The hangover from the capitulation suffered by Green Bay Packers in the playoff game with the Seattle Seahawks might last some time.
Just over three minutes away from a sixth Superbowl appearance and in ebullient mood, Green Bay somehow contrived to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. At 19-14, tight end Brandon Bostick missed a Seahawks onside kick. The ball bounced off his hands and was recovered by the Seahawks. By the end of the next drive the Packers were 22-19 down.
Brandon Bostick has admitted that he broke ranks and ought to have been blocking. He is now suffering the consequences. ESPN reported that he felt like the whole world was on his back:
“I’m human. I made a mistake,” Bostick said. “But if I would’ve made the play, we wouldn’t have been in this [situation] or if I would’ve made the block, we wouldn’t be talking about this. But it’s over now, so I’ll just try my best to get over it.”
According to reports, his teammates were quick to refute suggestions that the third-string tight end was to blame for the defeat, instead focusing on the team’s failings as a whole. Still, after a hard-fought season and a particularly hard-fought and well-played game, the Packers have taken defeat hard.
Josh Sitton left reporters in no doubt as to how he was feeling about the 28-22 overtime defeat.
“You feel like it’s a waste of seven, eight months. What’s the point of getting this far? I’d have rather not even made the playoffs.”
Strong words that Sitton might have said in the heat of the moment but the nature of this unforgiving sport is that it rolls on. Seattle goes to the Superbowl and Green Bay must make preparations get ready to go again—you can find available tickets here for when they do.
Sitton was not the only one to show his frustration, though. Defensive lineman Mike Daniels, trance-like and almost too quiet to hear, repeated the words “We did not finish” to three straight questions after the game; the players changed in silence and linebacker A.J. Hawk told that Head Coach Mike McCarthy was taking things just as badly:
“Coach’s message? Not a whole lot,” Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk said. “I think he’s in a state of shock, as we are.”
QB Aaron Rodgers was thought that the blame lay on several factors. He bemoaned his side allowing Seattle to convert a touchdown on a fake field goal, giving up an onside kick and their inability to get any first downs on the fourth quarter.
He told reporters: “Put it all together; that’s how you lose games.”
In truth, once Green Bay were in the lead it looked as if Mike McCarthy was not pushing his team to kill off their prey. Instead, it seemed he was playing not to lose. It was a job that they did not finish.
MM just out and out blew it. I know the “players execute” camp will rebut this but Belichick just tries, and usually does, go for the jugular. All the Packers had to do was to put 10 points on the board in the second half and they would be in the Super Bowl.
Thanks MM. Now we have to wait for another season to start.
Go PACK GO
Dave not Cow
Not to mention that Belichick usually cheats as we have learned yet again! Thanks, Since ’61
I wonder how many MM bashers would of thrown the ball at the end . Poor play calling, over throw in end zone (Nelson) under throw in the end zone(Adams). The game was lost when Lynch ran right through the whole D. Quoting Lombardi, ” grab grab grab everybody ‘s grabbing out there.
We focus on that three-and-out with about 5 minutes to play, but the play calling in that entire second half was about as “milktoast” as it gets. True, every play–except maybe the QB sneak–if executed correctly, is designed to go the distance and, yes, David, execution IS a big factor in the outcome of any game. You keep talking about putting 10 points on the board as if it’s easy. In this case, though, that defense on the other side of the ball–the best defense in the league–out-executed the Packer offense in that second half and the play calling made it easier for them.
That said, I likely wouldn’t have thrown the ball in that situation: up two TDs with a defense that had been dominating Seattle right up to that point. Making Seattle burn their TOs and playing field position with that “hot” defense made plenty of sense. It’s sound football. The reason people are unhappy with it is because of the final score…and nobody at that point could have predicted the way that game was about to turn…
Dobber – well thought out post. What is being overlooked here is that while we can debate the soundness of the play calling, it was the poor punt by Masthay and the interception that went through Dix’s hand which also factored heavily into the ultimate collapse. Blaming the play calling is convenient because it puts the blame on MM even though Rodgers can check out of any play. This is an over simplification for explaining the loss. The fact is that conservative, although sound, play calling, plus allowing a fake FG, plus some dropped passes, plus Burnett sliding down, plus the punt and dropped int, plus a fumbled onside kick and Dix freezing on the 2 point conversion and numerous other failures to execute and not to mention Seattle’s defense all add up to a loss. As I have said repeatedly, if the Packers win the game, even 19-14 no one is complaining about the play calling. That type of simplistic analysis is based exclusively on the final score. Ultimately MM and the coaching staff should be responsible for the lack of execution in all phases of the game. As I have mentioned previously, in numerous posts, this team possesses the physical ability to defeat anyone, however the mental part of their game consistently results in defeating themselves in big games. Thanks, Since ’61
Great points, there were many, many, too many really, things that the Packers did wrong.
