Whats wrong with the Packers defense? If anything...

So I decided that writing about the Vikings game just annoys me…it’s that damn horn. They even hung a Packers effigy...so classless that they dont deserve a game review or an NFL team…so let’s just take the W and move on to bye week. If you care, the Cheesecake Awards are listed below.

Bye Week Defensive Review…

On defense, the Packers have been Jekyll and Hyde all season long, allowing 288.9 passing yards per game (31^st in league) and a whopping 391 total yards per outing (27^th). And yet, Green Bay allows just 20.1 points per game (10^th) and leads the league with 13 interceptions and 16 total takeaways. The stats make it look as if Dom Capers is running the good ol’ fashioned hustle on his opposing defensive coordinator. Is Capers allowing the opposition to win the battle between the 20 yard lines and then clamping down, forcing a turnover when it counts? Whether intentional or not, the method to Dom Capers’ madness is working, even though its stressful for fans and inspiration for a media desperate to find fault with a 7 – 0 team. The scary part...the defense will only get better, and the offense, well, they are just legend......wait-for-it......dary (for those of you who live under a rock, go watch How I Met Your Mother).

Much of the blame for largess in defensive yardage falls on a depleted secondary. If someone told you that Green Bay’s secondary would consist of Pat Lee, Charlie Peprah and Jarrett Bush, would you guess the Packers had a 7 – 0 record? I certainly wouldnt. With Charles Woodson unable to practice, Tramon Williams nursing a bad shoulder, Sam Shields out with a concussion, and Nick Collins on IR, yards are expected.

Whats worse, injuries have forced Charles Woodson into a role he hasnt played in years: cornerback. Yes, I know thats his actual, depth-chart-listed, position. But, over the last three seasons, Dom Capers has allowed Woodson to roam the field almost like a hybrid linebacker-safety. Woodson is having a great statistical season with a league leading five interceptions, but he is a step or two slow in coverage. Against the Vikings he showed flashes of brilliance with two interceptions (also millimeters from two more), but also surrendered a seemingly pivotal touchdown. Clearly, Woodson has amazing on the field instincts and ball awareness, perhaps the best in the modern era (move over Rod Woodson?), but his athleticism is waning. Sorry PackerNation, heroes get old...remember that guy who wore #4? Good news: Sam Shields shook off the concussion cobwebs and is cleared for action. After bye week, Woodson can return to roaming the field.

The rest of the blame for big yards goes to the Packers lack of a consistent pass rush. It’s a shame that Ted Thompson and Coach McCarthy have been unable to find more than a warm body to play opposite Clay Matthews. Erik Walden has shown SOME athleticism in coverage, but is completely inept at rushing the passer. Remember that special day in January when Walden posted three sacks and sixteen tackles against Chicago? Where did that man go? Oft injured Frank Zombo isnt much of an upgrade either, so dont go hoping for an instant fix upon Zombo's return. Brad Jones apparently cant play anything but special teams. There has to be someone else on the team that can rush the passer. Imagine the fury Clay Matthews could unleash on opposing quarterbacks if he werent double and triple teamed on most passing downs!  Next years' draft priority: OLB!

Defensive Standouts...

1) Seven games into the season, the player that stands out most is LB Desmond Bishop with an NFC leading 65 combined tackles and three sacks. Bishop is the only man Chuck Norris has ever apologized to. On pace for 119 tackles in 2011, Bishop finished with just 75 tackles in 2010. The man is absolute beast. Just go here and watch the videos.
2) Clay Matthews has been chipped and double teamed all season, and yet he leads the league in combined pass rushing statistics. Not to mention the man isnt even healthy. Watch out after bye week, the ClayMaker is back.


Week Seven Awards...
Cheesecake Awards: Clay Matthews, Aaron Rodgers, James Starks, Mason Crosby
Rotten Egg Awards: Tramon Williams, Erik Walden, Charlie Peprah, Randall Cobb

Game Preview: Packers at Vikings

The last time the Green Bay Packers faced a QB in his first NFL start it was 2009 in Tampa Bay. Aaron Rodgers threw three of his seven 2009 interceptions and the Packers lost to QB Josh Freeman and the winless Buccaneers, 38-28. This week, the Packers will face another rookie QB in the Viqueens' Christian Ponder. Unfortunately for Minnesota, the similarities end there.

The Viqueens are a franchise in disarray (how well would you play if you didn't know if your team would exist next year?). Last week, Minnesota lost to Chicago, 39-10. Donovan McNabb, essentially a placeholder until Ponder was ready to assume the throne, was benched in the fourth quarter. With the fans booing, even McNabb's mother walked out on him. See here. McNabb and his momma are far removed from the Campbell's Chunky Soup days...

