I promised you a full game recap…and here it is.
Halfway through the 2009 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers were anywhere but where they wanted to be. It looked like another lost season as question marks – or just downright negatives – far outweighed any positives.
Four wins in a row to start the second half of the year? How ’bout we just figure out a way to win four games the rest of the season??
However, four wins in a row are exactly what the Pack have gotten as a result of Monday night’s 27-14 home win over the Baltimore Ravens. Green Bay sits at 8-4 heading into the final month of the season, one-game up on the New York Giants for the final wild card spot.
That the Packers have arrived at their current destination is a result of a remarkable turnaround in numerous areas, many of which were on display against the Ravens (6-6). Unfortunately, some of the key reasons for the team’s 4-4 start were on display, too.
There has been no bigger turnaround than that of the offensive game planning for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After a first half of home run chasing – and the subsequent beating that Rodgers took when said home runs could not be found – head coach Mike McCarthy overhauled the passing approach. The focus for the past four games has been on short, precise throws that allow Green Bay’s playmakers to do what they do best: run after the catch. We saw that in full bloom Monday night as Rodgers completed 26-of-40 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns (two interceptions, as well). That’s also led to increased time of possession for Green Bay. We saw that Monday, too, as the Packers held the ball for just over 35 minutes.
The five men who protect Rodgers have also had a big hand in the winning streak. We collectively ripped the o-line to shreds for their performance over the first eight weeks. That was justified, of course, as they were terrible. But, somewhere over the past four weeks, this group has come together. A lot of it has to do with consistency, as the same group has played together almost the entire time over that stretch. But just as much has to do with the group raising their play as one. Monday was a culmination of sorts for the five as Rodgers was rarely harassed and sacked just once.
And then there’s the defense. Oh, wait, my mistake. Let’s try that again.
And then there’s the No. 1 ranked defense IN THE ENTIRE FRICKIN’ LEAGUE!!
We always knew the group could stop the run. After all, the great Adrian Peterson had less than 100 yards in both his games against the Pack, games that both took place in the first half of the year.
What the group couldn’t do, seemingly, was rush the passer and get off the field on third down. I think it’s fair to say that’s not true about this Green Bay defense anymore, don’t you?
While the third down percentage against the Ravens wasn’t as low as you’d like – Baltimore converted on six of 13 attempts – the pass rush absolutely was there. The Packers defense harassed the hell out of Joe Flacco, sacking him three times and pressuring him countless others. The kids led the way Monday. Clay Matthews looked like a future superstar, B.J. Raji (RAJI! IT’S BACK!!) showed why the team took him ninth overall and Brad Jones made us all forget about Aaron Kampman.
It wasn’t all positive, however. The penalties are continuing to come at an alarming rate. Actually, I’m not even sure if 11 penalties for 175 yards can be described that way. How ’bout a vomit-inducing rate?
Some of those came as a result of some over-officiating, in my opinion. But the false starts and holding calls on the offensive line had nothing to do with the refs. The group has improved, overall, but the o-line has to stop holding so often. Or, at the very least, figure out the damn snap count.
The troubles on special teams are also still popping up far too often. Mason Crosby missing a crucial field goal, this one a 38-yarder in the fourth quarter Monday? Not good enough, young man, and not the first time that’s happened this season. This team will have a new kicker next season. Bank on that.
Perhaps even worse are the post-touchdown kick coverage units. This unit HAS to learn how to maintain the momentum created by the offense by getting downfield and holding opponents’ returners to minimal gains. It happened again Monday, again in the fourth quarter. That’s unacceptable, Shawn Slocum.
The silver lining in there is that a lot of these problems are solvable. Most of them are mental issues. The line can learn to stop committing false stars. Crosby can kick; he just needs to get his confidence back up. And the kick coverage units just need to remember to stay focused and be smart. They’re good most of the time; they just need to be good a hair more.
That the Packers have won four in a row, despite these current issues, speaks to the true talent level of this team.
Clean these things up and there’s really no limit to how good this team can be.
-Chris Lempesis
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