Aaron Rodgers Returns But Packers Lose in Carolina, 31-24

There shouldn't have been high playoff hopes for a Green Bay Packers team that barely avoided losing to the winless Browns in OT last week, but the return of Aaron Rodgers gave me hope. Honestly I was torn on whether he should even return this season when the playoffs seemed so unlikely. He's probably not at 100%, but there's no keeping him off the field once the doctor cleared him. Unfortunately with this loss, and if the Falcons win on Monday night, the Packers are eliminated from the playoff race. This was the start of a three game late season schedule (Panthers, Vikings, Lions) that they had to win and it immediately got off to the wrong start.

Before I get to Rodgers's return, I want to throw some more dirt on another awful season from the defense.

“You been watchin’ film, huh? That’s cool, watch this.” - Cam Newton STUNTING all over the Packers defense pic.twitter.com/jreeXnxYxD

— Football Players 🏈 (@FootballPIayers) December 18, 2017

I don't know if this is being outcoached or outplayed, but it's embarrassing. It was probably both, the players got beat but the coaches didn't have them in a spot to succeed either. It occurred on the opening drive for the Panthers and set the tone for the game. Cam Newton outplayed them all, and they had no answer against either Christian McCaffrey or Greg Olson. This season, McCaffrey is a ranked negative as a runner, and Olson is negative as receiver, according to Football Outsiders (Newton is ranked No. 19 overall) but they all looked like Pro Bowl candidates against the Packers. And "Who's That" WR Damiere Byrd had the first two TD receptions of his NFL career against backup CB Josh Hawkins.

But still the biggest problem was the total, missing pass rush. LB Clay Matthews has had some good games this season, but he was shut out against Carolina. Only NT Kenny Clark recorded a coverage sack. But, credit where credit is due, this was probably the best game of the season for OLB Ahmed Brooks.

Overall this was a defense built and led to go nowhere this season.

As for the offense, I think this comment means that they intended to throw the ball no matter what.

Mike McCarthy just now on @620wtmj, on his plan today for Aaron Rodgers: "I'm cutting him loose."

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) December 17, 2017

They ended up throwing the ball almost 5 times for every run, though RB Aaron Jones managed to gain still 47 yards on the only 3 carries he had. That pass-heavy game plan worked for the most part, Rodgers really had a great game passing against a tough pass defense, but he showed some rust with an uncharacteristic trio of INTs into multiple coverage. Carolina has a very good run defense, so it's understandable to want to avoid it, but their pass defense is just as good. There was no reason to abandon the running game like that.

Right now, this feels like the end of the season. There are still two more games remaining, which gives them a chance to play the spoiler against two division rivals, but that's all there's left to play for assuming the Falcons win on Monday night.