Packers Question of the day - Takeaways from the win

The Packers are moving on to their second NFC Championship game in seven seasons. They're four quarters away from representing the NFC in Super Bowl 51 after consecutive seasons of postseason heartbreak.

While Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott - the rookie duo sensation - had their way with the Packers' defense, it came down to whoever had the football in the waning moments of the game. That just so happened to be Green Bay.

What were your final takeaways from the playoff win?

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (70)

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

January 16, 2017 at 09:13 am

Packers may win all, but also they can win themselves, to. Lets hope the last will not happen!

0 points
0
0
Amanofthenorth's picture

January 17, 2017 at 02:02 am

I count three in seven?

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 16, 2017 at 09:26 am

Hell of a game...

Still wishing it wouldn't have came down to a 51 yard FG attempt to win the game. Winning a game with no time left, is so freaking exciting.

The play that saved the game for them was the sack on Rodgers. The fact that Rodgers didn't fumble that ball, was huge.
Then the play of the game, The Rodgers throw to Cook. Put it in a spot where only Cook could catch it. What a hell of a catch and throw!
And then to find out this morning that the play was drawn up by Rodgers in the huddle. Only adds to how great that play was.

Definitely going to enjoy this game!

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

January 16, 2017 at 03:44 pm

Couldn't have said it any better. What a thriller!

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

January 16, 2017 at 09:34 am

Takeaways: Aaron Rodgers is in one of those stretches where he is playing QB as well as or better than any QB has ever played the position. Crosby is totally clutch. Our OL is as good as any in the league. Monty gains tough yards and while he is not a 100 yard rusher his runs make a difference and keep the defense honest. Jared Cook has become a major factor for the Packers offense. Our defense plays solidly but we still need a better pash rush (this means you CM3 and Peppers). Our secondary, especially the CBs scare me to death. Hyde played brilliantly but we need Burnett to get healthy for the Atlanta game. Except for Michael, our STs played well for the second week in a row. Schum has been much better in the playoffs than he was during the regular season. On to Atlanta. Go Pack Go. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
Yooper's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:03 am

What a great game - Way back in our 34/33 loss to Atlanta we saw glimpses of AR returning to greatness - Wow - Packers Win Packers Win!!!!:^)

0 points
0
0
GVPacker's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:45 am

Good analysis, a few weeks ago before the Packers played the Giants Since'61. You said the Packers would be facing the best defense of all the playoff teams and if A Rod and co. could navigate through them they should be unbeatable!

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:29 am

3 points -
* Thank you, 61 for mentioning Schum (who has not been on my most favored list in the past). He punted us out of trouble and needs to be recognized.
* I agree Hyde and Burnett, but also feel Brice deserves some credit. He filled a very important role for the Pack in a desperate situation. Hope Burnett returns, strong!
* Where would we be without this O-line and individuals like Bakht toughing it out?

0 points
0
0
Mojo's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:57 am

Good summary '61. O-line has been the best unit on the team for the entire year. Kudo's for Bakh and Bulaga for finishing out the game even though they were hurting. They are a big component in Arods stellar play.

And your point about the pass rush is well taken. If the secondary can't cover then the Pack have to get a decent pass rush to mitigate the damage. I will say Perry was breaking through quite often. Even with one hand he's outplayed the other two stars.

0 points
0
0
Patric Moncada's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:33 pm

I posted below, but I will say this here again. I truly, and honestly believe the officiating cost us 6-10 points between the two horribly blatant holding/PI calls on Davante that killed drives, and Clay, for all his pass rush he needs to have, he tends to make plays late, and I think he was going to make a HUGE sack or pressure/hit on Dak on the Cowboys last TD drive, where he got ENVELOPED by the tackle and ended with his back towards Dak... no holding call.

Kentrell Brice is going to be a good safety, especially if he listens to the coaches and keeps learning, but he's no Burnett (yet), and we need Burnett back to situationally be able to play in that hybrid safety/ILB role inside the box when necessary.

0 points
0
0
Gianich's picture

January 16, 2017 at 04:05 pm

"OL is as good as Any in the league" unless were we're talking about opening a hole in short yardage....

