It's one game. This is a team that was in the NFC championship last year. It's a good team. Hopefully we see them down the road in the playoffs.

Aaron Rodgers wrote:

Be careful what you ask for.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

I will agree.. they were attacking the middle of the line.. but the line wasn't dropping protection.. they were getting push against us, but rarely broke through in the middle. Normally, Rodgers handles that pressure in his face.. today not so well.. but that was also assisted by the Niners pressing the Packers.

To beat that.. you either run it effectively at them or you screen them until you get them to at least pause before pushing.. Cobb out of the backfield was as close as that got today.

Don't care if the Niners got stats or not.. the line play was not the issue today in the passing game. They picked up almost all the blitzes properly and handled pressure snap in and out. We have to become more balanced so that when we play these better team with good defensive fronts.. we can get them to respect the run/screen. We are not that now nor were we that last season.. that falls on Mike McCarthy through to the line coaches.

This team just cannot get a consistent push in the running game. That allows the defense to dictate to the offense in terms of protection and pressure. We have not resolved that yet.. that falls on MM. We have the size on the offensive line to do it.. we have guys that regress as they play for us in terms of run blocking.. that falls on our offensive line coaches.

So now we have an offense that can't sustain drives, so that puts more pressure on a defense that has to improve and become more physical themselves.. the defense kept us in the game today. They had one series where there gave up a number of big plays.. the remainder of the drives they played alright considering that they were on the field for the bulk of the day.

Offensive balance comes into play way past the offensive stat sheet... we need to improve there. So one game, looks like a repeat of 2011, just the elite defenses of the league can slow it down.

The Packers just looked at the team to beat in 2012 IMO, the most complete team there is. And they struggled but still had a chance.

That is why I think in the long run this game helps the 2012 Packers.. they have been shown again that they just aren't physical enough to hang with the big burly dogs right now.

All is not lost.. we can improve from here.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

I'm not making the line out as the scapegoat. However, I firmly believe they didn‘t respond well to being punched in the mouth. Rodgers didn’t have many throwing lanes, and when he did, the wide receivers weren’t open. This was a collective butt-whipping courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers.

Also, Rodgers won‘t duplicate last year‘s level of play. Perhaps the last 25 games have spoiled us, but it's not realistic to expect him to sustain it. That's why I have higher expectations for protection. The pocket must be cleaner if teams are going to defend the Packers as the 49ers did. Yes, you can point to screens and a rushing attack, but that's not this team's identity. It won't be so long Mike McCarthy is head coach. They believe in a spread attack. You can attack San Francisco in that way, but you'll need to connect on your big plays, and keep your quarterback comfortable. The Packers did neither. Some of that is on Rodgers, though.

It’s just one game. People are overreacting to it. This might put the Packers back into hunter territory instead of everyone hunting them. No question San Francisco played up the underdog role heading into this game. This team is going to improve based on a collective of players within the system. Randall Cobb is one of these players and it looks as if he’ll play a vital role in the offense. We also have to examine Nick Perry, Jerel Worthy, D.J. Smith, Jarrett Bush, and Jeron McMillan as contributors. Not one of those players will emerge as a Pro Bowl caliber player. However, together they could take baby steps forward in progression, which in turn develops the defense.

Finally, Rodgers is a notorious slow starter. Last year was the exception. He was not great early in ‘09 or ‘10. I think that’s worth pointing out, especially with a mini bye-week around the corner.

Originally Posted by: porky88 

EDIT: Be honest. Did anyone here ACTUALLY think Rodgers was going to produce a game tying 8 point drive near the end of the game? I know I didn't.

Originally Posted by: doddpower 

People are gonna hate me for saying this, but I'm on the boat that believes Rodgers is not clutch.

Yet.

Originally Posted by: blueleopard 

I'm not going to hate you for saying it, but I didn't think Rodgers was going to tie the game for even a second. Perhaps I'm too much of a pessimist, though.

Originally Posted by: doddpower