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Bears win NFC North; Packers out of playoffs
By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA
Green Bay’s 24-17 loss at Soldier Field keeps Packers winless on road this season
GREEN BAY, Wis. – “With the 11th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft the Green Bay Packers select …”
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With two weeks to play in a lost season it has come to this: Packers fans are discarding their playoff scenario charts in favor of updates on NFL draft positioning.
The Packers’ 24-17 loss to the Chicago Bears Sunday at Soldier Field eliminated Green Bay from postseason play.
The harsh reality is that the loss also assured the Packers of their first back-to-back losing seasons since 1991. That was the year I began covering the Packers. A year later, Brett Favre arrived in Green Bay and the Packers’ “Golden Age” at quarterback began.
Way back then Aaron Rodgers was a grade school student dreaming about becoming the next Joe Montana. These days I’m thinking Rodgers is wondering what he can do to lead the Packers back from the brink after consecutive losing seasons.
Clearly, he isn’t throwing any bouquets to the Bears, despite their ability to run away with the NFC North title this year. Throwing them an interception was tough enough to stomach.
“The expectation is competing for championships,” Rodgers said Sunday. “It (Chicago) is a good football team. But like I told some of the guys, I look forward to the battles over the years. I like our chances in this division moving forward.”
Rodgers’ positive outlook belies the fact that the Packers have plenty of work to do to recapture their status as an elite team. This is scarcely a full-blown rebuild, but there’s no question the Packers’ margin for error in the draft and free agency is thin.
The Packers haven’t won a road game or back-to-back games all season. Their special teams remain hit-or-miss. Their defense is a game but rag-tag outfit replete with injuries and inexperience. Their once-dominant offense simply isn’t anymore.
Interim coach Joe Philbin said as much in so many words.
“Last week, we had a team victory where all three phases contributed,” Philbin told reporters. “Today, all three phases needed to do better. Coaching needed to be better. And so Chicago certainly deserved to win the game.”
The Bears (10-4) did their part to give the Packers (5-8-1) a chance to steal a victory.
Green Bay merely said thanks, but no thanks.
The Packers’ defense kept the game close through three quarters. That alone was impressive given that their defensive line was anchored by Tyler Lancaster, who led the team in tackles (seven) after replacing the injured Kenny Clark.
Leading 14-6 early in the third quarter, Bears head coach Matt Nagy elected to try a fake punt on fourth-and-1 at the 50. The Packers stuffed it to set up their tying drive.
Rodgers directed a nifty five-play, 50-yard drive that was capped by Jamaal Williams’ 10-yard touchdown run. Rodgers connected with Davante Adams for the 2-point conversion to make it 14-14 with plenty of time remaining.
The Bears’ ensuing 10-play drive spilled into the fourth quarter, but stalled at the Green Bay 26 when Chicago fumbled while trying a bit of “wildcat” razzle-dazzle in the backfield.
But the Packers failed to capitalize when their drive fizzled with a three-and-out which included Rodgers missing a wide-open Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a deep throw.
The Bears apparently came to their senses, quit trying to be cute and outscored the Packers 10-3 the rest of the way.
The Packers’ Clay Matthews waxed philosophical afterward.
“I don’t think anybody anticipated having a losing season,” Matthews said. “It is what it is. We’re that close to having this whole thing flipped, but that’s all you can say in hindsight. We just haven’t done enough. We haven’t made those few plays that usually turn the game in our favor.
“It’s kind of been, unfortunately, the theme in most of the losses this year is those couple plays that we’ve made (in the past) but they’re just not happening.”
The Packers’ injuries continued Sunday when Aaron Jones left with a knee injury after just four rushing attempts. Going into the game the Packers were without starting right guard Byron Bell and starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga.
The Bears’ powerful defense and Green Bay’s patchwork line led to five sacks, three of which were third down drive killers.
Rodgers finished 25 of 42 for 274 yards with no touchdowns and his first interception in an NFL record 402 attempts. The pass bounced off tight end Jimmy Graham’s hands and into those of Bears’ safety Eddie Jackson, although to be fair it wasn’t a particularly accurate throw.
Meantime, Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky outplayed Rodgers to the tune of a 20-for-28, 235-yard, two-touchdown day that resulted in a fat 120.4 passer rating.
It led Packer Hall of Fame safety LeRoy Butler to ponder the question: How good is Rodgers? After all, he was outplayed by Trubisky, and 17 points isn’t going to win many games.
