Packers 24 Browns 22: Game Balls & Lame Calls

Pack rides turnovers to 12th win.

So, by now, you get the pattern, right?  The Packers start slow, fall behind, roar back to dominate the second and third quarters, then hang on by their fingernails in the fourth.  That's been the basic formula for their 12-3 start, as they remain in the top seed spot in the NFC.  In a game where Aaron Rodgers broke Brett Favre's record for touchdown passes, it was what he didn't do that made the difference.  He didn't turn the ball over.  Despite Green Bay's offense going dormant in the final quarter, making the Cleveland Browns earn whatever they got enabled the Pack to hold on.  In contrast, Baker Mayfield was a turnover machine.  The rusty signal caller tossed four interceptions.  Those, and a couple of timely sacks were just enough to send a full house at Lambeau home happy for Christmas.

 

That being said, it is clear the late season regression of the Green Bay defense is getting worse.  In between turnovers, the Packers couldn't stop anything, run or pass.  Cleveland passed for more yards and rushed for more yards. The Packers' pass rush couldn't get home, and a soft zone left Browns receivers open all night.  Minus the mistakes from Mayfield, the outcome may have been drastically different.  Never apologize for a win, but currently Green Bay is not playing defense well enough to win in the playoffs.  

 

GAME BALLS

Allen Lazard

He only caught two passes, but the former undrafted free agent made a terrific effort after the catch to stretch out to the pylon on the TD pass that broke Favre's record.  He also hauled in a 34 yard bomb, and gained thirteen yards on an end around.  His blocking on the edge was a key reason the Packers rushed for a somewhat quiet 109 yards.  His only blip came when he dropped what should have been a second TD in the second quarter.

 

Davante Adams

Mr. Consistent reeled in ten of thirteen targets for 114 yards and two scores.  He could have saved Packer fans a lot of drama if he had not dropped a third down pass on the final possession that would have gone a long way toward putting the game away.  He also grabbed a 33 yard loop from Rodgers, showing why he was a no-brainer first team Pro Bowl selection this week.

 

De'Vondre Campbell

Thirteen tackles and a pass defensed.  Campbell played like a guy out to prove he should have been included on the NFC Pro Bowl team.

 

Rashan Gary

When you have two sacks, two tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits, you deserve a game ball.  But Gary has to stop giving up contain on his side of the field.  This is getting to be a real liability.

 

Rasul Douglas

Two more picks to add on to his phenomenal season.  The first one was particularly special, as he pulled off his man at the last minute to cut in front of an underthrown ball.  The second one?  All it did was save the game.  Ho-hum.  Just another day at the office.

 

I was conflicted as to whether the collective secondary deserved a game ball.  They did pick off four passes.  But they also left receivers wide open all day.  They need to play that zone perhaps a little tighter and more aggressively.

 

 

LAME CALLS

Fourth Quarter Offense

Give the Browns' defense credit.  They really locked it down in the final fifteen minutes.  They forced two straight three-an-outs, and allowed just one first down on the next series.  The makeshift offensive line in front of Rodgers really struggled to hold the fort on run or pass in the late going.  

 

Run Defense

Again, the Browns deserve some credit here as well.  Nick Chubb is a terrific back, so explosive through the hole.  But Green Bay's old habits of bad tackling and poor gap control contributed to Cleveland racking up 219 yards on the ground, 126 of them by Chubb.

 

 

AFTERTHOUGHTS

 

Aaron Rodgers (on breaking Favre's record):  "To break a record like that on a simple play like that, just a staple of the West Coast offense, is pretty cool.  A moment I'll never forget for sure.  I'm thankful for Favre's message and the response from the guys and the crowd was really special."

 

Allen Lazard (on catching the record breaker):  "It was just a matter of opportunity, and I'm obviously very fortunate to be on this side of history."

 

Davante Adams:  "To a certain extent we got lucky...took our foot off the gas pedal a little bit, but we did enough early on to cover our butt later on."

 

Rashan Gary:  "Everything that they had in the run game we gave them today.  Small mistakes that we can go back and fix because it's all about fitting up in the right gaps and fitting up on the right things so we can play ball fast."