Christian Ponder will be an instant upgrade for the Vikings, if only for his mobility. Ever since Minnesota's long time LT, Bryant McKinnie, showed up for training camp at 400 pounds and lost his job for eating too much, the Vikings have struggled in protection, surrendering 16 sacks in the first six games. Moreover, this week, their starting center, John Sullivan, is listed as doubtful. Ponder may just spend the entire afternoon running from Clay Matthews. Welcome to the NFL, Christian.

The Vikings have even more serious issues with their pass defense. While Minnesota boasts a premier pass rushing tandem in Jared Allen (the mullet man) and Brian Robison, they have huge holes in their secondary. Safety Jamarca Sanford and CB Antoine Winfield will not play this week due to injury and CB Chris Cook is sitting in Hennepin County Jail for strangling his lady friend. Look for Rodgers and his plethora of weapons to exploit  the depleted Vikings secondary.

The Vikings' recipe for victory: the Packers overlook the Vikings and show up thinking it's a bye week practice, resulting in multiple turnovers early and free reign for Adrian Peterson to run at will. Trust in Mike McCarthy: "We're not overlooking the Minnesota Vikings, I can promise you that," McCarthy said. "This is a very competitive division, it's always an extremely competitive game in the Metrodome. It's a tough place to play." Never fear: even if the Packers show up lackadaisically, Green Bay's practice tempo trumps Minnesota's super bowl effort.

Three Keys to Victory:

1) Score early- The Vikings have the most talented running back in the league in Adrian Peterson. Scoring early and often snatches the ball from Peterson and forces rookie Christian Ponder to stretch the field. Ponder may be Minnesota's chosen one, but he's a rookie, put the ball in his hands and eventually he will cough it up.

2) Protect the edge- Marshall Newhouse will be tested once again. At left tackle he faces the league's premier pass rusher, Jared Allen.  If Newhouse can handle the blindside, the Vikings will bring pressure up the middle, and Rodgers, the best QB in the league against the blitz, will dominate.

3) Focus- Football is meant to be played outside! Yes, it's cold, windy and snowy in Minne-sooo-da...but how pathetic are the Viqueens: 1) they wear purple 2) they resort to artificial noise because they can't sell tickets 3) they buy everyone else's used trash and pretend it's gold.  4) the Metrodome is really a collapsable tent. Managing crowd noise will be pivotal to Green Bay's offense, whose QB loves to audible at the line of scrimmage.

The Skinny

The Green Bay Packers' defense should confuse Ponder and force a few turnovers provided that Aaron Rodgers straps on his favorite Nike Destroyers and puts up early points. Adrian Peterson may put up big numbers on a heavy workload, but it will only aid the Packers in running out the clock. Under coach McCarthy, Green Bay has averaged 30 points per game in domes. This week will be no exception....Packers roll into bye week 7-0 with a 30-10 victory.

Game Review: St Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers

Letter to the Editor:
The Packers are playing horribly and can’t put together a complete game. They could have lost to the lowly Rams! The Packers disappointed Packer Nation, failing to score at all in the second half and allowing a ridiculous 424 net yards. The receivers had uncharacteristic drops, leading to *gasp* one interception. Its time to face the facts, Mike McCarthy can’t call a good game, and Ted Thompson’s draft and develop strategy is for clowns. Please, please, please, call Bill Cowher to provide some leadership! We will never get the Lombardi trophy back with these bozos! I want Brett Favre back!

Our defense gives up too many yards in the air and Aaron Rodgers should never-ever-ever throw an interception! How dare his QB rating fall under 150! Why didn’t we sign Randy Moss when we had the chance? Greg Jennings is nowhere near as much of a team player and drops way too many passes.  Seriously, who thinks Charlie Peprah can actually fill the shoes of Nick Collins? Last I checked, Darren Sharper was available. For the love of Grilled Cheesus, sign a free agent! Clay Matthews is playing horribly! Two sacks in six games! With all this talent we should be better than this! And don’t get me started about the Brewers, I’d rather they never made the playoffs than lose in the NLCS!

Sincerely,
Disgruntled Wisconsin Sports Fan

Game Review: St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers

Final Scoreline: 24-3
Predicted Scoreline: 42-10 (Once again, a solid prediction)

Mega-Lombardi Cheesecake Award: Aaron Rodgers
Cheesecake Awards: Desmond Bishop, Morgan Burnett, Clay Matthews
Rotten Egg Awards: Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver
Cotton-Headed-Ninny-Muggins Award: Sam Shields (it's not even worth writing about)

Wait a second, just how spoiled is Wisconsin? The Packers won, 24-3, extending their streak to twelve straight games and improving their current record to 6-0. That ties Vince Lombardi’s winning streak, set in 1961-62. Let’s put that in perspective, from the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 until 1991, the Packers posted winning records in just four seasons. With ten games left, we have more wins than we had total in fourteen of the seasons during the ugly 70s and 80s (I’m just glad most of my memories are from the 90s and 00s). Superbowl champs, back to back hall of fame caliber quarterbacks and a 12-0 run. Don’t worry, be happy!