0 points
0
0
Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

January 16, 2017 at 09:38 am

Greatest QB ever. Period. This guy is a Peyton Manning in his prime--plus wheels.

Incredible. Dallas was physically dominating that game, and only a superhuman QB named Rodgers could overcome it.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:04 am

Well I'll tell you this, if he wins another Super Bowl I'm going to call him on par with Bart Starr as the greatest Packer QB ever. I count that Seattle loss as two Super Bowl appearances so far, but only one win. I wish I could know why he was playing so poorly in that 4-5 game stretch of the season where he was missing open receivers and throwing poorly because this turn around is remarkable.

0 points
0
0
zoellner25's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:23 am

agreed. maybe he had an undisclosed injury during that span we didn't know about. Like last year. He's ridiculous the last 2 months

0 points
0
0
pacman's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:58 am

I found it very interesting that last week, MM said that he saw AR wasn't connecting long so he went to some simple shorter plays to get him back in sync.

So I give MM credit for finally learning how to manage his QB. The 4 game losing streak means we don't have home field advantage so it is not a moot point. And I think there was still some of that going long when he had someone shorter during the 2nd half. So the thrill of the last throw not withstanding, take what the D gives you. When Dallas dialed up the pressure in the 2nd half, we needed to make those short throws and move the chains more than we did.

0 points
0
0
AndrewInAtlanta's picture

January 16, 2017 at 09:39 am

I wish Michael didn't make that ST mistake. He'll be in MMs doghouse now and We could use him next week.

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 16, 2017 at 09:45 am

He was out there for the next kick so maybe he didn't get in too much trouble. I would hope it doesn't affect his carries since those are two different things IMO.

0 points
0
0
zoellner25's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:19 am

Michael had zero carries yesterday. that's dog house.

0 points
0
0
Mojo's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:08 pm

Michael is kind of an interesting cat. Just by his body-language it's as though he's going to do what he's going to do and to hell with everyone else. A certain amount of defiance. I think he knows he's talented and you could see him breaking a 90 yarder at anytime, but you hope a mistake doesn't cost GB a game

0 points
0
0
Razer's picture

January 16, 2017 at 09:40 am

Recipe:

* Start fast and force Atlanta to play under pressure.

* Pressure Matt Ryan

* Hope we get Nelson, Burnett and Rollins back. Hope Randall misses the flight.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:04 am

Something to keep in mind when looking back at the last time these teams played each other. Packers played the game without Cobb, Mathews, Montgomery, Cook, Randall, Rollins.

The offense is completely different now.

0 points
0
0
Mojo's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:14 pm

Consistently pressure Ryan and the Pack win. CM3, Peppers, Jones this is your time to contribute to this run.

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:18 pm

Agree ^^^^^ The only thing that can stop our offense is our own offense.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

January 16, 2017 at 01:02 pm

Just remember Atlanta is also playing much better too. Top ranked offense in the NFL, leader in points per game at 33.8, and second in yards at 415.8 - AVERAGE. Not only are they 2nd in passing yards, but they are 5th in rushing. This is a major challenge for GB's awful secondary. Good news is, they aren't anything special on defense, 27th in points allowed, (Pack is 21st) 25th in yards allowed. (GB is 22nd) Atlanta gives up 266.7 pass yards/game, GB 269.3; 2nd and 5th in the league.

This is going to be a major league shootout folks. Last team with the ball wins, didn't work out that way last October though.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

January 17, 2017 at 05:29 am

"Hope Randall misses the flight"......Common guys, THAT was funny!! My hope is he makes a great play or two early on Sunday and starts to regain some confidence because Randall has absolutely none of it right now. That TD to Witten? That was a CB playing scared to death!

0 points
0
0
4zone's picture

January 16, 2017 at 09:46 am

For all the blown playoff games the past few years, this one just about ended up the same way. But it didn't.

Surreal is the best word to describe this one. Gonna take a while for it to sink in. I mean wow, like two heavyweights just going toe to toe throwing haymakers.

Considering the injuries on D, parts were better than expected, toward the end, as expected. AR didn't have his best game, made some reaaly bad throws. But once again, made THE throw when needed most.

