Postgame: Eagles @ What's left of the Packers

[humanrefutation]

I understand the importantance of the Lions game but targeting that game worries me since it's a short week of practice (one day really) and the Lions being the dirty team that they are.

It's not really a short week for him unless he plays against Minnesota. And I think we've played the Lions so well that we're not going to really need that extra prep for the game.

If Rodgers feels ready to play against the Vikings, question they'll have to ask themselves is whether sitting him for an extra four days is going to make enough of a difference in protecting him to make it worth it to sit him out.

[rilamann]

It would be risky to bring Rodgers back for the Vikings game with the Lions game 4 days later but if you want to make the playoffs you have to play him as soon as he's ready to be back on the field.

You'd like to think that even if Rodgers felt healthy enough to play in Vikings game you could sit him out with the Lions game looming just to be cautious and still beat the Vikings at Lambeau.

It's testament to how bad our defense is,that even at home playing against one of the worst teams in the league we likely need Rodgers just to have chance at beating even the Vikings.

[rilamann]

Great, great news. But does this fix our sudden defensive woes?

The odds of this team making any real noise in the playoffs is pretty slim even with a healthy Aaron Rodgers but like Jake said,with Rodgers you have a chance in every game and with Lacy doing his thing that chance is a little greater.

But for the 3rd straight season the only thing our defense will likely stop is the Packers chances at a another Super Bowl.

[Newz]

Our defense has been good in stretches this year and I think it has the capability of being solid all around. That being said, it is hard to overcome a hampered Clay and guys constantly being in and out because of injuries all year. I understand injuries happen, but it has been excessive for us.

I actually like our linebacking core. It is concerning that so many of the D-Linemen graded out so poorly last game besides Daniels (who is a beast).

Tramon is clearly past his prime. It's been almost three years now since he's been an impact player. Shields is good, Hayward is great when healthy and some of our other young corners have potential.

When we are healthy there is no excuse to be as horrendous as we can be from time to time. But with the injuries and guys constantly being swapped out I can see where the communication issues, blown coverages and overall lack of performance comes from.

[rilamann]

The sad thing about it is that it's not like we need this defense to be a lights out top 5 defense to be a heavy favorite to come out of the NFC.

With a healthy Rodgers and Lacy running the ball all we need is for the defense to play like a top 15 defense against good offenses and when it really matters to have a real shot at doing some big things.

But when you let guys like Josh McCown and Nick Foles come into Lambeau and do whatever they want and lead 8+ minute drives and punch you in the mouth (yes I said it) you're not beating the good teams in January.

[El Duderino]

The sad thing about it is that it's not like we need this defense to be a lights out top 5 defense to be a heavy favorite to come out of the NFC.

With a healthy Rodgers and Lacy running the ball all we need is for the defense to play like a top 15 defense against good offenses and when it really matters to have a real shot at doing some big things.

But when you let guys like Josh McCown and Nick Foles come into Lambeau and do whatever they want and lead 8+ minute drives and punch you in the mouth (yes I said it) you're not beating the good teams in January.

I agree with your in general disdain for the brutal defensive performances the last two weeks, but i don't think Josh McCown and Nick Foles are typical scrubby backup QB's.

Foles currently is sporting an amazing 16/0 TD/INT ratio for a backup quarterback and i have no idea what's going on with McCown, but he's played great three weeks in a row. In fact, he's played so well that i think the Bears would have won all three of Washington, GB, and Detroit had he started the Washington/Detroit games instead of Cutler. The guy has been shockingly poised, accurate, making plays with his legs, and hasn't turned it over once. I really think the Packers would have had a better chance to beat Chicago had Cutler played, even if he was fully healthy.

Again, i'm not excusing the defense in either game, especially those game ending 9-plus minute drives in each one which should embarrass all the players involved and Capers. Almost nothing else can humiliate a defense like allowing game ending drives like those were. Our pass rush has vanished besides Daniels. The safety play is straight up garbage. Shields is the only reliable corner and he very well could sign elsewhere after the season. Raji hasn't been consistently reliable since 2010, yet he's a free agent to be and the only other NT on the roster is old man Pickett. Perry in back to back years can't stay healthy, a bad sign for now and going forward given that leaves Clay yet again as the only quality pass rushing LB in a 3-4 scheme which counts on OLB's to get pressure. On top of that, he's also hurt and looked awful trying to play with that club.