Brief Recap: Packers Defeat Ravens 27-14
by Brandon on Dec 8, 2009 12:44 AM CST
in Green Bay Packers News
65 comments
Well I'm exhausted after watching the Green Bay Packers beat the Baltimore Ravens. Man that was a long game with all the passing, timeouts, and lots and lots of penalties. There were many similarities for both teams.
For the Packers: 175(!!!) penalty yards, 3 turnovers, 3.5 yards/carry.
For the Ravens: 135 penalty yards, 4 turnovers, 3.1 yards/carry.
The big difference was QB Aaron Rodgers. While neither team could stop committing penalties and turnovers, and neither team could run the ball, Rodgers was still productive with 3 TD passes, 263 yards, and QB rating of 87.8. Not his best game when you factor in the 2 INTs, but when compared to QB Joe Flacco (1 TD pass, 137 yards, 27.2 QB rating, 3 INTs) it was a clearly superior game.
The defense was outstanding, when they weren't committing penalties. The defense only allowed 185 total yards of offense, which almost equaled the 175 yards the Ravens earned on Packer penalties. They did a great job on the dangerous RB Ray Rice, who only had 71 yards from scrimmage and 1 fumble. CB Tramon Williams had an awful game by committing two pass interference penalties in the end zone, but he did attone for one of them by intercepting Flacco in the end zone.
It was another poor performance by the Packer special teams, with 1 fumble (the Packers did recover it), 1 missed FG, and they allowed a 68 yard kickoff return. But that wasn't enough to swing the game in the Ravens' favor.
Overall, it was a sloppy game, but a good win. The Packers never trailed against a good team that came into the game with a winning record. It was important just to get another W, and keep ahead of the 7-5 Giants for a playoff spot.
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So we have the O-Line kinda fixed a little bit.
Can we move onto reducing the penalties?
Or kick coverage?
It’s clear we can only do one thing at a time – which is more important next?
I don’t really get it – all I ever hear is about how Crosby has this gigantic leg, how he used to kick kickoffs through the uprights in college. Even his 50+ yard field goals – he misses them but they’re missed wide, not short. Why can’t he kick 5 yards deep into the end zone anymore?
He can
But he has been trying to kind of “pooch” kick the ball into a corner to make it easier on our coverage unit. I don’t get why we don’t allow him to just kick if as far as he can…Because IMO, he’ll kick it 5 yards deep into the endzone about 6 of 10 tries.
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 1:14 AM CST up reply actions
at this point
I’d settle for just kicking it out of bounds every time. at least that way they can’t get past the 40 to start.
Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb
Crosby
ain’t cuttin’ it. He’s been on the verge for quite a few games now, and he seems to flinch every time it’s on the line.
I used to love the guy.
But I’m sick of seeing him miss! Your job is to make FGs. If he can’t do it he needs to be gone. I really don’t care how far he is capable of kicking the ball, I just want him to make FGs.
I think to be fair
it should be noted that the missed field goal tonight had a sub-par hold.
There is something in the water for kickers this year…I’ve never seen so many of them choke AND choke away easy kicks. ITs been like this all year too! Something is off!
Hate to waste a draft pick
when they need to retool the OL and DB, plus an RB. Kickers can be drafted late, but still, TT needs as many picks as possible so one or two stick
Another good summary
Brandon. I had the bennifit of TeVO at home so I will gripe like a typical fan :-) 2 of those pass int on Williams – I thought were BS. But life goes on. No matter how many times I watch that ball mysteriously bouncing off Drivers leg—- I just don’t see it. In fact the ball brought up turf with it—- I am almost positive it hit the ground. I also had to replay Washington getting tossed out of the stands :-) But I am always curious on how McCarthy will get special teams “cleaned up”
I really think the officials called the game too closely.
Even the guys at ESPN thought this. Some of the PI calls should not have been called, I think. Certainly, the bigger penalties were good, but I still think the game had too many penalties.
And what was with the attempted homicide by Ray Lewis? It took officials several seconds to throw a flag there … everyone watching the game knew it was a penalty, except the officials last night.
Bound for New York City: January 6-9! Can't wait!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Dec 8, 2009 9:05 AM CST up reply actions
give Capers a HOO-RAH
I think Dom is getting the D together. Yeah, they had a bunch of penalties tonight, but they sure looked like they knew how to work together! I’m VERY glad Capers signed on.
Kudos to Jones, Raji, Matthews ………
And even if Finley had a few transgressions, my GOODNESS, he looks like a keeper to me! I hope his knee miraculously heals itself in a few days!
Tramon is really trying, but I think he, especially, needs to watch his penalties ……..
They did good. I was worried tonight, but if they get special teams and penalties straightened out, they just might have a better chance than anyone gives them credit for ……….
