For the second time in as many weeks, Matt Flynn made one major mistake, for the second consecutive week it may have cost the team the game. His mistake was not the only one however, multiple plays could have changed the outcome of the game at different points but the "if only" theory doesn't work very well on the score sheet.
The first quarter of the game set the tone for what was going to be an excellent football game for the Green Bay Packers. An onside kick to open the game was recovered and put life into the offense that was held to just three points a week earlier in Detroit. Matt Flynn had confidence and poise in the pocket, looking much more fluent in his first start since his bowl game at LSU. Flynn took the opening drive into Patriot territory before they defense turned up the heat and forced a sack and a rushed throw on second and third downs. The Packers settled for three points and a lead in a game that many wondered if it was worth playing because of the directions the respective teams had been heading.
The Patriots got the ball back and were seemingly having trouble getting going until third down, something that became common through the night. Brady completed a pass on third and 17 for exactly 17 yards on the sideline picking up a first down. On the play before the conversion the first major missed opportunity passed by the Packers. Woodson read the receivers route perfectly and had a Brady pass go in and out of his hands. The interception could have given the Packers good field position again and Brady his first interception in many weeks. Instead the Pats picked up the first down and later on the drive BJGE, who's name is way to long to spell out, ran for a 33 yard score which put the Pats on top.
The only excitement on the next two drives was on the punt by the Packers. After the New England player called for a fair catch, the gunner for the Packers was blocked into him, resulting in a live ball. The Patriots fell on it at their own nine but it was another chance for the Packers to pick up some momentum. The quarter ended with the Patriots leading 7-3 but the Packers did seem to be controlling the play for the most part.
The next Packers drive looked as if Flynn had been running the offense on a regular basis. He used a good balance of run and pass throughout the game to keep the defense honest. The result was a 66 yard touchdown pass which he strung out to James Jones, just over the fingertips of the defenders and almost over Jones as well but he was able to make the catch and run to the end zone all alone. The pass instilled even more confidence in the young quarterback, it was his first TD pass in the NFL.
The next defensive series was another good one; Bishop went straight though the line on a blitz and absolutely destroyed Brady. Personally I was surprised he didn't get flagged for hitting to hard or some other made up, protect Brady, call. The ball appeared to come loose as Brady went to the ground as well but it was blown dead and no one recovered it so a challenge wouldn't have proven much anyways which is why I'm sure one was not attempted.The drive finally ended after two more plays, the first three and out of the game forced by the Packers.
No more points were scored until the last drives for both teams.The Packers last drive started with 8:43 left and took almost seven minutes off the clock before adding another touchdown for Flynn. The drive was highlighted by a quick third down pass to Jones to not only pick up a first down but it also put Flynn over 100 passing yards on the day. Other key plays were the third down catches for conversion by Nelson and Kuhn. The touchdown strike was a bullet out of a play fake that found Jennings for the one yard TD. The completion was the first real look to Jennings, other then a deep try down the field on a free play that went about 5 yards too long.
Everything seemed to be going the right way for the Packers until they kicked off again. An attempted squib kick landed right in the hands of Connolly, a lineman. Normally this is the result that you want, unfortunately that big man found a lane and returned the kick 71 yards inside the Green Bay 5 yard line. Brady of course wasn't going to let this chance slip and found his rookie tight end to put the Patriots right back into the game at halftime.
Some things that I noticed in the first half was the escapablility of Flynn, he always seemed to know where to go and for the most part where the pressure was coming from. The downfall to that was that he seemed to take too long to throw the ball at times, trying to make something happen when it wasn't really there. He doesn't quite have the speed of Rodgers so his scrambles do not accomplish quite as much. Overall it was a great half for the team, the lead should have been more, maybe even ideally holding the Patriots scoreless but that is all part of the game, a lead against one of the hottest teams in the league was something to be happy about.
The first drive of the second half took off right where the first half ended, Flynn made his only mistake of the night and had a pass picked off and returned for a touchdown. In his defense three or more Packers players had a chance to take Arrington down and at least force the NE offense to score but none the less it was another seven points on the board and a lead for the Patriots.
Flynn took to the field after the kickoff and redeemed himself. He drove the offense 69 yards in 13 plays to take the lead back for the Packers. A methodical drive describes it best as none of the plays were more than 11 yards at a time yet it took almost seven minutes to score.
The Patriots offense didn't get to take the field until there were just five minutes left in the third quarter. The result was a three and out highlighted with another sack for the defense.
The offense took over again, using 11 plays to go 45 yards to the NE 1 yard line where they were stopped three times and had to settle for a field goal to put them up 27-21 just minutes into the fourth quarter. This was another opportunity wasted to put the team up by even more, a ten point lead would have been much more substantial so late in the ball game.
The Patriots responded again matching the Green Bay field goal to make it just a three point game with eleven minutes left. A first down pass to Welker for 35 yards sparked the drive putting New England immediately into a scoring area. The following Packers drive was one of their few three and outs of the night, but also one of the most costly since they only burned about a minute off the clock.
The next Patriots drive was highlighted by Woodhead, one of the few players on other teams that I enjoy watching play. He highlight everything that is good about sports, showing how hard work can lead to success for even an undersized player. He piled up 37 yards on four plays which resulted in a touchdown pass once again from Brady to his rookie TE Hernandez.
A drive from both teams that resulted in nothing set up the Packers for one final chance with four minutes left and the ball near the midfield line. Early in the drive the running game was able to pick up three first downs, one compliments of a Patriots penalty. The rushing may have been a bad idea though as the Packers were still at the New England 29 with under a minute and a half to play. A sack with just over a minute to go didn't help either, setting them up with second and 18. They were able to get most of it back in two completions though but indecision after the third down pass with 29 seconds to go was the final straw. Instead of lining up quick and trying to pick up a first down and spike the ball they put all the eggs in the hail mary pass that resulted in a sack. Flynn just couldn't find an open receiver to finish off the game when the end came around. The coaching staff has taken the blame for the play saying that Flynn did as he was instructed after the third down play and that it was how they wanted it to be run. Either way the game ended as the clock ran out after the sack and the Patriots' Wilfork fell on the ball. Fitting for the kind of game he had, it seemed that Flynn was trying to avoid him the whole night regardless of who was blocking.
Out of the loss the Packers can take a few things; first and foremost they established a nice running game tonight. They totaled 143 yards on the ground, 99 by Jackson the one extra yard would have been nice to get a Packers back over the century mark for the first time in a while. Secondly their defense proved itself holding the hottest team in the league to thirty one points, doesn't sound like much but ask Jets and Bears fans how easy that is lately.
Reinforcing my idea that Flynn held the ball a little too long was the five sacks that the Packers surrendered. I would rather have him hold the ball then carelessly throw it away though so considering it was his first start I can deal with that. He will be tagged with two turnovers for the game but one is the fourth down play that ended the game, at least he was trying to make something happen, the fumble is something that comes along with that.
New week will be a new beast, and the start of the playoffs for the Pack. The Giants come to Lambeau for the first time since their NFC championship game a few years ago but they are coming off their stunning loss at home to the Eagles. They will be looking to regain confidence after allowing a 21 point lead to slip away in under eight minutes.. The Packers need to regroup after losing three out of four, hopefully Rodgers can return to practice this week and make things happen.
Either way it should be a great showdown since playoff spots are on the line and only two weeks remain to claim them. Until then Go Pack Go!
Showing posts with label green bay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green bay. Show all posts
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Packers @ Lions quarter by quarter recap
The Packers are in Detroit today where they face the Lions for the second time this season. The first meeting in Green Bay earlier this season gave the Packers a scare though they did come out on top 28-26. Rodgers had his second lowest yardage total in the game, accumulating only 181 passing yards and throwing two interceptions. Being inside at Ford Field should benefit the Packers, both the warmth and lack of wind and snow that is slamming the rest of the mid-west right now, will be absent in the dome.
Hopefully the Packers can play with the same intensity that they have the last few weeks. They have won five of their last six, the only loss coming to the 8-2 Atlanta Falcons. Regardless the up and coming Lions are sure to keep the game close even with their third string quarterback, Drew Stanton playing.
First Quarter:
The Packers started the game by kicking off to the Lions and quickly forced a three and out. Two plays later, after a 2 yard gain on a screen to Jennings and a neutral zone infraction penalty on the Lions, Rodgers completed a pass to Quarless for 12 yards and a first down. Unfortunately the Lions were able to strip him of the ball and take over again.
