Packer Post-Op: Lions

Lambeau Live at the WI State Fair
8/3/2018 dwm photo

As I put a tattered bow on the 2018 season of the Green Bay Packers, a few words come to mind:

Ugly, pathetic, and disappointing.

The Detroit Lions came in with a 5 and 10 record.  It was widely written that the players had given up on their first year coach and just playing out the string.

Green Bay owned 6 wins, 8 losses and a tie.  I was hoping last week's comeback over the Jets would encourage this team to finish strong.

But on the Packers first possession Detroit sacked Aaron Rodgers for a 12 yard loss.  As Rodgers went to the ground, a Lion defender hit him on the side of his head, popping off his helmet.  Aaron finished that and two more possessions before walking to the locker room where he was evaluated for a possible concussion.  He never returned.  I wish him a full recovery.

The Lions took a 7 to nothing lead the third time they had the ball.  The Packer defense stopped Detroit deep in Green Bay territory.  The Lion kicking team came out for a field goal.

For the last time this year, Green Bay's "not so special team" broke down.  No one noticed a Lion's player on the edge of the formation.  The snap went right to the kicker, who calmly threw it to an uncovered receiver for a 14 point lead.

The game continued, but it essentially ended then and there.  The final score - Detroit 31, Green Bay 0.

How ugly was this season?

This was the first time since 2008 that Green Bay failed to win 7 games.

They failed to win back to back games for the first time since 2005.

This was the first time since the 1982-83 seasons that Detroit beat Green Bay four times in a row, sweeping the series twice.  Green Bay had won 22 of the last 26 games.

Yuck!

Change is coming.  There will be a new head coach and many new assistants.

The team will be radically different.  However, with Aaron Rodgers playing quarterback the Packers will draft and sign players to quickly restore the fortunes of a team with just 5 losing seasons in the last 27.

It seems to me we need to improve the offensive line; linebacker positions; and overall depth.  This year's edition of the Packers looked promising before the season, but as injuries happened the next man up wasn't always up to the task.

I believe General Manager Brian Gutekunst and President Mark Murphy will find the right coach to lead the 2019 Packers.  I think Gutekunst and his player acquisition team will go after the players to put us in position to win.

We (Packer fans) are spoiled.  We expect to be in the play-offs and contending for a 14th Title (and more) before Rodgers calls it quits.

We can't wait till next year. - Go Pack, Go!

Blogger's note:  
Thanks for reading - this is my last blog of 2018 - the 267th this year and the 1,988th overall.