With the Packers preparing to play a playoff game against the Giants Sunday, it should be noted that two months ago The Ringer’s Bill Simmons did not think much of Green Bay’s chances to even make the playoffs.
In Simmons’ November 16 podcast with Cris Collinsworth, titled “squashing the beef” (the title refers a memorable tweet exchange between Collinsworth and Simmons a few days prior), beginning around the 16:20 mark, the two started talking about the Packers. The Packers were 4-5 at the time and had lost 5 out of their last 6 games. Simmons was not complimentary of the team.
I had Mike Lombardi on my podcast he comes on every Friday, we were talking about Green Bay last Friday before they got killed by Tennessee, and both of us were like they’re just not good. There is no relax situation coming where [Rodgers] says relax and they roll off the six game winning streak. They are just not good on either side of the football. They have a lot of holes, and it reminds me a little bit of one of those Favre seasons from the mid 2000s where they just didn’t have it, I think they finished 4-12 or something. This team is not that bad, but they are not good either, and I don’t see it turning around.
Collinsworth did not seem to be on board with Simmons opinion. He reminded Simmons that during the Packers were missing key players Clay Matthews the previous few games, and that you can’t ever count out Aaron Rodgers.
Simmons’ assessment did not turn out very prophetic. After a loss to Washington the following Sunday, Rodgers led the Packers to 6 straight wins and an NFC North division title. Looks like Collinsworth had the right idea.
