By Packrphan 

For what looked like a so-so first half, the Green Bay Packers kicked it up a notch in the second half, especially on offense, to beat back the Buffalo Bills 34-7 in the Lambeau Field regular season home opener. The offense started to click and the defense shut down what little offense the Bills might muster. Whatever the butt-kicking was that Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy gave at halftime certainly did the trick. According to reports, several players indicated that it was a colorful halftime: McCarthy’s language was blue and his face was red. If that’s what it takes, coach, keep on being colorful. 

LB Clay Matthews, again, put huge pressure on the opposing quarterback. The guy is a beast. Three more sacks to go to six on the season. In 15 regular season games, Matthews has 15 sacks. At this pace…wow. (By the way, two of the most popular nicknames now being floated for Matthews are “Manimal” and “Claymaker.”)

With the linebacking corps still in mind…for as much as some folks want to package and trade LB A.J. Hawk for a running back (and, yes, it has also been mentioned by this writer), Hawk performed very well in Sunday’s game. He seemed to always be around the ball one way or another. According to final stats, Hawk tied LB Nick Barnett with a game-high nine tackles. Hawk also had two quarterback hits and was very close to a sack or two, as well. Hawk was very solid in this scheme, a scheme other than that which was played in Philadelphia a week earlier and during which he saw no snaps at all. For those fans who think the Pack would part with Hawk for a running back, especially after Sunday, don’t hold your breath. He may not be as flashy as Matthews or Barnett, but he is solid. That’s more than can be said for many LBs in the league. Was he worthy of being a #5 pick overall several years ago? I think we just have to lay that question aside and see what Hawk does when used in those schemes which permit him to do what he does best…and then he’s pretty darn good.

The Packers’ secondary took Bills’ WR Lee Evans entirely out of the game. Bills’ QB Trent Edwards threw in Evans’ direction only once; it was not a completion and CB Charles Woodson was flagged for interference on the play. The Bills’ best receiving threat was totally shutdown. And let’s also be honest: Edwards is just not a very good quarterback (sorry, Bills fans). The Pack’s defense also didn’t allow the Bills’ running game to do any significant damage. No big break-away runs by any of the running backs used, including the curious start of Marshawn Lynch. Even the TV announcers were speculating that perhaps the Bills were trying to showcase Lynch for purposes of a trade. It’s widely known there is not a happy arrangement there right now between Lynch and the Bills.

Speaking of running backs, the total yardage gained by Packers’ running backs Sunday was thoroughly underwhelming. When FB/RB John Kuhn gets more yards than the back (Brandon Jackson) who supposedly is now the featured back following Ryan Grant’s season-ending injury…and with all due respect to Kuhn…that’s not good. Yes, the Packers are and will be a primarily pass-oriented team. But even with that same mentality the last few years, Grant was still able to chalk up two 1,200+ yard seasons back to back and over the last three or four seasons be one of the top total-yardage backs in the NFL. Jackson is going to have to kick it up a notch to help keep defenses honest and to keep them from all-out blitzes on QB Aaron Rodgers every single play. With another week under his belt, newcomer Dimitri Nance might get more playing time. He was in for a couple plays Sunday. No mistakes, that was about the best that could be said. Head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters after the game that running back by committee is not ideal, as if we didn’t already know that. But at the same time, he very much sounded as if that would be the way it goes in Green Bay at least for a while. Hopefully, someone will step up and make the running game at least an occasional threat. Right now, the jury is still out on that front.

Still on the offense, the venerable veteran LT Chad Clifton may be on the outside looking in, at least until his ailing knee allows him to perform at a better level than he did Sunday. Or until rookie Bryan Bulaga falls on his face replacing him, which isn’t very likely. Given that Bulaga held up well against the Bills, I would speculate that Bulaga will get the starting nod against Da Bearz on Monday night. Yes, it will be an entirely different level of competition than versus the Bills; Bulaga will be matched up against Chicago’s $91-million-man, Julius Peppers. It would be great to have Clifton available for that game. But given the problems Cliffie was having against the Bills’ defense because of the swelling in his knee, Bulaga’s time might have already come. The Packers still need Clifton and, in fact, head coach Mike McCarthy made it clear in his press conference Monday that Clifton was still the starting tackle regardless of his game availability this Monday night. But an ailing knee might just be Bulaga’s opening, with Clifton then serving in the backup role. Clifton’s got a lot of pride, so whether that’s a role he would willingly take or not, remains to be seen. Seems like that is not a question at all right now for coach McCarthy. But if Bulaga can hold his own against Peppers it will go a long way to making McCarthy’s life a lot easier regarding those kinds of decisions.

