The Green Bay Packers are now 8-6 and have lost all six games by less than 4 points. This one was marked by big plays (an INT returned for a TD and a 71 yard kickoff return by an offensive lineman) and dropped passes (and interceptions) dooming the Packers. In many ways, the Packers dominated the game as they ran 36 more plays than the Patriots and led in time of possession 40:18 to 19:12. With their backup quarterback Matt Flynn leading them against the best team in the NFL on the road.
When looking at the players of the game on offense it's required to start with Flynn. He's not QB Aaron Rodgers, but Rodgers wouldn't have done a whole lot better. WR James Jones was the big name receiver, but he also gave up on the route that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. RB Brandon Jackson ran for 99 yards, but also had a big dropped pass. After Flynn, I'd have to go with FB John Kuhn, who had a couple huge plays as a receiver, and was going airborne every time he touched the ball.
They didn't grab any turnovers, and they couldn't stop the Patriots from scoring a touchdown once in the red zone. But the Packers defense held the Patriots to 4 for 10 on 3rd down, and held their potent offense to only 249 yards of total offense. The big story was how they got after QB Tom Brady with so many injured pass rushers, and with another poor game from LB Clay Matthews as he's still limited by a shin injury. NT B.J. Raji blew up at least three plays all by himself, and LB Desmond Bishop had two of the biggest hits of the game.
And a big lemon for the entire kick coverage on OL Dan Connolly's 71-yard kickoff return. No one player was to blame as they blew lane containment. FB Quinn Johnson seemed to throw the big block against his own teammate to spring Connolly, S Charlie Peprah tried to strip the ball instead of tackling him, and S Atari Bigby took a bad angle as Connolly juked him. Way to blow the good vibes after recovering the surprise onside kickoff on the opening play of the game.