The Green Bay Packers are fresh off a loss to the Chicago Bears, which dropped Green Bay's record to 7-4. All of the Packers' losses have come in the last five games and they are now in second place in the NFC North. With that in mind, here are 10 things we know about the Packers after 11 games.
10. Clay Matthews Has Been Great
Matthews has played more inside linebacker this season and he's done a great job playing inside and outside this year. He's recorded 54 tackles this season, with 4.5 sacks and a pick. He's done a little bit of everything and the Packers' defense is much worse when he's off the field.
9. The First Two Draft Picks Are Good
The Packers took Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins in the first two rounds and both have contributed. Randall has played a lot of nickel corner and has played well. He's picked up 44 tackles, two picks and broken up 12 passes. Rollins missed some time earlier this season, but has played well in limited time. He's racked up 12 tackles and two picks, one of which went for a TD. Randall and Rollins have the potential to be strong starting CBs for the Packers.
8. Richard Rodgers Stepped Up
With no Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams out for much of the season (more on him below), the Packers needed a TE to step up. So far, that's been Richard Rodgers. He's doubled his targets and receptions in his second season. He's caught 40 passes on 60 targets for 293 yards and 5 TDs. He's not the top option for Aaron Rodgers, but he doesn't need to be anything more than a secondary option.
7. Signing James Jones Paid Off
When Nelson went down and the Giants cut James Jones, he was quickly linked to the Packers. It made sense, as Jones had success with the Packers previously. He's slowed down a little bit in recent weeks, but still is a great addition. He's caught 30 passes for 592 yards for seven TDs. He's been a huge red zone threat.
6. James Starks Has Played Well
With Eddie Lacy struggling at times (see below), Starks stepped up for the Packers. He's racked up 108 carries, the most since his second year in the NFL and he could set a new career-high before the year ends. He's recorded 429 yards and a TD. He's been a weapon in the passing game, picking up 30 catches for 292 yards and two TDs. He set career-highs in all three of those categories. He's done everything you can ask from a backup RB.
5. Eddie Lacy Has Had Issues Early
Lacy did not look like himself in the first nine games of the season, battling both injury and ineffectiveness. He failed to top 100 total yards and fumbled three times. Starks was the better back between the two, something Lacy admitted.
4. Perhaps Lacy Found His Form
But, Lacy appears to have found his form in the last two weeks. He's picked up 100 yards on the ground in each game and has looked like the talented young RB he is. He did fumble once against the Bears, which is worrisome. However, if Lacy keeps playing like this, the Packers will be very happy.
3. Davante Adams Needs To Step Up
Adams has played in eight games, battling injuries throughout this season. He missed all of October and the Packers' need him to play well. Despite missing time, Adams has been targeted 63 times, second-most on the team. However, he's only caught 32 passes for 322 yards and has yet to find the end zone. Adams has potential, but needs to start playing better.
2. Aaron Rodgers Will Determine How Far The Team Goes
Lacy and Adams' issues have hurt, but this team remains in the hands of Aaron Rodgers. His play will determine how far the Packers go this season. So far this year, Rodgers has completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,684 yards, 24 TDs and 4 picks. Those aren't bad numbers, but they aren't quite up to Rodgers' usual figures. For the Packers to make a Super Bowl run, Rodgers must improve his play just a bit.
1. The Packers Are A Playoff Team
The loss to the Bears hurts, but the Packers are still in good position to win the NFC North. They are a game back of the Vikings, but already beat them once this season. Both teams have fairly even schedules, but the Packers get a bad Lions team once more and a Cowboys team without Tony Romo. The NFC North will come down to the final regular season game when the Packers host the Vikings, but at the very least, the Packers will be a wild card team.
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