A Long Road Ahead

The Green Bay Packers did not take well to losing four consecutive games.

They also didn’t seem to know how to emerge from their funk.

No running game. No true deep threat. No defense. Teams are 4-6 for any number of reasons, and here were three.

So after the Packers beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-13 on Monday night on the road, there was at least a sense of relief. A bit of the burden was lifted. Whether or not the Packers can make the playoffs for an eighth consecutive season is an open question, but a loss to the Eagles would have virtually ensured their absence.

“It’s been a rough stretch,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said after the game. “We’re human. You lose a few in a row and doubt starts to creep in on whether or not you can actually finish one of those games off.”

Rather than worry so much about finishing one off, Rodgers got the Packers off to a quick start. He threw touchdown passes to Davante Adams on Green Bay’s first two possessions and the Packers ate up the clock, leaving the Eagles and rookie quarterback Carson Wentz little time to work with.

“The first half was different this week,” Rodgers said. “We started the way we wanted to start.”

Rodgers really lifted his game, completing 30 of 39 passes for 313 yards. The running game, while not impressive, did enough to convert seven first downs.

At 5-6, it’s still going to be a climb for the Packers. The Detroit Lions (7-4) lead the division and the Minnesota Vikings (6-5) are also head of the Pack. The final two games of the season could determine the division’s fate, as the Packers play the Vikings and Lions to wrap it up.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman