Race for the Division and Seahawk Watch

WiscoKing13 · Post #1 » by **WiscoKing13** » Sat Dec 5, 2015 1:04 am

Current Standings
1. Panthers 14-1
2. Arizona 13-2
3. Green Bay 10-5
4. Washington 8-7
5. Minnesota 10-5
6. Seattle 9-6

Packers 10-5 Vs. Vikings 10-5 7:05 Central

Seattle 9-6 @ Arizona 13-2 3:25 Central

Tampa 6-9 @ Carolina 14-1 3:25 Central

El Duderino · Post #2 » by **El Duderino** » Sat Dec 5, 2015 3:58 am

That win yesterday obviously was exciting, some say it could springboard the team going forward, and it is true that fairly recent history has shown it doesn't have to be say 12-15 win teams who make the Super Bowl.

With that said, i just have a hard time getting excited by the chances for this team to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Receivers still are having a hard time getting open on plays were Rodgers doesn't buy extra time via escaping the pocket. This seems to be both a scheme and talent problem. The running game is so erratic.

As for the defense, they've been solid overall, but maybe because of past history, i just wouldn't trust them to come through late in a close playoff game.

It took a completed hail mary to avoid going 1-5 over the last six games and that included very ugly looking home losses to both the Bears and Lions.

Unless the offense and especially the passing game can show clear signs over the next four games that they can figure out a way to be much more productive, it'll be hard for me to be overly excited for the Packers chances to be a serious threat in the playoffs beyond the fact that we do have Rodgers and the playoffs in the NFL can be somewhat of a crapshoot.

HKPackFan · Post #3 » by **HKPackFan** » Sat Dec 5, 2015 4:40 am

Agreed they did not fix the offense. Still same ISO routes with guys who can't get much separation. Why so stubborn. Run more slants and picks.

Now the offense runs rb screens and iso routes. That's it. I always see the opposing team run better routes and wonder....man why can't we run that.

El Duderino · Post #4 » by **El Duderino** » Sat Dec 5, 2015 7:32 am

HKPackFan wrote:Agreed they did not fix the offense. Still same ISO routes with guys who can't get much separation. Why so stubborn. Run more slants and picks.

Now the offense runs rb screens and iso routes. That's it. I always see the opposing team run better routes and wonder....man why can't we run that.

I agree the coaching staff seems either stubborn or clueless. They are used to being great in the passing game in this system when the receiving talent was better. Now that the talent isn't as good, there sure does look to be a lack of adjustment.

Just imagine how much worse the passing game would be if Rodgers wasn't able to create big plays via getting outside the pocket.

WiscoKing13 · Post #5 » by **WiscoKing13** » Mon Dec 7, 2015 1:19 am

Updated with today's finishes. Packers control their destiny for the North and have the easier schedule. We'll still need AZ to drop 1 game outside of the head to head match up to have a chance at the 2 spot.

Edit: Obviously doesn't include Monday night Cowboys/Redskins

Post #6 » by **MickeyDavis** » Mon Dec 7, 2015 2:10 am

I wouldn't be shocked if Minnesota finishes 8-8

MartyConlonOnTheRun · Post #7 » by **MartyConlonOnTheRun** » Mon Dec 7, 2015 2:59 am

I'm too lazy but anyone want to update contenders schedule and predictions? Would love for the Bucs to beat out the Seahawks if possible

WiscoKing13 · Post #8 » by **WiscoKing13** » Mon Dec 7, 2015 3:24 am

MartyConlonOnTheRun wrote:I'm too lazy but anyone want to update contenders schedule and predictions? Would love for the Bucs to beat out the Seahawks if possible

I'm probably out in left field, but Tampa Bays offense in the playoffs would be scary. I don't know much about their D, but two stud WR's and a really good WR. If Winston could put a few games together they could be something to watch in the playoffs.

Ron Swanson · Post #9 » by **Ron Swanson** » Mon Dec 7, 2015 2:45 pm

At the risk of sounding overconfident, the Seahawks essentially did to the Vikings what we did to them two weeks ago, so I'm not all that confident in saying "they're back". Rawls is good, but he's no Marshawn Lynch. That offense doesn't scare me at all, and that defense still isn't what they were in previous years.

Win at Arizona and that solves a lot of issues. I just want the division and a home playoff game. The bye would be nice, but I'm not counting on it at this point, nor do I think it makes a difference in our SB chances. We essentially have to go through @Carolina or @Arizona (Week 16) on our way to the big dance anyways.

jazzfanWA · Post #10 » by **jazzfanWA** » Mon Dec 7, 2015 4:21 pm

Ron Swanson wrote:At the risk of sounding overconfident, the Seahawks essentially did to the Vikings what we did to them two weeks ago, so I'm not all that confident in saying "they're back". Rawls is good, but he's no Marshawn Lynch. That offense doesn't scare me at all, and that defense still isn't what they were in previous years.

Lynch will be back in approx. three weeks.

raysbookclub · Post #11 » by **raysbookclub** » Mon Dec 7, 2015 4:26 pm

Still a lot to happen the next four weeks. Arizona has a tough schedule, with 3 of 4 games against likely playoff teams. If they go 4-0 over that stretch, they're the team to beat in the NFC, even if Carolina is 16-0.

I wonder how GB and AZ will play each other in Week 16, since it's so late in the season and there would be a possible rematch in 3 weeks. Like in 2008 when they played each other in Week 17, then played the wild card. Arizona played a very different game the second game. Arizona also faces the same question for Week 17, playing Seattle, then maybe playing them again 2 weeks after that.

LUKE23 · Post #12 » by **LUKE23** » Mon Dec 7, 2015 4:28 pm

Still hoping Seattle somehow doesn't get in. Playing much better than previously. They should make it though. Zona has 3 of their final 4 at home, so it will be tough to get the bye.

For me, it's pretty much a toss up between hosting Seattle and playing at the NFCE winner. I'd probably actually prefer the latter, then heading to Carolina instead of Zona.

Flames24Rulz · Post #13 » by **Flames24Rulz** » Mon Dec 7, 2015 5:28 pm

I guess I would prefer Minnesota to win on Thursday. Because of the division tiebreaker going their way, it doesn't really matter if we're tied with them or a game ahead of them. The Week 17 game would still decide the division unless we're two games ahead of them.

I'd rather Arizona lose a game because if that happens, we could beat Arizona and obviously have the tiebreaker on them for the 2 seed.

HKPackFan · Post #14 » by **HKPackFan** » Tue Dec 8, 2015 5:24 am

Flames24Rulz wrote:I guess I would prefer Minnesota to win on Thursday. Because of the division tiebreaker going their way, it doesn't really matter if we're tied with them or a game ahead of them. The Week 17 game would still decide the division unless we're two games ahead of them.

I'd rather Arizona lose a game because if that happens, we could beat Arizona and obviously have the tiebreaker on them for the 2 seed.

It helps us for the seeding but I do like seeing Minny be demoralized. Would be nice if they lose a couple in a row and then pack it in for the rest of the season. And when we play them if we get a quick lead they just quit and check out.

That's wishful thinking. But team leader AP already complaining about being outcoached.

Outlander · Post #15 » by **Outlander** » Tue Dec 8, 2015 5:34 pm

At this point it is almost impossible for the week 17 game to not settle the division. If the Vikings beat the Packers and end up tied they will have the tiebreaker because of better division record and if the Packers beat the Vikings and end up tied they will obviously own the tie breaker because of head to head. Hoping the Vikings beat the Cardinals and then a couple of weeks later Packers beat the Cardinals as well with week 17 determining who gets the 2 seed. The more likely scenario is both lose to the Cardinals and week 17 is just for the division.

Flames24Rulz · Post #16 » by **Flames24Rulz** » Tue Dec 8, 2015 5:52 pm

Outlander wrote:At this point it is almost impossible for the week 17 game to not settle the division. If the Vikings beat the Packers and end up tied they will have the tiebreaker because of better division record and if the Packers beat the Vikings and end up tied they will obviously own the tie breaker because of head to head. Hoping the Vikings beat the Cardinals and then a couple of weeks later Packers beat the Cardinals as well with week 17 determining who gets the 2 seed. The more likely scenario is both lose to the Cardinals and week 17 is just for the division.

Yep, unless the Vikings lose out, but I think they'll beat either the Bears or Giants after the Arizona game on Thursday.

rilamann · Post #17 » by **rilamann** » Wed Dec 9, 2015 12:43 am

December and January are my favorite months of the year sports wise thanks to the NFL.

All the different scenarios combined with the NFL being so unpredictable makes things highly exciting and entertaining.From the Packers point of view they still have 2 big things going for them,1 Aaron Rodgers,2 the NFC is mediocre right now.

