Packer Notes: Week 11 Ratings, Rodgers Played Great, Jennings Played Great, and Thanksgiving Preview

by Brandon on Nov 24, 2010 7:01 AM CST in Green Bay Packers Analysis

Football Outsiders has moved the Green Bay Packers up to No. 4 in their DVOA ratings. Their special teams remain one of the worst, but it isn't a major drag on their standing. The offense is ranked No. 6, but all the teams ranked between No. 4 and No. 7 have a nearly identical ranking. The Packers offense remains comfortably behind the top 3: Patriots, Eagles, and Texans. While the Packers defense is tied for the fewest points allowed, they're a few steps (according to Football Outsiders) behind the Steelers and Giants.

QB Aaron Rodgers was ranked as the No. 4 quarterback last week according to Football Outsiders. He wasn't too far behind the top three. And he wasn't ranked ahead of the top three because Roethlisberger, McNabb, and Hasselbeck all played great against better pass defenses. He was nominated as the FedEx air player of the week, if you care to vote for him.

WR Greg Jennings is the NFC North high energy player of the week. Catching three touchdown passes will do that for a guy. While he's seemed to play better over the past few weeks, he really was there all along. Injuries to TE Jermichael Finley and WR Donald Driver gave him a lot more opportunities.

It's Thanksgiving Eve with three games on the holiday schedule. Unfortunately, none of them look any good. Can the Lions just avoid embarrassing themselves against a powerhouse Patriots team (remember this game against the Titans?) Or last year against the Packers? Will the Bengals hold the Jets to under 49 points with nearly their entire defense injured? Saints at the Cowboys has the most potential, if the Cowboys's turnaround over the past couple weeks is real. Overall, not a slate of must-see games.

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Great News for Greg

It’s a shame that injuries were the leading cause of his numbers boost, but anyone who doesn’t respect what this guy can do to a defensive secondary is in for trouble when the Pack rolls through.

Speaking of which, what is the news on Double D? Are they just lightening his load for now or is he determined to play through some pain? I’d rather see him 100%, but man… they’re gonna need him against the Falcons. The more reliable options Aaron has to throw to, the better their chances are and I’m ready to see this team pull away in the division.

Oh and by the way, I’m picking the Lions to upset if for no other reason than I don’t care about the Cowboys and Saints and anyone who thinks the Bengals have a ghost of a chance against these Jets are off their nut.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Nov 24, 2010 11:25 AM CST reply actions

That's why we call it 'Turkey Day'. Haha

It’s Thanksgiving Eve with three games on the holiday schedule. Unfortunately, none of them look any good.

TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!

by NorthStarr on Nov 24, 2010 12:24 PM CST reply actions

Rodgers, Roethlisberger, Hasselbeck and McNabb

I must admit pro-Packers bias, but I think Rodgers has a pretty good case for having played better than Hasselbeck and McNabb. Roethlisberger threw and ran well so I won’t argue against him.

But Hasselbeck and McNabb threw it 44 and 50 times to Rodgers’ 31, so Rodgers’ yards per attempt is 9.7, Hasselbeck’s at 8.3, and McNabb’s is 7.5. Also Hasselbeck and McNabb only led their teams to 19 points each, and had only 1 TD apiece, while Rodgers threw 4 TDs and led the Packers to 31 points. And I don’t think the defense of the Saints or the Titans is that much better than the Vikings, so in my mind that doesn’t close the gap.

53 Bears, 1 Cup

by I voted for Kodos on Nov 24, 2010 1:44 PM CST reply actions

The last two times the Packers were playing on Thanksgiving,

I had the luxury of going over to a family of Packers fans here in Vermont. In the 2007 game, I managed to make plans to go to their (old) house (my parents were out of town), and watched the Packers survive in Detroit. I remember that being a very high-scoring game, with the Packers getting lots of touchdowns and the Lions getting lots of field goals.

Last year, my parents and I went to their (new) house, and the same person who was a die-hard Packer (and Favre) fan was there, too. He remained a true Packers fan after Favre’s betrayal, and he and I sat next to each other.

The best part of the Packers playing on Thanksgiving? After they win, we have nearly two weeks until the next Packers game (last year, it was at home against Baltimore).

In case I don’t have the opportunity to say it, happy Thanksgiving, to everyone.

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 24, 2010 3:57 PM CST reply actions