Packers win in Dome Beat Vikings

The Green Bay Packers made their faint playoff hopes a little better with a convincing 33-28 victory over the NFC Central leading Vikings.

   The Packers offense set the tone from the very beginning of the game.  The Packers chewed up the first half of the first quarter and staked an early 10-0 lead.  Ahman Green and Brett Favre led the Packers down the field.  The Packers receivers played their best game of the season and caught everything the Favre threw their way.  Ahman Green ran the ball with elusiveness and power.  Facing a 3rd and 9 with slightly over two minutes left in the game with the Packers up by five, Green ran around left side and picked more than the necessary yardage giving the Packers the victory.  Brett Favre threw for three touchdowns and played one of his best games of the season.  The Packers were able to control the game and the clock which kept the Vikings potent offense off of the field.   Overall the Packers offense gets a A.

   The Packers defense played a superb game against a very potent Vikings offense.  The Packers defense held when it needed to and limited their mistakes.  Pro Bowl starter Darren Sharper came up with another big interception and is the league leader in that category.  The secondary did a superb job of covering the Vikings receivers.  Randy Moss broke away for a big touchdown but that play was set up due to Vonnie Holiday missing a point blank sack.   Tackling was adequate throughout the game with the Packers totally shutting down the Vikings running game.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B+.

   The Packers special teams were good enough for the Packers to win this game.  Both coverage units tackled and covered well and did not allow any big returns by the Vikings.  Josh Bidwell punted the ball well although I would like to see him pin the ball inside the 10 yard line more often.  Ryan Longwell connected on all of his field goal attempts and kept giving the Packers a boost by making good with his kicks.  Allen Rossum didn't break any big returns.  Overall the Packers special teams gets a B.

Game Ball  Offense:  Ahman Green  Defense:  Bernardo Harris  Special Teams:  Scott McGarrahan

    The Packers playoff hopes are a bit brighter now with this victory.  The Lions need to lose this week since they pulled out a stunning victory in New York against the Jets and the   St Louis Rams need to lose their last game against the Saints.  This week the Packers play the Bucs at Lambeau.   I look for the Packers to finish their playoff run with a victory.

My Pick.  Packers 28 Bucs 17

Packers beat Lions

The Green Bay Packers needed a win and got one at home against the Detroit Lions with a 26-13 victory.

   The Packers offense played with enough consistency in the running game to win.  Led by Ahman Green, the Packers were able to run the ball and control the tempo of the game.  The Packers scored on their opening possession which was the first time this season that has happened.   Brett Favre did not have one of his better games.  Favre was erratic all day long and was unable to connect with his receivers.  Favre also threw an interception in the end zone at the end of the first half.  Antonio Freeman had a few more drops in this game including a deep pass down the middle in which he was sandwiched between two defenders.  The Packers are going to need a receiver who is a threat to catch the ball in the middle of the field.  Overall the Packers offense gets a B.

   The Packers defense stepped up in this game and played one of it's most complete games of the season.  The Packers used a stifling secondary to shut down the Lions receivers.  The Packers didn't blitz much and didn't need to with excellent coverage on the receivers.  Darren Sharper played a magnificent game and came up with another interception which leads the league.   The Packers defense really stepped up in the fourth quarter when the Lions pulled the game to within a touchdown.  The Packers shut down the Lions and immediately gave the ball back to the offense.  Tackling was superb in this game.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B+.

   The Packers special teams opened up the game with a huge kickoff return by Allen Rossum.  Rossum had several other nice returns as well.  The Packers also held down former Packer Desmond Howard and didn't allow any big returns from the former Packer great.  Tackling was superb for the special teams units and Ryan Longwell connected with 3 of 4 field goals.   Overall the Packers special teams unit gets a B.

Game Ball  Offense:  Ahman Green  Defense:  Darren Sharper  Special Teams:  Allen Rossum

    The Packers kept their razor thin playoff hopes alive by beating the Lions.  This week the Packers travel to Viking land.  This is a stadium the Packers have not fared well in.   The Packers won the earlier season matchup with the miracle catch by Antonio Freeman on Monday Night Football.  The Packers have not swept the Vikings in a season since 1988.  I think the Packers playoff hopes come to an end this weekend in Minnesota.

My Pick.  Packers 21 Vikings 24

Packers whip Bears

The Green Bay Packers played from start to finish and whipped the Chicago Bears at Soldiers Field 28-6.

