Packers Show They Can Beat Teams In Many Ways

The Packers showed some surprising versatility in their victory over the Eagles.

The prevailing sentiment regarding the Green Bay Packers heading into the 2010 regular season was that Aaron Rodgers and the high-flying offense would possibly have to win a fair number of shoot outs along the way. Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy's best laid plans for dominance through the air ran into a nasty Eagles defensive line that made life miserable for the Packers' aging tackles, Mark Tauscher in particular.

But rather than continue to throw Rodgers to the wolves the way he did over the course of the first half of 2009, McCarthy dusted off the section in the playbook where the power running game resides and went to work. Even after losing Ryan Grant to injury, McCarthy plugged in Brandon Jackson and John Kunn kept on pounding the football in a manner that has not been seen in Green Bay in quite some time.

Another widely held belief this summer was that the special teams would again be an issue for the Packers. But for one week at least, Shawn Slocum's guys were top notch and provided the extra element that has been decidedly missing throughout McCarthy's tenure. Every time the Eagles would fight their way back into the game it seemed Jordy Nelson would deliver a spirit-crushing kickoff return.

And how can you not mention Mason Crosby. Yes, he had one bad miscue on a kickoff that traveled out of bounds, but otherwise he was outstanding - the highlight being a franchise record 56 yard field goal to close out the first half.

It's only one game and there is still much to be revealed about this team, but the signs are encouraging when the strongest areas on the team struggle and the supposed weakest areas come to their rescue. This is the sign of a complete team and of a team that can play with anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

0 points
 

Comments (40)

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

September 12, 2010 at 11:31 pm

27 points is still high scoring in my book. Offense won this game and the defense and special teams did their job in not costing the Pack the game.

I would agree with you if the score was 14 to 9. I think our offense will have to score close to 30 pts a game to win.

I think the Eagles where playing from behind most of the game, which helps our defense.

The Packs identity is still the offense, defense and special teams have to be average and not make big mistakes.

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

September 12, 2010 at 11:33 pm

Didn't say the offense didn't win it - they just did it in a way we weren't expecting. Unless you had "lots of Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn" in the office pool...

0 points
0
0
FITZCORE1252's picture

September 13, 2010 at 12:01 am

"Unless you had “lots of Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn” in the office pool…"

I enjoy a good smart-ass remark. Nice.

0 points
0
0
dilligaff's picture

September 13, 2010 at 12:38 am

I have always thought Grant's production could be easily replicated by another back if given the same number of carries or opportunities.

So Jacksons's and Kuhn's production was not a surprise to me.

I have always thought of our offense as a unit of more than 11 good players.

0 points
0
0
nerdmann's picture

September 13, 2010 at 12:15 pm

Jackson not only has better vision than Grant, but there's no way Grant makes some of those cuts. Jackson can cut on a dime into holes Grant would never see. He can also catch the ball. Might be a little faster too.

0 points
0
0
PackerBacker's picture

September 13, 2010 at 01:58 pm

I only disagree slightly. Holding the Eagles at the end of the game on 4th and 1 was a "winning" Defensive move. Especially considering they were facing a veteran quarter back with immense scrambling skills. However, I do agree that playing defense when you are ahead is easier than playing catch-up.

0 points
0
0
FITZCORE1252's picture

September 12, 2010 at 11:58 pm

"It’s only one game and there is still much to be revealed about this team, but the signs are encouraging when the strongest areas on the team struggle and the supposed weakest areas come to their rescue. This is the sign of a complete team and of a team that can play with anyone, anywhere, at anytime."

^^^ YES ^^^

0 points
0
0
Cuphound's picture

September 13, 2010 at 04:41 am

I'm grateful we won. Aaron is right: It was good to see there be a running game. And Crosby didn't suck. That was a pleasant surprise. This many years in, I'm pretty sure that I'm just never going to like a Mike McCarthy O-Line. It's a philosophical difference. I'll get over it.

McCarthy's teams have traditionally started their seasons like a Ford pickup--cold and cranky. That's all I could think of during that first offensive drive. And then through the first quarter. And then nearly up to halftime. But just under two minutes to halftime Rodgers threw the short pass to Driver for the touchdown. And then, still in that same two minutes, Crosby's 56-yard field goal. Suddenly, my beloved Green Bay Packers were gloriously alive. It was a beautiful third quarter. Then back to stalling in the fourth.

But the September and early October schedule isn't daunting. So by the time the games get tougher, the damned pickup ought to be warm and ready to go. Right?

Yeah. This could work.

Football's back. GO PACK GO!!!!

0 points
0
0
Jersey Al's picture

September 13, 2010 at 05:42 am

Jackson: 63 yds on 18 carries. OK, but nothing to get excited about.

