First of all I believe in calling a spade a spade and there are things stated in this thread I just don't agree with.
The defense gives up big plays? What? First of all every team gives up big plays and I would say we probably give up less than about anybody which is reflected in the PA catagory....best in the NFL.
Secondly, I think all the guys on that side of the ball HAVE stepped up includind Zombo, Shields, Bishop, Peprah, and, several interior Dlinemen when called on.
if anything, everybody's hats should be off to these guys for hanging in there and playing beyond what anybody could have hoped for had we not had the first player go out. Look, this thread wouldn't even be here today had we beat Detroit and the D gave up 7 points.
What do you want from a defense? Geez. These guys are beyond good.
The offense is a little different story. I think losing Finley and Grant have taken it's toll in part because the Oline is not the strong point of that unit. I said last week I was worried about Clifton this late in the year with those bad knees and what does Detroit do? Line the DE five yards out and run straight at Clifton who just couldn't hold up. It was a little surprising they did the same thing to Bulaga but they did. We all knew Suh was going to be a matchup nightmare in the middle. He is every week.
When you have a stout offensive line you can plug about anybody in at RB and if you have a good QB given time it's not so painful to lose a really good receiver like Finley. Unfortunately, we miss these guys and what they bring because the Oline will, on occasion, puke like yesterday.
The Oline played their worst game all year. It now boils down to a pride thing. If they have any fire in their bellies at all they will play better from here on out. This will allow the run game to at least compete and Rodgers to destroy.
We've lost five games by a total of 16 points. There's no referee standing over them counting to ten yet and I'm not giving up on them until the fat lady sings.
"The train is leaving the station."