To your last point, I can't get Seger's "Turn The Page" earworm out of my head today.

There's a lot to unwrap about the track this team chose, and we don't know if any of the alternatives would have worked out any better or at all, but this one didn't.

Yet Aaron Jones fumbled again in a big game and Preston smith took the game off , but let’s blame Rodgers .

Rodgers will not retire for 58 million reasons. Thanks for the memories Aaron, hope you enjoy playing for San Francisco.

After a loss like this, we'll be dealing with all kinds of speculation for the next few days and even weeks or months. Who'll be there, who'll be gone? Who knows?
A lot of us can continue to blame Barry, and I will for his inability to adjust, and there's plenty of other things that can be directed in many different directions as well.
The bottom line here is that we've been spoiled, and lucky. We've had two HOF Quarterbacks, back-to back, and that's hidden a lot of things. The inevitable is here and we're going to have to live with it.
Imagine the ass-whuppin' the 49er's would have put on this team, be happy the Lions saved us from that, and look toward the future. It's time to move on.

Sure, just when I think the Packers could maybe run the table if they could get past SF, they revert to the mean.

The previous four weeks were meaningless.

So, those of you who hate change, are you FINALLY go to see that failure to change has led us to this point?

Are you finally going to see that Rodgers, while this loss is not at all entirely on him, is no longer the Rodgers of 2020 or 2021 but is now "post-Rodgers"? Like his arm strength, his accuracy is declining. That for every "wow" throw there are now one or two WTF throws? That, as Ken said, this team is better without him than with him?

Are you finally going to see that LaFleur is NOT an NFL head coach? That he is weak and vacillating, with no coherent strategy when his game plan is countered by his opponent? That he cannot lead the team in any meaningful manner?

Are you finally going to see that Murphy's corporate structure, with its silos and lack of a logical flow, with its dictatorial power dynamic and an org chart more typical of a family-owned privately held company than a publicly held PROFESSIONAL corporation is the root of all this dysfunction?

Or will you, like Murphy apparently wants to do, run the wash-rinse-repeat cycle ad nauseum until Scooter McLean's team is reincarnated in 2024 or 2025?

Don't forget the Ken Lass effect. After picking against The Packers for weeks Ken flipped.

Ken Costanza, LOL

Unless you win the SB, every last game of the season is a bitter loss. You don't think Buffalo in SB games had a bitter taste in their mouths?

Anyway, this game gave me time for thought and the one biggest issue IMHO is the oline. Frankly, there were times that the edge was cleared and running run available but Dillon chose to cut inside. This has been a problem for him all year. Yet doesn't excuse the poor blocking that this oline reverts to with LBs shooting the gaps.

Bottom line... I don't know if Green Bay's offense isn't run properly or is the scheme poorly designed. One or the other, because it isn't working. Rodgers has made it work through his play in the past, but when his play is marginal we see the result.

First order of business please hire a new GM.... Someone who can evaluate talent. Tired of bringing in lackluster/retread football players. The Packers need so much, the Lions owned them in the trenches... Out coached, Out played and clearly out managed... Kudos to the LION organization they are no longer bottom dwellers in the NFC North. Packers where are they headed now...? It maybe time to replace Murphy, Gute and Ball.

I heard many posters criticize management for the 2022 offseason and all, but I still believe it was the best way to play the cards at the time for a SB run. But, it clearly didn't work. On paper, we thought the pack had a dominant Oline with Bahk, Jenkins, Myers and young talent. We thought a dominant defense, ILBs, stout line, and top 5 backfield of elite CBs/safeties, a pair of top RBs. We knew the pack sucked at special teams, but had hope in a new coordinator. It was a good hand to bet on even with a the WR question. Well, the data set is now complete. Oline very overrated. Dline overrated. Pass defense very overrated. The pack teased us once or twice this season as they did each of the last 3 seasons with the potential of what the team should have done, w domination. Oh well, may as well close the season this week, rather than extent to watch a miserable embarrassment next week in Cali.

I said on multiple occasions I wasn't buying into the 4 game winning streak. I had hope it could be different than the 12 games to start the season, AND the 3 SEASONS before that, but hope isn't enough. Not when you CONTINUIOUSLY get outcoached, outplayed, and out schemed every time.

I mentioned more than one this game came down to 2 IFS.

1) Joe Barry's defense didn't revert to the Joe Barry Defense we all know and most certainly don't love.
2) No "Hero Ball"!

