The last time the Packers finished a season with a losing record was almost a decade ago. It was 2008, and Aaron Rodgers' first season at the helm.
Since then, it's been difficult to imagine Green Bay as anything less than a Super Bowl contender, consistently right up there with the class of the NFC. That's not the same team the Eagles will be welcoming to Lincoln Financial Field on Monday night though. This team, while still led by Rodgers, has a 4-6 record, and with losses in four consecutive games, could be on the verge of a freefall. This is not the Packers we are accustomed to seeing.
It's hard to put a finger on exactly what's wrong, but a closer inspection at the roster suggests injuries, perhaps some age-related decline and a little bit of tuning out the head coach may all be occurring at the same time to conspire against Rodgers' Packers.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
There's a widely held belief that Aaron Rodgers is struggling mightily these days. True, his efficiency numbers (yards per attempt and passer rating specifically) are down the past two seasons, and there's certainly something to the idea his supporting cast is lacking. Watch him play though, and Rodgers still has all the traits that made him a two-time league MVP. He still has one of the biggest arms in the league. He still is one of the most accurate passers and has an unbelievable rapport with his receivers. He can still extend plays with his feet, and he still very rarely makes a stupid decision with the football. The Packers' problem isn't Rodgers, who only turns 33 next month and has plenty of good years ahead. This is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, period.
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Strength: Wide receivers
None of Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams are taking individual NFL leaderboards by storm. That being said, together they form one of the most well-rounded trios in the league. Nelson and Adams somehow have an identical 53 catches for 663 yards, Cobb isn't far behind with 48 grabs 517 yards, and combined they've found the end zone 18 times. Would any of the three be stars on their own? Maybe not, but Rodgers is extremely comfortable with them all and as a result will send the ball their way even if the coverage is perfect. That kind of trust and respect tends to make any receiver far more dangerous.
Weakness: Running back
Eddie Lacy was enjoying a resurgent season and well on his way to cracking 1,000 yards before landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Normally steady James Starks was there to take his place, but he too was hurt for awhile, and despite being back, the 30-year-old is averaging a sad 2.5 yards per carry. Since Lacy went down, it's been one bandage after another. Wide receiver Ty Montgomery takes a lot of snaps in the backfield. The club traded for and release Knile Davis in a matter of weeks. Now they've added Seahawks leading rusher Christine Michael off of waivers, though he has yet to take a handoff. It's not so much that the Packers can't run the football as much as they don't seem to have anybody who can do the job at a high level or even average right now, and it's crippling the offense.
DEFENSE
Strength: Run defense
It's almost too bad that the Packers' secondary is in shambles. With a quality run defense that's capable of putting offenses in third-and-long situations, the unit should be able to get off the field. Green Bay is ranked 6th in the NFL in rushing yards per game, and to prove that's no fluke, also eighth in terms of yards per attempt, limiting ballcarriers to 3.7 yards per attempt. It starts up front with defensive line with 300-pounders Mike Daniels and Letroy Guion, a huge tandem that are hard to move off the point of attack. Of course, it's almost irrelevant, because teams are converting first downs with ease through the air. Then again, if you're going to beat this Packers defense, that's usually the way it has to be done.
Weakness: Cornerback
There may not be a bigger mess in pro football right now than the Packers' cornerback situation. Sam Shields is on injured reserve. Demetri Goodson should join him soon. Damarious Randall is listed as questionable for Monday, but hasn't played since Week 6. Needless to say, with all of the bodies the defense has lost, it's no surprise opposing quarterbacks are throwing all over the Packers with ease. If Randall can't play, the unit is down to 2015 second-round draft pick Quinten Rollins, undrafted second-year player LaDarius Gunter and undrafted rookie Josh Hawkins. Even if Randall does suit up, he could be rusty after missing so much time. Either way, the Packers secondary is extremely vulnerable right now, and it's shown.
X-factor: Nick Perry
Everybody knows the names Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews, but one Packers defender has almost as many sacks this season and one more interception than the two combined. Nick Perry is enjoying a career year, his 7.0 sacks, three pass breakups and a pick all career highs for the fifth-year outside linebacker. With Peppers playing a far more limited role in his older age and Matthews battling injuries for much of the season, the Packers defense needed another playmaker to step up in the front seven, and Perry has done just that. It hasn't been enough to keep opponents from racking up points, as the Packers defense has surrendered at least 31 points in four consecutive games. Then again, if Perry can make a play or two, that could alter momentum in a hurry.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Packers might be one of the few teams in the NFL with more kick return attempts than punt returns. Either way, they're not particularly dangerous at either, at least they haven't taken one back to the house yet this season. Meanwhile, Mason Crosby has been solid enough to hold down a job for 10 years, but not automatic enough that you worry Green Bay will beat you in the kicking game.
COACHING
Mike McCarthy (11 seasons, 116-68-1)
You can't blame McCarthy for being a little annoyed at rumblings that his job might be on the line. Again, even if the Packers finish below .500 this season, it would be the first time since '08 and only the second time in his 11 seasons on the sideline — and that's far from written in stone. Oh, he also guided the franchise to a Super Bowl championship, so his track record of success extends to the highest level. Then again, this is the second year in a row his team hasn't looked very strong, even with Rodgers at the helm, and whatever the specific problems are, people are beginning to wonder whether he's the man who can fix it. McCarthy's resume may make him deserving of more time, but if the Packers' freefall continues, you couldn't blame them for making a change in the offseason. Not like he won't get another job anyway, but this one might be slipping away.
