A game that looked like it may turn into another Packer runaway was derailed by Packer turnovers and poor execution in the second half. Green Bay led by 14 points at the half, but followed that with the poorest performance in any third quarter in memory and allowed the Colts to take the lead in the fourth quarter, 31-28.
Packer fumbles were a key to this game. The Packers followed last game’s special teams punt return TD with a special teams fumble that set up the Colts to take their first lead in the second half. Darrius Sheppard lost the ball deep in his own territory and only an heroic stand by the defense kept Indianapolis to a field goal and a three point lead.
Aaron Rodgers then revived the offense, leading them 43 yards in 9 plays to the Colts 34 yard line. On fourth and one with 3 minutes and 11 seconds left on the clock, LaFleur rejected the field goal attempt to tie the game and went for the first down. Rodgers then threw his worst pass of the game. A floater that sailed a good 10 yards over the head of the intended target, Jamaal Williams.
The Colts could not run out the clock and Rodgers and company would get another chance. The last two minutes was nothing short of a flag fest as the refs called penalties on five of the eight plays. At first, the Packers defense tried to seal the Colts victory with two defensive penalties; the first for off-sides and the second on the next play, 12 men on the field. But the Colts offense seemed to want some official attention of their own and went on to commit three penalties on consecutive plays. This not only left Indy a third and 26 that Rivers could not convert, it almost cost them the game. Za’Darius Smith knocked the ball out of Rivers hands which Christian Kirksey scooped up and ran in for a potential score. But the cruel Zebras called it an incomplete pass leaving 1:25 on the clock for Rodgers to pull out a miracle. And he almost did. A 10 play drive highlighted by a bomb to Valdes-Scantling for 47 yards produced three points, tying the score.
The defense should get some credit in this game. They held a very good QB and Colt offense in check for most of the game except when they were hung out to dry in the third quarter by the offense and special teams. The defense played nearly every snap for fifteen minutes of the third quarter and still came up with big stops in the fourth to give the offense a chance.
Overtime started with a 9 yard pass from Rodgers to Aaron Jones but ended on the next play when Valdez-Scantling fumbled a reception as he crossed the line of scrimmage. It was the third lost fumble of the game and fourth turnover for the Packers on the night. The end result left Packers fans aching for what could have been. But there is no time for unproductive regret; the Bears come to town next Sunday.
RoDgers, his name has a D in it.
Good thing I don’t get death threats like MVS every time I make a mistake
They just aren’t expressed verbally or in text. Paper trail and all. You understand.
That was dark, mean, and i think an apology is in order.
.
Well…..nah…it’s still funny.
You boys are wrapped pretty tight….jeez
Two things that never get old:
Dark humor and unvaccinated children
Two other things that never get old:
.
Walmarts TV inventory and Liquor stores alcohol inventory during protest for change for racial equality.
.
Free TV’s and free liquor….It’s a start.
Rodgers and LeFleur are backing MVS, that’s to be expected. They don’t hate him and want to ruin his career like how Rodgers and McCarthy hated and tried to ruin Janis’s career. Some of you “get that”.
The fumble happened at the most inopportune time of the game, it did have a direct result on the outcome
.
But….it’s a team game and the situation was created because of a poorly played 2nd half. One could argue it was not the fumble that lost the game. But the very fact the game hinged on it, at that point, to begin with.
.
After halftime….the Colts came out with a plan, a plan to take the game back, and they were successful, especially in the 3rd quarter. That didn’t happen because of luck, it wasn’t just a coincidence that they dominated that quarter. It was exactly what they planned to execute during half time game planning.
.
Sure….anyone can blame MVS…that’s the easy out. But…in a nutshell, in a simple overview……
It’s hard to win a game giving up 420 yards, 34 points, 4 turnovers, getting outcoached, and being dominated concerning time of possession.
……………………………………………………………………
I think one of these days we may have to face reality that our run game isn’t high level, whether it’s run blocking, running, or a combination of both. We obviously struggle.
If you take away Jones fantastic game against Detroit when he rushed for 168 yards, he’s rushed for 3.8 YPC the rest of the season. Matter of fact, his highest rushing game (sans the Lions game) is 69 yards.
.
One of these days we’ll have to face realty about how horrific our special teams return game is. Well…..nevermind, it’s always horrible and the Packers seem ok to just….live with it.
………………………………………
One last thing about that MVS play call.
In a previous post i expressed my opinion how i thought throwing out wide, to a receiver “behind the line of scrimmage” was a foolish play call for the Packers because they don’t have personnel or the blocking skills to pull it off. Well….re-watch the play and you’ll see what i meant.
Not only that….but it was 2nd and two….you don’t have a better play call? You decide to involve your worst hands guy, on a pass behind the line of scrimmage against a fast, proven group of LB’s? Sometimes you reap what you sow. I mean….was anyone shocked the ball came out?….i doubt it.
talking about linebacker play, I think 58 is old and 54 is a bad ass. kinda reminds me Johny “Mr. Anywhere” Holland. To me I haven’t seen that for a long time. But we got to have 2 of them !!! Gotta get another bad ass in the middle
Fun Fact: If the season ended today…The Eagles would be Champions of the NFC East at 3-6-1
There is a “Highly Successful” Coach who thinks he will be winning that meaningless Division. He can add that to his shitty resume.
Yea…this screams of years back in 2010 when a 7-9 Seahawks team won the NFC West. If my NFL fan card is still valid, my memory tells me it was Cutlers first playoff win when his Bears met the Hawks in the playoffs.
.
I think the Boys will win that Division, but will they be 6-10, or 7-9 that is in question.
The Eagles will win it with Hurts at QB. Wentz will go on IR with a “soft tissue” injury.
JP i demand a piece breaking down preston smiths prowess in man to man coverage. Its seems the packers are really giving him an opportunity to showcase his skills in 1 on 1 coverage
**
Can we get an analysis of his footwork? Hip turn?
****
Is pettine a mad genius for throwing off the offense? Is this the new version of the poachers throwing 50 yard bombs on 3rd and inches to “trick” the other team?
,****
This new defensive scheme is really going to mess with the opposing quarter backs head. When smith is a free agent will he sign for elite end money or elite corner back money?
My Man!…..Stigg is demanding. I like that. Now it’s my turn.
.
I demand people start recognizing the humor in some of my post. I’m not going to make any threats on what will happen if this continues but make no mistake, i’m plenty pissed off about it, so…………….watch and see what happens!! :)
.
JK “The Weapon” Scott must have been having trouble with the elements again in Indy. Maybe the controlled climate was too cold. He’s BJ “Fill In Nickname” Sander 2.0; a draft pick wasted on a punter.
We all know there’s plenty of blame to go around after the loss to the Colts. The special teams in the last 2 weeks have been a nightmare. A fumble lost, a return for a touchdown, no discipline in punt coverage, and poor tackling. On defense, poor tackling again, and Pettine not adjusting to the Colts intention on running the ball to start the 2nd half. Also, Pettine having the DBs’ playing 10 to 15 yards off the line of scrimmage thus opening up the middle of the field and having slow LBs’ like P. Smith and Summers to cover the colts TEs or WRs on crossing routes. Have you noticed the absence of our running game in the last month or so? This defense was gassed by the time the 4th quarter started. On offense, the 3 and outs in the 3rd quarter plus the defense not adjusting to what the Colts were doing after halftime, added fire to the Colts momentum. Then, add the clock mismanagement at the end of regulation, the 4 turnovers, and this teams’ inability to finish off an opponent, is maddening. In the end, we at least found out that we could play against a quality team, have a chance to win said game; if we could stop shooting ourselves in the foot. One positive note; at least the team came out ready to play inspired football, which is more than I can say about the performances in the past few weeks.
This was another big letdown game. Even worse that they led decently at half by two touchdowns. Come on. The defense gave up another 2 point conversion. Remember when they gave up 3 in a row in week 1? The vikings scored 24 points in the 4th quarter because of those two point conversions. The defense is still a huge problem and they are worse than last year. I do think they looked better in the first half but does that matter? You have to play a full game.
The defensive scheme makes no sense. Guys are playing too far off the line. Alexander and King can both play man yet they’re 10 yards off every play. This defense is way too soft and it hurt their chances to win late in the game. When the Colts had 3rd and 20, they played soft as usual and gave up 16 yards. In this NFL, nearly everyone is going for it on 4th down if it’s close. But Pettine is playing that 3rd and 20 like it’s a guarantee that they will punt on 4th down. Yeah no, teams that want to win will go for it. That hurt bad because when the packers got the ball back they didn’t have much time to score.
The offense is hit or miss for me. I know they rank very high, but they also play flat at the worst times. 6 plays in the third is really bad and went a long way towards losing this. Also, this offense is still bad for years at short yards. I thought AJ Dillon was supposed to be this big back who was going to get those hard yards but on 4th and 1 they don’t run or do a sneak.
I can’t be upset at Scantling for the fumble even though he should’ve and could’ve held the ball better. That screen pass is not his type of play and really overtime should’ve never happened at all but it only did because of all the bad mistakes before.
Special teams is still a disaster. The only thing I can hope for is that they don’t fumble, but a good return barely ever happens.