Packers XLV

You'll Hear No Outrage from the Head Cheese Following This Loss.

Posted October 31st, 2016 @ 01:10pm

I find it hard to get too down on the Pack for their last minute loss in Atlanta. For about 58 minutes, they made enough plays on both sides of the ball to beat a talented team, desperate to break a two game losing streak on their home field.

The defensive breakdown on Matt Ryan's game winning drive was obviously disappointing, highlighting the team's biggest shortcoming on this day: the lack of a pass rush. For most of the afternoon, Ryan had too much time to find an open receiver and on a day when the team was without its top three corners, the front seven needed to make plays and they failed.

If you would have told me before the game that Julio Jones would be held to 29 yards receiving, Devonta Freeman would only gain 35 yards on the ground and the Pack would put up 32 points, I would have said 'that's the recipe for a win.' But the defense couldn't make a stop, or a big play on that final drive and lost Mohammad Sanu in the end zone --and that was all she wrote.

I take issue with Bob McGinn's story, ripping Rodgers for not bringing the Pack back at the end. Sure, with 29 seconds and two timeouts it was possible to lead the team into field goal range--they did it before the half--but the odds are still against it. Not to mention, the injuries among the offensive skill players made for a challenging day on that side of the ball and Adams and Nelson appeared gassed.

For my money, this was Rodgers' best game of the season, especially considering the circumstances. He missed a few throws and took a sack or two that he didn't need to, but for the most part he did enough with his arm and legs to win this game.

After scoring 24 points in the first half, the Pack scored just once after intermission, continuing a pattern we saw in the previous game. This offense is stressed right now, with no legitimate running game and two key receivers (Cobb and Montgomery) out. The tight end position has become a rumor--no catches for Rodgers or Perillo. I don't remember either of those guys even getting any throws their way. Let's hope this is the last time #12 leads the team in rushing.

We saw Trevor Davis make big plays in the return game and as a receiver. We saw Geronimo Allison score in his first game as a Packer. We saw Jordy Nelson get involved in big plays early (though he disappeared for the most part after that) and we saw Davante Adams follow up his player of the week performance with another strong game. No, the offense was not the problem on this day.

The blame ultimately falls on the defense, which as I said earlier, played decent for 58 minutes. Yes, the unit was missing Clay Matthews, but there is enough depth at outside linebacker and on the D-line to be more disruptive in the passing game and they didn't get it done at the end.

But I'm not ripping my hair out over this loss. Yeah, yeah, I know...what hair? This one might prove costly as playoff seeding is determined, but they lost on a busted play in the final minute on the road to a likely division champ. Rodgers is playing at the level we would he'd play at and this team has to get healthier as the weeks go by.

I said leading up to this one that I thought a 3-2 record over this five game stretch would be acceptable and I figured this would be one of the two losses. They played better than I expected--good enough to win--but came up short. If they take care of business against the woeful Colts at Lambeau and then at Tennessee, they'll need to split their prime time road tests in Washington and Philly to get there. If they come out of this stretch at 7-4, they'll still be in position to accomplish all of their goals.

So go ahead: blame Rodgers, Capers, or whoever you want. I look at it as a tough loss to a talented team that made one more play than the Pack made. Simple as that. Injuries are a convenient excuse, sure, but playing against this team without seven starters and coming this close makes me feel more hopeful than disgusted.

 

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Comments (26):

well I was close, said 34-30, if we win t/o battle, wrong again, very entertaining game to watch though hard one to lose. just wish MM would have taken his 2nd t.o with 55 seconds to go, and have more time and 1 t.o. left. never know now, Gunther look really good and physical like he needed to be on jones. loved the way they moved the ball, but Falcons d is not great. One thing I did right,when Montgomery was ruled out, I picked up Sanu,in fantasy. then he comes back to beat us. we need to get some healthy bodies back and see how we go from here, I have to say, when I said the power of the pen in last blog, sure makes a difference when Vikes lose 2 in a row doesn't it? I'm not going to go off like Voice, but it does get annoying trying to read some good insight on here from them. just having more fun cutting down the Pack, then bragging up there own team, I know a lot of viking fans that seem to do that. I still call it envy and jealousy. It must be hard having what we have and they have 0 titles, they a really must be good fans to keep following them. You have to give them credit for that.Pack wins 31-24 , Vikes win 20-16. Go Pack

