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.