Oh, and isn’t it interesting that things are so quiet in terms of chatter about the Packers’ special teams? An area coming into the regular season that was a huge question mark? Guess that means folks are generally happy with what they see. Certainly Jordy Nelson is doing a very good job so far of setting the Pack up in good field position following kickoffs. Tramon Williams has been steady if not spectacular handling punts. And, with a late exception Sunday, the coverage units seemed to be holding up fairly well. K Mason Crosby demonstrated in the first game that he can be relied upon again to make long kicks; that team record-setting 56-yard field goal against the Eagles would have been good from 70! Still, when Crosby kicked his first field goal against the Bills from the right hash — where Crosby had problems last year — and it seemed to barely squeeze in the right side goal post…well…it was good, but I think at least a few fans were wondering if we were going to have a replay of last season’s problems start to arise again. Let’s leave it at that and hope Crosby’s old bugaboo doesn’t rear its head as the season goes on.

Oh, my pre-game prediction…how’d I do? Well, as loyal readers of PackerFansUnited.com are aware (because I keep reminding them), I had the score of last week’s game right on the money, calling it 27-20 for the Packers (of course!). On Sunday, I had called it 34-13 in favor of the Packers. So, for the second week in a row, I called the Packers’ score exactly. Yes, I’m even starting to scare myself! OK, I can be kept humble because I gave the Bills more credit than they were due in the form of 6 extra points. Mea culpa. I’ll try to do better next week. When, of course, the Packers take on Da Bearz who, courtesy of the officials’ gift they received the first week vs. Detroit and their upset win in Dallas on Sunday, are tied with the Packers at 2-0 atop the NFC North. The upcoming Monday night game will be a biggie as it usually is when the Packers meet Da Bearz, regardless of records.

Stay tuned!

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By Packrphan 

With just a couple hours left to kickoff, I’m finally getting around to writing this preview of the Green Bay Packers vs. Buffalo Bills. But as regular readers of PackerFansUnited.com know, I typically wait until the day and morning of the game to lay out my thoughts on what we might expect. So that’s my excuse, er, story, and I’m stickin’ to it.

But let’s start with the facts: the Pack is favored by 13 points despite the Bills leading the series 7-3 (how the heck did that happen, by the way?); the weather is supposed to be great Fall football weather, about 63 degrees and mostly cloudy with little or no wind issues anticipated. And, of course, it is the regular season home opener for the Packers. That should get the Packers’ players a bit more jacked up for the game.

Not that they should need it. The Bills are not, at this point, a very good team. On the other hand, as both players and fans learned again last year, even bad teams can take advantage of a flat team on any given day (recall the debacle against the Buccaneers?). But that won’t be the case today. Back to the Bills…receiver (and former University of Wisconsin Badger … go Badgers!) Lee Evans called out QB Trent Edwards this last week for not going downfield more. Now, whether that would be on Edwards or the offensive coordinator, who knows. But don’t be surprised if Buffalo does try to stretch the field at the outset to test our young (in spots) secondary, particularly if the pass rush is lacking. But, I don’t expect that to happen. I think defensive coordinator Dom Capers can certainly set the players and schemes in motion today to put a lot of pressure on Edwards.

As to the Bills’ running game, rookie C.J. Spiller will test the Packers’ defense. He will also test the Packers’ special teams on kick returns. The running game and the special teams are arguably the two best aspects of the Bills. The secondary isn’t bad either, but can they really match up with all the Packers’ weapons? Not for the entire day they can’t.

So, what about the Pack? Well, we already know that RB Ryan Grant is done for the year and Brandon Jackson is going to get his chance, once again, to be the featured back. Should we expect that the Packers will operate the running portion of their game plan differently than with Grant? Unlikely. The Pack is still a pass-first team. I’d still look for a 60-40 pass to rush ratio. If the Pack gets up big early, it’s possible we may see more of Jackson as the day goes on. FB/RB John Kuhn may also get a few carries as he did last week. It’s also possible we may even get glimpse or two of recently signed RB Dimitri Nance who was supposedly able to learn a package or two this week, although radio reports this morning indicate that he might not even be active today. As for the air game, look for QB Aaron Rodgers to bounce back from a very subpar performance last week in Philadelphia. He will spread the ball around. TE Jermichael Finley should have a big day. But if the Bills’ defense tries to take Finley out of the offense, it’s not as if Rodgers doesn’t have other options. He’s got options up the ying-yang, baby!

