Packers Question of the Day: Takeaways From the Win

The Packers finally knocked off the Bengals with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. As of Sunday, he's officially beaten 31 teams. Hopefully, he'll never make it 32.

Fueled by Josh Jones and Blake Martinez on defense, the Packers rallied back from a 21-7 deficit to send the game into overtime. Geronimo Allison shined en route to a 72-yard completion in overtime that set up Mason Crosby's game-winning field goal.

It's the first time in Rodgers' career that he has thrown for over 300 yards in each of the first three games in a season.

What were your takeaways from the 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 (40)

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

September 25, 2017 at 08:46 am

My takeaways:
- In the Rodgers era, the Bengels have had the Packers number. This IS a good win.
- Offense isn't clicking yet. Bennett isn't excelling. What happened to the fast start?
- Pass protection is bad. Murphy is struggling. The Packers do not have a quality backup at tackle. When will TT go looking for a replacement? This decision could cause a Super Bowl bust if not done.
- Glad King and Jones played. And Hawkins too.
- So is the defense the one that gave up 14 points on the first three drives or 3 points thereafter? We will see.
- I think that Jones and Martinez are cranking up to be stars on this defense. Looking forward to watching them develop. How long has it been when inside linebackers have had this much impact in a game?

0 points
0
0
HankScorpio's picture

September 25, 2017 at 08:58 am

" So is the defense the one that gave up 14 points on the first three drives or 3 points thereafter? We will see."

I think they will end up being both at various time. They won't be the complete liability they were last season but they won't remind anyone of the Steel Curtain either. At least that is my best hope---something around 10th in points/yards. Right now, they are 8th in yards and 19th in points--with 2 defensive scores in 3 games skewing the points ranking a bit. Take away one of the 2 defensive scored against and they are 12th in points allowed. Take away both and they are 9th.

FWIW, NE is last in points and yards through 3 weeks. So at least we don't have to hear about why they can't be more like NE.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

September 25, 2017 at 08:59 am

"- So is the defense the one that gave up 14 points on the first three drives or 3 points thereafter? We will see."

I think the defense will be closer to the latter. They have been put in some bad situations early in the year. And they are missing their best defensive player, probably best pass rusher.
They are still finding themselves and will have some rough patches. They have a lot of players they are introducing to the defense but I think by the end of the year this will be a top 15 and possibly top 10 defense.

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

September 25, 2017 at 11:27 am

No team has quality Back up tackles. It is hard to find OT and you need time to develop them.

Murphy is up and down. No surprise. It always like that with swing tackle. If that is so easy you would not get specialist like RT and LT. Well there was 5 sacks in the first half. And one in second. Obviously, Packers adapts and change something to improve protection.

If you know pro bowl caliber FA LT or RT free for signing for minimum salary please write here that name so that we can also knows who is available...

I read here that Packers will always bounced back after bad games. Why do you think other teams will not? Bengals are strong, well trained team with new OC and 10 days to prepare for Packers. Like James Jones said: "Other guys also get paid!"

0 points
0
0
HankScorpio's picture

September 25, 2017 at 11:55 am

Maybe Joe Thomas will sabotage his Browns career to come be a backup in GB for the vet minimum.

(That's a joke in case I didn't lay it on thick enough)

0 points
0
0
flackcatcher's picture

September 26, 2017 at 05:38 am

A man can dream....

0 points
0
0
fthisJack's picture

September 26, 2017 at 08:00 am

right on, Croat. some guys think you can just go to the tackle tree and pluck one that is better than your backup that won't cost you starting caliber salary.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

September 25, 2017 at 08:49 am

Great win!

This was a great team building moment. For the team to overcome the adversity that it had to in order to win, is something that the team can rally around.

My biggest take away from this game is that this will be a much better team once we get all our players back. Getting Daniels, Perry, Bakhtiari, Cobb all back will make a huge difference. Thats 2 pro bowlers and 2 very key players to our team that weren't playing yesterday.

My next take away. Josh freaking Jones!!! What a debut! 12 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. I just can't wait to see what he does when he has Daniels and Perry to play with. I also really like the 4 safety look they unveiled.
While Martinez played great, Burnett also played great, I still really would love to see Mathews and Jones as our 2 ILB's on pass downs.

Our offense will be much better when Bakhtiari can come back. His absence is really being felt.

Overall a great win! Wasn't pretty but it was a win. The 2nd half was so much better then the first half. They outscored the Bengals 20-3 in the 2nd half and OT.

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

September 25, 2017 at 11:28 am

That's right and good spirit!

0 points
0
0
PackEyedOptimist's picture

September 25, 2017 at 09:05 am

Honestly, it's amazing that we won, given that half of the starting defense was out (Daniels, Perry, House, Ryan, Brice), and the offense was missing its starting LT and slot receiver, plus played with injured star receiver and RT, and has its starting RB get injured during the game--half the starting offense. How many teams in the NFL can beat any other team with literally HALF of its starters out or playing injured, including 4 or 5 of its STARS?
I sure hope the team gets healthier by Thursday.

0 points
0
0
Handsback's picture

September 25, 2017 at 09:30 am

I agree PackeyedOptimist, they are very lucky. W/O a pretty big mistake between Dalton and Mixon, the outcome could have been very different. The Oline isn't opening any holes or doing an adequate job of pass protecting. Way too many busted assignments from the defense. Everyone on that roster should be assignment sure, if not...why be on the 46 man active roster.

0 points
0
0
NMPF's picture

September 25, 2017 at 10:04 am

Lets use basic math, 53 man roster, 7 doubtful(inactive). 53-7=46.

0 points
0
0
SpudRapids's picture

September 25, 2017 at 09:24 am

So I was at the game and it always gives you a different perspective. What I saw from being there is the injuries at offensive line are affecting the entire game. Rodgers is in another league when it comes to pocket prescense to the point where he masks the deficiency's of having both starting tackles out. On the same note he also had his head on a swivel trying to avoid getting sacked and it threw his rhythm off. Receivers were getting open but Rodgers very rarely had a clean pocket. Also, the run game wasn't their which allowed Cincy to tee off on the pash rush.

Most teams in this situation can't muster anything on offense with this type of O-line play yet Rodgers throws for 300+ and 3 TDs. Getting healthy will be the great equalizer and this team can be special if that happens.

0 points
0
0
lou's picture

September 25, 2017 at 10:31 am

Great observation Spud, a defense knowing you have to pass in that type of situation (and most of the game as well because the running game was not there) with two raw tackles and mostly empty backfield formations, no one but Rodgers could have won this one, absolutely no one else. Here are a couple of my observations;

With the number of "soft tissue" injuries AGAIN, when are we going to see someone in the training staff replaced, ala keeping Slocum for too many years.

The only time I saw HAHA was at the coin toss prior to overtime, was it performance or new assignments based on Jones and Evans starting ?

I watched Jared Cook with the Raiders last night, he moved like Megatron compared to Bennett and caught everything thrown his way. On the flip side Kendricks looks like the real deal an with just a few snaps Rich Rodgers has been productive.

I haven't seen a middle linebacker as aggressive as Martinez since Desmond Bishop, it was terrific to watch.

Josh Jones has no limits going forward.

Mathews without Perry (Perry gets the double team) again was ordinary, with Perry on the field he is a FACTOR.

To beat the Bears who have under rated offensive and defensive lines and a good running game they will need to have Daniels and Bahkt in the lineup (we can win with Murphy at RT).

Concerned about our running game, 3 yards a carry and 2 yard a catch for Monty will not work, I hope it is because of the 2 new tackles, if not one of the kids needs a chance to at least play enough snaps with Monty to get into a rhythm to see if Monty can share the job to the benefit of each other.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 26, 2017 at 02:13 am

J. Cook: 13 recs, 124 yds, 9.5 average.
Bennett: 11 recs, 102 yds, 9.3 average.

Bennett blocked and then ran routes into the flat. The all too predictable outcome was gaining just 12 yards on 3 receptions. Monty ran a ton of predictable routes into the flat, and caught 8 for just 15 yards and a miserable 1.88 yard average.

Having to chip and release hurts the offense. The two OTs are limiting the playbook. It is valuable experience for them. We will improve when Bakh and Bulaga return.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

September 25, 2017 at 01:32 pm

I was there with you Spud. I agree, the injuries at the T position were at critical point. And Bennett looks really slow and heavy.