So what if the Packers have surrendered a significant number of yards? As Tom Silverstein said: “The Packers give away 400 yards like banks give away pens.” Banks give away pens so that you’ll keep writing checks and paying overdraft penalties and ATM fees (You’d think America would get this by now, $3 a month just for a debit card!). After six games, Dom Caper’s strategy is clear: stop the run and force the opposition to pass thereby providing more time for the offense to score and more opportunities for interceptions. Once the Packers are up two scores or more, pin the ears back and force turnovers. After six wins and zero losses, it's clear the strategy is working.

The Rams failed to score a touchdown and punched home one measly field goal (I know St Louis cant put points on the board against a CFL team, but still, giving up just 3 points is impressive). After the game, coach McCarthy commented: "At the end of the day, it's about keeping them out of the end zone. I would definitely say that's a win for our defense." Yards are meaningless without points! Through six games, the Packers have surrendered just 19 points per game (8th best in the league), intercepted 11 passes (2nd), forced five fumbles (12th) and sacked the quarterback 15 times (10th). This is a premier defense with an elite ball hawking secondary. The scary part...they will only get better.

Desmond Bishop, the Green Bay Packers monstrous middle linebacker (when Superman goes to bed, he puts on his Desmond Bishop pajamas), continued his Probowl season with 14 tackles, earning him a well deserved Cheesecake Award. Through six games, Bishop leads the NFC in tackles with 57; last year he finished with 105 tackles (Chuck Norris tells stories about Desmond Bishop...ok, I'm done).

Morgan Burnett put together another impressive game (and another Cheesecake Award) at safety with 9 tackles and a forced fumble. He did miss a big tackle on the Rams first possession when Lance Kendricks, a former Badger, rumbled for a 45 yard gain, but he made up for it with pivotal, drive stopping hits in the second half. After breaking his hand last week during practice, Burnett played with a massive club cast, making his nine tackles all the more impressive (I'd blame his cast for the missed tackle on Kendricks).

The last Cheesecake Award goes to fan favorite Clay Matthews for his consistent pressure on Sam Bradford and three pass deflections. While he did only register one sack, Matthews added three quarterback hits and two hurries. Sam Bradford took bone-crunching hits from Matthews and ended up on a stretcher getting x-rays after the game. Over six games, Matthews leads the league in sacks, QB hits and hurries as a combined pass rushing metric. Add to this the fact that he's playing with a severely strained quadricep, forcing him to sit out practices, and Matthews looks his beastly self.

On offense, Aaron Rodgers (17 of 28, 310yds, 3TDs, 1INT) looked incredible, especially in the first half. His cross-body, rolling left touchdown pass in blustery winds to WR James Jones (1 catch, 35yds, 1TD) was a throw no other QB in the league could complete. A simple Cheesecake Award does not do Aaron Rodgers justice! Hence Packer Insanity has bestowed him with a Mega-Lombardi Cheesecake Award. His performance through six games is simply indescribable. For Rodgers, excellence is so routine that it's getting hard to find new things to say about it. 

On the other hand, the rest of the Packers offense performed lethargically and lacked their usual explosiveness, especially at the skill positions during the second half. James Starks (13 carries, 49 yards) and Ryan Grant (9 carries, 25 yards) averaged a pathetic 3.3 yards per carry against a league-worst St. Louis run defense. The Packers attempted numerous tosses and sweeps to the outside, only to be held in check either by the offensive line's inability to seal the edge or a lack of speed by Grant and Starks.

All the Rotten Egg Awards, however, are tossed at Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Donald Driver for their horrific drops. If it weren't for them, Rodgers would have posted a career day against a depleted Rams secondary. Greg Jennings (6 catches, 82 yards) posted modest numbers, but his interception causing drop brought back horrific nightmares of last seasons loss to the Lions. Jordy Nelson (2 catches, 104 yards, 1TD) exploded for a 93 yard score in the first half only to play like a high schooler in the second. Lastly, where is Donald Driver (3 catches, 25 yds, 1TD)? Admittedly, the Packers are a deep team at receiver, and he did score a touchdown (other than actually catching the ball, that was all #12). Unfortunately, Donald Driver, a Packer legend, seems to have forgotten how to catch...an important ability for a 36-year-old WR on a young, deep team. Randall Cobb has now entered the building. 

The Skinny:

Sure, this team has faults, weaknesses and areas to improve...but none of them have led to losses and each week shows drastic improvement.  Yeah, they have a shot at 16-0, something Charles Woodson admits: "We have a very, very good team," Woodson said. "I feel like everytime we step on that field we'll be better than our opponent. Can we (go 16-0)? Yeah, sure. But we have to take it one game at a time." Rather than sitting here, worrying about what might go wrong or the disastrous amount of yards opponents are racking up....Packer Nation, it's time to revel in the moment and enjoy each and every Packer victory! This is history in the making, just ask anyone who suffered through Packer fandom the 70s and 80s.

Up Next: A Viqueen Spanking


Quotables & Notables:

With a 119.6 passer rating on Sunday, Rodgers became the first quarterback since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to post six consecutive 110+ ratings to start a season. No one has started with more than four straight.

Coach McCarthy, when asked if concerned about the second half: "Well we won by three touchdowns. We can spin this any way you want. I'm completely in tune with the things we could have done better, but last time I checked, you win by three touchdowns, that's a pretty significant win."

Randall Cobb (rcobb18) on Twitter: "6-0 and we haven't even played our best ball. #scary"

Sam Shields received a concussion after running around like cotton-headed-ninny-muggins in the end zone on an interception. No word on whether he will miss time.

Game Preview: Rams at Packers

Recent Craigslist postings in St Louis:

St Louis Rams looking for absolutely anyone who might be able to block, catch or cover. No experience or athleticism needed.

New GM wanted. Must be proficient in Madden's franchise mode.

Looking for a time traveler to take me back to 1999 or 2000.

St. Louis (0-4, last in NFC West) at Green Bay (5-0, first in NFC North)

This weeks matchup pits the highest scoring NFL team, the Green Bay Packers, against the lowest, the St Louis Rams. The Packers, coming off an emotional comeback win in Atlanta have their sights on 7-0 at the bye with upcoming contests against St Louis and Minnesota, both struggling, division-bottom teams. This week, the Packers should win in exclamatory fashion...

What about the possibility of a let down against a relatively unknown opponent and a shocking loss? Not a chance. The greatness of Coach McCarthy isn't just in his play calling, which flashes brilliance and stubborn monotony in any given game. Nor is it a byproduct of his unique ability to coach up lesser known talent. More than anything, his otherworldly understanding of player motivation has brought him to the forefront of coaching. McCarthy consistently creates a sense of urgency to improve when inertia dictates a let down.

St Louis is a franchise in disarray, recovering from a rash of injuries. On offense, they average just 187 pass yards per game, surrendering 18 sacks in four games and amassing just 11.5 points per game. They have two bruising running backs in Steven Jackson and Cadillac Williams but couldn't create a hole in Swiss cheese, let alone keep them both healthy and on the field. Their young QB, Sam Bradford, won't force the ball into coverage, but spends most of the game eating turf and pouting (see body language from Redskins vs. Rams). He shouldn't be to blame either; his receivers seemed to have confused KY with stick 'em (joke courtesy of turfshowtimes.com). Seriously, their best healthy receiver, Mike Sims-Walker catches only 52% of passes thrown his direction.



Bradford spends more time in this position than under center.

 On defense, the troubles run deeper. St Louis couldn't tackle a kid who just learned to walk; they've given up a league worst 179 yards rushing per game and 5.3 yards per carry. Even after running the ball 34 times, opposing teams are posting 28.3 points per game. Don't let their pass defense stats fool you either (just 224 yds per game). The Rams secondary will be depleted this week due to multiple injuries at CB, forcing them to start 36 year old and former Packer, Al Harris. So far this season, the Rams have started five different players and signed three street free agents at CB.

The Rams most recent signing at CB, Brian Jackson, was given just days to learn the defense and prepare for the Packers. Jackson said, "He (Rams head coach, Steven Spagnuolo) kind of just threw the book at me and said, 'We're going to need you ASAP.' With Green Bay, they have an arsenal of wide receivers, so it just may come down to me having to go out there." Jackson, with injury to another former Packer, Josh Gordy, will be forced into an immediate role.

On paper, St Louis stands zero chance of winning at Lambeau against the defending Superbowl champs:

1) Aaron Rodgers will be facing a college level, street free agent secondary.
2) James Starks and Ryan Grant should have their choice of freeway sized rushing lanes with each carry.
3) The Rams offense can't score against air and spends most of the game punting or fumbling.

Most of Green Bay's players can read and should expect to win by a handsome margin (favored by 14). And yet, they will still come out of the tunnel, guns-a-blazing because McCarthy focuses his players, not on the opposing teams record, but on improvement week in and week out. BJ Raji tweeted: "time to get ready for a good opponent" (although he may have been slighting the Falcons, sarcasm doesn't carry so well on Twitter).


