Rodgers returns, rallies Packers to NFC North crown

Week 17
December 29, 2013 - 3:25 p.m. - FOX
Soldier Field
Chicago, Illinois

Packers 33 - Bears 28

Photo credit: packers.com

The Green Bay Packers are headed to the postseason as the 2013 NFC North Champions thanks to the heroic return to the field from Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb.

He's back.  Aaron Rodgers returned to the field for the first time since breaking his collarbone Week 9 against the Chicago Bears.  Rodgers returned to face the team that knocked him out with the NFC North Division title on the line.  Rodgers carved up the Bears defense on the Packers opening possession, however, a rare Rodgers red zone interception stalled the drive inside the five yard line.  Jay Cutler and the Bears took advantage driving the field and ending the drive with a Cutler touchdown pass to Matt Forte.  Just like the first drive, Rodgers carved up the Bears defense on the Packers second possession of the game, however, a pass thrown behind Jordy Nelson was deflected by Nelson and intercepted at the Bears 17-yard line.  Luckily, the defense forced a three and out to save Rodgers and the offense.

After a Mason Crosby field goal to cut the Bears lead to 7-3, the Packers scored a touchdown on one of the most bizarre plays you will ever see.  On first and ten from the Bears 17-yard line, Rodgers' arm was hit by Julius Peppers and he fumbled the football forward.  The ball went forward and appeared it was an incomplete pass.  However, the referee never blew the whistle to end the play.  Jarrett Boykin picked up the ball lying on the ground and walked into the end zone for the touchdown.  The Packers led 10-7.

Photo credit: packers.com

The next Bears possession lasted four plays and ended with an Alshon Jeffrey fumble recovered by Morgan Burnett.  The Packers moved the ball inside the Bears 10-yard line, but were forced to settle with a Crosby field goal to take a 13-7 lead into halftime.

After a Green Bay three and out to start the second half, the Bears feed Matt Forte on five consecutive plays to find the end zone giving the Bears a 14-13 lead.  Green Bay responded on the next drive by feeding Eddie Lacy and James Starks and finished the drive off with Rodgers connecting with Randall Cobb for a 7-yard touchdown giving the Packers a 20-14 lead.  The Bears answered the Packers touchdown with a quick one of their own after Forte punched it in from the 1-yard line after a 67-yard reception by Alshon Jeffrey giving the Bears the lead again 21-20.

The first play of the fourth quarter resulted in a Cutler touchdown toss to Brandon Marshall giving the Bears a 28-20 lead.  Aaron Rodgers led the Packers down the field with long connections to Jordy Nelson and Andrew Quarless.  Eddie Lacy capped off the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run cutting the Bears lead to one, 28-27.  After the defense stopped the Bears, Rodgers and the offense received the ball with just under six and half minutes left and chance at a game winning drive.

Photo credit: packers.com

Aaron Rodgers constructed a masterful comeback game-winning drive.  A drive consisting of three fourth down conversions.  The first, a fourth and inches, converted by John Kuhn.  The second, a fourth and one, converted on a back shoulder throw to Jordy Nelson.  And the third, a fourth and eight, a 48-yard touchdown throw to Randall Cobb with :38 seconds remaining.  The touchdown toss was the 2013 NFC North Championship dagger!  The Bears had some time remaining, but the game ended on a Sam Shields interception of Jay Cutler.

With everything this Packers team has been through this season: the injuries, Rodgers hurt, the defensive struggles; the Packers are NFC North Division Champions.  This team is truly resilient.  This team never gives up.  And this team is going to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

The Packers will host the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field for the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

#GOPACKGO

#DivisionChamps

#PlayoffBound

Green Bay Packers  8-7-1
Chicago Bears  8-8
Detroit Lions  7-9
Minnesota Vikings  5-10-1

Packers 2013 Pro Bowlers

2014 Pro Bowl

January 26, 2014
Aloha Stadium
Honolulu, Hawaii

The Packers did not have any players selected for the 2014 Pro Bowl.  The Packers were one of five teams without a player selected to the Pro Bowl:  Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and New York Giants.  This is the first year the Packers did not have a player selected to the Pro Bowl since 2005, the year the Packers went 4-12.

Eddie Lacy was selected as a first alternate at the running back position.  Lacy will be a candidate for Offensive Rookie of Year with 1,112 rushing yards and ten touchdowns.  Lacy is definitely deserving of a Pro Bowl spot.

There were also seven other Packers announced as Pro Bowl alternates:  Aaron Rodgers, John Kuhn, Josh Sitton, Jordy Nelson, Clay Matthews, Sam Shields, and Tramon Williams.

Several media outlets have listed Eddie Lacy, Jordy Nelson, and Josh Sitton as Pro Bowl snubs.  The opportunity to go to Hawaii is still possible due to injuries and teams playing in the Super Bowl.

UPDATED: (01/15/2014)

Eddie Lacy has been added to the 2014 Pro Bowl roster.  Lacy was added as an injury replacement for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.  With the Pro Bowl nod, Lacy further cements his case for Rookie of Year in the NFL.

#gopackgo

Steelers put damper on Packers playoff hopes

Week 16
December 22, 2013 - 3:25 p.m. - CBS
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 31 - Steelers 38

Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers put a damper on the Packers playoff hopes defeating Green Bay at snowy Lambeau Field.  In a rematch of Super Bowl 45, the Packers and Steelers would play a wild one.

The path was set.  Defeat the Steelers and beat the Chicago Bears in Week 17 and the Packers would be crowned 2013 NFC North champions.  Matt Flynn and the Packers would strike first with a back shoulder touchdown to Jarrett Boykin.  The Steelers would respond with a strike of their own tying the 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Photo credit: packers.com

Unlike the previous two games, the Packers did not get off to a slow start.  In the second quarter, Eddie Lacy continued his 'Rookie of the Year' campaign with a 14-yard helicopter dive-into-the-end-zone touchdown.  Lacy would also, later in the game, pass John Brockington to set a Packers franchise record for the most rushing yards in a rookie season.  Lacy already holds the record for most rushing touchdowns as a rookie and added to his record with a pair touchdowns against the Steelers.

After the Packers took a 14-10 lead into the locker room, the Steelers opened the second half with a six play touchdown drive that included a successful conversion of a fake punt.  The next sequence was once of the craziest I've ever seen.  After a Tim Masthay punt downed at the 2-yard line, the Steelers Le'veon Bell coughed the ball up on the 3-yard line and Tramon Williams recovered to put Green Bay in business.  Bell was ruled down by contact, but the play was reviewed and overturned.  The Steelers defense kept the Packers out of the end zone and blocked Mason Crosby's field goal attempt, however, as the ball was rolling on the ground, a Steeler batted the ball forward in an attempt to keep it from going out of bounds.  The officials in game ruled the bat of the ball occurred without a change in possession, therefore was a penalty on Pittsburgh and an automatic first down for Green Bay.  The ruling was incorrect on the field as a change in possession did occur as a Steeler did pickup the ball prior to the ball being batted.  With a changed in possession, the penalty would have been half the distance to the goal and a first down for Pittsburgh.  Mike Tomlin, head coach for the Steelers, tried to challenge the possession change, however, that is not a reviewable play.  Nevertheless, Green Bay got the football after a block field goal at the 2-yard line.  And then Eddie Lacy pounded it into the end zone giving Green Bay the 21-17 lead.  An absolute crazy sequence of plays and rulings all benefitting the Packers.