Butler has a point, but the fact is Rodgers – like his team – is having a subpar season in terms of what’s expected. Football is the ultimate team game. Butler knows that, which is why it’s puzzling he elected to call out Rodgers by Twitter on Sunday.
It’s an overreaction to suggest Rodgers is suddenly in decline. On the other hand, he needs to play better and he knows it. They all know it. But saying it and doing it are two different things.
Rodgers expects to play the final two games. He has no interest in turning the reins over to DeShone Kizer at this point.
“You just play,” Rodgers said. “We’re paid to play this game and prepare. You set different goals obviously because the playoffs won’t be happening. I think a good one is probably we can get our first road win of the year.”
Before Sunday’s game, Packers fans were all about which teams ahead of their team in the standings needed to lose. Today, the question is which teams beneath them have to win in order for the Packers to move up in the draft.
With that in mind, and as a service to Packers fans, here’s who to root for: Atlanta, Detroit, the Giants, Tampa Bay and Buffalo. They currently hold the 6th through 10th draft positions.
It’s actually a win-win.
If the Packers go to New York and defeat the Jets it’ll be great to finally get a road win. If they lose – and any of the teams with a 5-9 record win – it pushes them higher in the draft.
With a little luck, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell might be saying, “With the sixth pick in the 2018 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers select …”
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Rodgers, Packers get back to winning ways
By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA
Green Bay ends losing streak at three; No. 12 sets NFL interception-less mark
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers ended their losing streak, Aaron Rodgers extended his interception-less streak, and for a week, at least, it’s business as usual at 1265 Lombardi Ave.
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Following ex-head coach Mike McCarthy’s firing last Sunday, Green Bay needed a win and a return to normalcy.
They got both at the expense of the free-falling Falcons.
The Packers’ offense found rhythm, their defense found the end zone and their fans went home happy after Green Bay’s 34-20 victory over Atlanta on a chilly Sunday at Lambeau Field.
For a few hours, anyway, the Packers’ coaching search gave way to the pursuit of victory.
The Falcons (4-9) were the perfect foil.
Green Bay’s sputtering offense finally kicked into gear.
It came in response to Atlanta’s opening-drive touchdown, which saw not one, but two challenge flags thrown by Packers’ interim head coach Joe Philbin.
Both plays were upheld by the officials, leaving the Packers without a challenge during the final 58 minutes.
“I had enough big decisions to make during the course of the day, and I didn’t want to make any more so I got that (the challenges) out of the way,” Philbin joked afterward. “Plus the flag didn’t fit very (well) in my pocket.”
Philbin, who was calling plays for the first time in 21 years, said he planned to do some “challenge” education this week.
“It certainly looks like I need it,” he said with a smile.
It also looked like a change was needed in Green Bay. The vibe was much more upbeat among the players, and Philbin got things going in the right direction offensively.
The Packers’ offense converted 7 of 13 third downs, which was their single-game high since converting 11 third downs in their win over Buffalo. Green Bay had converted just eight of 35 third downs in the previous three games.
Rodgers said the opening drive “felt great.”
“It felt like we were in a great rhythm downfield,” he said.
Rodgers completed 21 of 32 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. His 24-yard touchdown throw to Randall Cobb put the Packers up 27-7 and set the NFL record for most consecutive passes (359) without an interception. It breaks the record set by New England’s Tom Brady of 358 set in 2010-11.
The Packers literally showed some fight, too.
When Rodgers was hit in the back by Falcons cornerback Brian Poole, Green Bay offensive linemen Lucas Patrick and Corey Linsley came to his defense. A mid-field scrum ensued.
“I love it, I really do … I don’t think (the hit) was disrespectful at all, but I do love my guys coming in,” Rodgers told reporters. “Yeah, I think there’s a lot of fight left in this squad. It means a lot as a leader for the guys to jump in and back you up.”
The Packers’ Aaron Jones rushed 17 times for 78 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers also hit Davante Adams for six, which was his NFL-high 11th red zone touchdown reception this season.
Clearly, the Packers’ offense missed Cobb. His 24-yard touchdown catch was vintage Rodgers-to-Cobb and reminded everyone of Cobb’s value. One could argue they need a younger, faster version, I suppose, but either way the need is apparent.
The Packers ran 61 plays, which is an improvement in tempo, and only committed six penalties for 37 yards. They also committed zero turnovers, which was critical on a frigid day.
