12-0
Overview:
-18 Weeks (including the 2010 playoffs) and 18 straight wins, that is just how amazing the Green Bay Packers have been in the past year. IN that 18 game span Aaron Rodgers has thrown a whopping 51 TD Passes to only 8 INT's. Greg Jennings has been Rodgers favorite target, but ever since the Super Bowl Jordy Nelson has stepped up with 57 Catches for 1,016 yards and 10 TD's. As for Sundays game against the Giants, we saw what Rodgers could do in crunch time. After the defense gave up a TD and 2 Point Conversion. Then with 58 seconds left on his own 20, Rodgers took the team down the field and set up a 31 Yard Game Winning FG by Mason Crosby. It was a very close game, but when it comes down to the final result, they got the W, and that's all that matters.
Breakdown:
Offense: It was a shoot out between the Giants and the Packers, and Aaron Rodgers once again came out on top. Rodgers passed for 369 Yards and 4 TD's, but he also threw an INT inside their own 20 that resulted in a Giants TD. As for the running offense, well it wasn't looked to very often, but when the ball was handed off not much was done with it. Ryan Grant carried it 13 times for 29 yards, and the real story was undrafted rookie Brandon Saine carried it 6 times for 16 yards and catching it out of the backfield 4 times for 29 yards. The young RB was recently added off the Packers Practice Squad, drawing praise from Coach Mike McCarthy, and QB Aaron Rodgers who said Saine, may have the best hands on the team. If Brandon Saine can step up more in the running game and improve as a blocker, that will just give Aaron Rodgers another new target to throw to.
Fans Opinion: "I was amazed with the performance of Aaron Rodgers on Sunday. The Giants had minimal success on defense early on, the Packers D was putting pressure on Aaron to perform and boy did he ever! He had two huge 4th quarter drives leading us to the win. Aarons the best player in football and I think that was displayed on Sunday" (@packFANattic)
Grade: A-
Defense: In the past 4 games the Packers Defense has been up and down, from very bad to impressive in a matter 0f 7 days. It started in Week 11 against Tampa when Josh Freeman had a career day and LeGarette Blount broke a big time TD run. The next week they limited the Lions all game and managed to force 3 Matthew Stafford INT's, this week however was a different story. They were picked apart by Eli Manning who threw for 375 Yards and 3 TD's with only 1 INT, and on the ground Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combined for 97 yards on 19 Carries (5.1 YPC). They only forced 2 turnovers, and nearly cost the Packers the game after letting the Giants march down the field to tie the game. Granted they were without Starting MLB's A.J Hawk and Desmond Bishop, but there is no excuse for giving up 35 points. A bad day for the Packers defense, but fortunately they were bailed out by Aaron Rodgers.
Fans Opinion:"The defense is how we won the game, especially because of Clay Matthews Pick Six, and his sack on Eli that forced the fumble. Although the Packers Defense did let the Giants score way more then they should have (35 points) but it wasn't a terrible performance" (@JackieDriver80)
Grade: C-
Special Teams: They say you can make up for one bad play by making a great play the next time around. Well, Mason Crosby did just that for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. After missing a 43 yard Field Goal at the end of the half, Crosby again got his chance at the end of the game. With 3 seconds left, and a 12-0 record on the line Crosby sent a 31 yarder right down the uprights to win the game, and send the Packers to their 18th straight win. After making a key miss in the 1st half, Crosby made up for all of it in the end,
Grade: B+
Injury Updates
Desmond Bishop /A.J Hawk MLB: Calf Strain, Questionable Week 14
-The Packers were without MLB's Desmond Bishop and A.J Hawk Sunday against the New York Giants. Both players have Calf Strains and as of now are listed as Questionable on the injury report. Updates will be made throughout the week, but if both are unable to go rookie D.J Smith (had the Microphone on Defense) and Robert Francois will make their 2nd consecutive starts.
Andrew Quarless TE: Knee, OUT for Season
-The Packers will be without their No.2 TE Andrew Quarless for the rest of their season, after Quarless twisted his knee and had to be helped off the field. While no specific details were shared, it was confirmed that he will mest the rest of this season. Backup TE Tom Crabtree is expected to step up as the No.2 TE and could be seen in more 2 TE Sets.
Charles Woodson: Concussion, Probable Week 14
-In the 4th Quarter of Sundays game against the Giants Woodson suffered a COncussion while trying to make a tackle on Ahmad Bradshaw. He immediately left the game and did not return. McCarthy said Woodson will undergo the mandatory tests throughout the week, but expects him to be cleared to play Sunday against the Raiders, a game Woodson will not want to miss against his former team.
Next Game:
Sunday December 11th, 4:15 PM EST
Location: Lambeau Field Green Bay, Wisconsin
Preview: The Packers will be taking their undefeated streak back to Green Bay this week as they take on the Oakland Raiders. The story lines will be can they keep the streak going, is Charles Woodson going to be extra motivated against his old team, and will Rodgers have another MVP game. The answer to all those questions is YES. The Packers should be able to pass the ball against the Raiders 17th ranked Pass Defense, and the Raiders may also be without some of their key players. RB Darren McFadden likely may miss his 5th straight game with a foot injury, and WR's Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore are Questionable. With 3 of their offensive weapons out and coming off a 34-14 loss to the 4-8 Miami Dolphins, the outlook for the Raiders is not very bright. Expect the Packers to bounce back on defense, and Aaron Rodgers to be his usual self, MVP numbers and having fun in the process.
Prediction: Packers 35
Raiders: 21
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| The Packers will need to keep an eye on Seymour, who can be a dirty hitter |
Matchup to Watch: Raiders Defensive Line vs. Packers Offensive Line
-The battles always come down to the Offensive Line vs. the Defensive Line and we have another matchup to watch when the Packers take on the Raiders. The Raiders Defensive Line is anchored by Richard Seymour who has a rare tenacity and meanness that strikes fear into the opposition.Seymour can be dirty at times he punched Ben Roethlisberger last year, and was ejected from last weeks game after throwing a punch at Dolphins OG Richard Incognito. LB Kamerion Wimbley also has shown ability to get pressure on the QB with a team high 7 Sacks. It will be another tough test for the Packers Offensive Line, but one that they should be able to handle. If the Raiders do get alot of pressure on Rodgers, expect Rodgers to be throwing on the run, which he also excels at.
-The battles always come down to the Offensive Line vs. the Defensive Line and we have another matchup to watch when the Packers take on the Raiders. The Raiders Defensive Line is anchored by Richard Seymour who has a rare tenacity and meanness that strikes fear into the opposition.Seymour can be dirty at times he punched Ben Roethlisberger last year, and was ejected from last weeks game after throwing a punch at Dolphins OG Richard Incognito. LB Kamerion Wimbley also has shown ability to get pressure on the QB with a team high 7 Sacks. It will be another tough test for the Packers Offensive Line, but one that they should be able to handle. If the Raiders do get alot of pressure on Rodgers, expect Rodgers to be throwing on the run, which he also excels at.
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