We played the team that was the best in the NFL last year with the reigning MVP, the best receiver in the world, a potent two-headed run game, an expensive veteran offensive line, and the fastest defense in the league.
We also played them in the inaugural game of their sh!tty new stadium (they can’t all be Lambeau) which affords them a lot of momentum and energy.
Add to that this list of injured players:
- David Bakhtiari
- Bryan Bulaga
- Jason Spriggs
- Jordy Nelson
- Randall Cobb
- Mike Daniels
- Kentrell Brice
- Ahmad Brooks
Five or six of those guys are near or at Pro Bowl level. The first three guys on the list left them with a starting right tackle that had never played an NFL offensive snap in his life blocking Vic Beasley, who led the league in sacks last year (notching 3 more than 2nd place finisher Von Miller).
Throw in the other injuries – like QB1’s favorite target (who led the NFL in touchdowns last year) and the heart and soul of the defense – along with some abysmal refereeing (like not knowing what helmet to helmet is or what the pick rules are) and you get an 11 point loss. Before the inactives were announced, I said if DBak didn’t play, they would lose. Then, when inactives were announced, I saw the top 3 tackles out and said they would lose by 10.
This outcome should not have been unexpected, it certainly shouldn’t have set off the ridiculous reactions it did, including:
- Damarious Randall (who was the number 1 rated CB in the league in week 1) is terrible and should be moved to safety or cut
- Quinten Rollins is terrible, but can’t play safety so he should just be cut
- Davon House is terrible and even though we need to sign free agents, he shouldn’t have been one of them
- Kevin King, who we never should have drafted because we wanted TJ Watt, allowed 0 receptions and is therefore the best cornerback in the league (perhaps until next week)
- Aaron Rodgers is washed up
- Dom Capers should be fired for holding the best offense in the league under their 2016 scoring average while missing his best player
- Ted Thompson should be fired for drafting guys who get hurt the week of big games
- Mike McCarthy should be fired for not game-planning around losing half his starters
It’s only week 2 in the NFL and most teams, Packers included, haven’t found their groove or forged their identity – heck most of them haven’t even shaken off the off-season rust (Exhibit A: Rodgers comma Aaron) – but Packer fans are truly complaining in mid-season form. It’s time to trade all the players for draft picks, fire everyone on the staff, and pack it in for the 2017 season.
Let’s enter a rebuilding phase, because this is clearly hopeless.