... and pretty darn good rookies
they are too, eh? With all the injuries the Pack has had, they’ve got guys who have stepped up and delivered! Yeah!
It can’t be easy to plan a roster when you have new injuries every week, especially when they’re key players. The GB management has done a good job there.
Anyone else up for seeing Bell get some serious playing time Sunday?
Tramon looked terrible, he got schooled on almost every pass throw to him.
Green and Gold / Black and White
nope.
While Tramon got schooled a few times, he still is out best corner outside of Woodson. We need him out there…just give him some time.
Yeah
Just keep in mind Woodson is an all-pro Cb. I believe his side was only thrown to twice yesterday. They went at Tramon pretty much all game and it’s not necessarily because he is weak. It’s because Woodson is just that good.
Tramon actually did a good job in coverage yesterday. On all the pass interferences he was actually in good positioning but felt it necessary to arm bar the guy. This happens with nearly every Cb in the league besides the good ones. Once they seen the ball thrown deep to their guy they panick and feel like the need to grab the guy to slow him down a bit, when it reality if you just stick your hands straight up in the air that Wr is going to have a hard time catching it.
He needs to work on not panicking so much and trusting his abilities. He wasn’t basically right next to his man all game and that’s all you can ask for.
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 10:05 AM CST up reply actions
I agree. I still don’t think he’s worthy of player of the game type honors though. He played well but can still improve a lot.
No he definitely doesn’t deserve player of the game honors. He wasn’t awarded this was he?
But on his second PI in the endzone grabbing Williams hand was unnecessary. He grabbed it and then seemed to realize, oh wait…I’m right here. If I just jump up and put my hands up he probably won’t catch it. Hopefully he’ll learn from watching tape.
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
That was me in the game thread
And I was totally kidding.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Dec 8, 2009 12:56 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Had Williams not got a PI his INT would not of happened
1st and goal is better than a TD
Well on that PI, the arm bar he did was not needed. If you watch back at the replay, he hooks the wideouts arm for a second and then seems to realize he was in good enough position to go up and make a play on the ball which he did. I don’t think the ball would have ever gotten down to the endzone but what happened, happened.
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 11:06 PM CST up reply actions
All those penalties ...
could kill a team, had it not been for the Ravens getting more (but less yds..) the Packers would have lost this one. Again, this reflects on the poor job and diciplin by MM.
He can thank Dom Capers and the defense for cooling of his seat btw.
the worst part, all the penalties were good calls by the officials, maybe except the first DPI on the Ravens, that was a homefield call, they would not be that ticky-tack with the home team.
Otherwise, the game was pretty good for the Packers, the Defense were awesome in the first half, and came back a bit late in the 4th qtr.
Offense were pretty good to, you probably need to read this twice, because I’m going to write positive stuff about our QB … he looks like he has corrected some of the little things I’ve been on him about all season long, he gets rid of the ball, he takes advantage of missmatches, and he’s even started using the playclock more to his advantage.
He still has a few minor misses he should not be making, after all he had 3 years as an understudy to a future first ballot HOF QB, and he’s started 28 games.
The sack last night.: #1 – about 2,5 seconds, left guard got beat, maybe with some more experience he can get the ball out on this one, but not really his fault
- - about 7,5 seconds, ok, this one is all on Rodgers not throwing the ball somewere.
The interceptions, first one, not really a bad throw or bad decission, he just threw it to the inside, not the outside, not sure why, but it was not good. the second is on Driver, even though the ball is a bit low. DD was very unlike him self parts of this game.
The difference between Rodgers and Flacco, is the time spent as a backup learing NFL football step by step.
1. I could name a few penalties that I thought were VERY ticky tacky. That doesn’t excuse them…I didn’t see any phantom calls but the refs really took the game away from the players at times. I think PI needs to be regulated or made into a 15 yard penalty, its just too much of a game changer as it sits now. 15 yards is still a HUGE penalty by itself.
2. I disagree completely about the Packers losing this one. Honestly the Ravens had NOTHING. If not for the penalties, they probably don’t score and its still a shutout. They made the game scary with sloppy turnovers and penalties, but they responded and answered the call and earned the win in the end. The Ravens had two penalties on the last drive otherwise it was basically even.
3. Nice to see a complement from you on the team.
PI's
I could name a few penalties that I thought were VERY ticky tacky. That doesn’t excuse them…I didn’t see any phantom calls but the refs really took the game away from the players at times. I think PI needs to be regulated or made into a 15 yard penalty, its just too much of a game changer as it sits now
I actually think the P.I’s were pretty good calls, except the first on the Ravens and maybe the second on T.W in the endzone he had his head turned on that one as opposed to the first one on TW in the 3rd qtr (also in EZ) I would have loved to have seen the two first I mentioned from the officials angle on the field, which is usually the best angle. All the other were good calls, there was a lot of armgrabbing on most of them. P.Is are judgement calls (as many other fouls) and they are probably the hardest calls to make in all of sports officiating, I don’t see any good way of regulating them more than they already are. Also P.Is get a very large part of officials training films and clinics.