Maybe MM’s play calling isn’t the issue. Maybe his decision making process should be in question. I’ve read how many have questioned his decisions to kick FGs and “trust the defense,” when deep in Seattle territory. In a playoff game, with the chance for a return trip to the Super Bowl on the line, kicking FGs rarely wins. This game is proof. MM made the FG decisions. Rodgers can change the play but he doesn’t make the decision to kick FGs.
Larry – you make some fair points but if you go for the TD or the 1st down on those 4th down plays are you willing to accept that you may not make it especially against the Seattle defense? Or when the 4th down play fails will you be posting that MM should have taken the points rather than go for it? Remember unlike us MM doesn’t get the chance to try it both ways. As Monday morning QBs or HCs we get the opportunity to complain about every play and decision. As I have said before, when the Packers win everyone is OK, but when we lose it’s all bad. The point of view is based on looking through the lens of the final score. Thanks, Since ’61
I didn’t get to see all the game. I got to see bits and pieces passing through the terminal in Charlotte, NC. What I did see in the third and early fourth quarters was a team imposing its will upon the Seahawks. When I arrived in Jackson, MS is when I heard the final score. If the Packers played in the first half the way I saw them playing later in the game, the answer is yes, I take that chance at least once, possibly twice. Pinning a Seattle offense deep while it’s spinning its wheels is a chance I’m willing to take. In the regular season, I might not. In a win or go home situation, as in the playoffs, I take that chance.
Great points AND the offensive line was doing a good job of protecting Rodgers. If their goal was to score 10 they, more than likely, could have. Just was “milk-toast” as you said.
Thanks
Matthews sitting out the last five minutes because he was TIRED is the reason Lynch ran the ball if Matthews was not such a wimp and finished the game they would be playing in the super bowl!
I think we must savor this season. Literally minutes away from the superbowl…
Next season we may not even make the playoffs. Minnesota is coming on, Detroit is already there and Chicago cleaning house will be better. We will have trouble winning the division, let alone making a playoff run. MM effed up big time and why would anyone think the egomaniac is going to change anything for next season. Remember change is scary. Just keep doing the same thing and get the same result.
You’re scaring me. LOL We are young but have playoff experience, plenty of cap room, great GM,VERY GOOD coach, great QB. Barring injuries, we will be right in the thick of it again.
A VERY GOOD coach will play to win, not play to not lose…
“Did Not Finish” is the headline that describes the outcome. A lot of miscues contributed to this collapse, so many so, that I can’t point my finger to one. What bothers me about this loss is that the team committed so many fundamental mistakes that you gotta wonder what the coaches are teaching or not teaching. Examples:
Sean Richardson: After three years, does he know anything about playing safety. The lapses in our safety play have put our corners in the worst possible position too often. If the guy isn’t naturally a very good safety, he isn’t going to learn to play the position in Green Bay. To top it all off, he is on the field for the most important plays of the season. How-does-that-even-happen?!
FG protection unit: What would be the primary responsibility of the unit when a team is all but out-of-the-game and has a chip shot to salvage 3 points? Maybe, don’t let them get any more than 3
ILB when Clay Matthews isn’t in the middle: This is now 4 years of us watching RB’s running through spaces where Hawk and Jones are not
3rd and 19, 4th and 26 prevent: Drop 8 in coverage and leave a guy wide open because we don’t know how to even play this stupid configuration. You made your lead by making Russell Wilson force the ball out quickly so change what you are doing to something that you don’t know how to do – right!
The point is that well coached teams don’t make this many mistakes. As HC, Mike McCarthy needs to find out why guys don’t know how to play a position or a scheme. We will probably fall short again if these shortcomings taught and drilled out of the players.
Great points. Too many mistakes is a coaching issue. Did anyone see how Carroll was just salivating to fake a field goal because he saw Brad Jones go inside against Dallas? Poor coaching.
Drop 8 in coverage and leave a guy wide open because we don’t know how to even play this stupid configuration.
Loved that. I was thinking the same when I watched it live and over again. Rush 3, one of which does not even rush and play a zone or whatever it is that leaves huge holes and wide open receivers ?