"Chips Report" From Packers Divisional Round Win Vs. Falcons

Tramon Williams had a great game while Mason Crosby had a rough night, but who else earned our weekly distinctions from the Packers playoff win over the Falcons?

Our weekly designations from the Green Bay Packers' 48-21 Divisional round win over the Atlanta Falcons...

Blue Chips

  • Tramon Williams–Williams' names has been written in this spot many times this season, and Sunday just might have been the best performance of them all. His 70-yard interception return for a touchdown might have been the beginning of the end for the Falcons. The Packers expected to go into halftime ahead 21-14, but the cornerback instead made it a two-score game and put it out of reach. His first interception occurred in the endzone and prevented a driving Falcons' team off the scoreboard. Combined with his INT in Philadelphia last week, Williams now has three interceptions this postseason alone.
  • Aaron Rodgers–Rodgers entered the game as the only player in NFL history to have a passer rating above 120 in his first two postseason starts. Make it three games. Rodgers completed 31 of 36 passes for 366 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 136.8. Rodgers now has some of the best postseason statistics in the history of the game. And then combine that with his seven-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and it becomes even more impressive. And who can forget his escapability in the pocket, spinning away from defenders on three separate occasions while still able to find an open receiver downfield.

Red Chips

  • Clay Matthews–It was Matthews' finest game in weeks. The outside linebacker was already named the Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year and might have a chance to add the Associated Press trophy to his mantle as well. Saturday showed why. Matthews had two sacks, two quarterback hits and a fumble recovery on the day. The stunt he and Cullen Jenkins performed to get his second sack could not have been executed any more perfectly. There's no looping going on with Matthews. He's still able to take a direct path to the quarterback with minimal hesitation.
  • James Jones–There were many worth candidates for a red chip including John Kuhn, Jordy Nelson, and B.J. Raji, but this one will go to Jones. Not only did he bounce back from his high-profile drop last week at Philadelphia, he did it in primetime fashion. His leaping touchdown grab in the endzone will make highlight reels nationwide while his tiptoe catch down the sideline for 34 yards displayed amazing balance. On the day, Jones had four catches for 75 total yards.

Cow Chips

  • Mason Crosby–Crosby missed a 50-yard field goal off the upright, but worse than that, he missed a tackle on Falcons kick returner Eric Weems that was taken 102 yards for a touchdown. To add even more insult, his weak attempt at a tackle took out safety Nick Collins at the same time eliminating any hope that Weems may have been taken down short of the endzone.
  • Chad Clifton–It wasn't the worst performance ever, but if I had to pick one other person for a cow chip, Clifton is one of the bigger offenders. The Packers gave up two sacks on the evening and allowed five total quarterback hits on Rodgers. And that's not to mention the near misses on play in which Rodgers was able to escape sacks with his athleticism. Clifton wasn't alone, but his mistakes may have been the most egregious.
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Comments (61)

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corey jenkins's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:10 am

BJ raji is a game changer. That goalline lead to get Kuhn in set the tone for the rest of the game. Oh, and he's damn fine on defense. Credit MM for putting him in that position on the goal line play.

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SpiderPack's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:49 am

I've been lookin for Refrigerator-Raji to step in on the goal line all season. He's and athletic asteroid.

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jack in jersey city's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:57 am

BJ Raji- TIGHT END!!!!!

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jack in jersey city's picture

January 16, 2011 at 04:21 am

i meant fullback.

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nerdmann's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:11 am

Huge statement game for MM. There was still some ugliness, but they finally seem like they're over that weird hump where they always get stuck.
Jordi was absolutely clutch today. The offense moved the ball consistently all day. Nice to see. MM may have them peaking at the right time.
As for Crosby, people talk smack about his percentage, but he kicks from 50+ more than just about any other kicker in the league. In weather.
I still think they were rough around the edges, but getting to the NFCC game is a successful season. Props to MM. I've dogged MM for always finding a way to .500 at midseason, underperforming on offense, spotting other teams ugly 14 point swings and stuff. And I stand by that. I would really like them to stop doing that. HOWEVER, it's clear the Packers are so good they can give up points like that and still dominate.

