It wasn’t exactly pretty, but it was effective and effective is all that matters at this time of year. The Green Bay Packers bounced back from their loss at Buffalo by handling the outmatched, two-win Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3 on Sunday.
In the process, the Packers clinched their sixth playoff berth in a row.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers bounced back from his worst game ever by throwing for 318 yards, largely to the dominant receiving duo of Jordy Nelson (113 yards) and Randall Cobb (131 yards). Eddie Lacy carried the load early, rushing for 99 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown before being limited because of injury late in the game. Probably most importantly, the Packers defense was borderline dominant for a second week in a row, holding Tampa to just 109 total yards.
That’s 93 net passing yards and 16 net rushing yards, if you’re keeping track.
This was easily the defense’s best performance of the season, but it should have been. There’s a reason the Bucs only have two wins. They’re not what you’d call an offensive powerhouse.
That being said, the defense was impressive in all facets.
Safety Morgan Burnett was a beast, finishing with 10 tackles and a half sack. Clay Matthews had six tackles, including a season-high 2.5 sacks, and Julius Peppers added two sacks of his own — part of seven total Packers’ sacks.
Those are the guys you want to see playing well at this point in the season because if the Packers are going to make a playoff run, a lot of responsibility is going to be on those three guys.
If there was a complaint from this win, it’s the Packers’ inability to put the ball into the end zone, something which reared its head against the Patriots earlier this season. Against a very much inferior Tampa Bay defense, the Packers were just 1-of-4 in red zone efficiency.
We’ll touch more on that Buffoonery later.
For now, we’ll just be happy that the Packers did what they were supposed to do.
Those scumbags from Detroit and the division title await.
61 Comments
Ted, please don’t be so stupid as to not resign Cobb, his tough catches saved the day today….and boy do we need a good tight end again…
Resist the temptation to sell this win short. We have won in Tampa Bay exactly twice in the past seven tries, the last time in 2003. We won by the defense doing what it needed to do, with some seven sacks, and with our MVP quarterback playing with both a gimpy calf while also apparently under the weather.
And now it begins, first with putting the Lions in their place. Revenge for the Fail Mary awaits, en route to another triumphant March for another Lombardi.
Please Uncle Ted give RC and the Packer Nation a well deserved Holiday gift with the offer of an extension. Vince would approve. Go Pack Go!!!
Fickle hater comment here:
1.) But…but…but…we only scored 20 points!
2.) McCarthy is an idiot! He only has made the Playoffs year after year & owns the Bears & ViQueens! & he has only 1 ring?! Wow…he sucks!?!
3.) Ted Thompson is terrible! I want Farve! Derp!
4.) I am entitled! & I don’t realize how good I truly have it as an arm-chair fan!
5.) I wanna be 15-0!!!! (Derp/Burp)
6.) *Emotional, druken knit-picky insert here*
#7.)-#50.) to be read below…
Tyko, is that the international sign for face in the tits in your #7 above?
Against a good team we lose yesterday hands down. Shit against even an average QB we lose yesterday.
Glad we won for sure but lets be realists. If the Packers play like that again, even at home, they will lose. The offense is stagnant and MM play calling is absolutely terrible.
Anyways, I hope we kick the shit out of those piece of shit Lions and go into the playoffs firing on all cylinders.
The way we played defense yesterday, I highly fucking doubt that. In fact, we were more efficient in the red zone this week than in Week 13, and we beat an ELITE QB that week.
Thank you.
Did anyone even watch the game?!?
what? i watched four games at once. can’t wait for the playoffs when i can catch every game one at a friggin time.
We should put the dirty ass Lions in their place. Plus I WANT TO see revenge for that fucking hail mary bullshit game. Seahawks bandwagon fans are quite possibly the scumiest dickheads on earth. I want to see them eat a pile of shit and shut the fuck up for one year.
Tampa is not an offensive explosion waiting to happen, however way to play D. Tackling improved. Lowest total yards by far allowed to Tampa all year. Both sides of the ball ground out a win. Playoffs have now started. GO PACK!
This game was like a fast food meal. You knew you needed it but there isn’t anything memorable about it.
Considering the Raiders beat the Bills today…. I don’t know what to think. We’ll I guess I see what this team is made of by watching the Detroit game.
Considering you don’t realize that you’re watching the NFL, maybe you should start watching women’s college basketball instead if you’re looking for an obvious outcome
Good thing they fired Capers.