We survived one tough football game. We will need to do better to survive next week"s game though. ATL is on fire and at home. AR needs to re-focus and the D needs to cover and tackle better. But for today, WOW, UNREAL.

0 points
0
0
PortlandMark's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:49 am

It seems like the Packer strategy has been to keep the offense productive and try to continuously develop young defensive players. I wish they had kept Casey Heyward. Unless they hit big with young players on their rookie contracts, like they did in 2010, they will never have a dominating defense. I hope they keep Perry as he is one that they developed. I don't want to see him lead the league in sacks for some other team next year like Heyward led the league in interceptions this year.

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 16, 2017 at 09:52 am

At this point in the season I don't care how they win. But I have the feeling that the Defense and Special Teams are going to be just good enough to put Rodgers in a position to win the game. That's what is going to have to happen, it's on Rodgers to cement his legacy as an All Time Great.

0 points
0
0
4zone's picture

January 16, 2017 at 09:49 am

By the way, good move by TT not cutting Crosby back in his down year. Paid off in Spades yesterday.

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:29 pm

Yeah! and ballsy call by Mike to go for the FG with that much time on the clock and that field position....totally clutch by Mason! One of the 5 biggest plays late in the game.

Another play not talked about much was Perry's pass block that caused two things: 1) It forced the FG by Dallas; 2) It stopped the clock, enabling that last drive/pass by the Pack.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

January 17, 2017 at 07:07 am

That's an excellent point considering Crosby was 0-4 of game tying or go ahead kicks in the 4th quarter or OT. I didn't understand the 3rd down play before that (Going deep to Adams) instead of maybe trying for a 1st down or at least a few additional yards.

0 points
0
0
Amanofthenorth's picture

January 17, 2017 at 05:13 pm

Say what? O for 4 what is this stat you throw out? Off the top of my head I remember a boomer to tie in Seattle.

0 points
0
0
GVPacker's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:06 am

Guy's Steven A Smith is on ESPN right now and he's wearing an A Rodgers jersey and Brow Beating a Cowboy fan Espn analyst something silly!

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:14 am

Bandwagon.

0 points
0
0
LayingTheLawe's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:22 am

Smith has always been a big Arod guy.

That Aaron Rodgers is a bad man!

0 points
0
0
egbertsouse's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:08 am

About what I expected, AR had to play superhuman to make up for the defense.

I expect the same next week. Vegas has the over/under at 60 points. AR better put up at least 35 points.

0 points
0
0
zoellner25's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:17 am

We need better rush defense up the middle. Too bad Pennel is an idiot.

We need the Pro-bowl version of HHCD to show up.

We need to not have any more injuries.

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:37 am

Amen!
I don't care what it takes, but we need to find a way to put pressure on Ryan, without blitzing a safety.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 17, 2017 at 01:21 pm

Atlanta likes to chip at the edges with their RB. Neither Freeman nor Coleman are power guys. They string things out and let them get to the edge and use their speed/elusiveness. I think DPF likened Montgomery to Coleman...I think that's a good comparison.

Remember that Coleman didn't play in the last matchup...

0 points
0
0
vj_ostrowski's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:20 am

3rd in 7 seasons

2010 season - yes - SB
2011 - no
2012 - no
2013 - no
2014 - yes - NFCCG loss
2015 - no
2016 - yes - next week

0 points
0
0
cheddarhead's picture

January 16, 2017 at 10:40 am

That's what I thought.

0 points
0
0
Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:07 am

Bayless doubling down on stupid this morning on FS1.

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:39 am

Heard it too...not worth repeating....or watching.

0 points
0
0
Handsback's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:14 am

In the 2nd half, the Cowboys went more to a man-to-man on those receivers. IF Jordy is back, that will be a lot more difficult for the Falcons. The Cowboys had everyone healthy, in Atlanta they won't have their #1 CB and pass rusher. The Falcons also don't have the Oline that Dallas has so I don't expect a runaway by the Falcons.
I live in the DFW area and follow the Cowboys. They have one area that is a weakness and that is their HC. He's really an extension for Jerry Jones and while the team does good things.....he's not always making the changes he should.
I hope Jordy and Burnett are ready to go next week, but how do ribs heal in a week?

