“Considering the offense punted the ball six times in a row, putting the defense on the field for nearly the entire second half, Green Bay's defenders played pretty darn well. “

No truer statement....the D is improving at just the right time!

I would also give some props to the D-line as they were stout most of the game against the run and were able to keep Martin and Barnes clean to penetrate and pursue. How often have we been able to say that the last few years? The combination of Keke starting and Lancaster giving Clark a breather at NT along with Barnes and Martin at ILB give me some hope against Derrick Henry next week.

I totally agree about the lateral passing game its been on tape for a while and no longer works. Running Jones way too much. If Dillon is not practicing much he cant play even though healthy. Last, its ok for the d backs to play when said d back have closing speed. Ours dont. By the time they cover the distance needed the receiver has already caught the ball and is heading up field. Poor drafting.

Game ball to the first half defense lead by Amos and Barnes in the first half. Martin played well but out of control a bit, over running plays in the backfield. Also to the Special Teams coverage improvements. First half offensive play calling with deep safeties opening up the run game. Crosby!
Lame calls to the second half adjustments that put Kirksey on the field. Also to the NFL network and poor reporting. Either I missed it or it wasn't reported that Williams was injured. Was Big Dog injured putting Dafney in his roll on the field? Too many dropped passes that hit receivers in the hands, not fingertips. The second half conservative offense that seemed to try to protect a lead and resulted in guards on their backs or looking down at Rodgers on his.

Game balls; Crosby, Jones, Amos.
Lame calls; Offensive line, NFL network for poor production and camera work.

this reminded me of the game vs Washington last year on Dec 8. Pretty poor performance against a team everyone thought we would pummel. I recall having the same disgust during that 20 -15 win. We won the rest of the regular season, so...... I took some antacid and went to bed and feel better about it this morning. Don't know if home field is going to be much of an advantage this year.

What was Barnes injury?? Why was he missing almost the entire 2nd half. TOTALLY different defense with Martin and Barnes in. That first half was hands down the most fun ive had watching a Packers defense since 2014. They are our only chance at getting Henry to ground before he gets goin. Kirksey cant do it. Hes the weak link when hes in. And its clear as day

Lazard did not have a good night. He looks rusty. Terrible drop that killed the drive before half time.

LaFleur had a worse night. He has a pattern in games where Rodgers is pressured of going into a bunker from a play calling perspective. This was the 49ers last year, Tampa, Colts and Vikings second game again. Same failure to change things up and sane reversion to a minimalist conservative play set and abandonment of the run. He simply can’t adjust and seems unable to punch back tactically in game. If his plans are stymied he’s starting to look like he can not change. More worryingly, he seems to have no answer to pressure after a year or more.

Maybe I'm missing something as far as the defense being said to have a good game.
It seems our defense still gave up long drives by not making stops on third downs.
It seems our defense still is likely to be in big trouble against playoff teams.
I'm truly glad to read comments about why fans think the defense played all that much better than usual.

Very Lame Calls: Game was broadcast on Fox only in Green Bay and Milwaukee. The rest of the state needed NFL Network. The Wausau Fox affiliate says the NFL didn't allow them to broadcast the game. The NFL owns the NFL Network.

Game balls to Crosby,Amos,and Jones.
Lame call - is it just a coincidence or does it seem like whenever a player on defense makes a play or does well, they are immediately replaced? Play calling in 2nd half is the definition of lame.
One more note- I don’t think the defense are world batters, but they don’t such as much now as they used to. Packers have to make better halftime adjustments

Spot on article Ken!!

The lateral throws for Davante should be thrown out of the playbook. On at least two occasions I can remember Rodgers tossed to Adams there were ZERO blockers assigned to the formation. It was poorly designed to say the least.

"Constant Horizontal Throws to Davante"

^^^ This ^^^^

That play has become so predictable that a half drunk fan sitting on his couch (me) can identify it when he sees a bunch formation with Davante slightly off the LOS. Especially on 3rd and 3-6 (ish). Its maddening and so unbelievably predictable. Stop it. Doesn't work. Only allows opposing D's to tee off on GB's #1 WR.

