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.
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| Photo credit: packers.com |
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.
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| Photo credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images |
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
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