Why the Packers have to win the division.

[rodell330]

it's hard for me to see us get into the playoffs as a wildcard. I think at years end you will have a handful of teams from the NFC with 6 losses and I think we will be one of them. Unfortunately I think all our loses come from teams in the NFC. I think the Packers need to Win the North to make the playoffs. I see us dropping one on the road to the Lions, Eagles, and at home against the Sea Hawks. Next month they better get healthy and hope they get hot or we may fall out of the North running all together. I think the Wild Cards go to Dallas and someone else. Whoever doesn't win the North will be out all together.

 

[Sanguine camper]

The Packers can't run to the tub fast enough and when they get there they are in no hurry to get back on the field. This is exactly the type of mail it in effort I predicted at the start of the season. Basically the players are sick of MM and TT and are sitting this one out. Playoffs? Playoffs?

 

[rodell330]

The Packers can't run to the tub fast enough and when they get there they are in no hurry to get back on the field. This is exactly the type of mail it in effort I predicted at the start of the season. Basically the players are sick of MM and TT and are sitting this one out. Playoffs? Playoffs?

They haven't mailed it in. They just can't win close games against good teams. It's been that way around here for a looong time.

 

[HardRightEdge]

it's hard for me to see us get into the playoffs as a wildcard.

It's way too early to draw that conclusion.

 

[Shawnsta3]

If the playoffs were today, they would be in as a wild card. And obviously with a ton of important games yet to be played they control their own destiny, so to speak. So I'm not too worried.

 

[PikeBadger]

If the playoffs were today, they would be in as a wild card. And obviously with a ton of important games yet to be played they control their own destiny, so to speak. So I'm not too worried.

Win the next nine and everyone in the country will say we are favorites to win the Super Bowl. No stress here. Just win baby.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I think the Wild Cards go to Dallas and someone else.

I expect the Cowboys to win the East.

 

[El Guapo]

Agreed. The Cowboys would need to take a monumental fall to not win the East. I am also not sure that we will lose the Seattle game. Their defense is still legit but their offense is struggling.

 

[PFanCan]

Win the next nine and everyone in the country will say we are favorites to win the Super Bowl. No stress here. Just win baby.

Win the next 13 and even I will say that they were the favorite to win the Super Bowl!

 

[Mondio]

Win the next 13 and even I will say that they were the favorite to win the Super Bowl!

I like the way you think

 

[Royal Pain]

In 2010 the Packers suffered a ridiculous amount of injuries during the season and lost a close game to the Falcons in Atlanta. Making the playoffs as a wild card might not be so bad.

 

[OldSchool101]

with exception of the Bears, our schedule gets increasingly more difficult until Christmas. We need to put away the Colts and Titans now and get healthy in 3 weeks or we're in deep doodoo

 

[Deleted member 6794]

with exception of the Bears, our schedule gets increasingly more difficult until Christmas. We need to put away the Colts and Titans now and get healthy in 3 weeks or we're in deep doodoo

If the Packers play up to their potential I don't see any opponent the team isn't capable of beating on the remaining schedule. With that being said I expect them to struggle in at least one or two contests.

 

[Half Empty]

If the Packers play up to their potential I don't see any opponent the team isn't capable of beating on the remaining schedule. With that being said I expect them to struggle in at least one or two contests.

The caveat that has created us Nervous Nellies/Negative Nancys.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

In 2010 the Packers suffered a ridiculous amount of injuries during the season and lost a close game to the Falcons in Atlanta. Making the playoffs as a wild card might not be so bad.

Very true but the injuries on defense this year have been much worse. While not as plentiful, no team's defense can withstand the top three corners all being out. It's also important to remember that the Packers in 2010 were a much more talented team. For all the credit that Thompson gets, and deserves much of it, that 2010 Packers team had more talent on offense (even considering Finley and Grant were out most of the year) and the difference in talent level on defense was HUGE; while Burnett missed much of the year on IR, the Packers' defense in 2010 featured Woodson, Jenkins, Collins, Matthews and the good years of Bishop and Raji.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

If the Packers play up to their potential I don't see any opponent the team isn't capable of beating on the remaining schedule. With that being said I expect them to struggle in at least one or two contests.

