porky88
  • porky88
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
10 years ago
When the Green Bay Packers broke training camp in August of 2014, they envisioned a team with a balanced offense that kept opponents on their heels complimented by an athletic defense that flowed to the football.

It took five games, but the vision is turning into a reality.

On a rainy night in front of a sold out crowd at Lambeau Field, the Packers crushed the rival Vikings 42-10.

The offense had an efficient night, gaining 320 yards and scoring 42 points despite quarterback Aaron Rodgers completing just 12 passes.

Rodgers made his passes count, no doubt. With about five minutes remaining in the first quarter, he completed a 66-yard touchdown strike to receiver Jordy Nelson. Nevertheless, for the first time all season, the offense wasn’t reliant on the pass to move the ball.

Running back Eddie Lacy finally had the breakout performance the Packers had been waiting for. Lacy ran roughshod over Minnesota’s defense, ending the game with 132 total yards (102 rushing) and two touchdowns.

The defense also continues its progress.

In case you needed another reminder, Green Bay entered this game allowing 176 rushing yards per game. That was last in the NFL. The Packers played as if they took this stat personally, as they swarmed Minnesota’s running backs every time they touched the ball. The Vikings finished with 111 rushing yards, a vast majority of it coming in garbage time.

Five games into the season and defensive lineman Mike Daniels has been Green Bay’s top defender. Last night, I counted sevens plays in which Daniels disrupted with penetration against the run or pressure on the quarterback. Minnesota frequently used an extra blocker on him, leaving Letroy Guion, Nick Perry, and Datone Jones -- prior to his ankle injury -- in one-on-one situations. Daniels’ energy set the tone for the rest of the defensive line, which played its best game in well over a year.

Three weeks ago, the underwhelming Packers stared at the schedule knowing they had a three-game stretch against each of their divisional rivals. Over that stretch, they needed to correct flaws in the pass protection, running game, and defense. Winning each game over that stretch was obviously the most ideal scenario, but also unlikely because of their level of play. Winning two of three seem more plausible.

Three weeks later, not only have the Packers finish 2-1 in this stretch, but they've also made significant progress on each of their flaws.

With six days until their next game, Green Bay’s trajectory is pointing up.

Turning Point

After forcing the Packers to punt the ball on three consecutive possessions, Minnesota was a touchdown drive away from cutting Green Bay’s lead to seven. The Packers defense never let up, though, and linebacker Julius Peppers made the play of day, intercepting Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder and returning the ball 49 yards for a score. Defensive lineman Luther Robinson deserves an assist on the play for disrupting Ponder’s throw.

Unsung Hero

It’s such a trivial detail, but good field position can be a huge asset. Alternatively, bad field position can hinder your offense. The latter occurred Thursday night to Minnesota, in large part because of punter Tim Masthay. At least three of Masthay’s first-half punts directly contributed to Minnesota starting inside their own 20. The coverage unit also did an admirable job covering kicks and punts.

Stud of the Game

The spotlight went to Lacy, but Thursday night belonged to the defense. Safety Morgan Burnett played stellar, finishing with a team-leading 12 tackles. The biggest came on Minnesota’s second drive. On third-and-3, Ponder hit wide receiver Jarius Wright on a crossing pattern, but Burnett stopped him a yard short of the first down. He also caused a second-quarter fumble, ending any chance the Vikings had at finishing the half with points.

Looking Ahead

Next on the schedule is the Miami Dolphins, who are coming off their bye week. The Dolphins don’t have a great outside threat, unless you consider receiver Mike Wallace great. Additionally, quarterback Ryan Tannehill is somewhat erratic. The way they keep the game close is winning the battle upfront. They need to pressure Rodgers on offense, while giving Tannehill time to throw. They spent many resources on revamping their offensive line this off-season. In fact, they replaced four of their five starters from last year’s line. A fifth, center Mike Pouncey, hasn't played this season with a hip injury. The Dolphins expect him back against Green Bay, though.

The unit played well in wins against Oakland and New England, but putrid in losses to Buffalo and Kansas City. Defensive line play was the difference. The Raiders and Patriots don’t offer much upfront, while the Bills and Chiefs feature underrated front sevens.

Green Bay’s front seven fits the latter, making this a favorable matchup for the Pack.

Please visit Row12.com  for weekly articles done by myself on college and fantasy football. We also have a great staff of writers that covers every major sport.
buckeyepackfan
10 years ago
Another fine report Porky.

Glad you pointed out Masthay's contribution.

I think I read he set a record with the # of punts downed inside the 20 for a game.(5?)

Even the best teams will struggle if they have to go 85 - 90 yds every drive.

