Green Bay Packers fans have a lot to be grateful for this holiday season. At the time of this article, they sit at a 9-3 record. Last week with their victory over the Detroit Lions they clinched the NFC North. Currently, they are the top seed in the NFC side of the playoffs. For most Packers fans, they couldn’t ask for more. But why not ask for more? So, here is our Christmas list for the Green Bay Packers this holiday season.
A Green Bay Packers Christmas List
Since we are living in COVID times, we can’t head to the local mall to sit on Santa’s lap. That means we need to write out our list, put it in an envelope, and send it “two-day” mail to the North Pole for Santa to see.
The Green Bay Packers have a lot going for them this holiday season. However, Packers fans want to make sure things will only be better once the playoffs roll around. The list isn’t long, but we feel it is pretty important that the big man comes through for us on this list.
Here are is our list for the Green Bay Packers this Christmas.
Win a Second Super Bowl for Aaron Rodgers
Listen, if we are going to go through the effort to write Santa a letter, we might as well go for broke.
There isn’t a current player that deserves another Super Bowl victory than Aaron Rodgers. He has carried the Green Bay Packers franchise for years. If not for Rodgers and his ability as a quarterback, who knows where this franchise would be. Another NFL MVP trophy would be nice for Rodgers. But what he really deserves even more is winning another Lombardi trophy.
The hiring of Matt LaFleur prior to the 2019 season has helped Rodgers get closer to his second Super Bowl victory. But he will need more than that if he is to do so. Santa and his magic could go a long way in helping Rodgers in achieving this goal.
Keep Davante Adams Healthy
Watching wide receiver Davante Adams catch passes from Rodgers has delighted Green Bay Packers fans. At the time of this article, he has 91 receptions for 1,144 yards with 14 touchdown receptions. He has done all this without having wide receivers opposite of him that aren’t All-Pro quality.
It is doubtful that Santa could make Adams any better, however, there is one area that Santa could help out. If the Packers passing attack is going to stay one of the best in the NFL, Adams will need to stay healthy.
At times throughout his career, Adams has had to deal with nagging injuries. In recent history, it has been a toe and hamstring issues. If the Packers are going to make a run at the Super Bowl this season, Adams will need to stay healthy. Santa might be used to handing out presents, but for this, he will need to make sure Adams stays healthy.
Continued Pressure and Takeaways From the Defense
Green Bay Packers fans would love to see a Christmas miracle when it comes to defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. However, Santa isn’t a miracle worker.
It isn’t a secret, Pettine has struggled this season coordinating the Packers defense. It is highly doubtful that Pettine is all of sudden going to become Buddy Ryan, who was the architect of the 1985 Chicago Bears. Still, Pettine has had success dialing up pressure which in return has created turnovers.
Along with this letter, we are hoping that Pettine finds his way to sit on Santa’s lap this Holiday season himself. If he does, hopefully he asks Santa ways to utilize the Packers pass rushers. Za’Darius Smith, Kenny Clark, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary are upper echelon pass rushers. If this group is put into situations they can create pressure, they will be able to make things happen.
Packers Special Teams Don’t Do Anything to Screw Things Up
If Pettine is standing in line to sit on Santa’s lap, it would be recommended that special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga cut in line to get to Santa quicker. The Green Bay Packers defense has struggled this season. But as of late, the special teams unit has told the defense to “hold their beer”.
The punt team has especially struggled. JK Scott, a former fifth round draft choice, has been a major reason for these struggles. He sits in the bottom five of punters in the NFL this season. But not all of the blame should be put on Scott’s shoulders. The coverage unit has been just has bad, allowing two punt returns for touchdowns.
Hopefully Santa can grant Scott and the rest of the special teams a Christmas miracle. Tavon Austin might be a part of that miracle. While he can’t help on punt coverage, his addition could bolster the punt return game.
Sadly, at this point, Packers fans are just hoping for the mistake-free special teams. Asking Santa to create points from the special teams might be a reach. But asking the unit not to put the Packers offense in a hole might not be too much to ask.
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