Packers vs Panthers: Rodgers CLEARED

[rodell330]

I’m super excited Rodgers is coming back but the fact is that the vaunted Packers defense ranked 26th travels to Carolina with him l. Again, even with Rodgers I don’t think we leave Carolina with a W. After watching what they did to Minnesota my football eyes just won’t allow me to make a homer pick and chose us to win at their place.

 

[Title Town USA]

6 months is typical for 100% healing of a broken collarbone.

#Cleared2Play

 

[Mondio]

They really don't need tons of help.

"ESPN's Football Power Index says the Packers have an 89 percent chance to make the playoffs if they win out."

http://www.espn.com/blog/green-bay-...rating-playoff-hopes-alive-with-aaron-rodgers

It's the winning out that will be tough all on it's own. If anyone can lead them, it's Rodgers, but again we have a secondary that's in need of serious help. We're deep into depth guys again and nobody is coming back to help and there isn't anybody behind them anymore except guys off a PS or the street.

But 2 months from game action against a pretty talented team and on the road is a tough game even with everyone available. I certainly give us better than a punchers chance to win this one. I expect everyone to have a bit more fire in them going forward but winning in Carolina wasn't a forgone conclusion if Rodgers never got hurt. It's going to take a good game, as it should this time of year. Let's just win and live to fight another day

 

[PackAttack12]

They really don't need tons of help.

"ESPN's Football Power Index says the Packers have an 89 percent chance to make the playoffs if they win out."

http://www.espn.com/blog/green-bay-...rating-playoff-hopes-alive-with-aaron-rodgers

Exactly. I've been saying this for a couple weeks now. There are just too many possible ways that this thing could break in the Packers favor. Rams/Seahawks is a guaranteed loss for one team. Falcons/Panthers is a guaranteed loss for one team. Packers/Panthers is a guaranteed loss for the Panthers. Plus the Packers have tie breaker advantages on almost every single team.

 

[PackAttack12]

I'm sure he does. What football player worth his salt wouldn't want to play really, really badly? That doesn't mean he will ignore, or be allowed to ignore, the medical risk assessment. You'll just have to wait.

They weren't stalling for no reason yesterday. I think the medical staff would have much rather preferred to hold Rodgers out, but I think Rodgers influenced the training staff and Dr. McKenzie to clear him. Just my opinion.

Or maybe, just maybe, they were playing possum. Either way, the man's back!

 

[RepStar15]

I woke up this AM with the same feeling f I had the morning after the miracle in Motown.

 

[SoonerPack]

I so badly want to predict the boys running the table...but can't with a high level of confidence. I have no concerns about 12 as he is a cyborg and will be on point and dropping dimes from jump. We are actually getting TWO big-time guys back as Jordy should be removing his invisibility cloak now that 12 is back. 87 was averaging roughly 60 yards and a little over a TD/game before the injury. Since the injury JN is averaging just under 22 yards/game and has yet to score. Plus, Tay has emerged as a legitimate #1 WR in the league and his confidence should be absolutely sky-high right now. This is great news for the O and when you combine all this with the fact we finally appear to have a viable rushing attack, scoring should not be an issue.

Tell me if you've heard this before: This team will go as far as the D allows. Ugh. We have 3 games left and they are all vs quality football teams with QB's playing at a high level. Whether it's health, scheme or a combination of both, I am not feeling real confident in this D.

To even be in the PO race at this point is pretty neat, all things considered. BH did a good job and got better each game. He deserves credit for his performance and I am happy for the kid. December football is what it's all about and we are in a decent enough spot so let's enjoy it. Get this first game and start building that all important mo! G P G !!

Check this out if you haven't seen it yet...pretty slick:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2748918

 

[PackAttack12]

I so badly want to predict the boys running the table...but can't with a high level of confidence. I have no concerns about 12 as he is a cyborg and will be on point and dropping dimes from jump. We are actually getting TWO big-time guys back as Jordy should be removing his invisibility cloak now that 12 is back. 87 was averaging roughly 60 yards and a little over a TD/game before the injury. Since the injury JN is averaging just under 22 yards/game and has yet to score. Plus, Tay has emerged as a legitimate #1 WR in the league and his confidence should be absolutely sky-high right now. This is great news for the O and when you combine all this with the fact we finally appear to have a viable rushing attack, scoring should not be an issue.

Tell me if you've heard this before: This team will go as far as the D allows. Ugh. We have 3 games left and they are all vs quality football teams with QB's playing at a high level. Whether it's health, scheme or a combination of both, I am not feeling real confident in this D.

To even be in the PO race at this point is pretty neat, all things considered. BH did a good job and got better each game. He deserves credit for his performance and I am happy for the kid. December football is what it's all about and we are in a decent enough spot so let's enjoy it. Get this first game and start building that all important mo! G P G !!

Check this out if you haven't seen it yet...pretty slick:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2748918

I share your concerns about the defense, but the encouraging thing is, in the last 3 games, the Packers have a +5 turnover margin (forced 6, committed 1) If the Packers can eliminate turnovers, which becomes increasingly possible with Rodgers behind center, and the defense can force a couple per game, that will go a really long way.

Hopefully Clay continues wreaking havoc on the outside. Pressure will be absolutely critical with the current state of the Packers secondary.

