Flynn rallies Green Bay to 26-26 OT tie while Lions, Bears both upset Sunday
By CHRIS HAVEL
The Green Bay Packers didn’t win a game they felt they should have but still managed to pick up a half-game on the NFC North leaders.
What a crazy season it has been.
The Packers’ 26-26 tie with Minnesota Sunday at Lambeau Field was a microcosm of Green Bay’s 5-5-1 season. It illustrated the need for a backup quarterback with command of the offensive play-book. It appears now that signing Matt Flynn earlier would have been a wise decision, but hindsight is 20-20.
There is no doubt that Flynn’s ability to run the no-huddle and his familiarity with the system and personnel gives Green Bay a better chance to win.
Flynn may be able to lead the Packers to a Thanksgiving Day upset of the Lions in Detroit. If not, the Packers may regret not signing and playing Flynn soon enough to perhaps beat Philadelphia, the Giants or Minnesota.
The Packers’ other concern is its defense. When push came to shove, the Vikings were able to move the ball far easier than they should have. The D did shut down Minnesota three times in the 4th quarter, allowing Flynn and company time to stage a dramatic comeback, but they could not repeat that in OT. Fortunately, they had enough to avoid allowing a game-winning touchdown. It was disconcerting to watch Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart run with the ease they did.
So, the defense, and in particular the run defense, remains an area of great concern. The Packers’ defense seemed to struggle even with eight defenders in the box. As far the passing defense, against a more accurate QB (Christian Ponder missed on several open receivers) the Vikings might have had this game wrapped up. In fairness, the Packers were missing key players – Jolly, Shields, Hayward, etal, plus Clay Matthews is still hampered with the awkward cast on his broken thumb.
It was very encouraging to see Flynn take over for Scott Tolzien and help the Packers erase a 16-point fourth quarter deficit. Flynn threw for 218 yards but failed to convert in the red zone late in the fourth quarter and again in overtime. With more playing and practice time (he had 4 snaps he said with the first team offense in practice last week), that should improve.
The comeback staged is almost miraculous considering the circumstances and Flynn’s lack of time being integrated into the offense in the few weeks since re-joining the team.
A tie is preferable to a loss because Green Bay still controls its destiny. If the Packers win out they would capture the NFC North title. It may seem improbable. Then again, who thought the Buccaneers would stop the Lions 24-21 at Detroit? Who thought the Rams would hammer the Bears 42-21 in St. Louis?
The season isn’t over, especially if Aaron Rodgers returns in time for the Packers’ Dec. 8 game against Atlanta. Still, the Packers’ tie with the Vikings was disappointing.
“It’s an empty feeling,” McCarthy said. “You go out there and didn’t lose the game … but you feel like you didn’t accomplish what you set out to do.”
The Packers have a quick turnaround to prepare for the Lions. Perhaps they will be able to find the momentum they need based on the 16-point comeback, even though it ended in a tie. Detroit (6-5) certainly isn’t invincible, even on Thanksgiving Day.
There is still a chance to write a very happy ending to the season. The return of Mr. Rodgers now seems to be on the near horizon. That happy ending will be far more likely with a Thanksgiving victory in Detroit.
And another great positive: the Packers’ Eddie Lacy continues to play at a high level. He rushed 25 times for 110 yards and a touchdown. He also caught six passes for 48 yards. With Flynn’s guidance, and Lacy’s explosiveness, the Packers should be able to score on Detroit’s defense.
Of critical importance will be the Packers’ special teams’ units kick and punt coverage and the defense’s ability to harass Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford into game-changing mistakes.
It could happen. Happy Thanksgiving. Let’s watch some exciting football.

Packers’ defense gives ground in Eagles’ 27-13 win at Green Bay
By CHRIS HAVEL
The singular question on the minds of Green Bay Packers fans everywhere today is this: Is it Seneca Wallace’s left or right groin which is injured? That and how long will he be out?
OK, so much for levity.
How about a dose of reality: The Packers’ overall defense – and especially its safety play – has been unacceptable in two straight losses. To compound matters, the tackling has been bad and the effort worse.
Philadelphia’s 27-13 victory over Green Bay Sunday at Lambeau Field exposed several weaknesses including the fact that the backup quarterback position isn’t the weakest of them. Not by a long shot when considering defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ unit.
Aaron Rodgers and the offense might have been able to overcome the Packers’ poor defensive play in back-to-back home losses. Any combination of Wallace and/or Scott Tolzien could not.
The Packers’ offense had more first downs (23-19), more plays (75-58) and threw for more yards (297-211) than the Eagles’ offense. The problem was the Eagles’ offense relied on explosive plays and an overpowering running attack.
The Eagles had nine plays of 20-or-more yards.
Some involved luck (DeSean Jackson’s 55-yard touchdown catch on a deflection and Riley Cooper’s 32-yard touchdown catch when Packers’ safety Morgan Burnett slipped). The rest was the Eagles and LeSean McCoy chewing up the clock in routine fashion. At one point, Green Bay’s defense simply sagged while the Eagles clicked off nine minutes in a game-clinching drive.
McCoy increased his NFL-leading rushing total to 932 yards with a strong 25 carry, 155-yard performance against Green Bay.
Eagles’ quarterback Nick Foles finished 12 of 18 for 228 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Foles was coming off an NFL record-tying performance with seven touchdown passes against Oakland last week. Against the Packers, one of every four completions by Foles resulted in an Eagles’ touchdown.
For a second straight game, the Packers’ starting quarterback was injured on the game’s opening drive. Last Monday, Rodgers broke his left collarbone on the first series of a 27-10 loss to Chicago. On Sunday, Wallace pulled a groin muscle on the opening drive and was finished.
But here is a bright spot, and unexpected at that. With minimal prep time at best, Tolzien, a former Wisconsin Badger, played well.
He completed 24 of 39 passes for 280 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He showed zip on his passes, command of the offense and presence in the pocket. He looked better than Matt Flynn – yes, that Matt Flynn – and better than Graham Harrell, B.J. Coleman, Vince Young or Wallace.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy’s best decision of the day might’ve been declaring Tolzien the starter for this week’s game in New Jersey against the New York Giants.
If there is cheerful news to report it’s that Tolzien’s got game, and that the Packers were right to match Cleveland’s offer in an attempt to sign him off Green Bay’s practice squad. The Packers matched Cleveland’s offer and Tolzien was promoted to the 53-man roster.
“We had a lot of tough situations today, no excuses,” McCarthy told reporters after the game. “I thought Scott Tolzien played as well as could be expected.”
No question about it.
Tolzien’s only glaring error was an ill-advised and underthrown back-shoulder pass attempt to Jordy Nelson that was intercepted by the Eagles’ Brandon Boykin in the second quarter.
“We had an awesome opportunity there and got a good look with the play that we were running,” Tolzien said. “Looking back on the throw, I should have thrown more back pylon.”
But Tolzien shook it off and did not take it to heart. No one is perfect, especially when thrown into the fore with understandably little prep, as he was.