RADIO
“R-E-L-A-X.” Last year, according to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, there was no better way for the famous cheeseheads of Green Bay to calm their racing hearts when the Packers struggled to perform out on the open field.
Though it’s likely that little has changed in the mental makeup of Wisconsin’s favorite quarterback, this year, it appears that Rodgers found an even better way to help his adoring supporters achieve physical, mental and fanatical tranquility: winning. And even better, winning against a division rival in Teddy Bridgewater and the Minnesota Vikings.
Heck, after the Packers’ Week 11 victory over the Vikings, it’s become obvious that the Packers, even at their worst, are still better than the Vikings. Having lost three straight games, it would be an understatement to say that the Packers didn’t find themselves in a must-win situation. Simply put, a loss to Minnesota would’ve put them two games back of the Vikings in the NFC North.
Fortunately for the Packers’ faithful, that wasn’t the case. However, that’s not to say that the Yellow and Green are in the clear. Honestly, the team’s overall performance wasn’t anything incredible. Even Rodgers struggled to play as well as he should’ve.
In fact, reports Kenneth Arthur of RollingStone.com, “He completed only 47 percent of his throws for just 6.2 yards per attempt. Rodgers has had a completion percentage below 60 in four of his last five starts and is posting the lowest Y/A of his career.”
However, in addition to the win, there’s at least one more positive takeaway from the Packer’s seventh win—it appears that Eddie Lacy might finally have turned a corner. After being abruptly (and to the surprise of many) placed behind James Starks on the depth chart, Lacey managed to have his best performance of the season, rushing for exactly 100 yards on 22 carries.
Lacy’s production is key to the Packers’ success. When Lacy rushes for at least 100 yards, the Packers are 6-1-1 and, generally speaking, in contention come the end of the game.
No, the Packers didn’t look perfect in their 30-13 win over the Vikings, but it’s a start. Needless to say, the Packers’ ability to be in contention come the end of the season will largely depend on the play of both Rodgers and Lacy.
