Green Bay Packers Anti-Power Rankings – Week 14

Anti-Power Rankings: The opposite of power rankings – an update of the player list that takes into account crappy play meshed with overall fan criticism (i.e. Ahmad Carroll #1 All-Time). As predicted, the Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson ran all over the Green Bay Packers, but the Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder handed the game away.  The other great things besides the Vikings being the 10th seed in the playoff race right now is that the San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers all lost last week.  Even New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for five interceptions and no touchdowns.  Brees has seven interceptions in the last two games and is clearly falling.  Staying within the state, the Wisconsin Badgers showed that they have the potential to win a BCS game.  It was a hell of a weekend.  Unfortunately, the Packers are still not hitting on all strides.  Here is the week’s Anti-Power Rankings heading into the ever likely Sunday night whooping against the deprived Detroit Lions. On the Bubble: The Ghost of Seattle.  If the referees would have made the correct call at the end of the Packers vs. Seahawks game, the Packers would be all by their lonesome as the 2nd seed in the NFC.  Right now they are a half game behind the San Francisco 49ers for a first-round bye and home-field advantage. The Top Ten: 10. Jermichael Finley – He’s baaaaaaaack.  Seriously.  He also seriously had another drop. 9. Randall Cobb – Cobb continues to impress as a wide receiver in the slot, but as the season goes on, he is getting worse on special teams.  Obviously, it looks like he is trying too hard.  His punt return for minus-7 yards was one of his worst plays of 2012. 8. T.J. Lang – Lang was giving up pressure and holding his opponents before we went down.  In a roundabout way, the minor injury to Lang may have benefit.  The coaching staff had the opportunity to see undrafted rookie Don Barclay at right tackle and he performed better than expected.  Coach Mike McCarthy stated on Monday that Lang’s injury is not all that bad and he also praised Barclay. 7. Jerel Worthy – Worthy came into the league as an athlete known for his “juice” and knack to get at quarterbacks.  He got nowhere near Christian “Flounder” Ponder on Sunday.  Worthy never gets his hands on opposing quarterbacks and has been a bit of a disappointment this year.  There is still time. 6. Evan Dietrich Smith – When you get screamed at by Aaron Rodgers, you very likely did something wrong. 5. Marshall Newhouse – When you reach down to Aaron Rodgers to help him off the dirt after your opponent just lit him up – and Aaron snubs your gesture – you very likely made your MVP Quarterback very upset. 4. Mason Crosby – I love how even after Crosby makes a 30-yard pooch that banked off the goal-post he is now somehow off the schneid.  His 53-yard attempt at the end of the first half was not even close.  Then he opened the second half by shanking a kickoff out of bounds.  Coaches, fans, and Crosby himself may think he is back, but a future season-ending missed field goal in the playoffs will never be forgiven.  3. M.D. Jennings – If Morgan Burnett did not have two key interceptions this would be his spot on the list.  Adrian Peterson embarrassed these two on his long runs.  Jennings simply needs to be more physical. 2. Frank Zombo – Who remembers seeing Zombo’s uniform number on Sunday? He did not show up in the box score or on television. 1. Erik Walden – No one on the Packers have taken as big of a step back as Walden has over the last few weeks.  Guys like Walden and Dezman Moses are not the same when Clay Matthews is not in there getting all of the attention on the other side. Side note: Honey Boo Boo’s Mom…you will be missed. Follow @PackersTakes