Underperforming Packers need a win over Eagles
For the first time in his 11 years as Green Bay’s head coach, Mike McCarthy is starting to feel the heat.
If his Packers lose to the Eagles on Monday night at Philadelphia, it’s going to get toasty inside the Lambeau Field coaches’ offices.
Lose to the Eagles and the Packers will fall to 4-7, far behind the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (7-4) and maybe even out of range of the second-place Minnesota Vikings (6-5) with five games left.
McCarthy doubles as Green Bay’s offensive play designer, and whatever he’s drawing up for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his receivers is not working anywhere near as effectively as we’ve all been used to seeing.
Rodgers is frustrated and unhappy. Ditto, teammates. Ditto, Packers fans.
A prime-time road victory to end one of the NFL’s marquee weeks would go a long way toward silencing critics, instilling confidence in the injury-scored locker-room — and turning the A/C on in McCarthy’s work space.
Rodgers and Co. want to get off to a fast start, something that has doomed them during their fourgame losing skid.
They’re always playing catch-up in the second half.
Philadelphia’s defence won’t make it easy.
“They’re playing really well at home,” Packers offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett said of the Eagles defence. “You look at what they’re doing on tape. They fly around and make plays. What stands out is their discipline.
“We have to continue to be disciplined and execute in certain situations to make sure we take full advantage of every opportunity we have.”