I'm much more concerned about all the previous failures than I am the last drive. The Packers had no choice but to try quick pass after quick pass during that last drive because they have no confidence in their pass protection. It then becomes pretty easy for those giant defensive linemen to knock down passes.
But still, I never thought the Packers would score on that last drive. Not for a second. The moral of the story for the Packers is: They can't allow themselves to be in that position at the end of games. They had PLENTY of opportunities to make sure it didn't happen throughout the course of the game, but they didn't do it.
Well deserved loss.
Originally Posted by: DoddPower
The Bengals did a great job of catching on at the end. Instead of just trying to sack Rodgers, they realized the ball was coming out quickly and got their hands up to knock the ball down at the line of scrimmage.
I think you have to mix things up once you get inside Cincinnati territory, though. I saw no screens at all today, which is something Johnathan Franklin did well at UCLA.
I understand McCarthy wasn’t willing to risk anything, but sometimes you have to take a chance. If you or I can notice that a quick pass is coming from our living rooms, then Mike Zimmer can from the coaching booth. You have to adapt.
Overall, I’m not surprised at the outcome. I was down on the Pack heading into the season and they got my hopes up with their play in the first two weeks. I just find this outcome hard to stomach because it reinforces McCarthy’s and Rodgers struggles during critical points in the game. Plus, this was such an ugly game. It was wild, but neither team can feel good about how they played. There was some bad football out there.