porky88
  • porky88
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
9 years ago
Monday night’s victory over Atlanta wasn’t the thoroughly dominate performance we’re accustom to seeing from the Packers at home, but it counts as a win nonetheless.

Green Bay improved their record to 10-3 this season, fending off a late charge from the Falcons. The Packers led 31-7 at the break, but Atlanta flexed their offensive firepower in front of a national audience, scoring 30 second-half points. The final score was 43-37.

It’s hard to believe Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan picked apart the same defense that allowed just 21 points to New England quarterback Tom Brady just a week ago.

Behind a makeshift offensive line, Ryan carved up Green Bay’s secondary for 375 yards. He had total command over the offense, calling his own shots at the line of scrimmage. The Packers played a lot of zone, and their performance was reminiscent to their late-season struggles in 2009, when they allowed major passing numbers to Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and Arizona’s Kurt Warner.

The secondary had no answer to receiver Julio Jones, who caught 11 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown. His 259 yards is the most single-game receiving yardage allowed by the Packers in team history. Atlanta used motion and bunch sets to get the matchups they wanted. The Packers made very few adjustments, opting to live and die with their zone coverage.

In the end, though, Green Bay prevailed behind the arm of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Falcons opted to play coverage rather than bring pressure, a tactic not very different from what New England used last week. Unlike against the Patriots, the Packers converted in the red zone.

The defense should be on alert following their lackluster play. However, despite what the final score says, the Packers were never in real danger of losing the game.

Turning Point

Atlanta’s biggest misstep came in the second quarter when they were trailing 17-7. On the second play of the drive, safety Morgan Burnett intercepted Ryan‘s nonchalant pass toward the sideline. Burnett returned the ball 32 yards to the 15-yard line, setting up a touchdown for the Packers who extended their lead to 17 points.

Stud of the Game

Rodgers went 24-of-36 for 327 yards and three touchdowns, yet the star of Monday’s game was on the other sideline. Julio Jones routinely won his one-on-on matchups, catching everything thrown his way. While he was unable to finish the game, he was the primary reason the Falcons were able to make it interesting in the fourth quarter. The debate over the best receiver in the league normally centers on Dez Bryant, A.J. Green, and Calvin Johnson. Last night, Jones proved he belonged in that class.

Play of the Game

The offense had a rather methodical night through the first three quarters. Instead of relying on explosive plays, they were content with spurts of 10 to 15-yard gains. That all changed on one play, though. Nursing a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, Rodgers found receiver Jordy Nelson for a 60-yard touchdown off play action. Nelson beat his man with a double move, and the safety help was late coming over the top. It was the seventh time this season that Nelson had a touchdown of 60 or more yards. All of them have come in Lambeau.

Looking Ahead

The numbers may suggest otherwise, but this is the best Green Bay’s offense has played in the Mike McCarthy Era.

In previous years, the offense was dependent on passing. No longer is that the case, as the running game is performing admirably, and the offensive line continues to exceed expectations. The latter is a huge development.

The Packers are finally playing well in the trenches. In fact, this is the best the unit has played during Ted Thompson’s tenure as general manager. They’re moving defenders off the ball in the running game, and keeping Rodgers upright in the pocket. They also don’t commit many penalties.

That could all change on Sunday. The Bills have arguably the nastiest front in the AFC. Two of their defenders, Marcell Dareus and Mario Williams, have double-digit sacks. They’re also respectable against the run, allowing just 3.9 yards per carry.

The Packers have a good offensive line. The film confirms this.

They’ll need to be great if they’re to come out of Buffalo with a victory.

Please visit Row12.com  for more coverage on a wide range of sports.
Zero2Cool
9 years ago
I miss reading these every week.
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Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : Even with the context it's ... what?
Mucky Tundra (20-Nov) : Matt LaFleur without context: “I don’t wanna pat you on the butt and you poop in my hand.”
beast (20-Nov) : We brought in a former Packers OL coach to help evaluate OL as a scout
beast (20-Nov) : Jets have been pretty good at picking DL
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : He landed good players thanks to high draft slot. He isn't good.
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : He can shove his knowledge up his ass. He knows nothing.
beast (20-Nov) : More knowledge, just like bring in the Jets head coach
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : What? Why? Huh?
beast (19-Nov) : I wonder if the Packers might to try to bring Douglas in through Milt Hendrickson/Ravens connections
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : The Jets fired Joe Douglas, per sources
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : Jets are a mess......
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Pretty sure Jets fired their scouting staff and just pluck former Packers.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Jets sign Anders Carlson to their 53.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : When you cycle the weeks, the total over remains for season. But you get your W/L for that selected week. Confusing.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the total and percentage are the same as the previous weeks
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the total and percentage are the same as the previous weeks
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the totals are accurate..nrvrtmind
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : I don't follow what you are saying. The totals are not the same as last week.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : ok so then wht are the totals the same as last week?
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : NFL Pick'em is auto updated when NFL Scores tab is clicked
Martha Careful (19-Nov) : The offense was OK. Let's not forget the Bear defense is very very good.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : Who updates the leaderboard on NFLPickem?
beast (19-Nov) : Has the Packers offense been worse since the former Jets coach joined the Packers?
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Offense gets his ass in gear, this could be good.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Backup QB helped with three wins. Special Teams contributed to three wins.
bboystyle (18-Nov) : Lions played outside thats why. They scored 16 and 17 in the only 2 outside games this year
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : The rest of the NFL is catching up to Packers ... kicking is an issue throughout league
packerfanoutwest (18-Nov) : Packers DL Kenny Clark: We knew 'we were going to block' Bears' game-winning field goal attempt
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : Lions seem to be throttling everyone, but only (only) got 24 lol maybe the rain is why
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : Packers vs Lions game doesn't seem so bad.
beast (18-Nov) : Dennis Green "They are what we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!"
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : comment of the day Z2Cool "Bears better than we want to admit. Packers worse than we think. It's facts."
Mucky Tundra (17-Nov) : my worst case scenario: Bears fix their oline and get a coach like Johnson from the Lions and his scheme
Zero2Cool (17-Nov) : Bears get OL fixed amd we might have a problem
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : Pretty sure they already have scouting reports on guys who aren't even starting for their college team. The future is now for me.
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : I tend to let Gute and Co. Worry about the future.
beast (17-Nov) : That's great news and Packers need to keep upgrading their OL, DL and DBs this off-season, so missing one guy doesn't kill them
beast (17-Nov) : That's great news and Packers need to keep upgrading their OL, DL and DBs this off-season, so missing one guy doesn't kill them
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : Jaire and Evans Williams are both ACTIVE! Good news.
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : The badgers really need to change the whole offensive scheme. No draws no screens plus the quarterback is marginal
Cheesey (17-Nov) : If the Badgers had a decent QB, they would have won. The guy can't hit a wide open receiver
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : chop block
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : there was a very questionable job Block call that upon viewing replay was very borderline
beast (17-Nov) : How so? (I didn't watch)
Zero2Cool (17-Nov) : Badgers got hosed vs Oregon
packerfanoutwest (16-Nov) : damn,he hasn't played since week 2
Mucky Tundra (15-Nov) : poor guy can't catch a break
wpr (15-Nov) : wow. That three different things for the kid.
Zero2Cool (15-Nov) : MarShawn Lloyd has appendicitis according to Matt LaFleur.
Zero2Cool (14-Nov) : He probably plays DB.
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