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Packers vs. Lions – Game Day First Impressions, Unfiltered: GB 45 DET 41

Posted on by Jersey Al Bracco
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Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions:

Here is my unfiltered game day blog post of comments, observations and first impressions.

In a game that means absolutely nothing to the Packers, Mike McCarthy resists temptation and plants Aaron Rodgers firmly on the sideline in street clothes. Hooray is all I can say. It’s a move that surprises and impresses me. Mike Mccarthy, you’ve come a long way, baby.

Inactive for the Packers today are:

Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, Greg Jennings, Randall Cobb, Bryan Bulaga, James Starks

Wow. I’d love to take this group and go 7 vs. 7 in the parking lot against ANYONE.

Sounds like Jones and Zombo are getting starts at OLB today, and we’ll be sure to see plenty of Vic So’oto as well.

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Mike McCarthy Pregame Show on 620 WTMJ:

 

2012: It’s been a long 2011 but a lot to be thankful for. As for 2012, we’ll start one day at a time with a win today against the DetroitLions.

Inactives: Six out of seven were health issues. Clay and Charles have had nagging injuries all year. The other four are just not ready to play. I’m resting AR – I feel it’s the best thing to do for our football team.

The Game Approach: We still want to approach with same edge. Impt to give Matt flynna full week of work – we’re looking to win this fiootball game.

Weather: This weather is perfect. Glad we have some adverse weather conditions today. Opportunity to play in this kind of weather is good four our football team and important to prepare for the playoffs.

Lions Film Study Since Thanksgiving: they’re winning game. have had some tough come-from-behind victories. They’re doing what they do well. Defensive line is still their strength.

Calvin Johnson: Look at the measurables, skill set, even mental makeup, he is a force. We have to be aware of him at all times

Lions DL depth: They have a healthy rotation and do a good job of using their guys correctly. It’s a challenge for our offensive line and that will be a key matchup today.

Packers Defense: No bones about it, Chicago game was not our best game. We didn’t play very well at all. We’ve spent a lot of time on it, did a lot of self scouting and will continue with that next week. It’s important for our team that we play a sound, tough defensive football game today.

 

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Packers vs. Lions – First Impressions – First Half:

First play of the game, Driver almost bobbles an easy catch. I think he couldn’t believe he was that wide open.

Packers call four straight pass plays for Flynn, who fumbles on their own 35 yard line.

Lions quickly convert. Key play was a pass over the middle to Calvin Johnson, who was give a HUGE cushion by Tramon Williams.

Pat Lee. You have got to be kidding. Pulling the ball back into the end zone?  I felt like I was watching in slow motion and as it’s happening, I’m saying noooooooooooooooo, don’t do it….

Was that really a Kuhn chant with the Packers on the 7 yard line? Um, no.

I ‘m still not sold on Matt Flynn as an NFL starter… Or maybe I should say, “a “good” NFL starter. But he IS playing well.

Tramon with a 10 yard cushion on Johnson again. No contest.

Oh man, the Jordy Nelson stiff arm is a sight to behold…

So ‘oto is raw in many ways, but no matter, you gotta love his enthusiasm…  he will help the Packers next season. One hell of a pretty tackle on the play where he stole the ball but it was overturned. perfect form that will surely make Dom Capers smile.

Ryan Grant – 80 yard TD on a screen pass?  Best part was seeing Grant move the ball to his left hand on the 3 yard line as the final defender caught up? I love smart, fundamental football.

Crosby falls while recovering a fumble on a kickoff. If he stays on his feet, he might have had an unobstructed path down the sideline for a TD.

That’s 2 tackles Finley has made on INTs the last few games.  Glad he didn’t mean it when he said last year he wouldn’t be doing that again after hurting his knee last year making a tackle.

If the Packers would stop handing the Lions points, their B team would be spanking the Lions starters.

Jermichael Finley showing his old hands today. Good to see them back.

Flynn with the free play and takes advantage. TD Jordy Nelson: Carbon copy of Jordy’s catch down the sidelines in the Giants game…

Love that Lions players and coaches are yelling at each other on the sideline…

Morgan Burnett is playing his best game in quite a while…

Lions help out the Packers with some wide-open dropped passes. Have to wonder where the safeties were on the Calvin Johnson drop. Neither Peprah or Burnett anywhere to be seen.

