porky88
  • porky88
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
10 years ago
In front of a record crowd at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots 26-21 in one of the most thrilling regular-season games you could ask for. The win cements the Pack as Super Bowl contenders, and reinforces their dominance at home.

The Packers scored in each of their first five drives, producing first-half yardage numbers (347) that compared favorably with their first-half performances against Chicago (401) and Philadelphia (323). Unlike Chicago and Philadelphia, New England hunkered down in the red zone, and held the Pack to four field goals. Both of Green Bay‘s touchdowns occurred outside the 20s.

You can bet their bend but don’t break style was part of their game plan. They decided to play coverage, and rush quarterback Aaron Rodgers with three and four men. This approach only works if the defense is able to generate pressure with its down lineman. The Patriots couldn’t, and Rodgers picked them apart.

New England’s offense also didn’t overwhelm Dom Capers’ defense, as many expected. Their 21 points was their lowest since week four, when they put up 14 against the Chiefs. The running game lacked consistency, and their receiving corps failed to generate the explosive plays that Green Bay’s did.

In the end, the game goes down in history as a five-point win for the Packers. Dive a bit deeper, though, and you’ll see just how fortunate the Patriots were to make the game that close.

Turning Point

Prior to this game, opponents hadn’t sacked quarterback Tom Brady in three weeks. It took nearly 57 minutes into Sunday’s game, but linebacker Mike Neal and defensive lineman Mike Daniels combined to get him. On a pivotal third-and-9, Neal beat New England left tackle Nate Solder around the edge and pounced on Brady. Just when it looked as if the two-time MVP may escape, Daniels was there to help finish the sack. The play resulted in a nine-yard loss, forcing New England to attempt a 47-yard field goal with less than three minutes remaining. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed. The Patriots never held the ball again.

Stud of the Game

Did you see New England coach Bill Belichick seek out Rodgers after the game? He clearly wanted to show his respect to the man who torched his defense for 368 yards and two touchdowns. The fact Belichick would go out of his way to speak to Rodgers following the game speaks volumes about his performance.

Play of the Game

Good teams score in the closing moments of the half, and that’s exactly what New England did when they scored a touchdown with 1:14 remaining in the first half. Better teams respond. Receiver Jordy Nelson’s 45-yard catch-and-run sucked all the momentum New England had just gained out of them. Cornerback Darrelle Revis made just one mistake on the night, and it came on this play, when he allowed Nelson to get the inside advantage on him. New England also brought pressure on the play, so the middle of the field was open. Rodgers and Nelson made them pay.

Looking Ahead

The Packers are looking to push for home-field advantage, while holding off Detroit in the NFC North.

Arizona currently sits atop the NFC with a 9-3 record, but they’re falling fast, and unlikely to win their division. Meanwhile, Seattle is beginning to hit their stride. They’re healthy, and they’ve returned to their identity on offense. Instead of worrying about getting Percy Harvin touches, they can grind out wins with running back Marshawn Lynch, and have quarterback Russell Wilson contribute with his legs and efficiency.

If the Seahawks don’t lose again this season, then Green Bay must win out to avoid losing the top seed to the defending Super Bowl champions. Therefore, along with the Lions, keep your eyes on Seattle going forward. They need to slip up at least once to give the Packers some breathing room.

Please visit Row12.com  for weekly articles done by myself on college and fantasy football.
Dulak
10 years ago
That was a Great game ...

the pats had nelson and cobb blanketed pretty much the whole 1st 1/2 - their corners are quite good - tall and physical.

Got to admit we played quite well - in all aspects of the game. Surprised MM had some 'trickier' plays with TEs and Cobb etc lining up in the backfield - hey whatever works.

