NFL playoffs 2016: Contenders in trouble

Green Bay Packers (4-5)

You could make a strong case that this is the most surprising team on this list. The Green Bay Packers have been to the playoffs every year since 2009 – seven straight seasons and counting. Bur head coach Mike McCarthy, defensive coordinator Dom Capers and even veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers are feeling the heat these days. Green Bay is 1-4 in its last five games.

What’s Right: It has to be Rodgers, who must feel like Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck these days. He may or may not be the first to admit that he’s played better football. But where is this club at the moment without him?

Rodgers is now completing 63.1 percent of his passes, up considerably from a year ago and earlier in 2016. He’s thrown for 2,410 yards and 22 scores compared to a somewhat-uncharacteristic seven interceptions. The veteran signal-caller has also lost three of his six fumbles. However, Rodgers has also run for 226 yards and has the team’s only three rushing touchdowns of the season.

What’s Wrong: Combine the lack of a consistent ground attack with a defensive unit that has become a sieve and is it any wonder that the Packers are struggling?

Green Bay has allowed 597 rushing yards in last five games (119.4 yards per game). Consider that this club gave up a total of 171 yards on the ground during the team’s 3-1 start. McCarthy’s team has allowed a whopping 151 points in its last five contests, compared to 83 in its four outings. The Pack have given up 30-plus points in three straight games and 4 of their last five tilts.

All of the pressure on one man/one unit has the Packers playing sloppy and frantic football. The club has already committed 14 turnovers this year, three less than in all of 2015.

Next: Gone Cold in Minnesota