on November 1st, 2016 at 02:03pm

Larry...I look at it this way. The Vikings troll collective seems to have made it their mission to turn this site into a cesspool, yet they think they aren't immune from counter-shots. Sorry, Cane & Co. - you can't have it both ways. Your squad stinks. They're falling and they have no parachute. Cane's crew can dish it out, but they can't take it. Right now that squad would have a tough time against the Eden Prairie Eagles. Why? Because their offensive line sucks.

on November 1st, 2016 at 02:52pm

So which game would you take: the Packers loss to the Falcons or the Queens' fall thru an open manhole in Chitown? It's the beginning of the the fall of the Minisota Mirage and the Pack coming back.

on November 1st, 2016 at 05:49am

Quote: Where are the vikequeen trolls now? Unquote ....... We're still here ..... but in hiding :)..........temporarily ....(I hope)

on November 1st, 2016 at 07:29am

I didn't get to sit down and watch this game. Busy remodeling. In general, though, and think this applies here, I use the 27/17 rule. Score more than 27 point hold the other team to under 17. I walked away feeling much like THC after this game. No shame, but just didn't get it done. Winning is hard, worth it, but hard. I wonder today, if they shouldn't have taken the media hit on Ray Rice. The more apt question is , "When's Clay back?"

on November 1st, 2016 at 09:08am

I'm so Glad that all of you fudge packer fans are not the Least bit upset about your loss to Atlanta ! ..... Hope you enjoy your next half dozen Losses equally as well.

on November 1st, 2016 at 10:11pm

This is an open post to all the Vikings trolls who visit here - YOUR TEAM STINKS!!! That was the most pathetic performance I've seen in years by a supposedly professional football team. I've never seen a team so dominated by a bad team before! THEY WEREN'T EVEN COMPETITIVE!!! Getting blown out by 17 points (sorry, that garbage time TD doesn't count) on national TV is EMBARRASING!!! And you delusional idiots have the balls to come onto another team website proclaiming how "this is your year", and that the Packers' window is slammed shut. You clowns are so full of BS it's not funny. I would be embarrassed to call that joke of a team "mine". You want to come in here talking trash? Until that crap team of yours can somehow stop the hemorrhaging, you should just shut the hell up. And this Vikings "dynasty" being built? HA! You guys are headed for the crapper with that pathetic offensive line, not to mention you don't have a first round pick in '17 and no salary cap room to do anything about it. Typical short-sighted Rick Spielman. Repeat division champs? Hell...even making the playoffs this season is in doubt.

on November 1st, 2016 at 10:22am

Viking Trolls...Where are you?...That empty train parked outside the Vigi Taj Mahal has a lot of empty seats from all the trolls getting off after that loss to that Arena football team from Chicago. I mean that team had 3 offensive starting linemen out and 3 new defensive backs. Wow..Wow.. and Bow Wow to your team. GO PACK GO !!

on November 1st, 2016 at 11:08pm

PS to Larry....Larry..I know you like this sort of thing...back in April in my Packer mock draft I had the Packers taking Jordon Howard the back from Indiana in the middle rounds. He sure looks like a legit find for the Bears. GO PACK GO !!

on November 1st, 2016 at 11:14pm

Well, As frustrating as being 4-3 is to some people, we did lose to three 1st place teams, although one of those teams appears to be starting to decline, they were very legit when we lost to them. I've seen people say that this isn't a good Falcon team, last I checked they were the #1 offense in the NFL, that's how it is in today's NFL, best offense, generally a weaker defense, but they are far from a bad team, so I am not that upset about that loss. Let's win the next two, get to 5-3, and maybe be tied for 1st in the Division? Minny hosts Detroit and travels to D.C., not exactly easy matchups. GO PACK GO...

