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They've taken a slightly different path to the top of the division this time around.
Especially if quarterback Aaron Rodgers can get a full complement of healthy playmakers back on the field.
Games haven't been pretty. The Packers aren't winning many style points.
Receivers Randall Cobb (shoulder) and James Jones (hamstring) have nagging injuries. Running back Eddie Lacy, typically a slow starter, sprained his right ankle in Week 2.
"These aren't games in which it's over, like you saw you in the second half of the season last year," Matthews said. "Sometimes offense has to step up,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, sometimes defense does, and special teams. Real gritty wins, especially against good teams."
Jeff Janis,NFL Jerseys China, a seventh-round draft pick last season, might be slowly gaining Rodgers' trust after making two catches for 79 yards against San Diego. He has the speed to go deep but has lacked consistency.
"I have a 6-0 football team that needs to get healthy,Cheap Jerseys For Sale," McCarthy said. "And we have a chance to get a lot better."
This injury hurt the most, depriving the Packers of their best deep threat. Defenses are pressing receivers and focusing on stopping the run. Cobb especially is drawing extra attention.
One guy definitely isn't coming back this year. Top receiver Jordy Nelson was knocked out during the preseason with a torn right ACL.
But they're still winning.
But the defense goes deeper than the veteran trio.
"That's partly what's going on right now. That's what the coaches are doing," McCarthy said. "Just make sure that we keep it fresh and creative when our team gets back and we'll move into Denver."
The pass rush has an NFC-high 23 sacks. The run defense has had its moments containing top backs Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — At 6-0 going into their bye week, the Green Bay Packers are already in control of the NFC North. Again.
It is the same week that Davante Adams sprained his left ankle, an injury that has limited Adams to three games.
Matthews' shift to the middle on early downs is the linchpin. Julius Peppers remains a presence on the edge, while B.J. Raji's return from an arm injury last season has solidified the defensive front.
Last year during the bye week, Green Bay was figuring out ways to shore up its run defense. McCarthy and coordinator Dom Capers came up with the successful plan to give Matthews snaps at inside linebacker.
"So it'd be nice to get a couple of those guys back, but I like the guys we've got and I think we can be efficient," Rodgers said after the 27-20 win last week over San Diego.
Undrafted free agent Joe Thomas, who first joined the Packers as a rookie on the practice squad last season, has emerged to become a competent enough inside linebacker on passing downs to give Matthews more pass-rushing opportunities again.
The offense has been choppy, at least by Titletown's high standards. Coach Mike McCarthy's team is persevering by winning defensive tussles and close games.
The draft-and-develop philosophy has paid off,Jerseys NFL China. Cornerbacks Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins are off to good starts for rookies,China Jerseys. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has become a fixture at safety in his second year in the league.
Jones has six touchdown catches in six games since rejoining the Packers the week before the opener to help replace Nelson. Rookie Ty Montgomery,Bill Lee Jersey, who has two touchdown catches, will use the bye week to rest his sprained left ankle. Reliable backup running back James Starks has been splitting carries more evenly with Lacy.
Two other second-year undrafted free agents, linebacker Jayrone Elliott and lineman Mike Pennel, have become key rotation players.
On the other side of the ball, the defense has showed promise, notwithstanding the 503 yards passing allowed last week to the Chargers' Philip Rivers.
Fill-ins have stepped up to keep the offense going, even if points aren't coming in bunches.
The bye week will also give safety Morgan Burnett (calf) and Raji (groin) another week to get healthier. They're important pieces in stopping the run.
"You know you look at the style of wins we're having," said linebacker Clay Matthews said, "hopefully that means something later on down the road."
Maybe McCarthy will figure out something new after pouring over film during this bye week. The Packers next play on Nov. 1 against the Denver Broncos. |
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