The caveat that has created us Nervous Nellies/Negative Nancys.

My caveat is playing up to their potential and not suffering any more major injuries, especially at QB. This team could be set up to really make a run if and when we start getting Cook, Rollins, Randall, Mathews and possibly Lacy or Shields back. I like Shields, but at this point if we can get Rollins and Randall back, I will take a healthy and rested Lacy over Shields to return for the playoffs.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Very true but the injuries on defense this year have been much worse. While not as plentiful, no team's defense can withstand the top three corners all being out. It's also important to remember that the Packers in 2010 were a much more talented team. For all the credit that Thompson gets, and deserves much of it, that 2010 Packers team had more talent on offense (even considering Finley and Grant were out most of the year) and the difference in talent level on defense was HUGE; while Burnett missed much of the year on IR, the Packers' defense in 2010 featured Woodson, Jenkins, Collins, Matthews and the good years of Bishop and Raji.

I agree, while 2010 saw a lot of guys on the IR, quite a few of them were not that big of contributors to begin with as well as lost early in the season.

http://www.cheeseheadsportsnut.com/2011/02/wednesday-what-happened-ranking-packers.html

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I will be watching the Trade news today, especially in regards to the Vikings. Will they go "all in" and pull off a deal for a player like Joe Thomas or someone else to shore up their very leaky O-Line? Guessing the Seahawks are taking a hard long look at Thomas as well.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I will be watching the Trade news today, especially in regards to the Vikings. Will they go "all in" and pull off a deal for a player like Joe Thomas or someone else to shore up their very leaky O-Line? Guessing the Seahawks are taking a hard long look at Thomas as well.

I highly doubt the Browns are going to trade Thomas though.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I highly doubt the Browns are going to trade Thomas though.

You are probably correct. The Browns already have 4 picks in the first 2 rounds and even traded a 4th (possibly a 3rd) to the Patriots for LB Jamie Collins. There was trade talk last year surrounding Thomas, but at that time it was for a #1, last I heard, this year its for a #2. Hard to rebuild a team on draft picks alone, if I was a Browns fan, the last guy I want to see shipped out is Joe Thomas.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

You are probably correct. The Browns already have 4 picks in the first 2 rounds and even traded a 4th (possibly a 3rd) to the Patriots for LB Jamie Collins. There was trade talk last year surrounding Thomas, but at that time it was for a #1, last I heard, this year its for a #2. Hard to rebuild a team on draft picks alone, if I was a Browns fan, the last guy I want to see shipped out is Joe Thomas.

If I remember correctly the Browns were asking for two first round picks in return for Thomas last season. There are rumors they're currently shopping Haden though.

 

[Robert Mason]

It's way too early to draw that conclusion.

With the decline of the Vikings the division title is up for grabs. Keep close to the top and it all boils down to who plays well in December. I don't see the Packers grasping for a sixth seed like 2010. The Packers could easily win the division if the offense plays well.

 

[Mondio]

If I remember correctly the Browns were asking for two first round picks in return for Thomas last season. There are rumors they're currently shopping Haden though.

I think the only way they do something like this would be if they think Randall is done for the year. But then we're getting rid of Shields next year, which I think is very likely, and replacing him with another guy who is coming off his own concussion problems for a big salary. I don't see them making a trade like that when they have two high draft picks invested at that position. But maybe? Can never have enough good cover guys that's for sure.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I think the only way they do something like this would be if they think Randall is done for the year. But then we're getting rid of Shields next year, which I think is very likely, and replacing him with another guy who is coming off his own concussion problems for a big salary. I don't see them making a trade like that when they have two high draft picks invested at that position. But maybe? Can never have enough good cover guys that's for sure.

I don't expect the Packers to trade for Haden either but was just mentioning that it seems the Browns are listening to offers for him.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

At this point in the season, or really at any point of the year, I don't see TT trading away much more than a jelly sandwich for another player (Niles Davis like). IMO opinion, this is one area that separates TT from Belichick, the willingness to roll the dice on a high end FA or trade that at the end of the day, improves his team immediately and may end up costing something on the backside in the lost potential of a drafted player and a nudge to the cap.