The Green Bay Packers did more with less than everyone in the NFC season, finishing 13-4 and earning the only first round playoff bye this weekend.
Heading in to the weekend off, the Packers are in position to add even more punch to their roster with a pair of All-Pro’s in line to return for the playoff push.
While nothing is official, there are reports linebacker Za’Darius Smith has been designated tor return from the injured reserve list and the team hopes he’ll be back on the practice field on Wednesday. Smith has been out since the first week of the season when he played all of 18 snaps in the loss to the New Orleans Saints when a back injury flared up and he underwent surgery. For the past couple of weeks, Smith has hinted about his return via social media and over the weekend, posted an elaborate video on Instagram detailing his workout routine.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur wanted to curb the enthusiasm of Packer fans Monday when he said we’ll see how Smith is when he checks in on Wednesday but, “I want to temper expectations.”
Smith would certainly give the pass rush a boost but he’s not the only player on the cusp of a comeback.
Defensive back Jaire Alexander likely would have made his debut in Detroit last weekend if not for the fact he didn’t practice all week while on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. He’s recovered from a shoulder injury suffered on October 3 versus Pittsburgh.
Receiver Randall Cobb is close to coming back from core muscle surgery and the team can bring him off injured reserve as late as next Thursday before they host the NFC Divisional Round game at Lambeau Field. Finally, offensive tackle Billy Turner might return to the practice field late in the week. The Packers have carried him active since he injured his knee against the Bears on December 12.
Both David Bakhtiari who made his season debut against the Lions and rookie center Josh Myers, out since October 17, got their feet wet playing in the first half in Detroit, will get even more conditioning work in over the next 10 days.
A good team in great playoff position could say hello and welcome back to several key players before the post-season begins.
The Packers made a couple of roster moves on Monday, bringing wide receiver and kick returner David Moore off the Reserve/COVID-19 list and putting him back on the practice squad. The team released Guard Ben Braden and wide receiver Chris Blair was let go from the practice squad.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has another suitor. Scheduled to interview for the vacant Head Coaching job with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, the Denver Broncos have now asked permission to talk with Hackett about their opening.
Two of the three rivals in the NFC North Division have cleaned house. On Monday, the Chicago Bears fired Head Coach Matt Nagy after four seasons and also dismissed General Manager Ryan Pace. The Minnesota Vikings let go Mike Zimmer who coached for 8 seasons along with GM Rick Spielman who had been with the organization for 16 years.
The Packer opponents for the 2022 season have been determined and Green Bay will host 9 of the 17 games at Lambeau Field next year. Aside from the division rivals, the Packers will welcome Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys, the Los Angeles Rams, both New York teams, the Giants and the Jets along with the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans to Green Bay next year.
Road trips aside from the NFC North teams will include stops in Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo, Miami and Tampa Bay.
Some statistical notes from the 2021 Regular Season.
The Packers finished 10th in the NFL in total offense at 365.6 yards per game and they wound up 9th in total defense allowing 328.2 yards per game. Green Bay wound up second in turnover differential at +13, one behind Dallas and Indianapolis and if not for a three turnover game in Detroit, they would have been the league leaders. The Packers still gave the ball away only 13 times in 17 games.
Presumptive Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers led the league in passer rating again at 111.9. He finished first in the fewest interceptions with 4 and the best touchdown to interception ratio at 37-4. Rodgers was 10th in yards at 4115, his 10th season of more than 4000 and his 37 TD’s was number four in the league.
Davante Adams finished 2nd in receptions with 123 and third in yards at 1553, both single season franchise records. The Rams’ Cooper Kupp took the triple crown for receivers in catches, yards and touchdowns (145/1947/16).
Former Wisconsin Badger Jonathan Taylor won the NFL rushing title with 1811 yards and TD scoring title with 18. A.J. Dillon finished 21st in the league with 803 yards with Aaron Jones right behind him at number 22 with 799.
Despite missing the final game, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell finished in 7th place in total tackles with 146 and Rasul Douglas wound up tied for 4th with 5 interceptions, the Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs led the league with 11.
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