Wether or not it should be a spot foul like the NFL has now, or a spot (under 15 yds) and 15 yds for deeper fouls like the NCAA has is a valid discussion, as of now, the owners (who decide on the rules) wants it the way it is now, it would be very unfair if a defender could commit a flagrant P.I if he’s beaten and then only be penalized 15 yds, that could really change some games.
Actually, NFLs VP of officiating, Mike Pereira had a good discussion on the subject last week in the official review segment.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d814aafc3/Week-12-Official-Review (the P.I starts at about 3.50)
It will be interesting to see if any of the calls from this game will be commented this week.
as for me complementing the team, it’s not a new thing, if you check, I’ve also given some (but very few) compliments to TT, I give compliments were I believe compliments are due.
the last comment feels like a little jab at Rodgers but I think you meant it to be more of a complement to Flacco than a jab at Rodgers. They are both talented QBs in their second year. Rodgers had the advantage of 3 years of tutaledge which certainly helps…he also has better weapons. Time will tell who ends up being the better QB but as it sits right now, I’ll take Rodgers…gladly!
It is and will be Rodgers. He holds onto the ball to try and make something happen, and for the most part it works for him. Yes, he gets sacked every so often doing this ( as of late) but the plays where he is able to buy some time and get a 1st down far outweighs the negatives.
Rodgers has ALL the tools you want in a Qb. Strong arm, accurate, makes good reads, and is athletic.
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 10:10 AM CST up reply actions
Jarls taking a shot at Rodgers? Noooooooooo!
The ref’s were bad on both sides last night. A majority of the PI calls that I saw were ticky tacky. They could be called but many times are not, except this game where anything that even resembled PI got a call. The running game never really got going but they managed to keep the Ravens D in check most of the game. The only time I heard Ray Lewis’s name is when he tried to rip of Jennings head. That’s a good sign (not the ripping off Jennings head, of course).
Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb
Honestly, as long as the Packers can block for Rodgers being able to run the ball isn’t going to be a huge deal. Rodgers showed last night that despite the below freezing temps, he can still throw the ball well. It could hurt us in a game where it snows, but I think our only remaining home game is Seattle, and I’m pretty confident that we could actually get a running game going against them.
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions
HEY !!!
I actually complimentet Rodgers this time ! If you interprete any of what I wrote as a shot on him, YOU are being ticky-tacky.
As for the P.Is I’ve tried to explain my view earlier, and I do officiate football my self, so I think I know a little about it. Players, coaches and fans mostly say we’re being ticky tacky on P.Is.
First of all, the play looks very different from the officials angle on the field, and that is the best angle 99,9% of the time. Some players and coaches also work on techniques to cheat and not get called, which is a blatant violation of “the football code”
Some times there are bad calls (of course) but I think the wast majority are good calls.
once the ball is thrown, both offensive (elligeble ones) and defensive players have equal rights to the ball, but in order to maintain that right they have to try to catch the ball, in example, if a defender has is face away from the ball and there is any early contact, it should be called as he’s not trying to play the ball, he’s just trying to make the wr not catch it.
Some times, it does not have to be much contact to justify the flag, a good example is the OPI called on the Ravens, where Mason and Woodson are going in the same direction, Woodson has great coverage, Mason puts his hand on him and nudges Woodson past him, thereby creating the necessary space to catch the ball.
That one might look ticky tack on TV, but on the field, it is very obvious, trust me !
No, it was not a stab on Rodgers, it was a compliment to both of them. Even if Rodgers is only in his 2nd year as a starter, I don’t think it’s a 100% fair to Flacco and say they are both in their 2nd year, Rodgers has a huge advantage of being the understudy to the all time great for 3 years.
That said, I also would prefer Rodgers over Flacco.
THANK YOU TED THOMPSON
for Finely,
and for Clay Matthews
thanks
Hell
Even A.J. Hawk. I really think some of us have been too hard on the guy. He’s had 3 straight 100 tackle years, and really has been impressive this year.
I love seeing him and Barnett executing that A gap blitz. Seems like we either sack the Qb or flush him out of the pocket everytime we run it.
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
Whaaaaa???? Someone PRAISING AJ Hawk in this blog? Maybe I should refresh my page there is obviously an error or virus or something.
Haha no, you aren't seeing things
I mean the knocks on him have always been he doesn’t come up and fill in the the run game well enough and that he is bad in coverage. He did both last night and really has been all year. There was 1 missed tackle he had on Rice though.
