Packers' defense must improve this week

The Packers wanted to be the NFC's No. 2 seed in the playoffs and earn a first-round bye. Instead, Green Bay's loss Sunday in Minnesota not only forces the Packers to play next weekend, it also set up a rematch with the Vikings. Handing out grades following the Packers' 37-34 loss to the Vikings: Passing Offense: A- It's difficult to find much blame in Green Bay's passing game. Aaron Rodgers completed 28 of his 40 pass attempts for 365 yards with four touchdown passes and no interceptions, finishing with a passer rating of 131.8. Despite the loss, that is a great day for any NFL quarterback. The negative aspect was the five sacks that were allowed, including one that resulted in a Rodgers fumble. Though Rodgers again, by design, stayed alive in the pocket long enough to cause some of that pressure, the Vikings' defense -- headlined by Everson Griffen's three sacks -- took it to the Packers' offensive line on several key plays. Without Randall Cobb, it was Greg Jennings' turn to...