Packers fall to the lions, eliminated from playoffs
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GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (PSF) - The Green Bay Packers lost to the Detroit Lions 20-16 this past Sunday Night. This was a win-and-in game for the Packers and they failed to advance to the playoffs. Green Bay was a four point favorite in this game according to Caesar’s Sportsbook, so this loss was a bit of a surprise.
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One would think that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers would rise to the occasion on this regular season finale and beat their division opponent to advance to the playoffs. Instead, the Packers failed to score a touchdown until there was 3:17 left in the third quarter. After a one yard rushing touchdown from Lions RB Jamaal Williams with just under six minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Rodgers threw a costly interception to safety Kerby Joseph six plays into their next drive. That essentially sealed the deal for a Detroit win, and a successful spoiling of the Packers’ playoff chances.
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This concluded one of the most disappointing seasons from the Packers in the Aaron Rodgers era. Green Bay only won two divisional games this season. Both were against the 3-14 Bears, also the number one pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, not really something to be proud of. This game and this season as a whole showed a Packers team in decline. Christian Watson had a terrific rookie year and was a nice addition to the passing game along with Allen Lazard. Watson recorded 41 receptions, 611 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns, and an average of 14.9 yards per catch. He also added seven rushing attempts for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Lazard recorded 60 receptions, 788 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns and an average of 13.1 yards per catch.
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However, it was not enough. For successful teams, it is necessary to have that true WR1, that go-to guy that can propel them to wins when needed. The 2022 Packers did not have that guy. Still having Davante Adams in this offense would have helped immensely as he recorded 1,516 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns this season with the Raiders. That is head and shoulders above the rest of the Packers WRs this season.
This offense indeed did struggle without their #1 WR from last year. Green Bay recorded 319 total offensive yards per game in 2022. They recorded 345 total offensive yards per game in 2021. This does not sound like a big difference, but remember, this is per game. If you multiple the yards difference of 26 by 18 games, that is 468 yards that are left on the table by the end of the season. Given a standard 80 yard drive, that is almost six additional potential touchdowns that the Packers could have scored but didn’t.
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On the other side of the ball though, give credit to the Lions, their turn around this season has been incredible. Dan Campbell has done something special with this team to transform them from a 3-13 record a season ago to a 9-8 record this season. Additionally, Jamaal Williams broke Barry Sanders record for most touchdowns scored in a single season in franchise history. Williams must feel great knowing that he broke a record of one of the all-time greatest running backs in NFL history.
Does this season show that Aaron Rodgers is in decline? Is retirement on the horizon for him? Is he going to join a different team or remain with the Packers? Rodgers was noncommittal in his press conference after the game, saying that he needed to “take the emotion out of it” before he would be able to make a decision on his future in the NFL.
If the Packers are going to make the playoffs next year, they are likely going to need to look for some more talented WRs in free agency, in trades, or in the draft. Rodgers is one of the great QBs of this generation but he and Aaron Jones can’t carry this team by themselves. They need more help on offense. Rodgers also needs to put in some extra work in the offseason because his 12 interceptions this season were the second most he’s thrown in his career. He also had his worst passing yards season of his career while starting all games with 3,695. The Packers certainly have a lot of work to do.