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Green Bay rolls past Minnesota 44-31 while controlling clock, inept Vikings
By CHRIS HAVEL
The Green Bay Packers led by three touchdowns with about 10 minutes to play when a TV camera panned the Minnesota Vikings sideline before settling on a tight shot of Adrian Peterson. The Vikings’ running back gazed at the Metrodome scoreboard with a quizzical expression as if to say, “When did the second half start?”
By then it was over.
The rest was just details, including ex-Packers receiver Greg Jennings whispering sweet nothings in Aaron Rodgers’ ear after the game, followed by Jennings’ post-game dodge of the media. Way to stay classy after a forgettable one-catch night. The Packers rolled to a 44-31 victory over Minnesota in dominating fashion Sunday night at Mall of America Field. The Vikings ran just three plays in the third quarter of a disastrous game in which the Vikings’ offense had the football less than 20 minutes and ran 43 plays.
Meantime, Rodgers and the allegedly depleted Packers’ offense kept moving the chains by converting an astounding 13 of 18 third down attempts. Rodgers completed 10 of 10 passes on third down.
“We’ve got a great team, very well-coached,” Rodgers said. “Guys are ready to play. It was loud in here. It was a tough environment, but guys stepped up.”
Clearly, Rodgers didn’t miss Jennings. In fact, he rarely missed any of his current receivers, completing 24 of 29 passes for 285 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Jordy Nelson.
“I wasn’t going to let this team beat us,” Rodgers said. “A lot was on my shoulders.”
With Randall Cobb, James Jones and Jermichael Finley sidelined with injuries, Rodgers turned to Nelson, who had seven catches for 123 yards including a 76-yard touchdown that was a thing of beauty. Rodgers hit Nelson on a skinny post out of the slot. With Vikings’ linebacker Chad Greenway was a half-step too slow Rodgers whistled the ball past Greenway’s ear hole and into Nelson’s soft hands.
“I think this is really shaping up to be one of Aaron’s best years,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said. “Aaron’s had a lot of challenges Monday through Saturday that don’t show up on the stat sheet, just trying to get on the same page with younger players and trusting the game plan.”
Rodgers’ leadership is beyond reproach, but that didn’t stop Jennings from being critical of the Packers’ quarterback this offseason. Today, Jennings looks even more foolish than he sounded. He could’ve stayed in Green Bay but he opted for a more lucrative signing bonus in Minnesota. For him to suggest he left merely to open up opportunities for Cobb, Jones and Nelson is ridiculous. Truth be told, Jennings might be the Packers’ No. 4 receiver if he were still in Green Bay.
At any rate, Jennings is yesterday’s news, and as Rodgers has said, the Packers are focused on what’s ahead. The Packers’ run game is hitting its stride. The left side of the line opened running lanes for Eddie Lacy (29 carries for 94 yards) and James Starks (seven for 57). Both backs scored on touchdown runs, with Lacy blasting in from 1 yard out and Starks cruising on a 25-yard burst through the Vikings’ lackluster defense. Vikings’ defense end Jared Allen, who didn’t register a sack against Green Bay’s rookie left tackle, David Bahktiari, sounded disgusted.
“When the heck is the last time the Green Bay Packers rushed for 200 yards on somebody?” he said. “If that’s not a punch in the gut and a wake-up to people, something needs to be.”
The Packers (5-2) continue to hold their place atop the NFC North despite missing seven starters, including three key weapons in the passing game and their top pass rusher, Clay Matthews. No matter against the woeful Vikings (1-6) and Christian Ponder, who was the third different quarterback to start in as many weeks.
Minnesota’s only hurrah was Cordarrelle Patterson’s 109-yard kick return for a touchdown to open the game. Kick and punt coverage continue to be problematic for the Packers, although special teams did rebound with Micah Hyde’s 93-yard punt return for a touchdown.
