Packers: Revisiting the 16 regular season games in 2020

Week 14 at Detroit Lions

The game that would result in clinching the NFC North for the second-straight year under LaFleur. OK, not another four-touchdown performance from Rodgers, but three is just as good. Going back to the aforementioned comment about Detroit, again, this was another tight one in the Motor City.

Even with a banged-up Stafford under-center, the two teams would exchange scores for the majority of the game. A three-minute drive capped off by Crosby’s 57-yard field goal in the Heart Attack Quarter would be the final points needed in this one.

Speaking of Crosby, when his number was called upon this season, he never blinked — and also went a perfect 16/16 on field goals. A big game for those wearing green and yellow, and once again, Green Bay is your NFC North champion.

Green Bay 10-3

Week 15 vs. Carolina Panthers

Ah, Saturday football. You know it’s not the worst thing getting to watch football on Saturday — well, NFL football, that is. This was a treat to watch with the defense finally having a signature game this season. While the offense was its usual explosive self, the defense set the tone early and often against the Carolina Panthers.

With Carolina driving to the GB-1, the D-Train forced a Teddy Bridgewater fumble to end any chance of getting back in this one. While the final score looks like it was a close game, Carolina would only muster one touchdown scoring drive while settling for field goals in the second half.

The defense would force two fumbles, three sacks, and just 16 points in another dominant win at Lambeau Field. The race for the No. 1 seed in the NFC was on!

Green Bay 11-3

Week 16 vs. Tennessee Titans

If you weren’t afraid of Derrick Henry running for 2,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in this one, then … you’re full of it. Henry had been so dominant this season and the Achilles heel of this Green Bay defense was its run defense. It just seemed destined for Henry to have a big road performance at snowy Lambeau Field.

However, the exact opposite happened and King Henry was held to a pedestrian 98 yards and zero touchdowns on the night. But you know who had another four-touchdown performance? That’s right: MVP-to-be Aaron Rodgers.

The D-Train, facing a pretty good offense in their own right, held them in check for just 14 points. The lone blunder came when Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill ran for 45 yards to the house. But if that lone touchdown run came from Tannehill and not Henry, then you’ll take that trade 100 percent of the time.

But on a night where Green Bay put up 40 points and took another step towards clinching the NFC’s top seed, the regular season was coming to an end with just one week remaining. The final home game of the season was a memorable one yet again proving why the playoffs coming through Lambeau Field is a huge factor in reaching the Super Bowl.

Green Bay 12-3

Week 17 at Chicago Bears

With New Orleans and Seattle with a chance to secure the No. 1 seed — albeit a number of scenarios had to play out for either to accomplish it — it was put up or shut up in the Windy City in the season finale.

Almost a carbon copy of the previous matchup, Green Bay would explode for 35 points while holding Chicago to just 16 points on the evening. For the first time since the 2011 season, Green Bay would obtain the No. 1 seed in the NFC. This had been a magical season filled with joyous moments as the scene at Soldier Field favored Green Bay.

The Packers would finish the season on a six-game winning streak while holding four of their five opponents to under 20 points. For the final time this season, one last MVP-like performance from Rodgers had this team smelling Super Bowl.

For all the talk, for all the doubts, Green Bay had accomplished many goals they set out to achieve during a pandemic season in 2021.

Green Bay 13-3; NFC North Champions, NFC No. 1 seed

That’s a wrap on 2020

While we obviously know how the postseason played out against the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 2020 season was a magical one that should be one to be built upon.

While we wait to see what the offseason has in store for the 2021 Green Bay Packers, the fact that this team was once again close to reaching another Super Bowl should speak volumes.

While Rodgers and the front office may have butted heads since the loss to Tampa Bay, both sides have seemingly agreed on the same page that Rodgers will be back for the foreseeable future.

The loss took its toll on the psyche of a lot of people in the Packers organization and rightfully so. It’s easy to be good, but hard to be great.

Eventually, one of these seasons won’t end in a heartbreaking fashion. Eventually, Green Bay will win a second Super Bowl under Rodgers. And eventually, the Vince Lombardi trophy will return home.

The sun is setting on the 2020 season, but like all new days, the sun will rise again as new days draw near. So, until next time:

Go Pack Go.