0 points
0
0
cheesehead1's picture

September 25, 2017 at 09:35 am

Nice win and kudos to Josh Jones. Let's start getting healthy and go from there. Anyone know if NFL Network will replay this game? Go Pack.

0 points
0
0
Spock's picture

September 25, 2017 at 10:01 am

Cheesehead, It's not announced yet but the NFL network game of the week will be Tuesday night. You'll just have to keep checking the schedule to find out which team game that will be.

0 points
0
0
cheesehead1's picture

September 25, 2017 at 10:30 am

Thank you Spock, I forgot to record it.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

September 25, 2017 at 10:21 am

My takeaways are:
OL needs healthy players NOW.
Our DL is not very effective without Daniels
Finally Jones and King started and Jones was a huge factor in the game. King was schooled a bit by Green but he tackled well and held up very well against an all-pro receiver.
Brooks made some good plays as well
I'm beginning to have some hope that if this defense can get everyone healthy they can hold opponents to less than 24 points per game.
Hope that somehow we can get ready for Thursday.
Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
cheesehead1's picture

September 25, 2017 at 10:46 am

Agree. Haven't heard much on Perry's return. Will he be able to return soon with a cast? We need him and especially Daniels.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

September 25, 2017 at 12:24 pm

I'm OK with Brooks in there. Actually when Perry comes back I would put Perry and Brooks on the edge, move CM3 inside and pair him with Josh Jones. That puts 4 effective pass rushers on the field plus Jones can cover TEs and RBs if we want to use him in coverage. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 26, 2017 at 02:22 am

I like that, but it does take Martinez, who seems to be ascending, off the field. Brooks is a little older, and CM3 and Perry get injured. To address these issues, I could see a rotation between those three at OLB with CM3 getting some snaps at ILB. I am thinking that Brooks with 500 to 600 snaps, CM3 with 750 to 800 and Perry around 800 to 900 might be beneficial.

0 points
0
0
Qoojo's picture

September 25, 2017 at 10:29 am

Against an offense that had not scored a TD in the first 2 games (9 points total before the packers), the packers gave up 2 TDs on defense in the first half. Dalton had thrown 4 INTs. The packers D did get better in the second half, but Dalton missed some very easy throws that "good" QBs, the kind you find in the playoffs, will not miss.

So my takeaway from this game is that the defense, while it is improved this year, isn't good enough to get past the conference championship or the divisional round depending on the QB. Like every year, it's a matter of watching for improvement on defense, and hoping the offense can stay healthy. While I understand that there have been a lot of injuries, you just knew that Matthews and Perry wouldn't play that many games together given injury history. Daniels missing is the biggest loss for the defense.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

September 25, 2017 at 09:52 pm

"o my takeaway from this game is that the defense, while it is improved this year, isn't good enough to get past the conference championship or the divisional round depending on the QB."

It isn't right now, but thankfully they play those games in January and February.

If you'll recall, Atlanta's defense was pretty poor during the early stages of last season, too.

0 points
0
0
marpag1's picture

September 25, 2017 at 11:19 am

In a slightly wider focus, Week 3 shows that anyone can step up and win the Lombardi. New England looks very vulnerable, the Falcons almost choked in Detroit, the Steelers got beat by the Bears, the Seahawks lost to the Titans, the Redskins handled the Raiders easily and the Broncos lost to Buffalo.

What the hell is going on out there?!?!

And so it is clear that I don't know crap about anything.... except that whoever wants to step up and grab the trophy can probably do it.

0 points
0
0
WinUSA's picture

September 25, 2017 at 11:20 am

I've noticed that Randall can tackle.... a player that has stopped... given a fellow running full speed at him he constantly wiffs..... Martinez was an animal... loved to see King tested...will only build his confidence as he completes each game...come playoff time this guy with Jones are going to be difference makers...Francois who???? Loved the second half...there never was a time that I didn't think that we would come back...amazing victory considering the walking wounded..GO PACK!

0 points
0
0
CAG123's picture

September 25, 2017 at 11:33 am

I think from here on out Jones and King need to be on field we don't have time to be fiddling around with different players. I love Kentrell Brice the guy is a walking hit stick but he is a bit of a liability in coverage and you must ask yourself at 5-10 202 lbs would he have been able to make that 1st down saving tackle Jones made in OT? I'm thinking he might have been shrugged off. Also is anyone at least a bit bothered by how both Chicago and Detroit took the Falcons to the wire and both could have possibly won while the Packers were pretty much done before the half?

0 points
0
0
CAG123's picture

September 25, 2017 at 10:23 pm

That's lame they're bad calls in every game and to only depend on a team coming to Green Bay to win is silly as if they don't have 8 at home and 8 on the road. If you don't win on the road you can't get home field advantage

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

September 25, 2017 at 01:37 pm

King is for real. He needs to get better and he will get better. But for a rookie to get put on Green basically all day and not fall apart? That's a win.

Jones is for real. He is a weapon. He probably made some mistakes, including one that led to an easy TD. He needs to get better and he will get better. But for a rookie to go out there and put up the tackles, sacks and hits that he did was just amazing.

Murphy cannot play LT again this season. McCray cannot play RT again this season.

Kenny Clark is for real. He can do enough to hold this line together until Daniels gets back.

0 points
0
0
billybobton's picture

September 25, 2017 at 01:59 pm

Simple math should not be so difficult
Cincinnati Bungals scored 33 points in 3 games so outside the caper idiocy congratulations are being given for our D holding them to 3 point in the 2nd half

YET..... 33-24=9
9/2 = 4.5
4.5 per game is 2.25 per half

so as all the high 5 s and praise goes to capers but we gave up 30% more points in the second half than they average

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

September 25, 2017 at 09:55 pm

I don't think anyone here praised Capers on this thread.

0 points
0
0
LayingTheLawe's picture

September 25, 2017 at 10:26 pm

You can't make stats based on 2 games. I'll show you. Through two games the Packers had been outscored 43 - 40 so that's -1.5 points per game. So they won this game by 300 % more than their AVERAGE so far this season Wow remarkable. Sheesh.

0 points
0
0
Cartwright's picture

September 25, 2017 at 04:03 pm

I thought I was looking at Don Majkowski and the Cardiac Pack. They would get rolled on early then find a way to win at the end. Until the defense has a complete game. We may see a few more of these.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

September 25, 2017 at 10:34 pm

Takeaway: there are no style points in the NFL. Just Ws and Ls. Not what we expected to see from this team, yesterday, except for the result.

Just win, baby.

0 points
0
0
Patric Moncada's picture

September 26, 2017 at 01:36 am

Our starting defense, in Nickel, because it's what we play most, should be...

House/King outside CBs, Morgan Burnett Slot CB, Josh Jones ILB with Martinez or Clay per situation. HaHa/Brice up top, Dline rotating as it will.

Emphasis on MORGAN BURNETT NEEDS TO BE OUR STARTING SLOT "Star position" PLAYER... Not Randall.. not Rollins... not another CB... BURNETT.

0 points
0
0
flackcatcher's picture

September 26, 2017 at 06:11 am

It all depends if Brice is healthy. This nickel package has been the packers preferred defense since 2011. They never had a big FS-SS to play it full time. During the last 5 games of the 2016, the packers were forced to play 5 FS-SS. That, solidify their defense and helped make their run to the NFC title game last year. The key will be the health of the two backups. If Brice and Evans can play, then one of them will be in the slot in certain situations. I prefer Randall with his cover abilities, but the packers are not afraid to play 5 FS-SS on defense at all.

0 points
0
0
al bundy's picture

September 26, 2017 at 12:25 pm

Look, the game proved to me one thing I suspected for a long time: mike and dom play favorites to please the boss.
Jones and Kind were outstanding yet it took a bat on the head to get those two on the field in replace of Rollins and Randle, two previous favorites who have done diddly squat in three years.

Martinez, where did he come from. Oh, he got to show what he can do once Ryan was hurt.

Weve have some good players sitting on the bench while lesser guys got the nod because of making Ted happy not the fans.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

September 26, 2017 at 12:32 pm

I'm thinking Randall and Rollins are off the field for performance reasons, not to please TT by playing rookies. Just my opinion of course.

0 points
0
0
cheesycowboy's picture

September 26, 2017 at 02:53 pm

Brett Goode was my unsung Hero.
Probably a loss if Richard Rodgers was our long snapper for the game,

0 points
0
0