these games plus the opener as the 1st quarter of the season — had the Pack going 3-1, although noting that they could also lose 2 of the first 4 games ... and that was with Love as QB. Without him? Hmmm. The Packers have already lost 1. Likely will lose at least 1 of the next 3 without the star QB at the helm. Perhaps two. Or all three. So from going 3-1 in this first stretch of games to going 0-4 becomes as likely a possibility as not. Not great.

Looking ahead to games 5 and 6, the Pack plays the Rams in LA and then the Cardinals back in Green Bay. Assuming Love can be back for 1 or both of these games, the Rams still remains a tough game. If Love is not yet back behind center? Advantage Rams, and the Cardinals game would probably be considered a toss-up.

Of course, all this also assumes the Packers defense remains as lackluster throughout these games as it played in the opener. That's a bit of an assumption given the caliber of the players on that unit and the reputation of Jeff Hadley as defensive coordinator. The expectation is that things will get straightened out and that could help cover up any offensive issues for a time...perhaps the D and special teams could even win a game or 2. That would be nice.

The bottom line is that things are very much up in the air. Not how the team or fans thought we would start this season out. But at least there is the likelihood that Love returns and can hopefully regain at some point the characteristics we saw on display in the second half of last season. Because, let's also be honest, he was not locked in that way in this opening game vs. Philly. He wasn't horrible, but wasn't as sharp as we would have hoped either.

Season Prediction Adjustment?

Our initial season prediction saw the Pack finishing at 11-6. That was with Love at QB for all 17 games. Now? Oy. I think at least 1 game has to switch from the win to the loss column during the next 3 weeks. And if Love is out 6 weeks? I think another win turns to a loss. So we could now, barring some miracle or series of miracles, see the Packers finishing at 9-8. That's definitely on the playoff bubble...not a place anyone expected to be given the team's consensus Super Bowl contender preseason status.

The road has become much more uncertain, Packer fans. Let's offer up some "thoughts and prayers" for our favorite QB, Jordan Love, for a fast and effective return. For not only his well-being, but for the team's season prognosis, as well.

Go Pack Go!!!

P.S. 

Can we also agree that the Packers should NEVER agree to play another international NFL game? Cases in point: the Packers played, and lost in London, and then-QB Aaron Rodgers broke his thumb; in the team's second international appearance, the Packers played, and lost in Brazil, and starting QB Jordan Love was injured at the end of the game and will be lost 3 to 6 weeks with a sprained MCL.

Let the NFL send its bottom-of-barrel teams out of country. Too much at stake for the top-level teams. Too much. If that sounds elitist, sorry. But there are differences and matters of degree across the franchises. We understand the international draw of the Packers as one of the top teams in the NFL, but the risk to the Packers — despite the dollar rewards to the NFL — is not worth it. (So ends the editorial portion of this post.)

2018 NFL Week 14: Packers vs Falcons Preview & Prediction

How are we feeling today, Packers fans? More specifically, how are we feeling about today's game between the 4-7-1 Green Bay Packers versus the equally mediocre 4-8 Atlanta Falcons? Both teams were preseason picks to be challengers for not only their Division titles but also potential Super Bowl contenders. So much for that idea. Lest we forget, that actually did happen in the 2016 season, with both teams meeting in the NFC Championship Game in Atlanta. Yeah, that was then. This...is now (sigh).

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers had his hands - and facemask - full in the
NFC Championship Game played in Atlanta in Jan. 2017.
(Photo: Getty Images)

The Packers made a number of changes to the roster this week, placing some players on IR and promoting some others from the practice squad. But, of course, the biggest move of all was the firing of head coach Mike McCarthy following the disheartening loss at Lambeau Field to the then 2-9 Arizona Cardinals. More on that later.

But can we really expect any huge changes after just a week under interim head coach Joe Philbin? C'mon. No. With just four games remaining in this dismal season, and given the injuries which have also significantly impacted this team's performance over the season, it is what it is. Granted, Philbin will now be dong the play-calling, something he hasn't done in about 20 years. So we may see some different philosophy at work, and perhaps some oddness, as well. But as Philbin was a close associate of McCarthy, things will probably be pretty much along the lines of what we have seen overall offensively. The defense under coordinator Mike Pettine will be the same, still lacking a pass rush and fielding some defensively challenged defensive backs (is that redundant, by the way?).

