"Chips Report" from Week 15 Packers Win at Cowboys
There were plenty of heroes to go around in the Packers' 37-36 win over the Cowboys on Sunday, including Eddie Lacy, Tramon Williams and Sam Shields.
Our weekly "Chips Report" always includes two blue chippers (outstanding, exceptional play), two red chippers (good, though maybe not great) and two cow chips (dud performances). From the Week 15 37-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys...
Blue Chips
- Running back Eddie Lacy––It's not as if he played exceedingly well in the first half, but Eddie Lacy was the only thing going for the Packers offense through two quarters. With one series left before halftime, Lacy had 10 touches while no other player on the entire team had more than one. Lacy was spurred at the half, however, reeling off 60 yards on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter that helped to set up the team's first touchdown and begin the Packers' comeback from down 23 points. He later scored the winning touchdown with just over 90 seconds remaining in the game. On the day, Lacy ran for 141 yards on 21 carries, eclipsing 1,000 for the season. He also added four receptions for 30 yards.
- Cornerbacks Sam Shields/Tramon Williams––No, Shields and Williams didn't stop Dez Bryant and company cold. But after being part of a defense that yielded 332 yards in the first half alone, they were perhaps the biggest reason for the second half turnaround. Each cornerback came up with a key second-half interception of Tony Romo were absolutely necessary to the victory. For Williams, his game-clinching interception that was overturned by replay made up for a drop early in the fourth quarter that was initially ruled an interception and likewise overturned by replay. Shields' interception with just 2:58 remaining set up the Packers' winning touchdown. The two cornerbacks combined for five passes defensed.
Red Chips
- Tight end Andrew Quarless––Combined with his performance last week in a victory over the Falcons, Quarless is making for quite the comeback story from his reconstructive knee surgery in late 2011. Among his six receptions for 66 yards was his third quarter touchdown that pulled the Packers to within 29-17. Then on the Packers' game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, Quarless hauled in an 18-yard reception and also drew a pass interference penalty on Cowboys safety Barry Church that gave the Packers a first down at the 13-yard line.
- Quarterback Matt Flynn––Few could have blamed Mike McCarthy if he had benched Flynn at halftime after a coming away with a stat line that read 10 of 17 for 117 yards with no touchdowns and an interception for a passer rating of 55.3. Poor immobility and decision making also led to two sacks. All Flynn did in the second half was lead the Packers on five second half scoring drives with four of the touchdowns coming through the air. Flynn's final stats improved to 26 of 39 for 299 yards and a 113.1 passer rating.
Cow Chips
- Linebacker Brad Jones––Perhaps affected by a knee injury suffered in last week's win over the Falcons, Jones didn't appear up to snuff in a poor showing against the Cowboys. Several times he was slow to react and missed tackles that led to 134 rushing yards and 7.4 yards per carry by Dallas running back DeMarco Murray. He also got burned by Jason Witten's long reception of 27 yards up the seam and got flagged for a facemask penalty in the second half. Jones was occasionally removed from the game and replaced by Jamari Lattimore on an on-and-off basis.
- Safety M.D. Jennings––The Packers rotated M.D. Jennings and Sean Richardson at safety, and in certain situations, put Jennings in the game on obvious passing downs. He looked like a boy amongst men on Dez Bryant's fourth quarter touchdown, first getting pushed away by Bryant on a jam attempt and then failing to get his head around for the football after recovering in the back of the end zone. Richardson isn't making plays, but he's not making mistakes either. Jennings is just flat getting beat nearly every time he's on the field.
Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].
Comments (82)
December 15, 2013 at 07:54 pm
Let's find a better two point conversion play...like 27.
December 15, 2013 at 08:22 pm
the play was fine. Quarless has to find a way to make that catch.
December 15, 2013 at 08:33 pm
The back shoulder in that situation is low percentage. Not as much space to defend for the corner. Much easier to play press. Very predictable in that situation considering McCarthy did it last week and once before in this game. But then again....as with most of his play calling, McCarthy is pretty predictable.
PackerAaron
December 15, 2013 at 09:35 pm
That said, POC, perfect throw from Flynn. Quarless has to catch it. Yes, he was being held. Still have to catch that ball.
