The Green Bay Packers have discovered just how quickly an NFL team”s situation can shift, experiencing a significant downturn in their season. Following a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 26, the Packers held the best winning percentage in the NFC. However, just two games later, they find themselves trailing behind the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears in the NFC North standings.
After a 10-7 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, running back Josh Jacobs expressed confidence in the team”s potential. “We”ve got a special team,” Jacobs stated. “I don”t think nobody in this building or this locker room has given up belief in each other and what we can do. It”s not the end of the world. But with that being said, we do have to have a sense of urgency.”
The loss to the Eagles came on the heels of a surprising 16-13 defeat at home against the Carolina Panthers. Currently, the Packers, with a record of 5-3-1, would secure the NFC”s seventh and final playoff spot for the third consecutive year if the season ended today. They are now half a game behind their division rivals, the Lions and Bears. This outcome is far from what the team anticipated when they acquired Micah Parsons, hoping that an elite pass rusher would elevate them from a consistent playoff team to a true Super Bowl contender.
“Honestly, it”s just super frustrating,” Parsons remarked. “But it”s just one of them things, like we”re going to win together, we”re going to lose together, regardless of the outcome, and just being there for our teammates, regardless of who”s playing better or which side is playing better.”
The Packers” defense has performed admirably, currently ranking fifth in the NFL for scoring defense and seventh in total defense. Notably, they have not allowed more than 16 points in any of their three losses this season. Unfortunately, the offense has struggled to keep pace, scoring 13 points or fewer in each of those games, including a 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns prior to their current two-game losing streak.
Parsons remains optimistic, asserting that the Packers will soon return to form. “My confidence is still high,” he said. “I got Jordan Love at quarterback. I got Josh Jacobs at running back. We”re banged up at wide receiver, but we”ve still got (Romeo) Doubs, (Dontayvion) Wicks. We”ve got the weapons.”
On the defensive side, the Packers managed to limit All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley to just 60 yards on 22 carries after allowing Carolina”s Rico Dowdle to rush for 130 yards and two touchdowns the previous week. The Eagles averaged a mere 3.3 yards per rush during their game against Green Bay, and the Packers have allowed only 285 passing yards over their last two contests.
However, the offense continues to falter, particularly beyond midfield. Green Bay reached Eagles territory on five occasions without scoring. A week prior, they advanced into Carolina”s 35-yard line five times but only converted that into two field goals. The offensive line struggled throughout the night, resulting in just 104 rushing yards and three sacks against quarterback Jordan Love.
Stock Up: Linebacker Quay Walker recorded two tackles for loss, while teammate Edgerrin Cooper forced two fumbles over the last three games. Despite the team”s offensive struggles, wide receiver Christian Watson made significant plays with receptions of 20 and 25 yards, although a 22-yard catch was nullified by a penalty.
Stock Down: Love has not thrown a touchdown pass in his last two games. Even with an injury to Matthew Golden affecting the receiving corps, wide receiver Malik Heath saw just 20 snaps, his lowest since September 28 against Dallas. Interestingly, wide receiver/cornerback Bo Melton, who has primarily practiced on defense this year, participated in more offensive snaps than Heath. After achieving new season highs in receptions and receiving yards against Carolina, wide receiver Romeo Doubs managed only a single 5-yard catch on four targets before exiting the game late with a chest injury.
Injuries: Center Elgton Jenkins left the game with an ankle injury, which coach Matt LaFleur described as “not sounding promising.” Wide receiver Golden (shoulder), defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (foot), and cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) did not participate in the game.
Key Number: According to Sportradar, the Packers are the first team since the 1940 Detroit Lions to allow fewer than 40 points and 800 yards in their first three losses, having surrendered 39 points and 780 yards in that span.
Next Steps: The Packers will travel to face the New York Giants, who currently hold a 2-8 record, this Sunday. This matchup marks their first game since the firing of coach Brian Daboll, with Mike Kafka, Daboll”s former offensive coordinator, stepping in as the interim head coach.