Unfortunately we saw them both and then some. Once again I watched a CB we pay over $20 Million a year play WAY off along with all his other CB buddies, and we saw Rodgers AVOID the middle of the field and throw up Hero Balls down the left and right sidelines. Once again we watched MLF raising his hands trying to get the crowd to help bail out his inept DC...Embarrassing!

But all that isn't the worse. What haunts me as I move into my 60's is how much longer I have to put up with Mark Murphy. I will almost certainly KILL ME when I watch the Seattle Seahawks use the #5 overall pick, a pick the Packers could have and should have had.

Thanks Mark, you're DEFINITELY an idiot!

I hope I see one more SB from the Packers. God knows there SHOULD have been more the last 10 years.

We were out coached on time management. Detroit refused a late penalty to use up more time. Green Bay accepted a holding penalty that gave Detroit one more down(40 seconds). Detroit then went and made a first down in spite of the penalty.

We had two incredibly stupid penalties. Could that be some reflection on coaching? LeFleur reacted by hollering “play smart” and pointing at his head. How many other teams have had even one penalty all season as stupid as either one of those two?

Rodgers runs the offense, what does LeFleur do?

I hope Rodgers keeps his jersey as a souvenir of his last game as Green Bay’s quarterback, head coach and general manager.

Yes, I advocate new blood in those three positions that Rodgers controlled the past four years.

Rodgers has once again show he can not any longer play in the really late cold seasons. Three years in a row bombed. Rodgers HAS to be gone and time for a new regime all around.!

Very well said Ken. You caught the essence of what this season finale means.

...Green Bay could not handle the physicality of the Detroit running backs and O-linemen...

I will add the Detroit defensive front to the list. The Packers have been getting beat in the trenches for years now and it dictates the outcomes of these big games. As much as I thought our O-line was solid, there was very little push from the interior of the line and a lot of missed blocks.

...If Aaron Rodgers couldn’t come through under these circumstances, then when would he? I don’t know how the front office could think the future will be any different than this with Aaron Rodgers under center...

It would have been courageous and bold to move on from the regular season MVP but the potential for this team was limited considering the gaps on both offense and defense. As the season demonstrated, this was not a last dance team. We hung on to some players too long and missed the window to rebuild for the long term.

And as much as I hate to say it - the future of the NFC North will go through Detroit for the next years. Dan Campbell is forging a tough and talented squad. If they pick well, this next draft will set them up for a long run as the top dog.

Game Balls -

Watson - Watson was the only true threat on offense yesterday. Lazard made some nice plays. Jones had some nice runs. But Watson was the only true threat.

Crosby - I don't know what Mason's future holds, but if this was his last game as a Packer, he did everything he had to do. He missed the long FG by about a foot.

Tom - He will be a starter next year. I would guess at RT next year. But who knows. Either way he deserves to be a starter next year. Yosh struggled at RT. When Tom came

Lame Calls:

Lack of Energy - I don't get how this team can come out flat knowing they are 1 win away from the playoffs. It was simple. You win and you are in the playoffs. Maybe its just me but they just felt to lack the energy.

Stupidity - There were 2 plays that were just stupid on defense. Douglas and Walker. Douglas, might have given them 3 points by taking a swing at the OL. Walker just needs to not be stupid.

Coaching - This game imo came down to decision making by those in charge. LaFleur struggled. The decision to go for it on 4th down in their own territory, was just dumb. The decision to try the 53 yard FG was not the right choice. I hated seeing LaFleur asking if they wanted to punt right before it. He needs to be in charge and tell them he wants to punt. I didn't like how they played defense in this game. A lot more off coverage again and back to what we have seen so much this year.

Three and Out:

Rookie class - This rookie class may have just went down as one of the best ones GB has had in a long time. Walker minus 2 boneheaded penalty's and ejections this year has been very good. Wyatt came on strong at the end of the year. Watson changed our season. Doubs was really good until he got hurt and never really got back in the groove after he came back. Tom will be a starter at one of the 5 OL spots. Enagbare was a great find in the 5th round, and should be a good rotational player next year. Carpenter was a really good special teams player. Maybe he has a future at S? Walker might be a guy to watch next year. Toure is another guy to watch next year as he could emerge. This rookie class could be a big reason why in 1-2-3 years, our team is one of the best in the league again.

