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
Monday, October 3, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Game Preview: Denver Broncos
Game Preview: Broncos (1-2, 3rd in AFC West) at Packers (3-0, 1st in NFC North)
This Sunday, the Packers square off against the Denver Broncos at Lambeau Field at 3:15pm. Because the Brewers open their playoff run against the Diamondbacks at 1pm, expect this football game to be over before anyone in the Milwaukee area even starts watching. If Green Bay backup QB Matt Flynn is behind center when you flip channels from the Brewers victory, it's not because Aaron Rodgers is injured...
So far this season, Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (63 for 110, 672 yds, 5TD, 3 INT) has struggled against his own shadow, let alone opposing defenses. While his numbers aren't terribly shabby, they don't tell the whole story. Orton, content to dink and dunk down the field, has forgotten how to stretch defenses with talented WRs Brandon Lloyd and Eric Decker (injuries to RB Knowshon Moreno, WR Eddie Royal, WR Demaryius Thomas, and TE Julius Thomas haven't helped).
Brandon Lloyd. longing for a repeat of his 2010 deep threat success, has grown frustrated in recent weeks, complaining to the media about a lack of balls thrown his way: “I think we’ve kind of gotten in game management mode, as opposed to an aggressive, take-control mode. I think that’s what has limited us.” In the background of whiney players, fan grumblings for 3rd stringer Tim Tebow to ride in on a Gator and save the day grow louder each day.
However, Broncos fans (perhaps still blinded by Elway), forget it takes more than just a QB to win in the NFL and Tebow throws the football like a wingless chicken (he's about as tough to tackle as one though). Back when Johnny Elway tossed the pigskin, Denver could keep a QB upright and had some guy named Terrell Davis running the football. Today, the Broncos are ranked 23rd in points scored, 27th in total yards, 22nd in pass yards and an abysmal 28th in rushing yards.
On defense, the Broncos don't appear much better. So far through three contests, Denver's opponents posted a combined 106.8 passer rating. With CB Champ Bailey (he's nearly 100 years old) nursing a sore hamstring and the Broncos weak pass rush, that number should edge higher. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (74 for 103, 917yds, 8TD, 1INT) will throw for over 300 yards and at least three touchdowns.
As terrible as the Broncos seem, no one expected Patriots QB Tom Brady to surrender four interceptions versus Buffalo last week; a football's odd shape can lead to unforeseen bounces. On top of that, the Packers will be playing this week without RB Ryan Grant (kidney) and OL Bryan Bulaga (knee). T Marshall Newhouse will be asked to step up, potentially against Broncos number one draft pick, LB Von Miller. Furthermore, with the Packers secondary giving up big yards so far this season, Orton just may find his groove.
Summary...
The Packers are far too talented and focused to lose to Denver at home. Furthermore, the Packers strengths play too well to Denver's weaknesses:
1) Green Bay has been stout against the run, while Denver's Willis McGahee averages a sad 2.9 yards per carry.
2) Aaron Rodgers shredded New Orleans, Carolina and Chicago through the air, while Jason Campbell, Andy Dalton, and Matt Hasselbeck posted a 106.8 passer rating against Denver.
3) Clay Matthews, even playing injured, demands double teams...freeing up monster gaps for blitzing LBs and DBs, while Kyle Orton, sacked 8 times so far, attempts most his passes with defenders in his face.
At the end of the day, Denver's only hope for victory lies in at least three unanswered Packer turnovers, several key injuries and a complete implosion by Green Bay.
Prediction: Any given Sunday? Not this time. Packers 35, Broncos 13
Just for fun: James Jones scores two touchdowns on a 100yd day. Packer nation once again falls in love with his potential...
This Sunday, the Packers square off against the Denver Broncos at Lambeau Field at 3:15pm. Because the Brewers open their playoff run against the Diamondbacks at 1pm, expect this football game to be over before anyone in the Milwaukee area even starts watching. If Green Bay backup QB Matt Flynn is behind center when you flip channels from the Brewers victory, it's not because Aaron Rodgers is injured...
So far this season, Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (63 for 110, 672 yds, 5TD, 3 INT) has struggled against his own shadow, let alone opposing defenses. While his numbers aren't terribly shabby, they don't tell the whole story. Orton, content to dink and dunk down the field, has forgotten how to stretch defenses with talented WRs Brandon Lloyd and Eric Decker (injuries to RB Knowshon Moreno, WR Eddie Royal, WR Demaryius Thomas, and TE Julius Thomas haven't helped).
Brandon Lloyd. longing for a repeat of his 2010 deep threat success, has grown frustrated in recent weeks, complaining to the media about a lack of balls thrown his way: “I think we’ve kind of gotten in game management mode, as opposed to an aggressive, take-control mode. I think that’s what has limited us.” In the background of whiney players, fan grumblings for 3rd stringer Tim Tebow to ride in on a Gator and save the day grow louder each day.
However, Broncos fans (perhaps still blinded by Elway), forget it takes more than just a QB to win in the NFL and Tebow throws the football like a wingless chicken (he's about as tough to tackle as one though). Back when Johnny Elway tossed the pigskin, Denver could keep a QB upright and had some guy named Terrell Davis running the football. Today, the Broncos are ranked 23rd in points scored, 27th in total yards, 22nd in pass yards and an abysmal 28th in rushing yards.
On defense, the Broncos don't appear much better. So far through three contests, Denver's opponents posted a combined 106.8 passer rating. With CB Champ Bailey (he's nearly 100 years old) nursing a sore hamstring and the Broncos weak pass rush, that number should edge higher. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (74 for 103, 917yds, 8TD, 1INT) will throw for over 300 yards and at least three touchdowns.
