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).