The NFL Network reported that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers
would be “lucky” to play this coming week against Atlanta.
NFL Network correspondent Ian Rappaport said if the Packers were to lose Sunday against the Falcons and slip further out of the playoff picture, the team could shut Rodgers done for the season.
Rodgers has been out since Nov. 4 with a broken collarbone and the team hasn’t won since.
The Packers are coming off of a 40-10 thrashing at the hands of the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field. The 30-point spread was the worst since the Packers were dealt a 35-0 loss to New England in McCarthy’s first season.
The Packers had key defenders back, like Johnny Jolly, Sam Shields and Nick Perry, giving them their preferred starting lineup. But the Packers were pushed around by the Lions all day. Had it not been for Detroit being careless with the ball early, the score would have been even worse.
Detroit’s Reggie Bush rushed 20 times for 117 yards and Joique Bell hit the Packers for 94 yards in 19 carries.
Offensively, the Packers managed just 24 yards rushing, after getting 180 yards on the ground against the Lions in the first meeting at Lambeau Field. The Packers also surrendered seven quarterback sacks.
Aaron Rodgers would certainly help the offense, but even Rodgers can’t help the Packers defense and special teams get their act together. That will have to come from the current players, many of them who performed well earlier this season but can’t seem to get it together with a potential spot in the post season playoffs growing darker by the day.
Mike McCarthy knows the Packers will mostly likely have to win all four of their remaining games to have a chance. It’s hard to imagine a team playing this poorly, being able to save their season, but 2010 is a perfect example of not giving up until you’re mathematically eliminated.