PG: Packers Win

[WiscoKing13]

Impressive 3 quarters of running by the offense, passing the ball over 10 yards still appears to be a challenge for us. The good news MM play calling for the most part was a lot more fluid than Clements. Lacey appears to be back in form after a very tough start to the season.

I know i'm higher on the defense than most of you and the beat writers are, but I thought it was pretty impressive by the secondary to take away Dez when shields went down. I'm still concerned about the pass rush, too many times in the first half did Cassel have enough time to roll out and throw the ball away when we could of had a coverage sack. Outside of the one drive in the 3rd quarter and the 1 play in the first half, I thought the packers run D showed up in a huge way vs the best run blocking OL in the NFL.

ST-They didn't **** the bed, so that's always a plus.

MM should be up shortly if anyone is interested

http://www.packers.com/media-center/live-webcasts.html

[trwi7]

Clinch a playoff berth next week with a win.

[WiscoKing13]

Dennis Krause ‏@DennisKrause1 31s31 seconds ago
Randall Cobb says he didn't even know Mike McCarthy was calling plays until the 4th quarter.

Weird, wonder at what point in the week MM decided to take it back.

[WiscoKing13]

Packers announce shields is the only injury. Won't need him next week because we're playing a "sorry receiver"

[WiscoKing13]

Change occurred on Monday

[MickeyDavis]

Oakland has been a better road team this year but will still be a tough opponent next week. Their win today kept them in the playoff hunt but just barely.

[WiscoKing13]

Beside that 3rd and one that Rodgers went all out on trying to get the D to jump, it was nice to see the offense get up to the line with time left on the play clock.

[jazzfanWA]

Going into today, OAK was ranked 28th in pass D. Hopefully, Ty can recover from his acl/mcl/hamstring/achilles tears and suit up.

[Sky Bucks]

Lacy's run to set up his touchdown was a thing of beauty. Think he dragged a corner like 15 yards.

[El Duderino]

Impressive 3 quarters of running by the offense, passing the ball over 10 yards still appears to be a challenge for us.

This why i can't get all that excited about the Packers chances in the playoffs.

Here the Packers running game was killing the Dallas defense, yet our receivers still are struggling badly to get open downfield.

It's really hard for me to have confidence that this offense can score enough points when facing a defense going forward that slows down the running game and in turn puts our offense in many 2nd or 3rd down and long situations. Same if the defense struggles and gives up say 24 points or more, forcing our passing game to do more than throw screens to backs and receivers.

[JackSIKMA43]

Impressive 3 quarters of running by the offense, passing the ball over 10 yards still appears to be a challenge for us.

This why i can't get all that excited about the Packers chances in the playoffs.

Here the Packers running game was killing the Dallas defense, yet our receivers still are struggling badly to get open downfield.

It's really hard for me to have confidence that this offense can score enough points when facing a defense going forward that slows down the running game and in turn puts our offense in many 2nd or 3rd down and long situations. Same if the defense struggles and gives up say 24 points or more, forcing our passing game to do more than throw screens to backs and receivers.

Ditto. I agree completely. The lack of Jordy has rendered the vertical threat game as useless all season, save for a few big plays by Jones, etc. Unless they plan to just rip loose Janis and/or Abbrederris (unlikely), then they have no choice but to get creative elsewhere. I think they really should just save it for the playoffs.

Opposing teams have zero film on those two guys running "go" fly patterns throughout a game, which usually leads to them being able to draw interference calls more often, etc. Granted, they're both still too raw and screwing up their routes, leading to a pick by Rodgers, is a legit concern. But with their track star-type speed, it just seems foolish not to utilize that, come playoff time. We'll see if they do it.

[MickeyDavis]

I was surprised we once again took no shots downfield. Throw Janis in there for a couple of plays and throw deep. You have a shot at a long PI, it could be completed and it helps keep the defense honest.