Predicted Scoreline: Packers 42, Rams 10


Just for fun: Jermichael Finley destroys the Rams for 2TD and 120+ yards with no drops...watch out Twitter world!

Game Review: Packers @ Falcons

Game Review: Packers @ Falcons
 
Final Scoreline: 25-14
Predicted Scoreline: 49-24 (Kinda close..right?)
 
Cheesecake Awards: Mason Crosby, Aaron Rodgers, James Jones
                Runner Ups: Desmond Bishop, Sam Shields, Charlie Peprah
 
Rotten Egg Awards: Jermichael Finley, TJ Lang, Jeff Triplette and his gaggle of headless officials
                Runner Ups: AJ Hawk, Charles Woodson, Erik Walden
 
For one frustrating half of football, the Falcons did everything they needed to win: scored first, controlled the clock, ran the ball effectively, and forced an early turnover. Unfortunately, the Packers also played their worst half of the season: the defense lost terribly at the point of attack and took unnecessary risks in coverage, while the offense lurched and sputtered, forcing passes into coverage, dropping routine balls and committing costly penalties. Add in the injury loss of Rodgers’ blind side protector, Chad Clifton, prospects for a Packer victory appeared bleak mid second quarter. Despite an early recipe for disaster, it was a tale of two halves; the far superior Green Bay Packers won in championship fashion, scoring twenty five unanswered points and shutting out the whiney, cheap-shot Atlanta Falcons.
 
After the Atlanta Falcons scored on two lengthy drives, leaving the Packers with a fourteen point deficit, most of Packer nation forgot their dreams of a 16-0 season (it’s not too early, they are THAT good). And as the Sunday Night Football camera crew (they are THAT bad) panned the Green Bay sideline in search of a scowl, argument or tossed helmet, they found a calm, collected and talented team ready to flourish in the face of adversity. After the game Mike McCarthy summed it up: "To me, that is clearly the most important characteristic of our football team that we have accomplished so far. That’s what we talked about at halftime. We talked about adversity football. We’re building something special here.”
 
Suprisingly, it wasn’t a laser touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings or Jordy Nelson that initially turned the tide.  Kicker Mason Crosby posted a career performance, earning his first Cheesecake Award, by nailing field goals from 30, 32, 35 and 56 yards (should have been 57 and a franchise record, but the ball was kicked inches shy of the 47). His booming field goal in the third quarter cut the Atlanta lead to five and had the distance from 65 yards out. “It felt good coming off my foot.” Mason Crosby said, “That’s one of those where you hit it, you turn and start celebrating pretty quick. Especially inside, if you feel good about it, it’s usually going to stay pretty true.” If Crosby had missed, the Falcons take the ball on the 50, up eight points and with a momentum boost (it takes cojones to and a lot of confidence in your defense and kicker to attempt a 50+ yarder, kudos to Mr. McCarthy).
 
At the end of the day, however, a solid comeback begins and ends with great defensive play. After surrendering 140 yards on the first two series alone, Green Bay’s much maligned defensive unit allowed just 251 total yards for the entire game and shut out the Falcons for almost three full quarters. For those concerned about passing yards surrendered (get over it already, its points and turnovers that matter and more directly result in victories). Matt Ryan posted just 156 yards on 32 attempts with one touchdown and two interceptions.  This defense is demonstrating a track record of takeaways at pivotal moments and the secondary is getting stronger each week even without Nick Collins (Charlie Peprah and Sam Shields had great games). Just wait until Clay Matthews, Tramon Williams and Frank Zombo are back to full strength (finally Erik Walden can take a bench seat).

On offense, an early turnover (Ryan Grants first fumble in 339 carries) and injuries (Chad Clifton) limited the Packers scoring ability early. It didn't help that Atlanta's early success held Green Bay's high octane offense to just three first half possessions. Clifton's injury to an already shorthanded offensive line required some impressive position shuffling and solid performances from Marshall Newhouse and rookie Derek Sherrod. Neither made glaring errors or committed costly penalties. TJ Lang, however, struggled immensely against Atlanta's DT Corey Peters, garnering a Rotten Egg Award. Even Josh Sitton, easily Green Bay's best offensive lineman, whiffed on occasion. Rodgers definitely felt the pressure: "It was a tough game. I took a lot of shots, had to move around a little bit.”

Atlanta's defense shouldn't receive all the credit for the early Packer struggles. Finley, normally sure handed, let a perfectly thrown TD pass just before half ricochet off his chest and stalled a later drive with a drop on third down. Finley, with just the brick-hands performance alone, could have avoided his first Rotten Egg Award, if it weren't for his ridiculous penchant to celebrate every time he touches the ball. Seriously, Finley, you are an athletic specimen like no other, but if you drop a touchdown pass when your team desperately needs it, shut up and do your job (yes, Jermichael Finley reads this blog, he Googles himself endlessly).
 
Even with a few costly errors by his receivers (Driver's drop, Finley's ego, Nelson wrong route), Aaron Rodgers performed spectacularly (26 for 39, 396 yds, 2TD).  Rodgers completed passes to twelve different receivers, beating his previous best of ten and tying Brett Favre’s franchise record set back on Dec. 22nd, 2003 in Oakland, the night after Favre’s father died. In fact only one eligible receiver on the game day roster avoided a Rodgers bullet: TE Ryan Taylor. Rodgers is absolutely incredible and will deserve a Cheesecake Award every week (he's kinda cute too).

Even WR James Jones earned his surprising offseason paycheck with five catches, 140yds and a 70yd TD score. James, after earning his first Cheesecake Award: “Its always nice to get involved. As a receiver you like catching the ball, but we’ve got so many weapons, so at the end of the day here we know it’s about winning. You want to have 150 yards every game, but if you get the chance, you just have to make the play.” Jones, with touchdowns in back to back games, is on the road to recovery in the eyes of Packer fans...he just better not get the dropsies again.

Normally, NFL officials should avoid the scrutiny of the press (yes, this blog counts as press), but Jeff Triplette took horrible officiating to a brand new level. First, when McCarthy was forced to waste a challenge on an obvious midfield, sideline Falcons drop, it was a shock he didn't end up calling it an Atlanta touchdown. Second, since when is it a penalty for the offense to huddle after a punt return? Third, is AJ Hawk the incredible hulk? Worst flop ever...even including Manu Ginobli's. Seriously, this is the same ref who threw his flag in Orlando Brown's eye, allowed teams to call timeouts when they have none and ensures games last at least four hours (he must be Anheuser-Busch's best friend). While Ed Hochuli has made some bad calls in his day, at least he sounds confident and has muscles.

In summary, the Falcons once again demonstrated that they think a football game is only fifteen minutes long. On the other hand, the Packers showed the fortitude of a champion; not many teams can fall behind 14 on the road to a team that thinks it's in the Superbowl and still find a way to win. Disappointed in the score or performance?  A win is a win is a win. 

Hey Roddy White, have the Packers earned your respect yet (he also reads this blog)?

Up Next: St Louis at home...
 
Notables & Quotables:
 
“Man this team has so much heart! We’ve faced some adversity early this season but we never let it phase us!” –Randall Cobb via Twitter
 
 “It’s not easy but I feel like they wouldn’t put me in that position if they didn’t think I could do it and succeed and help us win. When I first came here, I said I’d do anything to help the team win, whatever that meant, and I meant it. Hopefully I can continue to do that.” –Marshall Newhouse on his expanded role due to injuries to Clifton and Bulaga
 
“I wouldn’t talk like this, but when people don’t respect you, I don’t take it lying down. Those people don’t respect us, so in turn I’m not going to give them any respect. Now that we abused them, for a second time in a row, at their home, there’s nothing really to do. If they want to play us again, tell them to come up to Lambeau. That’s it. That’s how were doing it.” –BJ Raji

“U think its pretty safe to say that Aaron Rodgers is the best in the game. I do!” –Josh Sitton via Twitter
 
“The guy went to the ground…I’m not that strong. I wish I was strong enough to do that.” –AJ Hawk on Falcon’s center Joe Hawley and his blatant flop.

Game Preview Week 5

Packers (4-0, 1st in NFC North) at Falcons (2-2, 3rd in NFC South)

If anything can be gleaned from the imploding Philadelphia Eagles so far this season, it should be that Championships cannot be bought, borrowed or bartered. In the NFL, the worlds most competitive professional sports league, championship caliber programs mature slowly and consistently like 30 year old whisky. This Sunday, the Green Bay Packers (think Michael Collins single malt) square off against the Atlanta Falcons, a franchise who traded grandma's top shelf brandy for Jack Daniels.

After posting a 2010 league best thirteen regular season wins and then losing horribly to the Packers at home in the playoffs, Atlanta's front office thought a Superbowl was just a deep threat away. In the 2011 draft, the Falcons mortgaged the future, dumping the 27th, 59th, and 124th picks, and trading their first and fourth round picks in 2012 (Ted Thompson just had a heart attack). In return, they received just one player: Alabama's WR, Julio Jones, and granted him a $16 million 100% guaranteed contract (followed by a stroke).

Jones has great size at 6-3, 220lbs and speed (4.35 40yd) but is he really worth five players? Last week he posted great numbers against Seattle (11 for 127yds) but four games in and the end zone still proves elusive. When the farm is sold, it better result in points! 

