The Green Bay Packers' three-game winning streak has resurrected their playoff chances as they get ready for a pivotal home game against the Minnesota Vikings...
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 24: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) warms up before before a game between the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants on December 24, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers will play the Minnesota Vikings Sunday in a rematch of their Week 1 game when Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson caught nine passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-7 win.
On Thursday, Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander offered his perspective on that game to reporters, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky, calling the performance a "fluke."
"You've just got to be real: He don't jump in no super suit and get dressed and jump outside, you hear me? I don't either, sometimes. But he [is] human, is what I'm saying. We ain't putting too much on nobody.
"He's a really good receiver. But at the end of the day, I'm a really good corner. We've got really good corners. We've got really good linebackers, D-line, whatever it is. You don't want to put too much focus on that one person because it's like, the first game, that was a fluke."
Jaire Alexander's thoughts on #Vikings WR Justin Jefferson. Said he's a top-3 receiver in the NFL, but JJ's 9 receptions for 184 yards and 2 TDs in Week 1 against the #Packers was a "fluke." pic.twitter.com/yqZIoP6ktM
On one hand, using "fluke" to describe another great single-game performance from the unquestioned top wide receiver in football this year could be seen as unconvincing.
In 15 games, the former LSU star has caught 123 passes for 1,756 yards and eight touchdowns, and he's a near lock for the Associated Press' Offensive Player of the Year award.
However, the "fluke" comment didn't necessarily come off as disrespectful to Jefferson's talents based on the context of Alexander's other remarks.
Of note, Alexander said that he feels Jefferson is a top-three NFL wideout, with Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver (and ex-Packer) Davante Adams No. 1 and Miami Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle in the top three as well.
He also stressed the quality of the Packers defense, which got off to a rough beginning but has improved lately.
For starters, the pass defense is now eighth in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric. Green Bay has also registered six interceptions over the past three weeks and seven sacks in the last two.
The Packers won all three games, including an impressive 26-20 road win over a Miami Dolphins team that was held scoreless in the second half.
Ultimately, Green Bay's defense is playing better now than it was when Minnesota's passing attack sliced through the Packers over three months ago, and fellow cornerback Rasul Douglas has moved forward.
"I don't really remember that game," Douglas said. "I kind of knocked all the first-half-season games away."
It's unlikely that Jefferson authors a repeat performance with a stat line akin to 9/184/2, but days like that haven't been outliers for him either.
Remarkably, Jefferson eclipsed his 184-yard total against the Packers in two other games this year (223 yards against the Detroit Lions and 193 yards versus the Buffalo Bills). He's also caught 10 or more passes six times this year.
Kickoff Sunday will go down at 4:25 p.m. ET from Green Bay's Lambeau Field. It's a big game for both teams: The 7-8 Packers are looking to win out to make the playoffs, while the 12-3 Vikings still have an outside shot at the NFC's No. 1 seed. They can do that with a pair of wins and two Philadelphia Eagles losses.
Packers' Aaron Rodgers Misses Practice with Knee Injury, Expected to Play vs. Vikings
Dec 28, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) warms up prior to the National Football League game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles on November 27, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't practice on Wednesday because of a knee injury, though it isn't expected to keep him out of action in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings.
#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is not practicing today. He will be on the injury report after taking a shot to his knee Sunday in Miami. It’s not an issue expected to keep him out Sunday vs. Vikings.
Rodgers has dealt with a thumb issue for much of the season and suffered a rib injury during a Week 12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. His health concerns have played a role what has turned into a disappointing campaign for the 7-8 Packers, though the team's postseason hopes are still alive
The 39-year-old has completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 3,331 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
That Green Bay is fighting for its playoff life means Rodgers will almost assuredly play unless he's absolutely unable to go. Having to rely on Jordan Love down the stretch wouldn't be ideal for the Packers.
The team surprised many when it selected Love with a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft despite having Rodgers. The 24-year-old started just one game as a rookie and is yet to establish himself at the NFL level because of the presence of the veteran.
It seems unlikely that will change despite Rodgers' latest injury.
Packers Rumors: Elgton Jenkins Agrees to 4-Year, $68M Contract Extension
Dec 23, 2022
GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 20: Elgton Jenkins #74 of the Green Bay Packers walks off the field after a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on September 20, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 35-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers reportedly made a major move as they continue a potential late-season playoff push.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the NFC North team and offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins agreed to a four-year contract extension. The deal is worth $68 million in base value and could increase to as much as $74 million.
It makes him the second-highest paid guard in the league.
Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson is the only other player at the position paid more than Jenkins following this move.