Short yardage - when ARod got pulled down was just about when the O went south. Possibly the drop by Lazard at the end of the half and Adams at the begiinning of the second also had something to do with it.

There's going to be a wide-open deep TD shot to Davante Adams streaking down the sideline next week.

It will come off of a play designed to show run (hopefully drawing up the safety a bit), with Adams looking at the QB from the LOS while the DB shows off coverage. Rodgers will immediately pump fake to Davante as though it's that quick hitter he usually takes when the DB gives a big cushion to Davante on the perimeter. Adams will work his footwork magic and play matador to the incoming DB attempting to Tee off on him, and sprint past him down the sideline for the reception.

Jones wasn't getting big runs in the second half , but he was grinding out 3-4 yds , so give it to him again and setup a third and short situation. Too many pass plays allows the D to just tee off on the QB.

Not exactly a lame call on AR, but those last 2 sacks had me yelling for him to get rid of the ball. Thankfully Crosby picked him up. Game ball to him.

The Packers O line was getting g pushed around, can't have Patrick and Wagner in together, Runyan should have been in. The O line was a big contributor to the poor performance in the second half.

Game balls: The first offensive drive was a thing of beauty; Amos and the rest of the secondary with some of those athletic pass breakups; Barnes; I thought the defense played with a lot energy most of the game; Scott: a solid good punt at the end of the game from deep in our own end--very helpful.

Lame calls: The last two plays of our last offensive series: the second down rushing attempt couldn't have been any more predictable, and then, did no one see Burns on the following play? Also, as has happened a couple times previously, this offense can't seem to get up off the mat when adversity strikes; MLF must recognize the problem and come up with solutions the next time around.

Overall, I was pleased that our defense kept us hanging in there and was able to close the deal.

https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/draft/brian-burns-rashan-gary.php

Really only signed up to say that this is a extremely depressing fan sight with "so called football fans" who have nothing better to do than complain . reading the comments are comical Lame Call Rick Wagner what a terrible obbservation he played well .. Go ahead Kevin King , Lucas Patrick had bad games ok.. This team is 11-3 controls thier own destiny and you arm chair GM's complain week in and week out ..

You want the true Lame Call "Lafluer and Rodgers trying to Pad MVP Numbers almost cost them a game"

Same complaints every dang day on here . Please do the rest of are Packer Brothers and Sisters don't leave this site none of us want your negativity ..

Very Sad keyboard warriors on this site and that's to bad because the people who run this site are actually very knowledgable . But the Arm chair quarterbacks on here are pathetic

Game Ball: Rodgers, Jones, Amos and Barnes
Lame Call: Only giving Dillon one carry which went for 19 yards and then he was never seen again. I just don’t understand how this team uses their players.
Lame call: Lucas Patrick allowed 3 sacks and maybe another that I missed.
Too many sideway passes to Adams!?!?!

A win is a win! Bring on the Titans. Thanks, Since ‘61

Is it just me, or is anyone else getting the feeling that this coaching staff is not making good half time adjustments, and is not anticipating or countering the half time adjustments of opposing staffs?

Game ball: Amos, Barnes, Jones, Crosby

Lame: Patrick overmatched and not replacing him. Not using Dillon more often....AGAIN.

Kudos to Defense outplaying Panthers Offense. I have seen an awful lot of half games by our offense. This looks like a full game for the "D". I saw a lot of balls tipped out of WR's hands and good heads up plays by our young ILB's. I also like the DL in 4-5 man fronts and 2-ILB sets. The Panthers play everyone pretty hard especially when it's left close. There is a lot of plus things our Defense will be able to take away from this game including playing tough in the red zone. ML needs to stay with the run and if it takes getting Dillon involved so be it. I think since Patrick was getting steam rolled Rodgers was all jittery like the Bucs game and ML failed to call plays to get the offense going again. We have been here before. I hope he figures it out soon.

