Skip to main content

Thunder and Thunder

The Green Bay Packers offense is transforming into a one of the most balanced attacks in the NFL.

 

That fact should scare opponents.

McCarthy seems to be finding a rhythm with this strong running game - other than the 7 OL on the field where everyone knew what the Packers were going to do.

In Sunday night's thumping of the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers scored every time they touched the ball. Five of the nine possessions were nine plays or more. They started the game with two drives of a combined 31 plays that ate 15:48 off the clock.

 

And... to go with this balanced offense.

The box score has Minnesota with 243 yards on offense and 31 points. But 14 of those points came in the fourth quarter on two drives that totaled 131 yards of offense. Take away those two series and Green Bay would have only given up 112 yards to the Vikings. Though 243 yards allowed is good, 112 yards allowed is a lot better. Keep in mind that seven of Minnesota's points came on its kickoff return for a touchdown, so that doesn't count against the Packers' defense.

Now, they need to finish as strong as they start. Get Perry and Matthews back...

 

 

Last edited by H5
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I said it in another thread last night.

 

Packers have 3 of 4 games in December playing in cold outdoor stadiums. If Starks and Lacy can stay healthy, those will be the games where the running game becomes a thing of beauty and something Rodgers hasn't had the benefit of at that time of year.

 

RTFB. RTFB. And RTFB.

I didn't like seeing the defense giving up 2 touchdowns in the fourth quarter. They obviously were in cruise mode. I know that the offense was in control, but a couple of 3 and outs would have been bad. We don't need to give up the lead late in the game because of defensive lethargy. 

If that's the biggest thing to bitch about today, then people ought to count their blessings and basically zip it and move on to Bear week.  Giving up too many points when GB is way ahead?  Yep, it was a good night.

Originally Posted by packerboi:

I said it in another thread last night.

 

Packers have 3 of 4 games in December playing in cold outdoor stadiums. If Starks and Lacy can stay healthy, those will be the games where the running game becomes a thing of beauty and something Rodgers hasn't had the benefit of at that time of year.

 

RTFB. RTFB. And RTFB.

Not to mention that cold weather SB site.......

JJSD is right. GB needed the defense once in the second half last night. After their clock killing 8 minute drive to open the 3rd the D handed the offense the ball back after a 3 and out including a sack. By the time Starks crossed the GL early in the 4th for the dagger it was 24 plays to 3 when it was still a game. Even Minny fans know nothing was gained by 140 garbage yards and 14 window dressing points. 

 

Just a thoroughly enjoyable beat down of the Queens. 

Digression from topic title as I am here gonna refer to the team as a whole.

 

Barring the unforeseen injury, this team is better than I would have predicted in the following areas.

 

Offensive line

running back

defensive line

defensive secondary

linebacker (Hawk, Lattimore)

Field goal kicking

wide receiver - yes, better here as well (forgot to include and edited post)

 

and worse in one area

tight end (Finley injury)

 

It's crazy.

 

This is a fantastic team. 

Last edited by phaedrus

As I said before, Bacteria made Allen like a ghost. You never noticed he was on the field. No tackles. No sacks. And kept away from Rodgers almost all night. Rodgers also ran to that side and got big gains, so you know Bacteria took Allen or whoever and pushed him way out of his lane.

 

The picture above is a classic: Rodgers knows just by Jordy's positioning exactly when he's going to be open and then Rodgers pinpoints it rightthere. Both those TDs to Jordy were surgical strikes.

Originally Posted by GBFanForLife:
One guy is taking an inside rush and one guy an outside rush, so that makes one guys block better than the other.

 

Exactly... Taking the inside lane and opening up a outside lane for the MLB coming on a blitz.   The opposite LB had to come all the way across the field to pick up Nelson and didn't get his head around in time.

 

http://www.packers.com/media-c...f7-a0d5-7a48fbcbb24e

Vikings rush 4 AND bring a DB and then ask a LB to cover the only healthy starting WR for GB by himself. There's some top notch defensive strategery taking place in Winter Park.

 

Not bad there was no one within 15 yards of Myles White either. Options are good.