The Lions had success running the ball on the first seven plays of the drive, piling up 45 yards including a 15 yard run by Stanton. The ninth play of the drive wasn't what the Lions wanted though. After Stanton avoided a sack by Matthews, he threw the ball up in the end zone where Tramon Williams read the pass and picked it off.
It looked like a good start to the drive for the Packers when Jackson rushed for nine yards. A quick deep pass was incomplete and a sack however resulted in a three and out for the Packers. A 62 yard punt turned the field position around a bit again putting the Lions relatively deep in their own territory. The defense answered the call forcing the second Lions three and out of the game. The lack of excitement continued after a draw and a delay left the Packers with a third and thirteen which was a an incomplete attempt to Driver. The next Detroit drive finally produced another first down in the quarter, followed by three unsuccessful plays, particularly a ball that was overthrown deep and close to being intercepted again.
The next Packers drive started with a short run by Starks which set up a beautiful play action pass. The pass from Rodgers hit Jennings in the mask and bounced into the hands of Spievey. Three penalties resulted on the play but the one that mattered the most to the Packers was offset when Rodgers left the pocket so the play stood. The defense answered once again though and forced a Lions punt to end the quarter.
Key Players:
Packers - T. Williams 1 int. 1 return 16 yards
Lions - Logan 62 total yards
Second Quarter:
There seems to be no fluency for the Packers so far to start this game. Another three and out started off the second quarter. A nice kick by Masthay and good coverage on the punt put the Lions on their own 22 for their first dive of the quarter.
The drive started well for the Lions, a few good runs and a second down pass for a first down, all highlighted by a double reverse that led to Calvin Johnson running for a first down. Clay Matthews then got to Stanton and forced him back for a 19 yard loss. On the next play Stanton tried to get it all back in one play that resulted in an interception for Charlie Peprah.
Not much happened on the ensuing drive for the Packers though. They started the drive with a screen pass and a short pass which got them a first down. They then attempted to run the next two plays, one of which resulted in two separate holding calls and a second and 18. Rodgers was forced to scramble for seven yards and then completed a short pass to driver but well short of the first down.
Another option run by Stanton got the Lions off on the right foot again, this time resulting in 17 yards. Another option attempt on third and four later in the drive was much less successful and the Lions had to punt.Williams ran around thirty yards on the return just to manage a twelve yard return, setting the Packers up on their own 20.
Ill give some credit to the Lions for their defensive effort but the Packers haven't looked deep since the interception on the dropped pass by Jennings. Rodgers have been happy to drop the ball off to the backs and tight ends picking up 2 or 3 yards per completion. Rodgers had a big scramble that went for 18 yards but took a hard shot and looked dazed and confused before he got up. That gain was offset on the next play when the Packers tried for their third straight play action pass but instead go Rodgers sacked for a loss of 13. On second and 23 ran a draw play for six yards and a drop off pass for a gain of four. A good punt pinned the Lions on their own eight.
After forcing yet another three and out the Packers got the ball back at their own 41 with 1:12 left. Rodgers did not come in for the final series and Matt Flynn was called upon but not able to generate anything but a completion for no gain.
The Lions used their timeouts to stop the clock and got the ball back at their own 35 with 44 seconds left. They ran some short run plays but didn't get anything going, the fans disagreed with the calls and voiced their opinions as the team left the field despite the game being 0-0.
Key Players:
Packers - Defense (2 interceptions, 2 sacks, 0 points allowed)
Lions - Running game (25 rushes for 127 yards)
First Half Thoughts:
I thought that they Packers were trying to force the run too much, and that was before Rodgers got knocked out of the game, that is sure to continue now that Flynn is in for the rest of it. The defense played outstanding holding the Lions scoreless despite the offense turning the ball over twice, forcing two interceptions of their own. It is looking like they will need to continue to play this way and probably generate some points of their own if they want to win this game. Matt Flynn gets a chance to prove himself as a legitimate backup and maybe a starting spot somewhere in the future if he can play well in the second half and lead the Packers to a win on the road
Third Quarter:
The opening drive for the Packers in the third quarter finally yielded some points! Using a mix of screen passes a few runs and quarterback roll outs, the formula that normally results in good things for the Packers, Flynn was able to drive down the field and allow Crosby to knock home a field goal. The third down play for the Packers appeared as if Greg Jennings may have had a touchdown but the coaches decided not to challenge it. Quarless was the main target picking up 31 yards on 2 catches on the drive.
Logan gave the Lions a good start to the next drive, bringing the kick out to the their 43. An illegal contact call prolonged the drive however nothing came of it after that and the Lions punted the ball away, all the way to the Packers ten.
Flynn's third drive of the game once again got off to a good start, a nine yard pass followed by a one yard draw by Jackson. Flynn picked up a third down conversion on the next set with a dangerous twelve yard run, where he chose not to slide at the end. Following that first down Flynn went deep to Jennings for 32 yards, the longest play of the game to this point of the game. Jordy Nelson made tow nice plays on the next two passes catching, the ball and battling forward to pick up extra yardage. From the Lions nine yard line Flynn missed his first pass to Jennings and on the next play hit Levy in the chest for an interception, ending an otherwise very solid drive.
The decision to run the ball out of the end zone didn't hurt the Lions despite starting on their own nine. They got their first third down conversion to move them to the twenty. The next pass was a deep ball from Stanton to Johnson, taking the Lions into Packers territory at the 36. The Packers defense stood tall again though forcing the Lions to attempt 48 yard a field goal to tie the game, which was hooked wide.
Two plays to end the quarter left the Packers facing a third and one at their own 47 as time expired.
Key Players:
Packers - Matt Flynn (9/16, 112 yards, 1 int)
Lions - Calvin Johnson (1 reception 44 yards, 1 rush 13 yards)
Fourth Quarter:
The quarter didn't start as well as the Packers would have liked; Flynn was stopped short of the first down a forced to punt. They chose to kick the ball out of the end zone instead of giving Logan a chance to return it.
Stanton continued to give the Packers trouble with his ability to run, he brought his game total up to 44 yards while picking up a first down. After two more plays, the Lions got their second third down conversion of the game in as many drives on a pass to B. Johnson. The Lions continued to methodically move down the field, mixing up passes and runs to get into the red zone. A screen pass to Heller, went for thirteen yards to cap off the 80 yard touchdown drive to give the Lions the lead.
The Packers return game couldn't generate anything, getting taken down at the 14 yard line. After two minimal gains the Lions committed a pass interference penalty giving the Packers a first down. They couldn't do anything with the opportunity as Flynn was sacked on the next play. The Packers had to punt the ball away to the Lions with 5:27 left and it was returned to the Packers 49.
The defense tightened up again, holding the Lions to five yards but the punt put the Packers on their own nine yard line again. After a run on first down, Flynn was forced to pass the ball. He started with a dart to Jones for 18 yards, followed by a screen pass to Nance that went for 14 yards, Flynn then hit Jennings for nine yards to take the packers to the 49 at the 2 minute warning. Eight and nine yard passes were the focus of the final drive since the Packers had all 3 timeouts remaining. A rush on second and two failed to pick up the first down from the Lions 31 as did a pass over the middle to Driver setting up fourth and one. The Packers went for the game witha deep pass in the end zone to Jennings but he was unable to come up with the catch. The Lions look over and stuffed the ball up the middle for all three plays, basically running out the clock on the game. They did stop the Lions on third down but only three seconds remained. The Lions played it is a normal pass play and a deep throw by Stanton finished off the clock.
Key Player:
Packers - Charlie Peprah (1 int, 5 tackles, 2 assists)
Lions - Will Heller (1 Reception, 1 TD)
Final Thoughts:
The offensive line seemed to be the downfall for the majority of the game, the Lions didn't have to bring more than their front four to bring pressure for the entire game. This allowed the Lions to send more people back into the secondary to give both quarterbacks major problems with completing passes. The running game didn't benefit from this either but didn't help themselves either as they rushed 20 times for only 66 yards.
The defense cannot be blamed for this loss at all despite giving up 190 rushing yards. They made plays, forced turnover and only gave up a single touchdown, forcing the Lions to punt in many crucial situations.
Last play call was a gutsy one but all in all i say a good call. The Lions were getting to a point where they could finally step up and play like they were through the rest of the game. The best chance for the Packers was that corner fade which was only inches away from being complete, making it the call of the season. Flynn played well as a backup other than the interception in the end zone. He put up decent numbers, just couldn't turn it into points for the Packers offense.