The Packers will also be able to run more of a typical defense today. After all, nothing is typical when you’re trying to chase Michael Vick all over the field as the Pack had to do last weekend. But we can figure that we will see LB A.J. Hawk actually play from scrimmage today rather than just on special teams. And, given reports of his comments this past week, Hawk was not happy having to stand on the sidelines the entire game last week. Well he shouldn’t have been. But while a steady competitor, Hawk has not performed up to expectations of a #5 overall draft pick. Perhaps his pride is hurt a bit. That can often be a good motivator to up one’s game. Let’s hope so. I like Hawk. But the Packers’ linebacking corps is a good one, and some of the other players competing with Hawk for playing time are bringing more to the field right now than is Hawk. It will be interesting to see what he might do today. Keep an eye on Hawk.

The young Packers’ secondary held up well last week. Rookies Morgan Burnett and Sam Shields actually performed well for their first NFL game. A few rookie mistakes showed up here and there, but nothing that wound up costing them the game.

As to player status for today’s game, early reports were that RG Daryn Colledge was doubtful for today’s game; he has been battling an undisclosed illness for the past few days. If Colledge is out, one would expect to see rookie Bryan Bulaga get the start; second-year player T.J. Lang might have also been expected to be in the mix but was just listed as being inactive, which may be a sign that Colledge is good to go after all. Rookie DE Mike Neal is also expected to miss today’s game, as he did last week’s game, with an abodiminal injury. CB Brandon Underwood is also inactive for today’s game after missing last week’s contest with a shoulder injury suffered in the last preseason game. FB Korey Hall is also inactive, which means Quinn Johnson will get his first start. LB Desmond Bishop is inactive. DE Cullen Jenkins also probable for today’s game; look for him to play with a club on the hand in which he sustained multiple fractures in last Sunday’s game.

OK, bottom line prediction: Packers 34 Bills 13

Go Pack Go!!!

By Packrphan 

Yes, folks, this is the pre-preview of the showdown in ChiTiown between our beloved Green Bay Packers and Da Bearz. So, it’s a bit general yet, sorry. 

What we do know right now is that whichever team wins this game (and, really, is there any doubt as to which that will be…c’mon!) will be sitting atop the NFC North. That will be a great place to be. It will open up some space between the top dog and, espcially, the ViQueens. We have to anticipate that at some point Ol’ #4’s in-season training camp will click in and the ‘Queens will start to win a few…beginning, most likely, today in the Humpty Dump versus the Lions.

But back to the game of most importance…

This will be the 180th meeting between the Pack and Da Bearz, the oldest rivalry in the NFL. Somehow, Da Bearz lead the overall series 90-82 with 6 ties. The battles through the years have been furious. There have been cheap shots delivered by players on both teams. The story is told by some Glory Years’ Packers that the rivalry between Vince Lombardi and Papa Bear George Hallas was so intense that one game, 5 minutes before kickoff, Hallas marched into the Packers’ locker room, went up to Lombardi, and reportedly said, “You better have your team ready to play,” or something along those lines. Can you imagine that happening today between two coaches? These days, they’re just more likely not to shake hands after a game. It’s all gotten way too civil, hasn’t it?

Most of the players on both sides today just don’t have a sense for the nature and intensity of the rivalry. Players who are asked about the rivalrly by the media generally say it’s more a rivalry for the fans than the players who see it as another game. Even Bears TE Greg Olsen was saying nice things about the Packers’ defense this week. As St. Vince might say about stuff like that, “What the hell’s goin’ on out there!”. Indeed.

That’s why, at least in Green Bay, head coach Mike McCarthy makes it a point to talk to the players, especially the new arrivals, about the history between these two teams, what the rivalry has meant down through the years, the players who have played on both sides of the ball, and especially what it means to the fans. As fans — and apparently at least some players — are well aware, the mantra is always this: no matter whether or not you win any other games during the season, beat Da Bearz.

Yes, perhaps over the past decade or two the intensity of rivalry has picked up between the Pack and the ‘Queens. For some fans, this has even surpassed the Packers-Bearz rivalry. And that’s especially true now with Ol’ #4 betraying all things Green ‘n’ Gold by wearing that funky purple. (It still boggles the mind, doesn’t it???)