 

 

 

 

THREE AND OUT

•  My heart jumped up into my throat when Yosh Nijman left the field hurt in the fourth quarter.  O-line is the one place where the Packers simply can't afford anymore injuries.  Ben Braden at left tackle is downright scary.  Thankfully, Nijman returned for the next series.

 

•  Shortly before the start of the game, the Packers announced that Kevin King, La'Darius Hamilton and Shemar Jean-Charles were all placed on the Covid list and would not play.  The virus threat makes this such a crazy season, where rosters can change drastically and critically on any given day.  In addition, defensive lineman Kingsley Keke was a surprise inactive, despite not having an injury designation.

 

•  I'm sure the national talking heads will make a big deal out of Rasul Douglas not being called for DPI on the Browns' final drive.  It probably should have been flagged, but I've seen much worse not get called.  And there's no guarantee Cleveland would have continued to advance down the field to kick the winning field goal, given their turnover plays and missed extra point earlier.

 

 

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__________________________

Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.

__________________________

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9 points
 

Comments (54)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
stockholder's picture

December 26, 2021 at 07:43 am

I really think people are over-looking Jones And Preston Smith. Scary? Try the tackling of Savage.

7 points
8
1
Johnblood27's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:22 am

Savage has entered sucking territory.

For a guy with all the physical tools in the world, great coaching from jerry gray and supportive, competent teammates, he has clearly regressed and is a liability in the secondary now.

He needs a trip to the mirror for a little personal come to Jesus talk.

-1 points
6
7
mrtundra's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:06 am

Game Balls: Lazard and Davante; Rushin' Rashan; DeVondre Campbell; Rasul Douglas!!! Dillon when he ran the ball. Jones, whenever he got the ball; ARod gutting it out when his toe got stepped on. 12-3, Baby!!! ST's not as bad as they have been, the past few weeks.

Lame Calls: Rasul holding Peoples-Jones and not being flagged for it. I hate it when that happens to us. I hate when the refs throw flags on legal plays, too. Loved the INT, though. 4 INTs and 5 Sacks overshadowed by the fact that we cannot stop the run. Nick Chubb, running at will, against our defensive front and LBs. Johnathan Garvin slowing down on his pass rush; Our getting away from the run, late in the game. Will we see Bakhtiari or Zadarious Smith anymore, this season? Ever? Two games left until we officially begin worrying about our roster, due to salary cap issues. Will ARod come back? Will Davante get an extension? Campbell and Douglas deserve extensions, too! Do we have the money to do so? Need some Russ Ball magic, I think.

4 points
5
1
murf7777's picture

December 26, 2021 at 10:21 am

Tundra….watch the second Douglas INT closely. If you do, you will notice that Peoples-Jones initiates the contact and then extends him arm to push off Douglas. That is an offense penalty. Douglas also tugged the jersey which is a PI but that is after the OPI happened. Fortunately, neither was called. Douglas first interception shows how agile he is and his anticipation of what a QB is going to do is up there with the best in the biz. He shows why speed isn’t everything.

10 points
10
0
Coldworld's picture

December 26, 2021 at 11:49 am

There was a lot of holding that went unflagged yesterday. The Browns were holding regularly to make rush lanes and to prevent penetration and also impeding our receivers. If you want an example of receivers being held, no better than Lazard’s one handed catch. Why was it one handed? Because the defender had his other for 15 yards prior to the catch.

The Douglas holds were no different than many on both sides. I get complaining about poor officiating when it’s not consistent, but I had realized by the end of the first quarter that we were not going to see much called on either side. You deal with that and don’t whine. As a player you adapt to it.

If any team’s fan base complains that they lost on pass interference after that many gift throws (could have easily have had 6 interceptions), then they are missing the wood for the trees. In the context of that game, go look at what they got away with and one realizes that they would have had far fewer yards rushing and far more pass interference penalty yards against them.

It was a day when it was obvious pass interference and holding were not getting called. Unlike in the NFC championship game last year, that was true across the board and this time at least, the Packers seemed to grasp that in game as the Buccaneers did then, possibly decisively.

