Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers are eager to secure a playoff berth without the late-season drama they faced last year.
With a record of 10-4, the Packers are in a strong position to clinch a postseason spot as early as Sunday with some help. If that doesn’t materialize, they can still secure a playoff invitation by defeating the injury-plagued New Orleans Saints (5-9) on Monday night at Lambeau Field.
Last season, the Packers only made the playoffs after a last-minute victory against the Chicago Bears in the final game of the regular season.
“It’s definitely a better position than having to try and win every game and fight for that last position not knowing what might happen,” Love said. “I think we did a better job this season winning some games early on and putting ourselves in a better position.”
The Packers have won eight of their last ten games, with their only two losses coming against the Detroit Lions. They currently trail both the Lions and the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. A loss or tie by the Atlanta Falcons, along with a loss or tie by either the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks, would secure a playoff spot for the Packers before their game on Monday. The Falcons are set to host the New York Giants, while the Rams face the New York Jets and the Seahawks take on the Vikings on Sunday.
For the Saints, playoff hopes are dwindling and could be extinguished by the time Monday’s game begins. Their only chance of reaching the postseason hinges on winning their remaining three games, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Falcons must lose theirs. Tampa Bay plays at Dallas on Sunday night.
The Saints may be without starting quarterback Derek Carr and five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara for this crucial matchup. Carr is nursing an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand, which kept him out of the Saints’ last game—a narrow 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders. Although interim head coach Darren Rizzi has not ruled Carr out for Monday, Kamara is likely sidelined due to a groin injury sustained in the same game. If Carr cannot play, Spencer Rattler, who led four consecutive scoring drives after coming off the bench last week, would take over at quarterback.
“We have the players that we have,” Rizzi said. “Everybody across the league right now is dealing with injuries, some more than others. I think the best teams in the league are the ones that can overcome those challenges, regardless of the position. That’s really how we’ve been approaching it.”
Love has shown significant improvement in recent weeks, throwing seven touchdown passes without an interception over his last four games after struggling with turnovers earlier in the season. He had thrown 11 interceptions in his first eight starts.
In defensive news, Saints defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon could make his season debut on Monday night. Kpassagnon has been practicing for about two weeks following an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him for the start of the season. Rizzi mentioned that Kpassagnon was close to being activated for last week’s game against Washington.
In Green Bay, rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has made a significant impact, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season following a standout performance in a 30-13 victory over Seattle. Cooper, a second-round pick from Texas A&M, recorded a sack, an interception, two tackles for loss, and two passes defended in that game. He is the first Packer since Clay Matthews in 2010 to receive this honor multiple times in a single season.
With Kamara’s status uncertain, the Saints bolstered their backfield by signing former LSU star Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was recently waived by the Kansas City Chiefs. Edwards-Helaire, who has not played this season, began the week on the practice squad and joins a running back group that includes Kendre Miller, former Packer Jamaal Williams, and Jordan Mims.
The Packers have been particularly effective in the first quarter, outscoring opponents 95-34. This success is largely due to Josh Jacobs, who has rushed for 688 yards in the first half of games, leading all NFL players in first-half rushing yards. Kamara ranks second with 601 first-half rushing yards. Additionally, Jacobs has accumulated 235 rushing yards on opening drives, the most by a Packer since at least 2000. Overall, Jacobs has rushed for 1,147 yards this season, ranking third in the league behind Saquon Barkley of Philadelphia (1,688) and Derrick Henry of Baltimore (1,474) entering Week 16.
Related topics
- Can You Wear a Rugby Shirt with Shorts
- Can You Play Rugby with No Experience
- Can You Knock the Ball out of Hand in Rugby
