Packers fans received an early Christmas gift on Sunday when the Titans visited Lambeau for the first time since 2004. A 12.5-point spread proved far too narrow as the Packers hung 55 on the Titans and moved to 11-4 on the season. The win was arguably the most impressive since Green Bay’s Week 6 romp over the Texans. After starting the season 2-3, Mike McCarthy’s club has won nine of their last ten games.
The Packers are playing disciplined, smart football. Penalties have not been a concern of late, as evidenced by just one penalty committed by the Packers on Sunday. In the same vein, Green Bay has protected the football well on offense. Penalties and turnovers are two parts of the game that Mike McCarthy stresses heading into the postseason.
Aaron Rodgers is not far off of MVP level. He won’t come close to receiving the reward but should be recognized for what he’s accomplished down the stretch. Rodgers has thrown 35 touchdown passes against just eight interceptions with injuries constantly plaguing his O-line and wide receiver corps. Had he exhibited this kind of play a month ago Rodgers may be part of the MVP conversation right now.
The pass defense is thriving at the right time. And while Green Bay hasn’t exactly faced elite quarterbacking, the output has been impressive. Dom Capers dialed it up on the blitzing front against Tennessee and got seven sacks out of it. Further, the secondary has excelled at taking the ball away this December, tallying two interceptions on Jake Locker.
Jermichael Finley still has plenty of play making ability left in the tank. Finley showed flashes of his 2009 self against the Titans, including a spectacular catch over the middle. The five-year veteran has caught ten balls for 131 yards over his last two games and figures to be a bigger part of the offense in the postseason. The recent surge in production should complicate the Packers’ decision on retaining Finley after the season.