Packers Morning Buzz: Plenty of blame to go around

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

After losing 27-24 in Seattle on Thursday night, the Packers (4-5-1) got a weekend off to try to heal up before their next game Sunday at Minnesota (5-4-1).

With criticism of coach Mike McCarthy intensifying both among Packers fans and in the media, former Packers executive Andrew Brandt points out that McCarthy's team just faced three of the toughest road assignments in the NFL and was in position to win in all three:

Taking Brandt's argument a step further, you can point to extenuating circumstances in all six games the Packers have failed to win:

» In their 29-29 tie with the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2, what would have been a game-clinching interception by rookie cornerback Jaire Alexander was wiped out by a ridiculous roughing-the-passer penalty against linebacker Clay Matthews.

» The Packers' 31-17 loss the following week at rainy Washington was viewed by some as a "hangover" from the disappointing and draining overtime session against the Vikings. Washington was determined to bounce back from a home loss to Indianapolis, and the confluence of circumstances had much of the Las Vegas "smart money" shifting late odds toward the home team. Minnesota, meanwhile, also appeared to be sleepwalking that day in a 27-6 home loss to Buffalo.

» Mason Crosby missed four field goal attempts and an extra point in a 31-23 loss at Detroit, with Aaron Rodgers losing two fumbles in Packers territory that led to 10 points for the Lions. Stunning mistakes from two of the Packers' most reliable veterans.

» Ty Montgomery's fumble on an ill-advised kickoff return (after he was told to down the ball in the end zone) with 2 minutes remaining denied Rodgers an opportunity to maneuver the Packers into game-winning field goal range in a 29-27 loss to the Rams.

» Aaron Jones' fumble on the first play of the fourth quarter the following week at New England came with the score tied at 17 and the Packers driving deep in Patriots territory. New England quickly marched to the go-ahead touchdown and went on to win, 31-17.

» Although McCarthy was deservedly grilled for not going for it on fourth-and-2 late in Thursday's 27-24 loss at Seattle, the Packers were hurt by a couple of questionable penalties and a pair of controversial pass plays (one a drop by Seahawks receiver David Moore that was ruled a 27-yard reception after review, the other a 34-yard catch by Seattle's Tyler Lockett that appeared to hit the ground and could have been nullified ... had McCarthy been bold enough to challenge it with only one timeout left in his pocket).

There's certainly no lack of evidence to indict McCarthy's performance as well. The Packers' offense inexplicably neglected Jones after a productive first half in Seattle, Pete Dougherty and Eric Baranczyk write in their weekly postgame review:

Pete and Eric also hand out their weekly position grades:

Tom Silverstein and Jim Owczarski discuss the possibility that the Rodgers-McCarthy partnership is nearing an end:

Jim identifies five things the Packers need to do to turn things around:

Olivia Reiner writes about McCarthy deflecting questions concerning his job security:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network becomes the latest member of the national media to declare that McCarthy's seat is getting warmer:

What the percentages say regarding McCarthy's decision to punt on fourth-and-2, and also about a horrific non-call that hurt the Packers:

A bleak outlook for the rest of the Packers' season:

Mike Florio takes McCarthy to the woodshed over his decision not to go for it on fourth-and 2:

Kyler Fackrell had a big night Thursday but was disappointed in the finish:

Packers receiver Davante Adams was mic'd up against Miami:

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is campaigning for another Pro Bowl berth:

Fans of quality TV shows can relate to this:

And finally ....