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

January 17, 2017 at 09:00 am

Jason Garrett - I do not like that man. I mean, he may be the best man in the world, I do not know him, but something in his look, smile, sight is so repulsive for me, that I can not stand the guy...

Regarding Jordy - if his ribs are just cracked, but not completely broken, 10 days may be fastest to heal. Lets hope this is that kind of situation...

Morgan - his injury depend on severity. He may be good already on Wednesday, but may miss the next game...

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:14 am

When Rodgers threw that pick the entire game changed. Instead of an early Dagger, it gave the Cowboys momentum. With that said the Defense held the Cowboys to a FG when they absolutely had to.

Thought MM called an excellent game though I thought he'd run more, especially in the 2nd half and I thought he'd give Michael a try. Maybe Michael was in the "Doghouse" but he was still returning kicks after the miscue in the KO return.

Monty was big in this game. He ran the ball well and was excellent when he was thrown to, especially that pass and run on the final drive.

Please give Burnett's quad some what they gave Rodgers for his hammy and calf. One week he's limping, the next he's A-Rod. Atlanta has better receivers, 2 running backs, and a few TE's they use ALL the time. We'll need Burnett.

GLAD to see Adams back out on the field though I don't know what that means. I didn't see him involved after injury and the Packers HAVE to have Adams, even if Nelson is somehow able to return next week.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:46 am

For the most part I liked McCarthy's game plan and play calling.
The only play that I absolutely hated was the 2nd down play with 2 minutes left in the game. When he decided to bring in extra OL, and TE's and ran it with Montgomery, which he lost a lot of yards. I am fine running it, but run it with WR's to spread the defense out. That put them in a hart to manage 3rd down, and they ended up settling for a 56 yard FG attempt. That 2nd down play call, was IMO the worst play call of the game.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:11 pm

I could be wrong, but it feels like bringing in the extra OL has consistently NOT worked for the Packers this year.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 16, 2017 at 01:36 pm

I agree with you. To me it feels like it hasn't worked in a long time.

The way this offense is structured they are much better running when spreading teams out. They are not a mauling offensive line. They can run power but aren't an overpowering OL.

0 points
0
0
Gman1976's picture

January 16, 2017 at 09:59 pm

I was literally yelling at the TV when I saw that play and knew it would be stuffed big time if it was a run (since the alignment signaled the play). And I really hated taking the ball out of our #1 playmaker's hands. That said, our Coach really called a great game. I was fooled more than once by MM, and more importantly, he toasted the Cowboys! Wow, what a win!

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:54 am

I appreciate the comments on Adams, especially. Cobb was very important in the first half, but I do not recall any plays in the 2nd half? Am I right? I would be interested in any comments/corrections, as well as what the coverage was on Cobb, especially after the Adams injury.

Also, that screen pass to Monty had a lot of room if we do not miss the block. Give Dallas credit there.

Note: ESPN just announced that the Packer receivers have only two drops the last two games. Very important point!

0 points
0
0
EdsLaces's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:16 am

I still got a smile on my face....thank you GBP!

0 points
0
0
LayingTheLawe's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:21 am

Remember when the narrative was that Rodgers could not complete that final drive to win a comeback?

How silly

0 points
0
0
lecko's picture

January 16, 2017 at 01:09 pm

Not silly. it could be verified by stats. But that was often due to defence giving the late score to negate good drives. Even yesterday it could happen when he put team ahead with FG drive that could easily be answered by TD, but thanks to Perry it was only 3 points.

0 points
0
0
lecko's picture

January 16, 2017 at 01:14 pm

Here is the all time Game winnig QB stats:

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/gwd_career.htm

This stat is not only dependent on QB, but whole team and defence. If ypu play on good team who holds the leads, you get less opportunities for comback. And other variables

0 points
0
0
Bearmeat's picture

January 16, 2017 at 11:42 am

This is the best win GB has had since the Super Bowl in 2010. Elated! Atlanta is beatable on defense. This offense is en fuego.

Take the over in the NFC CG. Looking for tickets to Houston!! :)

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:16 pm

Patchwork defensive secondary. Down to three wide receivers. Still found a way to win.