on November 1st, 2016 at 11:20am

good to hear from ya , Voice and OSSG, no Biggy Voice, I do hear where your coming from.I do like howard OSSG, but , I'm tired of not having guys with no 'speed, let's hope next year then can get a guy that can run mid 4.4's or 4.5's I love the guy from bama, stewart I think it is,or Cook from F.S. good talking again boys, Go Pack

on November 1st, 2016 at 11:41pm

So...Norv Turner resigns as Vikings OC. This soap opera is getting better all the time. I can't wait for the real reason for his decision. :-)

on November 2nd, 2016 at 11:47am

So where are all the lavender trolls now? Thanks to the dumpster fire that the queens have become I'll hazard a guess that we won't have to hear from any of those morons like cane, screech, et al for the rest of the season. The news about uncle Norv resigning is just the icing on the cake after the lavender got throttled by the Bears. This is just one more delicious reminder or what a complete and utter joke the entire viqueens organization is and always has been ever since day one. You can't make this stuff up. This is fabulous!

on November 2nd, 2016 at 12:03pm

Agree with everything you said other than the Defense played well for 58 minutes. Atlanta only punted twice. And I love reading all the Queen trolls on here.

on October 31st, 2016 at 01:03pm

Packers should turn Rodgers into a running back (60 yards - not bad !) and put somebody else (Favre maybe) in as the new QB .....

on October 31st, 2016 at 08:27am

That was NOT a good Falcons team you lost to, THC. You won't see a worse defense all year AND their fans are absolutely pathetic. Place was quiet enough for AR to use his hard-count on 3rd downs for cripes sake. McGinn was spot-on with his AR take and you know it. He failed earlier this year when it mattered throwing the Int to Waynes and he failed yesterday going 4 and out with 2 timeouts. There is a reason the recipe to beat AR has always been to keep it close. See his record in one score games (horrible). You have to accept you guys have a ~.500 squad, bro. Time for a full-scale rebuild in GB.

on October 31st, 2016 at 08:33am

Good thing Julio was clearly limited by injury. Otherwise this could have gotten ugly

on October 31st, 2016 at 08:36am

BAH-DA-DADADA CHEAT PACK CHEAT! I tried, but when you can't stop the other team, what more can I do?

on October 31st, 2016 at 08:44am

Rodgers has his groove back! Oh how I loved that the announcers' celebration of his renaissance ended up being premature!

on October 31st, 2016 at 08:50am

You know its so pathetic when the Packers have to rely on the Refs to help them win, like how Rodgers has to hurry up to try and snap the ball when he sees a Falcon player running off the field. I guess when you are incapable of winning on you're own merit, using the refs is the next best thing...

on October 31st, 2016 at 09:09am

A message to all Packer fans. Please stop complaining that Ted Thompson doesn't make trades, because when he does he ends up with Knile Davis type guys. A player with a career 3.3 y/c average who has given the Packer 5 yards on 5 carries through 2 games. TT would have been better off signing Lacy's waiter because that guy is used to carrying heavy loads.

on October 31st, 2016 at 09:12am

HOLY CRAP!!! The mighty Vikings...going down to the 1-6 BEARS!!! The way they look tonight they might not win another game!!! CRAP TO YOU!!! HAHAHAHA!!!

on October 31st, 2016 at 10:24pm

Where are the vikequeen trolls now?

on October 31st, 2016 at 10:32pm

"If you would have told me before the game that Julio Jones would be held to 29 yards receiving" You're happy GB kept a injured Julio in check? Pathetic. The depths you're reaching to in order to feel better about this loss is outstanding. "Sure guys, we may have screwed ourselves in playoff seeding, and gave Minn some more breathing room, but things are looking up because we can beat-down a terrible Indy team!" No davey, you're not ok with the loss, you've just excepted mediocrity.

on October 31st, 2016 at 10:39am

That was NOT a good Bears team you lost to, CANE. You won't see a worse defense all year AND their fans are absolutely pathetic.

on October 31st, 2016 at 10:39pm

The biggest disappointment was the offensive line. The Falcons were getting home on 3-man rushes throughout. Tretter was a turnstyle. I hope Lang is okay, because Barclay has no chance. The defense was going to have a hard time when all of the corners are hurt, that was expected. Gunter actually played great.

on October 31st, 2016 at 10:43am

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