Recap: Packers Offense (Eventually) Runs Over The Vikings
by Brandon on Nov 22, 2010 7:01 AM CST
in Green Bay Packers Analysis
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PrintAfter a dead first quarter, the Green Bay Packers offense exploded for 17 points in the second quarter, creating a deficit that the Vikings came nowhere near matching. I'm not surprised the offense had some success, but I'm really surprised that turnovers, sacks, and/or crowd noise didn't cause them problems. The passing attack has been explosive in their last two games, but the run offense failed to impress in this one.
Four Quarters
In the first quarter, the offense (specifically Rodgers) came out flat. He threw an uncatchable grounder to TE Andrew Quarless on 3rd down, and the inaccuracy continued into the second quarter with a missed 3rd down pass to WR James Jones and a mystery pass deep down the left sideline to no one in particular. It might have been better to have held back on the running plays until he got into a rhythm. But he wasn't helped by RT Bryan Bulaga, who had another poor game and gave up two sacks to DE Ray Edwards. The offense only ran 9 plays for 16 yards in the quarter.
Then at 11:29 in the second quarter, Rodgers completed his first pass to WR Greg Jennings. It was a deep sideline route that he juggled before rambling for 47 yards. It was also the first of many passes that exposed the same weakness in the Vikings secondary that Ray Edwards noticed: CB Asher Allen and CB Chris Cook. That particular drive ended with a game-tying field goal, but the long bomb to Jennings was the play that turned it around for Rodgers. The next drive was an all-pass, 8 play, 80 yard TD drive, followed by another all-pass TD drive with only 1 minute left in the half. The offense blew the game wide open with 193 yards in the quarter.
If the second quarter wasn't enough, the Packers opened the second half with another touchdown drive on a 46 yard pass to Jennings after CB Asher Allen slipped and fell in coverage. The offense slowed down a bit, RB Brandon Jackson and Dimitri Nance combined for 14 yards on 8 carries in the quarter as they looked to milk some clock. 112 yards for the quarter was nice, but holding the ball for almost 10 minutes when the Vikings really needed to get something going on offense was the best part.
There was only 61 yards of offense in the fourth as the Rushin' Russian carried the ball on 9 of their 17 plays in the quarter, and only averaged 2.7 ypc. But as the Vikings lined up to stop the run on a 3rd and 1, a play action fake led to one-on-one coverage for Jennings against Allen and another touchdown pass. Overall it was a career day for Jennings.
Individual Analysis
QB Aaron Rodgers. This marks his third consecutive game without an INT, though he almost coughed up one on an errant pass near the goal line to Jennings. That streak also includes his only game without a TD (at Jets), but it's notable that they are rolling when he's taking care of the ball.
RB Brandon Jackson. He was a disappointment because he looked a step late when trying to turn the corner. Mike McCarthy believes Jackson can become an every-down back, but he hasn't shown it this season.
RB Dimitri Nance. In his first extended opportunity, he was asked to run straight ahead when the Vikings were expecting him. He looked better then Jackson, but it wasn't a great opportunity to show what he can do.
WR Greg Jennings. While WR Donald Driver got the attention from Rodgers early, the offense exploded once Jennings got involved. Ever since TE Jermichael Finley was lost for the season, Jennings has powered the offense.
WR James Jones. This was his 3rd solid performance in his last 4 games, but he's still inconsistent with with two zero catch games in his last five. Nothing to complain about in this one, but he's got to keep it up.
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I just love the photo
Looks like the ref is stride for stride with Jennings. Great team win, killed the Vikes. A happy attendee to the Viking funeral
He’s actually underrated, but that’s another can of worms…
Jennings has got him by a good step and a half. :)
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
Good game, Pack, and good luck on the rest of your season.
You came to town and handed us our a$$e$. Maybe we’ll get a new HC and starting QB out of the deal.
Ryan Mallet would be a good choice
Or Case Keenum. He’s got the intellegence. Jake Locker seems more like a Buffalo QB then a Viking QB. You guys like over rated QBs right? How about Cam Newton? Or if you don’t want a rookie, Jake Delhomme may be available next year. He’s like a young Brett Favre. At least in terms of Interceptions.
Nationwide Writer for SBNation's Nascar Ranting & Raving (www.4ever3blog.com)
"A ringing single for David Eckstein who, in my view, is the perfect size for an American male." -Bob Costas
I'd like to see Tarvaris get one last chance to prove himself.
He was told he’d have a chance to compete for the starting QB position and he has been a good soldier thru all this Favre drama BS.
Looks like I got half of my wish (so far). Childress has been fired!
Lets hope Frazier or whoever is named interim head coach has the balls to bench Brett Favre!