“Our play speed was a little better, for whatever reason, but I wish I knew the answer because I would have had it that way before,” Philbin said. “We had some momentum, too, which always helps.”
Indeed, Packers cornerback Bashaud Breeland’s interception and 22-yard touchdown return fired up the entire team. It was Green Bay’s first interception in four weeks, the last being Breeland’s pick against Miami.
Now, the Packers (5-7-1) must brace for a chilly reception from the NFC North’s first-place Bears (9-4) next Sunday at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
The Bears pounded the Rams (11-2) on Sunday Night Football to the tune of 15-6. Chicago’s defense relished the victory and spoke of bigger things to come.
They weren’t talking about the Packers’ game, either.
No matter.
The Bears can do all the talking they like. They earned it.
That doesn’t mean the Packers won’t go into Chicago and come away with a major upset. This will be a critical test for Green Bay’s present and Philbin’s future.
For now, though, Philbin isn’t worried about whether he’ll become the Packers’ next head coach. Even before the Atlanta game, he didn’t want to talk about the long-term future, only the Falcons’ game.
“I’ve been around here before,” Philbin said last week. “I’m a football coach. I love coaching the game. I love being in the team meeting, whether I’m the head coach, the offensive coordinator, the tight end coach. I love walking on the field, the practice field. I still do. This is smart leadership here and they should do whatever is the best thing for the Green Bay Packer organization, and I’m fine with that.
“I’m going to do the best job I possibly can and help our team win this game against Atlanta, period.”
Mission accomplished.
Now it’s on to Chicago, where the Packers and Philbin will try to succeed where the new-age Rams’ offense and “genius” head coach Sean McVay failed.
A victory at Soldier Field just might get NFL fans to take the Packers a bit more serious. It also might get Packers’ fans to take the interim head coach a bit more serious, too.
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McCarthy Era ends after Packers’ loss
By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA
Green Bay departs from tradition following loss to Cardinals, 20-17
GREEN BAY, Wis. – After observing a disappointing loss, Packers fans then had to confront the news that their head coach of 13 years had been discharged.
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Sunday evening the “breaking news” flashed across TVs and cellphones in the Green Bay Area: “Packers coach Mike McCarthy has been fired, effective immediately, with offensive coordinator Joe Philbin named to serve as interim head coach.”
Fan sentiment is understandably mixed. Many were happy with the news, if somewhat ungrateful, but it’s certainly not unexpected. In the span of three months, what Packers’ fans perceived to be a Super Bowl contender disintegrated into an NFL also-ran.
A very disappointing season was punctuated by the Packers’ 20-17 loss to the Cardinals Sunday at blustery Lambeau Field. Green Bay (4-7-1) came into Sunday’s game a 14-point favorite. They played poorly in virtually every phase of the game, and had a lot of bad luck to boot, seemingly a chronic habit this year, and found a way to lose the game.
Someone had to pay. It wasn’t going to be the quarterback. He just got paid.
It wasn’t going to be ex-GM Ted Thompson, who contributed to McCarthy’s firing more than anyone with his dubious draft “hat trick” from 2014-2016.
Thompson goes into the Packer Hall of Fame this summer. Some feels it is too bad it wasn’t three summers ago. And some also feel that Packers’ president Mark Murphy is to blame for that, the thought being that Murphy sat by as idly and unblinking as his GM and did absolutely nothing while the Packers’ talent level eroded into its current substandard state.
Now, Murphy is trying to make amends by cutting loose TT as GM last winter and by saying farewell to MM yesterday.
He could consider another step: giving GM Brian Gutekunst total control of the football operation. Murphy, and others, should have input into hiring the next head coach, but the final call should be Gutekunst’s to make. Bob Harlan figured that out 25 years ago when he gave the Packers GM, Ron Wolf, free reign to make such football decisions and kept his nose out of it. The rest is history.
Clearly, McCarthy was coaching on borrowed time. Sunday’s loss proved to be the proverbial final straw.
Arizona (3-9) isn’t a good team. It’s a team with a rookie quarterback, a head coach on the hot seat and a handful of either aging or ineffective stars.
Wait a minute. You could say that sounds a bit like the Packers, only substitute the rookie QB for a 35-year-old future Hall of Famer.
Aaron Rodgers made it pretty clear he was unhappy with his coach. At least from the outside, that’s what appeared to be going on. It often seemed as if Rodgers wasn’t in agreement with his coach. I can’t recall a recent time Rodgers defended McCarthy on any level. Now he isn’t going to have to suffer McCarthy anymore.
