The Green Bay Packers faithful are probably desperately wishing that Week 2 arrives quicker than usual. That's because they can finally put their Week 1 disaster-class behind them.
After leading 22-10, the Packers surrendered 29 unanswered points to lose 39-22 in a game where they looked like locks to win. It showed that while it may be a new season, the Packers' inability to close out games remains a problem.
It should be no coincidence that the Packers' consecutive streak of blowing leads in the fourth quarter stems from pass rusher Micah Parsons being injured late last season with what was determined to be a torn ACL. Since Parsons has been sidelined, the Packers are 0-5.
While having Parsons on the field overall would be a significant upgrade for the Packers, his presence in the fourth quarter will be a much-needed addition.
Micah Parsons' clutch play is much-missed for Packers after yet another collapse
The Packers made the blockbuster move to acquire Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys because he is one of the top young stars in the game. If you need a player to get to the quarterback, then Parsons is the player for you. That's why they gave up two first-round picks to the Cowboys and signed him to a four-year, $186 million contract.
Parsons had plenty of clutch moments during his short time with the Packers.
In Week 7, Parsons recorded a sack late in the fourth quarter to prevent an Arizona Cardinals comeback and secure the 27-13 win. Parsons had three sacks total in the game.
Parsons helped prevent a comeback by the New York Giants in Week 11 by recording a strip sack on quarterback Jameis Winston to secure the 27-20 victory.
In last season's Week 13 game against the Detroit Lions, Parsons notched 2.5 sacks, two of which were on the Lions' final drive, which forced them to kick a field goal instead of going for the touchdown. The Packers went on to win that game 31-24.
Parsons had plenty of clutch moments for the Packers and helped them prevent late-game collapses. He was the closer for the team, kind of like Mariano Rivera was for the New York Yankees. The Packers played Rivera's entrance music, "Enter Sandman" by Metallica, when Parsons entered games in the fourth quarter.
Sure, it's on the nose, but why not hype up the fans at Lambeau Field? "Parsons is on the field on this pivotal drive. We'll be fine."
Packers went downhill once Micah Parsons suffered torn ACL
Parsons exited Green Bay's game against the Denver Broncos in Week 15. Considering it happened late in the season, it put Parsons' return timeframe at around October.
With Parsons absent, the Packers coincidentally could not win a game. But perhaps most importantly, they couldn't close out games in the fourth quarter when they were leading.
In the four games since Parsons' injury (not counting their Week 18 loss to the Vikings when the starters were rested), the Packers outscored their opponents 80-53 in the first three quarters. But in the fourth quarter, the Packers were outscored 74-9. That is a truly telling statistic.
Plenty of blame deserves to go to the players on the roster for not stepping up, and head coach Matt LaFleur for being unable to scheme up game-sealing plays. But not having a franchise cornerstone like Parsons available to play in the fourth quarter certainly doesn't help matters.
Once Parsons does return, whether it's Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys or later, the fanbase should feel better about not only winning games, but also preventing late-game collapses.
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