The Green Bay Packers’ struggles this season within the NFC North have severely diminished their chances of claiming the division title. After suffering a narrow defeat of 34-31 against the Detroit Lions, the Packers (9-4) now hold a disappointing 1-3 record in divisional matchups. Their only victory in this context came from a close 20-19 win over the Chicago Bears on November 17, a game in which they required a blocked 46-yard field goal attempt on the final play to secure the win.
Currently, the Packers find themselves trailing three games behind the Lions (12-1) and 1.5 games behind the Minnesota Vikings (10-2) in the NFC North standings. Compounding their difficulties, the Lions claim the tiebreaker over the Packers by virtue of winning both regular-season encounters.
Despite these setbacks, the Packers remain in contention for a wild-card playoff spot thanks to their impressive 8-1 record against teams outside of their division. “The main objective is to make it into the playoffs,” noted center Josh Myers. “While we’d certainly prefer a better position, we will accept our current standing and strive to maximize our opportunities.”
If the Packers secure a playoff berth, their journey towards their first Super Bowl appearance since their championship season in 2010 could demand overcoming either the Lions or the Vikings on their home turf during the postseason. Earlier in the season, the Packers’ home game against the Vikings ended in a close 31-29 loss, and they are scheduled to face off again in Minnesota on December 29.
During the recent loss to Detroit, the Packers managed to rally from a 17-7 halftime deficit and momentarily took the lead. However, the game culminated with Jake Bates kicking a tiebreaking 35-yard field goal at the end, sealing the victory for Detroit. Packers coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged the team’s slow start, particularly on offense, as a significant factor in the loss.
Historically, the Packers have faced challenges against NFC North rivals this season, a trend that has not been observed in their other games. They have consistently trailed at halftime in each of their four divisional encounters, with a staggering tally of 72-24 against them in first-half scoring. In contrast, the Packers have outperformed their opponents in the first half of their other nine games, with a score of 151-86.
In recent years, the Packers have struggled against the Lions, losing six out of their last seven matchups, with their only victory being a 29-22 win last Thanksgiving in Detroit. Nevertheless, there remains a sense of confidence within the team, as linebacker Isaiah McDuffie stated, “I believe we can beat them, and I look forward to showing that if we get another chance.”
The offense showcased resilience by recovering after a sluggish beginning, culminating in three touchdowns and one field goal during their five possessions in the second half. The acquisition of Brandon McManus in mid-October has stabilized the kicking game, with McManus successfully making 7 of 8 field goal attempts and converting all 14 extra-point tries.
That being said, there are still several areas in need of improvement for the Packers. The offense’s failure to gain momentum early in the game contributed to the setback, as they registered two punts and a fumble in their opening three drives. In addition, the defense faced difficulties in containing the Lions’ screen passes, and failed to stop the Lions’ robust fourth-down attempts, allowing them to convert 4 of 5 such attempts.
Although RB Josh Jacobs stood out with another impressive performance, scoring three touchdowns in his last three games, WR Jayden Reed struggled significantly, failing to record a catch after scoring two touchdowns in the previous match against the Miami Dolphins.
Injuries plagued the squad during the contest, with several players such as Javon Bullard (ankle), Evan Williams (concussion), and Lukas Van Ness (thumb) leaving the game. Furthermore, Jaire Alexander and Edgerrin Cooper missed their third consecutive games, in addition to absent players like Romeo Doubs and Corey Ballentine.
One significant note from the game is that this loss ended the Packers’ five-game winning streak on the road against NFC North teams, a streak that began with a victory over the Bears earlier in the year.
Looking ahead, the Packers’ next challenge will be a battle against the Seattle Seahawks in a Sunday night game scheduled for December 15.