Furthermore, if QB Matt Ryan has little time to throw, WRs become meaningless (why do franchises always forget about the fat kids?). Ryan (28 for 42, 291yds, 1TD vs Sea) was sacked 13 times in the first three games this year. As a result, he jumps nervously in the pocket, dumps off the football too early instead of stretching the field to speedy Jones or beastly Roddy White, and misses open targets far too often (tough to do when your TE is Tony Gonzalez).

Atlanta's offense throws back to the era before Manning and Brady, when the run set up the pass, not vice versa. Versus Seattle, they ran the ball 36 times and dominated time of possession 40 minutes to 20 (and yet still almost lost). Since 2008, the Falcons have the most drives of 10 plays or more that resulted in touchdowns (52) in the league. Atlanta wont score like the Packers, but will limit opponents scoring with clock management and ball control.

Bruising running back Michael Turner (5-10, 247lbs) allows this strategy to succeed with his impressive combination of size and speed. Turner still is running hard for 29, but his 4.8 yards per carry is deceptive. Without long runs of 53 and 61 yards, Turner would be averaging just 2.9 yards per carry, much less than his career average of 4.5. With the loss of hard-nosed guard Harvey Dahl (St Louis in free agency) and injuries to center Todd McClure, Atlanta's front five is lacking the toughness of years past.

On defense, the Falcons added free agent DE Ray Edwards to line up with hot headed John Abraham (he's the douchebag that did the championship belt on a sack in the playoff game at Atlanta) and yet have created only five sacks in four games against sub-par offensive lines. Compare this to the performance of Atlanta's secondary versus Tavaris Jackson, who put up 319 yards and three touchdowns (honestly, how is he still in the league), and Aaron Rodgers looks to have another career day. 

While Atlanta will be looking to protect their home field dome, Aaron Rodgers will be strapping on his favorite shoes and his already stellar receiving corps will look blinding on turf. Watch out for WR Jordy Nelson, who loves breaking down field on fake grass. If you think Randall Cobb looks fast already, just wait until he gets to sprint on rubber. Rodgers should pass for 300 yards or more, 3 TDs and take half as many hits as last week. Atlanta's offense will be playing from behind all day...sure, take 10 minutes to score, Rodgers will already be up 14.

Watch out, however, Atlanta, at 2-2 and at home, has a lot more at stake than the 4-0 Packers. The Falcons have to win this season if only to justify their win now Julio Jones attitude. Couple that with the Packers crushing playoff victory in Atlanta last season and emotions will be running high...

If there is one thing the media loves about professional sports, dramatic story lines supported by manufactured rivalries. The last time the Packers headed to Atlanta Aaron Rodgers lit them up, Tramon Williams embarassed Matt Ryan and most importantly, the Packers moved on to the NFC Championship (the Bears still suck). After the game, Rodgers felt slighted when Falcons players declared they still had the better team: 

"I just think that some of the general comments that I heard that that game was kind of a fluke, maybe," Rodgers said in a teleconference Wednesday. "I would just say that I think you need to respect your opponents. We definitely respect the Falcons. ... I just felt like that maybe the respect level, just as far as those comments were concerned, maybe (wasn't) there at times."

The hatred between these two teams draws deeper than Aaron Rodgers and his constant quest for vengeance. BJ Raji accused the Falcons offensive line of cheap shots: 

"One, that's how they're coached and two, lack of ability. Most OL, the better OL, don't have time for that -- they do (their) job between the whistles and when it is over with they go back to the huddle. These guys, on the other hand, take it to a whole different level. They just want to get you fired up and get you to retaliate and draw a cheap penalty, but it's tough to ignore it, but you have a chance to get them back and have to take advantage of it."

Emotion packed rematches on national tv captivate viewers, sell tickets, and generate ad revenue. However, emotion alone will not win football games. Just ask the Chicago Bears. Atlanta, Matt Ryan, and John Abraham are whining wanna-bes. The Packers, more talented and with superior coaching, will return to Atlanta and show how a championship franchise is built...

Packers win, 49-24.

Just for fun: Clay Matthews sacks Matt Ryan three times.

Game Review: Broncos @ Packers

Final Scoreline: Packers 49, Broncos 23
Predicted Scoreline: Packers 35, Broncos 13

Cheesecake Awards: Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Rodgers, and Aaron Rodgers
Rotten Egg Awards: The Entire Defense...minus CB Charles Woodson (lame, I know, but I make the rules)

Until last Sunday, no player in NFL had ever thrown for 4 TD, rushed for 2 TD and eclipsed the 400yd mark in passing. Aaron Rodgers (29 for 38, 408 yds, 4TD, 2 rushing TD, 1INT) did just that in the Packers routing of the Denver Broncos. It truly was a great weekend for Wisconsin sports fans, with blow out victories by the Badgers versus Nebraska (welcome to the Big Ten!), Brewers (playoffs baby!) and Packers.