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cole's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:13 am

Have to give Nelson a Blue Chip. What a game he had!!!!

Also, that may have been the best QB play in a game that I have seen in a few years. At least since Brady in 07.

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jack in jersey city's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:59 am

nelson had a HUGE game today. if you look at the 1st game against atlanta he made some big plays in that one too. props to both jones and driver as well. jennings too. damn, all of our receivers were lights out today!

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Aaron Biderman's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:13 am

Love the article. One mistake though. The Tramon INT made in 28-14 going in to the half not a 3 score game.

Edit: Nevermind, you fixed it before I could comment.

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cole's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:15 am

Also, I think Starks had a Red Chip game even though he didn't gain a ton of yard.

He seems to always get at least a few yards on every run. A quality that Jackson certainly does not have.

No matter what happens from here on out, next year with Finley and Grant coming back––wow that's scary.

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Packman's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:19 am

1. MM tried to establish running game but give him credit for giving it up early and staying with the passing game.
2. One thing the Pack has often lacked is the killer instinct - to keep the pressure on after a 2 td lead and sometimes letting teams back in. Between this and the Giants win, they showed something different. Not saying to just run up the score but play the whole game until it is out of reach.

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Norman's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:23 am

As I watched the last quarter of the game, I thought to myself, have I ever seen the Packers play better than this (other than preseason)? And it dawned on me, the similarities between this and the Seahawks playoff game in 2007. They got down early, due to turnovers (Grant's two fumbles in '07, Jennings' fumble today), and then just dominated.

The moral? Play doesn't carry over from one week to the next. Remember what happened the next week against the Giants. Different opponent, with a better defense, that we had beaten in the regular season (in the case of the Bears, we beat them one out of two; the Giants we had dominated in week three of '07 I believe). I really hope we play the Bears because that would be epic, and winning the Halas trophy at Soldier Field would truly be special. But remember history, and it's not a given that the same team shows up in the cold next week (assuming we play Chicago). I'll be rooting for Seattle next week because I think we have a better chance of beating them, but if we win the Super Bowl this year it sure would be better saying we beat the #1, #2 and #3 seed in the NFC, and the #1 seed in the AFC to do it (all on the road, except of course the Super Bowl, which is neutral), and that means beating the Bears, not the Seahawks.

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nerdmann's picture

January 16, 2011 at 09:52 am

The moral, MM's teams always have to get down early. They can't just dominate the whole game or the whole season.
Thankfully, they can still dominate.

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Cole O's picture

January 16, 2011 at 10:30 am

This team actually looks a little like the Giants of 2007. Go into the playoffs as a wild card team, beating the number 1 sead in the divisional round and then their most likely to have to play the second seed in the NFCC game. I guess the big diffrence is that no one expected the giants to win, were as for the Packers every game people beleive they can win.

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PackersThad's picture

January 16, 2011 at 10:38 am

I agree with this fully. McCarthy has to make sure that the team plays with their head on straight. They may be getting that feeling that they are invincible, but they've got to remember that they did not play flawless and the road to being a champion only gets tougher.

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jaydubya's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:29 am

You know it's a good day when your punter stays on the bench.
Tim Masthay gets a 'lonely guy' chip.

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jack in jersey city's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:00 am

i hope he gets one next week too. and the week after :D

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davyjones's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:37 am

Blue chip to the Fox camera crew when the got Jennings on the sideline mouthing, "you dropped that ball" just before the challenge. Best shot of the season since the demoralized Cowboy sideline shot.

Cow chip to the Falcons fans who left so early there were only Packer fans left at the end. For God's sake the team gave them a 13-3 season and thats the thanks they get????

