Green Bay is in “must win” mode, as is Minnesota. Both teams need a bit of help to get into the postseason (as of writing this article). The weird thing is each team’s fans are confident that the rookie QB, Jaren Hall, will have a great game against the Packers. Per usual, I will say that the QB that outduels the other will win — that’s likely the case, but Jordan Love will have a tough test due to Joe Barry continuing to call the defense. In addition to this malpractice, Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes (the Packers’ top 2 cover corners) are out, leaving Carrington Valentine, Keison Nixon, and Corey Ballentine as the top three corners for tonight. The last time we saw them, when they were allowed to play man coverage, they held Mahomes & Co. to 19 points. Should Green Bay limit every opponent to 19 points, they will win the rest of their games – without a doubt.

Matchup

What doesn’t bode well is Minnesota is great at moving the ball through the air. They rank 3rd in the NFL in pass yards/game. They’re also 10th in total offense, but turnovers are what doom Minnesota from scoring more. Their defense is fairly average, ranking 10th in scoring – a lot due to their shutout of Las Vegas – but the last time these teams met, could be very indicative of how this game goes. Hall may force balls to Jefferson, who’s proven to be the best WR in the NFL, when healthy. If the Packers are playing man, and if Valentine is covering like we’ve seen, that could finally result in his much-awaited first INT. I still believe Jaire Alexander is one of the best corners in the NFL (when healthy) and Valentine has proved to be aggressive/tenacious to get burned, but also make a tremendous amount of plays…let him.

Prediction

Packers 27
Vikings 30 (-2)

Season: 4-11
Overall: 91-63

Where to start? Joe Barry’s defense allowed 394 yards, 298 (76%) of which came through the air. Carolina was averaging 165 yards passing/game (31st, aka 2nd to last) entering the game and only 14.7 points/game. The Panthers had no issue surpassing either of those outputs. Green Bay was able to make rookie Bryce Young look just like that, initially. They brought pressure and he missed some wide open targets – couple that with some early scoring drives and the Packers were able to play from out front the entire game.

That’s a stat line you’d see from Steven Young in his prime vs a below average defense…a 110.0 QB rating is phenomenal – that’s a problem.

The Good News?

1. Green Bay didn’t allow 100 yards rushing and gave up less than 4 yards/carry (3.8).
2. Jordan Love was great, yet again. He accounted for 3 TDs and posted a passer rating almost as good as future HOFer Bryce Young, with a 109.1.

Jaire???

What’s taking over the news in Packer country is Jaire Alexander, and not for the reasons we want. Jaire, from Mint Hill, NC (just outside of Charlotte), wanted to be a captain for the game against his hometown team. However, he went against protocol and almost cost the Packers a possession. There are many opinions as to this whole situation, Jaire, and LaFleur. However, this has been brewing for some time and this wreaks of LaFleur trying to make up for missed opportunities to establish authority. The players seem to be backing Jaire, and there seems to be brewing a shit storm that could’ve been avoided by firing Joe Barry, even as late as a week ago. Now there’s been a festering of negativity and things seem to be coming to a head.

Another positive thing…Jordan Love, again. The kid is handling himself about as perfect as one could ask. Again, my only (major) issue with Rodgers was the fans’ perception of him being far better than he actually was – but Love is fitting into his career track-line eerily similarly. With all of these distractions (Barry, Jaire), Love is moving forward and producing with less and less weapons week in and week out.

LaFleur, Time to Go?

While I’ve been a fan of Matt LaFleur since his hiring, I’m not certain he’s the best Head Coach for the team. I’d still like to give him through the end of next season, but there seems to be one major issue that no one disagrees on, firing Joe Barry immediately.

The latest of what seems to be losing the locker room – which not firing Barry could be the catalyst for – is grounds for termination. Once a Head Coach loses the locker room, it’s impossible to gain it back…

That’s OK, because this year was about 1 thing…(say it with me), getting the kids reps. Also, validated that Jordan Love is the QB moving forward.

Current Status

Carolina~ they currently hold the No. 1 overall pick, slot. That pick is held by Chicago in their disastrous trade to pick Bryce Young. Chicago currently holds the #1 overall pick, and if Green Bay wins, they’ll at least have a game lead in that department over 3-11 New England.

Green Bay~ sitting as the “11th seed,” the Packers need to win out, giving them a likely playoff berth. They hold tiebreakers over the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints due to their head-to-head matchups, however should there become a multiple-team tie, they may be on the outside looking in due to their losses to the Falcons, Giants, and Buccaneers…

Must-Win

As stated above, the Packers need to win their remaining games and will likely make the playoffs at 9-8. Green Bay would benefit from Minnesota losing one additional game – not counting the New Year’s Eve vs. Green Bay – and the Rams dropping one of their final three. If Green Bay ends up with the same record as the Rams, they’d be in over them, unless there’s a multi-way tie and it gets to a deeper tiebreaker than head-to-head matchup…

Barry Will Keep His Job…For Now

My guess is Matt LaFleur is loyal to his word, and will keep his Defensive Coordinator on through his contract, which allegedly ends after this season, and will re-evaluate. Joe Barry could have a good finish in these last three games, and if they make the playoffs, may even have a solid showing in the Wild Card game – which may keep his job…I wrote about this last season, about how Barry’s defenses seem to come up in the clutch, but the QB play always let the team down. Still, I wouldn’t mind a new Coordinator, someone not scared to play man coverage and bring pressure.

Matchup

Yet another offense that’s atrocious. The last couple that Green Bay has faced (New York Giants & Tampa Bay Buccaneers) have been just as bad, and each had little to no issue dicing through Barry’s squad to either win on a last second field goal or just flat out dominate the game. Either way, the Packers need to do to Carolina what all other opponents have done, shut them down. Bryce Young has struggled, immensely, all season and the Packers have the talent to make his life hell on Sunday.

Also, the Panthers actually have a solid defense. They’re 29th in overall scoring defense, and that may be due to the offense going 3 & out leaving the opposition a shorter field to score, hence not giving up many yards, but still almost 25 points/game.

Zach Kruse on Twitter, had a pretty good take (at least I like it as it’s right up my alley)…he laid out the ways that Green Bay can get to victory over the worst team in the NFL.

To get in the Christmas spirit, here’s a great take on “Let It Go” from the Crispy Brothers.

Players to Watch

I could also list every player that could rush the ball, but that would list the entire offense…when facing Joe Barry’s unit, anyone could go off. However, if Green Bay is able to stabilize these two top defenders, they should have a solid chance at winning.

Prediction

Packers 20
Panthers 24 (+4.5)

Season: 4-10
Overall: 91-62

I’m one of the last to call for people’s jobs as I believe patience is one of the least-used attributes in sports. However, it’s clear to everyone (for varying reasons) that it’s time to move on from Defensive Coordinator, Joe Barry. Even the hack writer, Ryan Wood, isn’t defending his guy any longer. The premise of not getting beat by the “explosive pass” is great, until you’re killed by giving up easy 6-yard chunks for an entire 120 minutes against two of the worst offenses in the entire NFL.

Entering the Giants game, New York was ranked last in total offense (258.7 yards/game) and 2nd-to-last in points per game (13.3 points/game). Green Bay surrendered 367 yards and 24 points against the Giants. Following that abysmal performance, the Packers allowed 452 yards and 34 points to the 23rd ranked (in yards) offense and 22nd ranked (20.2 points/game) scoring offense. An above-average defense would’ve allowed less in each category to each team. However, the Packers forced one punt against the Baker Mayfield-led Buccaneers — in the 2nd half alone, Tampa Bay had 4 drives resulting in 3 touchdowns and running out the final 4:18…

Positives?

Jordan Love and Jayden Reed flashed again…as well as Tight End Tucker Kraft (#85). Love was able to connect with Reed on a broken play resulting in a touchdown that was incredible – another WOW moment.

That’s really about it. Sitting in a soft zone, even Head Coach, Matt LaFleur, acknowledges that it’s easy to pick apart…yet doesn’t fire the guy that keeps calling this defense. I understand there are injuries and backups playing, however that doesn’t excuse every single player being wide open. If you play straight man coverage, the only way for the receiver to get open is for him to beat his man. I’d much rather have that as it would require a somewhat accurate throw or the pass rush might get to the QB, at least in time to affect the pass if not resulting in a sack.

Now What?

LaFleur made it clear that he doesn’t intend to move on from Joe Barry, at least not during the season. The Packers are still in the playoff hunt, but will need some help along the way – all assuming they finish the season 3-0. The #1 overall pick, QB Bryce Young, hasn’t thrown a TD since November 19th in their game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11. Can’t wait for Joe Barry’s defense to surrender a 150 yards on the ground and 2+ TD passes to the rookie that’s struggled ALL season…