NFL Playoff Predictions: How Does Packers' Loss Affect Their Super Bowl Hopes?

Kansas City handed the Green Bay Packers their first loss of the 2011 season 19-14 in Week 15. How does their loss affect the Packers’ Super Bowl hopes?

It doesn’t affect their hopes whatsoever.

It’s hilarious when people, especially in the sports realm, overreact to subtle subjects. Green Bay lost for the FIRST time all season long, but I’ve already heard that there is a blue print to defeat the defending champions: When quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have his A-game that’s when the Packers can be defeated.

Obviously the Packers are easier to defeat anytime you aren’t forced to put up 30 or more points just to be competitive. But, we have seen several instances where the Packers succeed even when Rodgers struggles.

He threw two interceptions and no touchdowns in a 21-14 victory over the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game last year. He also struggled at the New York Jets posting 15-34 for 170 yards, but the Packers still won 9-0.

Rodgers went 17-35 for 235 yards and one touchdown against the Chiefs. He also ran for 32 yards and a touchdown. It’s not as though Rodgers played awful.

Could we give Kansas City just an ounce of credit? Kyle Orton had a quarterback rating of 104.1 while going 23-31 for 299 yards. The Chiefs tallied 438 yards of total offense.

They disrupted Rodgers, hitting him five times and sacking him four times.

This was an inspired football team on Sunday. They were playing hard for their coach Romeo Crennel after recently firing Todd Haley.

Every team has an Achilles heel, and the Packers’ problem lies with their defense. Didn’t we know this already?

Green Bay gave up 34, 23, 23, 27, 38, 26 and 35 points this season, yet giving up 19 points brings a cause of concern just because they lost?

Are the Packers not allowed to have an off game? Pittsburgh loses twice to Baltimore, once by 28 points. Baltimore drops games at Jacksonville, Tennessee and Seattle. New Orleans gets shocked by St. Louis.

Relax.

This is the National Football League, a company that takes pride in parody. Kansas City almost defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football a couple of weeks ago and we’re absolutely shocked that they gave the Packers a game?

Kansas City is one of the toughest venues to play at.

As long as the Packers still have Rodgers and his 40 touchdowns compared to six interceptions, they will be fine.

Green Bay is focused this season. Not only do they want to win a Super Bowl for several players who weren’t healthy for the ride last year, but they want to win another ring for the great city of Green Bay.