Green Bay selected Jenkins out of Mississippi State with a second-round pick in 2019. He didn't miss a game in his first two years and was a Pro Bowler in his second season.
However, he was limited to just eight games in 2021 because he suffered a torn ACL in November. To his credit, he underwent a quick recovery and has appeared in 12 of the Packers' 14 games so far this season.
Jenkins, who is theoretically in the middle of his prime at 26 years old, has an impressive Pro Football Focus grade of 74.4 and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
He is one reason the team is not out of the playoff race despite a 4-8 start to the season. They have won two straight games to improve to 6-8 and remain within striking distance of the 7-6-1 Washington Commanders for the final NFC wild-card spot.
They likely have to win out considering they are also behind the 7-7 Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, but they are playing much better football of late. Still, games against the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings and Lions to finish the season will be more difficult than the two straight wins over the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams.
Chicago and Los Angeles are a combined 7-21.
Aaron Rodgers Says Thumb Injury Is 'A Lot Better' After Packers' Bye Week
Dec 20, 2022
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers warms up prior to playing the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field on December 19, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said during his weekly Pat McAfee Show appearance Tuesday that his injured right thumb is "a lot better" since he returned from the team's bye week.
Rodgers suffered an avulsion fracture in his right thumb while attempting a Hail Mary pass during his team's 27-22 loss against the New York Giants on Oct. 9.
He said Oct. 26 that his thumb was "hurt" when asked if it was broken. However, he admitted to reporters Nov. 23 that the thumb was indeed broken.
"It doesn't make a difference with me playing," Rodgers said. "It doesn't make a difference. You saw the tape on my thumb. Didn't make a difference."
The Packers had 15 days off between their 28-19 road win over the Chicago Bears on Dec. 4 and their 24-12 home victory against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday.
Rodgers went 22-of-30 with 229 yards, one touchdown and one interception against L.A. to lead the 6-8 Packers to their second successive win.
Rodgers hasn't missed any games this year, but he suffered an injury to his ribs during his team's 40-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 27 and was forced to leave the game.
He later said the injury occurred in the second quarter and he tweaked the ailment in the third quarter, which is when he departed the matchup for backup Jordan Love.
However, he was well enough to start against the Bears the following week and has remained in the lineup.
Rodgers is focused on getting the Packers to the playoffs. The 7-6-1 Washington Commanders hold the NFC's final wild-card spot, and the 7-7 Seattle Seahawks and 7-7 Detroit Lions sit between them and the Packers at 6-8.
Green Bay will need to win all three of its final games (at the Miami Dolphins and home versus the Minnesota Vikings and Lions) to have a shot at getting that final playoff spot.
Up first are the Dolphins, and that game will take place in Miami on Christmas Day at 1 p.m. ET.
Aaron Rodgers Believes Packers Can Win Out as Playoffs Hopes Alive After Beating Rams
Dec 20, 2022
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers warms up prior to playing the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field on December 19, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Two straight victories against the 3-11 Chicago Bears and 4-10 Los Angeles Rams has Aaron Rodgers believing his 6-8 Green Bay Packers can make the playoffs.
"We've got two," he said after Monday's win over the Rams, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "Got two in the bag. I don't know. Look, before the Bears week, we knew we had a bye afterwards, and those of us who sometimes peek ahead knew that we had to win five and then have a lot of things go our way. So, we've won two and just about everything we needed to happen has gone our way. Just about, right? So, things are looking up."
He also said he thinks the team can win out even with more difficult games against the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions to finish the season.
"I do, yeah, I do, I do," Rodgers said. "Now we're going to play three better football teams, but I do. Definitely."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPzDUMziWe0
While the two-game winning streak can be partially attributed to the level of competition, Green Bay looks much better than the version of itself that lost five straight and seven of eight following a 3-1 start.
The Washington Commanders have the last wild-card spot at 7-6-1, and the 7-7 Lions and Seattle Seahawks are both ahead of the Packers as well.
Rodgers and Co. will likely have to win the rest of their games and finish 9-8, but one of the best quarterbacks of all time believes is within the team's grasp.
Aaron Rodgers Doesn't Have to Be Great for the Packers to Be Good
Dec 20, 2022
Aaron Rodgers
The Green Bay Packers were healthier coming out of their bye, and they got a big win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. The Packers team we saw—led by an aggressive defense and a strong running game—was the squad we expected to see in 2022.
For 6-8 Green Bay, though, the emergence of good, complementary football likely came too late to make a difference this year. It can, however, give the Packers a blueprint for how they can rebound in 2023.
That potential turnaround doesn't have to rely on quarterback Aaron Rodgers' return to MVP form either.