If true leadership includes conveying a united front, Rodgers apparently felt otherwise. But it’s going too far to suggest Rodgers somehow “got” McCarthy fired. What got McCarthy fired was the perception he was indecisive and made incorrect decisions, coupled with Thompson’s poor drafts that procured too little talent to develop. And some ineffective play by players who normally were much better, with Rodgers at the head of that list.
McCarthy had a tremendous 12 ½-year run. His teams won 125 games and earned eight straight playoff appearances. The Packers also made three trips to the NFC Championship and defeated Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV.
He was deliberate. He was a grinder. He was sincere.
He also may have been loyal to a fault.
Kicker Mason Crosby wouldn’t be with the Packers if it wasn’t for McCarthy, who stayed with him during an awful stretch a few seasons back. On Sunday, Crosby’s missed field goal effectively sealed the loss and hastened McCarthy’s firing.
Mason is a tremendous person and has a great kicking record but, there were three games this year where he missed at least one critical kick. You have to wonder if he had made all of those, and the Packers record right now was 7-4-1, instead of 4-7-1, would McCarthy still be sitting in his office at 1265 Lombardi? No doubt. At least until the end of the season. And maybe beyond.
Not to pick on Mason Crosby, but that’s the way football goes. A play here, or a play there, a missed kick, a fumbled kick return (Ty Montgomery in LA), a penalty at precisely the wrong time, a dropped TD pass, a poor throw here or there, it goes on and on, and the win loss record can flip dramatically. And all those things are basically things that a coach is not guilty of. But he suffers the consequences because the buck has to stop somewhere. And of course, many feel it should not have come down to a play here or there. The Packers should have been putting opponents away earlier.
One criticism is that McCarthy wasn’t particularly imaginative and that his offense had grown stale and outdated. In an NFL season where points are being scored at an all-time high, the Packers’ offensive swoon suggests the critics may have a point. But that point assumes that he has sufficient roster talent to carry it off. Between some questionable drafts, lack of moves during the TT regime in free agency, letting some key players go, and a propensity for injuries beyond the NFL norms, maybe McCarthy just didn’t have the horses to create a scoring machine.
The offensive line had Roger’s under attacked constantly. The Packers were starting two rookie receivers much of the time. They have no true tight end threat, a critical factor in today’s NFL. Jimmy Graham was not as billed, unfortunately. Aaron Rodgers was hobbled by yet another injury and, even when he recovered, still seemed to be suffering the after affects with questionable throwing mechanics and missing countless throws he would normally make in his sleep.
So the season was very disappointing. For a lot of reasons. As stated, someone had to pay.
McCarthy’s in-season firing is the first in the Packers’ vaunted history. That isn’t going to sit well with some fans, particularly those who prided themselves on the fact that their team was somehow classier than the rest.
But would it have been classier, or more merciful, to keep McCarthy on until season’s end, knowing he’s going to be fired while he leads his team on a four-game journey to nowhere?
I would say probably not. And the Packers likely did him a favor. He can start the process of searching for a new job sooner than expected. He is free to consider his options now. And, as rumor has it, he could easily wind up in Cleveland as the next head coach for a team that has transplanted Green Bay Packers front office personnel in charge. A logical progression for McCarthy.
Now, a season full of “what the heck?” gives way to the question, “who’s next?” Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley is a top college candidate. Another is former Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired after a 5-7 season but is credited with developing Patrick Mahomes.
Josh McDaniels, the Patriots’ offensive coordinator, is another strong possibility. At 42, he has been through it all. Once hailed as a boy genius, McDaniels was Bill Belichick’s right-hand man at New England before the Broncos hired him in 2009. McDaniels’ team won its first six straight before fading late. He was fired after a 3-9 start the following season. Presumably he has learned humility, among other things, from the experience.
Joe Philbin, named as interim head coach yesterday, and who was 24-28 at Miami, is going to be a candidate. Mike Pettine, the defensive coordinator, also should be a candidate. He has experience as a head coach. He knows the Packers’ defensive personnel. He can hire a young, innovative offensive coordinator to work with Rodgers. But he is on record stating he does not want to be a head coach again. We’ll see.
There are plenty of candidates and time will tell as to the new heir apparent. The job in Green Bay is a desirable one, likely the most desirable head-coaching position in the league. So expectations are high that a great candidate will be landed.
