{"id":97210,"date":"2023-12-09T14:24:45","date_gmt":"2023-12-09T14:24:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=97210"},"modified":"2023-12-09T14:24:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-09T14:24:45","slug":"jaire-alexander-on-packers-recent-turn-of-fortune-im-not-going-to-call-myself-a-prophet-but-i-called-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/mlb\/jaire-alexander-on-packers-recent-turn-of-fortune-im-not-going-to-call-myself-a-prophet-but-i-called-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaire Alexander on Packers’ recent turn of fortune: ‘I’m not going to call myself a prophet, but I called it’"},"content":{"rendered":"
One of the Packers’ cornerbacks believes in “I told you so’s.”<\/p>\n
Green Bay has turned its season around since the beginning of November, winning four of five to storm back into playoff contention — something cornerback Jaire Alexander foresaw coming.<\/p>\n
“I’m not going to call myself a prophet, but I called it,” he told reporters in the team locker room on Friday. “I said we was gonna win out. \u2026 So I’m not a prophet, but the people should start listening to me more.”<\/p>\n
Like many who dabble in the fortune-telling arts, Alexander’s mighty proclamation comes with an asterisk.<\/p>\n
The CB called his shot back on Nov. 1, when Green Bay had 10 games remaining in a 2-5 season that was quickly spiraling.<\/p>\n
They did emerge from their next contest victorious and currently own a three-game winning streak, but as a media member pointed out, the Packers have lost since — a Week 10 23-19 defeat to the Steelers.<\/p>\n
“Well, you know, I think four out of five, I think I’m 80 percent right now,” Alexander conceded. “I think I’m alright.”<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, his confidence is indicative of the performances the Packers have been stringing together to go from three game below .500 to 6-6 and in the driver’s seat for a postseason berth — with their five remaining games coming against teams with a combined 20-40 record.<\/p>\n
The young offense seems to be turning a corner thanks to fewer mental gaffes and a more poised Jordan Love resulting in a winning operation.<\/p>\n
Green Bay has exceeded 20 points in three consecutive games after failing to do so in seven straight contests before that, and Love has posted a 67.5 completion percentage or better in four of his last five outings after falling under 60 in five of his first seven starts this season.<\/p>\n
It hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been enough.<\/p>\n
The defense has supplemented the turnaround with Rashan Gary spearheading the pass rush and gutsy performances from lesser-knowns like seventh-round CB Carrington Valentine.<\/p>\n
The unit ranks ninth in scoring, a feat made more impressive considering Green Bay’s seemingly white-flag-waving decision to trade Rasul Douglas on Oct. 31 — and because Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler and the league’s highest-paid corner by average salary, per Over the Cap, has only played once since then.<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old is dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in a Week 9 win over the Rams.<\/p>\n
He’s logged limited practice sessions in weeks since and was limited again Thursday and Friday, but he hasn’t been able to suit up to join his surging teammates.<\/p>\n
“There’s always pressure,” he said. “There’s always pressure. I’m the type of person that always wants to put my best foot forward. I feel like if I can’t put my best foot forward then it’s just tough to be out there.”<\/p>\n
And his prediction-making talents take a turn toward murky when applied to the next time he’ll be able to take the field.<\/p>\n
Alexander’s answer when asked if he will play on Monday against the Giants: “We’ll see.”<\/p>\n
Whenever he returns, though, it’s a certainty that he’ll provide a boost.<\/p>\n