To add to the craziness of this game, the Steelers preceded to drive the field again resulting in another touchdown giving the Steelers the 24-21 lead.  On the ensuing kickoff, Micah Hyde returned the kickoff 39 yards to the 40-yard line.  On the Packers first play from scrimmage, they ran a run pass option.  Flynn elected to pass the bubble screen to Jarrett Boykin, however, Andrew Quarless ran into Flynn as he was throwing the football causing him to throw a floating duck.  The pass was intercepted by Pittsburgh's Cortez Allen and returned 40-yards for the touchdown giving the Steelers the 31-21 lead late in the third quarter.

The Packers did not give up.  After a Mason Crosby field goal, the Packers tied the game with just over seven minutes left with a John Kuhn two-yard touchdown run.  And with the game tied, the Packers had an opportunity to win the game with three minutes left.  On a third and eight from the Green Bay 10-yard line, Flynn attempted to rush for the first down.  Flynn came up short and fumbled the football.  The defense held the Steelers to a three and out, however, Nick Perry went offside on the field goal attempt on fourth and three giving the Steelers a first down.  In order to save time, the Packers let the Steelers into the end zone giving them the lead with around ninety seconds remaining.  Micah Hyde gave the Packers new life with a 70-yard kickoff return to the Pittsburgh 31-yard line.  Flynn passed the offense to the Pittsburgh 1-yard line with the clock running at 20-seconds.  At this point, Don Barclay committed a false start.  Because Green Bay had zero timeouts, the Packers were accessed a 5-yard penalty and a 10-second run off.  Another factor, the clock began ticking on the officials signal.  The Packers did not snap the ball until 5-seconds remained.  Flynn's pass to Boykin was incomplete and the game was over.

Photo credit: packers.com

Poor clock management on the final drive, horrific special teams all day long, and turnovers cost the Packers in this football game.  The season could be over depending on the result of the Bears vs Eagles game on Sunday Night Football.

The defense for the Packers was holding up against the Steelers despite so many injuries.  Some bad news, Clay Matthews sacked Roethlisberger in the second quarter and came up grimacing.  Matthews was holding his thumb that he injured back in Week 5 and missed four games.  Matthews went to the locker room and did not return.  Eddie Lacy was also was hurt in this matchup.  Lacy re-aggravated his sprained ankle and left the game in the third quarter and did not return.

Matt Flynn finished the day with 232 passing yards including a touchdown and an interception.  Eddie Lacy rushed for 84 yards and added two rushing touchdowns.  James Jones led the team in receiving with nine catches for 84 yards.  Ben Roethlisberger only threw for 167 yards, but had two touchdowns and threw an interception (A.J. Hawk).  Rookie running back Le'veon Bell dashed the Packers defense for 124 yards and a touchdown.  And Antonio Brown led the Steelers receiving with 105 yards on six receptions.

There was a lot of discussion during the week that Aaron Rodgers would make his return from his broken collarbone, but Rodgers has still not been medically cleared to play football.

UPDATED: The Chicago Bears have lost on Sunday Night Football vs the Philadelphia Eagles.  This means the Week 17 matchup between the Packers and the Bears will be for the NFC North division crown.

#LifeWithoutAaronRodgers

Chicago Bears  8-7
Green Bay Packers  7-7-1
Detroit Lions  7-8
Minnesota Vikings  4-10-1

Stunning comeback leads Packers over Cowboys

Week 15
December 15, 2013 - 3:25 p.m. - FOX
AT&T Stadium
Arlington, Texas

Packers 37 - Cowboys 36

The Packers shocked the world with a 23-point second half comeback victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Texas matching a record for the largest comeback in franchise history.

The first half was a complete disaster for the Packers.  The Cowboys absolutely embarrassed the Packers in the first half of play.  DeMarco Murray was running all over the defense.  Tony Romo was carving up the secondary.  The Packers went into the locker room trailing 26-3 with the bus starting to warm up for the trip back up north to Green Bay.

The Packers mounted a second half comeback that tied a franchise record set in 1982.  How did they do it?  The Packers had six possessions in the second half and scored a touchdown on five of them with the sixth possession ending in the victory formation.

Photo credit: espn.com

 The Packers opened up the second half with a four-play drive thanks to a 60-yard run by Eddie Lacy.  From that point forward, the Packers kept gaining momentum as the comeback began.  A huge difference in the second half was the quarterback play from Matt Flynn.  Part of this success was due to better play calling by Mike McCarthy.  You could notice as the second half continued the confidence in this football team.  It appeared as they were reborn.  They showed life.

Photo credit: SportingNews.com

The defense was shredded by Tony Romo and company in the first half.  However, in the second half, they came to play.  The defense sacked Romo three times in the ballgame (Daniels, Neal, Matthews/D. Jones).  Most importantly, the Packers caused turnovers.  The Cowboys had five possessions in the second half: field goal, punt, touchdown, interception, interception.  Tony Romo is known for throwing late game interceptions; and boy did he live up to that reputation.

With the Packers trailing 36-31 with under three minutes to play, all the Cowboys had to do was run the ball.  DeMarco Murray had dashed the Packers for 7.4 yards per carry.  However, Romo checked from a run to a pass and threw an intercepted to Sam Shields at midfield.  The play sparked the Packers sideline.  Flynn led the Packers 50 yards as Eddie Lacy capped the drive diving into the end zone to give the Packers the lead for the first time with a minute and a half remaining in the ball game.  In the Cowboys final drive, Romo did it again as he was intercepted by Tramon Williams to seal the epic comeback.  The interception was ruled incomplete in the field, but a booth review overturned the call in the Packers favor.

Matt Flynn finished the day with 299 passing yards, four touchdown, and one interception.  Jarrett Boykin had a nice day hauling in six balls for 83 yards.  Andrew Quarless continued his excellent play catching six passes for 66 yards including one touchdown.

Photo credit: @PGevensiegle

This Packers victory today, in my opinion, is one of the best Packers victories I've ever watched in my lifetime, excluding Super Bowl 31 and 45.  This game was unreal.  This team never gave up, even when everyone expected them to do so.  I'm very proud of this team.  This victory absolutely sparked this football team.  Could this win spark a playoff run?  Many players after the game said this win felt like they won the Super Bowl.  Maybe this win can be the beginning of something special.  And with rumors of Aaron Rodgers returning next week... this team could become dangerous.

Congratulations to Eddie Lacy as he passed the 1,000 rushing yard mark in his rookie season with his 131 rushing yards today.  Lacy is continuing his fabulous rookie year as he has 1,028 rushing yards in just twelve games.  Lacy in closing in on the Packers franchise rookie record  of 1,105 rushing yards set by John Brockington in 1971.  Lacy already holds the record for most rushing touchdowns as a rookie and added to his record on Sunday with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.  Lacy has been a tremendous bright spot for the Packers this season.  An absolute steal in the NFL draft, in my opinion.

#LifeWithoutAaronRodgers

#gopackgo

Chicago Bears  8-6
Green Bay Packers  7-6-1
Detroit Lions  7-7
Minnesota Vikings  4-9-1

Packers rally to defeat Falcons

Week 14
December 8, 2013 - 12:00 p.m. - FOX
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 22 - Falcons 21

The Packers finally got back into the win column with a second half comeback victory over the lowly Atlanta Falcons led by Matt Flynn, Eddie Lacy, and the defense.

