Packers Are Still Undefeated
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by Cheezer
The Green Bay Packers are off to a 4-0 start for the first time since Mike Holmgren left the team after 1998. Although they tried to establish the running game early, once again they rode Brett Favre’s arm to a 23-16 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Brett Favre had an outstanding day running the Cheese Spread Offense (Cheezer TM) as he hit ten different receivers. Favre went 32/45, 344 yards 2TD’s and 0 Int. (There’s more on Favre’s historical day in a different article).
Give the Packers some credit as they at least tried to establish some sort of threat of a run early in the game. However, their longest run of the day until the 4 th quarter against the Vikings was 7 yards. By Jon Ryan, the punter.
If the Vikings could marshal any sort of passing attack, this game very likely would have gone completely differently. Adrian Peterson is a beast and Minnesota’s defense is incredibly strong, but they weren’t enough. Kelly Holcomb doesn’t seem to be the answer as he repeatedly mis-fired to open receivers. On the final Minnesota offensive drive, he threw to a blanketed Bobby Wade. The deflected pass was intercepted by safety Atari Bigby killing all hopes of a Minnesota comeback. Holcomb wanted a pass interference call on Charles Woodson, but one has to wonder why he threw to a receiver that well covered in the first place.
Observations
- Green Bay went with shotgun formation approx 62% of the time.
- Although not realistic, Favre is on pace for 32 TDs and 8 interceptions for the season.
- Green Bay really needs to work on their running game. 14 times for 39 yards will not be good enough against good playoff teams.
- The Packers have developed a case of fumblitis with 5 fumbles (2 lost). Minnesota’s defense is always trying to drive the ball loose.
- Brandon Jackson did not play.
- Rookie James Jones caught his first NFL TD
- Adrian Peterson, of the Vikings, averaged 9.8 yards/carry with a long of 55 yards. He is a force.
- Nick Barnett continues to play like a man possessed.
- Green Bay had four sacks with Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila getting two. He is closing in on Reggie White’s team record for career sacks.
- Will Blackmon played on special teams and even did some time in the secondary. His thumb is in a large cast, but it is good that he is getting playing time.
- Jarrett Bush needs to improve his coverage. Playing in the secondary with Charles Woodson and Al Harris means he will see a lot of activity. Opposing teams are taking advantage of him. Minnesota threw at him five or six times and he came away with one pass defensed.
- There were 5 coverage penalties called with 4 being enforced. Four (three enforced) went against the Packers and only one against the Vikings.
