ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A few thoughts on the Green Bay Packers' 21-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium:
What it means: Maybe this is why home-field advantage is so important to the Packers. Their struggles on the road against a mediocre team don't bode well if they have to leave Lambeau Field in the playoffs. In fact, at 10-4, they’re not even in the playoffs yet, and if the Detroit Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings later on Sunday, the Packers would lose their lead in the NFC North with just two games remaining.
Stock watch: Falling -- The Packers' nightmare special-teams season keeps getting worse. Marcus Thigpen returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, and then the Bills blocked a 53-yard field goal attempt by Mason Crosby. It was the sixth time this season the Packers have had a kick blocked (two field goals, two extra points and two punts).
Hands team: It's not often Aaron Rodgers has an off day, but it was evident from the start that he was not sharp. He completed just 17 of 42 passes for 185 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He missed several throws he normally makes, but his receivers certainly didn't help him out. In fact, they had a horrific day, dropping seven passes, the most by any team in the league this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The worst may have come in the fourth quarter by Jordy Nelson, who was at least 3 yards behind coverage when he let a ball go off his fingertips. Unless someone caught him from behind, it would have been a 94-yard touchdown.
Missing Bulaga: Any chance for 90-yard, game-winning drive in the final 1:58 ended on the Packers' first play, when Mario Williams smoked backup right tackle JC Tretter and strip-sacked Rodgers for a safety. Tretter had to finish the game after starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga left the game because of a possible concussion.
Game ball: Eddie Lacy was the best thing the Packers had going on offense. Late in the first quarter, he carried on three straight plays to start a drive and ran for 15, 17 and 22 yards. He finished that drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Coming off a hip injury from Monday night's game against the Falcons, Lacy carried 15 times for 97 yards.
What's next: The Packers play their final road regular-season game on Sunday at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before finishing with a Week 17 home game against the Lions.