My only complaint, and it's more of a thinking out loud than a complaint, about the offense is Kuhn being given time as the 3rd down back.   I'm sure he is the best option at pass pro, but he might also be the worst option for a check down.  
 
He isn't going to make anyone miss and pick up the extra 7 yards on 3rd and 10.   With 3 of our weapons sidelined, it could really help to have a play maker like Franklin as a check down option against a better D than MN. 
 
I'm sure MM has considered Franklin but he is probably too concerned with ball security or he just stinks at pass pro.
Originally Posted by Boris:

Bears aren't going to roll over next Monday. Neither are the Eagles or Giants.....Long way to go yet. 

Concur, but those teams don't matter;

They are merely the next speed bumps on the way towards the playoffs. It doesn't matter if they roll over or not, Team 93 is coming to take what they want and there isn't **** they can do about it.

 

They might as well take Bobby Knights' advice to just lay back and wait till its over. 

 

Originally Posted by Boris:

Bears aren't going to roll over next Monday. Neither are the Eagles or Giants.....Long way to go yet. 

bull****....there is a thread on here that already is calling the season and the playoff teams....RIF

Originally Posted by ChilliJon:

I had no issue with Kuhn getting open and making a big catch on 4th down. Big play in last nights game.

I'm talking about halfback on 3rd and 4 or more..  That was 4th and 1 and he was lined up as a fullback.  

Big difference. 

This comment below is from another thread, but it really fits here too

This is what I mean above when I say the other teams don't matter: GB uses each game to grow and improve the areas that need focus. The other team is almost irrelevant

 

 

 

Originally Posted by titmfatied:
 

I like when the team keeps playing; not to embarrass the other team, but to improve.  There's so little hitting in practice that every game snap is important to development, timing, and rhythm.  It's the other team's problem to stop it.  I like developing attitude and confidence.

Barclay clearly hasn't played well the last few.  I would say we wouldn't know if the guy is dealing with an undisclosed injury.  There are issues that don't show up on the injury report.  We've heard stories in the past of guys battling injuries and never complaining (Hawk comes to mind and I know there have been a few others over the last couple years).

I'd also say we don't know how many plays are geared to helping Bakhtiari and leaving more responsibility on Barclay.  Sometimes there's more to the story than what we're privy to.

All that said he could also need to get his head out of his ass and focus.    

Originally Posted by bubbleboy789:

plenty of tough opponents left on the schedule but with this offense, I'm much more confident than I was last year.

So much of it hinges on Lacy staying healthy.  Starks is ok, but Lacy is a load.  In a roundabout way Quarless on the field is a lot better for Lacy than 88. 

One certainty is teams are going to have to start adjusting to slow Lacy down.  I can't wait to see Rodgers getting more work against 1 high. 

Originally Posted by titmfatied:
So much of it hinges on Lacy staying healthy.  Starks is ok, but Lacy is a load.  In a roundabout way Quarless on the field is a lot better for Lacy than 88. 


One certainty is teams are going to have to start adjusting to slow Lacy down.  I can't wait to see Rodgers getting more work against 1 high. 

It's nice when you can threaten teams with 150/yds rushing and the best QB in the NFL. But Lacy is what makes it go. Losing him would be devastating. His running style makes it seem like he'd be prone to injuries. But he's not exactly the type of RB that tacklers want to go low on so that helps. 

When he finishes his runs he has a style of falling forward on the guy that's diving for his legs.  Starks just crashes into people.  Lacy lets guys try to dive at him and then falls on top of them.  I've seen him do it a couple of times.  if you're not at the bottom of a pile I'd imagine you're doing better than the guy who is. Lacy smartly moves his body through the defense from the start of a run to the finish.  Whether he does it consciously or instinctively it's fun as hell to watch (especially with how long it's been since we've had a serious RB).       

I think Lacy is getting a little too much cred and the guards not enough.  TJ Lang is absolutely dominating this season.  Sitton has been playing just below him but still damn good.  They make EDS look better cause he can easily get to the 2nd level when the guards control the tackles.

 

Lacy is good steady back with excellent vision, but he isn't the Nigerian Nightmare or Earl Campbell.

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×