SEATTLE – There are three weeks left until the end of the regular season of the NFLand the NFC’s path to the Super Bowl suddenly seems wide open.
Los Green Bay Packers are challenging conventional wisdom, stirring up questions about whether they are the best-equipped team to represent the conference in the Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. What is clear is that Green Bay is taking a big step towards the playoffs.
Behind another solid performance from the standout quarterback Jordan Love, los Packers The visitors moved closer to securing a playoff berth Sunday night by manhandling the Seattle Seahawks in a 30-13 victory at Lumen Field. Green Bay (10-4) scored on all four of its first-half possessions to take a 17-point halftime lead against Seattle (8-6).
The long-awaited quarterback duel between Love and Geno Smith, Pro Bowler Seahawksnever materialized.
Throughout the game, the defensive front of Green Bay overwhelmed the offensive line Seattle. Midway through the third quarter, Smith suffered a knee injury from a hit from Edgerrin Cooper. He was replaced by the ineffective backup quarterback Sam HowellSmith never returned.
On the contrary, Jordan Love He completed 20 of 27 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers they won for the fourth time in five games.
In the NFC North, the Packers they continue behind the Detroit Lions (12-2), leaders of the division, and of the Minnesota Vikings (11-2), seconds. But the Packers They have a talented passer, a top-notch running game led by the running back Josh Jacobs (94 rushing yards, one touchdown), a defense that had 7 sacks, 10 tackles for losses and 12 quarterback hits against the Seahawksand a sharp head coach, Matt LaFleurwho pulls the strings.
Looking ahead, there is a lot to like about the Packers.
“We’ve talked about it all week: This is a playoff-type game,” Love said. “A playoff team on the other side, a very good team, and an atmosphere away from home. …You just have to keep stepping on the accelerator.”
Although it is very unlikely that the Packers surpass both the Lions like the Vikings in their division, that is not the objective of the Packers.
Los Packers They are striving to be in top shape as the playoffs approach, and they are succeeding. Furthermore, the Packers They were encouraged by the performance of the Buffalo Bills against the Lions on Sunday.
The visitors Bills They racked up 559 yards of total offense during a 48-42 victory that ended the Lions’ franchise-best winning streak of 11 games. In their last 10 games, the Packers They have a record of 8-2, with two losses against the Lions.
During the last five seasons, the San Francisco 49ers They dominated the NFC, winning three NFC West titles, participating in four conference championships and two Super Bowls. The Lions they lost against 49ers in last season’s NFC championship game. After the 49ers’ demise this year due to injuries and ineffectiveness, the Lions They seemed ready to take the lead.
Of course, they still could.
Just like the Philadelphia Eagles (12-2), who lead the NFC East and are tied with the Lions for the best record in the conference. The Vikings They are also there. Los Angeles Rams (8-6), who have three consecutive victories, are tied with Seattle at the top of the NFC West.
Los PackersHowever, they can match all the top contenders at the most important position: quarterback.
In Week 14, Detroit capped a 34-31 victory over Green Bay with a 35-yard field goal as time expired. Green Bay is playing so well these days, you could argue that the gap between the teams isn’t wide, especially after the defense debacle of Detroit contra Buffalo. There’s simply no way to sugarcoat the fact that he gave up nearly 50 points and 600 total net yards.
“I like the confidence of our guys,” LaFleur stressed. “We went out, we started fast. “We knew that was going to be the key to the game.”
In his last five games, Love has completed 68.7% of his passes (79 of 115). He has eight passing touchdowns and just one interception.
“I feel very good. “We are in a very good moment,” Love said. “Just finishing this season and being where we’re going to be for the playoffs. But I like where we are. We have to continue looking for ways to improve. “Keep pushing each other to get those wins and finish the season.”
In the NFC playoff race, there is still a lot left to decide. Two of the three remaining games of the Packers are in their field against teams below .500, the New Orleans Saints and the Chicago Bears. Los Packers They also face the formidable Vikings in Minnesota.
Los Seahawks receive the Vikings in Week 16. Seattle faces the Bears as visitors in Week 17, and closes on the road against the Rams.
After relieving Smith against the Packers On Sunday, Howell was 5 of 14 for 24 yards with an interception. He was sacked four times and had a rating of 14.6. That’s not good.
Los Packers They are good. They’re about to be in the playoffs for the fifth time in LaFleur’s six seasons as head coach, and they believe they’re capable of making it. New Orleans.
The thing is, the way things are going, they may be right.
