porky88
  • porky88
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
9 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
9 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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dfosterf (9h) : For the record, I enjoy Beast and Mucky drafts
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Mucky Tundra (17h) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
beast (18h) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
dfosterf (21h) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
Zero2Cool (23h) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
Zero2Cool (23h) : Cuz during the draft "I had them mocked there!" as if it's amazing.
Zero2Cool (23h) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
dfosterf (23h) : Against tbd
dfosterf (23h) : Answer to your question is yes, it's a Thursday, will be the Chiefs aga
dfosterf (23h) : Luckily for all concerned, I don't post them. I did one, but that was like 25 mocks ago
Zero2Cool (23h) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
Zero2Cool (23h) : Ugh... kids these days!
dfosterf (23h) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
dfosterf (27-Mar) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
dfosterf (27-Mar) : That sounds like a Mayor, not a city.
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Kickoff rules officially changed.ngthy explan
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : lol
Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Good for you!
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Yes. That's the one.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Is that "Lady Dugan" per chance?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Crystal?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Please refresh my memory
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Alan posts. Crystal back in my life. It's 2009 all over again! Lol
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : BAH GAWD! THAT'S CHEESEYS MUSIC!
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Hopefully the refs don't get in the habit of throwing flags on this
beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still subject to the fines etc
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Yes, I should have been more specific. Also, they are now saying it would be a 15 yard penalty. That makes more sense .
beast (25-Mar) : Simply fined in the week to follow
beast (25-Mar) : I agree with one NFL official, it'll probably be like some of the helmets hits, not really called by the refs on the field but simply fined
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Hip drop is not. Super confusing. Referees job is harder
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Swivel hip drop is banned
dfosterf (25-Mar) : The hip drop enforcement will be in the form of fines, etc. Not flags
dfosterf (25-Mar) : A major foul will be enforced on the offense if there are offsetting penalties in a change of possession situation
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Teams will receive a 3rd challenge if 1 was successful. Previously, it took 2
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