In the end the play call didn't didn't work and the Packers lost the game. They have to get back on the horse this week and hope that Rodgers will be good to go next week against the Patriots. The only thing that can control is how they play, if they come back and win their games they need some help to get back into the playoffs. Only time will tell how it will play out and the season will go.
Hopefully the Packers can play with the same intensity that they have the last few weeks. They have won five of their last six, the only loss coming to the 8-2 Atlanta Falcons. Regardless the up and coming Lions are sure to keep the game close even with their third string quarterback, Drew Stanton playing.
First Quarter:
The Packers started the game by kicking off to the Lions and quickly forced a three and out. Two plays later, after a 2 yard gain on a screen to Jennings and a neutral zone infraction penalty on the Lions, Rodgers completed a pass to Quarless for 12 yards and a first down. Unfortunately the Lions were able to strip him of the ball and take over again.
The Lions had success running the ball on the first seven plays of the drive, piling up 45 yards including a 15 yard run by Stanton. The ninth play of the drive wasn't what the Lions wanted though. After Stanton avoided a sack by Matthews, he threw the ball up in the end zone where Tramon Williams read the pass and picked it off.
It looked like a good start to the drive for the Packers when Jackson rushed for nine yards. A quick deep pass was incomplete and a sack however resulted in a three and out for the Packers. A 62 yard punt turned the field position around a bit again putting the Lions relatively deep in their own territory. The defense answered the call forcing the second Lions three and out of the game. The lack of excitement continued after a draw and a delay left the Packers with a third and thirteen which was a an incomplete attempt to Driver. The next Detroit drive finally produced another first down in the quarter, followed by three unsuccessful plays, particularly a ball that was overthrown deep and close to being intercepted again.
The next Packers drive started with a short run by Starks which set up a beautiful play action pass. The pass from Rodgers hit Jennings in the mask and bounced into the hands of Spievey. Three penalties resulted on the play but the one that mattered the most to the Packers was offset when Rodgers left the pocket so the play stood. The defense answered once again though and forced a Lions punt to end the quarter.
Key Players:
Packers - T. Williams 1 int. 1 return 16 yards
Lions - Logan 62 total yards
Second Quarter:
There seems to be no fluency for the Packers so far to start this game. Another three and out started off the second quarter. A nice kick by Masthay and good coverage on the punt put the Lions on their own 22 for their first dive of the quarter.
The drive started well for the Lions, a few good runs and a second down pass for a first down, all highlighted by a double reverse that led to Calvin Johnson running for a first down. Clay Matthews then got to Stanton and forced him back for a 19 yard loss. On the next play Stanton tried to get it all back in one play that resulted in an interception for Charlie Peprah.
Not much happened on the ensuing drive for the Packers though. They started the drive with a screen pass and a short pass which got them a first down. They then attempted to run the next two plays, one of which resulted in two separate holding calls and a second and 18. Rodgers was forced to scramble for seven yards and then completed a short pass to driver but well short of the first down.
Another option run by Stanton got the Lions off on the right foot again, this time resulting in 17 yards. Another option attempt on third and four later in the drive was much less successful and the Lions had to punt.Williams ran around thirty yards on the return just to manage a twelve yard return, setting the Packers up on their own 20.
Ill give some credit to the Lions for their defensive effort but the Packers haven't looked deep since the interception on the dropped pass by Jennings. Rodgers have been happy to drop the ball off to the backs and tight ends picking up 2 or 3 yards per completion. Rodgers had a big scramble that went for 18 yards but took a hard shot and looked dazed and confused before he got up. That gain was offset on the next play when the Packers tried for their third straight play action pass but instead go Rodgers sacked for a loss of 13. On second and 23 ran a draw play for six yards and a drop off pass for a gain of four. A good punt pinned the Lions on their own eight.
After forcing yet another three and out the Packers got the ball back at their own 41 with 1:12 left. Rodgers did not come in for the final series and Matt Flynn was called upon but not able to generate anything but a completion for no gain.
The Lions used their timeouts to stop the clock and got the ball back at their own 35 with 44 seconds left. They ran some short run plays but didn't get anything going, the fans disagreed with the calls and voiced their opinions as the team left the field despite the game being 0-0.
