The Green Bay Packers will be heading into a critical Week 17 match up with division rival Minnesota without one of their premier players. Jaire Alexander, the cornerback for the team, was suspended 1 game. But it wasn’t for off-the-field conduct or a “dirty play” on the field. It was because he misrepresented himself as a captain during the pregame coin toss, and then proceeded to nearly botch the key decision immediately after. Although this may be overlooked as a mere footnote in the week ahead, it could also end up being costly for Green Bay.
Week 16 coin toss & Jaire Alexander: What happened?
Coin tosses are usually ceremonial and although they decide who possesses the football, they usually don’t garner a whole lot of fanfare. A notable exception includes Jerome Bettis’ famous incident in 1998 when there was a dispute in regards to whether Bettis verbalized heads or tails. But other than that, many hardly pay much attention to them.
One of those rare instances occurred this past Sunday. First, Alexander arrived at midfield falsely claiming to be a captain of the team. Then, after the Green Bay Packers won the toss, Alexander stated he wanted his team to “defend” rather than “defer”, which in football are two completely separate actions. If not for the subsequent clarification from the referee, the Packers would’ve been on defense at the start of both the 1st and 3rd quarter rather than just the 1st. After refusing to apologize after the game, the team suspended him.
Green Bay Packers & their playoff push: Why it could be in danger
The Minnesota Vikings announced that Sunday night’s starter against the Green Bay Packers will be rookie QB Jaren Hall. Coming out of BYU, this would be just Hall’s 3rd game in the NFL, and just his 2nd start. His first start (in Week 9 vs Atlanta) ended in him leaving with a concussion. His lack of experience could make him a prime target from a Packers defense under a ton of fan pressure.
The reason why the Jaire Alexander suspension can prove detrimental is because he is a key piece of the Green Bay Packers’ defense. If he is not able to be out there, the void his missing leadership and skillset leaves behind potentially spells trouble for Green Bay; especially if it’s a close, defensive struggle. With Minnesota’s injuries on offense piling up, a Packers player’s lack of discipline may have given away a defensive advantage even before the game started.
What it all means
With the Detroit Lions clinching the NFC North division, the best the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers can hope for is a wild card spot. Which is why the upcoming game between the two teams on New Year’s Eve carries more weight than normal. There is an extra level of bitterness that is at play when a division rival prevents you from being able to advance to the playoffs.
If a loss to the Vikings is what eventually keeps the Packers out of the playoffs, it would be second straight year the team misses the playoffs thanks to a fellow NFC North team. That would be unbearable to such a passionate fanbase such as Packers nation. Hell hath no fury like the cheeseheads scorned.
If Jaire Alexander’s boneheaded pre-game antics against Carolina prevent him from being able to help out the Green Bay Packers defense this Sunday evening, then even more scrutiny and criticism will be placed upon him. Sadly, for him, it would be well deserved.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @AhmedKhanLWOS, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
Our Partners