The effort was there. The result wasn’t.
The Green Bay Packers may have just played their best game — at least offensively — of the 2016 season. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as they fell to the Atlanta Falcons by a point, 33-32.
Per usual, it was a tale of two halves. This week, the first half was the winner for the Packers. They put up 24 points there and followed with just eight in the second half. That has been a pattern for the Packers throughout the season — play well for one half, do nothing in the other.
If this team could ever plays two full halves of football, they might be pretty good. Instead, they’re just another middle of the road NFC team.
Aaron Rodgers, in my estimation, played his best game of football this season against Atlanta. Rodgers finished 28-of-38 for 246 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He also added 60 rushing yards, which led the team.
And that’s not saying much, since Fat Mike decided to hand the ball to his running backs just 13 times on the day. Fullback Aaron Ripkowski actually led the way with six carries for 34 yards.
That’s not really an effective offensive game plan though, is it?
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuffoooooooooooooooon!
In the end, the Packers’ defense just couldn’t stop Matt Ryan and the Falcons, even with a hobbled Julio Jones (3 for 29).
The Falcons were consistent throughout, putting up points in each quarter and Ryan finished with 288 yards and three touchdowns versus no picks. You could say that was the difference in the game — the Packers defense’s inability to do much of anything.
They had no turnovers, just two sacks and let backup running back Terron Ward average 7.7 per rush.
Must not have watched any film on that guy…
Still, Rodgers had a chance to win it at the end. Despite his somewhat return to form, he stayed true to form at the end.
When you look at the list of quarterbacks with the most game-winning drives, you’ll notice Aaron Rodgers is not anywhere close to the top.
So while he looked good for the most part, Rodgers did what he normally does when tasked with winning a game for the Packers.
He failed.
So who are these Green Bay Packers? Just another mediocre NFC club right now.
The good news is, the NFC is full of mediocrity, so that might be good enough.