I think you need to cut bait. Sh#$ and get off the pot. Tavaris isn’t going to be a top notch QB. Draft a QB high in the draft, let TJ run the show until he’s ready but TJ isn’t going to win you a title.
You don't know that.
Chili was half of TJ’s problems. He was started too early and handcuffed the whole time by terrible playcalling and not being allowed to audible out of said terrible playcalling.
The rest of the NFL knows it!!!
TJ isn’t a good QB… Good backup, but nothing more! He just doesn’t have what it takes to become a top QB. Keep that dream alive and give him another shot next year though… The NFCN will be happy about it!
He had a SB ready team and got all of 10 wins! If he had what it takes, he would have done alot more w/ that team!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Brett Favre had a SB ready team this year.
Look what he has done with it. A lot worse than Tarvaris would have.
time will tell
TT made the decision to get rid of Favre because he knew ARodg was a stud. That Chilly or Bevell didn’t put TJack in last Sunday tells us they don’t think much of him, either. Now if Frazier does or doesn’t put him in, that should be all the proof you need – one way or another.
by gern blanston on Nov 23, 2010 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
Eh, I don't necessarily agree with that
If the Vikings had brought in a coach that had some kind of reassurance that the record of the team for the rest of the year would have no impact on whether or not he’d be the coach next season, I could probably get behind that. But Frazier knows that a handful of teams will be closely watching how his team does for the remainder of the year, which means this is no time for him to bench the QB he feels has the best chance to win now. Frazier can’t afford to look for the future, for him the future is now. TT and MM had that luxury when deciding between Favre and Rodgers.
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
You're making my point for me
I agree that Frazier needs to win now to cement his job for next year. If Frazier thought TJack gave him the best chance to win, he’d play him rather than Favre. KC612 wants TJack to play and thinks he’s the better quarterback. I’m simply saying “see who plays” and that will tell you who the Vikings think is the better QB.
by gern blanston on Nov 23, 2010 1:56 PM CST up reply actions
I think there's a difference between playing who's the better QB now
and what the Packer’s did in 2008. The Packers made the decision to go with Rodgers as a starter largely for the future of the team, not because they thought Rodgers would be the better QB that year. If you’re coaching for your job, you’ll give the reins to a QB that isn’t a mystery, because you have a good idea of what you’ll get out of him. If you’re coaching for the future, it’s inexcusable to not put TJack on the field, because you need to learn what you’re getting from him sooner rather than later.
Frazier is coaching for today, he has no reason to put Jackson in if he feels Favre is more capable. But maybe I’m missing your point.
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
I mistyped. It’s actually KC612’s point. I don’t care who starts for the Vikings. I believe he’s saying “TJack is better than Favre and should therefore be playing.” I’m saying who knows who’s the better qb? You’d like to think the Vikings coaching staff would as they see them both in practice every day.
To me, it’s debatable how much better TJack could have gotten while on the bench behind Favre. He’s had some starting experience prior. But if he’d made tremendous strides like Rodgers had, he’d be playing because Frazier is coaching for tomorrow and should have made a point of discussing the QB situation before taking the job – which I believe is what you’re saying.
by gern blanston on Nov 23, 2010 2:37 PM CST up reply actions
I guess where I differ from that
Is that I don’t feel Frazier is coaching for tomorrow. As a guy who’s been passed over multiple times as a head coach, he may be seeing this as his last best chance to show other teams he can win games, thus he’ll start whoever he thinks gives him the best chance to win now.
I agree with your point as to who knows who’s the better QB right now and that the Vikings’ coaches should know better than any of us, but for the future of their team they should be starting Jackson.
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
A good head coach will do what's best for the team not himself.
by KC612 on Nov 23, 2010 2:45 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Most human beings
will do what’s best for them not what’s best for others.
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
Are you honestly going to argue with me
That coaches don’t ever make decisions based on keeping their jobs?
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
I think that KC612
is saying that what’s best for the team IS what’s best for the coach, and that making the decisions that are best for the team is synonymous with making decisions based on keeping their jobs.
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
Well I guess we have a fundamental disagreement then
So agree to disagree.
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
by tomorrow, I meant “his” tomorrow, rather than the team’s tomorrow. His tomorrow means playing the QB that he feels is best at this moment. He’s said that’s Favre. I agree long term, it should be TJack. Favre came back for the superbowl. It obviously didn’t happen and won’t next year either. So, he’s done.