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FITZCORE1252's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:42 am

Starks got 20+ carries. That was impressive to me. While his average was substandard it was enough to keep the D honest.

This team is going to the Superbowl. And we're gonna win it. Nobody is playing better than the GBP right now, nobody. Bring on the Pats, shoulda beat them with Flynn. Bring on the Jets, shut em out at their house when we weren't playing near this well. The Steelers? We all know Brady shreds them, not an issue. Next week = a formality. Just hope it's in Seattle so I can attend.

GBP 4 LIFE

BTW - This year could have been chalked up to injuries and most would have understood. If we can bring home the Lombardi this year... DYNASTY. Just sayin.

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Lumpy Gravy's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:56 am

+1

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jack in jersey city's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:02 am

not sure about pats-steelers. i think the steelers might be able to take them. that said, i'd rather play the pats since we almost beat them with flynn playing.

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SpiderPack's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:06 am

It'll be Steelers, I agree. That will be a real SB. But we got one more to go first.

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Ct Sharpe Cheddar's picture

January 16, 2011 at 08:40 am

Pats own the Steelers

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nerdmann's picture

January 16, 2011 at 09:59 am

We've got more talent coming back next year off IR and suspension than most teams HAVE. LOL.
We are going to be freaky good. Unreal.

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jack in jersey city's picture

January 16, 2011 at 11:02 am

yep AND our backups are battle tested and can play at a high level. we are set up to go far for the next few years. thanks ted!

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redlights's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:46 am

When the city isn't primarily football driven, you'll see them leave early. If the Bucks and Brewers didn't continually suck, it would be different in WI.

We even dominated the PP&K winners!!

After ARodg, CM3, and POSSIBLY Woodson (for his veteran savvy), Raji is the least dispensible player. He makes the scheme; what a beast! Pack fans need to know this.

What a blast watching this with little kids. While I was confidant, I was planning on a "talk" at halftime about "one team has to lose"; to stem the possiblity of tears. After the Williams second INT, I stashed it for a different game, er... season!

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SpiderPack's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:57 am

Watched it with my kids too man. So exciting.

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Lumpy Gravy's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:51 am

My word... a juggernaut clad in green and gold was born unto the state of Wisconsin; and it was a slayer of the great beasts which inhabit the sky.

Pride doesn't begin to describe the feeling - my fellow Packer Fans, you and our team deserve this more than anything. Savor the victory!

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SpiderPack's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:04 am

Anybody going to Kettle of Fish next Sunday there in Manhattan? Dad (from Manitowoc) and I will be on vacation there and wouldn't ya know I left Sunday wide open to watch the Pack!!

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Ct Sharpe Cheddar's picture

January 16, 2011 at 08:48 am

Get there early,maybe to watch the first game.It's a real small place.

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jack in jersey city's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:11 am

i think one of the main reasons that this team is firing on all cylinders now is that we haven't had any major injuries over the last month or 2 and the team is finally starting to find it's rhythm and they're gelling as a team. add starks into the mix and now we have a pretty good running game (or a legit threat of a running game) and that opens everything up for the offense. as long as our receivers continue to catch passes and our special teams don't kill us i like our chances of going to the superbowl and probably winning the whole shebang!

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BLACK HAWK's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:18 am

FITZCORE....Totally agree with your comments....just want to add one thing......IN TED WE TRUST!!!!!!!!!

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pooch's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:18 am

We need to draft oline the 1st 3 rounds,Starks will be a monster when we get guards that know how to run block. John Moffit would be a wise startmto bad badger center who is a sophmore doesnt declare,he has probowl potential now,rated best center in country,from Neenah Wi,30 miles S of GB

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BrianD's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:46 am

Amen to this. Rodgers won't always be able to make all of the opposing D-linemen miss as often as he did today.

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nerdmann's picture

January 16, 2011 at 10:01 am

Colledge will be gone, replaced by either Lang or Bulaga. Newhouse will be the LT. We've also got McDonald.
Ted will draft an OLB high. Maybe another stud RB. Or, if there is a god, a kick returner.

