Are surging Packers a dark-horse Super Bowl contender?
After a 4-8 start, QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers appeared to be an afterthought. Now on a four-game winning streak, Green Bay is knocking on the door of another playoff appearance. With a win on "Sunday Night Football" at Lambeau Field against Detroit, the Packers will clinch a playoff berth.
Compared to their usual high regular-season standards, the Packers have a disappointing record. However, this Green Bay team could be among its most dangerous. The Packers are improving at the right time in all three phases.
In their first 12 games, the Packers averaged 19.6 points. Over the past four, they're scoring 29.8 ppg, fourth best in that time.
A now healthy and re-shuffled offensive line leads a dominant rushing attack. LT David Bakhtiari and LG Elgton Jenkins are healthy, with Jenkins returning to his natural position after spending time at RT earlier this season.
Running backs Aaron Jones (1,448 all-purpose yards) and A.J. Dillon (943 all-purpose yards) have an argument for the best rushing tandem in the NFL. With their versatility and different styles of play, the backs can put the Packers in a position to dictate the pace of any game.
The Packers' running backs had well-established reputations heading into the year, but the receivers were unheralded.
No Green Bay receiver has more than 750 yards receiving. But emerging rookie Christian Watson, who is battling a hip injury, flashes a game-changing upside compared to the others. He has seven touchdowns in 13 games.
The Packers' defense has cranked it up a notch as the unit can smell the postseason. During its winning streak, Green Bay has forced 12 turnovers, matching its total from the first 12 games.
In a series of tweets, Daire Carragher of 247Sports highlighted the schematic adjustments DC Joe Barry has made since the team's Week 14 bye.
After having the second-highest blitz rate in the league before the bye, Green Bay has the lowest blitz rate since. The changes to the coverage have helped Green Bay turn around its season.
Carragher explained that It's easier to blitz out of Cover 1 and 3, more difficult out of Cover 2, and almost impossible in Cover 6.
Green Bay's special teams have also stepped up its game lately. ST coordinator Rich Bisaccia is getting the most out of his players, including explosive kick returner Keisean Nixon, the league leader in return yards.
A big play from the special teams' unit can swing a game's outcome; it happened last season when the 49ers blocked a Green Bay punt for a TD in the divisional round.
Regarding Sunday's game, Lions QB Jared Goff has a 23-to-6 season split between TD passes at home vs. the road -- a stat that should encourage Green Bay.
At the most crucial time of the season, Green Bay is enjoying itself, and that could be bad news for any playoff opponent.
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