122315-roberto-ruizPackers Winning on Defense

The Packers continued their lackadaisical march towards the playoffs, clinching a playoff spot before even stepping onto to the field versus the Oakland Raiders. In what has been a season full of frustrations, Sunday proved no different for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense. Damarious Randall, though, provided a glimpse of a bright spot while Mike McCarthy’s running game stalled one week after roaring to life.

Rodgers was once again hurt by dropped passes and his receivers being unable to create separation from defensive backs. Veteran receiver James Jones was the leading receiver while facing off against his former team, picking up the slack that was left by Randall Cobb and his inability to be the number one receiver of a high powered offense. When the Packers signed Cobb during the offseason, it was with the understanding that he had been a remarkable number two receiver and could continue to thrive with Jordy Nelson on the other side of the field. This dream team fell apart when Nelson tore his ACL and Cobb was left alone to fend for himself against number one cornerbacks. Nelson, who at 6’3” and 217 pounds, is much better equipped to fend off the best cornerbacks than the 5’10” 192 pound Cobb.

Damarious Randall had an up and down day in his trial by fire against Amari Cooper. Not exactly accustomed to being the number one cornerback, the rookie Randall was thrust into the role when Sam Shields was unable to play because of lingering effects from a concussion suffered in the previous week. Though Randall had an interception returned for a touchdown, he also let Amari Cooper run rampant over the Packers secondary to the tune of six catches, 120 yards, and two touchdowns. If Shields is unable to play in next week’s game against Arizona Randall will have his hands full once again with Larry Fitzgerald. Hopefully Shields can return, but if he is unable to play again then it will only provide even more valuable high pressure playing time for Randall.

One week after McCarthy took over the reins and guided his team to a hard fought, gritty victory, his offense once again stalled. Even though the running game accrued well over 200 yards the week before, the running game was barely able to eclipse 100 yards on 28 carries against the Raiders. Eddie Lacy once again had trouble finding holes in the defense while James Starks continued his troubling trend of fumbling away opportunities. It has become painfully obvious that this offense is not going to win games for the Packers, so the defense will have to pick up the slack.

The Packers travel to Arizona next Sunday in a battle of two of the top three teams in the NFC. Arizona has consistently been a solid team when Carson Palmer is leading the charge, and many expect them to create more noise in the playoffs than the undefeated Panthers. This game has the feeling of a massacre. Simply put, the Cardinals have their identity figured out and the Packers have been limping around inferior opponents. If the Packers can keep the game close and make a contest of it, it will have to be considered a moral victory.