Injuries. Drops. Fumbles. Self-inflicted mistakes. You know the deal.
Apart from that, it was a fantastic day for the Green Bay Packers. A stunning Christian Watson touchdown catch, his second of the day, handed the Packers a 27-20 lead over the New York Giants late in the fourth quarter, and the defense just about did the rest.
It was way too close for comfort, but Evan Williams' interception in the end zone not only prevented a Giants touchdown, but effectively handed the Packers an ugly but much-needed victory. Micah Parsons' strip-sack fumble on Jameis Winston sealed the deal moments later.
But the warning signs continue to flash. The Packers didn't look like Super Bowl contenders in losses to the Carolina Panthers or Philadelphia Eagles, and they appeared even further away from a championship-level team on Sunday.
The Giants had an interim head coach, a backup quarterback, a backup running back, and several injuries on defense, yet Green Bay barely held on to a seven-point victory. A win is a win, but the Packers look a million miles away the best teams in the NFC, even after a victory.
Packers' injury woes continue in victory over Giants
The Packers started the game with a Jordan Love injury scare. He took a big hit to his left shoulder on a scramble and had to leave the field. While he was in the blue medical tent and then the locker room, Malik Willis finished off an impressive touchdown drive, connecting with Christian Watson for the score. Fortunately, Love returned, but the good injury updates ended there.
Josh Jacobs later left the game due to a knee injury and couldn't return.
Quay Walker, Zach Tom, Matthew Golden, and Romeo Doubs also spent time in the medical tent. Walker exited due to a stinger, but the other three, fortunately, returned to the game.
Packers' self-inflicted mistakes haunt them yet again despite win
Green Bay gets in its own way multiple times per game. It has become this team's identity.
This may have been their ugliest performance of the season. The Packers had at least seven drops, including two from Romeo Doubs. Sean Rhyan botched a snap. Luke Musgrave fumbled. Lucas Havrisik missed two extra-point tries.
Windy conditions made the kicking game a struggle, but there's little excuse for many of the other self-inflicted errors. In some ways, it's hard to blame Matt LaFleur. He's not out on the field dropping passes and fumbling. But when these mistakes happen week after week, at some point, you need to question the coach.
Winning is all that matters. The Packers snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 6-3-1 and remain very much alive in the NFC North race. They will meet all three division rivals over the next three weeks.