Photo credit: packers.com

This football game started the same way the previous four games did for the Packers; the offense was non-existent and the defense was pathetic.  The Packers, led by Matt Flynn, scored a touchdown on their first possession thanks to a drive saving defensive penalty on a unsuccessful third down play.  Eddie Lacy finished the drive off with a 1-yard touchdown at the end of the first quarter.  Lacy continues to shine despite not much offensive line blocking and average quarterback play.  From this point forward, the Falcons controlled the remainder of the first half.  Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan connected with Drew Davis and Tony Gonzalez early in the second quarter to give the Falcons the lead.  With the Packers driving for some points just before halftime and trailing 14-10, Flynn became the subject of one of the weirdest interceptions.  A short pass from Flynn to John Kuhn was deflected, kicked, and intercepted by Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and returned 71 yards for a touchdown.  The play was weird as it appeared the ball hit the ground, but replay showed otherwise.  A loud roar of boos came down on the Packers as they exited the field for halftime.

The Packers appeared to be a different team in the second half.  And it started with the defense.  The Falcons had six possessions in the second half and scored zero points (punt, punt, fumble, missed field goal, downs, interception).  The defense finally stepped up.  After a couple of Mason Crosby field goals, the Packers forced a Matt Ryan fumble deep in Falcons territory.  The Packers capitalized with a Andrew Quarless touchdown from Matt Flynn that turned out to be the decisive victorious score.  The defense shut down the Falcons on their final two drives with an opportunity to take the lead.  Jarrett Bush finished off the Falcons by intercepting Matt Ryan with seconds remaining to seal the victory.

Matt Flynn threw for 258 yards and a touchdown.  Flynn, however, also had an interception and a fumble lost.  Eddie Lacy finished the day with 65 tough rushing yards and a touchdown.  The rookie is closing in on a 1,000 yard rushing year (887 rushing yards).  Jordy Nelson had a nice day catching four balls for 85 yards.  And Andrew Quarless had a fine day with six receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Lambeau Field lived up to one of its nicknames on this Sunday afternoon as the tundra was frozen.  Game time conditions included temperatures in the teens, wind chills in the negatives, and snow showers.

With the Detroit Lions losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Packers have moved to within a half game of first place in the NFC North with three games remaining.

Photo credit: packers.com

Congratulations to Dave Robinson as he was honored at halftime for his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Robinson received his Hall of Fame ring and had his name unveiled in the bowl of Lambeau Field.

Detroit Lions  7-6
Chicago Bears  7-6
Green Bay Packers  6-6-1
Minnesota Vikings  3-9-1

#LifeWithoutAaronRodgers

#gopackgo

Lions embarrass Pack on Turkey Day

Week 13
November 28, 2013 - 11:30 a.m. - FOX
Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan

Packers 10 - Lions 40

The Packers suffered a drubbing at Ford Field by the hands of the Detroit Lions in front of a national audience on Thanksgiving Day.  In a game the Packers needed badly to keep up in the NFC North playoff race, they dropped the turkey leg.

The defense was absolutely dreadful.  And the offense was missing in action.  The Packers defense gave up a total of 561 yards of offense to the Lions.  The Lions had 320 passing yards and added 241 rushing yards.  The defense couldn't stop anyone. Another scary stat, the Lions possessed the football for forty minutes.  The Lions possessed the football for nearly three total quarters of the football game.  One of the worst performances I've seen from this defense in a long time.  No heart. No effort.

Photo credit: detroitlions.com

Because they are the Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford and company did their best to keep the Packers in the game in the first half.  Despite dominating the Packers defense, the Lions could not capitalize on long drives in the first half and committed several turnovers to give the Packers some type of hope.  On the opening possession of the game, the Lions were driving, but Reggie Bush fumbled inside the Green Bay 10-yard line.  In the second quarter, Nick Perry sacked Stafford and forced a fumble which was recovered by Morgan Burnett and returned for a touchdown.  On the very next possession, Tramon Williams intercepted Stafford in Green Bay territory.  Of these three turnovers, the Packers scored seven points, which happen to come from the defense (Burnett touchdown).  The Lions scored two touchdowns to finish the half leading 17-10.  And the Packers only trailing by seven at halftime was a miracle.

The Packers would have been better off staying in the locker room eating turkey than returning to play the second half.  The team was blasted as they were outscored 23-0 in the second half.  Detroit just took it to Green Bay as the Lions won on Thanksgiving for the first time in ten years.  Matt Flynn was horrible.  Flynn finished the day with 139 passing yards, one interception, and two fumbles.  Flynn was also sacked seven times, including one for a safety.  Eddie Lacy was shut down with only 16 rushing yards on the day.

The playmakers for Detroit got the job done.  Matthew Stafford threw for 330 passing yards and two touchdowns.  Reggie Bush rushed for 117 yards and one touchdown.  And Calvin Johnson hauled in six balls for 101 yards and a touchdown.

The season is truly on ice from this point forward.  There is still a slim chance, but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting dimmer.

#LifeWithoutAaronRodgers

Detroit Lions  7-5
Chicago Bears  6-6
Green Bay Packers  5-6-1
Minnesota Vikings  3-8-1

Packers, Vikings battle ends in tie

Week 12
November 24, 2013 - 12:00 p.m. - FOX
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 26 - Vikings 26

The Packers and the division rival Minnesota Vikings played for 75 minutes resulting in a rare tie for a football game.

Scott Tolzien made his second consecutive start for the Packers and it was a dud.  Tolzien struggled against the lowly Vikings finishing with a stat line of 7/17 for 98 passing yards before being replaced by Matt Flynn mid-way through the third quarter.

The Packers struck first in this football game on a Tolzien 6-yard run that included a video game spin move for the ages.  From that point forward, the Packers offense hit a wall and trailed the Vikings going into halftime 13-7.  Tolzien continued to struggle in the third quarter and after a Vikings touchdown to extend their lead to 20-7, head coach Mike McCarthy made the switch at quarterback.

Matt Flynn gave this football team a spark of energy.  With less than a minute into the fourth quarter, the Vikings added a field goal to give the Vikings a sixteen point lead at 23-7.  And at that point, Flynn began to work his magic to mount a comeback.  Flynn led the Packers on a eight play 80-yard drive with heavy doses of Eddie Lacy into the end zone.  After a failed two-point conversion, the Packers trailed the Vikings 23-13 with eleven minutes to play.  After a defensive stop, Flynn led the Packers on a twelve play 77-yard drive ending with a touchdown pass to Jarrett Boykin.  The Packers trailed the Vikings with three and half minutes to play.  The Packers defense stepped up again holding the Vikings to a three and out and giving Matt Flynn a chance to tie or win the game.  A ten play drive including a fourth down conversion resulted in a Mason Crosby field goal sending the game to overtime.

The Packers won the toss and elected to receive in the overtime period.  Flynn and the Packers drove the field all the way to the Minnesota 2-yard line.  But the Packers could not punch it into the end zone.  Mason Crosby hit a 20-yard field goal to give the Packers the 26-23 lead.  However, due to the new overtime rules, the Vikings would receive an opportunity to tie the game or win it with a touchdown.  The Vikings drove the field as well all the way to the Green Bay 17-yard line.  The Vikings tied the game again with a Blair Walsh field goal sending the game into sudden death for the remainder of the overtime period.

