WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News: Packers Say Solution to Predicament is Simple

Packers Say Solution to Predicament is Simple

By John Gillespie and Chris Roth

How important is Sunday's game for the 4-4 Packers? Only once in their history have they made the playoffs after starting 4-5.

That was in 2003, when they won six of their final seven games.

There are many reasons for the Packers' current predicament heading into Sunday's game with the 6-2 Dallas Cowboys, who've won four straight games. But we're told to believe that the solution is simple.

"The head coach has to coach better, the coaches have to coach better, the players have to play better, and we have to win games. We're going to pour everything we have into winning at home against the Cowboys. That's our focus," head coach Mike McCarthy said.

But turning it around won't be easy against a Cowboys team that has the third-best offense in the NFL.

"Our defensive staff feels it's the best offense we've played to date, as far as the ability to run it and throw the football. This will be an excellent challenge for our defense this week," McCarthy said.

A win over the Dallas team could be the shot in the arm the struggling Packers need headed into a difficult stretch.

"This is an important game. If we go 4-5, it will be tough to get to where we want to be," Packers receiver Greg Jennings said.

"I think we are an urgent 4-4. We have two games at home and part of three games in 12 days. This is an important stretch for our football team," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said.

"We're trying to downplay it, 4-4. It's not where we want to be. Where we are, still very possible to turn it around. In two weeks we could be sitting in a playoff spot," defensive end Cullen Jenkins said.