Cheesecake Award: Aaron Rodgers....

On draft day 2005, Aaron Rodgers, originally predicted the no 1 pick, fell 24 spots to the Packers mainly due to a perceived lack of athleticism and mobility in the pocket:

"What I have noticed is that by holding the ball at shoulder level, he loses a little quickness and escape ability when things break down in the pocket. He's also not at his best when flushed and forced to throw on the move. " -Oakland Tribune

"Buyer beware: Rodgers is 2 inches shorter than Utah's Alex Smith, the other QB the 49ers are considering, and does not have great mobility." -Mel Kiper, ESPN

What?!? The guy throws laser beams, ran a 4.7 forty yard dash and posted a 35 inch vertical at the 2005 combine; pretty athletic for a pocket passer out of Cal. 

And yet, the storyline suits Rodgers, who plays with the cliched "chip" on his shoulder (just listen to his media sound bites, the dude feels disrespected). Despite solid high school statistics, Rodgers earned little division 1 interest and received only a walk on offer from lowly Illinois (seriously, who would want to play football in that state?). Rodgers settled for Butte Community College, threw 28 TDs to just 4 INTs as a freshman, and was recruited to Cal University by Jeff Tedford where he threw 43 TDs and unathletically rushed for 8 more in just two years of eligibility. On draft day, he fell to the Packers and patiently sat behind Green Bay legend, Brett Favre....the rest is history.

All criticisms of NFL "experts" aside, Aaron Rodgers shredded the Broncos through the air, completing 76% of his passes and posting a 134.5 rating. He completed passes to eight different receivers and clumsily scrambled for two additional touchdowns. WR Greg Jennings lead the pack with seven catches, 103 yards and 1 TD and WR Jordy Nelson demonstrated why Packer's GM Ted Thompson tossed him a generous contract extension with 5 catches, 91 yards and 1 TD. 

The rest of the offense looked solid...RB James Starks showed less hesitation than last week, rushing 13 times for 63 yards...WR James Jones scored on an incredible Rodgers throw (although later, Rodgers' INT was solely Jones fault)...and WR Donald Driver came back from a scary second quarter injury to score a TD in the second half.

With mild hesitation due to the rough and tumble nature of the NFL....Aaron Rodgers is hands down the best QB of the last 10 years, if not in the history of the NFL. He has the intelligence of Peyton Manning, the arm strength of Brett Favre, the flippantly laser speed release of Terry Bradshaw, the leadership of Bart Starr, the athleticism of John Elway and the rhythm and control of Joe Montana. To put it into perspective, through four games, Rodgers is on pace for 5300 yards, 48 TDs and just 12 INTs (sounds like Dan Marino's sophomore season that has been compared to Wilt Chamberlin's 50 points per game NBA season). Let's hope Rodgers has the durability of Fran Tarkenton and Brett Favre.

The Rotten Egg Award: The Entire Defense, minus Charles Woodson
Once again, the Packers defense surrendered far too many yards to a sub-par quarterback and failed to exert any pass rush whatsoever against a weak offensive line (just one sack). Even worse, the league leading Green Bay rush defense decided not to show up; 119 yards on 23 carries is horrendous! Packer fans: don't be fooled by 4-0, this is not a championship caliber defense...yet.

Stud outside linebacker, Clay Matthews, needs help; he consistently sees double teams and running back chips and yet the Packers fail to produce significant quarterback pressure without blitzing corners or safeties. Furthermore, Erik Walden looks undersized, slow and weak in pass rush. Because opposing wide receivers have time for double and triple moves, it's a good thing the Packer's defense can afford to give up 30 points in a game.

More important than yards, Green Bay's defense won the turnover battle; Bronco's QB, Kyle Orton (22 for 32, 273 yds, 3TD) chucked three interceptions and LB Desmond Bishop forced a key fumble. CB Charles Woodson posted his 50th career interception with a first quarter pick six. His 11 interceptions for touchdowns puts him 2nd on the all time list. CB Sam Shields recovered nicely, showing insane speed with an interception on what looked like an easy Denver touchdown (even though he looked lost on a few tackle attempts). Lastly, S Morgan Burnett continued to flash his ball hawk skills and incredible range in the secondary.

The Skinny....
The Green Bay Packers pounded a weaker Denver Broncos team, as expected, and Aaron Rodgers performed brilliantly, finding the end zone six times.  The Packers defense surrendered far too many yards and big plays, yet forced turnovers at key moments. This team is legitimately great and unrivaled in the NFL!

If Dallas Cowboys QB, Tony Romo, wouldn't have thrown three interceptions for TDs against the Detroit Lions, Green Bay would be the only remaining undefeated team. Thanksgiving 2011 is looking like an important date....

Up Next: @ Atlanta Falcons