Photo credit: packers.com

The Packers and Vikings both possessed the football twice after the tie in overtime, but neither could move the ball.  The clock slowly ticked down to triple zeros ending the game in a rare tie.  Head coach Mike McCarthy said the ending of the game left an "empty feeling," as neither team won, nor lost.

This was the first game in NFL history to end in a tie despite scoring taking place during the overtime period (due to the new overtime rules).

This tie was the Packers fifth game all-time ending in a tie.  That mark is the most by a team in NFL history.

After replacing the ineffective Scott Tolzien, Matt Flynn finished the day 21/36 for 218 yards and a touchdown.  Eddie Lacy ran all over the Vikings for 110 yards and a touchdown.

The Vikings Christian Ponder finished the day 21/30 for 233 yards and a touchdown.  Adrian Peterson continued his success against the Packers rushing for 146 yards on the ground and had one touchdown.  Former Packer Greg Jennings had an unproductive two receptions for 29 yards in his return to Lambeau Field.  Jennings was booed heavily by the Lambeau faithful.

#LifeWithoutAaronRodgers

Detroit Lions  6-5
Chicago Bears  6-5
Green Bay Packers  5-5-1
Minnesota Vikings  2-8-1

Losing streak continues in New York

Week 11
November 17, 2013 - 3:25 p.m. - FOX
MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, New Jersey

Packers 13 - Giants 27

The Packers dropped their third-straight game as they suffered their second-straight loss 27-13.

Scott Tolzien earned his first career NFL start for the Packers and was impressive again, however, still showed effects of an inexperienced quarterback.  Just like last week, the Packers offense racked up yards, but failed to put points on the board.  Tolzien threw for 339 yards on 24/34 passing.  The quarterback, however, was picked off three times by the Giants defense.  Tolzien has many similarities to Brett Favre.  He is a gun-slinger who has a big arm and takes chances with his throws.  His inexperience at the quarterback position at the NFL level clearly is something that plagues him.  Unfortunately for the Packers, there aren't many extra options other than recently signed Matt Flynn.

Jordy Nelson had a big day for the Packers catching eight balls for 117 yards.  Jarrett Boykin continues his great play replacing Randall Cobb with six receptions for 91 yards.  The Giants defense bottled up Eddie Lacy who only rushed for 27 yards on fourteen carries and a touchdown.

The New York Giants extended their winning streak to four games led by Eli Manning who threw for 279 yards, a touchdown, and one interception.  Victor Cruz had a nice day hauling in eight passes for 110 yards.

Photo credit: giants.com

The dagger in this football came in the fourth quarter.  After an Eddie Lacy 4-yard touchdown run to cut the Giants lead to 20-13, and a defensive stop, the Packers had a chance to tie the game.  Jason Pierre-Paul intercepted Tolzien on a leaping screen play and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown and collapsed any hope the Packers had in winning this football game.  The amazing part about this interception was the comment made by Justin Tuck after the game:  "I have never seen anything like it before in my life.  We were literally in a TV timeout and he said, 'I'm going to pick this.'"  This would be a sign of predictable play calling.

The Packers season is really in jeopardy going forward.

#LifeWithoutAaronRodgers

Detroit Lions  6-4
Chicago Bears  6-4
Green Bay Packers  5-5
Minnesota Vikings  2-8

Eagles fly over Rodgers-less Packers

Week 10
November 10, 2013 - 12:00 p.m. - FOX
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 13 - Eagles 27

Life without Aaron Rodgers has begun in Green Bay.  And things did not look pretty in Titletown, U.S.A.

Seneca Wallace got the start for the Packers and became the fourth starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers since 1992 (Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Matt Flynn).  Wallace, a 10-year veteran, was signed by the Packers a week before the season started to be the backup to Aaron Rodgers.

Photo credit: packers.com

Seneca's day did not last long.  Wallace injured his groin on the Packers opening possession, which resulted in a missed 53-yard field goal by Mason Crosby.  With basically the entire game remaining, the Packers were left with only one quarterback remaining on the roster.  Scott Tolzien, a third-string quarterback from the University of Wisconsin signed off the practice squad a week ago, was now the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.

Despite Tolzien just joining the active roster, he played very exceptional for a guy getting his first NFL quarterbacking experience.  Tolzien finished the day 24/39 for 280 yards and a touchdown.  Tolzien, however, also threw two poor interceptions; but what can you expect out of a kid who has never played at the NFL level.  Tolzien is a gun-slinger.  He has a big arm, which could allow Mike McCarthy to open up his playbook more should Tolzien be the quarterback going forward.

The offense racked up the yards (396 yards), but struggled to put points on the board.  The Packers could not find a rhythm with Scott Tolzien at the helm.  And they couldn't find the answer in the red zone.

The defense continued to plague this team.  The defense could not stop Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy, or the big-play ability of the Philadelphia Eagles.  The Eagles had three touchdowns on the day and they were all heartbreakers.  Foles connected with DeSean Jackson for a 55-yard touchdown in the first quarter that was deflected by both Morgan Burnett and Tramon Williams.  Foles connected with Riley Cooper for a 45-yard touchdown and a 32-yard touchdown in the third quarter.  LeSean McCoy ran all over the defense for 155 yards on 25 carries.  This defense had several opportunities to stop the Eagles on third down, but failed time and time again to get off the field.  But they got dashed several times by Foles and McCoy in this football game.  And without Aaron Rodgers, the Packers didn't have a chance.

#LifeWithoutAaronRodgers

Detroit Lions  6-3
Chicago Bears  5-4
Green Bay Packers  5-4
Minnesota Vikings  2-7

Rodgers hurt, Packers fall to Bears

Week 9
November 4, 2013 - 7:30 p.m. - ESPN
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 20 - Bears 27

Disaster struck the Green Bay Packers in a Monday Night matchup against the division rival Chicago Bears when Aaron Rodgers was tackled by Chicago's Shea McClellin and came up in tremendous pain.

Photo credit: chicagobears.com

On the opening possession, Aaron Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone on his left shoulder (non-throwing).  Rodgers did not return to the game.  Rodgers did return to the sideline late in the second half and received a huge ovation from the Lambeau faithful.  Rodgers is projected to miss 6-8 weeks.  With Rodgers in the lineup, the Packers can beat anyone.  We are about to find out how this team responds to losing its Super Bowl MVP quarterback.

Seneca Wallace, signed by the Packers a week prior to the season starting, replaced Rodgers and was effective.  The Packers relied heavily on the strength of their running game of Eddie Lacy and James Starks against the struggling defense of the Chicago Bears.  Just before the end of the first quarter, Starks busted a 32-yard dash to the end zone to give the Packers a 10-7 lead.  However, the Bears owned the second quarter adding a Matt Forte rushing touchdown and a Robbie Gould field goal giving the Bears a 17-10 lead at halftime.

The Packers opened the second half with a bang.  Eddie Lacy reeled off a 56-yard run to the Bears 1-yard line.  And Lacy punched the ball into the end zone on the next play.  The Packers then attempted a surprise onside kick and recovered to steal a possession from the Bears.  The Packers capitalized with a Mason Crosby field goal giving the Packers the lead 20-17.  After the Bears added an Alshon Jeffrey touchdown in the third quarter to take the lead 24-20, the Packers offense could not find its rhythm the rest of the game.  In the fourth quarter, the Bears reeled off a nine minute eighteen-play drive ending with a field goal finishing off the Packers 27-20.  The Packers had :50 seconds remaining, but without any timeouts, Wallace was sacked twice to end the game.

Seneca Wallace in relief finished the day 11/19 for 114 yards and an interceptions.  Eddie Lacy rushed for 150 yards and scored once.  James Starks also scored a touchdown and added 40 yards on the ground.  Jordy Nelson led the team in receiving with four receptions for 67 yards.

Photo credit: packers.com

Josh McCown started for the Bears for the injured Jay Cutler and performed well.  McCown threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns.  Matt Forte had an impressive night with 125 yards rushing and added a touchdown.  Brandon Marshall caught seven balls for 107 yards and touchdown for the Bears.

Entering the game, the Packers were sitting pretty at the top of the NFC North at 5-2.  Without Aaron Rodgers for the foreseeable future, the division is now wide open.  The Packers will need to be reliant on their running game to carry them.  And the defense will need to set up big time.  More than ever.  Life without Aaron Rodgers has begun in Green Bay.

#gopackgo

Chicago Bears  5-3
Green Bay Packers  5-3
Detroit Lions  5-3
Minnesota Vikings  1-7

Rodgers, offense dominate Vikings on SNF

Week 8
October 27, 2013 - 7:30 p.m. - NBC
Mall of America Field
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Packers 44 - Vikings 31

The Minnesota Vikings could not stop Aaron Rodgers and the offense as the Packers dominated the Vikings in primetime in their final game at Mall of America Field, formally known as the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome.  The offense was so unstoppable, punter Tim Masthay as not needed as the Packers never punted once during the football game.  Aaron Rodgers finished the evening with 285 passing yards and two touchdowns on 24/29 passing.  Eddie Lacy continued his solid rookie campaign with 94 rushing yards and a touchdown.  The Vikings did not have an answer for Jordy Nelson as he caught seven passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.  Jarrett Boykin has really stepped up since the injuries to Randall Cobb and James Jones as he hauled in five balls for 89 yards.  On the special teams side, Micah Hyde, who has replaced Randall Cobb as the kickoff/punt returner, dashed 93 yards on a punt return for a touchdown.

Photo credit: packers.com

The Packers started slow as usual in this football game.  The Vikings Cordarrelle Patterson took the opening kickoff 109 yards for a touchdown, which tied an NFL record for the longest play in NFL history.  Green Bay scored on their opening possession to tie the game and didn't look back.  The Packers took a 24-17 lead into halftime and led 31-17 after the third quarter.  The Packers then took a fourth quarter lead of 41-17 before they cooled the engines.  The Vikings added a couple touchdowns late in the game to make the score appear closer than it really was.  Green Bay continues to roll despite all the injuries to key players on both sides of the ball.

The Packers had two very impressive statistics from this football game.  On third down, the Packers went 13/18 for a 72% third-down efficiency (Packers also went 2/2 on fourth down).  And the Packers held the football for over 40 minutes in this game; mostly due to long drives and many conversions on third down.  This is an example of pure offensive efficiency.

Former Packer and now Viking Greg Jennings caught only one pass for nine yards against his former team.  Adrian Peterson was held in check as he rushed for only 60 yards, but did add one touchdown.

#gopackgo

Green Bay Packers  5-2
Detroit Lions  5-3
Chicago Bears  4-3
Minnesota Vikings  1-6

Rodgers, Packers top Browns

Week 7
October 20, 2013 - 3:25 p.m. - CBS
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 31 - Browns 13

The Packers cruised to victory over the Cleveland Browns, but suffered even more injuries to the offensive side of the ball.

Four weeks prior to this game, I discovered that I had two days off at work that I had to use by October 31st, or else I was going to lose them.  I looked at my calendar and quickly realized there was a possibility I could attend a Packers game.  Lo and behold, the only matchup that would fit my schedule was the Packers playing the Cleveland Browns.  Because I live a lovely 14-hour drive away from Green Bay, I booked the Monday and Tuesday off at work and drove up to Wisconsin on the Saturday before game day.  It was a lot of driving in a matter of four days, but it was worth every second to get back to Lambeau.

I have a jinx for poor weather when I get to watch the Packers play in person.  And this game didn't disrupt that streak.  Game time temperatures were in the mid-forty's and dropped throughout the game.  There was also a steady rain and wind for much the game.  Nevertheless, I was prepared with many layers of cold weather gear.

This was the first Packers game I've attended at Lambeau Field since 2007 and, obviously, the first time since the completion of the south end zone.  Because of the new addition to Lambeau Field, I decided to sit in the south end zone.  Lambeau Field was still as beautiful as it has ever been.

Back to the game.  Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense started quickly against the Cleveland Browns.  The Packers found the end zone on their fourth play from scrimmage when Rodgers connected with Jermichael Finley for a 10-yard touchdown.  Later in the first quarter, Eddie Lacy punched in from 1-yard out to give the Packers a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.  The Browns were no match for the Packers in this contest.  The Packers took a 17-3 lead in halftime.

The Cleveland Browns have many flaws, but their defense is by far their strength.  The Browns defense gave the Packers fits in the third quarter holding the Packers scoreless.  Unfortunately for the Browns, their offense is so pitiful, they were only able to manage a field goal to cut the Packers lead to 17-6 heading to the fourth quarter.

The Packers offense found its stride in the fourth quarter thanks to Jarrett Boykin and Jordy Nelson.  Nelson found himself on the receiving end of a 1-yard touchdown from Rodgers that was setup after a 39-yard reception by Boykin.  Jermichael Finley suffered a horrifying injury on the possession.  Finley caught a slant pass and suffered a head-to-head collision with Browns safety Tashaun Gipson.  Finley remained motionless for several minutes and later was removed from the field on a stretcher.

Again, the Browns were no match for the Packers in this game.  The Browns finally found the end zone with six minutes remaining in the game, but still trailed 24-13.  Rodgers took the next Packers possession and finished off the Browns by connecting with Boykin in the end zone and pushing the lead to 31-13.

Rodgers threw for a modest 260 yards and three touchdowns.  Eddie Lacy rushed for 82 yards on 22 carries and added one touchdown.  Jarrett Boykin led the team in receiving with eight receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown.  This was quite the coming out party for Boykin, who is taking advantage of injuries to Randall Cobb and James Jones.

For the Browns, quarterback Brandon Weeden played horrible.  Weeden threw for 149 yards on 17/42 passing.  Weeden threw a late touchdown in garbage time and was also intercepted by Davon House in the first quarter.  Willis McGahee rushed for 39 yards on 11 carries.  And Jordan Cameron led the Browns in receiving hauling in seven balls for 55 yards and a touchdown.

I am very thankful I received the opportunity to make it to a Packers game this season.  Living so far away makes it difficult to attend games, especially in Green Bay, but I had the time of my life.