 

[Arod2gjdd]

I'm just happy I get to watch Aaron play again this year. They were fighting to reach this point in that comeback versus the Browns. No way they win that game without his impending return. Whatever happens from here is gravy. Defense still sucks, but I am just exceedingly happy to have the privilege of watching Aaron play again. Let's get it.

 

[DarkHelmet]

I'm sure Rodgers wants to play, but unless the defense steps it up big time they will not go 3 for 3. And unless the O-line steps it up, a whole lot of Panthers, Vikings and Lions are going to get a chance to reinjure that collarbone. If I were in McCarthy's shoes I'd think long and hard about playing Rodgers in a probably futile cause. We have seen nothing to indicate that the Packers' D can stop the passing game of a decent quarterback. Heck, Kizer just had a career game against them.

 

[rodell330]

I'm sure Rodgers wants to play, but unless the defense steps it up big time they will not go 3 for 3. And unless the O-line steps it up, a whole lot of Panthers, Vikings and Lions are going to get a chance to reinjure that collarbone. If I were in McCarthy's shoes I'd think long and hard about playing Rodgers in a probably futile cause. We have seen nothing to indicate that the Packers' D can stop the passing game of a decent quarterback. Heck, Kizer just had a career game against them.

Exactly. Folks keep overlooking the fact that the defense still stinks. Ranked 26th and looking like it. It’s way to easy to complete passes on this defense...it’s even easier
To run screens against this defense. Carolina knows this believe me .

 

[HardRightEdge]

#Cleared2Play

I don't do Twitter, so you can save your hashtags.

 

[yooperpackfan]

Whatever happens from here is gravy.

Seriously, if we lose the last 3, which is entirely possible, that ain't gravy.

 

[Mondio]

I believe that was a pound sign

 

[HardRightEdge]

I believe that was a pound sign

Yes, yes it was.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

They really don't need tons of help.

"ESPN's Football Power Index says the Packers have an 89 percent chance to make the playoffs if they win out."

http://www.espn.com/blog/green-bay-...rating-playoff-hopes-alive-with-aaron-rodgers

It's true that the Packers have a decent chance of making the playoffs if they win out but there's absolutely no doubt in my mind it will be extremely tough to win the remaining three games even with Rodgers coming back.

Plus the Packers have tie breaker advantages on almost every single team.

The Packers don't owe the tie breaker over the Falcons though which could end up costing them a playoff spot.

I'm sure Rodgers wants to play, but unless the defense steps it up big time they will not go 3 for 3. And unless the O-line steps it up, a whole lot of Panthers, Vikings and Lions are going to get a chance to reinjure that collarbone.

I definitely share you concerns about the defense but am not worried about the offensive line being able to protect Rodgers.

 

[Jed12]

I think (I hope) the football gods will look down upon the return of the king and allow us to run the table into the playoffs... however I think making it through with the defense we currently have is a taller order than Rodgers coming back and playing like he’s never been away

 

[Mondio]

The mountain is tall, no doubt about it. I will sacrifice and welcome listening to everyone moan and complain about Capers and Ted and MM again next year every day of every week if Rodgers can grow his legend and take this team to the Super Bowl this year

But first I just want to win in Carolina.

 

[Half Empty]

But that's just the point. The moaning would subside if the Lombardi returns home, regardless of how it's done. The moaning has been about how frustrating it's been to watch this team late in the past six seasons.

 

[PackAttack12]

The Packers don't owe the tie breaker over the Falcons though which could end up costing them a playoff spot.

Yep. So we either need Atlanta to lose 2 of its last 3, or if they do make the wild card, Seattle and Carolina have to be out of the picture.

 

[Title Town USA]

I don't do Twitter, so you can save your hashtags.

#CheerUpBro

 

[SoonerPack]

I share your concerns about the defense, but the encouraging thing is, in the last 3 games, the Packers have a +5 turnover margin (forced 6, committed 1) If the Packers can eliminate turnovers, which becomes increasingly possible with Rodgers behind center, and the defense can force a couple per game, that will go a really long way.

Hopefully Clay continues wreaking havoc on the outside. Pressure will be absolutely critical with the current state of the Packers secondary.

Turnovers are key. You hit the nail on the head. I was born in Milwaukee and all my extended family still lives in WI. My mom and pop moved us to OK when I was a pup so I am an Okie, I suppose. My favorite collegiate team is OU and has been since the early 80's. The Sooner football team is very similar to my beloved team hailing from my home-state. Offense is no problem. Baker Mayfield is the best at what he does (college) and AR12 is the best in the business as well. Playmakers abound and scoring points is never an issue. Defense, defense, defense is what it all boils down to. The Sooners and Pack have been playing similar ball over the past few games in that they are winning the TO battle. Neither team possesses a Top 10 D but so long as they are getting a few stops a game and turning the opposition over they have a chance to win every time out. The Saints team that won the title vs the Colts years ago was the same way. They were pretty pedestrian in most cats but turned the opposition over like crazy and that led them to the Lombardi. If the Pack can keep winning the TO battle you have to like their chances. Good post and sorry for the long response. I just wanted to give some proper context on where I am coming from. G P G!!

 

[HardRightEdge]

#CheerUpBro

#hashtags

 

[SoonerPack]

#hashtags

#hashbrowns

Now that's something we can all agree on!

 

[Mondio]

hastagpoundsigns