We also should be talking a bit more about Barnett. He shadowed Rice in passing situations pretty much all game and did a pretty tremendous job of it.
This is kind of of subject but I wanted to ask some of you guys about it. Does anybody else seem to notice that Barnett is always in good position to make the tackle but then just like hesitates and allows the Rb (in most cases) to make his move? I noticed in twice last year and have noticed in other games too. He needs to close in on the Rb fast and force him to make a move. Not sit there and try to tackle him after he makes his move because this often times can be the difference between a 1-2 yard gain and a 3-5 yard gain, which can be huge.
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 10:58 AM CST up reply actions
Haha god!
I didn’t mean last year, I meant last night. I said last year yesterday for some reason too…I think finals week is starting to get to me..
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 10:59 AM CST up reply actions
I will admit.
Hawk has improved this year. He still has some regression, but for the most part he has been silently having a good year. He really needs to work on taking better angles and wrapping up. But I will be the first to admit, I loved the draft pick Hawk, hated the player, now am surprised this guy is doing well this year.
Looking to buy: General Manager Deputy Badge
by Bush League All Star on Dec 8, 2009 11:39 AM CST up reply actions
I've had Hawks back...
…all year. It’s good to see him making big-time plays. Mostly for the team, and partially so I don’t look like a goon for backing him! :)
Amen!
I second (and third and fourth) that !
People have been way too hard on A.J Hawk.
He had a great rookie year, last year he was slowed by a groin injury and having his own D-line pushed back into him.
For the first couple of games this year, he had to figure of the 3-4 which is very different from a 4-3 for a LB, now it seems like he’s getting that part down and can start to use his talent.
Yep
Really the only bad year he has had was 08’. And like you said he had a nagging groin injury, and was trying to play a 4-3 MLB position, which he just isn’t suited for in the NFL.
He has come up and stopped the run. He has been good in coverage. And he has even been a bit of a surprise blitzing too. He needs to work on his angles but even that’s something that should improve as the year goes on.
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions
That may be the first game I've ever seen
Where a team’s primary offensive strategy was “throw it deep and just hope for a pass interference penalty” and it actually kept working.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 8, 2009 10:08 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
lol
Looking to buy: General Manager Deputy Badge
by Bush League All Star on Dec 8, 2009 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
Amazing, tough game
It was really exhausting, I fell asleep for almost the entire third quarter, then woke up and got happy.
"Are we doing everything we can to win games, or are we doing everything we can to run a certain thing that we want to run? I want to win, and I want to do whatever it takes to win. At some point you have to take the handcuffs off and let the boys play." - Cullen Jenkins 11/01/09
You missed the worst part, then. :)
Bound for New York City: January 6-9! Can't wait!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Dec 8, 2009 11:29 AM CST up reply actions
I'm glad in a way
but I’m still upset I missed some big plays, let alone an entire quarter
"I feel like I need to issue a formal apology to the Green Bay Packer defense..."'
Trent Dilfer, 12/07
How about Jarrett Bush?
I think he gave up the TD in the corner (gotta check the dvr) but that coverage wasn’t bad and his name hasn’t been called out in two games as the nickel corner now. That absolutely amazes me. Maybe I’m speaking too soon but I’m so amazed that he’s played solidly these last two weeks.
Agreed.
I think we’re all hoping that Bell, Ford, or Underwood steps up soon. I’m thinking that Bell might get a shot to step in soon. That said, Bush has been, dare I say, reliable? You’re right, his name has not been getting called. If that play continues, I’ll be a Bush fan.
My thoughts exactly
I think/thought Bell would get the call sooner rather than later but if Bush holds his ground maybe we will see what the coaches have seen in practice and one of the reasons Thompson matched the offer. We can only hope.
He actually isn’t that bad in coverage and is normally in pretty good position to make a play on the ball. His problem is he doesn’t ever seem to be able to make a play on the ball. (See: Detroit game. Lots of good examples in that game.)
He does seem to be improving a bit, which is good news for us.
by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 11:09 PM CST up reply actions
I
I think it depends on what position he’s playing. You’re completely right that his problems have been not making plays on the ball. At safety he’s never in position to even make a play on the ball and at corner he does have solid coverage but then won’t make the play. They need to just keep him at corner and put him in one spot whether that be left corner, right corner, or slot and let him stay use to it.
Yeah I was talking about him at CB. He is a terrible safety, and we saw that in the limited playing time he got at safety in the Bengals game.
He seems to be pretty athletic and fast, he just needs to figure out how to make a play on the ball. I think putting him in the slot is the best option. I would kind of like to see this Bell that we just signed get some time just cause we know what Bush brings. If Bell is worse, then I guess Bush at least has a bit of potential..
by packallday555 on Dec 9, 2009 10:50 PM CST up reply actions
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