Offseason - There will be a lot of decisions that need to be made. I hope the top of the list is to change up the Defensive coaches. Get rid of Joe Barry, and bring in Jim Leonard. That is who I want! I think our defense improves immediately with Leonards leading it. Regardless of who the QB is, they need to bring in more talent at TE and WR. Watson was the only threat yesterday at WR. He looks poised for a huge year 2, but you can't rely only on him. Lazard had nice catches, but they need more WR help. They need more explosive playmakers. And TE had no threat in the passing game. Maybe if they bring Tonyan back next year, he will regain his explosiveness. But he lacked that this year. They need more receiving options. Defensively they need more pass rushers. Losing Gary just killed the pass rush. They need more threats to get to the QB.

Old Vets - Packers have 4 old vets that may or may not be back. Rodgers, Crosby, Cobb and Lewis. Rodgers has been amazing since taking over. I don't feel like he is going to be done, but who really knows. Crosby as well. Cobb brought back and has been a true pro. Lewis has been a great veteran in the locker room since coming over. I feel like Rodgers and Lewis are the most likely ones to be back. And Crosby and Cobb will be the most likely to be gone. If they all decide to retire, I would just like to thank each one for what they have done for GB.

Its going to be interesting to see what happens this offseason. Regardless of what happens. I will be here to support my team.

Go Pack Go!

Game Balls: Mason Crosby, Watson

Lame Calls: MLF, Walker, Rasul Douglas, P. Smith (disappeared), Aaron Jones, Fumble, Dillon, Doubs and Lazard for dropped passes.
No sense of urgency and lack of effort by most of the team.

However, "We're not idiots." At least we have that. Thanks, Since '61

It is time to jettison Rodgers and see it MLF can actually coach.
The front office and their fascination-worship of Rodgers has left the future of this team in a mess! While the rest of the NFC North is trending up (yes even the young bears with the 1st pick in the draft and 100 million in cap space)
Prepare for some very dark years Packer faithful 👎

Quay Walker now has a reputation, deservedly so, that will likely cost him and his team at points in the future. Suh comes to mind. He has a lot of work to do, if he is even willing to, to reclaim his good name.

I could see Rodgers playing well for another team.. perhaps a physical team like the NYJ. It’s hard to lead a team that you know isn’t very good.
Step 1: Fire Gutekunst..
Let a new GM have the power Wolf had.

Well argued Sir! I concur. Gracias!

The Lions did the Packers a favor of sorts. They would likely have been ripped apart by the 49'ers next week in the first round of the playoffs, a defeat far more stinging than this one.
Anyone upset by the Lions game hasn't been watching. This team is just mediocre--the standings showing the truth.
This will be the most interesting off season in a long time. I sense a general change is coming starting with Rodgers. The Packers simply can't bring him back. They have several good players but not enough. Losing to the Vikings and Lions twice but also the Jets, Commanders, Titans not to mention Philly and Buffalo shows a team that isn't ready to compete any more. Among their victories only the Cowboys was semi-impressive. The Buccaneers win was a nail-biter.
The defense was supposed to be great. At times it was, but not enough. The offensive line was hyped but proved to be only mediocre. The play calling sometimes was childish.
Matt LaFleur will be on the hot seat next season. The team reflects the head coach. Look at the Lions. That my friends, is what a real NFL coach looks like. His players would run into a fire for him.
Gute also should be on the hot seat next year. While he's hit some home runs, the overall skill level of the players is not at a championship level. If there is a rebuild this off season both the coach and GM will be given some slack but the time has come(it should have been last year) to cut with the past and look toward the future. Unfortunately, 'all-in' this year came up a bust and the bills for it will stretch into the future.

I hope, but doubt, the Packers faithful will have patience.

So why exactly should MLF, with his lost puppy look, be retained?? I certainly don't see any kind of young genius in him...the team reflects him...cute and cuddly and not tough or smart...I say can the whole coaching staff and re-start.....a return to the "gory years" unfortunately...

Good points Lass. While reading your points I agreed with almost everything so I wont reproduce. I did have Sun Tic and saw all the Lions games this year. Here is something for the pack fans to ponder.

For 60 years the Lions have played cheap ball because of the Fords not wanting to pony up to the bar. They destroyed this franchise basically not the 50 year curse.
For 60 years the Lions relied on 5, 6 7 rounders and had games where stupid players and stupid penalties always kicked their ass. Rasul Douglas type mistakes if you will.

Last night the Lions had a couple of penalties. Last night the Lions had a decent coach who put passion in them. Last night the Lions executed their plays and made few mistakes.

My point! Last night the Lions looked like the Packers of three years ago. Last night the Packers looked like the Lions of three years ago.

