Injured Packers survive Jaguars

Week 8
October 28, 2012 - 12:00 p.m. - CBS
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 24 - Jaguars 15

Photo credit: packers.com

A total grind-it-out victory on Sunday against the seemingly weak Jacksonville Jaguars has given the Packers a three-game winning streak and propelled us to a 5-3 record.  Coming into this game, I expected us to dominate the 1-5 Jaguars; take control and possibly give starters some rest in the 4th quarter.  That did not happen.  Aaron Rodgers quoted this game, "an ugly win."  He was right as threw for 186 yards on 22/35 passing.  Even worse, his counterpart, Blaine Gabbert, threw for 303 yards.  Not exactly what you want to see from your defense against a team that was 1-5.  But nonetheless, the Packers squeezed out the victory which is the most important task at hand in Week 8.

A little history in this game for Aaron Rodgers.  Rodgers threw two touchdowns in this matchup which gives him 153 career touchdown passes surpassing Bart Starr for second all-time in Green Bay Packers history.  Of course, number one is that guy who wore #4 with 442 touchdowns.

Chicago Bears  6-1
Green Bay Packers  5-3
Minnesota Vikings  5-3
Detroit Lions  3-4

#gopackgo

Rodgers continues to shine in STL

Week 7
October 21, 2012 - 12:00 p.m. - FOX
Edward Jones Dome
St. Louis, Missouri

Packers 30 - Rams 20

Photo credit: packers.com

Aaron Rodgers continued to show in the ShowME state there is nothing wrong with the Packers.  Rodgers absolutely dominated the top 10 ranked defense of the St. Louis Rams.  Rodgers finished the game 30/37 for 342 passing yards and three touchdowns.  In the last two games, Rodgers has nine touchdowns and zero interceptions.  I think it's safe to say Aaron was indeed angry and upset with the negative media attention towards the Packers.  "What's wrong with the Packers?" Apparently nothing.

The Rams had a great game plan in the first half.  They controlled the time of possession and kept the Packers offense on the sidelines.  The only problem for the Rams was they couldn't get into the endzone.  Our defense has that mentality of a "Bend not Break" defense and that was evident in the first half.

Randall Cobb has truly become an essential part of our offense.  Cobb caught eight balls for 89 yards and two touchdowns.  Whether it's lining up in the backfield with Rodgers or as a wideout, we need to keep feeding the ball to this young kid.  Jordy Nelson had another good day also catching eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown.  Offensive line was a little shaky at the beginning of the game, but they clicked it into gear and did a decent job.  Bryan Bulaga had a good game against Pro Bowler Chris Long.  As for the running game, there was no running game.  But that is who we have been the last three or four years.  Maybe give James Starks a chance? Worth a shot.

Defense was average today.  I'm still not a believer yet.  There were some good moments and some bad ones today in St. Louis.  With the Rams having two backup offensive linemen starting, I expected more pressure on Sam Bradford.  We had three sacks and six quarterback hits, but they had some trouble getting off the field again.

Special shout out to rookie Casey Hayward as he collected his 4th interception of the season through 7 seven games.  Today was the first time he has started this season and he already has four picks; three interceptions in the last two games.  Hayward is now tied for the league lead in interceptions.  Ballhawk.

Photo credit: packers.com

I also want to give props to coach Mike McCarthy and special teams coach Shawn Slocum on the successful surprise onside kick.  It's amazing how a couple years ago, our special teams was sickening. This year they have pulled some good tricks out of the bag.  Gutsy call but it worked.

Injury note: Mike Neal left the game with knee injury.  It was said he came back into the game later so I guess it is not serious.  However, Neal just can't get a break with injuries.

Feels good to get on a winning streak.  But this team still has a lot of things to work on.

Aaron Rodgers on Randall Cobb: "He's a star in the making.  See's the game through the eyes of the quarterback.  He asks the right questions."

Chicago Bears  5-1
Minnesota Vikings  5-2
Green Bay Packers  4-3
Detroit Lions  2-4

UPDATE: Sadly, it was announced on Monday that Charles Woodson suffered a broken collarbone during the Rams game.  This is the same injury he sustained in the Super Bowl.  It is currently projected he will miss 4-6 weeks or about one month's worth of the season.  I saw Woodson go down late in the game, but I assumed it was nothing when there wasn't any injury updates from the team after the game.  This is certainly a blow to the defense.  We are starting to get pounded by injuries.  I have to believe the defense will miss his presence on the field and as a leader of the team.  Hopefully he comes back sooner than later.  Next man up.

Packers Pound Texans and Silence Critics

Week 6
October 14, 2012 - 7:20 p.m. - NBC
Reliant Stadium
Houston, Texas

Packers 42 - Texans 24

The Packers trip to Houston to take on the 5-0 Texans was virtually a playoff game for the Green Bay Packers. Lose and they would fall to 2-4; two games behind the division leading Chicago Bears.  Lose and they would be written off by just about everyone as a playoff team in 2012.  Win and the season remains alive.  The Packers not only won the game, but they sent a message to the rest of the NFL and the NFC North.  The Packers dominated the undefeated Texans in front of their home crowd on a national stage.  Offense, defense, and special teams were impressive.  It was the first game in this 2012 season that the Packers played a "complete game."

