3 Reasons to Still Believe in the Packers Amid 5-Game Losing Streak

The Green Bay Packers' 2022 campaign hit a new low on Sunday. Faced with an opportunity to get back on track against the lowly Detroit Lions, the Packers failed to answer the bell and dropped a fifth-consecutive game, this time by a 15-9 scoreline.

It's at this point that most would write off the Packers. It's the team's first five-game losing streak since 2008. That was Aaron Rodgers' first season as a starter, and it was a stretch that played prominently in a 6-10 finish.

This year, it could be even worse. The latest FiveThirtyEight projection for the Packers gives them just a five percent chance to make the playoffs and predicts they will end the season 6-11.

But for the eternal optimists, there's always reason to believe. Although things are mostly terrible for the Packers right now, here are three reasons to still think Green Bay can turn things around.

The Defense Is Still Showing Signs of Life

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

De'Vondre Campbell and the defense have only played slightly below expectations this season.

For all intents and purposes, the Packers' defense played winning football on Sunday.

That may be frustrating to hear after yet another loss, but it's true. In general, if you hold the opposing team to 15 points and 4.5 yards per play, you're in a good position to win the game.

It's not that unit's fault the offense only mustered nine points against a defense that has been one of the league's worst this season.

That's coming off a week in which the Packers' defense handled the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen better than just about anyone this season. The MVP candidate had just 13 completions on 25 attempts for 218 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in the 27-17 loss.

The Packers actually rank 13th in ESPN's FPI metric, and that's buoyed by the defense that ranks 12th in the league.

Getting along without Rashan Gary, who tore his ACL and was third in the league in pressures through last week's games, per ESPN Stats & Info, is going to be challenging, but this is still a strong unit capable of keeping the team in games.

Young Talent Getting Better

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Rookie Zach Tom held his own against Aidan Hutchinson on Sunday.

The Packers are relying on a lot of young players on both sides of the ball this season. On defense, Quay Walker has taken on an important role in the middle of the defense, playing 73.7 percent of the snaps.

Offensively, they've relied on Romeo Doubs to play a big role in the receiving corps with Christian Watson playing a lot when healthy. Zach Tom has joined the group of rookies who have an important part to play because of injuries on the offensive line.

Leaning on that many young players was always going to be a risky proposition. Progression in the NFL is rarely linear, and there was always going to be a learning curve.

Fortunately, there are reasons to believe in each of those young players. Tom gave up no pressures on 31 snaps split between left tackle and right guard, per PFF.

Watson avoided being inactive against the Lions. He was initially believed to have suffered a concussion against the Bills in Week 8, but he cleared protocol and was able to suit up catching two passes for 24 yards.

With the second-round pick now healthy, he could be in store for a big second half of the season.

Doubs suffered a high ankle sprain, so he's likely to miss at least four weeks, unfortunately. However, he's already shown he can produce so he's an asset when he comes back.

Lack of Depth in NFC

AP Photo/Matt York

A second-half collapse for Kenneth Walker III and the Seattle Seahawks could open the door for the Packers.

The Packers can bid farewell to any shot at winning the NFC North. At this point, the gulf between them and the 7-1 Minnesota Vikings is too much to overcome.

But the 3-6 Packers are just 1.5 games behind the San Francisco 49ers, who have the final spot right now with a record of 4-4.

The NFC West will be an interesting division to watch moving forward. The Seahawks sit at the top at 6-3, but they've had the 24th-ranked schedule according to ESPN's FPI to this point of the season and have the fourth-ranked schedule from now on.

FiveThirtyEight's forecast has the 49ers' chances of coming back to win the division at 45 percent, which is fairly close to the 51 percent chance they give to the Seahawks of retaining their lead.

The other teams sitting just outside the wildcard spot don't give much cause for fear. The Falcons, Commanders, Rams and Saints are just above the Packers. None have winning records.

The comeback has to start with a win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10, but there is a glimmer of hope that Matt LaFleur and Co. can still turn things around.