The Prediction

No need to drag this out, is there? Both teams are train wrecks this season. And even though the Packers are favored at the time of this writing by either 4-1/2 or 5 points depending on what line you're following (as a reminder, the Packers were 14-point favorites last week...how did that work out?), does anyone out there feel comfortable picking them?

I hate to say it, Packer fans, but this is one of those pick 'em games at this point, at least as it seems on this end. Week after week we've been hoping against hope...or, at least, logic...that the Pack would get it together and at least once this season play a complete game. We're still waiting.

Will McCarthy's exit be enough to rally this team somehow? Maybe. But what else is a motivator? The season is done. So perhaps jobs for next season for those players not under contract or who are auditioning for a future role in Green Bay or elsewhere? Maybe.

Logic seems to indicate that given the under-performance of both teams, the game could very well turn on one play, a turnover, a missed tackle, a special teams breakdown or success. That and the Packers inability to perform well in the second half of games lately and close things out, would seem to give the Falcons the edge, despite being on the road. After all, if the woeful Cards can come into Lambeau with an inexperienced QB and pull out a win, what can QB Matt Ryan do today, with a receiver like Julio Junes ready to make big plays against a porous Packers secondary?

Still, we've looked at the Pack all season through Green 'n' Gold-colored glasses...so why stop now? The odds say that at some point the Packers have to win onw of their last remaining games. This is as good a chance as any.

We're calling it Packers 27 - Falcons 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

Thank you, coach McCarthy

Before signing off, we just want to thank former head coach Mike McCarthy for all he brought during his 13 years of service to the Green Bay Packers and the broader Green Bay community. He was and remains a class act. Certainly, this was not the way he or anyone would have wished for him to depart. But it was time.

He is the second-winningest head coach in Packers history, only trailing the guy whose name is on the Super Bowl trophy, one Vince Lombardi. He went to the playoffs eight straight years -- eight! That's something that is an amazing accomplishment in and of itself and one that we probably began to take for granted. He brought a Super Bowl trophy back to Green Bay. And it is a given that he will be in the Packers Hall of Fame sometime soon, as he rightfully should be.

Good luck, coach. You'll land in another head coaching position very soon...my guess would be Cleveland, to rejoin a number of other Packers front office personnel in helping to resurrect that franchise.

Let's close with this exceptionally heartfelt thank you from McCarthy to the Packers, the fans, Green Bay and Wisconsin. Well done, coach. Well done, indeed. And thank you!

2018 NFL Week 13: Packers vs. Cardinals Preview & Prediction

Without beating a dead horse yet once again, the Green Bay Packers were unable to win again on the road last week, this time against the ViQueens, making the team's road record this season 0-6. Not good. At all. Especially when you consider that it's actually worse than that: the road loss streak extends back into last season. Oy.

There, that's' done. And with that loss at Minnesota, so, too, might be the Packers season. At 4-6-1 with five games left...the Pack is going to need a miracle of splitting-the-Red Sea proporations in order to somehow slide into the playoffs. (And, by the way, Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish sisters and brothers around the planet.)

Packers WR Jake Kumerow has finally been activated off IR. How much action he'll see, and what impact he'll have, remains to be seen today and for the remainder of the season.
(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis)

The Packers will once again be limited both offensively and defensively by injuries to key personnel. DL Mike Daniels and WR Trevor Davis have both been placed on the injured reserve list and are done for the season. Safeties Kentrell Brice and Raven Greene, along with RB Tra Carson, are all out today with injuries. At last notice (subject to change), OT David Bakhtiari, CB Kevin King, WR Randall Cobb, OG Lane Taylor and CB Bashaud Breeland were all listed as questionable.

If Bakhtiari is unable to go, the Packers might wind up having to give help to back up Jason Spriggs who was not able to hold up well last weekend in relief of Bakhtiari. It also became apparent how good Lane Taylor is week in and week out once he also had to leave the game last week.

The Packers opponent today, the Arizona Cardinals, have the 32nd-ranked rush defense in the league going into this game. That, combined with cold and snowing weather predicted for today's game at Lambeau Field, should be a recipe for a steady diet of RB Aaron Jones. But you still need an offensive line that can create those running opportunities...as well as keep QB Aaron Rodgers upright.

During preseason, WR Jake Kumerow was the talk of camp. He and Rodgers had seemingly developed a good rapport. Kumerow led in receiving yards until his celebratory shoulder dive into the endzone on a long-yardage reception and TD wound up knocking him out of the lineup until today. Given the injuries in the wide receiver group, Kumerow should get some action today. It was also hinted that he might get some return opportunities particularly now that Trevor Davis has been placed on IR. Let's just see if he and Rodgers have been able to rekindle that preseason magic; the Pack could sure use it.

The Prediction

Given that the warm-weather, 2-9 Cardinals will be coming into Lambeau led by a rookie QB and with issues offensively and defensively overall, it's no wonder that the Packers are 14-point favorites, albeit as "meh" as they have performed to this point in the season. The Pack hasn't lost at home yet this season. So at least there's that. This should be a game where, if the team isn't totally phoning it in at this point behind what seems more and more to be the lame duck tenure of head coach Mike McCarthy, the Packers should win this handily. On the other hand, the Pack has continued to find ways to self destruct and have yet to really play a complete game all season. So if the Packers don't come to play...anything can happen. 

We're hoping the Cards are exactly what the doctor ordered to at least get the Pack to 5-5-1 after today's game.

We're calling it Packers 34 - Cardinals 20.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers...win? Packers...WIN!!!

For nearly 60 minutes Thursday evening in Detroit, it was the worst of times for the Green Bay Packers. They went down by 17 points in the first quarter to the Lions and then were ultimately down 20-0 in the second half before staging one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent memory and, overall, the fourth-greatest points comeback in team history. Final score: 27-23 Packers over the Lions.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and teammates celebrate a zero-seconds come-from-behind win at Detroit.
(Photo USATSI)
The winning score, as the entire football world now knows, came on an untimed "extra" down courtesy of a defensive penalty on the Lions with the clock reading zero. It was a "Hail Mary" pass of epic proportions -- 61 yards from scrimmage but about a million miles in terms of the arc on the pass -- from QB Aaron Rodgers to TE Richard Rodgers who made a leaping grab in the endzone to resurrect the Packers from their recent doldrums and send the Lions back to their den for yet another year thinking about what might have been.

The pass -- the Miracle in Motown -- has been discussed for the last day in terms of its scope. Not only for what it did to get the Packers to 8-4 and stay clearly in the NFC Division title and playoff hunt, but also in terms of just the pass itself. Check out the photo below for how close the arc of the pass came to actually hitting the rafters inside Ford Field. Amazing.

This photo above was clipped from a fan's cellphone video of the final play. You can view that video here. It's worth your time to check it out. Really amazing.

There was a lot of what has been typically wrong about the Packers for the last six games on display in this game, ever since the bye, particularly on offense. The defense, once again, kept the team in striking distance if only they could figure out a way to score.

Somehow, someway, the improbable -- the near-impossible -- happened. Perhaps it was just what this team needed to see them through this final stretch of four games. The team now has a few extra days to get healthy -- and they are definitely banged up, especially on the offensive line -- before taking on the Cowboys at Lambeau Field on Dec. 13. They then have back-to-back road games against the Raiders and the Cardinals, with the final game of the season at home against the ViQueens...a game which might very well be for the division title.

Go Pack Go!!!

Lacy missed curfew, Smith cut, Crockett gets opportunity

The big news coming out on Friday was that the reason RB Eddie Lacy didn't get the start and didn't see more than a handful of snaps was because he and fellow RB Alonzo Smith missed curfew Wednesday night. The result for Smith was worse than for Lacy: he got cut with no chance of return according to reports out today.

The situation opened an opportunity for practice squad RB John Crockett to get a chance. He did. He was signed to the active roster three hours before game time. He started the second half of Thursday's game and injected some energy into what had been up to that point a moribund rushing game.

Will the Packers keep three running backs (including James Starks) active for the remaining games? We'll have to see. Whether Lacy emerges from the doghouse he seems to have put himself in, only time will tell.

Packers RB John Crockett made the most of his first NFL opportunity Thursday night against the Lions.
(Photo by Mark Hoffmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Voice of the Packers, Wayne Larrivee, had said in post-game comments that Crockett had been playing the part of ViQueens RB Adrian Peterson on the scout team during the Packers build up to the game against Minnesota. He was running hard and really showing great ability during those practices. Crockett has obviously made a positive impression on head coach Mike McCarthy: "I'll just say, it just puts a smile on my face when I think of Crockett," McCarthy is quoted as saying. "You come off the field here at Lambeau, he's the first guy in the tunnel, greets the team. He's got unbelievable energy." For more about Crockett, be sure to check out this great article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by Tom Silverstein.

Personally, this writer liked Crockett coming out of college as an undrafted free agent. He may finally get his chance to show what he can do to help the Packers this season and beyond.