By Chris Havel Special to EVENT USA GREEN BAY, Wis. –Aaron Rodgers has come full circle. The Packers are in the throes of a five-game losing streak for the first time since Rodgers wore a much younger QB’s cleats. That was in 2008, when a 24-year-old Rodgers became the full-time starter in Green Bay. Fifteen years later, the team and its quarterback face similar dire circumstances following the Packers’ grim 15-9 loss against the Lions on Sunday at Detroit’s Ford Field. Rodgers threw three interceptions, including two in the end zone, to render moot the Packers’ edge in total yards and time of possession. The Packers’ defense had its share of ups and downs, but coordinator Joe Barry’s unit did enough to contribute to what should’ve been a victory. Instead, the Packers (3-6) are left to lament another frustrating loss. “Everybody’s very, very, very disappointed right now,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. “I saw us not taking advantage of certain opportunities and making way too many critical mistakes.” Rodgers, who has treated blame-placing like his new in-season hobby, deserves the majority of it after Sunday’s showstopper. Rodgers’ first pick came after his errant throw caromed off a Lions’ helmet, bounced straight in the air and was corralled by Kirby Joseph for a touchback. The second came on an ill-advised “tackle eligible” pass intended for – I hope you’re sitting down – David Bakhtiari. Rodgers’ pass was woefully underthrown and led to an Aidan Hutchinson pick. Afterward, Hutchinson said Rodgers told him, “That was a gift.” How apropos given Rodgers’ penchant for giving on Sunday. The third was a poor decision by Rodgers in which he tried to connect with tight end Robert Tonyan at the goal line between the safeties. It came on second-and-9 at the Detroit 22 with the Packers trailing 8-0 early in the third quarter. It was Kirby’s second interception of the day. All three were so bad it’s impossible to say which was worse. Clearly, the run game was abandoned early on, unless it was the old man himself either running out of necessity or for his life. The 38-year-old rushed four times for 40 yards to lead the Packers in that category. Rodgers’ desire isn’t in question. It’s his judgment that’s a concern. The interception on the pass intended for Bakhtiari defies common sense. Is that REALLY the time for a “tackle eligible” to THAT guy? Bakhtiari’s knee isn’t healthy enough to enable him to practice, but it’s good enough to put the weight of an entire season atop it? That’s utter foolishness. I’d like to know which of the two geniuses dreamt up that play. It’s absurd at best, and it arguably if not likely cost them an opportunity to get a touchdown and a victory. Instead, they got nothing. Even a field goal would’ve enabled the Packers to tie the game on their final, unsuccessful drive. LaFleur’s play-calling was as mind-numbing as Rodgers’ performance. Whereas some fans are debating “who’s to blame?” I choose to use the “one size fits all” approach in this instance. The Packers’ entire offensive operation was awful. Rodgers isn’t ready to wave the white flag just yet. “I’ve been counted out many times in my life as have many of my teammates,” he said. “I hope we just dig deep and find a way. We will truly be underdogs for many games moving forward. “Hopefully we can embrace that.” If the Packers’ season wasn’t in dire straits going into Sunday’s game, it definitely is coming out of it. Of the Packers’ remaining eight games, five are against teams multiple games over .500. It begins Sunday when Mike McCarthy’s Dallas Cowboys visit Lambeau Field. The Cowboys (6-2) are 4 ½ point favorites going into the game. Then again, upon the wagering public’s second glance, it could climb higher. Regardless, the point spread won’t exceed the Packers’ frustration. Rodgers was asked if he regrets returning this season. “Frustration and (misery) are two different emotions,” Rodgers said. “So, when I decided to come back, it was all-in, and I don’t make decisions and then hindsight, 20/20 have regrets about big decisions like that. So I was all-in, and this is a lot of life lessons for sure this year, but luckily it’s not over. There are still a lot of games left. We’ll be counted out, probably, by many, and we’ll see how we respond.” On Sunday the Packers outgained the Lions 389-254, ran more plays (69-57) and strung together a handful of first-rate drives. The Lions’ defense followed the blueprint set forth by the Patriots’ Bill Belichick in Green Bay’s 27-24 overtime victory against New England earlier this season. Defenses have taken to plastering Green Bay’s receivers in man-to-man coverage while daring them to throw by putting eight men in the box. The Packers have yet to find a solution. “They dared us to throw the football,” LaFleur said. “I can’t tell you how many times you’re looking in, particularly when we’re under center, and everybody’s mugged up on the line of scrimmage. Apparently we’ve got to do some better things schematically to alleviate some of that.” The Packers lost receiver Romeo Doubs to an ankle injury after he made an 18-yard catch on the opening drive. Fellow rookie receiver Christian Watson left to be evaluated for a concussion a second straight week. Running back Aaron Jones (ankle) was out the second half. The aforementioned Bakhtiari also left with knee soreness for a time before returning for the game’s final drive. Right guard Jon Runyan (knee) missed snaps but returned. Rookie Zach Tom replaced both. Afterward, Jones tried to put a positive spin on it. It was his most difficult attempt of the season. “I definitely think we can turn it around,” he said. “We have everything we need in this locker room. I feel like all these guys are capable. We’ve just got to really nail the details and finish when it comes down to it, and execute in situations that are in our favor.” Jones is right, for what it’s worth.
Rodgers completed 23 of 43 passes for 291 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions for a 53.5 passer rating. Two of his interceptions came in the end zone, and a third came at the end zone’s door step.
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"Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada
"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help.
As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game,
particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "
-Kayle
"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time.
One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA.
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-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida
"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"
-Matt
"Hi Amy-
Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future!
Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol!
Go pack go!!"
-Julie Mastrianni
"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service.
My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it.
We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip.
Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."
-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN
"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."
-Frank Chavez, Sacramento
"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."
-Beverley Moore, Lancaster
"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"
-David Anastas, Worchester
"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."
-Dick Koerner, Neenah
"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."
-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario
"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."
-Sam Jones, Sedalia
"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."
-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor
"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."
-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly