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The 2019 Green Bay Packers Are Flying Under the Radar: That’s a Good Thing

2019 Green Bay Packers

The 2019 Green Bay Packers Week 9 performance against the Los Angeles Chargers was a disaster. The offense sputtered the entire game, scoring only 11 points. The offensive line struggled to protect Aaron Rodgers and racked up penalties. Luckily, even though the Packers lost and fell to an 8-2 record on the year, the rest of the NFC North also lost. So, they still sit atop their division. In his post-game press conference, Rodgers admitted the team lacked focus from the get-go and said, “This was a good slice of humble pie for us.”

Through the first eight weeks of the season, Green Bay looked dominant both defensively and offensively. Even when Davante Adams, their top wide receiver, suffered a turf toe injury and was out for four weeks, the offense remained successful. If the 2019 season ended today, Green Bay would be the third seed in the NFC. Assuming they can bounce back from this uncharacteristic loss and return to their dominating ways, this could be the year’s postseason reality.

Flying Under the Radar is Just What the 2019 Green Bay Packers Need

The Packers have received some scrutiny for losing in the nightmare fashion they did on Sunday. However, for the most part, they don’t seem to be on many folks’ radars, despite the huge success they had through the first eight weeks. The media sleeping on the Pack during the 2019 season could be just what they need to quietly bolster their position as the third seed in the NFC.

Rodgers is doing well spreading the responsibility to all offensive personnel, but taking special advantage of the one-two punch from running backs, Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones. Also, Jones and Williams have proven they can catch the ball out of the backfield, offering much-needed assistance to their quarterback in Adams’ absence.

The media sleeping on the Packers could be the best thing for them. Less attention and credit for accomplishments so far means less pressure and expectations moving forward. Likely, folks are hesitant to believe in Green Bay since they’ve played well below their potential that last few years. In 2017 and 2018, they missed the playoffs with below .500 records. In 2016, they made it to the NFC Championship game and lost to the Atlanta Falcons by an ugly score of 44-21. Looking back, it’s apparent that this significant postseason loss was the beginning of the end for Mike McCarthy in Green Bay.

Closing Out the Season

Following the nightmare loss in LA, the Packers will be home against the Carolina Panthers, on a bye week, at the San Francisco 49ers, at the New York Giants, and home against the Washington Redskins. Realistically, the Packers could come out of this stretch with only one more loss. The Panthers are without Cam Newton. The Giants and Redskins shouldn’t be a problem for Rodgers and the Pack. However, they certainly can’t walk into those games like they did the Chargers game.
The Pack closes the regular season with three huge division match-ups— home against the Chicago Bears, at the Minnesota Vikings, and at the Detroit Lions. It is conceivable that the Packers will emerge from the run-up to these three final games with a 10-3 record, at which point they will no longer be able to fly under the radar. They will instead need to rise to the occasion and show their opponents the offensive capabilities fans have come to expect with Rodgers under center.

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