Without quarterback Aaron Rodgers the Green Bay Packers are on a five-game winless streak that has them on the fringes of the playoff picture.
Rodgers has targeted Sunday’s 1 p.m. game against the Falcons at Lambeau Field for his return after sitting out with a fractured collarbone. NFL Network reported that Rodgers would be “lucky” to play in the game and that the Packers (5-6-1) might shut him down for the season if they lose to the Falcons.
The Falcons (3-9) already have been eliminated from the playoffs and are just trying to finish strong after ending a five-game losing streak against Buffalo in Toronto on Sunday. Rodgers’ uncertain status throws a wrench in their planning for the week.
“We’ve got to prepare ourselves (as if) he’s going to play this week,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said Monday. “There’s conflicting reports but we’ve got to prepare like he’s ready to go and take it day-by-day. Obviously, it would be different with Aaron playing. He’s one of elite quarterbacks in the NFL, and he runs (coach) Mike McCarthy’s offense extremely well. The way he operates it, it would definitely change our game plan.”
Rodgers suffered his injury early in Green Bay’s game against the Bears on Nov. 4. The Packers lost that game and three others since, with a tie against Minnesota on Nov. 24, and trail Detroit (7-5) and Chicago (6-6) in the NFC North.
The Packers have used Seneca Wallace, Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn to fill in at quarterback. They’ve combined for two touchdowns against seven interceptions.
In eight full games this season Rodgers has completed 167 of 249 pass attempts (67 percent) for 2191 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. The Packers are 5-2 in games he started and finished.
Green Bay lost 40-10 at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day in their least competitive effort without Rodgers.
“There’s not a man that’s coached or played in this league that hasn’t had his (butt) beat, OK?” McCarthy told reporters in Green Bay the day after the game. “And that’s what happened to us. We got drilled by a very good football team that played very well. So we’ll take that hard lesson, swallow. They’ll be accountable for it. And we’ll be ready to go when Atlanta comes in here.”
Youth movement continues: Smith said Falcons rookie cornerback Robert Alford replaced Asante Samuel in the lineup Sunday after Samuel left the game with an injury. No injury was announced during the game.
Smith said Alford stayed on the field as the team continued its efforts to give young players more snaps. Alford played 36 defensive snaps to Samuel’s 29.
According to Pro Football focus, Alford was targeted six times and gave up one reception, a 15-yard catch to Buffalo wide receiver Steve Johnson.
“I felt like they were trying to target Robert on a number of passes, a number of deep balls, and he handled it extremely well,” Smith said.
Rookie Ryan Schraeder got his most extensive time at right tackle in addition to filling his usual role as tight end in the team’s “jumbo” package. Schraeder rotated with Jeremy Trueblood at right tackle after Peter Konz and Garrett Reynolds shared time at right guard against New Orleans in the previous game.
Lacy on deck: Even if Rodgers doesn't play the Falcons will have to deal with rookie running back Eddie Lacy. The Lions held the former Alabama star to 16 yards on 10 carries but Atlanta has struggled to contain runners this season.
The Bills rushed for 195 yards on 31 carries against the Falcons, who have allowed their last nine opponents to run for 100 or more yards. During the five-game losing streak, opponents rushed for an average of 166.4 yards per game against the Falcons.
Lacy’s power running style will put pressure on the Falcons to tackle better.
“The way we’ve been playing run last couple weeks it’s a big concern,” Smith said. “Green Bay had made a concerted effort to run the football this season. We will see a big, strong running back this week who we have to put multiple pads on..”