If you study Packers screen plays (yes, I have), few are successful because of great blocks by the OL. Many times, they’re hardly involved

Packers 24  Lions 19

Packers vs. Lions – First Impressions – Second Half:

There’s Bush with an interception. He’s a different guy when the play is in front of him. It’s uncanny, almost.

So ‘oto with a rare Packers sack! But Walden screws it up with a dumb late hit on Stafford after the whistle…

Lions’ tight ends killing the Packers’ D today. Big worry if the Saints or 49ers come to town…

Matthew Stafford to be courted by International soccer teams after that flop on the Bishop penalty.

So much for the “Nelson can’t be good without Jennings” crys we heard after the Chiefs game…

If I’m not mistaken, Jarius Wynn has been in coverage on the last two Detroit TDs in the red zone. Can’t go to that well so often, Dom…

Suh has been invisible all game. Finally breaks through for a sack and he does the Rodgers’ Championship belt. Class guy. What a Suhchebag.

Tramon with a bit of a dirty play on Pettigrew. Obviously, he’s a bit miffed at getting his ass beat all game…

Really feels like a fight could break out here. Lions are just downright ornery.

I find myself surprisingly engaged in a meaningless game. Would love to see the Packers “stick it” to these Lions.

Raji covering the running back on a play. Capers has used the DL in coverage A LOT today…

Packers up by 4 and they get the ball back with 7 minutes left in the game. How about a time-consuming, clock-eating, game-winning TD drive here? No, I’m not asking for much…

Didn’t happen…

Calvin Johnson gets called for pass interference in the end zone. Was actually a smart play – he was playing defense to prevent the interception.

Lions go up by 3 with 2:39 left in the game. Get ready Crosby… we could be looking at OT.

Scratch that. Flynn throws and completes a bomb to James Jones. Two plays later, Packers score a TD. Now up by four.

I believe the Packers – Lions rivalry has just been revived. Going to be a fun next few years…

But we’re not done yet. Still 1:10 left for Stafford and the Lions.

I’m feeling an INT for the Packers on this drive. Would be a perfect ending to this game.

CALLED IT!!! Sam Shields INT!

Feels just like last year. I hope it’s an omen.

Packers 45, Lions 41

 

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Jersey Al Bracco is the founder and editor of AllGreenBayPackers.com, and the co-founder of Packers Talk Radio Network. He can be heard as one of the Co-Hosts on Cheesehead Radio and is the Green Bay Packers Draft Analyst for Drafttek.com.

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40 thoughts on “Packers vs. Lions – Game Day First Impressions, Unfiltered: GB 45 DET 41”

    1. Don’t know about being “sold” on him with another team, but no doubt, a fantastic performance today. he just made himself a lot of money.

  3. New Millionaire and member of the 1% – Matt Flynn.

    The word Defense has just been eliminated from the NFL dictionary.

    1. Ron, being a long-time fan like you, it’s been tough to admit, but yes, this is not our childhood NFL. It’s a QB league, it’s all about scoring, defense is just a nice plus to have if you do.

      1. I’m only 21 and today’s NFL really irritates me. I’m all about quality over quanity, and Roger Goodell has done all he can in his power to make it a quantity league. This has lead to more penalty’s and mental mistakes as opposed to, from what I understand, the league of 30 years ago not having this kind of nonsense.

        Stafford, a third year starter, just passed for 5,000 yards, where as even just ten years ago that was a monumental feat. Seems to happen all the time now… which kind of ruins it.

        1. certainly, the bar has been raised for what counts as impressive for offensive records in this game. As much as I appreciate a tough defense, as our former fearless leader used to like to say, “it is what it is.”

    2. Ron, non-football point:

      All NFL players who make a 53 man roster are already in the 1% club.

      League minimum salary is roughly $325,000/yr.. That’s personal income. One only needs to earn $250,000/yr to enter into the top 1.5% of HOUSEHOLD incomes.

      a $100,000/yr PERSONAL income is already cracking the top 5%.

      NFL players are ALL in the 1%.

  4. 2 things to say:

    One, the Lions don’t belong in the same field as the Packers. They don’t belong in the same field as the Packers’ backups, let alone the starters. Their organization is composed of thugs and assholes, and they get what they deserve. They’ve stopped losing so much, but the loser mentality is firmly entrenched.

    Second, all hail Matthew Clayton Flynn!

  5. That Vic So’oto sack that was taken back was the most hurtful to me personally…

  7. Matt Stafford is soft.

    He has the elite arm, but not the elite mentality. He is soft right now. When Flynn got the TD, Matt was shocked that he had to go out again.