Even as bad as the Packers have looked the past few weeks,if the defense shows up and Rodgers has one of his Godgers games who in the NFC could still beat the Packers in that given game? Last season I felt differently,I thought the one game or scenario in which the Packers could show up and Rodgers could play great and the Packers would still lose was if they played the Seahawks in Seattle.Ironically,if Rodgers was anything close to resembling Godgers in that game the Packers win that game by probably 3 touchdowns.

But back to this season,at least going in (to the playoffs) I don't feel that way.I think if the team shows up and Rodgers plays well the Packers can beat whoever they face in the NFC wherever they play them because there is no juggernaut like Seattle in Seattle last season.Maybe I am wrong but Carolina's 12-0 record doesn't scare me all that much.The Packers were a better team in 2014 than they are this season and the idea of playing Seattle in Seattle last season scared me worlds more than the possibility of playing the Panthers in Carolina does this season,same goes for the Cardinals.

But I think the mediocrity of the NFC puts the whole ''punchers chance with Aaron Rodgers'' thing into a more realistic possibility than we've seen in the past.I also think the mediocrity in the NFC could be a welcome mat to a 3rd straight Super Bowl for a not as good Seahawks team as well.

The frustrating thing is,I think if you put the 2014 Packers in this current 2015 season they win the NFC easily.

HKPackFan · Post #18 » by **HKPackFan** » Wed Dec 9, 2015 9:52 am

rilamann wrote:December and January are my favorite months of the year sports wise thanks to the NFL.

All the different scenarios combined with the NFL being so unpredictable makes things highly exciting and entertaining.From the Packers point of view they still have 2 big things going for them,1 Aaron Rodgers,2 the NFC is mediocre right now.

Even as bad as the Packers have looked the past few weeks,if the defense shows up and Rodgers has one of his Godgers games who in the NFC could still beat the Packers in that given game? Last season I felt differently,I thought the one game or scenario in which the Packers could show up and Rodgers could play great and the Packers would still lose was if they played the Seahawks in Seattle.Ironically,if Rodgers was anything close to resembling Godgers in that game the Packers win that game by probably 3 touchdowns.

But back to this season,at least going in (to the playoffs) I don't feel that way.I think if the team shows up and Rodgers plays well the Packers can beat whoever they face in the NFC wherever they play them because there is no juggernaut like Seattle in Seattle last season.Maybe I am wrong but Carolina's 12-0 record doesn't scare me all that much.The Packers were a better team in 2014 than they are this season and the idea of playing Seattle in Seattle last season scared me worlds more than the possibility of playing the Panthers in Carolina does this season,same goes for the Cardinals.

But I think the mediocrity of the NFC puts the whole ''punchers chance with Aaron Rodgers'' thing into a more realistic possibility than we've seen in the past.I also think the mediocrity in the NFC could be a welcome mat to a 3rd straight Super Bowl for a not as good Seahawks team as well.

The frustrating thing is,I think if you put the 2014 Packers in this current 2015 season they win the NFC easily.

Also not that scared of Carolina. As BAD as the Packers played, and it was horrific to watch at times, the team was still literally 1 play away from tying the game on a goal line series at the end. I don't think the Packers would play as awful again in a rematch.

Agreed the NFC is mediocre right now. Yes the 2014 Packers would have destroyed the rest of the conference. That was an extremely healthy football team, that was jelling and in rhythm. I remember thinking last year the injury gods had finally given us a break (no pun intended). We hadn't been that healthy since 2007 IMO.

This year is a complete mystery. Any team could get hot and make a run, that's good news for the Pack as well.

chuckleslove · Post #19 » by **chuckleslove** » Wed Dec 9, 2015 11:01 pm

I don't think it is just the NFC that is mediocre, the entire NFL has a lot of parity going on in it right now. New England might be the cream of the crop but they have lost 2 in a row now as well, and no one else in the AFC is all that scary, the AFC South may very well be like the NFC East and have a winner with an 8-8 or worse record.

Outlander · Post #20 » by **Outlander** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:22 pm

Would have been nice if Minnesota pulled off the upset but oh well. With Seattle holding the tiebreaker over Minnesota it looks like if the Packers win the division they will avoid Seattle and play Minnesota possibly in back to back weeks. The dreaded having to beat the same team three times in a season. If the Packers lose the division there is a pretty good chance they play the NFC East winner because they own the tiebreaker with Seattle.