I’d like to say we learned a lot about the Green Bay Packers after they defeated the Buffalo Bills 34-7 on Sunday, but I can’t.
The Packers let the Bills hang around in the first half, but ultimately did exactly what they were supposed to do — dominate one of the worst teams in the league.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was back on his game after playing poorly in week one, finishing 19-of-29 for 255 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Somehow, the Bills didn’t pay attention to the Eagles game plan for stopping tight end Jermichael Finley and Finley came through with four receptions for 103 yards.
Clay Matthews remained a terror on defense, tallying five tackles and three sacks. Matthews now has six sacks on the season and I wondered aloud during the game whether it’s too early to start talking about Matthews as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The answer is yes. It’s too early, but if Matthews keeps up this pace, he’ll probably be in the MVP conversation.
On the negative side, the Packers didn’t rush the ball well with Ryan Grant out of the lineup. Brandon Jackson received the bulk of the work, but gained only 29 yards on 11 carries. That’s a 2.6-yard average and that’s not going to get it done if the Packers want to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Fullback John Kuhn, who is now pretending to be a running back, did a little better. Kuhn gained 36 yards on nine carries, an average of four yards per carry. No one is going to confuse Kuhn with a No. 1 running back, but he seemed to run harder than Jackson. He also seemed to know what he was doing more so than Jackson — make one cut and run straight ahead.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Kuhn starts getting more carries than Jackson. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers made a trade for a running back.
Perhaps the most notable development of the game was rookie Bryan Bulaga replacing Chad Clifton at left tackle. I didn’t notice Bulaga was in the game until he jumped offsides in the second half, but that’s a good thing.
A week after getting pushed around by Philadelphia’s defensive line, the Packers offensive line held up well. They didn’t allow a sack against the Bills.
After the game, coach Mike McCarthy said Clifton was injured. He did miss some practice time this week, but what’s new? Clifton is old and injury-prone.
He also hasn’t played at a high level for two seasons.
It will be interesting to see if Bulaga gets more snaps or takes over full time for Clifton. Personally, I haven’t seen anything from Clifton that says he needs to remain the starter.
Finally, the Minnesota Vikings and the great Lord Brett Favre lost to the Miami Dolphins at home. The Vikings are now 0-2 and two games behind the Packers in the NFC North. There is still hope the Vikings will go 0-16 this year.
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10 Comments
I couldn’t figure out why the Bills started off with Lynch – unless it was an FU to us as Packer fans. If anything, I think Jackson is exactly who we thought he was 3 years ago. I wasn’t very impressed with him.
I would like to see us get someone in here that can run the ball. Is Dimitri Nance that guy? I guess we’ll find out next week. But at this point, I’d say give the Bills Jason Spitz or a 4th rounder and get Lynch in Green and Yellow.
CM3 is a BEAST!!!! I love that guy!
Let’s hope that CM3 matches his Father and Uncles longevity and has an 18-19 year career for the Packers.
Hey guys, if any of you saw the Sunday Night Game between the Colts and Giants, you saw that incident between Brandon Jacobs and the Colts fans. After that incident, Jacobs has asked for a trade. So do you know where any of his landing spots are? I read an article online and possible destinations are the Packers and Seahawks and after what i saw from Jackson vs the lowly Bills, im would be really commited for the Packers to trade for him. We could package a 4th rounder and maybe a TE for him. What do you think? This is my guessing.
Dude, why would you want the helmet throwing nimrod in green bay. Maybe thompson will trade flynn for him and he could double as our backup QB, you probably like that idea too, moron.
Dumbass, its not that i want him just because, its cuz we need a good RB. Let me ask you this, do you think our running game is going to cut it with Jackson, Kuhn, and Nance? i dont think so and getting a guy whose a pretty good back at a decent price is a good deal. I mean, he wants out and we need a back so maybe package a low draft choice and a lesser player for him? if i was TT, i would definatley pull the trigger on the trade. But the guy that i would really love to add is Marshawn Lynch. He fits our zone blocking scheme, and has ties to Aaron Rodgers and Desmond Bishop. How bout that thinking? Moron.
Clay Matthews = Wolverine. Can’t wait to see how Magneto (Favre) deals with all that testosterone and adamantium flying through the air at throat height from his blind side.
I used to be a Brandon Jacobs guy, but not anymore. For being a huge guy, he goes down too easy, and he doesn’t seem as explosive as he was the first 2 years in the league. Seriously, I don’t know that he’d be an improvement. He also isn’t very good in short yardage. I would take Kuhn and maybe even Jackson over him.
Lynch would definitely be an improvement and no doubt he was highlighted against us. However, rumor is the Bills are asking for too much, and I think we saw Sunday what MM really wants to do with this offense. RB by committee, each playing in different packages, constantly coming on and off the field. And running the ball pretty much just to keep the defense honest. That is our offense.
Oh, on the football game, not much worth saying. The Packers did what good teams are supposed to do at home- crush weaker teams. I am slightly concerned with our tackling, which has been shoddy all year, including the preseason. But I think it is obvious we have more of a big play defense. Offenses will score some points and have some drives against us, but it will be tough to stop Matthews, Woodson, Collins, etc.. from not making a big play at some point in the game.
It all comes down to the Bears game now. Kind of nice to have a big game against the Bears for once. It has been a while.
Minnesota? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Where’s Matt to talk about Favre’s 0-2 start, 0 TD’s and 4 Picks, not to mention a lost fumble in the end zone that cost them the game?
oh….poor Brett doesn’t have anyone to throw to. And the line’s not doing a great job protecting him. And oohh his poor ankle. And if Adrian Peterson could break a tackle. and blah blah blah.
Let’s hear again how being a gunslinger is a good thing and he’s just trying to make a play. Please excuse me while I go vomit.
Here’s a thought: show up for training camp!