0 points
0
0
Adam Czech's picture

September 13, 2010 at 06:20 am

Al:

Nothing to get excited about if Grant happens to be out for an extended period of time and Jackson is forced into a starting role. But for two-thirds of the game, on the road, against a tough defensive line, after your No. 1 guy goes down, I'll take Jackson's numbers every time.

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

September 13, 2010 at 06:47 am

Come on Al. You really didn't watch how hard Jackson was running? Who cares what his stats were...

0 points
0
0
Tarynfor12's picture

September 14, 2010 at 05:46 am

"Who cares what his stats were..."
So when Jackson has numerous attempts at 3rd and 1-2 and gets none of them,stats wise it doesn't matter as long as he looks like he's running hard.
Why are stats the very thing everyone refers to when either proving or disproving a players ability?

0 points
0
0
bucky's picture

September 13, 2010 at 06:52 am

As I point out in another thread, the Packers' greatest success with the run came after Stewart Bradley left. I think that had a lot to do with the Packers being able to run the ball in the second half.

0 points
0
0
dilligaff's picture

September 13, 2010 at 07:28 am

You do make a good point, having their starting LB go down with an injury may have contributed to Jackson's success.

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

September 13, 2010 at 08:27 am

Really? I'm pretty sure on the drive where Grant was ripping off big gains before he got hurt, Bradley was in there.

0 points
0
0
bucky's picture

September 13, 2010 at 11:01 am

True, midway through the second period Ryan Grant had three straight runs for 39 yards (the final being the play on which he got hurt). But 54 of Jackson's 63, and all of Kuhn's yardage, came in the second half, when Bradley was out.

0 points
0
0
nerdmann's picture

September 13, 2010 at 12:19 pm

Our starter at the position was out too.

0 points
0
0
Doug in Sandpoint's picture

September 13, 2010 at 06:12 am

I'm just not getting all the love for Jackson in this game. He's supposed to give us speed that is a nice compliment to Grant but he looked realy slow and indecisive. Maybe the holes weren't there, but with the exception of one nice 18 yard run, he averaged well under 3 yards a carry. Kuhn offered some great power running but I believe he only got the ball twice. Never ran it again after his TD. Would have thought he might get some carries down the stretch when Bjax was getting nowhere and some power running might have moved the sticks.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

September 13, 2010 at 07:56 am

Totally disagree. He looked like a guy who was patient enough to wait for his blocking to develop. He took what was there, sometimes there just was not much there.

0 points
0
0
nerdmann's picture

September 13, 2010 at 12:21 pm

Yes he took what was there. Which is more than Grant does!

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

September 13, 2010 at 08:28 am

"He’s supposed to give us speed" - no, no, no - that's what YOU THINK he's supposed to give the Packers. Guy has never been a speed merchant. But he runs harder than anyone ever gives him credit for.

0 points
0
0
Doug In Sandpoint's picture

September 13, 2010 at 03:11 pm

OK Aaron, but did you see a difference when Kuhn was in there? He ran through people. Bjax might not get enough credit for running hard but sometimes just want someone to run north and south. That's also why I liked Nelsons returning BTW. Don't you think Kuhn earned a few more carries especially at the end when we needed to grind out a few first downs?

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

September 13, 2010 at 03:16 pm

Loved what Kuhn did, but those plays are also DESIGNED to go north and south. Yes, Kuhn does a great job there. On several of Jackson's runs, he ran to his aiming point on the stretch play only to be killed by his blocking (or lack thereof) I also saw him driving his legs after contact and break a bunch of tackles.

Again, I'm not saying he's Chris Johnson. He's just a lot better than people give him credit for.

0 points
0
0
Badknees's picture

September 13, 2010 at 06:43 am

Didn't see Harrell's injury but if someone didn't roll up on his knee or if it didn't take a direct hit from the lateral side it is a preventable injury/medical staff failure. Here is a hint for the medical staff. Have the players take their fists and tap/hit the inside and outside of their bended knees (do the right knee then do the left) then flex and extend the knee. Best place to do this is while sitting on the bench. Do this before every series before they take the field...no more preventable knee injuries as they just self adjusted their knees making the joint very strong. Only takes a few seconds per knee.

0 points
0
0
WoodyG's picture

September 13, 2010 at 08:42 am

Ya, it's that simple ......

0 points
0
0
nerdmann's picture

September 13, 2010 at 12:27 pm

Never heard of that. Is there a book on that stuff?

0 points
0
0
Doug In Sandpoint's picture

September 13, 2010 at 06:45 pm

Better yet, if the medical staff rubs their hands together and places them on the knee they heal up pretty well. Saw Mr. Miyagi do this in the Karate Kid. Worked like a charm.