Green Bay does still have Rodgers, and the two-time reigning MVP—who has dealt with thumb and rib injuries this season—looked crisper and healthier after the extra rest. He also made a handful of brilliant throws. Yet this game was dominated by the defense and running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon.
Jones and Dillon combined for 126 rushing yards, 71 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The defense logged five sacks and an interception and held L.A. to just 156 yards. Green Bay dominated time of possession, holding the ball for more than 37 minutes of game clock.
Rodgers, meanwhile, spent much of the contest playing the game-manager role.
This is how the Packers were supposed to win games. The defense is loaded with talented playmakers in Preston Smith, Kenny Clark and Jaire Alexander. Jones and Dillon are one of the top running back duos in the NFL.
Rodgers shouldn't have to carry this offense the way he has in years past. With top wideout Davante Adams having been traded in the offseason, asking him to do so was always going to be a challenge.
The Packers do have promising rookie receivers in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs plus proven complementary receivers in Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb. However, Watson and Doubs have had injuries and have rarely played together.
According to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman, they had played just 70 snaps together before Monday night.
With that and their lack of experience, and with a new offensive coordinator in Adam Stenavich, the offense hadn't showcased much chemistry. Even on Monday—arguably Green Bay's most complete game of the season—miscommunication was prevalent.
On Rodgers' first-quarter interception, he and Lazard appeared to be on different pages.
Aaron Rodgers threw his 10th interception of the season 🫣
Late in the game, when the Packers were trying to close it out, Watson was out of position for what might have been an easy touchdown—something Rodgers joked about after the game.
"You wanna catch touchdowns, you run the right routes," Rodgers said on ESPN during the postgame segment.
Rodgers was able to laugh because this game didn't end in disaster due to a picked pass or missed opportunity. The defense and the running game took care of business and made his job relatively easy.
The 10-time Pro Bowler finished 22-of-30 for 229 yards with a touchdown and an interception. That's not what fans are used to seeing from the Rodgers of years past, but it was good enough. If the rushing attack and defense control games as they did, good enough will be all Green Bay needs from Rodgers to be successful.
It's a formula the Packers have finally figured out over the past few weeks. But even after Monday's win, their playoff chances are incredibly slim.
Alright, a little housekeeping. In addition to winning their final four games, the Packers need…
— SEA to lose one of three. — WAS to lose two of three OR NYG to lose all three.
The Packers have to beat the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions to even have a shot. Getting the Seattle Seahawks to lose another game is doable, as they finish with the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and Rams.
That the Washington Commanders will lose two of three (against the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys) is probably more likely than the New York Giants' losing all three (Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles), but both are possible.
Still, a lot has to happen, and the reality is that Green Bay's season will probably end early next month.
However, Rodgers' time in Green Bay isn't likely to end in January. He signed a three-year, $150.8 million extension in the offseason and will have $99.8 million in dead money remaining on his contract in 2023.
Unless Rodgers retires, he will be Green Bay's starter next year. The franchise's focus in 2023 should be on helping Rodgers to continue transitioning to that game-manager role.
General manager Brian Gutekunst will have his work cut out for him in that regard. Green Bay is projected to have just $3.5 million in cap space and has several impending free agents to address.
That includes key players such as Lazard, Cobb, offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, tight end Robert Tonyan, safety Adrian Amos and safety Rudy Ford.
It wouldn't hurt to add another veteran to the receiving corps either, though the free-agent receiver class—headlined by JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nelson Agholor and Jakobi Meyers—isn't exactly impressive.
Perhaps Green Bay can land a new No. 1 receiver in the draft by targeting a top prospect such as USC's Jordan Addison or Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Really, though, it should worry more about reloading the offensive line and the defense. The draft should provide an excellent opportunity to do just that.
According to the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's early rankings, 20 of the top 32 prospects are offensive linemen or defenders.
The Packers should put extra focus on shoring up a run defense that came into Week 15 ranked 30th in yards per carry allowed (5.0). Building in the trenches would allow Green Bay to try winning by controlling the clock and tempo and leaning much less on Rodgers' throwing shoulder.
That's the right formula, especially in the NFC North. The Vikings and Lions have shown they can win shootouts, but no team in the division is particularly great against the run.
The Vikings, Lions and Chicago Bears rank 18th, 26th and 27th in rushing yards allowed this season. Rodgers may no longer be equipped to out-quarterback the rest of the division. He can win by playing smart, managing the offense and making the occasional big throw.
And those big throws may come more frequently as he, Watson and Doubs continue to grow together in Stenavich's offense.
