Football seasons are like roller coasters, they go by pretty fast, you go way up, come crashing down, up, down, up, down, and every now and again a kid pukes on the ride. That is to say, there are high’s, low’s, and a fair amount of unpredictability. 

The Packers have embodied this amusement park chaos like the Griswold’s en route to Wally World, except instead of Aunt Edna dying, Tucker Kraft tore his ACL. 

Indeed, the 2025 Packers have been on a wild ride. We probably should’ve known this season would be goofy when the Packers hosted the NFL Draft for the first time ever and then finally drafted a wide receiver in the 1st round. Then, just days before the season started, the Packers shocked the world on a Luka-to-the-Lakers level, trading for the best defensive player in football. 

Seemingly shot out of a cannon, the Packers looked like world beaters in weeks 1 and 2 – only to nosedive in week 3. Then they tied in Dallas, beat the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers on the road, then lost to Bryce Young-led Panthers at home. Along the way they lost Kraft, but also Elgton Jenkins, and Jayden Reed for a long stretch. Now Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs are nursing injuries. Such is life in the next man up NFL.

Speaking of next man up, the Packers were a Next Man Up Factory™ this past weekend, unleashing a wave of highly productive reserves. Jacobs backup Emanuel Wilson won the day with his 107 yards and 2 TDs. Special teams captain Isaiah McDuffie was a Tasmanian Devil filling in for Quay Walker and recording his first career interception. However, it was the emergence of rookie Anthony “Escalade” Belton and 2nd-year, former practice squadder, Kamal Hadden, that may have been the most meaningful developments for the Packers Super Bowl aspirations. 

Normally a tackle, Belton slotted in for Jordan Morgan at right guard and performed so remarkably well that Morgan took the entire second half off. Hadden took over for Keisean Nixon (who left with a stinger) and didn’t miss a beat. 

If these young players continue to seize the opportunity, the Packers may really have something. Aaron Banks seems to be past his nagging early season injuries and is looking more and more like the $77 million guard the Packers paid him to be. With Sean Rhyan seizing the opportunity at center, the Packers suddenly have an imposing, ferocious interior. 

Hadden fills the void left by Nate Hobbs, who has yet to overcome his injuries and produce the way the Packers expected. But if the Packers are disappointed by Hobbs, they can only be thrilled with Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine – both have played the best football of their careers. If Hadden can continue repeating his performance from this past Sunday he would fill out that group and give the Packers a sturdy and dangerous back end heading into the season’s daunting final stretch that begins tomorrow in Detroit, includes a pair of grudge matches with the NFC North-leading Bears, and face offs with the 9-2 Broncos and surging Ravens. 

Like a road trip in the metallic pea Family Truckster, this Packers season hasn’t always gone according to plan. It was just two weeks ago when a not-insignificant portion of the fan base was calling for LaFleur’s job and questioning the talents of their GM. 

Love still has his doubters, too, despite a winning record, weekly highlight reel throws, and a gritty willingness to play through injury. Rashan Gary is also dealing with fan backlash, despite being tied for 11th, league-wide, in sacks (ahead of TJ Watt, and just one sack behind Aidan Hutchinson). And yes, Matthew Golden still hasn’t caught a touchdown.

Certainly, the expectations are exceedingly high in Green Bay this year, and fans seem to think every game should be a blowout victory. But that’s never the way in the NFL. Struggle and adversity are always part of the journey. The Packers, to their mature and well-managed credit, have handled it well. 

Like the Griswald’s, the Packers’ date with destiny lies in California. Super Bowl LX takes place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on February 8th. Getting there is half the fun.