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.