Saturday's game in Atlanta will be nothing new for the Green Bay Packers. Win, they move on...Lose its all over. That's how its been for the Green & Gold ever sense the Giants came to town 3 weeks ago. So they should be used to it, right? Ok lets move on.
Biggest key last week, stop Mike Vick. Check. This week..The most obvious key to the Packers victory may be the Falcon run game vs. the Packers run defense which has struggled at times. Its true, that is a match up that bares watching. I got an even more important number for you.
17- 17 turnovers on the season for the Falcons. That's good for third best in the NFL. Best in the NFC. Its hard to beat a team if you can't generate turnovers. The first time around when Green Bay traveled to play the Falcons the Packer defense was not able to come away with anything.
If you want to talk about talent in this game, I will take the Packer roster over the Falcon roster. But the thing that makes the Falcons so good, is their consistent near perfect play. One turnover can make a huge difference and go a long way in this one. So instead of worrying about James Starks...Or Stopping Turner, or Roddy White. Lets look for one pick by an outstanding Packer secondary.
Defense will keep the Packers in it I suspect if the Packer offense puts up 21+ points, they also get a win.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
After further review...Packers Defense
After watching the tape on the Packers win over the Eagles again...Here are some things that stood out on the defensive side of the ball. (yesterdays offensive review can be found here: http://aaronsupdates.blogspot.com/ )
-Packers defense is so good at closing in on the ball carrier. So many of the Eagles passing yards came wide open over the middle. But there was always a defender soon in the area to make a stop after the catch.
- Sam Shields was very good again. Great coverage on Jeremy Maclin on the long first quarter pass down the right sidelines.
- The defense overall is playing so sound fundamentally. The tackling especially.
- Dom Capers did a nice job changing up who was covering DeSean Jackson. Sometimes it was Sam Shields, sometimes Tramon Williams. (Shows the depth of Green Bays CB's with the ability to cover an illusive receiver with multiple defenders)
- The Eagles first touchdown. Vick to Avant for 6 points..Avant was in a wide open hole in the Packers defense. 4 players were around but none of them close enough to disrupt the play. It looked like Jarrett Bush was the main culprit.
- Packers got another solid game from Eric Walden. 5 tackles to lead the team along with Charles Woodson (5 tackles 1 assist) Walden also had a forced fumble.
- Bishop, Matthews, and Wynn all got a Sack.
-Packers defense was solid on third down, Eagles offense was only 5/13 on third down conversions.
- Tramon Williams pick at the end of the game to ice it...A thing of beauty. His great season continues.
Please comment- Either on my facebook/twitter link. Or send your comments here. Let me know what you think. Listen to AM-PM Sports tonight at 10:15 CT http://bit.ly/anO8pU
-Packers defense is so good at closing in on the ball carrier. So many of the Eagles passing yards came wide open over the middle. But there was always a defender soon in the area to make a stop after the catch.
- Sam Shields was very good again. Great coverage on Jeremy Maclin on the long first quarter pass down the right sidelines.
- The defense overall is playing so sound fundamentally. The tackling especially.
- Dom Capers did a nice job changing up who was covering DeSean Jackson. Sometimes it was Sam Shields, sometimes Tramon Williams. (Shows the depth of Green Bays CB's with the ability to cover an illusive receiver with multiple defenders)
- The Eagles first touchdown. Vick to Avant for 6 points..Avant was in a wide open hole in the Packers defense. 4 players were around but none of them close enough to disrupt the play. It looked like Jarrett Bush was the main culprit.
- Packers got another solid game from Eric Walden. 5 tackles to lead the team along with Charles Woodson (5 tackles 1 assist) Walden also had a forced fumble.
- Bishop, Matthews, and Wynn all got a Sack.
-Packers defense was solid on third down, Eagles offense was only 5/13 on third down conversions.
- Tramon Williams pick at the end of the game to ice it...A thing of beauty. His great season continues.
Please comment- Either on my facebook/twitter link. Or send your comments here. Let me know what you think. Listen to AM-PM Sports tonight at 10:15 CT http://bit.ly/anO8pU
Monday, January 10, 2011
After further review...Packers VS Eagles
After watching the game for a second time here are some things that stood out:
First on offense...
- James Starks had 28 yards on his first run. Probably went a long way in MM sticking with him. Considering he wasn't planning on using him as much as he did coming into the game.
- Seems like Starks always gets something...He ALWAYS falls forward for a few extra yards. (In a way like Ahman Green)
- Starks showed the ability again to make catches out of the backfield. More than a one dimensional player.
- Packers were able to put together some really long/clock eating drives.Mostly because of the simple fact of having a run game.