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

#gopackgo

Packers win defensive battle in Baltimore

Week 6
October 13, 2013 - 12:00 p.m. - FOX
M&T Bank Stadium
Baltimore, Maryland

Packers 19 - Ravens 17

The Packers escaped Baltimore with a victory over the defending Super Bowl champions in a game that featured defense early and often.

The defensive struggle in this football game came with putting points on the board.  Aaron Rodgers managed to toss for 315 yards and a touchdown.  Rookie running back Eddie Lacy dashed the Ravens for 120 yards on 23 carries and Jordy Nelson led the team with four receptions for 113 yards including a 64-yard touchdown.  For the Ravens, Joe Flacco threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns.  Wide receiver Tandon Doss led their team with four receptions for 99 yards.  Yards were made all over the field, but very few points scored.

The first half had two total scoring plays, a pair of Mason Crosby field goals as the Packers led at halftime 6-0.  The Packers and Ravens traded field goals late in the third quarter before Rodgers hit them with the big play.  Rodgers hit a wide open Jordy Nelson for a 64-yard touchdown to take a 16-3 lead into the fourth quarter.

Photo credit: packers.com

Last year's Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco was not going to go down without a fight.  Flacco took the next Ravens possession down for a touchdown to cut the Packers lead to 16-10.  After Mason Crosby added his fourth field goal of the game, Flacco took his next possession down for another touchdown to narrow the Packers lead to 19-17 with two minutes and change left.  The Packers, with the help of Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy, went on a nine play game-ending drive that burnt the clock out.  Joe Flacco never got the ball back.  On a third and three from our 27-yard line, Rodgers connected with Jermichael Finley for 52 yards and a huge first down.  The Packers faced another huge third down and two, but Eddie Lacy took care of that with a four yard rush to end the ballgame.

Defensively, A.J. Hawk had a hell of a football game.  Hawk finished the day with ten total tackles including three sacks.  Hawk, the team's leading tackler, was definitely the team's defensive MVP of the day.

The Packers encountered some major injuries in this football game.  First, James Jones suffered a knee/leg injury while blocking in the first quarter and did not return.  Jones is expected to have only suffered a knee sprain, which may sideline him for a couple games.  Second, Randall Cobb also suffered a knee/leg injury when he was hit low by the Ravens Matt Elam in the second quarter.  This injury did not look good.  Cobb could very well be on the shelf for several weeks or even the season.

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

Defense sacks Lions to extend streak

Week 5
October 6, 2013 - 12:00 p.m. - FOX
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 22 - Lions 9

The Packers extended their winning streak in Wisconsin over the Detroit Lions to 23.  Coming off a bye week, the Packers looked like they were sleep walking in the first half and most of the third quarter.  Not a lot of excitement or much to cheer about at Lambeau Field as the Packers took a 6-3 lead into halftime.  The Lions were without their number one offensive threat Calvin Johnson, who as inactive due to a knee injury.  With that factor, the Lions offense looked like a team who had no idea what to do out there.  Thanks to that, the defense dominated the Lions all day long.

Matthew Stafford was sacked five times in this match up.  The following players recorded a sack for the Packers: Nick Perry (2), Mike Neal (1), Clay Matthews (1), and Brad Jones (1).  AJ Hawk did not record any sacks, however, he did have nine tackles and played well.  Hawk is having a great start to the season.  The defense didn't give up anything all game.  The Lions scored a late touchdown in garbage time to narrow the score, but the Packers won this game handily.  With Calvin Johnson out, the Lions next best offensive weapon, running back Reggie Bush, was held in check.  Bush only rushed for 44 yards on 13 carries and only caught four passes for 25 yards.  The only thing missing defensively from this game was a turnover.

Photo credit: packers.com

The Packers offense was a different story in this ballgame.  The first two drives for the Packers were solid, however, were stalled in the red zone.  The Packers were forced to settle for Mason Crosby field goals.  The offense played well in between the twenties today, however, struggled once they got to or inside the red zone.  Very uncharacteristic for Aaron Rodgers and company.  The offense made its way into the end zone once when Rodgers connected with James Jones on an 83-yard touchdown.  Randall Cobb made some great catches along with a 67-yard rushing play.  Jordy Nelson had another solid game catches five balls for 82 yards.  The biggest positive note from today's game was the success of the running game again.  Eddie Lacy was back and rushed for 99 yards on 23 carries (4.3 average per carry).  Give Lacy one more yard and the Packers would have had three consecutive games with a 100-yard rusher.

Mason Crosby appears to be in a groove in 2013.  After a horrendous 2012 campaign, Crosby had started the year nine for nine.  In today's game, Crosby hit from 26, 52, 31, 42, and 45 yards.  Give him a game ball for today's performance.  Keep it up Mason.

As always, the Packers suffered some injuries in this ballgame.  Brad Jones left the game in the first half with a hamstring injury.  His replacement, Robert Francois, unfortunately ruptured his Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the season.  Clay Matthews also left this game in the third quarter with a broken thumb.  It is unclear at this time whether Matthews will need surgery on the thumb or if he will be able to continue to play with the injury.  A major blow for the Packers defense regardless if Matthews misses time or not.

This was a big win for the Packers getting back to .500.  This game was quite the snoozer.  But, the Packers have pulled to within a half game of the Lions and Bears for the NFC North division lead.

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

#gopackgo

Bye Week: 2013 Edition

Week 4
September 29, 2013

BYE WEEK

The 2013 bye week for the Packers came very early this season.  Week 4 is the earliest I can remember the Packers having a bye week in a long time.  The sad part is the Packers probably needed this week off now with injuries to key players like Jermichael Finley, Eddie Lacy, Clay Matthews, Morgan Burnett and Casey Hayward.

• Packers released Jeremy Ross on Monday (September 23rd).  Ross had a critical turnover in the game vs. the Bengals.  This was a necessary move for the Packers.  Ross has a lot of talent, but his confidence has been shattered ever since his fumble in the playoff game against the 49ers.

• After the bye week the following players returned to practice from injuries: Clay Matthews, Morgan Burnett, Jermichael Finley and Eddie Lacy.

• The Detroit Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 40-32.  The Lions defense intercepted Jay Cutler three times.  The loss knocked the Bears from the list of teams without a loss.  Detroit played very well at home.  The Packers could have their hands full next week at home.

• The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in London 34-27 to pickup their first win of the season.  Former Packer Greg Jennings caught his first touchdown as a Viking (70-yard reception).

The Packers schedule doesn't get any easier from here as they will now have to grind out the next 13 weeks of the NFL season.

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

#gopackgo

Cincy beats frustrated Packers

Week 3
September 22, 2013 - 12:00 p.m. - FOX
Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati, Ohio

Packers 30 - Bengals 34

This football game had just about everything: touchdowns, interceptions, fumbles, sacks, injuries.

Photo credit: packers.com

The Packers couldn't have had a worse start to a football game.  Bengals took their opening drive 80-yards ending in a Giovani Bernard rushing touchdown.  On the ensuing kickoff, Jeremy Ross muffed the kickoff and the Bengals recovered on the two-yard line, which lead to a Benjarvus Green-Ellis rushing touchdown on the next play.  So, with less than six minutes gone in this game, Aaron Rodgers, without setting a foot on the field, was down 14-0.

