The Green Bay Packers came into 2013 as Super Bowl contenders with one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers, coming off another MVP caliber season, was set to lead the Packers to another division title and a deep playoff run.
Two weeks into December, the once promising Packers season now is on playoff life support with their leader still recovering from a broken collarbone. With significant injuries to not only Aaron Rodgers, but Randall Cobb, Jermichael Finley, and Bryan Bulaga this season, the offense has been asked to produce with some fresh faces. The defense has been hurting as well with Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Casey Hayward, and Morgan Burnett missing significant time.
This many injuries to this many talented players would be reason enough for most teams to give up and start focusing on next year, but the Packers have stayed in the playoff hunt thanks to three players who have stepped up their game.
Eddie Lacy
Green Bay has had a difficult run since Rodgers went down, but they wouldn't be still in position to win the division had it not been for a resurgent running attack. Eddie Lacy has led this charge to the tune of 887 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, while also providing good hands out of the backfield with 27 catches for 206 yards. His contributions have been invaluable to a Packers offense that ranks 10th in the league in rushing offense and 5th in total offense.
Mike Neal
Often injured in his young NFL career, Neal is finally getting a chance in 2013 to show his ability as a pass rusher and run stopper. His 34 tackles are good for the highest among Packers defensive linemen, and his four sacks add to a pass rush that is 6th in the league in generating sacks. Neal has also shown a propensity for stuffing the run, with four stops behind the line of scrimmage on a defense that has largely struggled in that area in recent years.
Jordy Nelson
It's hard for a player already playing at a Pro Bowl level on a yearly basis to step it up one more notch, but that is exactly what Jordy Nelson has done in his sixth year. He is one reception away from tying his career high of 68 with three games to go, but it is the types of plays that don't show up on the stat sheet that have been most impressive. Nearly every week Nelson has made a sideline catch or acrobatic play worthy of Sportcenter's Top Ten Plays. His game has blossomed rather than wilted in the absence of Greg Jennings this season, who departed in free agency.
With just three games to go and the Packers on the outside looking in, it may not be the type of season many fans of Green Bay were hoping for. Nevertheless these players have made 2013 anything but a lost season.
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