December 15, 2013 at 10:22 pm
It was virtually impossible for Quarless to catch that ball the was he was being pulled away from the flight of the ball.
Though I suppose you expected Quarless to grow longer arms on command and THUS should have made the catch.
People and their placing ridiculous super power expectations on us regular ol' humans.
PackerAaron
December 15, 2013 at 10:28 pm
Uh, no. It was in his arm. Try watching it again from the endzone angle. That should be a catch. Nothing super human about it.
Also - why are you being a dick?
December 15, 2013 at 11:06 pm
Quarless was being pulled away from the flight of the ball and would have either had to make a one handed back shoulder catch WHILE being pulled away from the flight of the ball, OR he would have had to instantaneously make his left arm grow to compensate for that arm being trapped as the DB was pulling down across his left bicep.
That was no ordinary hold. Quarless was being pulled back and downward violently by the DB. To put any of that on Quarless is just unreasonable, and must be coming from someone that doesn't get it.
December 16, 2013 at 07:11 am
If the ball wasn't in his arms I would say it differently. Yes there was pass interference on that play, and that should have been called. It doesn't take away the fact that Quarless had the ball in his arms to make the catch.
I really like what Quarless has done here the last few weeks. But that is a play that I guarantee you he will want back. He should have caught the ball.
December 16, 2013 at 07:39 am
The ball wasn't in his 'arms'...it was in his 'arm'. There's a HUGE difference in those two things.
December 16, 2013 at 08:38 am
Aaron, I agree with you on the execution of the play. Players have to make the play. That's why I don't consider the quality of a play call/design by the result of the execution of players. I didn't like the 7 route call to Nelson yet he made a nice play. It was a low percentage pass considering Flynn's ability to throw that ball. I didn't like it against the Vikings either and we know how that turned out.
The back shoulder in that situation, given the fact that Quarless being flexed out from the core of the formation had been done a few times before, made it easy for the corner to play hard on any stem inside or outside. Since the defense was playing man coverage a natural pick play would have been a better option but that wasn't possible due to the formation.
December 16, 2013 at 01:58 pm
Jamie, you are wrong but too muck of a naysayer to admit it. Get a life and grow up.
December 15, 2013 at 10:12 pm
I agree POC. All it did was add more pressure on the D. Predictable though. The packers D has overcome McCarthy's poor decisions hundreds of times over the last several years. Nothing new.
People who complain about Capers amaze me. If it weren't for Capers and the Packers D, the Packers wouldn't have even made the playoffs in 2010.
December 16, 2013 at 07:53 am
Did you watch 2011?
December 16, 2013 at 10:04 am
I liked the added pressure on the D.
No safety net.
If they were up 3 Capers would have gotten super-conservative and the end result would have been a field goal (at least).
You all know that's what would have happened.
December 15, 2013 at 10:11 pm
The refs need to find a way to make that CALL! Pass interference was egregious; he literally had him by the collar.
December 15, 2013 at 08:48 pm
Right the way he was running he would have dragged the entire cowboys team into the endzone...
December 15, 2013 at 10:14 pm
I don't mind the play so much as not putting Lacy in the "I" for at least a play action attempt.
December 15, 2013 at 07:56 pm
Richarson needs some playing time to develop,need to keep him out there,cant stomach Jennings anymore
December 15, 2013 at 11:44 pm
it's great to see him come back from that kind of neck injury. i think he's going to be a solid player for this team. also, great to see quarless come back from his brutal injury too. we really need him now that there's no j-mike in the lineup. looks like he is building very good chemistry with flynn. i'm hoping sherrod comes back next year and is a solid starter as well
December 15, 2013 at 07:57 pm
Just to make it fair, Packer Safeties should be declared ineligible for a cow chip. They are monopolizing the slots for the weekly award. Guys like BJ Raji, who has been invisible all year, are not getting the proper level of recognition.
December 15, 2013 at 08:01 pm
MD Jennings has no business getting playing time on defense, I hope the coaches can see that now. Really liked how they moved #52 inside to blitz in the 2nd half and used Neal and Datone Jones to rush outside. The got more pressure with it. And Lattimore needs to replace Brad Jones. Time to admit mistakes Ted. Mike Daniels is becoming Cullen Jenkins, great pass rush and motor
December 15, 2013 at 08:29 pm
Was it me or did Burnett look like he played better when Richardson played? I don't know what it was, but Burnett to me look like he was playing better when Richardson was in.
