The Green Bay Packers have enjoyed being the King’s of the NFC North for many years.
Quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers have given the franchise many good years.
However, 2022 is looking like the crown the Packers hold will go to another team.
While the team is 3-2 after their week five loss in London to the New York Giants, they aren’t in first place.
The Minnesota Vikings hold the lead in the NFC North, and have held it the entire season.
So what’s going on in the NFC North that’s threatening the Packers title as champions of the North?
Packers Offense Is Having Problems In The Second Half Of Games
In the NFL, you can’t win games if you can’t closeout a lead in the second half.
This is an issue the Packers are experiencing, and it can easily turn into a nightmare problem for them.
However, some are ignoring how Rodgers and the Packers offense dies out after halftime when leading in games.
In the three games where the Packers entered halftime with the lead, their offense has only scored three points.
While the Packers are 2-1 in those games, they could have been 1-2, had the Tampa Bay Buccaneers converted on their 2-point try.
But some fans are seeing the issues the Packers are having closing out games, especially the game against the Giants.
Props to the Giants on a well played comeback.
But holy smokes this Packers team is just incapable of closing out games. Three straight weeks where they’ve just absolutely shut down both offensively & defensively, but they played a competent team this week. Abysmal effort. https://t.co/5cWTcNIFIM
— spooky robbie 👻🎃 (@RobbieMcPhee21) October 9, 2022
With the Packers offense lagging after getting a lead, it’s an issue that tougher opponents will take advantage of against them.
However, the Vikings are making waves of their own, as the Packers suffered a hard loss in London.
Vikings Are Showing They Are The Next King’s Of The NFC North
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense are showing fans why they currently hold the crown in the NFC North.
Their first game of the season against the Packers saw them shutdown Rodgers while scoring 23 points against them.
The Vikings are averaging 23 points a game after five games this season, putting them in the top half of NFL teams this season.
Some of the scoring is thanks to Justin Jefferson, who’s racked up three 100+ yard receiving games this season.
His game against the Chicago Bears saw him get his fourth 100+ yard game against them while also posting another team record.
Cousins drops a deep shot for Jefferson into a bucket. He's now got the second-longest streak of consecutive completions in team history, and Jefferson has his fourth 100-yard game against the Bears in his career.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) October 9, 2022
With Cousins having Jefferson and Adam Thielen as receivers, he’s got two threats downfield.
Dalvin Cook is also a major threat with the Vikings ground game, meaning their offense can be dangerous to face this season.
However, will they maintain their lead in the NFC North, or will the Packers reclaim the throne?
Packers Lack Star Power In Receiving Game To Help Rodgers
Rodgers needs Davante Adams back in Green Bay.
His receiving core is making costly drops in games.
Those drops have stalled out drives for the Packers.
However, the issues with the Packers offense are how they are relying heavily on Rodgers, despite him not having Adams.
If they continue to put more faith in him over their running game, their days as kings of the NFC North will be over.
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