It’s been a very long time since I can remember genuinely feeling like the Packers might miss the playoffs. They’ve been in tough spots before, particularly the recent season when Rodgers broke his collar bone and missed a long stretch, and where they barely made the playoffs with an 8-7-1 record. Even with that record and up-and-down season, I had full faith that they would make it to the playoffs, which they did. This year it doesn’t feel as good. These losses are getting harder to brush off. I will never turn my back on this team, but at the same time it’s starting to feel like we might be packing it in early. The last time this happened was 2008. It’s been a good long while competing near or at the top of the heap, so I suppose I had to know this time was coming. Not all is lost just yet though, as the Vikings have lost something like 4 straight games and the Lions are right there with a middling record. Were the ship to be righted, there’s still time to take the crown in the North. That’s where my head is at. Just get some wins, and get them quick. Maintaining the lead in the division will at least see the Packers going to the playoffs for the 7th or 8th year in a row. I can live with a January defeat. I really don’t want to hear it from everyone if we miss the playoffs altogether. Anyway, here’s my picks for the week:

Saints 27, Panthers 21
Bengals 21, Bills 19
Steelers 34, Browns 7
Cowboys 30, Ravens 20
Lions 24, Jags 17
Titans 21, Colts 20
Chiefs 27, Buccs 24
Cardinals 28, Vikings 23
Giants 31, Bears 14
Rams 20, Dolphins 9
Seahawks 26, Eagles 20
Patriots 38, 49ers 13
Packers 26, Redskins 19
Raiders 23, Texans 16