IMO, Lattimore needs to replace Jones, Richardson needs to replace Jennings. But I have been saying that for the last 3 games now, so what do I know...
Daniels is becoming a very good pass rusher from the inside.
December 15, 2013 at 08:46 pm
It's pretty clear that Burnett has no confidence in the Doctor, the scheme, or both. Morgan has been the favorite whipping boy, but perhaps he's just trying to be in too many places at once.
December 15, 2013 at 09:00 pm
Burnett plays better when Richardson is in there because he trusts him. Nobody trusts MD.
December 15, 2013 at 09:15 pm
I would LOVE to be privy to the coaches' evals of these guys. How can 28 NOT be grading out higher than 43?
December 15, 2013 at 11:47 pm
this is what i've been saying all along. burnett looks ok when you have someone else who is solid across from him. put him next to a pro bowl-level player like nick collins and he'll look even better! let's just hope that we don't see m.d. jennings on this team next year. he's not even a good backup
December 15, 2013 at 08:05 pm
Just want to check in to give props to Mason Crosby for that insane 57 yarder. There was NO DOUBT from the moment that ball left the turf, both lengthwise and accuracy wise.
December 15, 2013 at 08:30 pm
Nice one! if not for that kick we lose by two.
December 15, 2013 at 09:11 pm
Your right! That kick was awesome.
December 15, 2013 at 09:16 pm
Crosby for comeback player of the year. At least for GB anyway.
December 15, 2013 at 10:03 pm
Jolly
December 15, 2013 at 10:14 pm
+1
December 15, 2013 at 11:48 pm
agree TK. crosby is having one hell of a great season! definitely MVP of the special teams this year
December 15, 2013 at 08:09 pm
They seem to have the talent,just don't know how to use it
December 15, 2013 at 08:26 pm
Im tired of listening of md Jennings he is to little or to late on the td if he turns around it an intersection. Or push him outbound. How can the coaches keep putting in the game.
December 15, 2013 at 08:38 pm
Larry fur really! way little waylaid and the outboard is still coaching. Way to go joe.
December 15, 2013 at 09:11 pm
that is so funny
December 15, 2013 at 08:28 pm
I cannot stand Brad Jones.
December 15, 2013 at 10:56 pm
Me either.
Guy gets pushed around like a rag doll out there. Then again, so does Hawk.
December 15, 2013 at 11:49 pm
he had one good tackle today. one.
December 15, 2013 at 08:32 pm
It's weird the more I keep saying Eddie Lacy the more it seems to sound like rookie of the year.
December 15, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Yeeaa, true, but we have to hold off keenan allen over there in san diego... Hands down id give it to lacy and if aaron was still playing lacy would probably have a 1400 yard season. He certainly deserves it however
December 15, 2013 at 08:46 pm
Quarless was huge- and Boyd emerging. Looking forward to seeing Boykin with Rogers...he's a tough kid- and if Cobb comes back...they only need a tiny bit of D.
December 15, 2013 at 10:20 pm
Great point... We're back to having 4 starting caliber receivers and even an embarassment of riches at running back come next season. We should draft defense for at least the first 3 rounds, but yea im stoked.
December 16, 2013 at 08:55 am
Who are the top-ranked defensive coordinators in the draft?
December 15, 2013 at 11:28 pm
They might still need to draft a receiving TE next year, but this offense could be amazing next year. Consider if Bulaga comes back and Sherrod or Tretter pans out, their o-line would be in good shape. If they resign Starks - a Lacy, Harris(who I'm still very high on), Starks and Franklin RB group would be as good as any. They have the best QB in the league with Matt Flynn(alright, I meant Rodgers). If they could add a big wide-out next year, and avoid major injuries - their o would be as good as any team in the league.
Obviously they need help at every position on D. Safety, ILB, another pass rusher, maybe corner if Shields leaves. Duplicate whatever it is Schneider does in Seattle - that's all.