We all know The Vikings aren't on that list, [grin1]


Keep up the excellent work!!!!
I was addicted to The Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around!
Zero2Cool
10 years ago
Eddie Lacy wasn't a stud this game, he just finally did his job! The boy needs to run more north/south than east/west. I can see the Packers going 1 - 2 through the next three games. That's a bad trajectory lol

Good read. ESPN should hire you. You're more interesting to read than most of the jokers they have on staff. PackersHome is lucky to have you doing this every week and I hope all appreciate it. I sure do!
UserPostedImage
Gilligan
10 years ago

...Good read. ESPN should hire you. You're more interesting to read than most of the jokers they have on staff. PackersHome is lucky to have you doing this every week and I hope all appreciate it. I sure do!

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 



Agreed.

I really enjoy your take, porky.
Keep it up.

Zero2Cool needs to put you on the payroll. 👍


I am chosen by many but taken by no one.
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Martha Careful (14h) : I think Ruven is a bot, but regardless should be stricken from the site.
Zero2Cool (14-Aug) : Packers RB Josh Jacobs ranked No. 33 in NFL 'Top 100'
dfosterf (13-Aug) : The LVN Musgrave collision- Andy Herman said Musgrave seemed to be the one most impacted injury-wise
dfosterf (13-Aug) : a lower back injury
dfosterf (13-Aug) : Doubs says he's "fine" after injury scare. Some reported it as z
Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : With LVN that is; need to see what happens in the next practice
Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : beast, reading about what happened, it sounded like one of those "two guys collide and are moving slow afterwards" type of deals
beast (12-Aug) : I believe Musgrave has been injured every single season since at least a Sophomore in highschool
packerfanoutwest (12-Aug) : Matt LaFleur: “Highly unlikely” Jordan Love plays more this preseason
dfosterf (12-Aug) : Doubs, Savion Williams, LVN, Musgrave all banged up to one degree or another, missing one here I forget
Zero2Cool (12-Aug) : RB Tyrion Davis-Price is signing with the Green Bay Packers.
Zero2Cool (12-Aug) : zero help, dominated. preseason
beast (12-Aug) : QB Jordan Love has surgery
beast (12-Aug) : Martha said Morgan had a lot of help, I didn't watch the OL so I can't say.
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers LT Jordan Morgan did not allow a single pressure across 23 pass-blocking snaps vs. Jets last night, per PFF
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : With buckeye and the reasonable couple, we're currently sitting at 10
buckeyepackfan (10-Aug) : Just posted to re-up on our FFL.
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : If healthy after, then thats all I care. Well, no drops would be nice
wpr (10-Aug) : I made it through the 1st Q.
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Just gotta figure out how.
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Could have been a worse start, so there is that.
beast (10-Aug) : Yeah, someone tell the Packers football season has started, seems like they weren't ready for it
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : Sooooooo many penalties
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : It may only be preseason, but this game is a trip to the dentist
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers do bad -- FREAK OUT!!!!!!
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers do good -- eh only preseason
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Well that half was fun
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Great, zayne is down
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : 13 minutes away from kickkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoffff
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Had Celebration of Life for my uncle up north. wicked rain hope it dont come south
Mucky Tundra (9-Aug) : THE GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE PLAYING FOOTBALL TONIGHT!!!!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Woo-hoo
TheKanataThrilla (9-Aug) : NFL Network is broadcasting the game tonight, but not in Canada. Not sure why as no local television is showing the game.
beast (8-Aug) : But the Return from IR designations had to be applied by the 53 man cutdown.
beast (8-Aug) : It's a new rule, so it's not clear, but my understanding was that they could be IR'd at any time
Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : *had to be IRed at 53
Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : beast, I thought the designate return from IR players had to be IR at cutdowns to 53, not before
beast (8-Aug) : It's a brand new rule, either last season or this season, prior, all pre-season IRs were done for the season
beast (8-Aug) : But the Packers would have to use one for their return from IR spots on him, when they cut down to 53.
beast (8-Aug) : I think the NFL recently changed the IR rules, so maybe the season might not be over for OL Glover.
Zero2Cool (8-Aug) : Packers star Howton, first NFLPA prez, dies at 95 😔
dfosterf (8-Aug) : Apparently it is too complicated for several to follow your simple instructions, but I digress
dfosterf (8-Aug) : Zero- Did you see what I posted about Voice of Reason and his wife? She posted over at fleaflicker that they are both "In"
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : Well, not crazy, it makes sense. Crazy I didn't notice/find it earlier
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : it's crazy how one stored procedure to get data bogged everything down for speed here
dfosterf (7-Aug) : to herd cats or goldfish without a bowl. They reminded me of the annual assembly of our fantasy league
dfosterf (7-Aug) : out on a field trip, outfitting them with little yellow smocks. Most of the little folk were well behaved, but several were like trying
dfosterf (7-Aug) : Yesterday my wife and I spent the afternoon on the waterfront here in Alexandria, Va. A daycare company took about 15 three/four year olds
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