Offense stalled a bit with Bakh out.

Have to think our chances to finish this incredible run rest on the ability of injured players to play next week.

0 points
0
0
Mojo's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:23 pm

Cook>Finley

No brainer offseason resign.

Takes a need in the draft off the board.

Good size, good speed much better rapport with QB1

Not a prim a-donna.

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:31 pm

Definitely, but I think they still need to look at another TE in the draft to learn and provide depth.

0 points
0
0
Norm's picture

January 16, 2017 at 06:21 pm

Cook and OJ Howard would be pretty tough to stop with our WR corps and running backs thrown in for good measure. Like Gronk and Hernandez until that murder thing put the kibosh on Hernandez's career. Not sure Howard will be there at 32 though.

0 points
0
0
Patric Moncada's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:26 pm

Secondary suffered a bit when Burnett went out, Kentrell Brice is a fantastic talent, and I think his future is bright, but he cannot cover as well as Burnett in man to man, nor play in the box like a hybrid ILB like Burnett can, and I believe the cowboys took advantage of that. Really want Burnett back for Atlanta.

Offense played really well, a few injuries on the line, even temporary, hurt us a few drives.

The biggest thing that happened, in my eyes, was the horrible officiating against Davante who got mugged twice and those two plays really did kill those two drives, which I firmly believe, even if ONE is a touchdown, which I think was going to happen, or 2 field goals, the game is "put away"

Also, on the Dallas Cowboys last touchdown drive, Clay Matthews was -mugged-, bearhugged, and was "rushing Dak" with his back to dak because he was wrapped up and turned around... NO holding flags, at all.

I think this game was -not- as close as the final score appeared, I think a lot of poor officiating made it a 3 point game opposed to a 10 point game.

SUMMARY:

* Want Burnett back, Brice is a great backup, great future, but not a Burnett, not yet.

* Between no holding call on Clay getting mugged on final Cowboys TD drive, as well as the two -blatant- holding calls or pass interference vs Davante Adams, I firmly believe THE OFFICIATING COST THE PACKERS 7-10 NET POINTS THROUGHOUT THE GAME... better game than score shows.

0 points
0
0
Bearmeat's picture

January 16, 2017 at 01:46 pm

The refs were letting them play all game. Dallas' OL was holding. Ours was too. Dallas' secondary was committing DPI or def holding almost every down. We... weren't.

But the right team won. Hopefully those refs report card will make them done for the year.

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 16, 2017 at 03:44 pm

Not sure if this is accurate, but according to FOX last night, one of the referees will be going to the Super Bowl from that squad.

0 points
0
0
Lphill's picture

January 16, 2017 at 12:28 pm

My takeaway is that Aaron Rodgers is a bad man !!!!!!

0 points
0
0
Razer's picture

January 16, 2017 at 01:23 pm

Bad to the bone. Glad he is our bad man...

0 points
0
0
JJtheTraveler's picture

January 16, 2017 at 01:53 pm

Got to give Mike an "ataboy" for going for the FG at midfield. Way to go Mike.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

January 16, 2017 at 02:15 pm

Okay. Everyone who talked about wanting to trade Rodgers, please respond to this post.

0 points
0
0
Bohj's picture

January 16, 2017 at 03:21 pm

Here is what I take away:
1) A win like this can propel a team anywhere.
2) I know ATL creamed SEA. But SEA struggled against the Rams and niners late in the year. They're not that good. In fact, their whole division was weak. False confidence for ATL.
3) Dallas was as healthy a team as you can find. We had a chance to blow the doors off.
4) Dallas Oline is the best in the league. We're not the only team to not generate pressure against them. I foresee a better pass rush against ATL.
5) More than other guys healthy....I root for Perry to get that club off. He's been a playoff beast.
6) I feel like we will be what the Giants were to us in the past..as we will be to ATL. Rodgers and turf go together well.
Enjoy this one everyone!!

0 points
0
0
bears suck forever's picture

January 16, 2017 at 04:04 pm

I will take away a bunch of free beer because I bet on the pack.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

January 16, 2017 at 04:29 pm

Good Job! Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0