Coaching, high draft picks, discipline - ya the Lions got rid of three defensive backs who were good players but trouble makers over the past three years. They werent afraid to cut their loses and move on.

The 'four game winning streak' was a fraud. They played like crap in Chicago, they beat a weak rams, Tua was concussed.

The reality of this season is this team played exactly one good game. One.

That's who this team is, and an intelligent owner and leadership team would plan accordingly.

I won't hold my breath.

As AR said, "Now, what are they going to say?" Well I'm going to say, I told you so last spring. GB is mismanaged, miscoached and misguided. For those that can't figure it out; Murf, Flower and Gutman

Game Balls: Nobody on Green Bay

Lame Calls: I don't have enough time to write them all but here are a few: No quarterback sneak on 4th and 1/2 yard. Terrible play calling first and goal at the five. Jones fumble. Manhandled by Detroit. Played and coached like they were afraid. May have been better if Detroit had something to play for then maybe they would not have played with abandon. Which is the ONLY way to play.

Let the Mock Drafts Begin!

15 Will Anderson Jr. EDGE | Alabama
45 Kayshon Boutte WR | LSU
78 Brandon Joseph S | Notre Dame
115 Jartavius Martin S | Illinois
149 Josh Newton CB | TCU
170 Byron Young (TN) DL | Tennessee
217 Quindell Johnson S | Memphis
233 Connor Galvin OT | Baylor
236 Isaiah Land EDGE | Florida A&M
239 Max Duggan QB | TCU

The 4th down decision in the 1st quarter wasn't a bad decision, but the playcalling between 3rd and 4th down was suspect at best.

It's 3rd and 1 and you intend to go for it on 4th so we run a speed back out of the shotgun + a WR end around instead of playing power football...? Just nonsense

Fanspeak

16: R1 P16 WR Quentin Johnston - TCU
47: R2 P16 S Antonio Johnson - Texas A&M
79: R3 P16 EDGE Andre Carter II - Army
118: R4 P16 EDGE Dylan Horton - TCU
151: R5 P16 TE Payne Durham - Purdue
169: R5 P34 RB Roschon Johnson - Texas
231: R7 P16 EDGE Ali Gaye - LSU
232: R7 P17 OT Ryan Hayes - Michigan
235: R7 P20 RB Tank Bigsby - Auburn

Two things:

1) "Thirdly...." : Why shouldn't MLF be replaced? He gets out-coached in most big games, makes questionable hiring decisions, and is not really in command of the offense. Time for a new approach and a new offensive system. The red zone offense badly needs to be fixed.

2) Okay, Nijman had a bad game, but remember he was going up against a supremely talented player in Hutchinson. Remember he's still developing.

If Rodgers retires, he leaves over $59 million behind. If he retires, the Packers incur an approximately $40 million dead cap hit, which they can spread out over the next two years. A trade would leave them with the same dead cap hit, spread out over two years. His new team would assume his contract. https://overthecap.com/looking-ahead-to-the-packers-options-with-aaron-r...

Is there someone desperate enough to do that, that has the cap space to accommodate Rodgers? Here is the salary cap available to each team next year. Would the Jets bite? Would the Raiders be stupid enough to take on Rodgers, and reunite him with Adams? I have my doubts, but, who knows? https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space

I believe Rodgers will be back. And Rightly So-
The Announcement during the game: Rodgers wouldn't let his thumb be Wrapped.
Face it: Rodger's stopped the tank.
Next Trade Jones. Use the cash for Defense. - Per Gary!
Use the Pick on a Safety .
Trade Love. - Use the pick on a safety #2.
Draft a WR, 2 Tes.
Deal between Gutey and MLF. - Rodgers stays. Barry Goes.

Clay Walker has to go. No ifs, ands, or butts. No more third chances.
This is serious shit here and LeFleur must show some back bone and cut this guy. Ya first round pick doesn't mean your special and can do this.

If this team cant send a message for the fans, we will not tolerate this stuff, then they deserve to lose and be penalized severely. A few game suspension and fine wont cut it this. We must respect the first responder's who save lives. No way going forward with this guy he is a loser. This isnt about anger management but respect.

And so it ends. Not with a bang, but with a whimper (TS Eliot---yeah, I went to college).
A roller-coaster ride season, sometimes thrilling, but mostly infuriating, concludes with all the cars going off the track at the end of the ride. Killing what was predicted by many (including me--- FOOL!) to be a great season.
And with all that cap talk for the next few months. it's hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel.
Anybody else remember the 70s and 80s?
Get ready.
The Szotman