NFL Panic Room: Packers and 49ers Look Off
By Erik Lambert
Sep 21, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
A host of NFL playoff teams from last year are stumbling out of the gates. Which ones need to keep cool and which should start panicking?
Green Bay Packers
Losing on the road in Seattle is nothing new for any team in the league, and the Green Bay Packers fell to the Lions in Detroit last year too. However, it’s not just the losses but the way they’ve been losing that is troubling. They were blown out in Seattle and Detroit, games in which they scored a combined 23 points. That doesn’t even point out how they fell behind early at home against the Jets before scrambling back for the win. Aaron Rodgers has already been sacked nine times in three games and Clay Matthews is hurt again on defense. History suggests it’s too early to bury the Packers, but it’s clear their sense of superiority in the NFC was way overblown.
Panic Meter: Yellow
San Francisco 49ers
Injuries, controversy and erratic play from Colin Kaepernick continue to hamper the San Francisco 49ers. After blowing a 17-point lead against Chicago, they had every chance to win in Arizona but blew it despite the Cardinals playing with their backup quarterback. The complete disappearance of their running game was the biggest eye-opener. Given its importance to their offense, this is not an encouraging sign. Still, Jim Harbaugh has a way of working around problems and should start to get key players back soon. All the 49ers have to do is survive until then.
Panic Meter: Yellow
New Orleans Saints
Losing twice-in-a-row on the road is not something the New Orleans Saints are used to under Sean Payton but even their first win of the season against the Minnesota Vikings felt difficult. This was supposed to be a Super Bowl team. Contenders don’t fumble the ball away in tight division games, don’t lose to the Cleveland Browns and don’t struggle at home against a NFL team that lost its starting quarterback. Something is wrong with the Saints. Their offense isn’t crisp and explosive like it once was and their defense has looked vulnerable at times too. Throw in the fact that both Atlanta and Carolina are ahead of them in the division and this is a problem.
Panic Meter: Orange
Kansas City Chiefs
Their win over Miami certainly stopped the bleeding but it doesn’t erase the problems the Kansas City Chiefs face. Alex Smith was sacked five times in the game, signaling continued offensive line problems. They fumbled the ball four times as well, losing two. Denver has already beaten them and remain in the lead for the division while the San Diego Chargers are on a roll too. In a word the Chiefs made up little ground and the problems that have bedeviled them since opening day remain. Can they overcome it? Not easily.
Panic Meter: Orange