Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,854
- 0
All the angst about finding a running game, for an offense that had produced just five rushing touchdowns through 12 games? The Packers rushed for six scores over their next three games and put up single-game rushing totals of 226 and 153 yards in two of the final four to close the regular season.
The need for turnovers from that defense? In Games 13 and 14, the Packers intercepted eight passes. Over a three-game stretch before the finale they recovered four fumbles after having gotten only three through the first 12 games.
Offensively, the Packers posted their two biggest total yardage outputs over the final four games that year. Defensively, a string of ugly starts at midseason morphed into allowing just six first-quarter points over the last four contests.
So, yes, things can get fixed, even in December. The Packers know they can put themselves in better position for a playoff push if they can start turning some trends the other way.
It should help that the first two of these last four regular-season games are at home, particularly after playing four of five on the road. It’s always easier to improve on issues while playing at home (the 2016 team had three of four at home from Weeks 13-16 before the finale at Detroit), and both LaFleur and Rodgers pleaded out loud for the fans to create a true home-field advantage these next two weeks.
“We need that crowd as loud as possible,” Rodgers said. “Get out there, get the tailgating going, get the PBR flowing, or the Leinie’s or the Miller or whatever you choose, and let’s get that thing roaring from kickoff.”
LaFleur put it in the perfect context, with the Packers at 5-1 at Lambeau Field thus far in 2019.
“Just like our play,” he said, “I think there’s another level out there that we can get ’em to.”