The Green Bay Packers opened the 2016 NFL season with what I think is a huge win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. As my three loyal followers know, I predicted the Packers would lose this game, and they certainly seemed to be trying to do just that for a while.
But in the end the Packers’ defense got the job done after the Packers’ offense failed miserably with a chance to run the clock out with five minutes left in the game and Jacksonville without timeouts. All the Packers needed was two first downs to run the clock out but all Aaron Rodgers could muster was one yard in a three-and-out.
However, the Packers’ offense did show some signs of life but still didn’t look like the high-scoring machine it was prior to 2015. Jordy Nelson returned and caught six passes and a touchdown, but only had 32 yards total. A good start for Jordy, though, you could see the emotion on his face after catching that TD, which was an amazing catch, I might add.
I do think the Packers’ offense looked a little better than last year even though they only gained 294 yards. Rodgers managed the game well, made some great throws and didn’t throw an interception. When Jordy gets his legs under him again this offense might explode.
The Packers’ defense only gave up 348 yards but had three chances to win the game on fourth down plays but couldn’t do it. Finally, after giving us all a heart attack, they stuffed the Jags on fourth down at the Packers’ 14 with 23 seconds left. Wow!
It was an exciting opening game and a game the Packers really needed to win. Both sides of the ball did enough to get the job done on the road against an uncommon opponent and in the extreme heat of Jacksonville. Not too shabby.
And considering what the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions did today, the Packers could not afford to get behind the eight ball right off the bat. Only the lowly Bears lost today.
The Packers-Vikings game next week is going to be epic.