Some things just never seem to change. Take yesterday for example. Another Lions loss in Wisconsin, another division title for the Packers and of course, another suspension for Ndamukong Suh. The leagues sorest losers will now head to Big D next week while the Packers rest up for a January 11 game against either Dallas, Arizona or Carolina.
Yesterday’s game will be remembered most for the incredible performance of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In what I think may be his finest hour, he hoisted the Packers on his back and carried them on one leg to victory. It was an amazing performance by Rodgers who certainly solidified his league MVP status. I love what Wisconsin native J.J. Watt is doing but come on, he’s no Aaron Rodgers.
At halftime yesterday it certainly looked like it would be the Packers heading to Dallas next week. The Lions had just stormed back to cut the Packers lead to seven and when the Packers took an any ugly three-and-out with Matt Flynn filling in for Rodgers to start the third quarter, the Lions quickly scored again to tie it at 14. But when Rodgers walked out of that tunnel and the stadium exploded, the Lions had to know they were in trouble.
Rodgers quickly led the Packers on a seven play, 55-yard drive to give the Packers a lead they would never relinquish. Rodgers capped another touchdown drive with a Bart Starr-esque quarterback sneak into the south end zone and for all intents and purposes, the game was over. The Lions again lost their poise and with it any chance at getting a home playoff game. Their season will likely end next week in Dallas setting up an Ice Bowl rematch in Lambeau Field.
Rodgers’ return energized the entire team but not even that energy could save the Packers’ putrid special teams unit. After getting a punt return for touchdown in the first quarter the Packers special teams was back to its usual gaffes, blunders and utterly poor play. They had yet another field goal blocked and allowed the Lions to get an onside kick after a safety. Officially that was ruled a fumble on Randall Cobb but the end result was the same. Fortunately the Packers’ defense bailed them out but had the Lions come back it would have been special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum’s fault.
Outside of Rodgers, the Packers got a great game from their offensive line, which opened huge holes for Eddie Lacy and allowed the Packers to rush for 152 yards on the league’s second best run defense, which was the most they have given up all year. The Packers’ offense showed the kind of balance that is necessary to win in the post-season. Couple that with the ever improving Packers’ defense and the Packers will be a tough out no matter who they play.
If I’m Mike McCarthy, I am focusing on the Cowboys. The Lions are a dead team walking and without Suh next week they have very little chance of stopping the Cowboys and DeMarco Murray. Regardless of who the Packers play, this is one of the most important games of the Rodgers-McCarthy regime. They simply can’t afford another one-and-done on their resume’s. More on that later.