Im actually liking how they are using matthews - thought it might be a waste of talent but he's doing real well mixing it up.

barrington had a good game too

sorry to see lattimore go down - liked his play at ILB also (previously)


-edit- was going to add ... was a bit nervous after watching some pats games this year to see us up against Edelman Amendola and LaFell - nice group of receivers there
Zero2Cool
10 years ago
Matt never disappoints, always gives us a good read. Thank you!
UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
dfosterf (6h) : There will be a mini camp practice Thursday.
Zero2Cool (11-Jun) : He's been sporting a ring for a while now. It's probably Madonna.
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : We only do the tea before whoopee, it relaxes me.
wpr (10-Jun) : That's awesome Martha.
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : How's the ayahuasca tea he makes, Martha?
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : Turns out he like older women
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : I wasn't supposed to say anything, but yes the word is out and we are happy 😂😂😂
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : I might be late on this but Aaron Rodgers is now married
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : Well he can always ask his brother for pointers
Zero2Cool (10-Jun) : Bo Melton taking some reps at CB as well as WR
Zero2Cool (10-Jun) : key transactions coming today at 3pm that will consume more cap in 2025
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : Jaire played in just 34 of a possible 68 games since the start of the 2021 season
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : reported, but not expected to practice
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : Jenkins has REPORTED for mandatory camp
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : I really thought he'd play for Packers.
buckeyepackfan (9-Jun) : Packers releasing Jaire Alexander.
Mucky Tundra (8-Jun) : (Context: he wants his defense to create turnovers)
Mucky Tundra (8-Jun) : Giants DC Shane Bowen tells players to “be a damn pirate."
dfosterf (6-Jun) : Semper fi !
Cheesey (6-Jun) : This is why I have so much respect for those that have gone through battles
Cheesey (6-Jun) : I can't even imagine what that would have been like
wpr (6-Jun) : "Come on, you sons of bitches. Do you want to live forever?"
wpr (6-Jun) : Facing a line of machine guns 2 time medal of Honor recipient, First Sergeant Dan Daly told his men,
wpr (6-Jun) : Another detachment went into the Belleau Wood.
wpr (6-Jun) : On the 6th the Marines took Hill 142 but suffered terrible losses.
wpr (6-Jun) : It’s time to remember dfoster’s Marine brothers in Belleau Wood. The battle went on from June 1-26. Nearly 10,000 casualties.
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : Nick Collins and Morgan Burnett have signed with the PACK
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : he won't be wearing #12, maybe he will wear number two
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : He will fail this season, should have retired
Mucky Tundra (5-Jun) : Thus the cycle of Hall of Fame Packer QBs going to the Jets and then the Vikings is broken
bboystyle (5-Jun) : Rodgers to steelers on 1 year contract
Zero2Cool (5-Jun) : It's the cycle of civilizations. Get lazier, lazier, softer, softer and vanish.
Martha Careful (5-Jun) : great point. every aspect of society, including art, culture and sports has degraded.
dfosterf (4-Jun) : Green Bay sweep meant something to society about stopping pure excellence. We have the tush push now
dfosterf (4-Jun) : We old Martha.
Martha Careful (4-Jun) : *front four
Martha Careful (4-Jun) : Re frout four, I wish we had some Green "People Eaters" or a fearsome foursome
dfosterf (4-Jun) : *directions*
dfosterf (4-Jun) : Just don't ask him for driving direct
dfosterf (4-Jun) : Jim Marshall was an all-time great DE for the Purple People Eaters. Didn't like him. That's a compliment. RIP
Zero2Cool (3-Jun) : ooppppss
Zero2Cool (3-Jun) : “Kenny Clark played all of last season hurt by the way and got surgery to fix it in January”
Mucky Tundra (3-Jun) : @ByRyanWood How much did the injury affect him last fall? “A lot.”
Mucky Tundra (3-Jun) : @ByRyanWood Kenny Clark said he had foot surgery in January. Injured his foot in opener against Eagles and played through it all year.
Zero2Cool (3-Jun) : Golden is wearing guardian cap again. I bet he plays with it on too.
Mucky Tundra (3-Jun) : All the stuff I'm reading from Lions fans are pointing at his toe; he more or less has permanent turf toe in one of his big toes
dfosterf (3-Jun) : Kenny played through it, and a shame he gets little credit for that, imo
dfosterf (3-Jun) : Big men. I hope it's not the undoing of Kenny Clark
dfosterf (3-Jun) : Probably his toe. Pretty much a great center. Toe injuries are brutal to bigen
Mucky Tundra (2-Jun) : Lions All-Pro C Frank Ragnow retires
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
9h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

10h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

10-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

10-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

7-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

6-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

5-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

5-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

1-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

29-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

27-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

27-May / Random Babble / Martha Careful

24-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

23-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / greengold

23-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / earthquake

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.