4 points
4
0
NickPerry's picture

December 26, 2021 at 12:40 pm

Excellent posts by both Tundra and CW... I'm really sick and tired of hearing about the "Obvious PI" that wasn't called on Douglas. I've rewatched that play at least 15 times and what I see is a WR initiate the contact, push off with his left arm, and a CB who gave a little tug (just like I see on EVERY good damn pass play) on the jersey of the WR and then make a HELL OF A PLAY ON THE BALL!!

The ref was letting them play ALL day long for the most part. I'll take that over those chickenshit calls most officiating crews make.

6 points
6
0
croatpackfan's picture

December 27, 2021 at 07:08 am

Finally one realistic comment on that 4th INT. There were PI on that FG Packers had to take at the beginning of the 3rd Q (OK it was defensive holding maybe). Why not mentioned that? There is a lot of holding on Browns OL that never cause the flag. We can discuss now about officiating, but it is yelling all around the NFL how bad is officiating this season. A lot of teams complaining. I say there will not be improvement on that part of the NFL football. To arbitrary rules that gives freedom to the referees to makes calls really arbitrary. Especially low blocks. I thought I understand what is low block. Now, when defender bump in the offensive player at level of pelvis (or groin) it is low block? So, you can block the offensive player only around chest, stomach is already suspicious zone. Ridiculous! What is next? Defender will not be able to have dangerous look at the offensive player? Or defender must be placed not closer than 2 yards around the offensive player?

Good team take in consideration what are the priority mistakes officiating crew are taking in consideration for yellow. And what penalties they are not caring about and almost never threw the flag. And adapt their game to that. No complaints. It calls officiating criterium and every officiating team has their own one. Some rarely penalize holdings, some PI (O or D), some are more incline for personal penalties, or roughing the passer, some is more careful about procedural mistakes etc. That is what good teams do. Adapt to every officiating crew.

I'm certain that Packers can find retired referee who will be willing to work for organization by studying officiating crews and to brief HC and his assistants how to adapt game plans to avoid unnecessary or unfortunate mistakes on the both sides of the game.

To say something in defend of referees - football is a very, very fast game and it is very hard to make the decision in the split second does the defender came on time to receiver, or it was, after all to soon, so it is PI, or does the rusher had time to avoid hit to QB before he hit him on the ball release (just as examples) etc.

0 points
0
0
Duneslick's picture

December 26, 2021 at 10:35 am

Watch the replay. The ball was tipped. No PI can be called

8 points
8
0
NickPerry's picture

December 26, 2021 at 07:18 pm

I watched it several times, frame by frame, but I couldn't tell if it was tipped or not. If in fact it was tipped then all this crying by the media and non Packers fans need to shut up!

2 points
2
0
White92's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:37 pm

The refs were letting them play all game. Good non call

4 points
4
0
calabasa's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:11 am

I had to absorb my father-in-law (Browns fan) bitching about the no-call PI.

My response: Jerry Rice’s fumble STILL hasn’t been awarded to the Packers. So there.

14 points
14
0
Johnblood27's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:27 am

The receiver initiated contact with Douglas and basically was using his body weight to push off to gain separation. I really do not want to hear any PI nonsense on plays like that. You bring out the sword, don't cry you got cut on the blade.

Please, just stop all of the bitching about CONTACT in the secondary. The penalty is for "pass interference" or interfering with the receivers ability to catch the ball, not touching another player in the course of playing a full contact sport.

Is it still legal to chuck a receiver within 5 yards of the LOS if the ball is not in the air? If so I would certainly like to see that defensive option exercised much more often.

3 points
6
3
GregC's picture

December 26, 2021 at 12:15 pm

Douglas's pull on the jersey prevented the receiver from being in position to catch the ball. The refs probably didn't even see it, as it was not obvious in real time. It was not an outrageously bad no-call, but the Packers caught a break there.

-3 points
1
4
BELIEVER's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:24 am

Stokes need to learn how to play run defense, stop running away from the play.

1 points
4
3
Johnblood27's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:30 am

Dude, he gonna get broke if he comes up on a pulling guard or tackle. he is a slightly built CB, he needs to provide run SUPPORT, not be the defensive point of the spear.

Give a shout to the DL and LB who should be in their run fits to stem the tide enough that CB's can provide adequate run support without getting disabled. Those guys need to live to fight another play and cover some very fast and athletic guys. Be reasonable.

