The Facts: Nelson's absence played a huge role in the Packers' offensive struggles this season. It was evident from the team's bye week onward, when defenses played press coverage and stacked the box, knowing the slow-footed receiving corps couldn't gain separation. The Packers didn't make excuses during the season. Nelson wasn't returning, so why lament his absence? Now that their campaign is over, coach Mike McCarthy was willing to admit how big a loss Nelson was to the entire offense.

Diehards Line: First he noted Nelson's ability to go over the middle of the field. "Philosophically to me, to have a successful passing game, you have to have big targets that can turn through the middle of the field, whether it's a tight end, whether it's a big receiver," McCarthy said. "When you don't have that element or the element to complement that, you see what we saw this year." Not only is Nelson the NFL's premier sideline target, his speed on the outside opens up the offense for other pass-catchers and running backs. "If you really don't feel the threat down the field or a big-time threat on both sides, you're going to see three-deep, three-shell coverage and tight man-to-man," McCarthy said. "That's what we saw a large part of the season." As for 2016, the Packers should get Nelson back completely healthy. "I think Jordy will come back better than ever," McCarthy said. "He's one of the players I've had a chance to sit down and talk to, and just like you knew he would he's so far ahead with the rehab, he looks great. There's no reason to think he won't be good as new."