Green Bay Packers: What to make of recent performance

The Green Bay Packers have won 11 games and can still be the top playoff seed in the NFC. But Matt LaFleur’s club has looked a bit off in recent weeks.

A season again, the NFL franchise that resides in “Titletown” suffered through a forgettable campaign. The Green Bay Packers finished in third place in the NFC North and longtime head coach Mike McCarthy was dismissed after 12 games.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers never really looked like himself after suffering a knee injury early on in the season opener against the Bears. It added up to 6-9-1 record, including a 1-4-1 ledger vs. their divisional rivals.

Things have changed in 2019 and it started with a new sideline leader in Matt LaFleur. He’s led the club to an 11-3 record and a victory tonight at Minnesota means the Pack would have doubled their win total from a season ago. And if the Packers knock off the 10-4 Vikings, they will be NFC North champions for the first time since 2016.

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Moreover, a win on Monday night, a victory at Detroit in Week 17 and a Seattle victory over the 49ers on Sunday night means Green Bay is the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

LaFleur’s club has won its last three games since being humbled by the Niners, 37-8, in Week 12. There have been victories over the Giants, Redskins and Bears but the Packers’ offense seemed to lack the snap of the early season. In those latter two wins, Washington and Chicago had their chances late after the Packers built up substantial early leads.

Green Bay’s defensive issues, most notably against the run, are hard to ignore. Offseason additions Preston Smith (11.5) and Za’Darius Smith (10) have combined for 21.5 of the team’s 35 sacks and the club has forced 23 turnovers. But only eight teams in the league are allowing more yards per game (120.9) on the ground.

It’s all right in front of these Green Bay Packers. But this doesn’t feel like an 11-3 team these days. Of course, the NFL is not about style points and perhaps the team’s confidence took a bit of a hit after that lopsided loss at San Francisco in late November.

Thanks in part to a big season from running back Aaron Jones, it’s a more balanced team than is years’ past. Can Rodgers and company build a little momentum and take it into the postseason? The club will need to be sharp to knock off the Vikings on Monday night.