   The Packers offense established control early in the game with the running of Ahman Green and the passing of Brett Favre.  Green broke many first tackles and scored the Packers first touchdown.   Antonio Freeman made several nice catches in this game including a 5 yard touchdown pass from Favre.  Bill Schroeder had another big game and had some superb catches as well.  I would have liked to see the Packers be more consistent on offense.   Several drives were bogged down due to penalties or dropped passes.  Bubba Franks had another dropped pass.  Overall the Packers offense gets a B.

   The Packers defense kept the Bears out of the end zone for the entire game.  This has not happened since the Packers were in Arizona back in September.  I Packers kept consistent pressure on the Bears QB all evening long.   Tyrone Williams had a easy interception return for a touchdown.   Tackling was pretty good in this game and the Packers defense played from start to finish.  Darren Sharper had some excellent tackles with LeRoy Butler providing some punishing hits.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B.

   The Packers played well on Special teams tonight.  Tackling was excellent on punt and kickoff returns.   Josh Bidwell had some great punts and some punts that were not so great.  Punt and kickoff return units were not able to break any long returns.  Overall the Packers special teams gets a C.

Game Ball  Offense:  Ahman Green  Defense:  Tyrone Williams  Special Teams:  None

    The Packers are still a long shot for any chance at the playoffs.  They sit in tenth place with three games remaining.  The Packers need to win the rest of their games and have several other things to go their way for a shot.  This week the Packers return home to Lambeau Field to play the Detroit Lions.  I look for the Packers to win this one and even their record at 7-7.

My Pick.  Packers 30 Lions 20

Panthers whip Packers

Packers big return beats Colts

Allen Rossum's dramatic kick return for a touchdown lifted the Green Bay Packers to a 26-24 victory against the Colts.

    The Packers offense was on fire in the first half.  It was the Brett Favre and Bill Schroeder connection in the first half.  Schroeder made several grabs in the first half including a nice catch along the sideline in which Schroeder reached the ball over the goal line for an apparent touchdown.  The Ref ruled that he had stepped out of bounds.  It was nice to see the Packers offense run out the clock at the end of the game.  This was the first time this season that the Packers have been able to do that.  Ahman Green ran the ball real well in this game.  His biggest gains came on the fake reverse play which was a play the Colts were unable to stop all game long.   The Packers had a real good chance of putting another touchdown on the board at the end of the first half when Ahman Green received a pass and fought all the way down to the goal line.  There was nine seconds left on the clock when he was down and the Packers didn't call a timeout.  I thought the Packers got a bad break there because the Refs never blew their whistle after the ball was down.  There was a lot of uncertainty on the field.  The Packers struggled throughout much of the second half and were unable to match the first half's momentum.  Overall the Packers offense gets a C+.

   The Packers defense was able to shut down the high powered Colts offense throughout much of the game and then the Colts were able to put 21 points on the board in the fourth quarter.  I didn't feel like the Packers were getting much pressure on Manning in that quarter.  Santana Dotson played a real good game.  He picked up two sacks for the Packers.  Steve Warren also played real well.  I thought tackling was pretty good throughout most of the game with the exception of the fourth quarter.  I think the Packers defense is coming into their own.  Getting some key injured players back is key however.  The only good thing that comes from all these injuries is that the young players are getting real game experience.  This builds team depth which the Packers will have plenty of on defense when injured players return.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B. 

   The Packers special teams unit was finally able to crack a huge kickoff return for a touchdown.  Allen Rossum's return sparked a flat Packers team and I feel that this was the key play to victory.   Both kickoff and punt coverage units played real well also.  Tackling was excellent.  Ryan Longwell connected on 1 of 2 field goal attempts.  Overall the Packers special teams unit gets a A.

Game Ball  Offense:  Ahman Green  Defense:  Santana Dotson  Special Teams:  Allen Rossum

    The Packers crept to within a game of reaching .500 by beating the Colts.  They also gained a game on the Bucs.  The playoffs are still within reach but the Packers need to play with more consistency on offense and defense.  This should be an interesting final five weeks.   This week the Packers play in Carolina on Monday night.  Maybe the Packers need some more of that Monday night magic to set fire to the rest of their season.   The Packers can even their record at 6-6 with a victory.  I look for the Packers to pull out a victory.

My Pick.  Packers 34 Panthers 21

Packers Fall Short Again

Martin Gramattica was too much for the Packers as he kicked two 50+ yard field goals to lift the Bucs over the Packers 20-15.

