porky88
  • porky88
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
10 years ago
The bar is set. If the 2014 Green Bay Packers are going to contend for a Super Bowl, they know what level of football they’ll have to play. They saw it firsthand Thursday night in the form of the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle was bigger, stronger, and faster than the Packers were. The Seahawks controlled the tempo of the game by displaying impeccable balance on the offensive side of the ball. Their defense, meanwhile, started where they left off, disrupting yet another elite quarterback.

The Packers clearly came into the game wanting to run the ball and to utilize the short-passing game. Neither worked, as Seattle’s front seven controlled the line of scrimmage, and their edge rushers overwhelmed Green Bay’s tackles. Green Bay’s 20-point margin of defeat (36-16) was their third highest with Aaron Rodgers starting at quarterback. Only a 2008 defeat at New Orleans and a 2012 defeat at the N.Y. Giants were larger.

The NFL is a marathon, not a sprint. The Packers will get better. They must. However, Seattle may improve as well. And that’s a scary thought for the NFC.

Here’s a breakdown of what I saw Thursday night:

Turning Point

Down 20-10 in the third quarter and starting from inside their own 10, Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett embarrassed Green Bay right tackle Derek Sherrod, using his hands to win the battle. The Seattle pass rusher proceeded to strip Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the ball, which resulted in a safety. Additionally, the refs flagged left tackle David Bakhtiari for unsportsmanlike conduct, forcing Green Bay to kick the ball to Seattle from their 10-yard line. This setup Seattle with excellent field position, which they took advantage of by cashing in with a touchdown a little over four minutes later. In other words, in about a five-minute span, Green Bay went from being down by 10 to being down by 19.

Unsung Hero

Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman didn’t have one of his best statistical outings. In fact, he posted a zero in all columns. However, that’s because Green Bay didn’t bother to throw his way. It is possible Green Bay thought Sherman would shadow receiver Jordy Nelson all night long, but Sherman plays exclusively on the left side of Seattle’s defense. It’s hard to execute an elite passing attack when you only use two-thirds of the field.

Dud of the Game

When the Packers win, I’ll name the stud of the game. When they lose, I’ll name a dud of the game. This week’s dud was clearly linebacker Brad Jones. Not only did he drop what should’ve been an interception, but he was flagged for two holding calls, one of which came after Green Bay stopped the Seahawks on a crucial fourth-quarter third down. Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch put on a show, rushing for 119 yards and two touchdowns. What made Lynch’s performance so impressive was that Green Bay defenders were in position to stop him most of the time. Simply put, despite filling the right gaps, the Packers couldn't bring him to the ground. Jones was guilty of this all game long. If he doesn’t progress soon, he’ll be a real liability on the defensive side of the ball.

Looking Ahead

Sometimes you need to take a step backward before moving two steps forward. The defense took a step backward Thursday night, but they did flash potential. Rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix missed a few tackles, but he also made several nice plays, including taking an excellent angle in bringing down Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson on a first quarter scramble. I suspect that as the year moves forward, we’ll see more Clinton-Dix on the field with Micah Hyde and less Morgan Burnett.

We did see glimpses of a versatile front seven. The combination of Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews did so some positive things, though Seattle’s short-passing game neutralize much of their rush. Still, it was encouraging to see Peppers moving well at outside linebacker. He didn’t look uncomfortable (ala Aaron Kampman). In fact, he looked natural. On one play, Matthews lined up on the same side as Peppers, and exploded into the backfield to make the stop. Another play had Green Bay running a middle stunt with Matthews. Peppers’ presence gives defensive coordinator Dom Capers the freedom to use Matthews creatively.

Offensively, Green Bay dodged a bullet on the injury front. Bryan Bulaga suffered a sprained MCL and will probably miss 2-4 weeks. The Packers should be able to manage without him in the short-term so long as they give Sherrod help. Perhaps the biggest red flag on offense was the lack of production from a No. 3 wide receiver. Rodgers leaned on Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and the running backs Thursday night. Jarrett Boykin was nowhere in sight. In his defense, Green Bay chose to line him up outside against Sherman a lot, so that Nelson and Cobb had favorable matchups.

The Packers play the Jets next week in their home opener. The Jets have a suspect secondary, so I suspect Green Bay will move the ball well on them. Their offensive line also isn’t very good, so we may see the impact from Matthews and Peppers show up in the stat column. A blowout defeat stings, but losing to the Seahawks in Seattle wasn’t surprising.

Losing to the Jets at home would be.

Hey guys, please visit Row12.com  for weekly articles done by myself on college and fantasy football. We also have a great staff of writers that cover just about every major sport
DoddPower
10 years ago

Unsung Hero

Seattle quarterback Richard Sherman didn’t have one of his best statistical outings. In fact, he posted a zero in all columns. However, that’s because Green Bay didn’t bother to throw his way. It is possible Green Bay thought Sherman would shadow receiver Jordy Nelson all night long, but Sherman plays exclusively on the left side of Seattle’s defense. It’s hard to execute an elite passing attack when you only use two-thirds of the field.

Originally Posted by: porky88 



Great article as usual, Porky. I just noticed one minor typo above. Easy fix. Thanks for posting! =d> =d>

wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member
10 years ago
Good summary. Keen insight.
UserPostedImage
porky88
  • porky88
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
10 years ago

Great article as usual, Porky. I just noticed one minor typo above. Easy fix. Thanks for posting! =d> =d>

Originally Posted by: DoddPower 


Thanks for spotting that.


Gilligan
10 years ago
Your insight is most impressive porky88.
I look forward to your future comments and objective analysis.

Well done!
I am chosen by many but taken by no one.
yooperfan
10 years ago
Well played Porky.
Thank you.
Fan Shout
beast (12h) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls
beast (12h) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (12h) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (12h) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (12h) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something
Zero2Cool (12h) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (13h) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (13h) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?
Zero2Cool (14h) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (14h) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (14h) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (14h) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (14h) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (14h) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (15h) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (15h) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : ✅ ...
buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??
TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
bboystyle (26-Apr) : waiting for a pass rusher.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 3rd. Hate this phone
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 4rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes in the 4
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : No thanks. Not a dependable guy to be in the right place and run the right route. Dumb as a box of rocks.
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : Losing 2nd round pick for a one year rental, not ideal. Especially a headcase.
TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Pickens for Jaire may be interesting. Definitely not sure we want Pickens long term.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : No.Absolutely not
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : NO NO NO NO NO NO!!1 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
dhazer (25-Apr) : scenario: Our main prospects are off the board when our pick comes around, do we just throw a 2nd round pick at Pittsburgh for Pickens
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