Now that the dust has settled and the hangover has worn off, here are five more thoughts on the Green Bay Packers 24-20 win over the Detroit Lions.
Nice game plan, Mike
At one point during the game my friend turned to me and said, “Lots of buffoonery going on today.” Indeed, there was. Mike McCarthy seems to think his offense can impose its will on everyone. It can’t. As we mentioned yesterday, the Lions defensive strategy was to take away the vertical passing game. Instead of taking what the defense gave them — underneath routes — the Packers continued to try go vertical. Against a decent team, the Packers refusal to be patient and adapt surely would have cost them a win.
We know Mason Crosby sucks, but…
Early in the game, the Packers had a fourth-and-4. We knew they weren’t going to punt, but instead of sending Crosby out for a 49-yard field goal, they went for it. They failed. Crosby would come on to miss his next two kicks before connecting on his final one. You know your kicker is struggling and probably has some issues with his confidence. Going for it at that point instead of opting for a makable field goal try clearly didn’t help that issue. Way to give the guy a no confidence vote before he even did anything.
Sorry Aaron
Randall Cobb is the Packers MVP at this point. Anyone want to argue otherwise?
The Packers can still rush the passer without Clay Matthews
We figured the Packers would have a tough time getting to Matthew Stafford without Clay Matthews in the lineup. They didn’t. The Packers outside linebackers did just fine. Erik Walden had two sacks. Dezman Moses had a sack and a forced fumble. Yeah, the Packers are better with Matthews, but they proved they have some quality depth at linebacker on Sunday.
Marshall Newhouse might be the Packers best lineman
I’m kidding right? No. You know how I know Newhouse is playing well? I don’t notice him. I notice Jeff Saturday. I notice T.J. Lang. I even notice Josh Sitton on occasion. I notice them because of their shitty play. Marshall Newhouse hasn’t crossed my mind in weeks. That means he’s not getting blown up like these other dicks are.
Marshall Newhouse was never as bad as you thought, for one thing. Secondly, he was blocking Kyle Van Da Bush all game, who is obviously getting old and washed up.
MM can’t seem to win here. If he doesn’t run the ball enough, he is a buffoon. If he runs too much, he’s a clown. Etc.etc.etc… Honestly, I don’t think the Packers threw a single deep ball all game. If you mean by “going vertical” running the seam route, then yes, we ALWAYS do that on key downs. Obviously, it is a route that A-Rodge loves throwing, and I seem to remember winning a Super Bowl with it.
I was 100% for going for it on 4th and 4 from the 31. I think that 30-35 yard line area is a 4 down area for a lot of teams in the league. I’m not sure that sending Crosby out to kick a 49 yarder would be a great thing for his confidence.
And without A-Rodge, Cobb is a return guy who can run a little.
AA Rod is the MVP, hands down. Take away Cobb, and we lose a valuable weapon but still have DD, Jordy, and Jones at wideout. Take away AA Rod, Harrell comes in, and the ship goes down in flames, crashes, and then explodes.
Agreed Doug. Randall is indeed a great weapon butttttttttttttttt, not in Aaron’s league
MM is an excellant play caller, sheesh man where have you been.
You are right about Newhouse as horrifying as that is. McCarthy needs to kick each O-lineman in the balls as a reminder that they still have them. Newhouse plays pretty well most of the time, but when he fucks up, it looks like a grand prize winning fuck up. Kudos to the defense. They don’t need a kick in the balls. Considering how young they are, they could have the makings of a pretty dominant D for the next few years. If Cobb keeps it up, he will be making weird commercials Old Spice.
Cobb’s TD pass was a long throw.
Finley’s TD pass was a short throw underneath.
So we have both types…
If we are going to get nervous nellie about anything it’s that we needed a TD for a touchdown to win the game. Yes… if you think about it… we’ve turned into the Bears where we need the defense to score points to win a game.
Two games we’ve needed the defense to score points, the Packers are not the Bears, the Bears would score 6 points a game if it weren’t for their defense.
Hah that Bears D was nowhere to be found tonight. Beautiful!!
HOLY FUCKING SHIT THE BEARS SUCK
Haha, this recap is awesome. Well done.
I do not have a problem with going for it on 4 and 4,but get the 1st down then 4 new downs to score.MM is becoming too predicable with that go for it all play.Teams are looking for it now. Seen it too much…
I get that you love Randall Cobb, but holy hell is it some terrible football analysis to claim he’s MVP over Aaron Rodgers at this point. A great player? yes. The most valuable? No. Would you rather have a team with Graham Harrell and Randall Cobb, or a team with Aaron Rodgers and no Cobb. Just saying.