But given that tomorrow evening, both the Packers and Da Bearz meet at 2-0 with the division lead at stake you just know this will be one of those old fashioned smash-mouth football games.

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By Packrphan 

Pain and misery fill the air

Penalty flags flying everywhere.

At Soldier Field on Monday night

It was better to be a Bear.

Pardon my little poetic intro, Packer fans, but what can you say after a game like last night in ChiTown? Well, lots. And it does help to vent.

For purposes of clarity, we can borrow a lyric from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to describe and summarize the game: “Give it away, give it away, give it away, now.”

With a franchise record 18 (at last count) penalties, the Packers did to themselves what Da Bearz on their own couldn’t do: make them lose the game.

I was in the stands at Soldier Field last night and the game was fugly, as the expression goes. I’m sure it was just as ugly watching on TV. Except the advantage of the latter is you are not surrounded by Bearz fans. Although I must say it was an interesting experience. Other than my two Bearz’ fan companions (who generously provided me with the ticket…you know who you are…and thank you again!), the range of conversation by those around us generally focused throughout the game on how lousy a QB Jay Cutler is, how Da Bearz have no offensive line or running game, how the secondary was letting Aaron Rodgers slice and dice them down the field, how much they hate head coach Lovie Smith, and…when the final seconds ticked off the clock, oh, but what a great team Da Bearz are. Yeah, right.

There was one of those in-stadium text polls during the game asking Bearz’ fans to vote for which player was the team’s best offensive weapon: QB Jay Cutler, WR Johnny Knox and two others I don’t recall. Toward the end of the game, the results were posted. Knox got about 43 percent of the vote. Cutler? He got 5 percent. Five percent! Where’s the love for your QB, Bearz fans? A bit of an insight there into Bearz fans…yes, I know, it’s a scary thing to contemplate. But believe me, it’s even scarier to see in person. Yikes!

Anyway…on this night, yes, Da Bearz got a “W” courtesy of great special teams’ performance — where I had given Da Bearz the edge in my preview — and Packers’ penalties. The best offense Da Bearz had going for them was the Packers’ penalties. Missed opportunities abounded. A touchdown pass was taken off the scoreboard because of a penalty. At least two interceptions were overturned because of penalties. A blocked field goal, and two big punt returns — including the one for a TD — were unexcusible breakdowns.

The old saying about shooting oneself in the foot applies very well to this game. But the Packers didn’t rely on just one six-shooter to do themselves in. They had three of ’em to do the job: 18 penalties. Mind blowing. Game losing.

“Give it away, give it away, give it away, now.”

I had predicted a close game with a final score of 24-20 Packers. For the third straight week I got the score of the winning team correct. Unfortunately, last night it was Da Bearz 20-17 over the Pack. If James Jones had protected the ball on the sideline and not fumbled it’s quite possible the Pack could have driven down and gotten that 24-20 victory I predicted. Even Bearz fans around me were bemoaning the fact that Da Bearz’ defense couldn’t stop the Packers. The only thing that could stop the Pack last night was themselves. And they did. Over and over and over.

“Give it away, give it away, give it away, now.”

In my preseason preview I indicated that the Pack would lose a game they should have won within the first six games. This was that one.

Da Bearz sit atop not only the NFC North but the NFC as a whole. For the moment. They are not, at this point, a good team despite the record. But on this night, they did what they needed to do to come out with a win. The Packers just couldn’t get out of their own way.

“Give it away, give it away, give it away, now.”

The good news is that the Detroit Lions visit Lambeau Field on Sunday. Just what the doctor ordered for the Packers to help put this miserable showing behind them.

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By Packrphan

On a typical December day in Wisconsin, the Green Bay Packers did what they typically do on a December game day at home: win. The Packers beat a capable, but subpar, San Francisco 49ers squad 34-16. 

The first half, however, was ugly. The Packers offense started crisply, combining runs and passes to move the ball before petering out deep in the redzone (again) and watching K Mason Crosby’s field goal attempt ding (again) off the left upright for no points. After that, coach Mike McCarthy’s itchy trigger finger abandoned the run altogether and saw the offense sputter as a result. The Packers were down 3-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. They only led at half 14-10 after giving up a late TD after their own score.

