Adversity Faced Could Catapult Packers in Playoffs
By: Ryan Rodig
Updated: December 29, 2012
The Packers have put five starters on injured reserve throughout the 2012 season.
Green Bay has been forced to play without some of their best play-makers for multiple games like Clay Matthews, Greg Jennings, and Jordy Nelson.
They could be without leading receiver and Pro Bowl return man Randall Cobb Sunday in the regular season finale. Cobb was able to practice Friday and test his injured ankle and knee, but is listed as questionable on the injury report.
Yet, with all the adversity faced, the Packers could end up 12-4 and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs with a win over the Vikings Sunday.
Green Bay has continued to win games with its "next man up" mantra, and have shown tremendous depth when injuries continued to pile up.
This week defensive tackle B.J. Raji was asked if this team had that special "it" factor to make a run to the Super Bowl.
"Who's to say?" Raji replied. "I just know we have experience. I know this is not the same team from 2010, but a lot of the key parts are there. I think that we've been through a lot this year, and I think that could help. I just think our mentality is different. Last year, I wouldn't say it was easy, but when you're cruising sometimes you kind of expect things to happen. I feel like this year, like in 2010, we plan on taking it. That's a big thing as far as a mentality is concerned."
Green Bay has been forced to play without some of their best play-makers for multiple games like Clay Matthews, Greg Jennings, and Jordy Nelson.
They could be without leading receiver and Pro Bowl return man Randall Cobb Sunday in the regular season finale. Cobb was able to practice Friday and test his injured ankle and knee, but is listed as questionable on the injury report.
Yet, with all the adversity faced, the Packers could end up 12-4 and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs with a win over the Vikings Sunday.
Green Bay has continued to win games with its "next man up" mantra, and have shown tremendous depth when injuries continued to pile up.
This week defensive tackle B.J. Raji was asked if this team had that special "it" factor to make a run to the Super Bowl.
"Who's to say?" Raji replied. "I just know we have experience. I know this is not the same team from 2010, but a lot of the key parts are there. I think that we've been through a lot this year, and I think that could help. I just think our mentality is different. Last year, I wouldn't say it was easy, but when you're cruising sometimes you kind of expect things to happen. I feel like this year, like in 2010, we plan on taking it. That's a big thing as far as a mentality is concerned."