Ooooooooohhhhh….
Yea. Let’s just fire everybody.
Great battle cry.
I don’t care as long as they fire SOMEBODY! How about the ST coaches? Er, did they already do that couple years ago? Also the fitness trainers? Anyway seems to have cut down on the no. of hamstring injuries.
Yeah because great defensive performances against a terrible offense in the regular season. completely outweigh epic meltdowns in the playoffs. Noted.
Brilliant! Couldnt agree more. I will hold judgement on the Defense till after next week, and then if they can pull that out, till Seattle; otherwise im still not a believer by a long shot.
I see the Homers all out heaping tons of praise for the Pack beating a team that totally sucks. As a fan, I am certainly glad that we won, however watching that game was not easy. The red zone scoring is blowing chunks! McGlurpy and his play calling was his usual, just plain bad. S Teams is a growing liability. Let’s face it, if we had played anyone of strength yesterday, we would have been shitting the bed everywhere, and would have been compelled to sleep in it. If we do not play better than we have on offense since the N E game, we will be fortunate to survive Detroit! And, if in fact we do beat the Lions, we will (as usual) be one and done in the playoffs. Poor play calling, horrible S Teams, and no adjustments have been plaguing this team all year. It has not changed! Do not fool yourselves, we still have the same “BRAIN TRUST” that we have had since 2011, and the playoffs will again be a major disappointment . . . Fuck it
You’re a total dipshit is what you are.
You are correct about the Special Teams. But that is all.
But that game plan was vs. Lovie Smith. It was not too cute & it got us the “W”
That was like every game McCarthy ever won vs. Lovie’s cover-2 when he was with the Bears. Dink & Dunk passing & stop the run.
& Dom’s scheme yesterday was of Superbowl caliber. That performace would have beaten anyone. But it was geared to a road win in Tampa with a stating QB that was playing while ill.
Go watch women’s college basketball you naïve doofus. You obviously don’t realize we’ve gone to the playoffs 6 seasons straight with this regime.
Enjoy your division title next Sunday as you wallow in your personal fannish misery. Go pop-in some Ray Rhodes or Lindy Infante cassettes if you wana criticize our own guys.
Or Forrest Gregg or Bart Starr for that matter.
So MM runs Cobb out of the backfield, attacks the Cover 2 with short passes like everyone’s been bitching about all year, runs 3 straight times from the 1 (i.e. pounds Lacy) like all you whiny-ass bitches always want him to and the play-calling still sucks? GTFO. If you know so much, then please, fucking enlighten us as to what plays (proper names please) he should be running vs. each and every defensive formation we faced. And after you do that, please enlighten MM so that we’re able to get a TD on ever play and Rodgers and Lacy can have 50 TDs combined each game.
FYI, your nickname for MM is probably the least creative, most juvenile sobriquet that any half-wit in the history of the human race ever did devise.
Glad that you mentioned the NE game as well, because the defense damn near dominated against one of the 5 best QBs to ever play the game.
If you ever finally understand the nuances of the English language, I may debate with you. Your usage of “sobriquet” compelled me to laughter! Learn HOW to use and how to distinguish the subtleties of a word before you use it next time! You only embarrass yourself when you use words improperly when you are attempting to pontificate master wordsmith . . . and the invectives? bring them on! sir dullard of the internet! Another Homer for sure.
Uh, sobriquet is a nickname, it can be used as a humorous or affectionate one, but it can be any nickname, regardless of intention.
I hope you understand the irony of insulting my grammar when yours has it’s own faults: “sir dullard” should be capitalized as it’s a proper name, “Homer” should not, unless you’re attempting to nominate me as the greatest epic writer of modern times, a position I am sure you are not substantiated to afford and I to receive.
Case in point: Bloody Mary was the Sobriquet of Mary I, given to her by the Protestants; pretty sure that’s not an affectionate nick name. Maybe you should learn ALL the potential definitions of a word prior to casting aspersions. Nice try though, guy.
The irony would be irony, if and only IF it was intended as absolute. “sir dullard” was not a proclamation, but instead a sarcasm. :) And “sobriquet” is an anachronism! why must thou useth old English? Wilt thou respectfully refrain from the usage of a molding old shibboleth? lol . . .