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Ron LC's picture

January 16, 2011 at 10:01 am

Like the Badger approach. Could it be possible for TT to fanagle a trade for Draft choices that would give hime a shot both Carimi and Moffet? That could set up the Oline for a long time.

I can dream can't I?

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nerdmann's picture

January 16, 2011 at 11:24 am

We've got plenty of ammo.

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PackersRS's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:23 am

This team is destined for glory.

I had a good feeling before this game, but THIS? THIS?

Oh, and it's official. Rodgers is the best QB I've seen. The guy is just amazing. When he's hot, NOTHING can stop him. NOTHING.

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pooch's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:24 am

Peter Konz,315 lb center

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pooch's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:36 am

If Packers had Rodgers in the ninties they would have 3-4 rings

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BLACK HAWK's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:54 am

What Rogers has brought the last 3 years is prove that Ted was right in showing #4 the door, that's not even taking into consideration prima donna holding the franchise hostage. This team is going to great for the next couple of years....

IN TED WE TRUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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davyjones's picture

January 16, 2011 at 09:38 am

Money quote from Charles Woodson...

"They have the Ice Man. We have Fire."

I like that.

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jack in jersey city's picture

January 16, 2011 at 11:04 am

matty ice has been melted into a little puddle

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BLACK HAWK's picture

January 16, 2011 at 02:58 am

JJ earned a new contract tonight....the guy can be such a beast....I hope tonights game is the turning point of his game moving forward!

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Chad Toporski's picture

January 16, 2011 at 08:11 am

BLUE CHIP: The Three Man Rush!!!!

All of you haters need to listen up. The three-man rush now accounts for ALL THREE of Tramon Williams' postseason interceptions.

I get that it doesn't work sometimes, but now you see why Capers keeps throwing it into the mix. He has the personnel that can get it done.

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Chad Toporski's picture

January 16, 2011 at 08:29 am

In fact, for those not keeping score, the 3-man rush accounts for all 5 of Green Bay's latest interceptions, going back to the Bears game.

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nerdmann's picture

January 16, 2011 at 10:02 am

Matt Ryan is Rodgerslike against the blitz.

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WayneF's picture

January 16, 2011 at 10:14 am

That's a nice complement for Matt.

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Mark D's picture

January 16, 2011 at 09:01 am

I distinctly heard KUUUUNNNNN on the 4th and 1 from the crowd in the georga Dome on the radio broadcast. (Was only in the 2nd qtr and crowd was out of the game)

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ELevenHage's picture

January 16, 2011 at 09:09 am

CHTV giving credit to James Jones? What is going on in this world? James Jones is REALLY good, can we just admit that now?

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RodgDog's picture

January 16, 2011 at 11:02 am

The argument was never that James Jones is bad. Everyone knows he has the potential to be great; it is the inconsistency that upsets everyone, including him. He was spectacular last night, and it is exactly that kind of performance that make the drops and inconsistency so hard to stomach. I hope this marks the end of his inconsistency and he morphs into our #2 guy once Donald hangs 'em up.

But I definitely agree, he was really good last night. The catch and run on the sideline (that was the key play in the eventual touchdown), and obviously the exceptional touchdown were two HUGE plays in the game. Now its up to him to string together a few consistent, solid performances. As we all could see last night, 12 has confidence in him and will give him a chance to be great.

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Doug in Sandpoint's picture

January 16, 2011 at 09:25 am

Red Chip to the PPK winners from Wisconsin. I never laughed harder than when the crowd was going wild for the kids dressed in green and gold. Absolute silence for all others. That was hilarious.

My bro was there and said peolpe were heading for the exits in 2nd half of the third quarter. Then the Pack faithful got to move down to the front row.

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BLACK HAWK's picture

January 16, 2011 at 09:55 am

I may be mistaken, but didn't Chris Carter have a problem with catching the ball early in his career?