The news of Packers’ loss to the Cardinals was upstaged by the abrupt firing of McCarthy. So where does the team go from here with four more games to play?
Rodgers offered a glimpse after Sunday’s game when asked if he believed a coaching change would be made. “I’m just thinking about these next four games and realizing how important leadership is in the tough times, trying to get guys to dig deep and play with that pride,” he told reporters.
“The conversations will take care of themselves down the line. I know my role is to play quarterback to the best of my abilities. That will be my focus the next four weeks, and then we’ll go from there.”
Maybe we will learn some valuable lessons over these next four weeks. The Packers can experiment with a lot of players who have not gotten a lot of time on the field. We can see how they react to adversity and how they respond to a new coaching philosophy. We will know much more perhaps than we would’ve known if McCarthy had finished off the string only to be cut loose at the end.
I would say that Packers fans owe a debt of gratitude to Mike McCarthy. His legacy will include the second longest tenure as head coach in Green Bay and the second most victories ever accomplished. He brought a Super Bowl trophy to Titletown, their fourth. Let us not forget that the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, division rivals, have never experienced even one of those. The Bears have one.
There were great days with MM at the helm, many of them, but the time had come. The marriage had gown stale. Both McCarthy and the Packers are better off going their separate ways.
Maybe in a few years it’ll be the Packers in the Super Bowl against the Mike McCarthy-coached Cleveland Browns. Who knows?
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All three of those cornerstones, once again, remain relevant in these winter months. Countless families will gather for the holiday, attend the service of their choice, and make time to cheer for the Green and Gold. And, despite an up-and-down season, the Packers are poised to remain in the NFC playoff hunt through the final weeks of the regular season.
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Vikings drop Packers into third place
By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA
Fourth and short decision backfires, again, in Green Bay’s 24-17 loss at Minnesota
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Maybe this is how it feels to be a Lions fan, rooting for a team whose results and play-calling seem predictable, and ruing in late November yet another season misspent.
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The Packers’ 24-17 loss to the Vikings Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium dimmed Thanksgiving’s afterglow, to be sure.
And while it’s true the Packers (4-6-1) can still make the playoffs, it’s also true there’s a chance Big Foot may exist (by the way, if Bigfoot does exist, here’s hoping he is an unrestricted free agent as the Packers have lots of roster holes to fill with the rash of new injuries).
Mathematically, the Packers have a 15-percent chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN’s FPI. Realistically, a 5-0 run seems doubtful for a team that’s 1-4 in its last five.
Here’s the good news:
Given Green Bay’s schedule, it could be a smooth ride to the finish line, with perhaps a bump on the road at Chicago, where fans will receive one of of two pieces of news: An unlikely playoff berth has been secured or a new head coach is on the way.
Should the Packers hire a new head coach if they don’t make the playoffs? I’ll leave that for you to decide and surely that topic has been bantered around the office water cooler at your place of work, but if you believe the sports scribes locally and nationally, that’s a foregone conclusion.
After 12-plus seasons, a Super Bowl title and 125 wins, that is what it comes down to for the Packers, their fans and head coach Mike McCarthy.
“We clearly understand where we are in the season, we clearly understand the importance of this game,” McCarthy said. “We’re focused on the next five. It’s exactly the facts – we know we have to win all five.”
The Packers’ pattern of playing a strong first half, followed by a weak second half, continued against the Vikings. Tied 14-14 at the half, the Packers managed just a field goal the rest of the way. In fact, Green Bay has scored just six points – two field goals – in its past two second halves combined. Leading 21-17 at half in Seattle, they lost 27-24 last Thursday.
After a 31-17 loss at New England earlier this season – a game that was tied 17-17 going into the fourth quarter – McCarthy said the offense’s problem was its inability to finish games.
While trying to fix the fourth-quarter blues, McCarthy’s offense went into second-half hibernation. It’s almost surreal watching Green Bay’s offense become second rate in the second half.
Aaron Rodgers acknowledged the obvious lack of offense after the intermission. “We had a couple good drives, we’re rolling there,” he said. “Then we hit our unfortunate, typical lull (and) couldn’t get it going again.”
The Packers ran just 51 plays.
They were 2-for-10 on third down. Minnesota was 7 of 14.
Rodgers was sacked four times.
He finished 17 of 28 for 198 yards, one touchdown and a 94 passer rating. He had zero rushing attempts, perhaps a concession to caution given his history at U.S. Bank Stadium.