Per @ESPNStatsInfo: Aaron Rodgers went 7-of-7 for 91 yards with both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs on field Monday, and is now 20-of-24 with both on field this season.
Of course, Rodgers may never dominate defenses as he did just a year ago. That's OK, because Green Bay's path to redemption next season isn't all about the quarterback. It's about building around the backfield, fielding an aggressive and opportunistic defense and cleaning up the mistakes that have cost the Packers this season.
Rodgers doesn't have to be great if the team around him is—and Green Bay can be great if it can execute the same game plan it did against Los Angeles.
Monday's game was the closest to a complete one the Packers have played this season.
Green Bay did notch an overtime victory against playoff-bound Dallas in Week 10, but that was far from a complete performance. The Packers turned the ball over twice and allowed 159 rushing yards, but they did run the ball well (207 yards), force mistakes (two interceptions, two sacks) and get late-game greatness from Rodgers in the comeback (two fourth-quarter touchdown passes).
Against the Rams—who at 4-10 are admittedly a lower-tier team than the Cowboys—the Packers imposed their will from start to finish. They didn't need late-game heroics from Rodgers because their backfield and defense set the tone.
Now it's time to build on that win, look ahead to 2023 and maybe—just maybe—get enough breaks to sneak into the postseason this year.
Packers Defense Impresses NFL Twitter as Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Beat Rams
Dec 20, 2022
Green Bay Packers linebacker Preston Smith (91) celebrates a sack in the first half of an NFL football game against the Los angles Rams in Green Bay, Wis. Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
It's rarely been pretty for the Green Bay Packers this season. Monday night was no exception. But for once, the defense stepped up in a major way.
Green Bay stifled the beat-up Los Angeles Rams offense, holding it to 156 yards in a 24-12 victory.
The Packers defense has not earned plaudits often this season. But on Monday night, NFL Twitter tipped its cap to that unit, namely edge-rusher Preston Smith:
Packers defense has 9 QB hits, 6 TFLs, 5 sacks, 5 pass breakups and a takeaway tonight. Front has been disruptive against a bad OL.
The Packers have five sacks tonight, two by Preston Smith, and it's their most in a game since Christmas Day last year against Baker Mayfield with the Browns.
This was always how it was supposed to be for the #Packers.
The defense plays super well to limit points on the board. The offense would utilize their running backs in many situations, figure it out to put up points, and be serviceable.
You could make the argument that the Rams offense was more dreadful than the Packers defense was superb. Fair enough. Baker Mayfield, in his second game as the team's quarterback, finished just 12-of-21 for 111 yards and a touchdown with an interception and took five sacks.
The Rams were just 4-of-11 on third down. They held the ball for only 22 minutes, 41 seconds and managed 72 rushing yards. It was ugly.
The Packers didn't exactly light it up. The running back duo of Aaron Jones (126 yards from scrimmage, one touchdown, one fumble lost) and AJ Dillon (71 yards from scrimmage, two scores) carried the load. Aaron Rodgers threw for 229 yards and a touchdown with an interception.
But the defense kept Mayfield uncomfortable and ensured the Packers offense didn't need to go wild. Because of that, the 6-8 Packers still have playoff hopes.
Aaron Rodgers said "there's still a lot to play for" on the postgame broadcast. #Packers QB smiling after Green Bay moves to 6-8.
It's still a long shot. For Packers fans, the immortal words of Lloyd Christmas come to mind: "So you're telling me there's a chance."
There's a chance, Green Bay. If the defense can repeat this performance, those odds will improve.
Rams' Aaron Donald, Packers' Jaire Alexander Named to 2023 Pro Bowl Games
Dec 20, 2022
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 27: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams walks off the field after a defensive interception in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Ahead of Monday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams, the NFL announced that each team had a player selected to the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.
Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald and Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander were the first players revealed to be members of the NFC side. The full Pro Bowl Games rosters will be unveiled Wednesday.
Donald will not play Monday because of an ankle injury. He has recorded 49 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 11 games.
Donald has been selected to nine Pro Bowls, earning the honor every year since he was drafted No. 13 overall in 2014. He didn't participate in the 2022 Pro Bowl because the Rams made it to Super Bowl LVI, and they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals for their second Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
Alexander will make his second Pro Bowl appearance thanks to a bounce-back performance. After an injury-marred 2021, the 25-year-old has returned to form with 48 tackles, 12 passes defended and a career-high four interceptions through 12 games.
The 2023 Pro Bowl will be unlike any other, as it will feature a flag football game with squads coached by Peyton and Eli Manning. Leading up to the contest, the 2023 Pro Bowl Games will include various challenges and competitions among players.
The Pro Bowl game will be held Feb. 5 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