0 points
0
0
Ruppert's picture

September 13, 2010 at 08:21 am

Brandon Jackson did a very nice job. It seems some people would only be satisfied if he waltzed right in and ran for 6 yards a pop. He did great. Functional special teams? Wow. Very few penalties? Double wow.

Winning in Philly, especially on opening day, is tough. Winning in Philly, period, is damn near impossible for the Pack.

This is a very big win no matter how it manifested itself for a lot of reasons. Maybe the biggest thing is that the Vikings will be playing catch-up in the standings for at least one more week. Anything to get into the head of their QB.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

September 13, 2010 at 08:54 am

Be careful what you wish for. Nothing gets Favra going like a chip on his shoulder. Best thing would be if he started thinking of the Vikings the same way he thought of the Packers - "I gotta do it all myself." Then we'll see the 20+ INT Brent that we all know and love. I don't know who that guy was who was playing QB for the Vikings last year.

0 points
0
0
hyperRevue's picture

September 13, 2010 at 08:45 am

I don't get all these football talking heads lauding Vick's passing.

It seems to me that more than half of his completions came with the receiver laying on the ground, meaning that the throws were at their ankles and they made great catches on poorly thrown balls.

0 points
0
0
Jayme's picture

September 13, 2010 at 10:45 am

I know Aikman said it a couple times, but sometimes the best place to put the ball is near the ground. That way if the receiver doesn't catch it, it will be a harmless incompletion.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

September 13, 2010 at 08:47 am

Totally off topic, but DD's 50th TD reception was impressive, until you look at who holds the Packer's record. Don freaking Hutson with NINETY NINE. If DD takes most of a productive career to get to just half of his total after having a sure-fire HOF QB in Farve, and a Pro Bowl QB in Rodgers, no one will EVER catch him. Makes you appreciate how great the guy must have been, even though he quit playing before most of us were born.

0 points
0
0
hoogus's picture

September 13, 2010 at 09:45 am

Vick's passing surprised me. I'm used to Vick missing by 10yds. So what if people had to go low for them? They don't give style points. And one of his passes was a perfect bullet over the middle, caught in stride, right to the guy's hands. It was better than anything Rodgers threw yesterday. Give Vick & the Eagles credit for developing that passing ability.

I think Jackson gets that criticism because many Jackson supporters criticise Grant for the same things. I'm not convinced that Jackson is better than any other halfback, but i can admit that he did OK yesterday. Of course, so did Kuhn and Grant.

0 points
0
0
DaveK's picture

September 13, 2010 at 11:16 am

I thought that Jackson played well at the end of last year also. The Packers can win games with Jackson as the primary back which is about all you ask for in a back-up RB. Give him a week of practice taking more then just the 3rd down reps and he probably is more decisive hitting the gaps. If Grant misses time though do you they need another 3rd down back or do you leave Jackson out there all three downs?

0 points
0
0
hyperRevue's picture

September 13, 2010 at 11:32 am

If/when Harrell goes on the IR, I wonder if they'll bring up a RB for a few weeks or another D-lineman.

0 points
0
0
davyjones's picture

September 13, 2010 at 11:30 am

Jackson ran hard, but I'd have been inclined to keep pounding Kuhn at 'em with the quick hits to grind out the clock. We gotta learn to finish better. At one point late in the 4th Q, GB had minus 2 yds of total offense...yikes.
Call me a nerd if you will, but I just ordered my CHTV T shirt and I seriously hope I get it before I leave Minny on Friday for the Game in GB. Anyone who doesn't know about this site, should...just trying to do my part.

0 points
0
0
BubbaOne's picture

September 13, 2010 at 01:33 pm

Two areas needing improvement for 2010...ST and penalties...check and mate. And ST was against Bobby April, who I and others thought TT should have hired this offseason to replace Slocum.
Let the Packer mantra be..."Penalties, what penalties, we don't need no stinking penalties".

0 points
0
0
Tarynfor12's picture

September 14, 2010 at 05:21 am

Ok,is how I rate the entire game for the Packers less a few individual accomplishments.

To keep from going over what most have replied and seconded in thoughts here,the TWO things that bother me is the in-ability to kill the game offensively and the inability to stop teams in the 4th quarter from creeping back in with ease.

The fact of having a 17 point lead and still putting ourselves in a position to lose will not complete the picture we invision for the Packers.We play teams that are very good at 4th quarter comebacks.

So before we accept the excuse of not "PLANNING for Vick" is a recipe for disaster.

Every defense has to plan on the back-up QB as every week the starter may go down.To think of the back-up with a "Hands in the air fist pump" we won already mentality is moronic at best.

Simply put,this game never should have been this close to losing it,PERIOD.

0 points
0
0
CSS's picture

September 14, 2010 at 07:35 am

What?

0 points
0
0
Tarynfor12's picture

September 14, 2010 at 09:35 am

What?

0 points
0
0