That calf thing….and this coming weeks practice…could be a bigger factor than we think…he needs to be able to run once in awhile against the Lions…hope he heals up quick…send him to Switzerland and get one of those magic oxygen treatments..
Save him for the playoffs. MF owns the Lions, remember 2011?
You cant be serious. For one, this lions defense is ten times better than the one in 2011. Two the packers are playing for a first round bye which will give rodgers, and everyone else for that matter, a week of rest. They may even be playing for homefield depending on whether the rams can pull off the upset, which could totally happen. Everyone is hurting at this time of the year, they have just completed 15 games.
Ok. i’ll offer a compromise. let’s play MF and do a tie with the Cryons, thereby sending Skedattle scurrying OUT of the no. 1 playoff seed spot. we can always splatter the Lions and their season SB hopes if we get them [sound of chops licking] in the playoffs if some other crappier playoff team hasn’t already taken them out? and i don’t want to hear about how great the Lions were playing in their toy Dome 16 weeks ago! In fact i don’t expect Stafford to survive the injurious mauling he is going to get at the hands of any no. of nfc playoff teams’ pass rushers. can u say CHERRY TURNOVERS?
Perhaps that is what McGlurpy needs . . . Magic oxygen.
And who would you rather have as a coach other than Belechick? Answer me that since you already hate a top-5 coach in McCarthy & a top-5 GM in Thompson.
Touchy! are you sniffing their underwear as well? Back off! I am entitled to my opinion. Rant about me ranting will you! lol!
Yes, you are entitled to your opinion as are all people, including Tyko. The fact of the matter is you don’t provide actual evidence to back up your opinions, just general insults. If you want to have an actual logical discussion then maybe you should do so, elsewise you really have no position to complain about others dissenting with your opinion.
Difference about this game than last week ? The packers actually ran short routes instead of trying to hit 20+ yarders every play. Plus they stuck with the running game. The only down thing is…They struggled all day to score. But it was against Lovie smith’s team, he always had the packers numbers when he was coaching the bears. Plus Devante Adam needs to play better, he drop 2 crucial passes on 3rd down. Where the hell is Jerrett Boykin ? And do the Packers not have any Tight Ends to throw it too ?
You make good points. & there are good answers to all of your query’s …
1.) I believe they’re “saving” their dink’n’dunk scheme for next week (watch the weather closely here)
2.) They really didn’t struggle to score…it was a ball control football game. No need to take deep shots & gamble here. Just get the win, baby
3.) You’re 100% right about Adams. 2nd round-draft picks need to play better. This guy wasn’t drafted for his speed, he was drafted for his hands & because he caught 131 passes his Junior year in college
4.) Boykin is just not very good to NFL standards
5.) Colt Lyerlya was a gamble that didn’t come to fruition at the TE position
Is that why they violated the maxim of always taking a sure FG if it changes the no. of possessions u need or lead? Even if it it was fairly early I was surprised they went for it on 4th down when a chip shot puts them up two scores. All I got to say is, they sure were lucky they got scheduled the NFC S and AFC E this year!
Did you watch the game? That chip-shot would NOT have put them up 2 scores. It would have made it 6-0.
Parody in the NFL is that no matter what the Vegas odds are, the Raiders, Jaguars & Bills can beat anyone at Home on any weekend.
& as far as the AFC E goes, Patriots, Dolphins & Bills are pretty dam good teams
yeah, u r rite, why confine the argument to the mighty AFC E: actually, when u think about it, the whole AFC has proven themselves to be, since their inception, a really superior, elite conference, and that explains why a former AFC castoff team was the only nfc SB entry that could possibly beat [actually, totally crush] the cream of the elite superior AFC conference last year. one thing i can’t figure tho: the total 2014 head-to-head results between AFC and NFC, esp. since NFC has such cruddy weak divisions like the S: an entire division below .500 LOL compared to the ancient and glorious AFC who proudly sport at least one golden dynasty franchise of supermen residing in every single one of their 4 team divisions…
I don’t know what you’re tryen to say, dude but there are 5 really good teams:
1.) Patriots
2.) Seahawks
3.) Packers
4.) Broncos
5.) Cowboys
Then there is a 2nd tier: Lions, Bengals ect.
Dolphins & Bills both have decent rosters. What other divisions would have posed more problems? AFC West? Um…NO!!!! AFC South? Um…NO!!
