porky88
  • porky88
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
10 years ago
An efficient offense and swarming defense led the Packers to their 11th victory of the season, putting them one game closer to winning the NFC North, and clinching a first-round bye.

A week after Buffalo manhandled them, the Packers offense rebounded. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 31-of-40 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown. Receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson each went over 100 yards receiving, and running back Eddie Lacy rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

Sunday afternoon belonged to the defense, though. The front seven wreaked havoc on Tampa quarterback Josh McCown, sacking him seven times. Linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers combined for 4.5 sacks, bringing their combined total to 17 this season. This is the most by a Green Bay pass-rushing duo since 2010, when Matthews combined for 20.5 sacks with defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins.

Road wins have been especially difficult for the 2014 Packers, as they finished the season 4-4 away from Lambeau. Baring a St. Louis victory in Seattle next week, it appears the Packers may have to win at least one more on the road if they’re to play in the Super Bowl.

Turning Point

The only life Tampa’s offense showed came in the final minutes of the first half. The Bucs drove into Green Bay territory, in large part because receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans made plays on the outside. However, thanks to a third-down sack by Peppers, the Bucs had to settle for three points. Kicker Patrick Murray made the kick, but they needed to inject fire into their offense going into the half. A touchdown does that. A field goal doesn’t.

Stud of the Game

Rodgers bounced-back with an efficient performance, but the defense deserves credit for turning in one of their best pass-rushing performances of the Dom Capers Era. Leading the way was Matthews, who finished with six tackles, and led all defenders with 2.5 sacks. He now has 10 sacks on the season, with 7.5 of them coming after the week nine bye.

Play of the Game

It’s time to take the leash of Lacy. His 44-yard touchdown run was a thing of beauty. He received good blocking from center Corey Linsley, ran through linebacker Danny Lansanah's attempted tackle, and outran Tampa defenders to the end zone. It’s time to feed him the ball, even against Detroit’s top-flight run defense.

Looking Ahead

Already, there seems to be a reluctance to give the Packers their due for a 17-point victory. The offense didn’t score enough. Therefore, the win isn’t impressive on paper.

Can you imagine the same kind of reaction if the final score ended up being 37-20 instead of 20-3?

Teams tend to rely more on their running game and defense in order to win in the postseason. This type of performance -- along with their three-point victory in Minnesota -- shows the Packers have that capability, albeit it’ll be a more difficult challenge against Dallas or Seattle.

The Detroit Lions (11-4) await the Packers next week in a winner take all matchup. The victor clinches the NFC North title, and earns the No. 2 seed in the NFC. The loser plays at Dallas the following weekend. The Lions do present a matchup problem for the offense, as they’re able to pressure with their front four. Nonetheless, losing at home isn’t an option for this year’s Packers. It is that kind of mindset that has helped contribute to their home success.

The schedule may say the start of the playoffs is on January 3.

However, inside 1265, the playoffs have already begun.

Visit Row12.com  for more sports articles.
Zero2Cool
10 years ago
I think the defense has been the shinning aspect of the big three units the last several games. The thing I notice is more people complaining the Packers offense isn't putting up 35+ but what the defense is doing goes unnoticed and thus unappreciated.
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Fan Shout
Martha Careful (2h) : RIP Packer Safety Tim Brown
beast (20h) : 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 (20h) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (21h) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (21h) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (21h) : 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 (21h) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (21h) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (22h) : 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 (22h) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (22h) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (22h) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (23h) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (23h) : 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 (23h) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (23h) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (27-Apr) : 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 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
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