Packers Top Jets 44-38 in Overtime for First Road Win of the Season
The Green Bay Packers (6-8-1, 1-3-1 NFC North) picked up their first road win of the season Sunday with a 44-38 overtime win over the New York Jets (4-11, 1-4 AFC East).
The Green Bay Packers (6-8-1, 1-3-1 NFC North) picked up their first road win of the season Sunday with a 44-38 overtime win over the New York Jets (4-11, 1-4 AFC East).
Down 15 at one point in the second half, the Packers stormed back to take the lead in the fourth quarter with quarterback Aaron Rodgers leading the way. The veteran quarterback went 37/55 for 442 yards, threw two touchdowns, rushed for two touchdowns, and converted a two-point conversion according to ESPN stats. It was just the second time in Rodgers’ career that he rushed for two touchdowns in a single game and his 37 completions were the highest he has posted all season.
In a game where some were skeptical about Rodgers playing, he surely delivered.
“I’m a competitor. 20 years from now, I don’t want to look back and know I quit on my teammates, I want them to know that in a game that didn’t mean a whole lot, down 14 multiple times in this game, that I was out there leading them,” Rodgers said after the game to FOX sideline reporter Kristina Pink. “I never lost faith, and we did it together. That’s what I’ll take a lot of pride in down the road when I think back about this season, is a game like tonight.”
What we learned: The Packers can win a game on the road
If the Packers would have lost Sunday, it would have been the first time since 1958 that they lost every single game on the road. Luckily, that was not the case and Green Bay was able to fight back and win their only road game of the season.
Something that should not go unnoticed was the fact that the veterans on this team propelled the team to this win. They may have not been the ones making every single play, but their tenacity and their ability to battle back is what ultimately allowed them to win the game.
While Rodgers playing extremely beat up may not have been a choice people were fond of, he was the catalyst to the comeback.
“I’m really proud of the fight of the team today,” interim head coach Joe Philbin said at the post-game presser. “It certainly was not a perfect football game by any stretch of the imagination, but you know again, the battle back from 15 points down in the second half, the second to last week of the season, to get our first road win. I think it speaks a lot about the character of the guys and they never stopped believing that they could get the job done and we made enough plays and found a way to win a game.”
What went right: Jamaal Williams
For most of this season it has been the Aaron Jones show when it comes to running backs on the Packers, but Jamaal Williams has stepped up tremendously the last few weeks after Jones’ season ended with a knee injury. Williams continued to play well Sunday and according to ESPN stats had 15 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown. He also had 6 receptions for 61 yards.
Williams’ touchdown was the result of an exceptional second effort play as he kept himself up with one hand and was able to sneak into the end zone for the score.
MAXIMUM EFFORT. pic.twitter.com/c2XSS2Er97
— Zachary Jacobson (@ZachAJacobson) December 23, 2018
Multiple times throughout the game he rushed for key first downs, and his 26-yard run in the 4th quarter set the Packers up for the touchdown that gave them their first lead of the game.
What went wrong: Special teams
For yet another week, Ron Zook and the special teams unit put on an utterly poor performance. In the second quarter, they allowed a 99-yard kickoff return immediately after wide receiver Jake Kumerow had just found the end zone for his first career touchdown to cut the lead in half. Then, Tramon Williams fumbled. Next, it was J’Mon Moore who lost the ball and fumbled. To make matters worse, they even allowed a fake punt to be converted after a crucial third down stop in the fourth quarter. On the Jet’s final drive in regulation, they also allowed a monster return to set them up for their game-tying field goal.
I will be shocked if Ron Zook is still on this staff next season, but whoever takes over in his position will have some serious cleaning up to do.
Offensive Player of the Game: Aaron Rodgers
Yes, it was a game that did not matter, but that does not take away from the spectacular performance that Aaron Rodgers had.
As if his stat line was not impressive enough, he also found his favorite target in wide receiver Davante Adams for the walk-off win. The 16-yard pass solidified the comeback that was led by 12 and capped off his monster performance on the road.
Aaron Rodgers drops the mic and the #Packers get the walk-off win!pic.twitter.com/6j3WYWfXkW
— Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) December 23, 2018
Philbin was nothing short of impressed with the way his quarterback performed Sunday at the post-game press conference:
“I thought he made great decisions, handled the two-minute situations extremely well. I thought he played a really fine football game.”
Defensive Player of the Game: Tony Brown
One takeaway from Sunday’s game was that cornerback Tony Brown may be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come for Green Bay. His performance did not go unrecognized and according to ESPN stats he had 6 tackles, all of which were solo, 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 pass deflection.
Looking to the future with Kevin King and Jaire Alexander, the addition of Tony Brown to the Packers’ coverage could be a scary site if their key playmakers can remain healthy for the seasons to come.
Up next, the Packers close their season with a visit from the Detroit Lions, next Sunday December 30th, at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is set for 1 PM EST.
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__________________________
Sarah Kelliher is a contributor for CheeseheadTV and a podcaster with Pack-A-Day Podcast. She can be found via Twitter @sarahkelliher4.
Comments (66)
Lare
December 23, 2018 at 05:30 pm
Yes I agree, this was a great win for the Packers that was much needed at this stage of their season. Also may quiet down the Rodgers haters for a day or two.
If Zook isn't fired by tomorrow it'll be a huge fail for Packers management. All year long they've released players and coaches in order to set an example of accountability, it's well past time that Zook is held to that same standard.
Also good to see Tony Brown consistently be available and grow as a player, If King & Alexander continue to miss games due to injury, they both may find out they're expendible with adequate replacements waiting in the wings.
Good win for the Packers as a Christmas present to all us Packers fans.
splitpea1
December 23, 2018 at 06:11 pm
I think "Zook" is a figment of everyone's imagination because there is no special teams coaching going here whatsoever. What a disaster! You'd think they could at least settle on a regular KR, preferably one that doesn't have a penchant for screwing up.
Point-Packer
December 23, 2018 at 06:27 pm
"Ron Zook should be fired then re-hired so they can fire him again. " - Aaron Nagler
That quote from Gut Reactions made me LMAO. Remember who hired and retained Zook? None other than Mike McCarthy.
KenEllis
December 23, 2018 at 07:07 pm
Didn't Mike McCarthy also hire Zooky's predecessor Slocum?
And didn't McCarthy also fire Slocum right after the special teams disaster in Seattle in the 2014 NFC Championship game?
Maybe McCarthy bears some responsibility for the Packers poor special teams play the past 10 years?
Point-Packer
December 23, 2018 at 09:06 pm
Uh, yeah. Slocum and Zook have captained a couple Special Teams boats that have sunk more than they have floated. Both hired by Mike MCarthy. Both were retained far longer than they should have based on their unit's performance.
Slim11
December 23, 2018 at 11:05 pm
Loyalty to his assistant coaches is something MM was known for. It didn't matter if the assistants stunk up the place. If they were MM's buddies they were set for a long time.
GVPacker
December 24, 2018 at 06:54 am
Add Dom Capers to that list!
HankScorpio
December 24, 2018 at 07:05 am
Watching the game yesterday, I'm putting James Campen on the list, too. The o-line has had its ups and down since he took over. I think this year's o-line is the worst they have had dating back to 2006 when Adrian Klemm and Will Whitticker were the starting OGs.
dobber
December 24, 2018 at 11:59 am
See, I think Campen hasn't been pretty decent. He's had very little high-end talent to work with and has turned out the Langs, Sittons, Linsleys, and Bakhtiairis we've seen in recent years, and took a UDFA like Taylor and has helped turn him into an at-least average LG. Spriggs could be the counter-argument, but otherwise Campen hasn't been bad.
HankScorpio
December 24, 2018 at 06:28 pm
We'll have to agree to disagree on that. With 5 OL on the field for every play of every game, an OL coach with 11 years on the job needs more success stories to tell. They don't have to be huge stories, like Bakh or Sitton. Short stories like JC Tretter or Taylor is fine. But a lot more of them.
Packers0808
December 23, 2018 at 09:18 pm
Well then on the other hand then shouldn't McCarthy then be given credit for he also hired Pettine!
Demon
December 24, 2018 at 07:18 am
MM is gone! Maybe now you can pry your lips off his rear end.
As for the Pettine hire, even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then.
KenEllis
December 23, 2018 at 05:33 pm
"Yes, it was a game that did not matter ..."
Should have stopped right there unless you wanted to point out that the Pack will no longer be picking in the top 10 of the draft.
Meaningless game against a terrible team.
splitpea1
December 23, 2018 at 05:53 pm
I'm sure there will be plenty of players who can help the Packers from the 11th pick on. I'll take the win.
Coldworld
December 23, 2018 at 06:25 pm
We have lost meaningful games against worse teams this season. In this case, it was the fight that was heartening more than anything in my opinion.
NickPerry
December 23, 2018 at 05:42 pm
Ron Zook should be left in New York. HOW is this guy still a coach in the NFL.
Rodgers was brilliant most of the game and put this team squarely on his shoulders.
You can't blame the defense one bit today. They were missing their WHOLE starting D-Line from week one. BOTH starting CB's, actually top 3 since T Will is playing Safety. The starting Safety AND starting OLB plus top reserves. I'm wondering how they get a 3 and out anymore.
Lucas Patrick played a good game...Bulaga didn't.
I've been hard on my favorite team this year but today I saw greatness in my starting QB again. I may not have agreed with the decision for him to play but he showed me a lot today.
EDIT...And I don't give a damn it was against the J-E-T-S so R-E-L-A-X!
SoCalJim
December 23, 2018 at 08:46 pm
Pettine’s doing so much with so very little, it’s hard to imagine what he could do with most of his preferred starters for the whole season.
dobber
December 23, 2018 at 08:49 pm
Maybe force some turnovers?
HankScorpio
December 24, 2018 at 07:14 am
They have been horrible at forcing turnovers all year.
KingPacker
December 23, 2018 at 05:58 pm
Zook is horrible. Special-teams has caused us to lose so many important games and they’ve been constantly trying to give games away for years. This is so unacceptable and it’s been going on for way too long. Fire the bum and find a capable replacement. We cannot win a championship with this guy.
Point-Packer
December 23, 2018 at 09:07 pm
Too bad the highly successful football coach couldn't figure that out.
Packers0808
December 23, 2018 at 09:21 pm
But he figured out to hire Pettine. Nobody is always perfect!
4thand10
December 24, 2018 at 09:12 am
I think The Gute had more to do with hiring Pettine.
egbertsouse
December 23, 2018 at 06:02 pm
Today, the best Packer players wore striped shirts.
Coldworld
December 23, 2018 at 06:28 pm
Payback for the rest of the season? The Jets were the most penalized team in the league going into the game, and they demonstrated why today.
NickPerry
December 23, 2018 at 06:29 pm
Good point...
Kb999
December 23, 2018 at 06:20 pm
Any win is a great win. But let's put things in perspective. They beat the JETS. I think the JETS beat themselves something like 18 penalties. This game should not have been that close.
4thand10
December 24, 2018 at 09:13 am
But the Jets have had really high draft picks....
Lphill
December 23, 2018 at 06:51 pm
The jets have a good defense and a good young QB and 100 million in cap space for next year. It’s a good win , Rodgers should play the first series next week and call it a day, let Kizer and the young players finish it out, thanks Aaron you have played through injuries and given your best , just come back healthy next season.
Ferrari Driver
December 24, 2018 at 03:17 am
Good defense?
Do you realize the Packers scored over 40 points on them today?
EddieLeeIvory
December 23, 2018 at 07:04 pm
LOL at labeling Kevin Queen & Tony Brown as a "scary sight".
Even Jaire Alexander pulled out early today with a soft tissue issue.
We are the whimpiest team year after year. It's uncanny.
dobber
December 23, 2018 at 07:57 pm
I sense irony in a poster with the screen name Eddie Lee Ivery criticizing players for availability.
MikeDV34
December 23, 2018 at 09:51 pm
Kevin Queen? How about taking your homophobic comments elsewhere? Do better.
NashvilleCheesehead
December 23, 2018 at 07:07 pm
So glad AR played. What a fun football game.
HankScorpio
December 23, 2018 at 08:44 pm
It sure was fun. I'm bracing for a return to the pre-Favre days for Packer QBs. I know we're going to have to pay a heavy price to the football gods for getting Favre and Rodgers back to back. That is enough for me to want to see Rodgers any chance I can. I'd like to get well hydrated before we get to the desert.
EddieLeeIvory
December 23, 2018 at 07:10 pm
Oh look, the Saints win again, have cakewalk to Super Bowl with all games in their dome til the Super Bowl, which is also in a dome.
That premium pick is now essentially a 2nd rounder now.... Saints had a horseshoe up their arse all year long, beginning in week 2 when the opponent missed 3 easy FGs in a dome to give Saints a win. They should have been 0-2.
And do Brees or Kamara or Michael Thomas ever get hurt? Marshon Lattimore or Cameron Jordan? Amazingly lucky health for all their stars.
Lphill
December 23, 2018 at 07:51 pm
Eddie it’s time for bed, please stick to your Viking sites.
dobber
December 23, 2018 at 07:58 pm
No. It's not.
No second round pick carries a 5th year option...which is a valuable tool.
JonathanSpader
December 24, 2018 at 04:43 am
2nd round picks also don't cost the same as 1st round picks. The 5th year option hasn't been valuable for TT we used it on HHCD who was traded. Hopefully it becomes more valuable with Hute drafting. I fully expect the Packers to use it on Clark.
Thegreatreynoldo
December 24, 2018 at 05:36 am
32: $9.47M/$7.575M guaranteed
33: $7.52M/$5.678M guaranteed
So there is a difference, about $500K per year, both total and guaranteed, roughly. The fifth year option for a DT like Clark would have been $7.1M in 2018. He's probably worth today $11.5M or $12M AAV (best comparable is Goldman, who just got $10.5M AAV). Clark won't reach his 5th year until 2020 so that number will go up, but so will what late first round picks are getting. So, $2M up front for a possible $5M savings in year 5 and getting control for an extra year.
70% of all first round picks from 2011 to 2014 inclusive had their fifth year option picked up (GB 1 of 4). I'd guess the top half is higher than 70% and the bottom is lower. For just 2015, 12 of the first 16 picks were exercised (#3 Fowler, #7 Kevin White-injury, #9 Ereck Flowers and #12 Danny Shelton were declined). 8 of the 16 picks from number 17 to 32nd were declined.
TommyG
December 23, 2018 at 07:13 pm
A look at the stats show our Packers as being 10th in offense (15th in gaining 1st downs) and 15th in defense. A win against the Lions puts the Pack at .500... a middle of the road team with a middle of the road record. That isn't good, but it really isnt that bad either. I think that the ability to hang 40+ points on any team is a good sign that perhaps this team isn't too far from greatness on offense. I think the same goes for the defense. Pettine showed that some personnel shortages can at least be mitigated, while bad tackling showed that we do need some help on that side of the ball. Fix the O-line and add some playmakers to the D and I believe this team is a contender. AR even spoke to the coach today! Things are good in Packer Land!
ollie418
December 23, 2018 at 07:25 pm
The Packers are 6-8-1 how does a win against the Lions put them at .500? Is that special math or something?
dobber
December 23, 2018 at 07:59 pm
Ummmm...they only LOST half their games?
kevgk
December 23, 2018 at 09:31 pm
if you count their rightful victory week 2, theyd be 8-8
ollie418
December 23, 2018 at 07:26 pm
Packers can't do anything right. Lose to get a better draft position. Stupid!
stockholder
December 23, 2018 at 09:22 pm
You didn't deserve 7+ dislikes. You understand the draft.
MikeDV34
December 23, 2018 at 09:53 pm
You're a really good fan.
4thand1
December 23, 2018 at 07:34 pm
The best part about this win is the quality playing time of ESB, MVS, and Kumero. It will pay dividends down the road. Would like to see Tonyan get some looks too. Zook is gone, ST's suck so bad.
PAPackerbacker
December 23, 2018 at 07:48 pm
It was refreshing to see the young receivers be a big part of the victory and see Rodgers build some confidence and chemistry with these receivers. This is why I supported the fact of Rodgers playing out the season. Rodgers needs to build a repertoire with these young and talented receivers. Now to take those experiences and build on it for the last game of the season and into 2019 and beyond. But one thing is for certain for next season, Zook has to be gone. The special teams play was absolutely horrendous.
CAG123
December 23, 2018 at 08:18 pm
Imagine being upset that players actually went out there and did job?! Like Whoooooooaaaaa mind freak! Even though I knew this game was meaningless I still found myself glued to the ESPN app and following it and then turned to Fox to watch the rest call me a kooky fan but I actually like to see my team you know.....win games. High draft picks are great and all but they aren’t set in stone if that were the case Ryan Leaf should be the GOAT and Brady should be selling door to door insurance. It all comes down to the player and the right system at the end of the day Goff being a great example of that. Now hoping to not get broomed by the Lions? GPG
Irish_Cheesehead
December 23, 2018 at 08:28 pm
Great win for the Pack!! Sad to see fans rooting for a loss just for a higher draft pick. Feels like I'm reading comments from a bunch of Lions fans!
stockholder
December 23, 2018 at 09:07 pm
I won money on the game. I knew they screw up a Higher pick. It's easy to see you don't understand the draft. The formula for trading picks says it all. The picks it takes to get a guy you want, costs more. The trading away of talent to get extra picks is in play. So this one win cost the packers more than a pat on the back. Try a first and second pick to move back up to 10. Many draft Gurus understand it's more than just a win. It's the loss of time it takes to win, " it all. " A tie would have been better. If you think this win was for the fans, forget it. It was nothing more than beating a poor Jets team. You must understand that the formula is to help the teams with less talent. But the packers just may have costs themselves a future all -pro or two. And being Arron Rodgers is such a china doll in his older age. It brings into focus the fans that want a better team. Than a one and your done.
CAG123
December 23, 2018 at 09:27 pm
Yeah all those top 5 picks the Browns got really paid off that team is stacked with future all pro talent.....oh wait they didn’t really strike gold until they picked Garret.....welp there goes your theory back to the drawing board I suppose
stockholder
December 23, 2018 at 09:37 pm
To gag and you . The problem was the GM. How many times have they changed the front office? It could happen in Green Bay too. We have a long history in-between super-bowls fellas. And yes I'm a fan that wants a better team. Not turmoil.
CAG123
December 23, 2018 at 10:18 pm
Well if it could happen in GB then why does it even matter where they draft? Because it really all comes down to chance let’s say they get the player you want with a high pick we’ll use Josh Allen as an example and he ends up a bust after 2 years and let’s say Montez Sweat drops down to 33 and becomes a DROTY and a pro bowler with another team all you’re going to say then is that they wasted a pick on Allen and should have drafted Sweat. I like to see my team win I don’t know about some of you guys.
FAN24583
December 23, 2018 at 09:31 pm
Stockholder- Did you root for the lions today? Sell your stock.
Buckywunder
December 24, 2018 at 07:37 am
“I know better than you” isn’t very conducive to productive conversation at a sports fan site. You may know more than some and much less than others.
Make your point, move on and let the chips fall where they may...
Rick1
December 23, 2018 at 09:10 pm
Glad to see the packers win and Rodgers played hurt and got into it with Williams and showed that he cared. The team settled in and battle til the end. They have been a play here and there from putting it together. They haven’t played a full four quarters but maybe this game and how it finished will carry over for next year.
Bure9620
December 23, 2018 at 09:14 pm
My unsung player was Montravius Adams. He was disruptive and had some penetration through the interior, he was solid, couple good run stops.
PatrickGB
December 23, 2018 at 09:21 pm
Oh, and the draft possibilities is such a certain thing? If a player is not in the top 10, then he is not any good? Good GMs draft well and crappy GMs don’t. Look at the many teams who draft in the top 10 year after year, how did that work out?
stockholder
December 23, 2018 at 09:31 pm
That includes TT for the last 7 and Gute's 1. Right? It was a GREAAAAT win for Arron Rodgers and his fans. He played awesome against lesser talent. I Understand you don't want to draft in the top 10. But with a new coach and the uncertainlty with this club the last two years. You are going to suffer big time if Arron Rodgers goes down.
Packers0808
December 23, 2018 at 09:27 pm
No matter what the ST and Zook do it is just a disaster! If Zook is here tomorrow it has to be only one reason, one game left!
AgrippaLII
December 23, 2018 at 10:27 pm
Only one more game and it's goodbye Zook!!!
Ferrari Driver
December 24, 2018 at 03:23 am
Hated to see the Ravens win today. I think Harbaugh could bring a wealth of experience and discipline to the Packers if we had him. For certain, I would expect significant improvement in the special teams play. On the downside, we would have to land a decent offensive coordinator and since Harbaugh has been a very good defensive coach, he may want a different defensive coordinator and I do like what I see in Pettine.
However, it looks like pie in the sky now, and I think Harbaugh will get a contract extension from the Ravens.
rstain99
December 24, 2018 at 07:50 am
I get to see a lot of Steelers games, TJ Watt would have been something in Green and Gold. Sorry TT you really screwed the pooch on that one. Give Pettine some players to coordinate and I think they have a top ten defense next season bring back some of the softies and they will be playing with mostly arena football players by Halloween. Time to eat the Wheaties in the off season and grow some toughness. Great pickup of Tramon Williams you are on my squad anytime I like Breeland as well plays with an edge. Tony Brown plays hard, please Jaire do not hang around with King this spring, remember TT saying I like King's his length at draft day.
I think they owe him half his contract 16 games two seasons, great pick
4thand10
December 24, 2018 at 09:19 am
Stealers aren’t going to a Super Bowl either this year.The difference makers made no difference there either.