December 15, 2013 at 11:54 pm
mojo- i think you're right about the TE position. i have a feeling that ted is going to pick a TE in one of the first 2 rounds to replace finley. i think ted might try to draft another receiver in one of the later rounds like he did this year- let's just hope that this one pans out!
i also have a feeling that they'll only keep 3 running backs so i can see them letting starks go. who the hell knows, they might even cut franklin!
December 16, 2013 at 10:53 am
I thought they would draft a TE, but seeing how Quarless is playing I don't see any way they draft a TE. Give Quarless the chance to make TE his position. Besides him Boykin has the receiving ability to get deep. I think sticking w/ both of those guys is more than capable TE duo.
December 16, 2013 at 12:21 am
"They only need a tiny bit of d " now THAT TKsntr is what she said!
December 15, 2013 at 08:51 pm
How about Bakthairi. Ware was not a factor, Rookie of the year for me.
December 15, 2013 at 08:56 pm
To be fair, Ware has been a non-factor pretty much the whole year.
December 15, 2013 at 09:01 pm
Good call, Chico. Forgotten man in terms of ROTY discussions. Insane that a rookie, 4th rounder is anchoring our left side.
December 15, 2013 at 09:20 pm
Loved the way Bakh sucked it up and stayed in the game when he got dinged up. Same for Lacy, who's been doing it all year. Putting all that soft talk in a different light.
December 15, 2013 at 09:26 pm
Please... You haven't been paying attention. Bahktiari has played very well of late. Better today than recently, but ROTY? Seriously?! Not even F'in close just on Packers, much less the league. Watch closer please!
December 16, 2013 at 07:15 am
My personal opinion is that Lacy should be OROY.
But I will say that Bakhtiari deserves to be mentioned. He has played well all season. Yes he has given up some pressures and whatnot. But he has surpassed everyone's expectations.
He is the only Rookie to start at LT every game this season. That says a lot especially when the 1st 2 draft picks were OT's.
Thompson has 2 absolute steals in this draft. Getting Lacy in the 2nd and Bakhtiari in the 4th. Incredible.
December 16, 2013 at 11:06 am
Bahktiari starting every game shows that we didn't have any other options. He's played well early, then not very well for quite awile and had a good game yesterday. I think most people are making out to be much better than he is just due to the fact that its not Newhouse. We'll see if he is even a starter next year, my guess is not.
December 15, 2013 at 09:03 pm
Matt Flynn 26-39, 299 yards, 4 TDs! If that's a noodle arm give me an extra large plate of spaghetti.
December 15, 2013 at 09:17 pm
LOL
December 15, 2013 at 09:31 pm
Cow chip: the referees. Not for the missed holds on Daniels, or the first overturned INT from Williams (I agreed with that call). But on the last one, the linesman was RIGHT THERE looking at it, and even if you call it incomplete, it's close enough that it has to go to review (being in the last two minutes of the game). Imagine if McCarthy didn't have a remaining timeout and the Cowboys were able to get off another play before it could be reviewed. There is no excuse for that, and Green Bay very likely loses the game if that call isn't overturned.
December 15, 2013 at 09:42 pm
I could've sworn I heard the ref say that the buzz came in before the timeout was called. Maybe he said before the ball was snapped, but if he had called a timeout the game would've been stopped for 60 seconds; no?
December 15, 2013 at 10:18 pm
Right about that piss-poor officating. The ref had a clear vantage point, the ball never touched the ground yet he immediately called it incomplete. I think he anticipated the call.
The refs will never admit it, but they let the home crowd influence their calls all the time, especially on PI calls.
December 15, 2013 at 10:26 pm
Lets not forget the hold on whoever guarded quarkess on that 2 point conversion that was painfully obvious. OR the false start on Doug Free. Jerry jones had a pre-game 'pep talk'with those refs for sure. I was disgusted.
December 15, 2013 at 11:58 pm
it's bad enough that we have to play against another team but when you have to battle against the refs too. ridiculous! i had giants and redskins fans texting me about the piss poor officiating. they need to get rid of this crew and triplette's crew too!
December 16, 2013 at 07:24 am
That series of plays was horrid. Where they overturned the INT by Williams.
The part that I hate about the overturn, is that I have seen plays like that being ruled not a catch on the field against the Packers, get changed to a catch in review. IMO, there wasn't enough evidence that it should have been overturned. Because the rule on the field was a catch. Yes the ball hits the ground but his hands were on the ball the entire time... There wasn't clear evidence that the ground helped him make the catch. That is just my opinion...