As terrible as the Broncos seem, no one expected Patriots QB Tom Brady to surrender four interceptions versus Buffalo last week; a football's odd shape can lead to unforeseen bounces. On top of that, the Packers will be playing this week without RB Ryan Grant (kidney) and OL Bryan Bulaga (knee). T Marshall Newhouse will be asked to step up, potentially against Broncos number one draft pick, LB Von Miller. Furthermore, with the Packers secondary giving up big yards so far this season, Orton just may find his groove.
Summary...
The Packers are far too talented and focused to lose to Denver at home. Furthermore, the Packers strengths play too well to Denver's weaknesses:
1) Green Bay has been stout against the run, while Denver's Willis McGahee averages a sad 2.9 yards per carry.
2) Aaron Rodgers shredded New Orleans, Carolina and Chicago through the air, while Jason Campbell, Andy Dalton, and Matt Hasselbeck posted a 106.8 passer rating against Denver.
3) Clay Matthews, even playing injured, demands double teams...freeing up monster gaps for blitzing LBs and DBs, while Kyle Orton, sacked 8 times so far, attempts most his passes with defenders in his face.
At the end of the day, Denver's only hope for victory lies in at least three unanswered Packer turnovers, several key injuries and a complete implosion by Green Bay.
Prediction: Any given Sunday? Not this time. Packers 35, Broncos 13
Just for fun: James Jones scores two touchdowns on a 100yd day. Packer nation once again falls in love with his potential...
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Packer's Injury Report
While things aren't quite as bad as 2010, the injuries are mounting in Green Bay. Here's the update for todays practice:
Bryan Bulaga (knee) Did Not Participate...things don't look good here, as the Packers tried out former Packer and OL Tony Moll today instead of a replacement for S Nick Collins. I would expect Bulaga not to play this weekend and perhaps next. Good thing replacement Marshall Newhouse looked serviceable last weekend, unlike the preseason where he barely made the team.
Ryan Grant (kidney) Did Not Participate. The news out of GB is that the team doctors have given Grant opposing viewpoints and that he has until Friday to prove to the docs that he can play. He was seen walking around the facility today and was quoted: "I feel fine. I have been walking around. I finished the game and everything. We really don’t know any details right now. Like I said I feel fine. It wasn’t really anything major to it — just precautionary I guess. We’ll get some more information from the doctors on some tests later on this week." Typically tests later in the week is a bad sign. If I was a betting man, and I am, my money would be on Starks to start with Alex Green to see some time. Why take a risk with Grant against the lowly Broncos at home.
Charles Woodson (toe) Did Not Participate. Same toe that bothers him every week and has for years. This guy could skip practice all year and play blindfolded and he would still be light years ahead of the average corner in the NFL. He will play.
Clay Matthews (quad) Did Not Participate. This guy needs yoga to go with his pure protein shakes (steroids?, seriously, his brother is half his size) and endless weightlifting. He constantly has muscle strains and pulls and yet plays at a high level. He hasn't shown up on the stat sheets as he did in 2010 because he is constantly double teamed or chipped by a back. He will play as well.
Brad Jones (back) Did Not Participate. Not sure. News is somewhat limited, but he will be missed on special teams...not so much on defense though.
Pat Lee (undisclosed) Did Not Participate. ??? Do we care if Tramon plays and Jarrett Bush plays like he has the last few weeks?
Frank Zombo (scapula) Out. I can't wait for him to come back and replace Erik Walden.
Nick Collins (neck) Out (McCarthy indicated that Collins would be placed on IR soon). He will be missed. Hopefully he is able to continue his hall of fame career next year.
Tramon Williams (shoulder) Limited Participation. Just playing it safe until he is 100%. He will play.
Bryan Bulaga (knee) Did Not Participate...things don't look good here, as the Packers tried out former Packer and OL Tony Moll today instead of a replacement for S Nick Collins. I would expect Bulaga not to play this weekend and perhaps next. Good thing replacement Marshall Newhouse looked serviceable last weekend, unlike the preseason where he barely made the team.
Ryan Grant (kidney) Did Not Participate. The news out of GB is that the team doctors have given Grant opposing viewpoints and that he has until Friday to prove to the docs that he can play. He was seen walking around the facility today and was quoted: "I feel fine. I have been walking around. I finished the game and everything. We really don’t know any details right now. Like I said I feel fine. It wasn’t really anything major to it — just precautionary I guess. We’ll get some more information from the doctors on some tests later on this week." Typically tests later in the week is a bad sign. If I was a betting man, and I am, my money would be on Starks to start with Alex Green to see some time. Why take a risk with Grant against the lowly Broncos at home.
Charles Woodson (toe) Did Not Participate. Same toe that bothers him every week and has for years. This guy could skip practice all year and play blindfolded and he would still be light years ahead of the average corner in the NFL. He will play.
Clay Matthews (quad) Did Not Participate. This guy needs yoga to go with his pure protein shakes (steroids?, seriously, his brother is half his size) and endless weightlifting. He constantly has muscle strains and pulls and yet plays at a high level. He hasn't shown up on the stat sheets as he did in 2010 because he is constantly double teamed or chipped by a back. He will play as well.
Brad Jones (back) Did Not Participate. Not sure. News is somewhat limited, but he will be missed on special teams...not so much on defense though.
Pat Lee (undisclosed) Did Not Participate. ??? Do we care if Tramon plays and Jarrett Bush plays like he has the last few weeks?
Frank Zombo (scapula) Out. I can't wait for him to come back and replace Erik Walden.
Nick Collins (neck) Out (McCarthy indicated that Collins would be placed on IR soon). He will be missed. Hopefully he is able to continue his hall of fame career next year.
Tramon Williams (shoulder) Limited Participation. Just playing it safe until he is 100%. He will play.
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