Photo credit: Sportscenter 

As for the message to the rest of the NFL and the NFC North opponents?  The Packers are STILL are team to be reckoned with.  This was the statement game of the season so far and "should" hush the media and critics for the time being.  But as Mike McCarthy said in his press conference, they have to spring these wins together now and get a winning streak going.

Offense looked like the offense of 2011 as Aaron Rodgers tied a franchise record throwing six touchdowns in a single game with Matt Flynn (who is still holding the clipboard in Seattle).  Jordy Nelson broke out three touchdown receptions and James Jones added two touchdown catches as well.  James Jones has become the first Packers receiver since Don Hutson to have three-consecutive two touchdown games.  And Alex Green looked pretty decent as well.  Perhaps he can handle the load as the starting running back.

Of course the huge victory didn't come with some type of loss.  ILB DJ Smith has been lost for the season with a torn ACL.  RB Brandon Saine was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.  OLB Nick Perry hurt his knee and CB Sam Shields hurt his shin.  Brutal.  Next man up.  #gopackgo

Aaron Rodgers to the critics: "Shhhhhhhh."

Chicago Bears  4-1
Minnesota Vikings  4-2
Green Bay Packers  3-3
Detroit Lions  2-3

Packers Season Tickets Update 2012

Received my postcard on September 24, 2012 with my update on the Packers season ticket waiting list.  Slid down to 60,765 which is about 400 spots closer than where I was at in 2011.  I highly doubt I will see these tickets in my lifetime but hopefully my children will.  If not them, well then I guess my grandchildren.

#gopackgo

Hello, World!

Hello everybody, my name is AJ Whistler, and this is my blog.  On December 9, 2011, I became an owner of my beloved 13-time world champion Green Bay Packers.  I missed my opportunity during the 1997 stock sale, however, I didn't make that mistake twice in 2011.

Christmas 2011

This blog is my journey as an owner of the greatest sports franchise and organization in the world.  It will be kind of a log book of each of the Packers games week in and week out.  I do not plan on doing a whole lot of analysis of the team because I believe there are many Packers blogs already out there who do a great job and those I enjoy reading.

I am looking forward to writing about my passion and love for my favorite sports team.  I've heard some people say to me, "you only own one share and you don't really have any decision making power."  That maybe 'somewhat' true, but I will say this: it's not just about owning a share of the team; it's about having a connection to something you love, care, and put so much of your life into.  I always then ask that person, "what would you give to own a piece of your favorite team?" 

Love for sports is an amazing thing.

Follow me on Twitter: @whistleraj

#gopackgo

Emotional Colts are Chuckstrong

Week 5
October 7, 2012 - 12:00 p.m. - FOX
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana

Packers 27 - Colts 30

Prior to this week 5 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, the head coach of the Colts Chuck Pagano announced that he had been diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia and would miss several weeks to undergo treatment.  I want to say everyone including myself is pulling for you Chuck.  Situations like this are bigger than football and everyone is behind you and looking forward to seeing you back on the sidelines soon.

With that said, the Packers should have won this football game.  I had some concerns about winning this football game due to the Colts playing with emotion on their sleeve and coming off a bye week.  However, the Packers were leading 21-3 at halftime.  That is what makes this loss look pathetic.

We looked like the team of 2011 in the first half as James Jones and Randall Cobb were on the receiving end of Aaron Rodgers touchdown tosses along with John Kuhn adding his first rushing touchdown of the season.  The defense played lights out in the first half.  The game looked like it could lead to a blowout.

The Colts came to play in the second half.  Packers got the ball first and Aaron threw an interception which shifted the momentum completely for the rest of the game.  The defense couldn't stop rookie quarterback Andrew Luck who finished the game with 362 yards passing and two passing touchdowns.  The ageless wonder Reggie Wayne also had a pretty good day for the Colts.  Actually he probably had the best game of his career.  Wayne caught 13 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown.  Unbelievable.  I was sitting in front of my TV just watching the Colts move up and down the field in the 2nd half.  On their final game-winning drive, I just sat there knowing they were going to score.  It just felt like it was destined to happen.  The Colts might not have been the better team, but they were playing with more emotion.  They were playing with more energy.  They were playing for their coach Chuck Pagano.

Game-winning touchdown reception by Reggie Wayne

The Colts took the lead with 35 seconds left in the game.  Shockingly the Packers had an opportunity to tie this game with three seconds left, but Mason Crosby missed a 51-yard field goal badly.  He completely pulled the poop out of the kick.  Maybe it was just a game destined to go to the Colts.  However, all things considered for the Packers, this loss was horrible.  To be up 21-3 at halftime and blow it all away is bad.

More bad news as Packers running back Cedric Benson left the game in the first-half with an ankle injury.  It was later announced he suffered a lisfranc injury and is out eight weeks.  Benson was placed on the injured reserve list with the new option to come off the list later in the season.  Defensive tackle B.J. Raji also left the game with an ankle injury and tight end Jermichael Finley left the game with a right shoulder injury.

This season already has many similarities to the 2010 season.  That doesn't mean this year will have the same result though.