I don’t know about you, but if I’m convinced that Favre is NOT the guy, then I make a point of discussing benching him with Ziggy before I take the job. Because I need to do what will send a message to right the ship. If I don’t have the owner’s support in that, I definitely won’t be back next year.
the other way it could pay out is Frazier has the job next year regardless and Ziggy wants Favre to play out the season.
by gern blanston on Nov 23, 2010 3:30 PM CST up reply actions
How do you know
…which means this is no time for him to bench the QB he feels has the best chance to win now.
How do you know that Frazier feels that Bertt gives them the best chance to win?
It seems to me like you are assuming that.
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
I'm not saying that he does think Favre is the best chance to win
But I believe that whoever he puts out there will be whoever he thinks will win now, because he’s looking to make a good impression.
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
Yeah
He was told he’d have a chance to compete for the starting QB position
Bertt was told the same thing in 2008, and it wasn’t good enough for him. :)
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
I guess that shows a difference in character between the two.
Tarvaris is OK with competing and Brett isn’t. He feels the job should be handed to him even if the QB who was behind him is starting to show some real promise.
couple of observations...
Rodgers slow start may have been because of nerves. Also, he was holding on to the ball waaaay too long ( probably looking deep for Driver, Jennings or Jones). After the first quarter, I bet MM (or whoever) got in his ear and told him, dump it off to a RB, a TE or even Jordy Nelson, don’t wait for the big play. He also took off and used his legs a few times as well. He was just waiting too long in the first quarter.
When all the above changed, the offense changed.
Finally, the “Ruskies” performance shows you why TT didn’t pull the trigger on a RB — the position is just so interchangeable with our offense. Kind of like the no name guys that the Colts (who the heck is Jevarris James?), NE and the Saints (when Bush and PThomas are injured half the time) put out there. The RB position in our offense is about the most irrelevant, no-big deal position that there is. Put Jackson, the Russian, or Starks out there, take your pick. Won’t change much.
Oh and one last thing….WE ARE GOING ALL THE WAY BABY!!!!! (A little Monday morning exuberance never hurt anyone right?)
Agreed on the nerves. It seems like he’s always real jumpy to start games off. I wish he’d use Jackson more as a dump off. That really plays to Jackson’s strengths, and he almost always seems to get 4+ yards.
by packallday555 on Nov 22, 2010 11:38 AM CST up reply actions
James Jones is a streaky WR
When he gets into a groove, he is GOING to have a great game.
Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 22, 2010 8:14 AM CST reply actions
Yeah, he’s talented but inconsistent. He’s got a wide frame, strong hands, and is hard to take down after the catch. He must have pretty good speed too as he seems to beat guys on 9’s and fade routes quite often. I think we’ll start to see him be more and more consistent as the season goes on.
by packallday555 on Nov 22, 2010 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
Jones is like Jerry Rice...
He runs a 4.6 40, which is nothing to write home about. But his strength allows him to play faster than the timed 40 and he has good short area quickness which helps him get seperation!
And he does have the frame and strong hands which makes him an ideal middle of the field reciever.. a la Driver!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Jones
ran a 4.54, so you’re shorting him 6/100s of a sec(!!!). And he tied the combine bench press record for WRs. So if he’s that strong, maybe we should be comparing him to Sterling Sharpe – that was the strongest receiver I’ve seen in the game.
53 Bears, 1 Cup
by I voted for Kodos on Nov 23, 2010 1:38 PM CST up reply actions
Donald Driver also has strength as a WR
seriously, his ability to shake tackles is like few other DBs. He has strength that can’t be measured.
Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 23, 2010 1:56 PM CST up reply actions
different types of strength
DD has it in his legs – goes back to his high jumping days. JJ has it in his upper body. Both are tough as nails, one is just more consistent than the other at this point.
by gern blanston on Nov 23, 2010 2:00 PM CST up reply actions
No question about that
Driver is a key component of the offense, wherever he is. Jones is a streaky WR who can get shut out at the same rate he puts up big games.
Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 23, 2010 2:06 PM CST up reply actions
Until he get a REAL opportunity to disprove that
as a full time starter,
Jones is a streaky WR who can get shut out at the same rate he puts up big games.I am not ready to agree with that.
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
a la Sterling Sharpe
like I said in my own reply to PAD, below. :)
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
Sterling
He’s got a wide frame, strong hands, and is hard to take down after the catch.
Sounds pretty much like the descriptions I read, when he was drafted, comparing him to Sterling Sharpe!
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
I think you missed a critical defensive play.
That interception by Tramon Williams of an errant Favre pass toward the end of the second quarter. The Vikings were driving, about to tie the game at 10-10, and instead the Packers get the ball, drive right down the field, and score a touchdown on a pass to James Jones to make it 17-3.
Then on the opening drive of the third quarter, the Packers drive down the field and scored another touchdown, making it 24-3, and the Vikings just rolled over after that.