4 points
7
3
JerseyAl's picture

December 26, 2021 at 01:03 pm

Especially with the new rules where they have to meet oncoming linemen up high - you can only expect so much. When Stokes is out on a receiver or running back one-on-one, he tackles just fine.

8 points
8
0
Coldworld's picture

December 26, 2021 at 01:24 pm

That rule is terrible. As long as the block isn’t from behind, it’s going to get more players hurt than it saves and it diminishes the game. Hopefully they scrap that, and soon.

3 points
3
0
dobber's picture

December 26, 2021 at 07:46 pm

I'm still trying to figure out why Savage was penalized early when he really didn't make contact with the OL and seemed to be really trying to hit Chubb.

3 points
3
0
MarkinMadison's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:29 am

Game Ball: Chubb - he did everything humanly possible to win the game.
Lame Call: Baker Mayfield the dude just does not have it. He is a short man's version of Jay Cutler.

Wait, the Packers played? Because it kind of felt like the Browns just beat themselves.

Game Balls:
Special Teams - they didn't screw anything up.
Yosh Nijman - also didn't screw anything up; he looked decent. Garrett had a groin injury, but still, he I didn't notice anything all day long.

Lame Calls:
The defense, for reading their press clippings.
Douglas - needs to realize that refs are going to start looking for calls against him, especially in the first play-off game. Everyone will be talking about the non-call this week. Offensive Coordinators will be be studying his aggressive moves and looking to exploit. Time to adjust.
Stokes - he needs to quit playing soft. He is sooo damn fast. Why play soft?
Smith & Gary - quit giving up the edge - ok, it wasn't as bad as the last game, but still.

-3 points
6
9
Johnblood27's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:40 am

Why Stefanski didnt simply run the ball on every play of the last Browns possession I will never figure out.

They had time, 3 TO and were wearing out the Packers run defense and only needed a FG to win.

Just plain stoopid coaching decision to place the ball and game result in Mayfields hands. He is a pretty good spokesperson,, he seems really good at commercials, but not so good at QB in the NFL methinks.

MLF certainly had his share of brain-dead moments in this game as well, trying to match Stefanski I guess, but the Cleveland stoopids just barely eclipsed the GB stoopids enough to give GB the game.

I would like to see the GBP put their stoopids behind them for a full game next week and blow out the purples as a warm-up for the playoffs. It has been 15 games now, time to stop all the baloney (I don't mean baloney) and play like a fully competent team with full consistency including the coaching staff performance. Our December friend is upon us and help is not on the way. These are the memories that will enrich us. i was just trying to capture the spirit of the thing.

Thanks Vic!
-030-

4 points
5
1
murf7777's picture

December 26, 2021 at 10:27 am

About Douglas I have to disagree. He needs to keep playing just how he has been. Physical, anticipatory and opportunistic. Also, keep in mind the play you are talking about the WR initiated contact and extended his arm, thus it first was an OPI before Douglas tugged on the jersey to keep pace of the separation created by the WR extending his arm.

I would rather see physical play Ala when Sherman was at his height of playing the DB position.

7 points
7
0
MarkinMadison's picture

December 26, 2021 at 07:37 pm

You got the Sherman part right Murf. The way the legion of boom used to get after WRs, Douglas would have fit right in. It is still a high risk/reward style, and it only works to the extent the refs don't clamp down. And I'm not saying I disagree with you too much about that particular play - you can definitely argue it both ways. But I'll be surprised if the refs don't clamp it a bit. We'll see.

1 points
2
1
NickPerry's picture

December 26, 2021 at 07:22 pm

Hey Mark, I ask myself that questions about Stokes myself, especially when playing a team like the Browns who don't have any real burners playing WR. But even while playking waaaay off he was thrown at 6 times and allowed 3 catches for just 29 yards.

I'm not sure if each completion was a first down, but that isn't horrible. I do know this...Once Alexander comes back hopefully this year or even next, those two are going to make life MISERABLE for opposing QB's.

4 points
4
0
MarkinMadison's picture

December 26, 2021 at 07:33 pm

They are the future brother. Cannot let Jaire walk, and shouldn't have to since he is not up until 23.

