Week Four in Review

The Packers got a much needed bounce back win against a tough opponent in Lambeau Sunday afternoon. I know the Saints came in 0-3, didn't have their normal coach/playcaller, haven't been themselves, etc, but that is a tough football team. Drew Brees is still one of the best at QB, and they can put up points in bunches. They came in with their backs up against the wall, and the Packers managed to keep them there. This was a solid win for the Pack and one they should be proud of. Quick side note, is there any more overused sports term than 'must win game?' A game is only 'must win' if you are mathematically eliminated from contention if you lose. Stop it already.

You know what else? This win was exactly what I was talking about when I said we need to play better to overcome bad officiating. Every team faces some type of adversity during every season. It just so happens that early on this year, our adversity came in the form of poor officiating at important times. Last week, we let a bad team hang around, and stay in position to win the game. They got the benefit of a terrible call, and won the game. This week, we did enough to win in spite of two poor calls that would have changed the complexion of the game significantly. The missed push-off in the end zone (yes, again) and the missed fumble on the kick return could have derailed us had we pass blocked like we did last week. Turns out when you play better, protect your quarterback, and put up some points, the refs can't force you to lose even if they try. Here's what I liked and didn't like:

Thumbs Up:

1. Pass Protection: How about limiting the Saints' pass rush to zero sacks and one QB hit? What a tremendous bounce back performance for this maligned offensive line. Coming in Rodgers had been sacked more than any QB in the league, and he needed all the time he got in this one point victory. Had we allowed even one sack, this game easily could have swung the other way. Now I know the Saints' defense is one of the worst in the league, but still, the offensive line won a battle they were supposed to win. Not to get too up in arms about Harrell tripping on his shoe, but is that the guy you want under center this year? No? Then I guess we better continue to protect Rodgers.

Attaway JJ

2. Pass Catching: It's tough to find statistics on drops anywhere, since they're a subjective stat, but I don't recall a single drop from the Packers last night. That includes six targets and five catches for James Jones (including two touchdowns), five targets and four catches for Jermichael Finley, and 41 total pass attempts. For a ridiculously talented receiving core that has been known to struggle with concentration at times, this was a good sign to say the least. Guys were hauling in passes in traffic, over the top, underneath, freaking sideways and off the ground if you're James Jones, it was awesome. Drops seem to come in bunches, so let’s hope sure-handedness is contagious as well.

3. Randall Cobb: It seems every week that the offense is unveiling a new wrinkle for Randall. This week it was a shovel pass good for 17 yards. The guy is flat out exciting to watch and seems impossibly sure of himself for a 22 year old second year player. It's obvious that he wants the ball in his hands at all times and that he's not afraid of the big moment. This guy could develop into a superstar if he continues on the path he's currently on. The only downside to Randall Cobb being so damn good is that it makes the possibility of Greg Jennings leaving in free agency next year even more likely. I'm not saying Randall Cobb is the next Greg Jennings, I'm just saying he's got a chance.

Thumbs Down:

1. Ball Security: I don't care if you're a back-up, starter, practice squadder, whatever, when you're in the game, you have to protect the football. It's kind of funny after winning that the stumbling fumble is how Graham Harrell's first NFL snap went, but it would have been nightmarish had we lost the game. The pick by Rodgers looked to me like an obvious example of impatience and pressing. He wanted to score NOW, and he wasn't waiting around. The corner made a nice play to come up with the ball, but the reality is the receiver was covered. Rodgers should not have thrown that ball and was uncharacteristically impatient and greedy for doing so.

He's even savvy when it comes to throwing punches

2. Charles Woodson: Where'd you go Charles? The guy was invisible for most of the game, save a couple of nice tackles in run support, until he lost his temper and very nearly cost his team 15 yards. That display of anger was out of character for the normally even-keeled Woodson to say the least. He dropped a tough but catchable interception, just the kind of play he's been known for his entire career. There is no bigger fan of Charles Woodson that I know of than myself, but I have to wonder if we're seeing the end of an era this year. He has not been his usual impactful self, and the frustration he's showing could be a byproduct of an inability to physically make the plays that he's mentally able to envision. Believe me I hate, hate, hate to say it, and I really hope I'm wrong, but the end may be near for C-Wood.

3. Communication in the Secondary: This is still very much a work in progress. I know we were playing the high powered Saints offense, but we gave up 446 passing yards, including an 80 yard laugher of a touchdown to rookie Joe Morgan. Sam Shields released coverage on Morgan thinking he had help over the top, which was nowhere to be found. The pass rush was not great, which certainly doesn’t help your coverage unit, but we need stability and consistency in the secondary in a major way. Luckily we were able to pull out a win here, so we can chalk it up as a learning experience, but let’s just make sure we learn from it.