Let it out, Packers fans!
Happy Festivus, Green Bay Packers fans!
The Packers are fighting for a spot in the NFL playoffs this holiday season after losing to the Chicago Bears on Saturday in a devastating game that saw Packers QB Jordan Love exit early with a concussion. The Packers have lost 2 straight games in which they had full control. But then injuries piled up, mistakes were made, and wins slipped through their fingers. The emotional rollercoaster of the last few weeks seems like the perfect opportunity to celebrate the best tradition of Festivus: the Airing of Grievances.
For those unfamiliar, Festivus is a holiday from the show Seinfeld that was made up by George Costanza’s father as a rebellion against the holiday tradition and to highlight the disappointments and failures in life over the last year. The Airing of Grievances is a specific Festivus tradition that gives people the chance to vent about how others have disappointed them this year.
So what grievances do I have as a Packers/football fan? Buckle up!
My Grievances:
- The Packers’ cornerback room: Not a surprising one, but the Packers have not done enough to address the lack of corner depth and skill in that room. They didn’t prioritize it last season or this season and they are paying for it week after week.
- Packers Special Teams: I know Packers WR Romeo Doubs took responsibility for not securing the onside kick against the Bears, but one mistake isn’t an excuse for a unit that’s riddled with mistakes week after week. This unit is constantly unprepared for anything on special teams and year after year they rank in the bottom of the league. Doubs looks lost on punt returns, yet he’s still out there despite the team having an All-Pro returner that they can’t use at punt return because he’s too valuable (see previous bullet). It’s considered a miracle at this point if the unit doesn’t commit a penalty on the opening kickoff, or any kicking play for that matter. But most importantly, arguments can be made that multiple games have been lost due to special teams mistakes. The Packers need to start making special teams more of a priority.
- Dropped interceptions: I need the Packers’ secondary to spend an entire day in front of the Jugs machine catching footballs until they can do it in their sleep. Bo Nix was begging the Packers DBs to pick him off during the team’s loss to the Broncos, yet no one could hang onto the ball.
- Theinjuries: This isn’t even within anyone’s control, I just have to let it out. MY GOD the injuries this season. And not just in the Packers’ locker room, the entire league is seeing season-ending injuries from a ton of major contributors this season. The Kansas City Chiefs lost 2 QBs to ACL tears in back-to-back weeks! It’s been brutal this year. Please make it stop, injury gods!
- Replay Assist: I love the idea of Replay Assist, however, it’s only used sometimes and there’s not really any rhyme or reason as to why or when it’s used. The Commanders-Eagles game this past weekend showed us that you can still challenge a Replay Assist for some reason, because sure. Not to mention Replay Assist kicking in on Saturday only after the Packers challenged a poor ball spot. Great in theory, but a terribly rolled out system.
- Al Michaels: I appreciate all the years you’ve put in but please move on, sir! That Seahawks-Rams game on Thursday night was thrilling and Michaels sounded like he was calling a play-by-play of a funeral. This is the energy I want.
- Officiating: You could say this should be on the list every year, but it’s been a big one recently for the Packers. I know you could in theory call holding on every single play, which is not realistic. However, when it’s egregious, for the love of Lombardi please call it. Micah Parsons was in a chokehold for half of that first Bears game. And I’m still so confused on how the crew in that same game called the pass to Colston Loveland incomplete instead of an Evan Williams interception. We never saw the ball hit the ground, Williams came up with it, and yet it’s incomplete? Get it together!
- I still don’t know what a catch is: I’ve been alive for over 35 years and I still can’t figure this one out.
Your turn, Packers fans! Let it out! No matter how logical or illogical…air those grievances!
Category: General Sports
