The Packers have hit a fork in the road.
Coming into tomorrow’s game vs. the Rams, the Packers have 10 players on the final injury report. And that doesn’t include Jaire Alexander, Za’Darius Smith, Josh Myers or the most versatile offensive lineman on Green Bay’s roster — Elgton Jenkins.
This season has been a trainer’s nightmare for the Packers. It’s not just that they have had so many injuries, it’s that they have had so many notable injuries.
Now head coach Matt LaFleur must make a decision as the Packers prepare to face their toughest test of the season.
With the bye week coming up next week, do the Packers rush players back quicker in order to lock up the No. 1 seed or do they make sure the key players are fully ready to go?
That’s a tough question, especially in a year that has been so random. There really hasn’t been a top team in the NFL and there isn’t a runaway favorite for the MVP either.
But given both options, I would have to choose health. We all know that this Packers team is very talented, but there is one thing that remains a mystery with this unit — we don’t know how good this team can be. With all of the weapons this team has, it’s like having a Lamborghini Diablo without the use of the fifth gear.
We’ve seen this team win games that they probably shouldn’t have and that Week 1 fail fest is a game that they obviously should have.
With how up and down this season has been, Green Bay can still swallow a couple more losses and be OK. Let’s face it, the NFC North is all but wrapped up. They recently dropped a tight one to Minnesota, but don’t forget that the Vikings had to escape with a late field goal.
History is also on Green Bay’s side. When the Packers won Super Bowl XLV, every playoff game they won was on the road. A 21-16 NFC Wild Card win at Philadelphia, a 48-21 NFC Divisional Round win at Atlanta and a 21-14 NFC Championship Game at Chicago.
Many don’t think that history can repeat itself because the No. 1 seed is now more valuable because that is the only team from each conference that gets a bye. While that may be, how important is the No. 1 seed if you have to get into the playoffs limping and hobbling?
The Packers won’t get Jenkins back this year, but they will welcome back David Bakhtiari, Aaron Jones and hopefully Za’Darius Smith and Jaire Alexander. This team has been getting by on chicken wire and double sided tape for awhile now. The fact that this team is 8-3 is a credit to the coaching staff.
Even if the Packers finish 12-5, that’s completely fine. A No. 1 seed will be out, but it would also mean that Green Bay has bigger goals than a shiny record.
This is one of the most even seasons that I can remember. That’s why the Packers need to be as close to full strength when it matters most. If that means sitting Aaron Rodger because his pesky toe injury doesn’t go away, so be it.
This is the year. There are no guarantees for next season with so many question marks surrounding so many veterans.
A No. 1 seed is something that the fans really want, but health is the one thing a team really needs.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on “Clubhouse Live” and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn