"Chips Report" from Week 4 Win vs. Bears
The Packers offense looked nearly unstoppable as they out-scored the Bears 38-17 on Sunday.
Our weekly "Chips Report" will always include two blue chips (outstanding, exceptional play), two red chips (good, though maybe not great) and two cow chips (dud performances). From the Green Bay Packers' 38-17 win at Soldier Field...
Image Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki - USA TODAY Sports
Blue Chips
- Quarterback Aaron Rodgers—The Packers quarterback most definitely looked "relaxed" facing a Bears defense that hardly put up a fight. Rodgers dissected a Bears defense left and right, showing the the same accuracy and zip that wasn't always present the previous week against the Lions. He completed 22 of 28 passes for 302 yards, four touchdowns and nary a turnover, continuing his domination of Jay Cutler-quarterbacked Bears teams.
- Wide receiver Jordy Nelson—Nelson seems incapable of making a mistake. He continues a streak of solid play all season long, grabbing double-digit passes, 10 for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Going up against teams that have some of the best wide receivers in the NFL--the Lions and Calvin Johnson in Week 3 and the Bears and Brandon Marshall Week 4--Nelson has asserted himself as every bit the elite wide receiver and might even be better than them after the catch.
Red Chips
- Cornerback Tramon Williams—Williams' broken up pass, breaking on a Jay Cutler intended for Josh Morgan and intercepted by Clay Matthews, may have been the turning point in the game. The turnover set up the a Packers' third-quarter touchdown, pushing it to a two-score game. In the fourth quarter, Williams came up with another near-interception, breaking up a fourth-down pass, causing a turnover on downs to go along with five tackles on the afternoon.
- Tight end Richard Rodgers—The rookie tight end helped the Packers break out of their offensive doldrums early in the game, making the first two catches of his career. On the receiving end of Aaron Rodgers' first two completed passes of the game, they covered 52 yards and helped set up the Packers' first touchdown of the game, tying the score at 7-7. The junior Rodgers also had a noteworthy de-cleating block on a fourth-quarter catch by Randall Cobb, who was a dropped touchdown away from himself earning a red chip.
Cow Chips
- Linebacker/end Julius Peppers—Coming off his best performance in a Packers' uniform last week against the Lions, Peppers couldn't do anything against his former team on Sunday. He looked exposed in space, missing a tackle on Bears running back Matt Forte, strung out to the sideline. He was hardly at fault for an "illegal hands to the face," but he couldn't generate a pass rush at all.
- Defensive lineman Mike Daniels—Conspicuous by his absence, Daniels was a big part of the reason the Bears racked up 496 yards of total offense, 235 on the ground and 261 through the air. The Packers defensive lineman offered little resistance against the run and placed no pressure on Cutler, not making a single tackle the entire game.
Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor at Cheesehead TV and its "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].
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Comments (43)
Nerd
September 28, 2014 at 03:46 pm
-We don't have a NT, of course we're not going to stop the run.
-Richard Rodgers has already done more than Finley did his entire rookie year. Dude's only going to get better.
-I thought the Bares were getting decent pressure on Rodgers, it's just that Rodgers was elusive enough to get the ball away, despite continuing to hold it too long.
-Refs totally sucked today.
HankScorpio
September 28, 2014 at 03:54 pm
"-We don't have a NT, of course we're not going to stop the run."
I could not agree more. I'm not sure if Raji would have made any difference but it's clear they have major problems in the middle of the field. Lattimore and Clinton-Dix are ray of hope away from the LoS but the Packers have been getting dominated in the middle at the LoS. That's a pretty alarming issue.
"-I thought the Bares were getting decent pressure on Rodgers, it's just that Rodgers was elusive enough to get the ball away, despite continuing to hold it too long."
I could not agree less. I though the o-line did a great job in pass protection. The Bears, sans Jared Allen, may not be a tough challenge but they never came close to making Rodgers uncomfortable in the pocket. And Rodgers made them pay for that.
NickPerry
September 28, 2014 at 06:28 pm
Go back and look at the Vikings vs Packers game stats last year. Bakhitieri did a great job on Allen last year. Zero Sacks and very few tackles. The Packers better try and bring in someone, anyone to plug that middle of that D-Line because that won't get them anywhere. Nice to see Cobb have a good game, I'd become really concerned with him. He looked closer to his old self. Still wonder what is going on with Lacy, still to much east and west running.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 29, 2014 at 01:11 am
I normally watch the games with a stop watch in hand. No point today, so I put it down sometime in the 3rd quarter. Bears got no pressure on Rodgers, and the packers got little pressure on Cutler.
HankScorpio
September 28, 2014 at 03:47 pm
The o-line deserved a red chip for their pass blocking. Maybe even a blue chip. Rodgers had all day to pass on several occasions. Any elite QB is going to pick apart a defense given time.
They deserved a cow chip for their run blocking. Until they get their act together in the run game, Lacy will continue to struggle. Through no fault of his own.
jeremyjjbrown
September 28, 2014 at 03:59 pm
Can we give a Cow Chip to the refs? They were painful to watch.
MarkinMadison
September 28, 2014 at 04:34 pm
Possibly the worst called game I have ever watched. The first holding call on Linsley was horrible. The holding call against the Bears on the FG attempt was horrible. The "hands to the helmet" roughing call was horrendous. This crew should be benched.
Beep
September 28, 2014 at 05:01 pm
A friend from Philly said this same crew called the Eagles vs Washington Football team last week and they were almost as bad.
Wiscokid
September 30, 2014 at 09:13 am
its Philly, who cares?
Charvid
September 28, 2014 at 04:12 pm
Cow chip to some of the worst officiating I've seen since replacement refs. They were equally bad for Bears as well as GB, so don't get me wrong...I'm not just whining because some calls went against the Pack, there were terrible calls that went against the Bears too.
Just a horrible game by that officiating crew.
HankScorpio
September 28, 2014 at 04:23 pm
The hold on Linsley's pancake block and Peppers getting called for putting his face in the opposing guy's hands were atrocious. The PF on Shields for hitting Cutler's head was very ticky-tack.
But there sure were some make-up calls that hurt the Bears, too.
I continue to be baffled why a multi-billion $ organization like the NFL allows part-timers to control their product.
jeremyjjbrown
September 28, 2014 at 04:32 pm
Do they work part time during the game?
Charvid
September 28, 2014 at 04:38 pm
No, they were equally bad throughout the entire game--they put in a full day.
sonomaca
September 29, 2014 at 09:37 am
I think the Pack got the best of the ref mess yesterday, but it was hard to watch.
Evan
September 29, 2014 at 10:36 am
I actually think it was dead even in horrible calls. Started out heavily in the Bears favor, but it evened out.
NewNikeShoes
September 28, 2014 at 05:06 pm
im just saying, if the packers don't get a decent nose tackle, this could be a long year for the run defense
TKWorldWide
September 28, 2014 at 08:13 pm
As much as we all enjoyed making the Pennel comments, I AM curious how he would do with more playing time. It's not like the guys they have in front of him are just ripping it up.
Wiscokid
September 30, 2014 at 09:27 am
Where are we supposed to find one? They don't grow on trees. If one was out there, Ted would have brought him in already. We have what we have.
Evan
September 30, 2014 at 09:44 am
I have to think there is someone out there on someone's PS who would be an upgrade...not looking for Wilfork in his prime (or even Wilfork now), just something better.
RCPackerFan
September 30, 2014 at 09:39 am
Also, the year the Packers went to the Super Bowl, they picked up Howard Green who was a major contributor. Is there a guy like him they could find to bring in?
Evan
September 30, 2014 at 09:45 am
I have no idea...I just have to think there is a modest upgrade out there somewhere.
RCPackerFan
September 30, 2014 at 09:50 am
that's my thinking.
Where can you find a list of free agents available? I tried looking but couldn't find one.
Evan
September 30, 2014 at 09:53 am
I googled for some sort of list of best practice squad players...nothing. With all the NFL coverage, I'm actually surprised there isn't something out there on that.
RCPackerFan
September 30, 2014 at 10:28 am
Exactly...
I tried that as well and had the same thing.
I was hoping someone else would have better success...
Spiderpack
September 28, 2014 at 05:36 pm
This week's slogan and game summary:
ARodge says:
"Give me the keys, I can drive."
(Quote from the movie Weird Science).
NickPerry
September 28, 2014 at 07:21 pm
Give a Cow Chip to Ted T for not bringing in Pickett who signed with Houston, or even taking a peek at Jolly. Guion is absolutely a JOKE. I hope he has a plan moving forward because they won't win to many giving up 235 on the ground and 33 first downs! Thank you Aaron Rodgers for bailing out Dom Capers atrocious defense again.
JimTaylor31
September 29, 2014 at 06:27 am
I concur Nick. I would give both Capers and Ted big fat cow chips. Ted for his mediocre (at best) drafts on defense and Capers for coaching up those mediocre players to their lowest level of mediocrity. We all laugh at Jerry Jones on draft day and poke fun at his trying to play GM. But ya know what? Dallas was supposed to be abysmal on defense and not much better on offense this year. They have high draft picks actually playing and playing well and their supposed crap defense is playing well above their supposed talent lavel. If Jerry Freaking Jones can improve a defense in a year why the hell can't Ted and Capers show any visible improvement in 3 years? It's an embarrasment. Note to Ted: Fire Capers and hire somebody who can spot talent on defense and listen to them on draft day.
HankScorpio
September 29, 2014 at 09:00 am
JT31,
The defense was horrible yesterday, for sure. However, they bailed themselves out with 2 big turnovers and there is something to be said for that.
And the defense was absolutely outstanding last week vs Detroit when the offense let the team down, including forcing enough turnovers to really emphasize how horrible the offense was last week. They got off to a rough start vs NJY in week 2 but settled down nicely to even out to an "average" (not bad, not good) performance overall.
Given the atrocious defense we've seen in years gone by, I would call that an improvement. Not much of one. But an improvement nonetheless.
Having said all that, I don't have much confidence in the ability of most of the defensive staff to develop talent. About the only exception is Joe Whitt, Jr. On a "draft and develop" team, that's a pretty big systemic issue. So I would not have been opposed to starting over with the defensive staff this past offseason. Unfortunately, I think doing so now would do more harm than good.
Bohj
September 29, 2014 at 09:20 am
Seriously? Cowboys.....jerry Jones? When is the last time the cowboys competed at the level the packers are competing at now? The 90s? The cowboys will not even make the playoffs this year. Talent? OK.....because they're drafting higher because they have sucked means the talent edge might be better for some younger guys. I think our development of young talent drafted late in rounds for the last six years isn't perfect....but it isn't as bad as you think.
JimTaylor31
September 29, 2014 at 09:35 am
My point exactly. Jerry Jones is laughable. But the Cowboys have made a bigger leap with their pathetic defense in 1 year than the Packers have made in 3 years. And I wouldn't say the Cowboys won't make the playoffs this year. They have looked pretty good the last few weeks. And we have developed some young talent from the later rounds and UDFAs. Point is we have thrown a lot of spaghetti at the wall and some has stuck but most has fallen to the floor.
KurtMc
September 28, 2014 at 07:40 pm
Cow chip to what appeared to be a crappy turf. Guess that goes with the crappy stadium
gary
September 28, 2014 at 09:44 pm
Nick Perry you are so right. We should have brought in a run stuffer during free agency. Between TT and Capers they both piss me off. Capers two DL scheme doesn't stop the run at any level Pro-college- pee wee what a joke. It wouldn't be half as bad if we had physical MLB'S but we don't have that either.
4thand1
September 29, 2014 at 05:30 am
Whats the problem? They gave up some yards on the ground and no points in the 2nd half. Who won the game?
NickPerry
September 29, 2014 at 06:08 am
Common 4th and 1, you KNOW that's a recipe for disaster. The TOP got out of hand a little in the first half, especially after the Bears first 2 drives and the Packers going down the field in 2:06 in between. I was shocked when I saw 33 first downs and 235 rushing. You and I both know when a game is that skewed, the Packers won't have the result the did Sunday to often. They need someone to plug the middle and fast. Green Bay can't always count on playing against a guy like Cutler where he can't help but throw us the ball.
TKWorldWide
September 29, 2014 at 06:22 am
Talk about AWESOME halftime adjustments!!
GBeletech
September 29, 2014 at 07:41 am
Wow what does Cobb have to do? 2 TDs not enough? Where is the Rookie Ha HA Clinton-DIx? He was making many down field tackles after others missed their shot at the line of scrimmage. That stop to end the half saved 7 points.
DrealynWilliams
September 29, 2014 at 09:33 am
There was one play HHCD diagnosed a run play out of Shotgun formation and shot down impressively. He barely missed the leg tackle (which I hate),but he forced the RB to bounce outside where HHCD's help was and the RB was tackled for little-to-no gain.
I can't wait 'til HHCD gets 100% comfortable in Dom's system. He's already flashing good signs. Watch out Hyde...Burnett...whoever!
sonomaca
September 29, 2014 at 09:40 am
HHCD was very good yesterday. Several second level tackles. I thought he's be a Hawk-type: solid but not spectacular. He's going to be better than that. BTW: Hawk had a decent game yesterday.
DrealynWilliams
September 29, 2014 at 09:45 am
Yea,Hawk looked good too.
dshareef222
September 29, 2014 at 10:25 am
Hawk had a few good tackles, BUT you've got to be kidding me! Forte didn't only kill us on the ground he was targeted quite a bit. Not to mention the TE production. ILBs usually have a hand in coverage with RBs and TEs, so don't over look the fact that those are the exact two positions that killed us yesterday. If you watch other teams the few good tackles he make are done on a almost regular basis. Hawk is mediocre and part of the problem. Lattimore is already better than Hawk. Hawk is here to line up the defense. Sooner or later--hopefully sooner--Ted will have to make a serious upgrade here because if you're going to go with a smaller defensive line then you're going to need more aggressive, FAST, linebackers that are able to take on and get off blocks. These are qualities that Hawk does not have. He needs linemen to eat up blockers and once he's blocked he usually doesn't come off them. HHCD is a step in the right direction in the secondary, now it's time to fix the other weakness. Hawk must go!
egbertsouse
September 29, 2014 at 08:45 am
I think that Lacy is gun shy after the 2 concussions, who can blame him, and doesn't hit the hole with the same ferocity. Anybody old enough to remember John Brockington? Absolute beast before injury, after injury he tip-toed into the hole.
Agree that they need a NT but they also need at least one downhill ILB. Hawk making tackles after 8 yd. gains doesn't cut it.
sonomaca
September 29, 2014 at 09:42 am
They had Pennel in there late. Saw him make one tackle. Kind of grabbed RB from behind after a 4 yard gain. I think it's worth getting him some more playing time.
wolfie
September 30, 2014 at 11:50 am
Not sticking up for Hawk, just wondering where was Morgan Burnett and Nic Perry?