Key Players:
Packers - Defense (2 interceptions, 2 sacks, 0 points allowed)
Lions - Running game (25 rushes for 127 yards)
First Half Thoughts:
I thought that they Packers were trying to force the run too much, and that was before Rodgers got knocked out of the game, that is sure to continue now that Flynn is in for the rest of it. The defense played outstanding holding the Lions scoreless despite the offense turning the ball over twice, forcing two interceptions of their own. It is looking like they will need to continue to play this way and probably generate some points of their own if they want to win this game. Matt Flynn gets a chance to prove himself as a legitimate backup and maybe a starting spot somewhere in the future if he can play well in the second half and lead the Packers to a win on the road
Third Quarter:
The opening drive for the Packers in the third quarter finally yielded some points! Using a mix of screen passes a few runs and quarterback roll outs, the formula that normally results in good things for the Packers, Flynn was able to drive down the field and allow Crosby to knock home a field goal. The third down play for the Packers appeared as if Greg Jennings may have had a touchdown but the coaches decided not to challenge it. Quarless was the main target picking up 31 yards on 2 catches on the drive.
Logan gave the Lions a good start to the next drive, bringing the kick out to the their 43. An illegal contact call prolonged the drive however nothing came of it after that and the Lions punted the ball away, all the way to the Packers ten.
Flynn's third drive of the game once again got off to a good start, a nine yard pass followed by a one yard draw by Jackson. Flynn picked up a third down conversion on the next set with a dangerous twelve yard run, where he chose not to slide at the end. Following that first down Flynn went deep to Jennings for 32 yards, the longest play of the game to this point of the game. Jordy Nelson made tow nice plays on the next two passes catching, the ball and battling forward to pick up extra yardage. From the Lions nine yard line Flynn missed his first pass to Jennings and on the next play hit Levy in the chest for an interception, ending an otherwise very solid drive.
The decision to run the ball out of the end zone didn't hurt the Lions despite starting on their own nine. They got their first third down conversion to move them to the twenty. The next pass was a deep ball from Stanton to Johnson, taking the Lions into Packers territory at the 36. The Packers defense stood tall again though forcing the Lions to attempt 48 yard a field goal to tie the game, which was hooked wide.
Two plays to end the quarter left the Packers facing a third and one at their own 47 as time expired.
Key Players:
Packers - Matt Flynn (9/16, 112 yards, 1 int)
Lions - Calvin Johnson (1 reception 44 yards, 1 rush 13 yards)
Fourth Quarter:
The quarter didn't start as well as the Packers would have liked; Flynn was stopped short of the first down a forced to punt. They chose to kick the ball out of the end zone instead of giving Logan a chance to return it.
Stanton continued to give the Packers trouble with his ability to run, he brought his game total up to 44 yards while picking up a first down. After two more plays, the Lions got their second third down conversion of the game in as many drives on a pass to B. Johnson. The Lions continued to methodically move down the field, mixing up passes and runs to get into the red zone. A screen pass to Heller, went for thirteen yards to cap off the 80 yard touchdown drive to give the Lions the lead.
The Packers return game couldn't generate anything, getting taken down at the 14 yard line. After two minimal gains the Lions committed a pass interference penalty giving the Packers a first down. They couldn't do anything with the opportunity as Flynn was sacked on the next play. The Packers had to punt the ball away to the Lions with 5:27 left and it was returned to the Packers 49.
The defense tightened up again, holding the Lions to five yards but the punt put the Packers on their own nine yard line again. After a run on first down, Flynn was forced to pass the ball. He started with a dart to Jones for 18 yards, followed by a screen pass to Nance that went for 14 yards, Flynn then hit Jennings for nine yards to take the packers to the 49 at the 2 minute warning. Eight and nine yard passes were the focus of the final drive since the Packers had all 3 timeouts remaining. A rush on second and two failed to pick up the first down from the Lions 31 as did a pass over the middle to Driver setting up fourth and one. The Packers went for the game witha deep pass in the end zone to Jennings but he was unable to come up with the catch. The Lions look over and stuffed the ball up the middle for all three plays, basically running out the clock on the game. They did stop the Lions on third down but only three seconds remained. The Lions played it is a normal pass play and a deep throw by Stanton finished off the clock.
Key Player:
Packers - Charlie Peprah (1 int, 5 tackles, 2 assists)
Lions - Will Heller (1 Reception, 1 TD)
Final Thoughts:
The offensive line seemed to be the downfall for the majority of the game, the Lions didn't have to bring more than their front four to bring pressure for the entire game. This allowed the Lions to send more people back into the secondary to give both quarterbacks major problems with completing passes. The running game didn't benefit from this either but didn't help themselves either as they rushed 20 times for only 66 yards.
