Thursday, October 2, 2014

Packers-Vikings Post Game

Grading the Packers:

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers was once again on point ringing up 156 yards and three touchdowns through three quarters after sitting on the bench with a more than comfortable 42-0 lead. He finished the day with a 138.7 QB Rating. Matt Flynn brings down this grade after coming in and throwing an interception. Overall, the Packers quarterbacks look as good as always. Grade: B+

Running Backs: Eddic Lacy finally broke out of his slump as he totaled 105 yards on thirteen carries and scored twice. What was so amazing about Lacy was his thumping runs, as his second touchdown as he was barreling into the far right side of the end zone, took off the helmet of a pursuing Viking defender. James Starks added 46 yards on 12 carries as the Packers rushing attack put up 157 yards after a very quiet first four weeks of the season. Grade: A-

Wide Receivers: The Packers receivers didn't do a lot as Rodgers was held under 175 yards in his shortened game. The play that stuck out to me was the 66 yard touchdown catch and run by Jordy Nelson from a beautiful throw by Aaron Rodgers. Davante Adams caught his first career touchdown catch on a slant as he glided into the end zone. Randall Cobb opened the scoring for the Packers and led the team, along with Eddie Lacy, with three catches. Grade: A

Tight Ends: Andrew Quarless was the only tight end with a catch, as he finished with two catches for 19 yards. The tight ends, however, did open up some very key running lanes to finally get Eddie Lacy and Co. running again. Grade: B

Offensive Line: The line only gave up two sacks and consistently gave Rodgers enough time to scan the field and move around freely in the pocket. The reason for the high grade, however, is for the vast improvement in the run game, especially for thumper Eddie Lacy. All five linemen had a great game and extra probe to the dynamic guard duo of T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton for opening up the inside run game. Grade: A-

Defensive Line: Datone Jones left the game early but this was a superb showing by the defensive line. Letroy Guion and Mike Daniels each had 1.5 sacks and consistently showed up for a top tier rushing attack, one that was supposed to tear through the Packers defense. Luther Robinson got his hand in the face of Ponder and forced him to throw a pick to Julius Peppers that resulted in a pick-6. Grade: A

Linebackers: Julius Peppers, as you read above, had a pick-six that shifted a ton of momentum the Packers way. He also recorded a half of a sack. The very next time the ball was in Ponder's hands he threw to another Green Bay linebacker, this time Jamari Lattimore, which resulted in a passing touchdown. A.J. Hawk recorded a half of a sack and repeatedly got into the backfield. Nick Perry may have had the most impressive performance, as he took Christian Ponder down twice for two sacks. Grade: A+


Secondary: The defensive backs weren't asked to do all that much and played very well for the most part, as Sam Shields and Co. shut down Greg Jennings and Cordarelle Patterson. They also limited Christian Ponder to 200 yards passing and didn't allow a passing touchdown. Grade: B+

Special Teams: The special teams also had a decent game as Mason Crosby made all six of his extra points and Tim Masthay repeatedly pinned the Vikings offense inside the twenty yard line. Grade: A+


Coaching: Mike McCarthy made all the right calls and perhaps his best call was to let Aaron Rodgers end his game in the third quarter as the game was already well in hand. Dom Capers called a nice game and got a lot of Packers defenders into the backfield consistently. Grade: A


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