The Packers are making the playoffs.
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I'm sorry that I have to be real with you about this. As a Bears fan, I would love to share in the optimism that the Packers, at 4-6-1 heading into Week 13, are dead. I really would. But I've seen this play out way too many times.
And I'm not talking about the Hollywood tropes in horror movies where the bad guy is never really dead. Although that clearly applies here. I can remember a time when former Bears safety Chris Conte did the exact opposite of Neve Campbell in "Scream" as he let Packers WR (and notorious Bears killer) Randall Cobb get away and waltz into the Soldier Field end zone (on fourth down, mind you) for the game-winning score in what should have been a Chicago victory that secured the NFC North title in Marc Trestman's first season as coach. I mean, seriously, if that wasn't a horror movie, I don't know what is. You had the innocent man who was wrongly accused of a crime -- Lovie Smith, who was fired the season prior for leading the Bears to a 10-6 record. And then he was replaced by Trestman, who seemed like a nice guy and all. But eventually, we pulled off the mask Scooby-Doo style at the end to find out that it was really Mike Holmgren in disguise. That last part might not have happened (even though my mind says it did).
So forgive me. I'm not about to join the parade of men and women I admire who have said the Packers are done. Love you all, but I'm not there yet.
I'm even arguing with you, math. Your statistical models say the Packers have a six percent chance of making the playoffs. Yeah, OK. What was your statistical model telling you when Rodgers heaved that desperation toss against the Lions on "Thursday Night Football" in 2015? WHAT WAS IT TELLING YOU? So take that, math.
There are other numbers that keep trying to convince me the Packers have no shot at the playoffs:
-- The Packers have the same exact record as the Cleveland Browns. The Browns!
-- The Packers are below .500 after 11 games for the third consecutive season.
-- The Packers have gained 229 yards and eight first downs in their last two second halves combined.
-- The Packers are the only team in the NFL other than the 49ers without a road win this year. In fact, Aaron Rodgers has lost eight consecutive road games. Eight! That's the longest streak by a Packers quarterback since David Whitehurst lost nine straight from 1978-1981. I've followed the NFL for just about my whole life. I've never heard of David Whitehurst until today.
I see what you're trying to say, statistics. But nah.
And even my eyes want to get into the act. They're telling me that this Packers team clearly doesn't look as good as those of the past. And that Rodgers is missing too many wide-open throws, holding onto the ball way too long and not checking down enough. Or that Mike McCarthy and Rodgers look like an old married couple sitting in a diner, not making eye contact as they silently eat their eggs benedict. The only thing steamier than the coffee is their bitter resentment toward each other. Nope, not having it.
So, you can take your facts, your numbers, your visual evidence and stick it. I'm not buying it.
Adam Rank  wrote: