NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: Bears celebrating, Patriots fading
21. team. 49. . 5-8-1. Previous: . Green Bay Packers
Recap: A week ago at Lambeau Field, the Packers rolled the Atlanta Falcons. Now Aaron Rodgers and company made their way to Soldier Field, where the team had won eight consecutive games dating back to a victory in the 2010 NFC title game. Of course, they would also be facing a Chicago Bears’ defense that humbled the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday night in the Windy City. Joe Philbin’s team would have to dig out of a 14-3 halftime deficit and managed to tie the score in the third quarter. But Rodgers would be sacked five times and held without a touchdown pass. And he also served up his second interception of 2018 off an errant throw to Jimmy Graham.
Next Week: The Packers are on the road for the second consecutive week as they head to East Rutherford, New Jersey to take on the New York Jets. The teams last met four years ago at Lambeau Field and the home team came away with a 31-24 win. Green Bay also prevailed in the last road tilt in this setting (9-0) in 2010.
Draft Talk: For the first time since the 2005 and ’06 seasons, the Packers will miss the playoffs two straight years. And for the first time since the 1990 and ’91 campaigns, the club will post back-to-back losing seasons. It is little solace, but general manager Brian Gutekunst will have a pair of first-round draft choices at his disposal in ’19.
Next: No. 20