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Packers close in on postseason berth

Packers close in on postseason berth

Aaron Nagler
December 19, 2024

Nothing wrong with going old school

The Packers went back in time on Sunday night.

Josh Jacobs ran the ball seven times in the opening drive as the Packers dared the Seahawks to stop them. Green Bay waltzed away with an easy 30-13 win at a charged up Lumen Field. “I’m one of them players man, where it don’t matter if I’m dead tired, I feel like it’s an important play, or anything,” Jacobs said, who rushed 26 times for 94 yards and a touchdown. “I’m going to stay on the field, so I just grounded it out.”

The Packers could’ve told the Seahawks what direction Jacobs was running and it wouldn’t have mattered. Jacobs was a battering ram. The Seahawks have a solid defensive line and Jacobs went right through them. Jacobs has 717 yards after contact with three games remaining this season with over 68 percent of his 1,147 rushing yards coming after contact. And 77 percent of his scheduled runs are between the tackles. Jacobs also had four catches for 42 yards. That would be the second-most on the season — he had 32 carries and no receptions in a Week 2 win over Indianapolis.

This is exactly why the Packers brought Jacobs to Green Bay. He is a bellcow back in every sense of the word.

Scoring early touchdowns a key to Packers success

In 14 games, the 2024 version of the Packers has been consistent with not putting together an entire game of quality football. If there is one aspect of their performance that has indicated winning or losing it's been the first quarter offense. The Packers are 4-0 when scoring a touchdown on its first drive. They have scored a touchdown on their second drive in four other wins. That means they are 8-0 when scoring a touchdown in their first or second time touching the ball on offense. In the four losses, the result of the first two drives are: Eagles - punt, field goal; Vikings - miss field goal, interception; Lions - field goal, punt; Lions - punt, punt.

Since the bye, the Packers have scored early in the first quarter in four of five games, with touchdowns on the first drive against the Bears, 49ers and Seahawks, as well as a touchdown against the Dolphins after a fumbled punt.

Getting the ball into the end zone early in games has led to a lot of success for the 2024 Green Bay Packers.

5 Takeaways From Packers 30 - 13 Seahawks: Edgerrin Cooper Is a Game Changer

The Packers have an imperfect linebacker group. Quay Walker’s flaws as Green Bay’s every down, Mike linebacker are well documented, and while Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie have flashed as blitzers and in run defense, they can be exposed in coverage.

But when Edgerrin Cooper is on the field, everything looks a whole lot better.

Cooper returned to the field from a three-game injury absence in style, racking up seven tackles, including two for a loss, a sack and a game-sealing interception.

The rookie was a menace, harassing Geno Smith and then after the Seahawks quarterback left with a knee injury, his replacement, Sam Howell. After missing time during training camp and then in season, it is remarkable how much of an impact Cooper is able to have on a weekly basis in his first year as a pro. He is a force multiplier, making some of the defense’s flaws less glaring. Cooper simply passes the eye test for what you’re looking for at linebacker.

Unlike his fellow highly drafted teammate Walker, Cooper consistently plays to his testing speed, flying around the field and jumping off the screen. His instincts for the position, which are hard to coach, are impressive for a rookie. He always seems to be around the ball. Green Bay might have something special in Cooper, and if he can continue to impact games like he did on Sunday night, it would be a huge boost for Jeff Hafley’s defense down the stretch.

Check out four more takeaways from Sunday’s win over the Seahawks.

Packer Transplants 293: Win and they're in

CHTV co-founders Corey Behnke and Aaron Nagler break down the win over the Seahawks and look forward to the Monday night showdown with the Saints, a game that could clinch a playoff berth for the Green and Gold.

🚩Matt LaFleur win a challenge, challenge (LEVEL IMPOSSIBLE)
— CheeseheadTV 🧀 (@cheeseheadtv)
11:12 PM • Dec 17, 2024

The Unsung Hero In The Packers Defensive Revival

When new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafely returned to the NFL from his head coaching gig at Boston College, it was a true wait-and-see test without bringing previous defensive coordinator experience in the NFL.

The defense quickly earned a reputation as ball hawks, racking up five interceptions in their first two games after only seven all of last season. Hafley, a defensive back coach himself, has had an easier road thanks to Xavier McKinney's All-Pro-level safety play and Edgerrin Cooper and Evan Williams's somewhat unexpectedly contributing All-Rookie-level play to an already talented defense on paper.

Despite concerningly slow starts in the front half of the season from top pass rushers Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Lukas Van Ness, and now Pittsburgh Steeler Preston Smith, the pass rush has made drastic strides since the Packers week 10 bye.

Through it all, though, and despite star cornerback Jaire Alexander again becoming well acquainted with the weekly injury report, there's been a consistent theme for Hafley's unit…

Nike Has the Perfect Gift for Everyone on Your List

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Packers Playbook: Packers 30-Seahawks 13

Dusty Evely from ACME Packing Company and Packers legend John Kuhn break down four plays on the offensive side of the ball from Green Bay's win in Seattle on Sunday night.

Playoff scenario heading into Week 16.
Green Bay clinches a playoff berth with:
.GB win or tie
.ATL loss or tie + LAR loss or tie
.ATL loss or tie + SEA loss or tie
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler)
6:30 PM • Dec 17, 2024