Just wonder what happened to our motion on offense. The second half was looking like an MM offense in which we just line up and “ win your one on ones” , how does that put the defense on their heels? We ran the ball so well in the first half but seemed intent on throwing passes around the line of scrimmage in the second. At times Rodgers seems to only look Adams way which isn’t taking what the defense gives you. But the Chiefs and Saints just verily beat the Panthers so they are an ascending team who play hard and are well coached so I’m just happy for the win.

What was the point spread between the Packers and Panthers 8 1/2. Funny how that works out Packers 24-16. Hmmmmm Nah...!!!!!

Aaron said it live but I said it will before he did, "we will not beat anyone in the playoffs playing like we played." We better discover how to close teams out or we will be home early. I need to see more AJ Dillon, I mean this is the time of year to be running him.

Since I'm a day late to this, I will keep this short and sweet.

Game Balls:
-Krys Barnes
-Crosby

Lame Calls:
-Kevin King
-Lucas Patrick

Notes:

Barnes was really, really good until he sustained the eye injury. It seems like the point when he went out the defense wasn't as good.

Why is King playing over Jackson? Yeah, Jackson may not be great, but man at least he actually tries to tackle people. King did not have a good showing.

Patrick was not good on Saturday night.

A win is a win but they won’t get far playing this way in the playoffs.

All I want for Christmas is a defender that can tackle.

11-3 #1 seed -
Undrafted free agents making a difference- G.M. recognition.
Amos was phenomenal!
Crosby clutch
Kevin King looked like he had somewhere else to be.

The Packers had a plan, and they executed it brilliantly!

- Start out fast and put up big points - 21 - while holding the Panthers to 3
- Move into vanilla offense mode - do not put much on tape that stronger opponents can use. Pre-snap motion all but disappeared. Play of the day was "lateral pass to Adams"
- Defense showed up and kept the Panthers in check. Remember, they gave up just 16 points. And no garbage time points either, which some critics were very harsh about.
- When Panthers came close, offense showed their hand just enough to win comfortably.

When the Packers blast the better opponents, critics will understand why Matt Lafleur did what he did. If the Packers had not taken their foot off the gas, yes, they would have put up big points; but then the defense would have allowed garbage points, and then we would have been even madder.

All-in-all, an excellent weekend for the Packers. All alone at 11-3.

I've noticed a trend. When ever Rodgers start's drinking the Kool aide he has a below average game. Made a statement, Para phrasing, My down year is better than a lot of other QB's career year, then laid an egg in Tampa. Then campaigning for MVP and plays way below his standard against the Panthers. This also negatively feeds the rest of the offense because they see their leader bragging and basking in the spot light and the probably relax a little. Rogers don't take the cheese and get caught in this trap any more, please you should know better.

Is home field advantage at Lambeau really that much of an advantage without a full house of fans making noise? It’ll be cold vs. playing in a dome, but it’s not like the majority of Packers grew up playing in these conditions. It seems like Rodgers and the receivers historically play better indoors anyway - like beating the Saints in their stadium while playing poorly on grass in Tampa or the terrible games at the 49ers last year. On top of that, the Packers have, over the past few years, played poorly after a bye week with no apparent help from the extra time off. They come out sloppy and unprepared.
The only advantage I can see is a pass through the first week of the playoffs and not having to travel. And let’s be truthful, they’re more likely to win that first game against a lesser team and stay sharp vs. getting soft (as they have done) during a bye and then playing in possible frigid temperatures outside. I know it sounds blasphemous, but I remember when Vick and the Falcons destroyed Favre at home in the playoffs, despite being a team from the south and playing in the snow with the Packers having never lost a home playoff game? Then, later, it was the Giants who won with a field goal in a freezing snow storm and went on to the Super Bowl. So... I don’t see the weather being some mystical advantage.

Here's a lame call- Everybody probably forgot it because we're so used to it. Third play of the game, GB has Carolina in third down. But the defense is already totally disorganized, and Uncle Fester is forced to call a timeout. I don't even remember what happened on the ensuing play, but c'mon, three plays into the game and you're already in panic mode?