Top five performers for Packers in Week 15 loss vs. Bears

4. Mike Pettine

I’m going a different route for the next two performers. I usually reserve the five spots for players from the game, but this week I feel the coaching staff deserves some love.

Mike Pettine has been holding the defense together with sticks, glue and mud the past few weeks. The defense has been hit hard with injuries in the second half of the season, yet still has put together strong performances.

Going into Sunday’s game, the Packers defense had only four players who started Week 1. Over 60 percent of the starters today were expected to be subs or role players heading into this game if all had gone right.

Trades, injuries and mid-season replacements has led the Packers to where they are. Still, the defense was put into places to succeed against a top-five offensive unit.

The Packers have not been lights out but with so many players hurt, no-one could have blamed Pettine if the Packers were giving up 30 or more a game. They haven’t. If not for two garbage time touchdowns, the Packers would have only given up seven last week against the Falcons and only gave up 24 to a team missing only one of its preferred starters.

The defense has improved week after week, and I wish I could have seen this unit stick together, healthy, all season long.

Coach Pettine is making his case to stick around regardless of who gets hired as the next head coach. I for one hope he gets another chance in Green Bay.

I feel another year with players like Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, Clark, Blake Martinez and Mike Daniels could build a foundation for a top-five unit over the next couple years. The offseason will add more pieces and the right balance of veteran and rookie additions can make it possible for a quick climb for the defense.

5. Joe Philbin

I know the Packers lost, and with that Joe Philbin will not lead this team on a magical and improbable ride into the playoffs. But there is something to be said for the way his team has come out over the last two weeks.

With the loss to Arizona, the Packers could have easily packed it in and started their thoughts to next season. They have not done that, well at least not yet.

Philbin’s game plan was solid if the execution was not. He stood by the run despite not having much success to start the game and did his best to not put the game entirely on Rodgers.

Philbin’s offense has not been immune to injuries and had to deal with more during the game. Aaron Jones left in the first quarter with a knee injury and did not return. He started the game playing backups on the right side of the offensive line. Aaron Rodgers tweaked his groin and it clearly affected his play. Randall Cobb left the game after taking a big hit on a first-down catch.

All of this and the Packers still lost by only one score.

Philbin now faces a very tough challenge during the final two weeks. He has to prepare his team with nothing more than pride to play for, while trying to show he can be the next head coach of the Packers.

Many will scream for starters to be benched, but I feel this would be sending this team and the players fighting for their jobs/well beings the wrong message.

The Packers need to see who and what they have going into the offseason. Resting starters and playing extended preseason type games will not give you a clear image. You need to see how these players perform with guys on or above their level playing key roles next to them.

Joe Philbin will now have to play a delicate game for the next two weeks, trying not wreck the Packers’ future while securing his.

Regardless of what happens the rest of the season, Philbin has done an admiral job these last two weeks and that should not be overlooked.