No Matter How They Get There, Packers Need Two More Wins

Getting things done in the NFL is hard. It’s hard to win every week, it’s hard to make the playoffs and, as the Packers have found out over the past six seasons, it’s really hard to climb all the way back up the mountain of winning the Super Bowl.

Over their current run of eight straight playoff berths, the Packers have navigated their way to the playoffs in just about every way imaginable.

There was 2011, when a headscratcher of a loss at Kansas City – a game I had the displeasure of attending, by the way – was the only blemish on an otherwise dominant and prolific season, and Aaron Rodgers was rewarded with his first MVP award for his part.

In 2013, Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone and the team just barely managed to stay afloat until his return in week 17, where a final-minute touchdown toss to Randall Cobb propelled them to a division championship at 8-7-1.

The next season, Green Bay had the look of a team on a mission. With the offense back to its high-flying ways, the Packers had a field day throwing deep on opponents and pounding away with Eddie Lacy, and Rodgers took home his second MVP despite battling through lingering leg injuries.

In 2016, Green Bay found themselves sitting at 4-6 and on the brink after 11 weeks. After rattling off six straight wins to finish the regular season, they were once again crowned NFC North champions.

Of course, it behooves us to talk about what happened at the end of all those stories.

The loss at Kansas City in 2011 turned out to be some gruesome foreshadowing of what the Giants would do to the Packers in the Divisional playoffs.

After the 2013 season, Green Bay battled valiantly but came up short against San Francisco in the Wild Card round at Lambeau.

We all know how the 2014 season ended and frankly it’s better for my blood pressure if I don’t go too far down that rabbit hole, thank you very much.

In 2016, after an absolutely dominant eight-week run, the offense went stale and the Packers finally succumbed to their long list of defensive injuries and were blown out in the NFC Championship in Atlanta.

So, what’s the point, other than dredging up painful memories of years past?

As the offseason program gets started, head coach Mike McCarthy has pointed to a theme of sorts for the Packers going forward: Two. More. Wins.

Regardless of the manner in which the team has reached the postseason the past eight years, they’ve always been there. Difficult as it is to win the National Football League, they’ve always found themselves in the conversation come January.

While some find it arrogant and ungrateful, the fact is reaching the playoffs has become something more than an expectation in Green Bay. While no one should overlook the success of the team over the past eight years, hell, even the last 25 years, there’s no shame in being disappointed with not reaching the ultimate goal.

The Packers have set a standard that, save for New England, is unmatched around the league. Now they have to figure out how to get over the hump, no matter the path it takes to get there.

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Comments (14)

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Bearmeat's picture

May 06, 2017 at 12:16 pm

It's going to take a defense that can come up with the timely stop. Including some turnovers. With very few exceptions, that's what super bowl teams do. Make the timely stop. With the exception of 2007 and 2010 (and most of 2014), it's what GBs defense hasn't done.

The offense is fine. Fix the defense = be a super bowl winner.

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

May 06, 2017 at 12:57 pm

I agree Bearmeat; what has been missing since our last SB win is TURNOVERS. When Woodson left, he took the league-leading turnovers with him (and losing Nick Collins), and we haven't been the same since.

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dobber's picture

May 07, 2017 at 09:22 am

The +/- stats can be misleading...the Packers are usually up near the top of the league in that category, but it's buffered by the fact that the Packers have a QB who doesn't throw picks.

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

May 06, 2017 at 12:54 pm

Sorry about going off-topic, but I see the Packers added Michael Clark: 6'7" WR with 4.5 speed who was quite productive in college. Maybe my wish for a super-tall receiver will finally come true!

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worztik's picture

May 06, 2017 at 01:13 pm

I saw that as well!!! A basketball player that doesn't play TE and can run will be neat to watch and, as far as 2 more wins, maybe this incoming group of young talent will push some vets to reach that next level!!! Just sayin'...

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Tundraboy's picture

May 06, 2017 at 04:12 pm

Pretty cut and dry Bearmeat. And true.

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Tundraboy's picture

May 06, 2017 at 04:14 pm

Deleted

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gr7070's picture

May 06, 2017 at 01:08 pm

They need those two more wins to come in the regular season first!

That'll give them home field which will go a long ways to getting them into the Superbowl.

They should have some luck this year with a pretty bad division. Detroit's record last year was a complete mirage. Bears are just not very good. Surprisingly, to me anyway, Vikings are projected only to finish above the 49ers in the NFC

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worztik's picture

May 06, 2017 at 01:17 pm

If Bradford gets hurt, which has never happened before, they may end up looking up at the 49ers from the very bottom. Just sayin'...

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Since'61's picture

May 06, 2017 at 02:24 pm

Two more wins are needed during the regular season for the Packers at least to earn a #2 seed if not the #1 seed. Combine that with the team remaining relatively healthy and playing defense to get off the field on 3rd downs and we have a great chance. As usual the biggest question will be how well does the defense play. Can the defense win a game when the offense doesn't bring their A game, which over the course of a season and then into the playoffs is going to happen a few times. The defense needs to play better in the 4th quarter especially. Too often, we have seen Rodgers lead a game winning or game tying drive only to have the defense give it away by the end of the game. If the defense can make some plays and some stops at the right time our offense can take us all the way. A playoff bye, 2 more wins and we're there. Just win baby. Thanks, Since '61

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CAG123's picture

May 06, 2017 at 03:13 pm

Man that 2013 49ers loss reminds me of that sure pick six Micah Hyde should have had that would have sealed the deal

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Lphill's picture

May 06, 2017 at 04:42 pm

The Packers defense will be better and the offense will be as well , this could be a special season maybe the injury bug will give us a pass this season.

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Handsback's picture

May 06, 2017 at 05:09 pm

I sure think that the defense will have something it's been missing.....depth! Every team fights injuries (Green Bay has had more than their share) but few have the depth to keep going and last year, the Pack couldn't get it done w/ the depth they had.
I see all of those rookies playing hard, learning the system, and by end of the regular season being considered harden vets. That's where that depth will come into play.
Yeah, 2 more wins!

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Ben Pearson's picture

May 09, 2017 at 11:19 am

I'm just so happy nobody has posted the "why can't you guys just be happy we make the play offs" post yet.

I fear it's coming...

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