Are Green Bay's Playoff Hopes Delusions Of Grandeur?

Being outdueled and outplayed twice against the Minnesota Vikings, and the apparent inability to compete with the better teams in the NFL, there are growing concerns about the Packers.

They may not be able to improve upon their inequities, let alone earn a playoff appearance.

Failure to provide adequate protection to Rodgers, an anemic—and sometimes non-existent—ground game, trivial penalties, and questions surrounding Mike McCarthy’s coaching skills have fans wondering what it’s gonna take to elevate to the next level before it’s too late.

The Packers were speculated to be among the elite in the NFC with their myriad offensive weapons. But it has been an offense that, at times, has been anything but elite.

But even with a record of 4-3, the chances of a postseason berth are not out of reach.

Even with the problems on the offensive line, the Packers can still move the ball, and the receivers have done a better job after a few weeks of the dropsies.

Aaron Rodgers also showed more movement inside the pocket; something that wasn’t a reality through the first five games.

But for the Packers to step up and consider a bid for a postseason berth, there a couple of key issues that still need to be dealt with.

Aaron Rodgers : Rodgers can pass just as well as any elite QB in the league, but his penchant for holding onto the ball is actually getting worse.

I can understand the kid wanting to make something happen but sometimes that something is as simple as throwing the ball away while on the run, or making quicker decisions.

Good quarterbacks play it safe; great quarterbacks will take chances. They make risk plays work and hold the ball less which is something Rodgers still needs some work on.

The Running Game: The Packers aggressively pursued a trade for Grant and instead brought back Ahman Green. But I don’t care if you have John Riggins back there, if you don’t run the ball, your ground game can’t get better and opposing defenses won’t take you seriously.

Grant hasn’t really been setting the world on fire outside his performances against inferior teams, either.

He often fails to finish or even run through his runs. He also just looks flat. The addition of Green, a onetime Green Bay favorite and feature back, could be the fire Grant needs to get going. Either way, the Packers ground game must get better going forward.

The O-Line: The O-line is still a problem but thankfully, they are getting better—slowly. Last week the Packers put T.J. Lang on Jarred Allen, alone, about 75 percent of the time. That's bad coaching, not poor rookie play. If the blocking schemes aren’t working then adjustments have to be made now before things really get out of control.

The other problem with the O-Line is the depth, which makes the emphasis on health a key issue. If the Packers are having this type of trouble from the starting line, chances are the bench will be a nightmare.

Taking everything into account, there is still a good chance of the Packers making the playoffs. But with teams like New Orleans, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and even Arizona looming, the Packers will have to turn things up a couple of notches now if they’re aspiring about a deep playoff run.