A series of mistakes are coming back to haunt the Packers, and now they're against the ropes and in danger of missing the playoffs
- The Green Bay Packers are 4-5-1 and in danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight season.
- The Packers have been plagued by small, late mistakes that have cost them in close games.
- Aaron Rodgers hasn't been perfect this season, and the Packers need him to be close to perfect to contend.
The Green Bay Packers lost, 27-24, to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, and now face a daunting road to the playoffs with five games remaining.
At 4-5-1, the Packers are in danger of missing the postseason for a second straight season, though last year that was mostly because Aaron Rodgers missed nine weeks with a broken collarbone. This year, Rodgers is battling a knee injury, but there are fewer excuses when perhaps the league's best quarterback is still playing.
Instead, the Packers have been plagued by several close losses and maddening mistakes. The loss to the Seahawks, who kept their playoff hopes alive by moving to 5-5, encapsulated some of the issues the Packers have had closing out games.
First, on Thursday, there was the decision not to challenge a "catch" made by Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett with 6:41 left in the game. Replays showed Lockett bobbled the ball as he went to the ground, and former NFL head of officiating and FOX analyst Mike Pereira said he thought it would be over-turned if reviewed.
The Packers, however, did not challenge, perhaps because they only had one timeout remaining, because they burned two with substitution issues earlier in the half.
The Seahawks would go on to score what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown three plays later.
On the ensuing drive, the Packers gained just eight yards on three plays and were facing 4th-and-2 from their 33-yard line, with 4:20 left to play. They elected to punt. Even the Seahawks were happy with the prospects of getting the ball out of Rodgers' hands for a game-winning drive.
"Oh my God," Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. told NFL Network's Mike Silver after the game. "I was like, 'Please! Punt! Punt! Punt!'"
After the game, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said they considered going for it, but thought with a timeout and two-minute warning approaching, their defense could hold up. Instead, the Seahawks got two first downs to end the game.
The Packers keep taking the ball out of Rodgers' hands
The Packers seemingly keep finding ways to take the ball away from Rodgers in big moments.
Afterward, several Packers players criticized the decision, noting that by kneeling, Montomgery would have given the ball to Rodgers with the game on the line.
Read more: Packers players rip running back who went rogue and returned a late kick, then fumbled to end the game
In Week 9 against the New England Patriots, with the score tied, 17-17, the Packers had just made a second consecutive stop on Tom Brady and company.
Now with the ball to start the fourth quarter, running back Aaron Jones fumbled, giving the ball back to the Patriots. The Patriots scored to make the game 24-17, and momentum permanently shifted. Rodgers and the Packers did get two more stabs at scoring but were unable to convert. They lost, 33-17.
Will the Packers be in the market for a new kicker?
It hasn't been the finest season for Mason Crosby. The 34-year-old kicker has seen his field goal accuracy drop from 78.9% to 76.9% and has already missed two extra-point attempts this season, the same amount he missed in 16 games last year.
Crosby had a disastrous week against the Lions in Week 5, missing four of five field goals and an extra-point attempt. The Packers lost by eight.
On Thursday, Crosby also missed a field goal in the first quarter. The Packers lost by three.
The Packers problems go further. They've only just recently established a run game through second-year running back Aaron Jones, who Rodgers stumped for earlier in the season. Rodgers has lamented a lack of chemistry with some of his receivers, including rookies Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown. Tight end Jimmy Graham is now injured, but his connection with Rodgers hasn't been seamless in their first year together.
Rodgers himself hasn't been perfect either. It's the first year Rodgers' passer rating isn't over 100, and his completion percentage stands at just 61.8% The problem is, the Packers simply aren't a great team unless Rodgers is close to perfect.
The Packers might have to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. That may be easier said than done, as they still have to play the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Atlanta Falcons, plus the Lions, who beat them earlier and seem to get up for big games.
If the Packers miss the playoffs for two seasons in a row, leaving their $180 million quarterback at home in January, there may be changes to be made in Green Bay.