Packers’ Aaron Rodgers after fifth straight loss: ‘Hopefully we’ll just dig in and find a way
The Packers find themselves on the precipice of a lost year with half a season left to play — nearly impossible in the pre-2022 Aaron Rodgers era.
After amassing 39 regular-season wins and two NFC Championship Game appearances in the team’s first three seasons under head coach Matt LaFleur, it appears the wheels have officially fallen off after a 15-9 loss against the previously one-win Detroit Lions.
But even with things looking bleak and as bad as he arguably played in his first three-catch day since 2017, Rodgers still isn’t ready to wave the white flag.
“When I decided to come back, it was all-in and I don’t make decisions and then in 20/20 hindsight regret those big decisions,” Rodgers told reporters when asked about his decision to come out of retirement in the offseason. But luckily, it’s not over. A lot of games left. We’re going to be counted out — probably by a lot. And we’ll see how we respond.”
There is more and more evidence that Green Bay will be counted down.
The Packers have lost five straight dating back to a game in London against the Giants on Oct. 9, and their latest defeat against Detroit was born of a cavalcade of mistakes that don’t necessarily make for a good team in a slump.
Rodgers et al. moved the ball well. The only time the offense failed to cross midfield was when the Packers received the ball with 15 seconds left in the second quarter and took a knee.
Yet somehow, some way, the Packers scored single-digit points on the day.
On Green Bay’s first drive, a 13-play, 88-yard odyssey that seemed destined for seven, Rodgers threw an interception from the 5-yard line after looking off his helmet near the line of scrimmage.
The second run had similar prospects with an identical ending. After failing to score from the 1-yard line on three straight plays against the NFL’s No. 32 defense, the Packers got creative on their fourth down, sneaking left tackle David Bakhtiari off the line for a touchdown catch.
Bakhtiari was open, but Rodgers’ pass went down and into the arms of Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. It was the first time the 18-year veteran threw two red zone picks in a game.
Rodgers’ third interception
His second of quarterback Kerby Joseph — came with the ball spotted at the Lions’ 23 on the next play, which was on the swing as the offense was knocking on the door.
Those mistakes, as well as two possessions that ended in downs in Lions territory and the fact that Rodgers led the team in rushing with just 40 yards, made for a strong performance by Green Bay’s defense.
“Pretty disappointed,” Rodgers said after the game. “That sums it up.
Offensive disappointment has become a common refrain for the 2022 iteration of the Packers. Already the 26th-ranked scoring offense on Sunday, Green Bay’s nine points are its worst since a 23-7 season-opening loss against Minnesota.
Even worse, the Packers were hit hard by injuries on Sunday. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs left with an ankle injury after Green Bay’s first offensive play of the game. Running back Aaron Jones (ankle), cornerback Eric Stokes (ankle/knee), linebacker Rashan Gary (knee), and wide receiver Christan Watson (concussion evaluation) — all key contributors — then followed him to the sidelines.
At this point, righting the ship will be a tough task
Even if Green Bay returns most or all of those who left Sunday’s game with injuries in the near future. Green Bay’s next two home games come Nov. 13 against the Cowboys and four days after that in prime time against the Titans. If the Packers come out of this gauntlet with two surprising wins, the road back to .500 won’t get any easier. The currently undefeated Eagles face the Packers on Sunday Night Football in Week 12.