    This is the Packers, the ELITE team of the NFL this year. When he threw the pick to Shields, he had his head down low.

    Now I may be cruel, but next week your team has to play again. So suck it up, shut it up, and do something the Lions haven’t done in a long time. Win.

  8. As entertaining game you’ll see in a long time. Won’t even comment on our D.

    Jordy is a stud.

    Was this the longest non-OT, non-stadium malfunction or weather delayed game ever?

    Need three more W’s.

  9. Amazing game to watch. Wonder what impact Mathews and Woodson would of had on the score. Clearly Nick Collins is missed and we still give opposing QBs way too much time. Happy as heck for Flynn and MM gets a lot of credit today too. Its playoffs time!

    2. Do we have any inkling whether Collins will ever make it back? Or is this a Sterling Sharpe-type thing?

  10. Is it a QB league? No kidding. HOF Bart Starr’s best year for yardage was 1962 where he passed for 2,438 yards, completed 178 of 285 passes had 12 passing TD’s and 9 ints. Though over 14 games, he would have been ranked 23rd in passing yards compared to today’s QB’s through 15 games.

      1. Yes, I agree and remember. But even his playoff stats was 10 games for 1753 (equivalent to 2454 yards over 14 games) 15 td’s and a completion % of 61%. I’m not knocking Starr, just showing how the league has changed to a a QB passing game.

        1. Blount rule changed it all. Allowed OCs to build around the passing game, which led to the big evolution we see nowadays.

          One thing about this season that needs to be said, at least yards-wise. The change in the kickoff rule might’ve been the tipping point for so many yardage. Don’t have the numbers but would bet the average starting field position has been considerably worse than in previous years, which makes teams have to drive longer for TDs.

          1. Through Week 16 the difference in LOS at the start of drives was about 2 or 3 yards.

            I keep thinking the lack of an offseason had a lot more to do with it — defenses need to play together more than offenses do.

        2. Those of us who actually got to see the Lombardi Packers, remember words like balance, running game,Lombardi sweep and most of all Defense. They are now on history’s scrap heap.

  11. Good read as always, Al. I’d be interested in seeing you do a post further breaking down Packers’ screen plays. All screens are about timing, but it seems especially important when the Packers runs a screen.

    Rodgers is also real good at using his eyes to draw the defense in one direction then throwing the screen in another direction.

    1. If I had some way to quickly find all of the Packers screens without having to go through every play in every game, I certainly would.

      1. You should buy NFL Game rewind. They have every game for just $40 dollars, and within the package is a “condensed” version of the game where the only footage playing is the beginning of the play to the end of the play. Every game is on average about 25 minutes long, so I figure in just 8 hours, you’ll have seen the packers entire regular season.

        Don’t mean to sound like spam, but I can’t tell you how much this system has helped me out. The best part is I never worry about those dang commercials.

        1. access to game is not the issue. But even without commercials, any idea how long ti would take to go back and watch every play from every game this season just to pick out the screen passes?

          1. All I can say is that this is the best I idea I have for seeking out the screen passes. If I wanted to do it, I’d just watch every offensive snap the Packers have had this season. It would still take a while, but I can’t think of a shorter way to do it.

      2. A thought on the screens Al,I don’t believe AR actually does many designed screens as opposed to setting a defense up more so to have his check downs to get a more consistant gain than a regular screen,or maybe I’m just thinking to far outside the box.

  12. I’ll pose the question again:

    When do we start hearing the questions about whether Rodgers/Flynn are really that good, or if it is just a matter of MM’s system that makes the QB’s successful?

    I have a feeling that if Flynn does get a chance to start elsewhere next season, and he looks at all pedestrian, we’ll be seeing the articles start to be written.

      1. Wow, “Ask Vic” on Packers.com was the first guy to post the article about the system.. lol… didn’t see that coming, and didn’t expect it this soon!

  13. Great win by our back ups….Matt Flynn WOW..6 TDs, 500 yards….WOW….Jordy Nelson…WOW..

  14. Matty Flynn just made Don Horn the most obscure answer to a Packers trivia question ever 🙂

    What an entertaining and encouraging game for our side.

  15. I believe the Sporting News predicted the Pack would go 15 and 1, losing to KC, but winning the SB. Eerie so far. Now need to make the Sporting News good on the SB pick.

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