The Packers have won 15 of 16 games against the NFC North, with Chicago (4-3) up next on Monday Night Football at Lambeau Field. The Packers’ Sunday night victory was the first game in a five-game stretch before Thanksgiving in which Green Bay should be favored every week. After Chicago, they host Philadelphia and travel to New York to play the Giants before coming home against Minnesota.
It is an opportunity the depleted (wink, wink) Packers are eager to tackle.

Green Bay climbs atop NFC North with convincing victory over Browns, 31-13
By CHRIS HAVEL
The lasting image isn’t Jarrett Boykin reaching out for his first NFL touchdown, Eddie Lacy slamming his way into the end zone from 1 yard out or Brandon Weeden tossing wayward passes.
The lasting image from Green Bay’s 31-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns Sunday is Packers’ tight end Jermichael Finley being carted off Lambeau Field on a stretcher.
Finley caught five passes for 72 yards and a touchdown in five targets. The fifth, fateful pass reception ended with Cleveland’s Tashaun Gipson delivering a blow that drew a 15-yard penalty and KO’d Finley. As of Monday evening Finley remained at a Green Bay hospital in ICU. Mark Chmura, the ex-Packers tight end, told ESPN Milwaukee that he sustained a bruised spine and that it was an 8-12 week injury.
Finley had use of his extremities, and thoughts and prayers were with him from teammates and friends. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke in a serious tone when asked about his friend and teammate.
“There’s not a whole lot to be said,” Rodgers said. “Actually, Evan (Diedrich-Smith) spoke up after that and said a few words. But it’s a reminder how tough this game is. We put our bodies on the line, our future health on the line and obviously with Jermichael he was playing really well. He’s a great friend, great teammate. He’s had a very good year for us. Injuries are a part of the game. But those are tough to see. Not being able to walk off the field I know, in the back of our minds, is kind of our worst nightmare.”
Finley’s injury comes at a time when he was playing terrific football and the Packers’ already beat-up offense was heavily relying on their immensely talented tight end. Finley’s 10-yard catch and touchdown run was among the NFL’s best highlights of the 2013 season. He looked strong, fast and confident. His mistakes were down, and his production was up. He has 25 catches for 300 yards, a 12 yards-per-catch average, with three touchdowns. Randall Cobb is out for eight weeks, and James Jones may be able to return this week at Minnesota, but the Packers’ weaponry is seriously depleted with Finley’s injury.
Now, it will be up to Brandon Bostick to fill the pass-catching void at tight end, and Andrew Quarless to step up as a run-blocking tight end. The position unit is critical to the Packers’ offense especially in that it works in concert with the running game and powerful back Eddie Lacy. Whereas Lacy’s threat of the run would have provided tremendous play-action opportunities with Finley, the Packers are forced to proceed with Bostick, Quarless and the rest.
Look for Packers coach Mike McCarthy to utilize more double-tight end formations for several reasons. First, it is difficult to deploy four-receiver sets with Cobb and Jones out. Second, two tight ends will balance up the defense, meaning the Packers will be able to identify and presumably attack via the run or pass based on personnel and formation.
Much like Jarrett Boykin stepped up with eight receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown, including a long catch of 39 yards, the Packers’ tight ends need to soften the blow of Finley’s absence. With NFC North rival Minnesota looming, the Packers need to rely on Rodgers’ right arm, Lacy’s legs and the thought that players such as Boykin will step up and deliver. Meantime, the Packers, 4-2, moved into first place in the NFC North thanks to their victory and losses by Chicago (45-41 to Washington) and Detroit (30-27) to Cincinnati.
Now, the Packers’ philosophy will be tested. “Next Man Up” isn’t a motto so much as a matter of routine at 1265. McCarthy’s no-drama approach is one reason to believe the Packers will survive this latest injury setback. Another reason to believe is that the Packers have been down this road before.
In 2010 it was an injury disaster at every turn. Circumstances forced McCarthy to run the football, and James Starks delivered. He also cut loose the defense and it responded by forcing a ton of turnovers. With Sam Shields’ sustained excellence, House’s emergence and Casey Hayward’s impending return, the Packers’ defense doesn’t lack playmakers. And it’s going to get Clay Matthews, Brad Jones and Nick Perry back at some point.
Meantime, the Packers will persevere with McCarthy’s calming effect, Rodgers’ talent and a defense that’s only surrendered an average of 13 points per game in the past three contests.
Sadly, they must persevere without Jermichael Finley, at least in the foreseeable future. Here’s wishing Finley a complete recovery, and predicting the Packers will find a way to win. It’s just going to be much more difficult without No. 88 making big plays.

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Rodgers delivers in clutch despite losing Cobb, Jones to first-half leg injuries; LB Nick Perry suffers broken foot
By CHRIS HAVEL
Victories frequently come at a price in the NFL.
On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers paid handsomely for a hard-fought 19-17 victory against the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens in Baltimore. Receivers Randall Cobb (knee) and James Jones (shin) were shelved in the first half, while Monday brought word that linebacker Nick Perry will be out indefinitely with a broken bone in his foot.
The Packers (3-2) showed great mental and physical toughness against a salty Ravens squad on the road in a hostile environment. They built a tenuous 9-3 lead before Aaron Rodgers connected with Jordy Nelson on a 64-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to make it 16-3. Baltimore (3-3) pulled within 19-17 but a Rodgers-to-Jermichael Finley 52-yard pass play effectively sealed the victory. It came on third-and-3 and kept the Ravens from getting the ball back with a chance to win.
“It’s important to win on the road in this league if you want to make the playoffs,” Rodgers said. “This was a tough environment. This is a team that’s defending champs, a football team that’s very well-coached, great players on both sides of the ball. This is a great team character-building win.”
The Packers’ defense stepped up without leader Clay Matthews, who is out with a broken thumb.
“It’s kind of been our motto for a long time around here: ‘Next man up.’ We have to make it work,” linebacker A.J. Hawk said. “We had a lot of young guys out there today who really did a good job.”
The Ravens were 2 of 14 on third down attempts Sunday. They needed at least 10 yards on nine of those tries. That enabled the pressure to get to Flacco and bottle up the run. The Packers held the Ravens to 47 yards rushing and sacked Flacco five times, including three by Hawk. Clearly, this was Hawk’s best game as a pro and it comes at a time when the Packers’ linebacker corps needs him the most. With Matthews and Brad Jones (hamstring) already sidelined, and Perry now joining them, the Packers’ 3-4 is relying on youth at linebacker.
Rookies Andy Mulumba and Nate Palmer played significant minutes and likely will be counted on again this week against Cleveland. The Packers also will be counting on kicker Mason Crosby, who delivered on 4 of 5 field goal attempts in the victory. Crosby has been excellent after fending off several challengers in training camp. On a Packers’ team missing several of its key players every point counts.
Meantime, rookie running back Eddie Lacy continues to answer the question: Is it the line that makes the ball carrier or vice-versa? Lacy rolled up 120 yards on 23 carries against a rugged Ravens defense. The Packers’ ability to go ground-and-pound – at least in stretches – was a key factor in the team’s first road win of the season. In loss at San Francisco and Cincinnati, the Packers held fourth-quarter leads. Now, with the dimension of Lacy’s running, the Packers can work the clock.
Rodgers played well despite losing two of his top targets. He finished 17 of 32 for 315 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
“Days like today remind you of why you love this game so much,” Rodgers said. “Offensively, we’re struggling a little bit, but we found a way to make enough plays to win.”
The Ravens had won 13 straight home games against NFC teams, and linebacker Terrell Suggs saw his string of five straight games with at least one sack come to an end. Now, the Packers must brace for an improved Cleveland team in Sunday’s 3:25 p.m. kickoff, and it must find a way to win without Cobb, Perry, Matthews and the Joneses (James and Brad).
A much-improved running game with Lacy is one way. So is a defense that looks light years ahead of its 2012 counterpart. Of course, the surest way to success rest in Rodgers’ right arm. It’s up to GM Ted Thompson and his staff to find him adequate targets until Cobb and Jones return.