At any rate, it wasn’t one of Rodgers’ better performances. “The way our defense played tonight, and with the injuries they have to hold them to 24 points, we have to win this game,” Rodgers said. “I have to play better. We all have to play better.”
Early on, McCarthy seemed to infuse life in the offense. A nifty reverse to Equanimeous St. Brown gained 5 yards. A counter toss to Aaron Jones netted 11 yards. It looked fresh. It felt like the Vikings’ defense might be in trouble. Jones had eight touches in the first three series. He rushed seven times for 35 yards and a touchdown. He caught a pass for another 8 yards. In turn, Davante Adams was targeted three times in the first two series. He had two catches for 21 yards and a touchdown. The Packers’ offense was rolling.
And then it wasn’t.
McCarthy got away from Jones, the running game and the short passing game. Essentially, he crossed his fingers and put the game in Rodgers’ hands, for better or worse.
Clearly, McCarthy’s decision-making can be called into question. After failing to go for it on fourth-and-2 late in Seattle (the Packers never got the ball back), he elected to go for it on fourth-and-inches at midfield midway through the third quarter. It backfired. Vikings’ safety Harrison Smith burrowed in from the defense’s left and corralled Jones in the backfield to snuff it. And this was after the Packers were forced to take a time out before running that play, because they couldn’t get the play call in time. A precious time out, which turned out to be critical at the end, was squandered. This has happening too frequently this year.
“I say it a lot but it’s the execution, you know?” Rodgers said. “The difference is in the details. And there’s just a few plays that happened that we’re just not as detailed with our assignments at times, and it’s often crunch time, or a time where if we do everything exactly right there’s a chance for a big play. But instead I’ve got to throw it away. We’re just not making the right plays at the right time. Third down, like I said, we’ve been pretty bad in comparison to how we’ve been over the last 10 years.”
The Packers incurred significant injuries during the game. It’s a credit to them that players such as David Bakhtiari, Kentrell Brice and others toughed it out. Injured guys came back into the game. There’s no doubt that they understood the urgency of this game and acted like it.
Still, it wasn’t enough.
Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins outplayed Rodgers by completing 29 of 38 passes for 342 yards, three touchdowns and a 129.5 passer rating. Cousins completed 26 of 30 passes to his top four weapons, including Adam Thielen’s eight catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Now, Green Bay doesn’t have the luxury of looking back. If they miss the playoffs for a second straight year it’ll be the first time that’s happened since Rodgers became the starter in 2008. “We’ll see what we’re made of the last five weeks,” he said. “Are we going to stick together in these tough times, or are we going to start splintering? I’d like to think the leadership is in place that we can stick together through whatever happens, but these five weeks will show it.”
And we’re all waiting to see. Let’s hope we get a glimmer of the team that we all know and love, and the one we expected to see this season.
Packers’ season takes Seattle-style setback
By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA
Play calling, decision-making, penalties and mistakes fatal in Green Bay’s 27-24 loss to Seahawks
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Ty Montgomery was sent packing for taking the football out of Aaron Rodgers’ hands late in the Packers’ two-point loss to the L.A. Rams earlier this season. Some fans and scribes are now advocating a similar fate for Mike McCarthy.
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The Packers hoped that their tired and depleted defense had a better chance of stopping Seattle’s vaunted running game than their MVP quarterback did of gaining 2 yards on fourth down.
That did not work out for two reasons:
** No. 1 – The defense was gassed and playing without Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark.
** No. 2 – The team arguably broke the green-and-gold rule: If you go down, make sure you go down swinging with Rodgers on the field.
Instead, they elected to punt with 4:11 to play, Rodgers never saw the field again and the Packers lost, 27-24, Thursday night at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.
The Packers had the football at their own 33-yard line when they elected to punt. While it’s true a failed fourth-down attempt likely would’ve led to a Seattle field goal, I say so what?
The Seahawks didn’t need a touchdown to beat Green Bay. They merely need to gain two first downs. Field position was a moot point. The Packers should’ve gone for it on fourth down.
In fact, they should’ve anticipated it and tried at least one run before fourth down on the final possession. They were in four down territory at that point.
I’d rather take that shot on 4th and 2 as opposed to seeing Rodgers watch helplessly while the game’s final seconds slipped away. It was an ill-fated decision in a game with many other dubious decisions.
