Packers Could Make Life Easier for Vikings
Ted Schwerzler
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The Green Bay Packers are a bad football team in 2022. That was evident when they got walloped in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, and not even a brief winning streak could change that reality. Now fading and facing injury, they could make things easier for Minnesota down the stretch.
On Sunday Night Football, Matt LaFleur’s team made things interesting against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite Nick Sirianni’s club boasting the best record in the NFL, the Packers wound up dropping the road contest by just a touchdown. Maybe the most interesting was that Aaron Rodgers exited the game late after dealing with a rib injury. His bowing out allows Green Bay an opportunity for transition.
Before the game in which Green Bay was fully expected to lose, it was reported that Rodgers was playing with a thumb injury. Not only was he dealing with the issue this week, but apparently, he had been doing so for several weeks. That being reported as the Packers go downhill is convenient timing and clearly not something the team wanted out there while they believed hope was not lost. With the season all but lost, it probably made sense to unveil a valid excuse for their future Hall of Famer.
Rodgers still started, though, and then he threw a pair of interceptions. He got hit plenty and was on his back more often than anyone on Green Bay’s sideline would prefer. Noting his rib injury postgame, Rodgers was lifted in favor of Jordan Love. The Packers backup went six of nine for 113 yards. The bulk of that came on a 63-yard catch-and-run that rookie Christian Watson turned into a touchdown.
Now dealing with a thumb injury and a rib issue, it could be time for Green Bay to ask Rodgers if he’s ready to step aside in 2022. On Monday Night Football, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III didn’t believe the organization would do that. However, for a team that is often noted for being risk-averse when it comes to injury, continuing to play rogers seems like much more than a misstep.
At this point in his career, Rodgers is a good quarterback that could benefit from a good supporting cast. He doesn’t have that. Davante Adams was traded, and the wide receiver room is beyond awful. The Packers spent a substantial amount of their assets on improving the defense, but that hasn’t gone well either. Expecting a 100% healthy Rodgers to lift this group is a big ask. It’s probably insurmountable for an aging version that is hurt.
Green Bay is still probably the toughest divisional test Minnesota has to face this season. They’ll play each NFC North foe on the road, but Jordan Love could make that matchup a bit less daunting. If the Packers are going to play Rodgers hurt, maybe they are helping the Vikings. If they allow Love an opportunity to prove himself as the guy, perhaps they are helping the Vikings. I’m not certain which is the better scenario for Minnesota, but there’s no denying that Green Bay is drowning quickly in 2022.
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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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