Now that is what the Green Bay Packers’ offense is supposed to look like. The Packers jumped on the Detroit Lions early and often, opening a 28-point lead before holding off the determined Lions with a makeshift defense. With a bye week to get healthy and four out of the next five games in Lambeau, the Packers future all of a sudden looks a little brighter.
The Packers’ offense was under attack after a rough game in Minnesota last week, but after the Vikings’ shut down the Panthers in Carolina today, I’m thinking the Vikings’ defense might be even better than advertised.
Aaron Rodgers responded to probably the most intense criticism of his career by tossing four first half touchdown passes as the Packers built a 31-3 lead. Unfortunately Rodgers didn’t have much of an opportunity to build on that as the Packers only had four possessions in the second half when the Packers’ defense could not get the Lions off the field.
Considering the Packers were without Clay Matthews, Morgan Burnett, Sam Shields, and Letroy Guion to start with and then lost Blake Martinez for a good portion of the game, the Packers’ defense didn’t do that bad of a job, even though Marvin Jones had 205 yards receiving for the Lions.
On offense it appears Jordy Nelson is getting better by the week, he had two TD catches and over 100 yards receiving for the for the first time this year, showing some of the chemistry he and Rodgers used to have. The Packers also used running back Eddie Lacy a little better this week and Lacy responded with 103 yards on 17 carries. Why James Starks ever sees the field anymore is beyond me.
On defense Nick Perry had a huge game, helping offset the loss of Matthews with two sacks. Perry is starting to look like the first-round pick he was four years ago. With guys like Martinez and Jake Ryan and the ageless Julius Peppers, the Packers are looking good at linebacker.
It was a must win game for the Packers and they got the job done. Now hopefully they can use the bye week to get Matthews, Burnett, Guion and hopefully Shields back and be ready to make a run.
I think the bye week comes at a good time considering the circumstances and today’s big win will make the next two weeks much more enjoyable.
It was a great day at Lambeau and really awesome to see the all the old players here for alumni weekend. Forrest Gregg even made it and the big surprise was Mike Holmgren showing up. The Big Show was back!
The Packers did a good thing for football today and have something to build on heading into games against the Giants, Cowboys and Bears the three weeks after the bye, all in Lambeau.
With the way the Vikings keep winning the Packers’ can’t afford to lose any more ground. I thought the Panthers would help the Packers today but they looked even worse than the Packers did against that defense.
It’s a long season, though, and a lot will happen before now and December 24 when the Vikings come to Lambeau. For now let’s just bask in the glory of 2-1 and the belief that Rodgers and Jordy and the rest of the offense is ready to explode. What a difference a week makes.