After an impressive first half, the offense slowed to a crawl. The Packers managed just three second-half points in a game they had controlled early on.
Aaron Jones was impactful early, but after a strong first half he was again relegated to “afterthought” status. The Packers had 48 offensive plays. They only rushed the football just 13 times.
That is hardly a balanced attack (only 27% rushing plays) especially in a game where they were ahead most of the time. In contrast, the Seahawks ran 35 times out of 69 plays (51%). The Packers have an excellent running back. His name is Aaron Jones. Why are they rushing on only 27% of their plays?
Memo to the team: The more Jones, the better.
The Packers’ offensive tempo and aggressiveness evaporated after the intermission. The Seahawks’ defense primarily played zone after being roughed up in the first half. With tight end Jimmy Graham out with an injury, Seattle’s focus turned to trying to snuff out Jones. It worked because Seattle’s defense is still pretty good, and because the Packers capitulated and abandoned the running game.
Another brutal error was the decision not to challenge Tyler Lockett’s 34-yard catch with 6:41 to go. Replays showed Lockett had lost control of the ball. The call would’ve been overturned. Instead, Russell Wilson hit Ed Dickson for a 15-yard touchdown to make it 27-24 Seahawks. Possibly the Packers were reluctant to challenge it because, by then, they only had one timeout left and didn’t want to risk losing it if they were wrong. Regrettably, they already wasted two previous time outs that half. That put themselves needlessly in that position.
One of the biggest differences in the game was third down success. The Seahawks had it. The Packers didn’t.
Rodgers was just 2-for-6 with four sacks on third down plays. Wilson was 7-for-10 with two touchdowns and zero sacks.
“It’s been the same stuff: Tonight, terrible on third down,” Rodgers said. “Situationally, we’ve got to score touchdowns in the red zone. We had a chance in the first quarter to go up a couple scores … didn’t. Had a chance in the fourth quarter to go up by eight – didn’t get it done … Situational football.”
Rodgers finished 21 of 30 for 332 yards, two touchdowns and a 128.8 passer rating. Davante Adams had a career night by hauling in 10 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. Still, it wasn’t enough.
Wilson played well enough to avoid what would’ve been the first three-game losing streak of his career. He completed 21 of 31 passes for 225 yards, two touchdowns and a 110.3 rating. He was sacked three times – all by Kyler Fackrell. But he came through in the clutch enough times to win the game whereas the Packers just couldn’t quite muster that themselves. This seems a very sad refrain.
The Packers (4-5-1) are off for the next 10 days until they play the Vikings at Minnesota. According to ESPN’s FPI rating the Packers’ chances to make the playoffs dropped from 43 percent to 31 percent with the loss. Embodied in that rating must be the conclusion that Green Bay is capable of a strong stretch run that would require winning at least five of six. We all know they’ve done it before but, as Randall Cobb says, this year it “feels different”.
Rodgers was asked if there’s hope. “What am I supposed to say? Of course there’s hope,” he replied. “Of course we believe in each other. It’s going to take one galvanizing moment. Whether that’s a speech or at practice or something happens in the game, something’s got to get this thing going. I thought we had moments tonight where that was the way we were going.”
McCarthy said the Packers’ 4-5-1 record speaks for itself. “It states the obvious,” he said. “We’ve got five losses and we haven’t won on the road yet. We’ve got to finish games better, especially in the fourth quarter, and especially on the road.”
He added that the loss was disappointing. I think every Packers fan in the universe would second that opinion.
Fortunately, McCarthy has a ready solution. “I’ve got to coach better,” he said. “We’ve got to play better.”
With only six games left to play and the margin for error razor thin, they better do those two things very quickly or we will be looking ahead to 2019 rather than enjoying the playoffs. And there are many who are suggesting that in looking ahead to the 2019 season, it may be under a different head coach.
Where to Stay in Green Bay
A Guide for Fans
In the football mecca known as Green Bay, Wisconsin, there is never truly an “offseason.” Fans fill the bleak months that follow the Super Bowl with unfettered hope for the next season that lies ahead. That hope is buoyed by free agency and the draft in early spring, and further strengthened by the arrival of offseason workouts, mandatory minicamp, training camp and preseason games.
But to any Green-and-Gold aficionado, nothing quite beats the regular season. Rivalries old and new alike are renewed with the fierceness of a Nitschke-era tackle. Mere months separate opening kickoff from the commencement of the postseason. Every game matters. Every snap matters. It’s the kind of high-stakes sport just begging to be seen in person.
