Will the Green Bay Packers make a move at the trade deadline? They should certainly try to address the rushing attack if there's an opportunity to add reinforcements.
Time will tell whether general manager Brian Gutekunst can strike a trade (more on that in a moment), but one thing is for sure: Micah Parsons' return will have a similar impact to a trade. His return is inching closer, and he'll give an ascending Packers pass rush a boost that can turn Jonathan Gannon's defense into a top-five unit.
Parsons' recovery from a torn ACL is reaching its final stage, and he could return in time for Thanksgiving. Let's get into it.
- Packers' rumored interest in trading for Jonathan Taylor is 'real'
- Micah Parsons is targeting a Week 12 return
- Week 8 rooting guide
- Week 8 Packers superlatives
- This day in Packers history
Packers' rumored interest in trading for Jonathan Taylor is 'real'
According to Bill Huber of Packers On SI, the Packers' rumored interest in Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is "real."
Green Bay is trying to fix a rushing attack averaging 60.6 yards per game, and trading for an All-Pro in Taylor is one way to do that. It wouldn't fix the run-blocking issues, but Taylor is a difference-maker.
Having interest and getting a deal over the line are two different things, though. How can the Packers realistically pull it off? Your guess is as good as mine. They don't have a first-round pick to offer next year, and for that reason, it might be tough to stomach giving away their second-rounder.
Perhaps Gutekunst can get creative. Maybe he goes all in by offering their 2028 first-round pick. Even then, it would require some restructuring to ensure the Packers can afford Taylor's contract. It would be a true win-now move.
It's a tough trade to pull off.
Micah Parsons is targeting a Week 12 return
Matt LaFleur hinted that Parsons could return to practice this week, and that seems to be the expectation. The million-dollar question then becomes how soon we'll see Parsons back in regular-season action.
According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, the "most likely return date" for Parsons is on Thanksgiving Eve against the Los Angeles Rams. Crucially, this comes directly after the Packers' bye week, giving Parsons added time to ramp up his reps.
Week 9 is too soon. Parsons will need to stack multiple weeks of practice after missing so much time. Green Bay will have a 21-day practice window before needing to activate him to the 53-man roster.
While Parsons could return in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings, the Rams game at the end of the month appears to be the target. Let the countdown begin.
Week 8 rooting guide
- Vikings over Lions
- Chargers over Rams
- Seahawks over Bears
It's not completely clear-cut this week, especially with two division rivals playing against each other. We've used The Athletic's playoff simulator as a guide, but again, it's complicated this week.
Per the simulator, a Vikings win over the Lions boosts the Packers' playoff chances from 49 percent to 51 percent, but a Lions victory would decrease that number to 48 percent.
It makes some sense. With a loss, the Lions would fall to 4-3, with the Packers moving ahead of them in the standings. If we're talking about making the playoffs, and not necessarily the division, then, yes, a Lions loss helps.
I'd add that Minnesota is hardly the scariest 6-0 team we've ever seen. The defense? Elite. No doubt about that. But how sustainable is their success, given the offensive struggles? According to NFL Media Researcher John Todd, only two teams have yet to score 10-plus offensive touchdowns this season: The 6-0 Vikings and the 0-6 Chargers.
Speaking of the Chargers, we need them to beat the Rams this week. At 3-4, the Rams are in the "in the hunt" territory. But 3-5? That would create some daylight.
The Seahawks-Bears game isn't easy, either, as The Athletic's simulator has a Bears win helping the Packers' playoff chances more. That's where we disagree. The goal is to win the division, and Chicago taking a loss to a non-NFC North opponent would be ideal.
Week 8 Packers superlatives
Award | Player |
|---|---|
MVP of the Week | Jordan Love |
Unsung Hero | Brenton Cox Jr. |
Biggest Disappointment | Aaron Banks |
Best PFF Grade | Brenton Cox Jr. (91.4) |
It feels like we're cheating by naming Jordan Love the MVP of the Week again, but it has to be him.
The Packers lost two fumbles, missed yet another kick, dropped two passes, and rushed for only 66 yards on 26 carries. It didn't matter, though, because Love put the team on his back, throwing three touchdown passes and helping the Packers put 27 points on the board.
He had one poor throw that was intercepted in the fourth quarter – Christian Watson was wide open on the other side of the field – but take nothing away from yet another superhero display from Love.
Brenton Cox Jr. is the unsung hero and received the highest PFF grade. Cox had a sack, a tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits, while PFF credited him with a team-best five pressures and a run stop. Yet despite all of that, nobody is talking about his performance.
Dani Dennis-Sutton is understandably getting his flowers, as is Lukas Van Ness, but Cox stepped up once again for his team.
Unfortunately, the biggest disappointment was Aaron Banks. He returned to the starting lineup, which forced Laken Tomlinson out of position at right guard. Per PFF, Banks allowed four pressures, tying John Williams for the Packers' most, while also receiving the team's worst run-blocking grade.
This day in Packers history
November 1, 1998: Packers record nine sacks in 36-22 win over 49ers
The Packers-49ers rivalry has delivered so many memorable moments, and this game belongs on the list. It was Week 9, with the 6-1 Niners coming to Lambeau to play the 5-2 Packers.
Brett Favre did Brett Favre things, throwing three touchdown passes but also three interceptions, connecting seven times with Antonio Freeman for 193 yards and two scores. Robert Brooks caught the other touchdown, while Travis Jervey added another on the ground.
The biggest story was Green Bay's defense, which sacked Steve Young nine times. Reggie White had three of them, LeRoy Butler two, and one each for Brian Williams, Vonnie Holliday, Vaughn Booker, and Keith McKenzie.
Ryan Longwell's 45-yard field goal tied the game at 22-22 early in the fourth quarter, and the Packers soon accelerated. Favre connected with Freeman for a 62-yard touchdown, McKenzie forced a fumble on Young, and then Jervey sealed the win with an 11-yard rushing score.
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