The game wasnโt necessarily pretty, but the Packers are still moving on to the playoffs with a bye. After a Packers 37-30 loss against the Lions, the Packers finish with a 13-4 record. Now we get to take a week off and reflect on a great season.
This game saw the Packers starters leaving after only one half. Although a Jordan Love-led offense almost won the game, the Pack lose their first game against the Lions in the LeFleur era. With Rodgers most likely clinching the MVP also, letโs look at three things I learned about the Packers, even in this ugly loss.
David Bakhtiari is a Massive Upgrade
This shouldnโt be big news to anyone, but itโs still worth saying. Bakhtiari looked impressive. On run plays, he was pancaking defenders and creating running lanes. On pass plays, he didnโt let anyone near Rodgers and allowed him to scramble for long periods of time.ย
He did leave after two drives as a precaution, but this gives hope he will be fully healthy for the playoffs. Itโs hard to say that outside of Adams and Rodgers no one has a bigger impact on the team than Bakhtiari. But if something does go wrong, Yosh Nijman has proved he can handle his own.ย
Packer Fans Hated Seeing the Starters
When it was announced early in the week that Rodgers and the other starters would play, everyone agreed it made sense. Get them in for a drive or two to stay fresh and go into the playoffs on a good note.ย
On the first drive against the Lions, the Packers put a beautiful 8-minute drive capped off by a Lazard touchdown. Most thought that was it, and expected Jordan Love. Then they went back out there the next drive. And the next. And the next.ย
Letโs just sayโฆ fans were freaking out.
Marquez Valdez Scantling did have to leave along with David Bakhtiari, which is what Packer fans were worried about. But LeFleur kept his promise of his starters playing one half. There are studies done that in the Packers situation LeFleur did the right thing. Now we only have to wait and see how it translates to playoff success.ย
The Detroit Lions need to be Watched
Had they only won two games all year? Yes. Do they have a talented roster? Not currently. Am I scared of the Lions in the future? Yes.
Why is that? Dan Campbell.ย
With the Vikings and Bears going through coaching changes, the Lions are the only other NFC North team with stability. They showed flashes this year better than the Vikings or Bears ever came close to. They will also have high draft capital and lots of money in free agency.ย
But it starts and ends with Dan Campbell.
Iโm still not sure if heโs schematically a good head coach. But Iโve never seen a 2 win football team rally around a head coach like the Lions have. Whatever he is selling in Detroit, they are buying. And itโs hard not to route for him.ย
Iโm not saying they will be a major threat to the Packers next year for the division. However, the two games we play against them next year wonโt be gimmes. The days of 2 free wins against the Lions may be disappearing.ย
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