THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE REFS!

But for real it's not about them.

Nobody wants to hear this, and I don't particularly want to write it, but yesterday's loss was not about the refs. Did we get fucked on the entire last drive? Of course. Phantom calls, indecision, the interception, it was all horrible. The refs did a horrible job. The Packers' offense also did a horrible job. How many games can we expect to win when we put up 12 points? Had we picked up the two point conversion we still would have had an opportunity to win the game in overtime. Crying about the refs is the coward's way out here. We got outplayed and outcoached on offense. So here's what I liked and didn't like about the game:

Thumbs Up:

1. Ball Security: Did not commit a single turnover in a close game. Obviously we didn't win, but not turning the ball over kept us in the game for its entirety. Yes we had two fumbles, but we recovered them both and neither one was particularly dangerous. Rodgers has been opting to take sacks versus throwing balls into coverage, which is commendable and takes a lot of patience.

2. Tackling: It started with AJ Hawk on the first drive, and spread to the entire defense. McCarthy was very clear about his displeasure with our tackling last year, and vowed to improve it. The defense has more than heeded the call and we are finally tackling with some ferocity. Big hits are all well and good (and extremely entertaining), but this year we are wrapping up and taking away those extra yards. This will pay off big time in the long run.

3. Uh... I Don't Know... The Uniforms: I don't know, who gives a shit, we fucking lost. Fuck that game.

Thumbs Down:

1. Offensive Play Calling: What was Mike McCarthy thinking during the first half? Was he trying to get Rodgers killed? How can you give up eight sacks in one half? I understand that you want to stick to your gameplan early on, you don't want to panic if things don't go exactly as planned, you want to trust your instincts, but eight sacks? Your tackles were getting beat on literally every play, you just have to give them some help. I don't know where the line is, but it's somewhere between three and five sacks that you have to bend a little bit. Keep a back or tight end or both in the backfield to help slow the rush. This is elementary stuff. Or how about this: call more than four fucking running plays to keep the defense honest. Dropping back nearly every play no matter the down and distance puts a ton of pressure on your offensive line, and they were clearly outmatched. I give McCarthy credit for making all the correct adjustments at half time, and Benson looked good again, but eight sacks in one half is an embarrassment. I honestly felt embarrassed watching that happen.

2. Offensive Tackles: Marshall Newhouse and Bryan Bulaga, you guys played poorly. As I've already stated, they deserved more help, but man oh man did they get beat up. In this offense, your number one job at either tackle position is to stop the outside pass rushers from getting to the golden boy. These guys barely slowed them down. Chris Clemons and Bruce Irvin combined for six sacks and just dominated the line of scrimmage. Aaron Rodgers has taken more sacks than any other QB in the league so far this year, and that is a stat that will ruin a season. Offensive linemen are the one black mark on Ted Thompson's otherwise sterling record. I know we're not going to change the starters or sign anybody at this point, but this has to get fixed now, or the season will be lost.

3. Replacement Refs