So-so defense breaks in end
The NFC runners-up answered QB “run the table” rally cry to win their last six regular-season games and clinched their sixth division crown in seven seasons with a Week 17 victory at the Detroit Lions. Rodgers, shaky early, ended up leading the NFL with 40 touchdown passes and had a 27-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio over the final nine games. WR who missed 2015 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, secured his fourth 1,200-plus yard season and had an NFL-high 14 touchdowns en route to being named comeback player of the year. had a career-high 75 catches, 997 yards and 12 touchdowns. RG
and LT anchored a strong offensive line that adjusted well after Josh Sitton’s surprising release.
What went wrong: Coordinator 21stranked scoring defense was exposed in the NFC title game thrashing by the Atlanta Falcons, who piled up 44 points and 493 total yards. No. 1 suffered a seasonending concussion in Week 1, and 2015 first-rounder
struggled with injuries and inconsistency. That forced 2015 undrafted free agent to follow opposing No. 1 receivers. He often did that admirably and was the team’s No. 1 corner before he was overmatched by the Dallas Cowboys’ Dez Bryant and Atlanta’s Julio Jones in January. Green Bay couldn’t run consistently after
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seasonending ankle injury in Week 5. Rodgers ended up being the Packers’ second-leading rusher behind converted wideout Ty Montgomery.
Big offseason decisions: Re-signing Lang and Lacy are priorities, but Lang’s foot injury in the NFC title game and Lacy’s ankle and fluctuating weight could complicate negotiations. Versatile DB one of their top defenders down the stretch, is a free agent. So, too, is OLB 37, whose 71⁄ regular-season sacks trailed only (11). Perry also is set to hit the market. He was the team’s defensive MVP as battled a separated shoulder. Matthews and could be asked to restructure their deals. Shields likely will be released.
He elevated his teammates on and off the field in an MVP-worthy season. His clutch Hail Marys in Detroit and Chicago and a third-and-20 conversion with seven seconds left to position 51-yard game-winning field goal against Dallas are the stuff of legend.
Arthur Arkush