[paulpressey25]

This why i can't get all that excited about the Packers chances in the playoffs.

Don't disagree. That said, the NFL draft isn't really about "tanking" so I'd much rather have this team finish 11-5 and see if they can't get one playoff win maybe. These next four games (3+1) should prove out what water level this team is at. McCarthy has been good in the past in turning this club around in Decembers.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Kind of sucks the next 2 games are meaningless since I don't think we catch the Cards. Really need to show a deep threat.

[Mags FTW]

I was surprised we once again took no shots downfield. Throw Janis in there for a couple of plays and throw deep. You have a shot at a long PI, it could be completed and it helps keep the defense honest.

Especially in the rain.

[Mags FTW]

Kind of sucks the next 2 games are meaningless since I don't think we catch the Cards. Really need to show a deep threat.

Besides us, they play @ Philly who is fighting for their division, and the surging Seahawks. I can see them losing 1 of those.

[JackSIKMA43]

Kind of sucks the next 2 games are meaningless since I don't think we catch the Cards. Really need to show a deep threat.

When I think of the Cardinals, all I can think of, is how unbelievably thankful we all have to be, to former Bears GM Phil Emery, for being so unbelievably stupid, for hiring Marc Trestman, instead of Bruce Arians. I mean, I can't over-emphasize this enough ... Arians is so good, he got the Cards to the playoffs last year, with Drew Stanton starting 8 games at QB. Tells me all I need to know. Arians - just look at the guy - he looks like a dude who will be holding the Lombardi trophy soon, or at some point, and I thank the heavens above that he was bypassed by the Bears. LOL. Couldn't make it up if I tried. Bear Down!

[M-C-G]

Not sure if you guys discussed it in the game thread, but really liked some of the new wrinkles we saw in the screen game. Lots of misdirection, great to see

[HKPackFan]

Mcginn ratings:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-offense-getting-back-on-track-b99633602z1-362171811.html

Receivers 2.5 stars

Unlike most other opponents, the Cowboys played an extensive amount of two-shell with soft corners. The Packers have no vertical game to speak of, and with McCarthy hellbent on running the ball it's unclear what defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli was thinking. True, whenever Green Bay did try to get deep, the receivers were smothered so Aaron Rodgers just sailed the ball over everyone's head. What the strategy did, however, was enable the Packers to find a series of pleasantly routine completions. The bellies from the slot to Randall Cobb (83 of a possible 87 snaps, including 76 at WR) were effective, although if Davante Adams (71) had blocked better the gains would have been greater. Cobb certainly excelled as a blocker and made two contested catches. Depending on the criteria, he also dropped between one and three passes. After failing to beat Brandon Carr on a third-and-3 slant to open the game, James Jones (82) beat Carr for 13 on a third-and-10 out and Morris Claiborne for 16 on a deep comeback. Jones gained 15 of his 49 yards after the catch whereas Cobb gained 44 of his 81. Jones also drew his third penalty (for pass interference) in the last four games. Davante Adams has gone from receiving 22 targets Nov. 15 against Detroit to two Sunday in 71 snaps. Not having a legitimate blocking tight end cost the Packers an early touchdown. On third and goal from the 1, lead blocker Richard Rodgers (42) took a side instead of taking on SS Barry Church down the middle and James Starks was stuffed. The main culprit on the fourth-down QB sneak for no gain was Justin Perillo (13), who was unable to prevent DE Greg Hardy from crossing his face. But the Packers get so many downfield plays from their tight ends, I guess it's a push. Sarcasm aside, Rodgers did produce an excellent route-reception for his seventh TD.

Davante has 71 snaps and 2 targets. That's not doing ****. Put abby in there for half those snaps and see if he can produce. Can't be much worse production.

[RRyder823]

Kind of sucks the next 2 games are meaningless since I don't think we catch the Cards. Really need to show a deep threat.

Win out and hope Seattle beats Arizona to close out the season. Boom. #2 seed