For the traveling fan, nearby accommodation options remain varied throughout the season. And without further ado, Event USA presents the top hotel choices for the incoming fan who wants to be close to the action at 1265 Lombardi Avenue:
Lodge Kohler
Steps away from Lambeau Field, Kohler Co. debuted its four-diamond hotel, Lodge Kohler, in 2017. The hotel is an extension of Kohler’s other Wisconsin properties, like the American Club, and offers premium access to all things Titletown.
As a four-diamond hotel, you can expect to be greeted by extraordinarily-attentive valets and doormen and accommodated in a room equipped with a state-of-art Kohler bathroom and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows. Other amenities include a full-service Kohler Water Spa, indoor family pool and enhanced fitness facility.
Choose to dine in elegance at the Taverne in the Sky, which turns out upscale comfort food like wood-fired filet mignon and cracker-crusted walleye, or opt for the more casual Leaps and Bounds Café. At the Taverne in the Sky’s panoramic bar, the Old Fashioneds flow freely and guests can take in unparalleled views of Lambeau Field.
Lodge Kohler is also located in the heart of the Titletown plaza, a new community development just west of Lambeau Field featuring a large park with year-round activities, including a winter tubing hill and skating rink.
Tundra Lodge
Ideally-located only a few blocks from Lambeau Field and the Resch Center, Green Bay’s Tundra Lodge provides an experience that is fun for the whole family. Kids of all ages will love the hotel’s arcade, splash pad and three-story water park, while older guests will enjoy the hot tubs, lazy river and after-dinner cocktails at the hotel’s Yukon Jax Bar.
When it’s time to dine, treat yourself to carved prime rib at the Tundra Lodge’s Caribou Restaurant topped off with ice cream or local Seroogy’s chocolates from Klondike Kate’s Candy Store.
With massive wooden beams, a 45-foot stone fireplace and rustic decor, the hotel’s elegant hunting lodge ambiance offers a truly welcoming retreat.
Best Western Green Bay
Location, location, location…is what draws many fans to Best Western Green Bay. The hotel is just minutes away from Lambeau Field, allowing guests to easily walk to the Packers’ practice fields and Hall of Fame, Titletown plaza, and many of the city’s most popular restaurants and sports bars. Within the hotel, Best Western offers complimentary WiFi, an indoor pool and spa tub, as well as a fitness center.
Quality Inn
Looking to bring your “best friend” on your Titletown retreat? The Quality Inn offers reasonably-priced, pet-friendly rooms in the Lambeau area. Guests will also enjoy a free full breakfast, complimentary WiFi, an indoor heated pool and whirlpool, and easy access to the Lambeau entertainment district.
Hotel J
The contemporary, recently-renovated Hotel J accommodates a variety of group sizes and budgets. Choose from a standard room, family suite or unique themed suite decorated to reflect Caesar’s Palace, the Amazon jungle, a Tuscan villa and more. Hotel J is just a short drive away from Lambeau Field, Bay Park Square Mall, comfort food-focused restaurants, including T. Bacon’s BBQ and Famous Dave’s, and other popular Green Bay attractions. Additional amenities include a complimentary breakfast, free WiFi, an indoor pool and whirlpool, and free airport shuttle service.
Radisson
Situated across the street from Austin Straubel Airport and just four miles away from Lambeau Field, the Radisson provides more than just a great location. The hotel is conveniently connected to Oneida Casino via an indoor corridor and boasts fabulous on-site dining options, live entertainment, 24-hour shuttle service, free WiFi, and an indoor pool and sauna.
Wingate
Dedicated to value and convenience, Wingate offers newly-updated rooms as well as complimentary shuttles to the Green Bay airport and local hot spots like Oneida Bingo and Casino, Bay Beach, the NEW Zoo, and most importantly, Lambeau Field! Guests will also enjoy a breakfast buffet, fitness room, and other amenities.
So, there you have it—everything you need to know to set yourself up for an amazing stay in Green Bay, Wisconsin! Check into any of the hotels listed above, and you’ll get a great taste of what this fun-loving football town has to offer!
Also, be sure to team up with Event USA for the best game-day experience possible! From high-demand game-day tickets to a variety of hotel packages, Event USA has everything you need to make your trip to Green Bay unforgettable!
Start planning your excursion today! Contact Event USA at: 920.722.5377 or www.eventusa.com
