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