Packers eye strong second half, starting with rivalry game
Though they have their own issues—they are 0-2 in the NFC for the first time in 19 years—the 6-3 Packers appear to be a lot better than the Bears. In his three prior seasons, head coach Matt LaFleur had just three divisional losses.
Based on their performance against the Packers, the city assigns the Bears a grade.
The Bears’ chairman, George McCaskey, is renowned for using the team’s twice-yearly rivalry game as a yardstick for his squad.
That is not good news for a struggling Bears club as they get ready to play a 6-3 team that just finished a bye on Sunday, let alone a squad that has only defeated Green Bay three times since January 1, 2011.
After Sunday’s 19-3 loss to the Patriots, tight end Cole Kmet, a lifelong Bears supporter, remarked, “They’ve been doing extremely well.””I still haven’t prevailed in the [rivalry] match. However, I believe that game can correct a lot of things, particularly if you look well.
After three straight losses, the Bears’ prospects of looking good have diminished. Although they have their own issues—they are 0-2 in the NFC for the first time in 19 years—the 6-3 Packers appear to be much better. In his three prior seasons, head coach Matt LaFleur had just three divisional losses.
Before falling to the NFC North-leading Lions 24–14 last week, the Packers defeated the Rams, Cardinals, Texans, and Jaguars on all four Sundays in October. Jordan Love, the quarterback, had his worst game of the year against the Lions after missing two games due to a sprained knee earlier in the season. As he hovered at the defensive line, he threw an awful pick-six to safety Kerby Joseph and recorded a season-worst passer rating of 69.7.
Last season, the Packers had a 3-6 record after nine games, but they came back to qualify for the playoffs thanks to a spectacular second half from Love. He finished fourth in the NFL with a passer rating of 107.6 and second with 2,439 passing yards and 20 touchdowns from Week 10 of the previous season.
The Packers could still be in the running for the playoffs this season with two games remaining against the Bears and games against the Saints, Seahawks, and Dolphins coming up. To get where they want to go this season, the Packers will need to see that Love again, not the one who entered Week 10 tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions and two pick-sixes.
Packers Rival Likely Forced to Bring Back Green Bay Bust After Week 10 Disaster.
Following kicker Jake Moody’s erratic play, 49ers supporters are demanding that the team bring back former Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson.
After Moody recovered from a high ankle sprain he sustained in Week 5, Carlson was cut from the 49ers’ practice squad earlier this week.
In Weeks 7 and 8, the former Packers kicker converted 3-of-4 extra points and 5 of 5 field goals, demonstrating his effectiveness in Moody’s absence. Given that Moody was a net negative on Sunday, the 49ers might have used Carlson’s leg.
Three field goals from 49, 50, and 44 yards were missed by Moody. With the game on the line, though, the 49ers turned back to the young kicker, who made a game-winning field goal from 44 yards out.
Although they are pleased with the victory, San Francisco supporters are not entirely satisfied with Moody’s performance during the match. Interestingly, during his brief time in San Francisco, Carlson was excellent from a distance of 40 yards or more, going 4-for-4 with a 55-yard field goal as his longest.
Last season, Carlson struggled with range goals from 40 yards or more (7- for 13), but it appears he has improved. Carlson must be signed off the New York Jets practice squad if the Niners or any other team wishes to acquire him.
After being cut by the 49ers, the former Packers kicker was added to New York’s practice squad on Friday. But, given the Jets’ issues at kicker, it might be difficult for any team to wrestle him away.