But coming out of the locker room following the halftime break, the Packers’ offense put up 20 points, 14 in the third quarter and 6 in the fourth, while only allowing the Niners 3 more points the entire second half.

The game also witnessed the first play of rookie RB James Starks, who many fans — and coaches — have been waiting to see on the field. Starks was a 6th round draft pick out of Buffalo who missed his entire senior year due to injury. He hadn’t played a down of football since 2008. He also started this season with the Pack on the PUP list. Still, many were enamored with the possibility of what he might bring to the Pack’s running game, which has been woeful at best following the loss of starter Ryan Grant in game #1. Fans got a glimpse of that today. Starks rushed 18 times for 73 yards, or a 4.1 yard-per-carry average. He had a long run of 16 yards. Starks has an upright running style which exposes him to possible injury more so than someone who runs with a lower pad level. Whether this is something running backs coach Edgar Bennett can work with him on or whether this is just his natural style remains to be seen. But any time a Packers running back actually leads in rushing yards rather than the Packers’ QB, that’s a plus. He didn’t turn the ball over and always got positive yards, if memory serves. Expect to see more of Mr. Starks in the future for the Pack. Yay!

This was a game the Packers were expected to win and did. It might not have been pretty, especially in the early going, but it’s what’s up on the scoreboard when the clock reads 0:00 that matters. And that was: Packers 34 – 49ers 16.

Next up, the Lions in Detroit. The Packers will need to focus on them and not look past them to the Patriots a week later. That will be the biggest challenge.

But more about the Pack and the Lions in the week ahead. For now, let’s savor this return to victory.

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By Packrphan

It’s less than two hours to kickoff at a nippy (that’s Wisconsin-ese for cold) Lambeau Field. It’s the first game the Green Bay Packers have played back home since whupping the Cowboys back on Nov. 7. The weather has changed a bit since then. Today the forecast is for temps in the mid-20s and windy. 

December, as we all know — or are at least told — is when the running game is supposed to carry the day in these bad weather games. Now, for folks outside of the Midwest, let’s just say upfront that temperatures in the mid-20s is not exactly bad weather. At least for these parts. But cold and wind can affect the passing game. Given the fact that the weak spot of the Packers’ offense is its running game, or more appropriately, lack thereof, this could be a concern. It shouldn’t be today, however,

The 49ers have a decent run defense. But that’s a bit moot when you’re playing a team like the Packers who don’t count on much from their running game anyway, right? Of course right. So, given that Aaron Rodgers doesn’t seem to be bothered by the cold, expect the Pack to continue to do what they do, which is to spread out the defense and attack through the air. There should be plenty of opportunities to do just that today. Yes, it will be to the Packers’ advantage for the rest of the season if they at least can muster a token rushing attack. But, the Packers are who they are and, perhaps more specifically, head coach Mike McCarthy is who he is, and the Pack’s offense is centered around the passing game. It will either work or not like it is for the rest of the season. You just have to hope, however, they figure out how to rush for a yard or two at the goal line or to convert first downs on 3rd-and-one.

As for the Packers defense, they should have a good day going against the 49ers QB, Troy Smith. He’s led the Niners to three wins in the last four games since replacing Alex Smith. He’s more of a scrambler than a passer, which can cause some problems for a team like the Pack. But he’s no Michael Vick. TE Vernon Davis is the 49ers version of Jermichael Finley. He can cause problems. And it’s possible that LB A. J. Hawk might be matched up on coverage of Davis. Hawk has done a better job in coverage this year than last, but this is one of the times that the absence of Brandon Chillar might be very evident. The Packers should be able to handle the 49ers running game, although last week Brian Westbrook looked like the player of old, replacing Frank Gore and rushing for more than 100 yards. Westbrook always seemed to cause the Pack headaches when he was with Philadelphia. Let’s hope those days are long gone.

There are many other aspects of this game which we could break down, including special teams which is always an adventure with the Packers. We don’t, for example, know how Sam Shields will field kickoffs for the first time in cold weather. Nor do we know how punter Tim Masthay will punt in these conditions. Keep your fingers crossed that special teams do not cost the Packers a win again. Honestly, though, if it comes down to the special teams deciding the outcome of this game in yet another 3-point situation, there were bigger problems in the game than just special teams. That’s not going to happen today.

The Packers are favored by 9-1/2 points. For our part, we’re calling this game Packers 31 – 49ers 17.

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