    The Packers offense struggled throughout much of this game.  The Packers receivers continue to drop balls which is really hurting the offense.  Packers receivers dropped at least 6 balls in this game and this is a continuing problem that has plagued the Packers all season long.  Brett Favre left the game in the second half due to a sprained ankle.   Contrary to popular belief, I don't think that Favre's presence would have made a difference at the end of the game.  I think Matt Hasselbeck played real well after being thrown into the game in the 3rd quarter.  I don't think that Favre would have been able to escape the heavy pressure like Hasselbeck did.  Ahman Green's fumble in the 4th quarter put the Bucs up by five and eliminated any chance of the Packers kicking a game winning field goal.  Antonio Freeman cost the Packers an early three points by knocking the ball out of the officials hand while arguing a possible pass interference non call.  This is something the Packers offense didn't need.  Overall the Packers offense gets a C.

   The Packers defense once again played very well in this game and held down a lackluster Bucs offense.  The Packers defense played well enough to keep the Packers in the game but not good enough to win the game.  The defense could have really turned the game in their favor in the 4th quarter but were unable to hold the Bucs out of field goal range.  Packers defenders made QB Shaun King look like whodini with several point blank sack attempts turn into positive yardage gains for the Bucs.  There was also at least one dropped interception by Packers defenders including one by Tyrone Williams in the fourth quarter.   Overall the Packers defense gets a C+.

   The Packers special teams unit played its best game of the season.  The Packers turned a fake field goal attempt into a touchdown when holder Matt Hasselbeck threw to a wide open Bubba Franks.   Allen Rossum also had a nice return of a punt which the Packers offense were unable to capitalize on.  Both kickoff and punt return units played and tackled very well.   Ryan Longwell connected on 3 of four Field Goal attempts to become the most accurate in NFL history.  Overall the Packers special teams unit gets a A.

Game Ball  Offense:  Matt Hasselbeck  Defense:  Darren Sharper  Special Teams:  Ryan Longwell

    The Packers were unable to take advantage of moving into a tie with the Bucs and even more momentum by beating a division opponent on the road.  The Packers are now 4-6 and are in a very deep hole to make the playoffs.  The Packers schedule doesn't get any easier this week as the Indianapolis Colts come into town.  I look for the Packers to win this game despite their lack of consistency.

My Pick.  Packers 31 Colts 24

The Green Bay Packers needed a miracle catch by Antonio Freeman in overtime to defeat the Vikings 26-20 on Monday Night Football.

    The Packers offense came out hot.  They went three and out on their first possession and then were able to score with consistent drives in the first half.  Brett Favre was unstoppable in the first half against light rain and heavy winds.  Favre did a nice job of improvising on his first touchdown to Ahman Green, throwing an underhanded pass to Green, who made an exceptional catch.  The Packers offense did an overall good job of controlling the ball in the first half and limited their penalties and had no turnovers.   I felt that the Packers offense was way too conservative near the end of the 4th quarter when they ran two draws and then a long incomplete pass which allowed the Vikings to kick a near game winning field goal.  Overall the Packers offense gets a B.

   The Packers defense played good enough in this game for the Packers to pull out a victory.  The Packers were unable to stop Randy Moss and Chris Carter in the first half and then shut them down in the second half.  The Packers stopped Robert Smith in the first half and were unable to stop him in the second half.  I thought the Packers tackling was not good throughout the game.  The Packers were able to put pressure on Culpepper and forced him to throw three interceptions.  The Packers did an exceptional job of shutting down the high powered Vikings offense in the second half.  The Vikings would have been held without a touchdown in the second half but Robert Smith's tackle breaking run put the Vikings into the end zone.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B.

   The Packers special teams unit played well in this game.  Allen Rossum was finally able to break a long kickoff return.  Rossum raced down the sideline for 82 yards before being tripped up at the two yardline.  Ryan Longwell connected on both of his field goals and the Packers punt return unit was able to come up with a fumbled punt.  I thought that both the kickoff and punt return units tackled well.  The biggest special teams play game on the final play of the fourth quarter when the Vikings were unable to convert a field goal attempt when holder Matt Burger threw an interception. 

Game Ball  Offense:  Antonio Freeman  Defense:  Darren Sharper  Special Teams:  Allen Rossum.

    The Packers needed a miracle to beat the Vikings and that is exactly what they got.  Hopefully the Packers will gain some momentum off of this game.  The Packers travel down to Tampa Bay this week to face one of the best defenses in the league.  This game is annually a tough hard fought game.  I look for the Bucs to win it late in the fourth quarter.

My Pick.  Bucs 21  Packers 20

Packers blow 17-0 lead

Lose to Dolphins 28-20

The Green Bay Packers were unable to hold on to a 17-0 lead to the Dolphins in Miami, and lost to the Dolphins 28-20.

