After a two-game losing streak, the Green Bay Packers were able to get back into the win column in Week 16 with a victory over the Carolina Panthers. It was not easy, as the Panthers fought until the final whistle, but Green Bay was able to pick up an important road win, 33-30.
The Packers were able to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, improving their record to 7-8 on the season. In Week 17, they will be playing in what is essentially an eliminator game against the Minnesota Vikings, as the two teams have identical records.
But, if you ask running back Aaron Jones, the Packers have proven that they are a playoff team when at full strength. Following the team’s victory on Sunday over the Panthers, Jones made a strong comment about his team.
NFL News & Rumors: Jordan Love, Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers Updates
“Speaking to reporters postgame, Jones claimed that the Packers “definitely feel like a playoff team.”
“We show when we’re playing our best ball that we can compete with anybody,” the Packers running back added, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.” (H/T Yardbarker)
In Week 16, at least offensively, the Packers looked like a playoff team. Jordan Love recorded his seventh game of the season with multiple touchdown passes and zero interceptions, throwing for 219 yards as well. Without Christian Watson and Jayden Reed in the lineup, and Dontayvion Wicks heading to the sideline early, that is a solid outing for Love.
NFL News & Rumors: Jordan Love, Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers Updates
Jones put together his best game of the season, rushing 21 times for 127 yards and catching one pass for eight yards. Seemingly fully healthy for the first time since heading into Week 1, Jones showed what can of an impact he can have when not hampered by injuries.
Green Bay has a well-balanced offensive attack that we haven’t even seen at full strength often this season. That is a unit that can certainly hang with anyone in the NFC, but questions persist about whether their defense is capable of getting the job done. They will need to be clicking on all cylinders to take down the Vikings in Week 17 and keep their playoff hopes alive.
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