The defense cannot be blamed for this loss at all despite giving up 190 rushing yards. They made plays, forced turnover and only gave up a single touchdown, forcing the Lions to punt in many crucial situations.
Last play call was a gutsy one but all in all i say a good call. The Lions were getting to a point where they could finally step up and play like they were through the rest of the game. The best chance for the Packers was that corner fade which was only inches away from being complete, making it the call of the season. Flynn played well as a backup other than the interception in the end zone. He put up decent numbers, just couldn't turn it into points for the Packers offense.
In the end the play call didn't didn't work and the Packers lost the game. They have to get back on the horse this week and hope that Rodgers will be good to go next week against the Patriots. The only thing that can control is how they play, if they come back and win their games they need some help to get back into the playoffs. Only time will tell how it will play out and the season will go.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Where Will It Go Next
The season this far for the Green Bay Packers cannot be summed up very easily. They dominated the preseason both offensively and defensively, the offense has been nonexistent for large chunks of games this regular season, the defense forgot to show up against the Lions and then dominated the Jets offense keeping them off the scoreboard all together. A large chunk of inconsistency can be credited to the injuries sustained this season, there are currently 11 players on injured reserve and three others that have visited the PUP list this season.
The most notable injuries were on offense; the loss of Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley were immediately noticeable and the Packers are still trying to find a way to fully overcome the void that was created. The defense has been decimated as well, losing star Nick Barnett to an injury similar to that one suffered by Brian Urlacher last year. Overall 8 of the players who were placed on either list so far this season were on defense, something that is very hard to overcome.
Despite the inconsistencies and the slow start the Packers are still in a position where they control their own destiny. They are currently percentage points above Chicago in the standings since the Packers have not yet had their bye week. Even though Chicago currently holds the tie breaker with the dead to head win I have confidence that the Pack should win the rematch in the season finale. The Vikings are struggling to find their identity and despite the emergence of the Lions I still believe that the Packers are a better team overall. This week the Pack head into Dallas where the Cowboys can't get any worse than their performance last week, but they don't have a leader to help them get going in the right direction. Green Bay should go into their bye week at 6-3 with at least a share of the NFC North division lead.
The rest of the season will continue to be interesting with a few questions to answer. Will Brandon Jackson continue to be enough for the Packers running/short pass game? Can Aaron Rodgers find the rhythm with Greg Jennings and Donald Driver that he had last year? Will the defense continue to play like they did against the Jets or will they show up as they did against the Lions again this year? After the 3-3 start I was pessimistic about the season and almost ready to pack it in, but 2 big wins and a favorable schedule the rest of the way, I like the potential that the season shows if the Packers can keep the momentum going after the bye.
The most notable injuries were on offense; the loss of Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley were immediately noticeable and the Packers are still trying to find a way to fully overcome the void that was created. The defense has been decimated as well, losing star Nick Barnett to an injury similar to that one suffered by Brian Urlacher last year. Overall 8 of the players who were placed on either list so far this season were on defense, something that is very hard to overcome.
Despite the inconsistencies and the slow start the Packers are still in a position where they control their own destiny. They are currently percentage points above Chicago in the standings since the Packers have not yet had their bye week. Even though Chicago currently holds the tie breaker with the dead to head win I have confidence that the Pack should win the rematch in the season finale. The Vikings are struggling to find their identity and despite the emergence of the Lions I still believe that the Packers are a better team overall. This week the Pack head into Dallas where the Cowboys can't get any worse than their performance last week, but they don't have a leader to help them get going in the right direction. Green Bay should go into their bye week at 6-3 with at least a share of the NFC North division lead.
The rest of the season will continue to be interesting with a few questions to answer. Will Brandon Jackson continue to be enough for the Packers running/short pass game? Can Aaron Rodgers find the rhythm with Greg Jennings and Donald Driver that he had last year? Will the defense continue to play like they did against the Jets or will they show up as they did against the Lions again this year? After the 3-3 start I was pessimistic about the season and almost ready to pack it in, but 2 big wins and a favorable schedule the rest of the way, I like the potential that the season shows if the Packers can keep the momentum going after the bye.
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