Green Bay Packers: Bye week timed perfectly in rocky season

The Green Bay Packers suffered a major blow with the loss of Aaron Rodgers a few weeks ago. The bye week gave Brett Hundley a chance to collect himself.

When Brett Hundley entered the game for Aaron Rodgers in week 6, the Green Bay Packers were sitting pretty with a 4-1 record. It was early in the game and they were tied 0-0 with the Minnesota Vikings. Rodgers broken collarbone was a momentum shift though. Of course, there’s a downgrade at quarterback, but it’s also something that can deflate a team’s confidence.

Then in at quarterback was an unproven 24-year old. No longer did the Packers have a surefire Hall of Fame quarterback leading them. Hundley struggled against the Vikings, throwing three interceptions, as the Packers lost 23-10. He was thrown into the fire though. With a week to prepare, maybe he would come out better in Week 7.

Instead, Hundley completed less than 50 percent of his passes. He threw for just 87 yards and no touchdowns, while throwing an interception. At least his legs looked good, picking up 44 yards and a score on three carries. The Packers lost that game as well, as the New Orleans Saints went home with a 26-17 victory.

Week 8 saw no game for Green Bay. It was their scheduled bye week, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Hundley has now played almost two full games, including making his first career start. It’s painfully obvious he’s struggled though, and the Packers season is crashing. However, the bye week gives Hundley and the rest of the roster a chance to collect themselves.

Green Bay is used to excellence with Rodgers at the helm. Maybe someday Hundley can prove to do the same thing. Right now though, he’s a deer in headlights. He wasn’t expecting to have a team’s playoff hopes rest on his shoulders this year, but here he is. Hundley had a chance to relax and forget about his struggles. He’s also had a chance to go over them and figure out what he needs to do to get the Packers back on track.

Next: NFL Trade Deadline: 1 Player each team should target

Meanwhile, the rest of the roster hasn’t been safe from mistakes either. If Green Bay wants to make the playoffs, the players around Hundley will have to pick him up. A well-timed bye week could be the exact thing the Green Bay Packers needed to get back in the win column.