To get back into this football game, the Packers defense would have to step up.  On four consecutive Bengal drives, the Packers forced turnovers.  First, an interception by Sam Shields which led to a Mason Crosby field goal.  Second, an AJ Hawk fumble recovery from Jermaine Gresham which resulted in zero points.  Third, a Clay Matthews forced fumble of Benjarvus Green-Ellis returned by M.D. Jennings for a touchdown.  And fourth, another Matthews forced fumble of Andy Dalton which led to a Mason Crosby field goal.  So to recap in the second quarter, the defense forced four turnovers leading to six points by the offense and seven points by the defense.  Talk about missed opportunities.  After the Packers trailed 14-0, the defense turned it up and dominated the rest of the first half and the Packers took a 16-14 lead into halftime.

The offense was not on the same page in the first half.  There was a heated discussion between Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy in the second quarter.  I believe Aaron was displeased with the play calling by McCarthy.  I'll take the side of Aaron in this case.  I thought some of the play calls in the first half were atrocious.  However, I also believe everyone on the offense played terrible.  And by everyone, I mean everyone.

Photo credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

 To start the second half, the offense woke up.  The first two drives resulted in touchdowns as the Packers blew this one open after 230 unanswered points leading 30-14.  James Starks did not return for the second half due to a knee injury opening the door for the only remaining active running back: Jonathan Franklin.  Franklin sparked the offense with his speed and patience out of the backfield.

After the Packers took a 30-14 lead, the Bengals mounted their comeback.  AJ Green showed up in the second half and caught a 20-yard touchdown to cut the Packers lead to nine.  The next possession for the Packers resulted in an Aaron Rodgers interception thanks to James Jones quitting on a route.  Luckily, the turnover didn't result in points after a missed field goal, however, you could feel the momentum shift towards Cincinnati.  The next possession for the Packers resulted in another Rodgers interception.  This time...it was his fault.  Rodgers did not look like himself at all today.  The Bengals scored another touchdown, however, the extra point was blocked by Datone Jones and the Packers led 30-27.

If there was ever a time the Packers needed a clock burning drive, this was the moment.  The Packers were driving, however, they ran into a 4th and inches at the Bengals 30-yard line.  Rodgers handed the ball off to Franklin who fumbled and the Bengals returned the fumble to the house for a touchdown.  The Bengals took the lead and that was all she wrote.

The Packers should have won this football game.  But they didn't deserve to win this football game.  When we had a 16-point lead, I was feeling pretty good.  Three turnovers later, you lose a football game.  Very frustrating.

Aaron Rodgers finished the day with 244 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.  Rodgers was also hit all day long (sacked four times).  Jonathan Franklin played well rushing for 103 yards on thirteen carries and his first rushing touchdown of his career.

Jermichael Finley left this game in the 1st quarter after suffering a concussion.  James Starks did not return in the second half due to a knee injury.  Clay Matthews also did not return in the second half due to a hamstring injury.

Shockingly, the Packers need a bye week badly next week to get healthy.  Lot of season left but we are 1-2.

Chicago Bears  3-0
Detroit Lions  2-1
Green Bay Packers  1-2
Minnesota Vikings  0-3

Rodgers carves up Skins in rout

Week 2
September 15, 2013 - 12:00 p.m. - FOX
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 38 - Redskins 20

Aaron Rodgers had a career day in the 2013 home opener at Lambeau Field.  Rodgers completed 34 of 42 passes for a career-high 480 yards and four touchdowns.  Rodgers tied the Packers record for single game passing yards with, believe it or not, Matt Flynn.

Photo credit: packers.com

The score appears a lot closer than this game really was.  The Packers dominated Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.  Taking a 24-0 lead into halftime, the Packers lead 31-0 late in the 3rd quarter before the Redskins finally got some points.  On paper, the defense did not look very good.  However, before we started playing soft coverage in the 2nd half to protect the lead and bleed the clock, our defense performed well.

Photo credit: packers.com

The streak is over!  For the first time in 44 straight games, the Packers have a 100-yard rusher thanks to James Starks' 132 rushing yards.  Unfortunately, starting running back and rookie Eddie Lacy experienced a concussion on his first carry of the game.  Starks got the opportunity and took advantage.

James Jones also had a career day receiving.  After Jones had zero catches in Week 1 versus the 49ers, Jones hauled in 11 balls for 178 yards against the Redskins.  Randall Cobb had nine receptions for 128 yards and one touchdown; Jordy Nelson had three receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns; and Jermichael Finley had six receptions for 65 yards and one touchdown.  The receiving corp had a field day.

Sunday was the first time in NFL history a team had a 450-yard passer and a 125-yard rusher.

"We were able to catch the ball well, had yards after the catch and we were able to run the ball better than we have in a long time," Rodgers said.

Chicago Bears  2-0
Green Bay Packers  1-1
Detroit Lions  1-1
Minnesota Vikings  0-2

#gopackgo

49ers top Packers again

Week 1
September 8, 2013 - 3:25 p.m. - FOX
Candlestick Park
San Francisco, California

Packers 28 - 49ers 34

For the second straight year the Packers faced the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1.  The end result..?  The same as last year but this time around, it was different.  We all remember the pitiful performance by the Packers against the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game back in January.  Due to that game there was a lot of discussion this offseason on the Packers being 'soft.'  In my opinion, I think the Packers answered the bell to the toughness question.  They certainly looked much more physical in this matchup.  Defensive line looked very solid.  Defensive secondary looked hideous as usual.

Photo credit: packers.com

So many mistakes were made by the Packers.  In the first half we have several penalties and two turnovers.  However, somehow the Packers were tied with the 49ers 14-14 at halftime.  Despite all the penalties, turnovers, and the lacking defensive secondary, the Packers had a chance to win this football game.  In the end, the 49ers are still better.  There are positives to build off of.  But there are negatives that need to be addressed.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns with one interception (not his fault as Jermichael Finley... well, you know).  The offensive line held up well against the physical 49ers.  Rodgers had time to throw and was only sacked twice.  Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb both played well as they both hauled in seven balls and a touchdown.

Photo credit: packers.com

The running game was non-existent as usual.  I think Eddie Lacy can be a star.  However, it's hard to do so against one of the best run defenses in the NFL.  Lacy finished with 41 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.  Lacy also had a costly fumble in the first half.  Hopefully we do not see that very often.

I thought Clay Matthews and the defensive line were fantastic in this game.  Matthews was a beast.  I also did not have a problem with what Matthews did on the late hit to Colin Kaepernick and altercation with Joe Staley.  The scary part of defense is still the secondary.  Close your eyes for these stats.  Kaepernick finished the day with 412 yards passing and three touchdowns.  Newly acquired 49er Anquan Boldin caught thirteen passes for a mind-blowing 208 yards and a touchdown.  Yes, the secondary needs some work... or something.

Jeremy Ross is an interesting player.  His potential on kick-off and punt returns is a positive.  His decision making on whether to take the ball out of the end zone when he clearly shouldn't is a negative.  Ross' bone headed decision to take the ball out of the end zone in today's game caused the Packers to have horrible starting field position 'twice.'  Two times the Packers started a drive after a kickoff inside their own 10-yard line.  Not what I would call ideal.