- The first TD pass of the game, 7 yards from Rodgers to Crabtree. On first and goal, loved the call. Out of the I formation and a play-action. Made it 7-0 packers. Crabtree did an excellent job pretending to block in pass protection. and then slipping out with no one really noticing.
- Rodgers is playing at such a high level right now. He is so good at making plays in and out of the pocket.
- When the Eagles would blitz...Rodgers would burn them.
- Rodgers second TD to James Jones. Rodgers did a great job getting out of the pocket and throwing on the run. Made it 14-0 Packers.
- DID NOT like clock management at the end of the first half. Here is the sequence:
1. Just over a minute to go, its a hand off on first down to Brandon Jackson. Gains a few.
2. Packers then go with a no huddle and a pass. It is a first down to Andrew Quarless.
3. Time out is called with 37 seconds left before the half, still one time out in MM's pocket.
4. Next play is the flat out drop by James Jones. Right in his hands. Rodgers threw it perfect. Into the wind non the less.
5. Trying to get off the next play, there was a delay of game on Rodgers. 31 seconds left before the half. Still 1 time out.
6. Next play a little dump off to Brandon Jackson to almost midfield with 24 seconds left and still 1 time out.
7. At that point MM just let the clock run out, could of tried to get into FG range then call your final time out and kick a field goal.
- The Eagles made a huge attempt at Stopping Greg Jennings. And they succeeded. He had 1 catch for 8 yards.
- Packers were very good on third downs. 8/13 on 3rd down. That's good for 61%. So much of that was having a run game. They had outstanding down and distance on 3rd down.
- The final TD throw by Aaron Rodgers to Brandon Jackson was an outstanding screen. Jackson took his time, waited for the blocks to set up in front of him. Held onto his offensive linemans back and was guided in for six.
Defense will be coming later...
Listen to AM-PM Sports at 10:15 CT tonight.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/am-pm2
First on offense...
- James Starks had 28 yards on his first run. Probably went a long way in MM sticking with him. Considering he wasn't planning on using him as much as he did coming into the game.
- Seems like Starks always gets something...He ALWAYS falls forward for a few extra yards. (In a way like Ahman Green)
- Starks showed the ability again to make catches out of the backfield. More than a one dimensional player.
- Packers were able to put together some really long/clock eating drives.Mostly because of the simple fact of having a run game.
- The first TD pass of the game, 7 yards from Rodgers to Crabtree. On first and goal, loved the call. Out of the I formation and a play-action. Made it 7-0 packers. Crabtree did an excellent job pretending to block in pass protection. and then slipping out with no one really noticing.
- Rodgers is playing at such a high level right now. He is so good at making plays in and out of the pocket.
- When the Eagles would blitz...Rodgers would burn them.
- Rodgers second TD to James Jones. Rodgers did a great job getting out of the pocket and throwing on the run. Made it 14-0 Packers.
- DID NOT like clock management at the end of the first half. Here is the sequence:
1. Just over a minute to go, its a hand off on first down to Brandon Jackson. Gains a few.
2. Packers then go with a no huddle and a pass. It is a first down to Andrew Quarless.
3. Time out is called with 37 seconds left before the half, still one time out in MM's pocket.
4. Next play is the flat out drop by James Jones. Right in his hands. Rodgers threw it perfect. Into the wind non the less.
5. Trying to get off the next play, there was a delay of game on Rodgers. 31 seconds left before the half. Still 1 time out.
6. Next play a little dump off to Brandon Jackson to almost midfield with 24 seconds left and still 1 time out.
7. At that point MM just let the clock run out, could of tried to get into FG range then call your final time out and kick a field goal.
- The Eagles made a huge attempt at Stopping Greg Jennings. And they succeeded. He had 1 catch for 8 yards.
- Packers were very good on third downs. 8/13 on 3rd down. That's good for 61%. So much of that was having a run game. They had outstanding down and distance on 3rd down.
- The final TD throw by Aaron Rodgers to Brandon Jackson was an outstanding screen. Jackson took his time, waited for the blocks to set up in front of him. Held onto his offensive linemans back and was guided in for six.
Defense will be coming later...
Listen to AM-PM Sports at 10:15 CT tonight.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/am-pm2
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Packer/Bear Preview
Everything is on the line for the Packers in this weekends match up against the Chicago Bears. I hesitate to say that this weeks game is as big as the win last week over the Giants, only because the Packers NEEDED to win the game last week to stay alive in the playoff chase. If the green and gold lose this week they still have a way to back into the playoffs. Not the position a team wants to be in.
The Packers are fortunate at this point, they have what other teams wish they could have. No, not a playoff spot...yet. The Packers control their own destiny which is about as much as you can ask with a 9-6 record.