1 points
1
0
HarryHodag's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:40 am

While many of the close wins this season are satisfying, I left this game feeling disappointed. I know a win is a win but former Vikings coach and Cleveland head man Kevin Stefanski knows how to stick a knife into the Packers defense. Sadly for the Browns, their quarterback kept sticking a knife into his own team.

Without Rodgers and Adams, and Mayfield's generosity, this would have been a relatively easy Cleveland victory. The Browns offensive line was crisp and tough, opening gaping holes in the defense. Rodgers kept them in the game. The Cleveland defense gave a clinic on tackling and stopping players from more yards after the catch. The Packers corners were too far off the receivers which left ample opportunity for catches. Both corners were so afraid of the deep ball they gave up too much in front of them. Here's a question: where was the ball control(running domination) of past weeks? Control the ball and eat clock. That was missing as Matt LF went back to pass-pass-pass.

The special teams didn't do anything to hurt the team(this week) but you get nervous every time there's a kick or a return.

As I watched I saw the Packers of the last decade all over again. It's great to win much as they have, but this team is nowhere near ready to win the Super Bowl. Deja vu all over again with getting into the playoffs then get jammed by a hungrier team.

7 points
10.5
3.5
dobber's picture

December 26, 2021 at 07:57 pm

"I know a win is a win but former Vikings coach and Cleveland head man Kevin Stefanski knows how to stick a knife into the Packers defense."

In Stefanski's brief run as Vikings offensive coordinator, the Vikings were 0-2 against the Packers and averaged 13 points per game. I provide this information only because it's fun to write "the Vikings were 0-2 against the Packers".

4 points
4
0
HarryHodag's picture

December 27, 2021 at 09:18 am

He also held other offensive positions with the Vikings prior to being coordinator as an update on your update.

0 points
1
1
Philarod's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:44 am

Game: Rodgers, for breaking the record and still being the best in the game: Davante, until the last drops; Douglas (bad non-call, but it wasn't that egregious); STs for not being the worst unit in football - they were okay.

Lame: The run defense, and, and, Mayfield (thank you).

5 points
5
0
Guam's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:45 am

Game Ball: Special Teams. Easily their best outing of the year.

Game Ball: Rasul Douglas. Two picks including another game saver.

Lame Ball: D-line. The Packers played more D-linemen than they normally do and still couldn't stop the Browns' rushing attack. The D-line (save Clark) looked slow and sluggish. They need to find their early season form where they were much more active. What's with Keke?

Lame Ball: Fourth quarter offense. Three straight three and outs with the game on the line. Not sure how much was bad play calling and how much was execution, but a horrible fourth quarter for the offense.

Comment: It is obvious why Stokes is a DB and not a WR - his hands are made of stone. Still a very good DB for the Packers, but he will never have a bunch of interceptions.

1 points
2
1
Gman1976's picture

December 26, 2021 at 02:28 pm

Give Stokes another year or two when the game slows down for him and then watch him snag those interceptions.

2 points
2
0
Guam's picture

December 26, 2021 at 04:12 pm

I hope you are right, but he almost always tries to body catch the ball and that is the mark of a DB that doesn't trust his hands. That is learned behavior and indicative of a problem that may not go away.

-2 points
0
2
marpag1's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:57 am

Lots of people pretty bent out of shape about a win. Seems like it's part of human nature somehow... squeak out a close win while playing poorly and everyone thinks the whole organization is going to hell in a handbasket. Lose while playing poorly and people are actually more inclined to say, "OK, they laid an egg. It happens."

Let's not forget that the Packers are 12-3 with the best record in all of football. I get it that fans see a need to clean up the sloppy play. But it seems like a lot of people are much better at dealing with failure than they are at dealing with success.

Heck, Tampa Bay puked up a goose egg in their last game. Just sayin....

3 points
6
3
PeteK's picture

December 26, 2021 at 09:18 am

ST returned the ball to the 30 and tackled a returner behind the 20! However, the offense and especially the defense was horrendous in the second half, it was a helpless feeling. We have had our share of bad calls go against us, but let's be fair, we got very lucky on the last no call. Hopefully, we got rid of all the miss tackles, bad coverage , and dropped passes out of our system because a rested Cook (a Covid casualty today) is coming to town. Then I watched the late game and saw a Colts team with a complete second string O line and an erratic QB beat a good, relatively healthy Cards team and thought, this is the NFL this year and we're winning.