But then following that play, it was 3rd and 5. Doug Free clearly moves causing Neal to jump offsides. Should have been 3rd and 10. Instead it was 1st and 10.
The refs overall were really bad yesterday.
December 15, 2013 at 10:07 pm
Boykin needs to get some more love from the media. The kid just produces time and again.
Quarless has flipped the switch with last weeks and this weeks performances.
McCarthy should use Raji and Daniels as fullbacks more often. Then the life draining look from Jason Garrett said it all. WOW what a comeback
December 15, 2013 at 10:22 pm
Boykin coming back for that pass on the sideline was what a seasoned veteran does. All the guy does is quietly make plays. And hats off to Jordy for stealing that TD away from the DB. If he doesn't make that play it's a INT and there's no comeback. Flynn owes him one there.
December 16, 2013 at 08:40 am
Yeah, the only time I notice Raji out there is when he is on offense!
December 15, 2013 at 10:09 pm
The refs were total homers today. How do you miss a false start in clear line of view. It should have been 3rd and 10. Missed a ton of holds on the Dallas o-line. Also a Packer player got punched twice in the helmet after the play.
December 15, 2013 at 11:17 pm
There's no excuse for the bad INT calls, but as far as penalties go, they were letting a lot go on both sides. Daniels was held repeatedly, but there were some close calls as far as DPI goes on our guys that other crews would have called in a heartbeat. Give me refs who let them play over guys who call all the ticky-tack stuff every time.
December 16, 2013 at 12:00 am
there were WAY more bad calls and non-calls that went against us today. big props to this team for staying focused and not letting that shit get to them!
December 15, 2013 at 10:31 pm
Nothing like Dallas in December!
December 15, 2013 at 11:14 pm
How about at least a red-chip for Jordy. That one handed grab after being interfered with was spectacular.
December 16, 2013 at 12:10 am
True...dat.
December 15, 2013 at 11:15 pm
Dear Stroh, I was wrong . You were right. We put up over 30 pts just like you said. Pat urself on the back and accept this air high five from me down here in WV! Great nite to be a packer fan! Go pack go!
December 16, 2013 at 11:11 am
LOL thanks for remembering!
December 16, 2013 at 12:01 am
why didn't we get to see a shot of Jerry Jones in the press box at the end of the game?
December 16, 2013 at 12:39 am
haha
I would have loved that too!
December 16, 2013 at 10:29 am
He left the box when it became clear we were going to win, probably to go fire somebody.
December 16, 2013 at 03:34 am
Jason Garrett said on LIVE TV press conference that "We let them score" with regard to Lacy's leap of a TD. Muthufu#en'franchise is CRAZY!! No wonder Dez walked off the field. That was not the time for a Mike Holmgren. He didn't have that kind of momentum or team commitment to try that. I'm so glad we don't have a pathetic coaching staff who would say that kind of thing after we loose. Even if we would have tried that "let them score" strategy. The clip is on NFL/videos.com. STUPID chUCKERS.
December 16, 2013 at 07:07 am
IT is FKN AMAZING TO ME,that as the NOVICE FAN THAT I AM...... that i can watch game film for 2012 and see how bad one individual safety can be and then bitch about it to all my esteemed colleagues on this great website from the 49er playoff loss,thru the free agency and draft season,thru the 1st 14 games of 2013,........and a professional organization with coaches and scouts getting payed millions of dollars cant FCKING SEE what this sad sack armchair fan can see everytime i watch M FKN D JENNINGS STEP ON THE FIELD!!!! FUCK THE COWCHIPS!! PUT THIS GUY BACK IN CITY LEAGUE FOOTBALL ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!!!!
December 16, 2013 at 07:25 am
Hump agree with you 100%,my bitch put clay in the middle on 3rd down neal and perry outside and let him cause havoc..Since we failed on short yardage in Cinci game I have been yelling at the top of my lungs for raji to block short yardage...well fuck me running they finally put him in
December 16, 2013 at 10:35 am
Cow chip to fox tv, I'm sick of Aikman/Buck, hell I'd rather listen to Ray "white suit" Lewis and John Madden.