Not saying James Jones is the next Chris Carter....

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MarkinMadison's picture

January 16, 2011 at 10:02 am

Fantastic win. I figured the Packers would win 28-24. I think every ball bounced their way, except on the Jennings fumble. Even that was bascially about the same result as the punt would have been if Jennings hadn't made the catch at all. The KR for a touchdown was a blessing in disguise. It left the Falcons D out there for almost the entire 2nd, and then to start the 3rd. Through all of the ups and downs of the 1st half the team kept heart and kept moving, which was wonderful to see. The most maturity displayed by a Packers team since 1997.

That said, all of the balls seemed to bounce their way. I know they can beat Seattle/Chicago and the Jets. I believe they can beat Pittsburgh/New England. But just like I couldn't get too high on Starks after last week's game, I can't get too high right now either. I hope every man on the Packers team feels the exact same way right now, because that is how you make yourself into a winner.

On the chips, there were a few plays where College just screwed the pooch. One play in particular, he doubled up on the guy Clifton was already blocking, and slid over two steps too late to pick up the man blowing through the hole he created. Clean hit on Rodgers. Pass pro as a guard just is not that hard. Very disappointing.

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Ron LC's picture

January 16, 2011 at 10:07 am

Brian, Couldn't agree more on Mason. He not only had the poorest attempt at a tackle I've seen since John Dempsey, he block two other Packers out of the play.

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WoodyG's picture

January 16, 2011 at 10:07 am

As great as a Bear-Packer match-up would be next week, it's going to be as cold as a witch's teet next Sunday in Chicago ...... Single digits or lower ..... Around 50 degrees expected in Seattle next Sunday ......

Glad to see CHTV is keeping JJ for at least another week ..... LOL.

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redlights's picture

January 16, 2011 at 10:55 am

JJ has talent, but so does 75% of the rest of the players in the NFL. It comes down to study, work ethic, concentration, etc. Let me add that team chemistry is a biggy too. The Pack is highly rated, there too.

JJ will command a big increase in salary next year. It will only be in GB if DD retires; they won't pay big bucks for 3 receivers. Similar situation to AJ Hawk and Barnett; one won't be here next year. If Swain can't step up as #4, then MM will go three WR and 2 TE (Finley and Quarless) next year; they'll still have the people to do the same thing.

My take is that if JJ can't get his crap together in a contract year; I worry about him getting the big contract and getting fat and happy after that. If he doesn't fumble in CHI or drop the pass in PHI; he would be looking at a million per year more than he'll get; those were high profile drops because the first helped to lose the game; the second was playoff. I'm happy to see JJ have a good game and the win. I'm just stating my viewpoint.

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WoodyG's picture

January 16, 2011 at 03:35 pm

A pure opinion piece based on little info ...... Sorry, but empirical evidence holds more water than personal feelings ....

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redlights's picture

January 16, 2011 at 03:43 pm

Time will tell.

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tyler21's picture

January 16, 2011 at 11:15 am

Just wanna say that Tramons pick 6 has to be the reason my throat hurts today. My favorite play of the season! Way to be 38....

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Nononsense's picture

January 16, 2011 at 01:09 pm

So many things to love about the teams performance in that game I don't know where to begin.

Nice redemption game for Jones, Rodgers was fantastic and holy cow Tramon Williams.

I have been waiting to see MM use Raji on offense as a short yardage road grader since he was drafted. Can't believe it took this long to do it but what a great time to pull it out of the hat.

BJ should now be a regular part of the short yardage package and so should guys like Howard Green and Ryan Pickett.

How can you not use those massive bodies when you lack size and strength on the offensive line.

Better late than never.

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lars's picture

January 18, 2011 at 01:31 pm

Woodson gets a red chip. Raji, too. Give Underwood a cow chip for falling down on the KO return you and Nagler blamed on poor Crosby. Oh, and 50 yards is not a chip shot BTW.;)

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