Green Bay Packers' Ever-Depleting Roster Falls in Overtime: What's Next?

Another Sunday for the Green Bay Packers, and yet another frustrating performance from a bunch that hardly bares the look of the Super Bowl darling they were in the preseason. 

The Packers have underachieved all season, and for the second time in five games, Green Bay paid the price in falling to the Washington Redskins 16-13 in overtime. 

And yet again, there were blunders from every single Packers' unit, including stars and role players, and five games into the season, you have to wonder if Green Bay has the kind of team that can make a deep run into the playoffs (or even get there). 

The Packers' offense, which everyone thought was going to put up monster numbers, simply hasn't been elite this season. 

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has yet to get into a rhythm we saw throughout last season, and the running game had been non-existent before today. 

On numerous occasions Sunday, for example, the offense was put in a position to knock the Redskins out of the game for good. In every single situation, the offense sputtered away the chance. 

Donald Driver had four "official" drops, Greg Jennings disappeared for the majority of the game, and Jermichael Finley was carted off following Donald Lee's fumble on the first possession of the contest. 

Most disheartening, however, was that the Packers' offense had two shots to win the game in overtime and failed miserably. The first drive was a three-and-out, and the second drive was halted after a terrible throw from Rodgers was intercepted at the Redskins' 39-yard-line. That turnover set up Washington's game winning field goal. 

To make matters worse, Rodgers suffered a concussion on the final drive, and his status moving forward is unknown.

It's been a frustrating start for the Packers' offense, and the schedule gets no easier, either. In the next five weeks, the Packers play the Dolphins (299 yards/game given up), Vikings twice (12.7 points allowed/game, 276 yards/game), Jets (15.2, 308), and Cowboys (17.7, 299). 

Speaking of defense, that side of the Packers' played heroically for the first three quarters Sunday. Clay Matthews and the rest of the Packers' front seven was in the Redskins' offensive backfield on seemingly every play, and Washington had only three points heading into the fourth quarter. 

But injuries hit the Packers again as Matthews was forced to leave the game after re-injuring his hamstring. That's when Donovan McNabb and the rest of the Redskins starting exploited the rest of the Packers depleted defense.

In the end, it was too much to ask of a unit that had already lost Nick Barnett, Morgan Burnett, and Ryan Pickett due to injuries.

Without the lack of a pass rush, McNabb was able to force overtime, yet it was more defensive penalties that set up the game-winning field goal. 

On the 'Skins winning drive, Brady Poppinga was flagged for holding on a third down try, then Charles Woodson interfered two plays later that put Washington in field goal range. 

Defensive penalties have become commonplace in Green Bay, and it continues to hurt them at the worst times. 

And if Matthews and Pickett have to miss any considerable time, you have to question how the defense is going to hold up against some of the better offenses the Packers have to face. 

The special teams were not without blame in this game either. 'Skins punt returner Brad Banks was electric on two separate returns, and both Packers' kick returners (Jordy Nelson and Pat Lee) were held with averages below 18 yards. 

And, of course, Mason Crosby missed a 52-yard field goal that would have won the game for the Packers in regulation. 

Tramon Williams did have a 52-yard punt return, but that hardly masks the fact that the special teams again had a bad week for the Packers. 

So, what's next for the 3-2 Green Bay Packers?

First, and foremost, the injuries that continue to pile up for the Packers put their season in serious jeopardy. Green Bay had arguably as talented a roster as anyone in the NFL week one, but with every passing week, another playmaker goes down for the Packers. 

Every good team in the NFL has with it a certain amount of luck, and the Packers have had little if anything so far this season. 

The daunting schedule that lies ahead for the Packers is only going to magnify those injuries and deficiencies.

The final 11 games for the Packers would be a stiff test even for a healthy squad, and Green Bay will need to play considerably better then they have in the first five games if they think they can beat some of the good teams on their remaining schedule. 

McCarthy has a lot of work to do with this Packers' team. Too many times, Green Bay is unfocused, unmotivated, and lacking fundamentals. That's a direct reflection on the head coach. 

And I never wanted to say it before, but the Super Bowl hype has gotten to this team. 

It's time for a news flash in Green Bay: the Lombardi Trophy and a Super Bowl ring isn't going to be handed to you on a silver platter.