Why exactly you’re bringing-up ancient history is beyond me…
News Flash: schedules are set for the next 8 years with exception to 2 games…
Thanks for trying, though
Hi tyco,
I think you mean parity. More importantly, I feel that Denver and Manning are realy falling apart. For me it’s about:
Patriots, Packers, Seahawks and Maybe Cowboys. I hate all those teams but one.
ok. one thing i am tryen to say: the jaguars could not beat any given team on ANY weekend at home or any other planet.
LOL. The reason Lovie lost his job was he COULDN’T BEAT Rodgers and the Packers.
Cutty could and would, have beat the Lions. Tretschmann will be gone next year, unless he is a close relative of Ram Emanuel.
Cutty would’ve thrown 3 picks, including one for a TD, single-handedly scoring more points for the Lions than Da Bares.
then he would still have scored two less TD for the Lions than his replacement did… which supports my argument.
Rahm [not Ram] Emanuel is the Mayor or Chicago. if he is no longer in office this year or next, he is STILL the “mayor of chicago”… nevertheless i expect Trenchman to be gone next season…
Wait I thought the Bucs QB had the Packs number, and their two wideouts would be huge threats? And, Lovie….
Adams is in a slump right now. Too many drops. Boykins still can’t figure out how to run routes. He does not have any idea how to run outs. I think it’s high time we give Janis an opportunity. We can’t drop balls against Lions and we need third receiver to stretch field. Quarless and Richard Rodgers are under utilized. Nobody covers them so Rodgers should go to them more often. They actually are pretty solid this year in running routes and catching the ball. Starks struggled in this game. He’s got a problem with consistency. Dances around too much and can’t be relied upon for catching. That’s why Lacy is starter. Hope Rodgers and Lacy can recover for next week.
Stafford will be the one dropping balls. And taking ole black and blue division hits hazardous to his health.
anybody know what’s the injury to Lacy is from this game? Is he ok?
If,u see him come out,of the tunnel next sun. In full U With rest of the team u will know he is OK. Thats the packer way, that’s it, that’s all.
I heard it was just a muscle cramp and that they simply let Starks take over to be safe.
Still think Peppers is done?
Let’s keep in mind Tampa has the worst offensive line in the league before we toast to the pass rush
Amen . . .
yea we held a team with Mike Evans, Doug Martin & Vincent Jackson to only 3 points.
Holding any NFL team to only 3 points is pretty awesome.
To put that in perspective, the 0-16 Detroit Lions never scored fewer than 7 points, and they weren’t exactly an offensive powerhouse.
It appears that I got under your skin . . . awww :)
Considering how they played vs. ATL and how they just COMPLETELY DOMINATED this week I’d say the performance this week has at least a modicum of significance.
and, that modicum of wisdom gleaned from the field of battle is:
1. Avoid playing in frosty blustery conditions, which can play havoc with the precision passing machine that is AR, who possesses the lowest interception rate, alongside the highest QB rating, in the history of the world [esp. if he’s gimpy or otherwise playing lame physically or even mentally].
2. realize that the best refs will be more inclined to let them play, avoiding most ticky tack bad calls, and making sure they don’t miss the blatant infractions as they will be under TV scrutiny of most of the sports world and largest TV audience in history. that is why the nfl knows who the best refs are, that shun making the show all about themselves, like Walt Anderson #66 who reffed our SB win vs. Pissburgh in XLV. so play accordingly, as do the best BB pitchers who know all the umpires and the size of their “strike zones”.
3. if u have to play in one of those noisy acoustically designed stadiums, please take the trouble to practice under simulated conditions [e.g., public address loudspeakers pumping out 110+ dB levels of of crowd noise].
4. add some trick plays to your arsenal, esp. on ST, like other top coaches do [e.g., Jeff Fisher’s fake “fair catch” trick that netted a winning return TD vs. Skedattle]. Fisher is one of the few HC i would trade for, in a heartbeat. and the direction TN went in after he was let go supports that.
5. if they do 1-4 faithfully they are a shoe in for the SB. then utilize your team leaders previous SB experience and success to inspire the newbies that have joined the team after 2010 season.
6. if 1-5 are followed faithfully, then avoid an excessive after-SB party celebration, by imposing a team curfew on the festivities. don’t want a Ray Lewis type homicide/incident in the current NFL personal conduct policy/atmosphere. we need all out best players noses clean, because unlike other owners, we haven’t bought them, we’ve BUILT them with great deal of time and effort!