The Bears come in at 11-4, winners of the NFC North. People have been waiting all season to try and point to something to say that the Bears are not real, that their record is somehow "unfair". When your 11-4 nothing is slanted about it. They may have had the ball bounce their way a few times, but in the end they will finish with at least 11 wins and a division crown.
Now back to the game at hand...A must win for the Packers. Do I have faith that the Packers can have a really solid game plan two weeks in a row? No, not really. It wouldn't surprise me if the Packers offense came out looking bad for 2 quarters or more. (how about the normal, bad first quarter, good second and third, and bad fourth). The word for the Packers this year is inconsistent. The Bears will sit back in the Tampa 2 defense just playing a little lose, letting the Packers take short gains(if they want them) and wait for the offense to mess up.
Its going to be a chilly one in Green Bay. 16 degrees, a temperature that favors the Bears and not the Packers. Its going to be tough for Aaron Rodgers to throw 35 plus times and with no run game that could spell a long day for the Packer offense. The Bears on the other hand will run the football. How successful will they be? That remains to be seen. Again like last week when the Packers faced Eli Manning, Jay Cutler has a tendency to turn the ball over. Dom Capers is going to have to put pressure on Cutler and force him to react very quickly. Its the best way for turnovers.
If the Bears have nothing to play for, and they plan on putting reserve players in, I would suspect that will change their mentality. I think that will be the biggest factor in this one. The Packers have everything to play for and the Bears not so much. All in all I think the Packers will be able to hold on for a victory and clinch the 6 seed in the NFC and qualify for the playoffs.
INJURY REPORT:
Packers- OUT: S Atari Bigby (groin), RB Korey Hall (knee), DE Cullen Jenkins (calf), LB Frank Zombo (knee).
PROBABLE: LB Diyral Briggs (ankle), T Chad Clifton (knees), S Nick Collins (ribs), LB Clay Matthews (shin), DE Ryan Pickett (ankle), CB Sam Shields (knees), LB Erik Walden (quadriceps), C Scott Wells (back), CB Charles Woodson (toe).
Bears- QUESTIONABLE: WR Earl Bennett (ankle)
Listen to AM-PM Sports Monday-Thursday this week, 10:15 PM Central time: http://bit.ly/anO8pU
The Packers are fortunate at this point, they have what other teams wish they could have. No, not a playoff spot...yet. The Packers control their own destiny which is about as much as you can ask with a 9-6 record.
The Bears come in at 11-4, winners of the NFC North. People have been waiting all season to try and point to something to say that the Bears are not real, that their record is somehow "unfair". When your 11-4 nothing is slanted about it. They may have had the ball bounce their way a few times, but in the end they will finish with at least 11 wins and a division crown.
Now back to the game at hand...A must win for the Packers. Do I have faith that the Packers can have a really solid game plan two weeks in a row? No, not really. It wouldn't surprise me if the Packers offense came out looking bad for 2 quarters or more. (how about the normal, bad first quarter, good second and third, and bad fourth). The word for the Packers this year is inconsistent. The Bears will sit back in the Tampa 2 defense just playing a little lose, letting the Packers take short gains(if they want them) and wait for the offense to mess up.
Its going to be a chilly one in Green Bay. 16 degrees, a temperature that favors the Bears and not the Packers. Its going to be tough for Aaron Rodgers to throw 35 plus times and with no run game that could spell a long day for the Packer offense. The Bears on the other hand will run the football. How successful will they be? That remains to be seen. Again like last week when the Packers faced Eli Manning, Jay Cutler has a tendency to turn the ball over. Dom Capers is going to have to put pressure on Cutler and force him to react very quickly. Its the best way for turnovers.
If the Bears have nothing to play for, and they plan on putting reserve players in, I would suspect that will change their mentality. I think that will be the biggest factor in this one. The Packers have everything to play for and the Bears not so much. All in all I think the Packers will be able to hold on for a victory and clinch the 6 seed in the NFC and qualify for the playoffs.
INJURY REPORT:
Packers- OUT: S Atari Bigby (groin), RB Korey Hall (knee), DE Cullen Jenkins (calf), LB Frank Zombo (knee).
PROBABLE: LB Diyral Briggs (ankle), T Chad Clifton (knees), S Nick Collins (ribs), LB Clay Matthews (shin), DE Ryan Pickett (ankle), CB Sam Shields (knees), LB Erik Walden (quadriceps), C Scott Wells (back), CB Charles Woodson (toe).
Bears- QUESTIONABLE: WR Earl Bennett (ankle)
Listen to AM-PM Sports Monday-Thursday this week, 10:15 PM Central time: http://bit.ly/anO8pU
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