2 points
3
1
4thand1's picture

December 26, 2021 at 09:25 am

Game balls- There's no question the Packers.........................PERIOD. The coaches especially the o-line coaches and making adjustments on the fly with injuries and covid. 12-3 setting records, MLF 38 WINS !
Lame- making us fans squirm and pace the floor.

0 points
3
3
LayingTheLawe's picture

December 26, 2021 at 09:53 am

Amen.

No lead is big enough as we know we will need to watch the last 30 seconds before a win is sealed with this team.

2 points
4
2
Ferrari-Driver's picture

December 26, 2021 at 10:07 am

Thank the Lord for the sticky fingers of our defense. It's been a long time since I recall the Packers intercepting 4 passes in a game.

I do remember the Championship game in 2015 against the Seahawks where we intercepted Russell Wison four times and still lost the game in overtime. That game was a nightmare that I will never forget and I didn't want to add another.

11 points
11
0
Since'61's picture

December 26, 2021 at 11:13 am

Game Balls: Aaron Rodgers, he has reached that lights out level of play again. I counted 4 perfectly thrown passes that were dropped during this game. Every week his numbers would be unbelievable if not for inexcusable drops.
Adams, another great game only marred by his drop on the Packers late drive that would have ended the game. Our OL was solid again. Jones and Dillon. Rasul Douglas for his 2 picks. Campbell continues to be a tackling machine. R. Gary, 2 sacks, 3 QB hits, numerous hurries.

Lame Calls: Our run defense. Poor tackling. Terrible gap control and weak edge play. 4th quarter play calling and offense execution.

Over the last few games we’re seeing a team playing as though the season is wrapped up, especially on defense. To be fair we have been playing teams who are more desperate to win than we are. We are also playing with an injured QB, a patchwork OL and without 2 all-pros on defense.

Every team has problems this time of the season but our coaching staff has work to do to prepare this team for playoff level football. It could be that this team peaked before our bye week. It could be that we are working through numerous injuries. In any case we need to improve our level of play and getting Turner, Bak and Alexander back will help with improvement. GPG! Thanks, Since ‘61

4 points
6
2
Lphill's picture

December 26, 2021 at 11:11 am

Game ball to Aaron Rodgers if not for him Lefluer would not have these winning records , lame calls Lefluer and his late game play calls , Gary constantly crashing inside , the tackling by the defense especially Barnes and Amos , at least special teams played decent .6

-6 points
4
10
croatpackfan's picture

December 27, 2021 at 07:21 am

Game ball to Lphill if not for him we would never understand that AR are winning alone on the field. Who care about other players and coaching staff. Just give the ball to AR and he will solve everything. And he will that even on one leg and with one arm. His team mates are irrelevant. Only one and exclusively Aaron Rodgers, the Liar...

2 points
2
0
jhtobias's picture

December 26, 2021 at 11:15 am

Lame Calls : Tackling in this game was incredibly sub par : Biggest Lame Call : When you have the ball with 6 or 7 minutes to go and you have a 9 point lead at home very similar to last week and allow a team to come back and survive by the skin of your teeth that is not gonna cut it.

Yes Davante dropped his first ball in 30 years to help with this , but why this team keeps taking their foot off the pedal is mind blowing . I'm not sure who calls the offensive plays whether it be Lafleur or Rodgers but this needs to be addressed.

As for the defense clean up the tackling which has been very good for the most part and just be average against the run which it has been almost all year and I really don't see a team in the NFC that can beat them at Lambeau .

Game Balls : being 12-3 with the injuries sustained at the most key positions all year except for QB is nothing less than phenomenal.

Also quick shout out to All the offensive lineman but Yosh Nijman has turned into a legitimate LT.

1 points
1
0
Qoojo's picture

December 26, 2021 at 12:29 pm

Game Balls: Rodgers, Campbell, and Gary.
Lame: Soft coverage and tackling.