That being said, I thought the Packers would beat the Vikings yesterday, but not by 28 points. I think the margin of victory is due more to the dysfunction in Minnesota than the talent level between the two teams.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 22, 2010 8:15 AM CST reply actions
I think...
…he didn’t mention Williams INT because this post was dedicated to the Packers Offense yesterday. Just the Offense.
Yeah the Williams interception was the play of the game. The turning point of the game.
Errant Favre pass?
More like a great play by Williams to read the play and know exactly where the ball was going.
Nationwide Writer for SBNation's Nascar Ranting & Raving (www.4ever3blog.com)
"A ringing single for David Eckstein who, in my view, is the perfect size for an American male." -Bob Costas
Yeah, I realized that after I posted it.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 22, 2010 10:21 AM CST up reply actions
I like this offense more...
with Jennings powering it than with Finley powering it. I’ll be thrilled to get Finley back, but I hope they don’t change the offense too much when they do. I get that he’s a mismatch but what they are doing now is AWESOME. I wasn’t impressed with our O earlier this year when Finley was out there, it was all vertical and wasn’t working.
by TrevorR on Nov 22, 2010 9:41 AM CST reply actions 6 recs
exactly
I love having Finley as a PIECE of the offense, not the entire thing. Earlier this season, it felt like every pass play was designed to get Finley the ball first. Jennings was a clear afterthought in the offensive game plans. As he’s proving once again, he needs to be one of the offense’s frontmen. I hope McCarthy can find some play-calling balance with his weapons next season. He clearly knows how to utilize Jennings when he writes him into the gameplan.
by Do the Math on Nov 22, 2010 11:21 AM CST up reply actions
Sort of like the first season of Happy Days
when Fonzie was a background character, instead of the ipso-facto star.
It was a much better show, then.
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
Rec'd.
Finley is a great player but so is Jennings. It seems like Rodgers likes to get to locked into Finley when he’s healthy a bit too much, and forces things.
by packallday555 on Nov 22, 2010 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
it seems like after Finley goes down, that is when our O really starts clicking. Even last year. We started out slow, then we lost Finley and we started putting up HUGE numbers. Maybe the coaches try SO hard to get him involved that its hurting everything else. It also seems like the only time we really got him the ball was on those seam routes down the middle. There HAS to be more ways to get him involved.
Our receivers are great after the catch
and a lot of the offensive success last year was without Finley as the focal point. I really think Rodgers was too enamored with Finley and forgot about the other guys. And now seeing how Jennings has stepped it up, I can understand why he was so frustrated at the beginning of the year.
Well said
When Finley went out I was hoping that Rodgers would rediscover Jennings. When their both out there I hope they find a way to use both of them better than the start of this season. I think Rodgers is going to learn to use both of them.
my observation
The one sack was on Johnson, rather than Bulaga. Johnson wiffed on (I think) Ben Leber which prevented Rodgers from being able to step up. I felt the other two were on Rodgers for holding the ball too long.
Jackson seems to want to dance rather than lower his shoulder. There were several times when there was simply nothing there. The thing to do then is lower your shoulder and take what’s there. You’re going down, so put the defencer on his back. Instead he’d try to make a move and end up going backwards. Nance showed much more of that bull like strength.
Nitpicking here, but when Sitton loses his helmet, please explain why hands to the face is not called on the defense?
definitely
but of all the problems for a QB to have when his nerves are getting to him, I think this one is much better than say, throwing the ball to a defensive back.
by Mr. Saturn on Nov 23, 2010 7:02 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Abso--F'n--LUTE-ly
Rec’d
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
this is amazing
4 hours 5 minutes? Is that all? Buehrle coulda pitched three CGs and the bottom of the 14th in Houston by then. FTMFYITA! - RWShow
by blackoutsox on Nov 22, 2010 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
“You’ll be stone dead in a minute”
"I agree but dont agree"
by juggernaut400 on Nov 22, 2010 11:32 AM CST up reply actions
ummm....
that’s Monty Python. Eric Idle – “Bring out your dead” Brad Childress “I’m feeling better!”
by gern blanston on Nov 22, 2010 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
I think I'll go for a walk.
Shut yer noise, you! …you’re not fooling anyone.
by Curly Lambeau on Nov 22, 2010 3:11 PM CST up reply actions
So...
Brett Favre is Don Morton?
Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 22, 2010 3:16 PM CST up reply actions
i think that 2 sacks were on rodgers
he held the ball for forever thats not bulags fault
On one of the sacks
If Quinn Johnson went the correct way on the blitz pickup, Rodgers would have had a huge alley to step up into.
"I agree but dont agree"
by juggernaut400 on Nov 22, 2010 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
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