The referee's did it to us again...  The 49ers were given a free down after dead ball off-setting personal foul penalties.  After the penalties, the down should have been 4th and 2.  Instead, they replayed 3rd and 5 and the 49ers scored a touchdown on the play.  Ultimately, I don't think this botched call cost the Packers the game; they shot themselves in the foot enough to take care of that.  But, it would be nice if we could be on the good side of some bad calls or maybe even just have officials who call a game correctly.  I'm probably asking to much there.

All in all, the Packers lost.  However, in my opinion, they played better than I expected.  I felt they matched up well versus the 49ers.  Think about it... with so many mistakes, we went toe-to-toe with the best team in the NFL in their building.  We could very well be seeing this team again in January 2014.

Detroit Lions  1-0
Chicago Bears  1-0
Green Bay Packers  0-1
Minnesota Vikings  0-1

#gopackgo

Packers Season Tickets Update 2013

Received my postcard today, September 4, 2013, with my updated position on the Packers season ticket waiting list.  Thanks to the opening of the new south end zone at Lambeau Field, I have moved closer to the finish line by 5,210 spots from last year.  I moved down to a cool 55,555.  Only a matter of time... kidding.  These will still probably go to my children or grandchildren.  Anyhoo, looking forward to a great year of Packers football!

#gopackgo

Al Harris retires as a Packer

It was announced today that former Packer cornerback Al Harris has decided to retire from the NFL and not only retire, but retire as a 'Green Bay Packer.'

Al Harris was one of my favorite players growing up.  I remember meeting him at training camp one summer.  Despite the pending mob of autograph seekers, he took the time to have a conversation with me before biking back to Lambeau Field.  Meant the world to a kid like myself.

How could anyone forget the famous overtime playoff game vs. the Seattle Seahawks in 2003 and Matt Hasselbeck saying, "We want the ball and we're gonna score."  Al Harris had different plans.

Al Harris was a good player. Class act. And a Green Bay Packer. I look forward to the day he is inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame (maybe Matt Hasselbeck can introduce him).

2013 Packers Draft Class

2013 NFL Draft

April 25-27, 2013
Radio City Music Hall
New York City

• 1st Round - Datone Jones - Defensive End - UCLA

• 2nd Round - Eddie Lacy - Running Back - Alabama

• 4th Round - David Bakhtiari - Offensive Tackle - Colorado

• 4th Round - J.C. Tretter - Offensive Tackle - Cornell

• 4th Round - Johnathan Franklin - Running Back - UCLA

• 5th Round - Micah Hyde - Cornerback - Iowa

• 5th Round - Josh Boyd - Defensive End - Mississippi State

• 6th Round - Nate Palmer - Linebacker - Illinois State

• 7th Round - Charles Johnson - Wide Receiver - Grand Valley State

• 7th Round - Kevin Dorsey - Wide Receiver - Maryland

• 7th Round - Sam Barrington - Linebacker - South Florida

Packers 2013 Pro Bowl: Recap

2013 Pro Bowl
January 27, 2013 - 6:30 p.m. - NBC
Aloha Stadium
Honolulu, Hawaii

Photo credit: packers.com

Only four Packers were selected to represent the NFC squad in the 2013 Pro Bowl.  For the second consecutive season, the NFC team was coached by Mike McCarthy and the Green Bay coaching staff.  Aaron Rodgers was voted as the starting quarterback for the NFC, however, did not play due to an ankle injury.  Clay Matthews was selected as a reserve on the defensive side of the ball, however, also did not play due an injury.

Offensive lineman Jeff Saturday and Josh Sitton were both selected as reserves for the NFC.  Both players made the trip to Hawaii and played.  A special moment during the game when Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Denver Broncos, took a final snap from Jeff Saturday.  Saturday announced this season would be his last in the NFL.

Packers 2012 Pro Bowlers

2013 Pro Bowl

January 27, 2013
Aloha Stadium
Honolulu, Hawaii

• Aaron Rodgers* - (Starter)
• Clay Matthews* - (Reserve)
• Jeff Saturday - (Reserve)
• Josh Sitton - (Reserve)

* - selected, but did not play.

Note: The coaching staff for the NFC team will be the Packers coaching staff led by Mike McCarthy.

Kaepernick, 49ers run Packers out of playoffs

NFC Divisional Round
January 12, 2013 - 8 p.m. - FOX
Candlestick Park
San Francisco, California

Packers 31 - 49ers 45

It's possible Colin Kaepernick is still running with the football.  The 49ers quarterback rushed for a quarterback-record 181 yards and two touchdowns.  Kaepernick also threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns as the Packers were knocked out of the playoffs for the second consecutive year in the Divisional Playoff round.

Photo credit: 49ers.com

The 49ers offense and Kaepernick ran a popular play in college called the "read-option" all night against the Packers defense and we didn't have a clue on how to defend it.  As a team, the 49ers rushed for 323 yards.  As a team, the 49ers had 579 yards of total offense.  Dom Capers defense was hammered and the squad had zero answers to even slow the 49ers down.  The 49ers set a team playoff record with their 579 yards on offense.  An absolute embarrassing day for the Packers defense.  Without a game next week, this poor defensive effort will be the talk of the entire offseason unfortunately.

Believe it or not, the Packers actually led in this game, twice.  On the fourth play of the game, Kaepernick threw an interception to Sam Shields and Shields took it 52 yards to the house for a touchdown.  The Packers led early and things looked like it could be our day.  The 49ers preceded to tie the game about four minutes later and the momentum was lost.  The second and final lead for the Packers came after Dujuan Harris capped off an 80-yard drive with a 18 yard rushing touchdown.  From that point forward, the 49ers unleashed their unstoppable read-option plays that left the Packers defense scratching their heads in embarrassment.

The Packers had two crucial turnovers in this game that basically gave the 49ers fourteen free points.  In the second quarter with the Packers leading 14-7, the defense forced the 49ers to punt.  Punt returner Jeremy Ross muffed the return and the 49ers recovered on the Green Bay 9-yard line.  A touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree three plays later would tie this football game.  On the next Packers possession, Aaron Rodgers threw a deep ball to Jordy Nelson that was intercepted by the 49ers Terrell Brown at the San Francisco 13-yard line.  Brown returned the interception to the Green Bay 48-yard line.  The 49ers would capitalize on the turnover as Kaepernick threw a 20-yard touchdown to Michael Crabtree giving the Niners the lead.  The defense didn't play well at all in this football game, but the offense didn't really help the defense out a whole lot.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns.  Rodgers also had one interception and was sacked only one time.  Dujuan Harris ran well in the first half as he rushed for 58 yards on eleven carries and scored a touchdown.  James Jones had a good game catches four balls for 87 yards and touchdown.  Greg Jennings caught a touchdown late in the game in garbage time in what could be his last game wearing a Packers uniform.  Donald Driver, who played a little on special teams in this playoff game, also probably played his last game wearing a Packers uniform.

The season is over.  It's going to be a long offseason.  The season ended with an embarrassing defeat.  Some major changes need to be made on the defensive side of the ball.  In particular, Dom Capers, the defensive coordinator.  Our defense has been shredded several times in the last two seasons with him calling the defensive plays.  I'm not afraid to say, but it's time for a change.  Capers continues to fail to make necessary adjustments in games.  Or maybe he just doesn't know what adjustments to make.  Either way, it's time for a change in Green Bay.  Will it happen?  Probably not.  But it should happen.

Till next season... #gopackgo