    The Packers offense came out strong against the Dolphins.  The Packers scored on their opening possession which was the first time the Packers have been able to do that all season long.   The Packers scored on their first three possesions to jump out to a 17-0 lead.   Dorsey Levens scored  both Packers touchdowns.  After the Packers went up 17-0 the offense went back into hibernation.  Turnovers, mistakes, penalties, dropped passes all plagued the Packers offense.  Ahman Green dropped two sure passes that would have kept Packers drives going.  Dorsey Levens left the game again with an injury and is becoming a very unreliable back.  Where is Antonio Freeman?   Overall the Packers offense gets a D.

   The Packers defense has not been playing well for the past few weeks and this game was no different.  The tackeling this week was horrible.  The pass coverage units were no better.  The defense had several moments in the game to take control of the game and force the Dolphins to punt but were unable to stop the Dolphins and put the Packers offense in a hole.   Overall the Packers defense gets a D.

   The Packers special teams unit played its poorest game of the season as well.  They were responsible for giving up the biggest play of the game.  The Packers defense had just stopped the Dolphins in the third quarter when Miami ran a fake punt play.  It worked well and caught the Packers totally off guard.  Ryan Longwell missed a long field goal at the end of the first half.  Overall the Packers special teams unit gets a D.

Game Ball  Offense:  Dorsey Levens  Defense:  No one shined in this game  Special Teams:  No one.

    The Packers had a good chance of upping their record to .500 against the Dolphins but blew their opportunity.  Now they face a very tough 3 game stretch against Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Indianapolis.  This weeks game is on Monday Night Football.  I look for the Vikings to really put it to the Packers.  The Packers have not played as a complets team all season long and I don't see any reason to believe that they are going to change this week.

My Pick.  Vikings 31  Packers 17

Packers hold on to beat 49ers 31-28

Dolphins come from behind, edge Packers 17-14

In a game where the contest   wasn't as close as the score, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Green Bay Packers 17-14.

    Offensively the Packers struggled throughout much of the evening against a superior Dolphins defense.   The Packers starting offense (Minus Brett Favre and Dorsey Levins) got only two first downs and only thirty offensive yards in the first half.  Matt Hasselbeck had his worst performance of his preseason career and overthrew several receivers.  Bill Schroeder made several nice catches throughout the game and looks to have the number two receiver position locked down.  Bubba Franks and Tyrone Davis played well in the second half and this tight end duo appears that they are going to be a formidable force for opposing defenses to deal with.  The Packer suffered without their two offensive stars and didn't stand much of a chance against what I believe is going to be the toughest defense in the NFL this season.  Overall the Packers offense gets a D.

   I think the Packers defense played somewhat better in this game against a not so stellar Miami offense.  Miami moved the ball up and down the field throughout much of the first half.  The only reason the game wasn't a whipping early on was Olindo Mare missing 4 field goals.  I thought tackling was good in this game and also thought the pass coverage was adequate enough since there was absolutely no pressure on the Dolphins QB's.  Damon Huard had all evening to throw the ball and I thought the Packers secondary held up well.  The Packers run defense continues to struggle.  Many gaping holes were formed be the Dolphins offensive line.  I was pleased to see the Packers holding the Dolphins to field goals instead of touchdowns.  I think the Packers are suffering at the linebacker position and also are missing a superior pass rusher.  Overall the Packers defense gets a C.

   The Packers special teams unit had the same performances as past weeks.  Not so good.  The punt and kickoff return units were horrible.  Antuan Edwards fumbled one punt return and just watched several other catchable punts drop in front of him.  The Packers gave up the final punt return near the end of the game to set the Dolphins up for the final game clinching touchdown.  The Packers are in desperate need of a punt and kickoff returner.   Overall the Packers special teams gets a D.

Game Ball  Offense:  Herbert Goodman  Defense:  David Bowens  Special Teams:  Nobody

    The Packers strengths and weaknesses are becoming apparent with each and every game they play.  This week the Packers face the Cleveland Browns in their final preseason game.  Don't look for the starters to play much in this game. 

Packers Lose to Broncos

The Green Bay Packers defense looked horrible for the second straight week as the Denver Broncos defeated the Pack 26-20.

    Offensively the Packers opened up the game with another nice drive.  Brett Favre didn't start the game due to tendinitis in is arm.  Matt Hasselback continues to shine in preseason ball.  Dorsey Levins made his preseason debut and looked good.  Bobby Brown made several nice catches and Charles Lee had another nice catch for a long gain.  I look for both of these receivers to make the team.  Bubba Franks had a dropped pass early and almost dropped a long gain down the middle.  I wasn't too impressed with Danny Weurfell.  Many of his throws looked like wounded ducks.  I thought the Packers moved the ball well throughout the game.  Overall the Packers offense gets a B.

   The Packers looked worse on defense than they did a week ago.  The Broncos first play from scrimmage resulted in a slant pattern by Ed McCaffrey for a long gain.  The Broncos ran the ball well and threw the ball well.  I thought tackling was adequate but the Packers were unable to stop the big play.  There was absolutely no pass rush at all throughout the game.   Overall the Packers defense gets a D.

   The Packers special teams unit played much better this week.  Ryan Longwell connected on two out of three of his field goal attempts.  Kickoff coverage units played well.  The Packers didn't punt the ball until the second half.  Both kickoff and punt return units did not result in big gains by the returners which is an area that has needed improvement.   The Packers need a kick returner.  Overall the Packers special teams unit gets a C.

Game Ball  Offense:  Matt Hasselbeck  Defense:  Bernardo Harris  Special Teams:  Ryan Longwell

    I was very pleased with the Packers offense.  However, I was not at all pleased with the way the Packers played defense.  The defense has yet to play with any fire or intensity.  I look for the Packers to face a tough challenge this Monday night in Miami when they face off against the Dolphins. 

Packers Beat Jets in Preseason Opener

The Green Bay Packers ushered in the Mike Sherman era with a 37-24 victory at Lambeau Field.

    Offensively the Packers opened up with Brett Favre at QB and marched down the field with a nice time consuming drive.  The drive stalled out deep in Jets territory and the Packers had to settle for a field goal.  It wasn't until the 2nd and 3rd quarters, when the Packers offense heated up.  Matt Hasselbeck had another outstanding preseason game for the Packers.  Hasselbeck threw Td's to Donald Driver and Charles Lee.  Ahman Green did a good job in the first half for the Packers and really took some hard shots without fumbling, which is a problem that he has had in the past.  Bubba Franks didn't catch a pass until the 2nd quarter when he caught several Hasselback tosses.  Rondell Mealey ran very well for the Packers in the second half and I look for big things in this players future.  Bobby Brown made several nice catches in the 2nd half.  Overall the Packers offense gets a B.

   Defensively the Packers looked off balance and did not play with much aggression in the first half.  Tackling was as horrible as the pass coverage which wasn't much better than the run defense.  Todd McBride had several big plays in this game including a nice rundown of a Jet receiver in the 1st quarter.  McBride also had an interception return for a touchdown.   Steve Warren had several nice open field tackles and also picked up an interception.  The defense played a tale of two halves in holding the Jets scoreless in the second half after giving up 24 first half points.  Overall the Packers defense gets a C.

   The Packers were pretty horrible on Special Teams.  Tackling was adequate but both punt and kickoff return units suffered.  Ahman Green and Joey Jamison shared in the suffering of the kickoff return performance.  After suffering as bad on the punt return unit Joey Jamison was replaced by Antuan Edwards who didn't fare much better.  Ryan Longwell converted all of his field goal attempts including a 52 yarder but his kickoffs were as deep as the shallow end of a kiddy pool.  This was a problem that the Packers suffered from last year as well.  Overall

Game Ball  Offense:  Matt Hasselbeck  Defense:  Tod McBride  Special Teams:  Ryan Longwell

    Overall I was fairly pleased with the Packers first preseason game.  I look forward to seeing the Packers improve with each coming week starting this week in Denver.  I think the Special Teams units will improve greatly over the next several weeks as players are shuffled around to find the perfect fit.  I also think the Packers defense will improve with each and every week. 

2000 brings change

      Ray Rhodes was fired and Mike Sherman was brought in to coach the Green Bay Packers and to bring back the fire and intensity that was lacking throughout much of the 1999 season.

    Ray Rhodes was given one year to add fire to the lackluster Packers and was unable to achieve success.   The Packers finished the 1999 season with an 8-8 record which was their worst record since 1991 which was Lindy Infante's last season with the Packers.  The following season Mike Holmgren was brought in and achieved immediate success.   General Manager Ron Wolf will not tolerate failure and that is what the 1999 season was.  Ray Rhodes was given a veteran team and the Packers did not play like veterans this season.

   Mike Sherman does not have an extensive NFL coaching resume.  He was the Packers Tight Ends coach during the 1997 and 1998 seasons and was Seattle's offensive coordinator during the 1999 season.   This is not an impressive NFL resume but their must have been something that Ron Wolf saw to persuade him to chose Sherman. 

   I look forward to this coming season and I look for the Packers to make some moves in the Free Agency market.  Many of the Packers free agents from this season will not be brought back which clears some salary cap space and Brett Favre had his contract reconstructed which cleared even more salary cap space.

    Congratulations to the St Louis Rams for winning their first Super Bowl Championship.