Why the Green Bay Packers are about to go on a run
No, the Green Bay Packers were not hoping to be 3-5 by the start of November. No, the Packers were not hoping to be on a four-game losing streak at any point this season. No, the Packers were not hoping to be four games back of the Minnesota Vikings just halfway through the season.
So, it is clear Matt LaFleur’s squad is in need of a big spark. That spark could come this Sunday against the 1-6 Detroit Lions.
The Lions are statistically off to one of the worst starts for a pass defense in league history, which is why they just fired their DBs coach Aubrey Pleasant. If there was ever a game for Green Bay’s 22nd-ranked passing attack to catch fire, this would be it.
Also, Detroit traded former Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson to the rival Minnesota Vikings just before the trade dealine this week.
This game is a great opportunity for the Packers to get back on track.
Assuming Green Bay can come out of Detroit with a win on Sunday, they have a very favorable schedule in the second half of the season. After Detroit, Green Bay hosts the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10, who have a difficult time beating Aaron Rodgers (Dallas has beaten Rodgers just one time in the last 14 years).
In Week 11, the Packers host the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night. When Green Bay last faced Tennessee, they held King Henry to under 100 yards on 30 carries en route to a blowout win.
They will then face a difficult team in the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on the road in Week 12. That is the only game that might get away from the Packers the rest of the way.
Green Bay will face a team they have continued to dominate over the years in the Chicago Bears in Week 13 before a bye.
Coming out of the bye, Green Bay faces the Los Angeles Rams on a Monday night in Week 15 (the Packers have beaten the Rams two years in a row at Lambeau Field).
In Week 16, Green Bay travels down to Miami for a Christmas Day date with the Dolphins, who tend to be a hot-and-cold team. Then, they finish up against the Minnesota Vikings and Lions at home to end the regular season.
Although Minnesota has started off extremely hot this season, they have beaten Aaron Rodgers at home just three times in his entire career.
Judging by the schedule, Green Bay has more than a chance to fight back into the playoff picture. Outside of the Eagles matchup, the Packers can definitely win every single one of their games on their schedule.
They just need to get that winning feeling back in the building. It doesn’t matter who it comes against. This week, in what most would consider a must-win game in Detroit, Green Bay could, and should, find that spark that will allow them to go on a big run in the second half of the season.