The Green Bay Packers are currently facing a challenging stretch, having dropped five games to just three teams, all of which they could potentially meet again in the playoffs. Their recent loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17 highlighted a number of underlying issues within the team, despite the Packers fighting hard to claw back from a 27-10 deficit and ultimately pulling within just two points of a comeback.

In the immediate term, the loss leaves the Packers battling for the No. 6 or No. 7 seed, making it a tense race for the final playoff spots. With their hopes of catching the Vikings for the top wild-card spot effectively dashed, the Packers no longer have control over their playoff destiny for that spot. The No. 6 seed, which they had hoped to secure, is now in the hands of the Washington Commanders, who can claim it by winning their final two games. As a result, the Packers’ playoff positioning remains precarious, with their chances hinging on other teams’ results.

However, the Packers’ problems go far beyond the fight for playoff seeding. While they have undoubtedly proven themselves to be one of the stronger teams in the NFC, their recent performances have highlighted that they remain a step behind the conference’s top contenders. They continue to show flashes of brilliance but are failing to consistently match up to the elite teams in their division and the league.

Following the loss to the Vikings, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur addressed the media, pinpointing the team’s most pressing concerns as they head into the playoff race. One of the primary issues identified by LaFleur was the performance of the Packers’ injury-plagued secondary, which has struggled to contain big plays. In the Vikings game, the secondary allowed several sizable completions, including a 31-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Jalen Nailor. While the absence of key players like Jaire Alexander and Evan Williams was certainly felt, it’s hard to lay too much blame on a unit that was missing critical pieces, especially after losing Zayne Anderson early in the game. Still, the inability to make stops in key moments is becoming a growing concern.

However, LaFleur’s biggest concern was the Packers’ lack of pressure on the quarterback, particularly their inability to disrupt the opposing offense in crucial moments. The Packers failed to generate consistent pressure on the Vikings’ quarterback, allowing Darnold to operate with a comfortable pocket for most of the game. LaFleur spoke about the importance of putting pressure on the quarterback, especially when they’re dropping back to pass as often as Minnesota was. “You’ve got to get pressure on these guys if they’re going to drop back this many times. If you don’t, it’s going to be a long day,” LaFleur said, emphasizing the importance of disrupting the passing game. This issue was starkly evident in the game as the Packers only recorded one sack, a result of excellent coverage in the secondary. On the other hand, Darnold had ample time to throw, which led to several big completions, including Jordan Addison’s 18-yard touchdown catch. Addison had enough time to execute a double move to shake free from cornerback Javoan Bullard and secure the touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Packers’ quarterback, Jordan Love, was under constant pressure. In the second half, when the Packers became more predictable and one-dimensional in their offense, Love was sacked three times and hit eight times. This inability to protect the quarterback is a critical issue that needs to be addressed if the Packers are to make any meaningful playoff push. For teams to succeed in the playoffs, they must be able to apply consistent pressure on the quarterback and protect their own quarterback from taking too many hits. Unfortunately, the Packers failed in both of these areas against the Vikings.

Despite these struggles, there is a glimmer of hope for the Packers in the form of their pass rush. Since the team’s bye week, there has been a noticeable improvement in their ability to generate pressure, particularly with the increased involvement of second-year player Brenton Cox Jr., who has tallied four sacks in seven games. This positive trend, however, needs to be validated in high-pressure, big-game situations. The Packers must prove that their pass rush can deliver when it matters most, and this performance against the Vikings marks yet another failure for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s unit.

If the Packers’ pass rush cannot step up and make a consistent impact in the playoffs, their chances of making a deep postseason run are slim. With several tough matchups ahead, the Packers’ defense needs to find ways to disrupt opposing offenses consistently. Otherwise, their playoff hopes may be dashed much earlier than they had hoped.

As the season enters its final stretch, the Packers are left with a daunting task. While they are still in contention for a playoff spot, their recent performances have exposed flaws that must be addressed if they hope to succeed in the postseason. The team’s future depends on their ability to make adjustments and correct the mistakes that have plagued them in key games. Only time will tell if they can rise to the challenge and prove they belong among the NFL’s elite teams.