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.

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Green Bay’s 22-9 victory comes at a cost as linebacker corps takes a hit
By CHRIS HAVEL
The Detroit Lions’ offense had about as much trouble getting into the end zone as the Green Bay Packers’ James Jones did leaping into the stands.
Jones’ 83-yard catch and run for a touchdown late in the third quarter helped the Packers to a 22-9 victory over Detroit that kept the Lions winless in Wisconsin since December of 1991. Jones’ big play prompted a Lambeau Leap, but an unhappy Lions fan seated in the front row foiled the leap. Jones coolly adjusted his rout, gathered himself and soared into the stands.
While Jones churned out another strong game, the Lions’ Calvin Johnson was out with a knee injury and had to watch from the sideline. Johnson’s absence certainly affected the Lions’ offense. With the Green Bay defense shifting its attention from Johnson to Reggie Bush, the Lions’ running back was limited to 44 yards on 13 rushing attempts. He also caught an irrelevant four passes for 25 yards. Johnson’s injury was a factor and the Packers admitted as much.
“Just being able to keep (the Lions) in short and intermediate passes definitely helped us out,” Packers linebacker Mike Neal said. “Calvin’s a big part of their game plan, and without him, I think they put a lot on other guys. It was a big plus for us.”
There were several other plusses:

• Packers’ running back Eddie Lacy came back strong after being out with a concussion. Lacy rushed for 99 yards on 23 carries, and Randall Cobb caught a lateral and raced 67 yards to help the Packers finish with 180 rushing yards on 30 carries.
• Jones (four receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown), Nelson (five for 82) and Cobb (four for 35) all made explosive plays. Also, tight end Jermichael Finley returned from a concussion to catch six passes in as many targets for 32 yards in a solid game.
• The Packers racked up five sacks – all by linebackers – and kept the Lions’ Matthew Stafford from getting comfortable all day. The Lions’ only touchdown was a 13-yard pass from Stafford to Kris Durham with 2:06 to play.
• Linebackers A.J. Hawk (nine tackles, seven solo) and Nick Perry (five tackles, all solo, including two sacks) had strong efforts. This may have been Hawk’s and Perry’s finest game of the season.
• Welcome to the 2013 season, Morgan Burnett. The safety returned after a hamstring injury to make five tackles and defend a pass that likely would have gone for a touchdown. Burnett’s presence illustrated how much the defense loses in his absence.
• Mason Crosby went 5-for-5 on field goal attempts, connecting from 26 and 52 yards in the first half, and from 31, 42 and 45 in the second half. Crosby’s form looked smooth as silk, and it appears he is going to earn every dollar of that incentive money.

Fortunately Crosby’s hamstrings are fine, at least, because too many of his teammates have fallen to the injury. The latest is linebacker Brad Jones, who pulled up while trying to force Bush out-of-bounds in the first half. Jones is likely going to miss several weeks.
Jones’ absence is going to hurt.
Linebacker Rob Francois sustained an Achilles injury, and Clay Matthews broke his left thumb. Francois likely is done for the season, while Matthews’ status will be updated on Wednesday.
The Packers’ poor performance in the red zone should be a concern. Aaron Rodgers went 20 of 30 for 274 yards and a touchdown, but the offense sagged inside the Lions’ 20-yard line.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy’s priority has to be red zone offense as he prepares for this week’s game at Baltimore.
The Packers (2-2) have now won 23 straight games against Detroit in the state of Wisconsin. They also pulled to within a half-game of first place in the NFC North, thanks to their win over Detroit (3-2) and Chicago’s 26-10 loss to New Orleans, which was the Bears’ (3-2) second straight.

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Green Bay has won 22 straight over Detroit dating back to Dec. 15, 1991
By CHRIS HAVEL
For more than two decades, the Green Bay Packers haven’t played so much as owned the Detroit Lions in Wisconsin.
The Packers (1-2) have won 22 straight home games against the often lackluster Lions (3-1) since Dec. 15, 1991. I believe Bobby Layne was the Lions’ starting quarterback that day, or was it Bobby Douglass?
It’s been so long the Scott Mitchells and Erik Kramers run together.
As dreadful as the Lions’ losing streak is in Wisconsin, it guarantees very little, if anything, when Detroit and Green Bay kick off Sunday’s noon game at Lambeau Field.
This isn’t the same Detroit Lions’ squad that frequently relies on inability, ineptitude or a combination thereof to lose here. This is a Lions’ squad, led by Reggie Bush’s feet and Ndamukong Suh’s suspensions, that prefers to hit first and ask questions later. Bush rolled up 173 yards in the win over the Bears, and Suh played relentlessly.
The Lions are playing in the image of head coach Jim Schwartz. They are playing aggressive if not reckless football that lacks discipline but makes up for it with intimidation. At least so far this season anyway. Neither the Packers nor the Lions care to hear about the past. Green Bay knows this isn’t a Lions’ team lacking ability, while Detroit realizes that the Packers – at 1-2 coming out of the bye week – can’t afford to lose.
In fact, this is as close to a must-win situation as the Packers are likely to face until December, if it matters then. It is difficult to know just how good the Packers truly are this season. They lose at San Francisco, which is understandable, except the 49ers promptly lose two straight in awful fashion. The Packers blow a 30-14 lead at Cincinnati, which is tough to forgive, especially when the Bengals follow it up with an even more unforgivable 17-6 loss at home to the Cleveland Browns.
Meantime, the Lions take care of business and the Bears with a 40-32 victory over Chicago Sunday at Ford Field. In London, the Minnesota Vikings fended off the winless Pittsburgh Steelers 34-27 to go to 1-3. The NFC North is a two-team fight between the Bears and Lions unless the Packers kick in the door with a win against Detroit on Sunday.
To do that, the Packers’ defense is going to have to play its best game of the season. The Lions’ offense is no joke with Bush doing a far imitation of Barry Sanders, and Matthew Stafford making enough throws to Calvin Johnson and Co. to keep defenses on their heels.
The Packers need all hands on deck. Morgan Burnett and Casey Hayward are going to be needed in the secondary, especially if Clay Matthews’ hamstring flares up.
“It’s great to have weapons at your disposal,” Stafford said after defeating the Bears. “Our offensive line is playing great. They’re opening holes in the running game and those guys are doing what they do. The more we can do that (run), the better we’re going to be.”
Stafford routinely plays some of his poorest football against the Packers. Much of that is because his counterpart, Aaron Rodgers, often puts Detroit in a double-digit hole. That is going to be the Packers’ formula for success again Sunday against Detroit. Meantime, the Lions aim to run against the Packers’ nickel defense.
“We definitely felt like that was an area we could take advantage of,” Bush said of the Bears’ game. “When we had (Chicago) in nickel – their nickel personnel – and there’s six guys in the box, we’ve got to take advantage of that.”
It will be up to the Packers’ defense to keep the explosive Bush and Co. from opening an early lead. Then, if everything goes to plan, the Green Bay defense will be asked to close out the game. If the Packers intend to win the NFC North the first step is a win against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Anything less is unacceptable at this point.