My initial reaction after the game isn't the same as today. Watching defense play, I kept saying that I haven't seen that number much or I have seen that number too much. I suspect the softness of the defense is due to injuries and covid. Packers are playing defenders that should be on PS or be red-shirted, but we are commonly watching 2 or 3 play at the same time.

1 points
1
0
dobber's picture

December 26, 2021 at 11:35 am

They're trying to keep opponents in front of them to play downhill and limit big plays, but they haven't been very good at slowing the plays they're forcing opponents to make.

2 points
2
0
Qoojo's picture

December 26, 2021 at 12:27 pm

Yep. It's compounded by bad tackling.

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

December 26, 2021 at 01:42 pm

With such soft coverage, unless the QB is off target or the WR muffs it, they are essentially giving away completions. I have a suspicion that that was the gamble Barry chose. Last week Huntley just proved better than projected, this week our run D was just bad and allowed them to sustain drives, but eventually Mayfield stepped in to save us each time.

In both cases our O also lost its mojo completely at the critical juncture. That led to too much time on the field for them, compounding their problems. LaFleur should have gone with a healthy dose of Dillon in the third. Grind them and keep our O out there, move the chains.

Try throwing to ESB or Winfree or just don’t put them out there (Lazard too in the second half). Instead, if the TEs are struggling, use Jones in the slot, even if mostly as a decoy and use pre snap motion with Dillon to confuse …. We again seem to have gone to the blatantly obvious approach on Saturday. Different formations are more amenable to the illusion of complexity.

3 points
3
0
TheBigCheeze's picture

December 26, 2021 at 11:43 am

If you watch that last INT at game speed, it's NOT PI....

3 points
3
0
barutanseijin's picture

December 26, 2021 at 11:54 am

Davante Adams gets a game ball? For what? Dropping 2 passes in a critical 4Q drive and forcing the Packers to punt? That's a lame call.

1 points
5
4
JerseyAl's picture

December 26, 2021 at 01:07 pm

How short-sighted can a person be?

1 points
4
3
10ve 💚's picture

December 26, 2021 at 12:28 pm

Listen to Randy Moss. He saw what I saw on the last INT.

Randy Moss saw offensive PI first. The WR pushed Rasul, and he also pushed off when he broke back for the ball. Rasul on the other hand only had one instance of PI, when he pulled on the jersey.

According to Randy Moss, it was a good non-call (both players were being "physical", and the refs allowed them to play).

According to me, it should have been offensive PI.

4 points
5
1
Starrbrite's picture

December 26, 2021 at 02:29 pm

A game ball to Amari Rogers for ditching the Darth Vader face shield and not botching any returns.
Campbell’s tackling stats are awesome…and he’s not the liability in pass defense that Martinez was.
Lame Call: I fear all the “good feeling” predictions concerning getting our players back (Bak, Smith, Alexander), we’re false positives.
Merry Christmas y’all !!!

2 points
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stormin's picture

December 26, 2021 at 07:43 pm

So many spoiled punks on here, wait until Rodgers is gone, you cry babies will be praying for a two point victory over anyone !

-2 points
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HarryHodag's picture

December 27, 2021 at 09:20 am

Rodgers is key to the Packers success, but so is the rest of the TEAM.
Many folks said the Packers were dead after Brett Favre left.

This isn't flag football.

0 points
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Crankbait's picture

December 26, 2021 at 08:08 pm

This current team of ours would fall to Tampa Bay, Dallas, and San Francisco.
If Vikings sneak in , watch out there too.
Our defense is terrible and offense can only play half a game.
Hope things turn around for the better but not seeing it right now.

3 points
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Fubared's picture

December 27, 2021 at 09:26 pm

I don't see this team going past their first game. Stokes and King are the weak links, they just give teams too many chances.

1 points
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Fubared's picture

December 27, 2021 at 09:22 pm

Bary's pass defense scheme. Stokes is gonna have a long Sunday night as Jefferson takes him to the woodshed again. Bravo Douglas for being inventive and guessing right. No one else has a clue on how to play like this.
Rodgers toe has screwed up the offensive scheme a little. Almost like leflower is guessing how bad the pinky is pass/run? Sure got away from solid run game

1 points
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