What a difference a month can make as the Packers end the month of December on a 3 game losing streak.
Just a month ago this team was thinking a division championship, even a first round bye.
While December started out well for the Packers with a win against the Chicago Bears, it didn’t end very well.
Since then the Packers haven’t won a game.
It seems like forever ago that the team had any momentum.
On the bright side the Packers were able to secure a playoff spot, granted it is a 7 seed.
It is the third straight year the Packers have had the 7th sees heading into the playoffs.
But on the darker end, the Packers seem like a team that is missing something.
That something is leadership on defense.
Someone needs to step up on Defense
Actually there are multiple holes on defense.
Much like how former QB Aaron Rodgers was able to cover the flaws with the Packers, Parsons was able to do the same.
But without Parsons, this defense hasn’t been the same.
There is no pass rush, and the Packers defense hasn’t been able to get a sack.
Furthermore, the absence of Parsons has revealed another hole in the Packers defense.
The secondary, which was do fine up until injury, has given up a lot of yardage.
Bo Nix was able to carve up the Packers defense for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Then Caleb Williams was able to save the Bears with his 250 yard and 2 touchdown performance.
If it isn’t the Packers secondary giving up big plays, it the Packers front four not being able to stop the run.
That really showed during the Packers 41-24 loss to the Ravens giving up 307 rushing yards.
At the end of the day, someone needs to step up and fire up this defense.
The same way Micah Parsons did, because if no one will step up, this defense is in for a short January.
Hot and Cold December for the Packers offense
The offense has been hot and cold in the month of December.
The offense at times was putting up points.
For instance, the hot start against the Bears and Broncos.
But the offense got cold and with injuries has cooled down.
Jordan Love, Christian Watson, Zach Tom, Josh Jacobs and the list goes on.
All those injuries began the show the flaws in the Packers offense.
Jordan Love only played 3 and a quarter games in December before suffering a concussion, but he will surely be back for playoff football.
But there is a cause for concern as the running game is not as affective as it once was.
Granted Josh Jacobs has been a warrior by battling through a knee injury, but he isn’t the same.
And with injuries to the Offensive line, the blocking and protection is not there.
These are things that need to be shored up if the Packers have any chance in the playoffs.
Conclusion
December was rough for the Packers and it probably wasn’t a very happy holidays for the team.
Three straight losses for the Packers and now they have their back against the wall.
Some would call this weeks game against the Vikings meaningless, but the Packers need some sort of momentum heading into Wild Card weekend.
Last year should serve as a lesson, we’ll see Sunday which Packers team will show up.
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