I have finally recovered enough after Sunday’s loss to write about the Packers again. I needed a few days to get over it.
In a game where turnovers should have led to a Packer win, the Texans’ offense came out on top instead. Way to go defensive line. I love you, but you really need to man up against the run.
So what does all of this mean for the rest of the season — because I’m pretty sure that this is the end of the season for the Pack and we’re just working toward next season. Sure we have 3 games left, but I’m not delusional. I know that we’re not going to win our division. Although after the Vikings almost lost to the Detroit Lions, who knows what can happen? But I’m not expecting any miracles, and neither should any of you.
For those of you who missed the game, let me provide a brief summery.
Things started out badly. The Texans managed to score on their opening drive. Well I shouldn’t say managed. Our defense let them. It was more of a gift. “Here you go Houston. Here’s a touchdown.†Sure, we put some pressure on Schaub, but he still made the throw, and two of our guys got tangled up on the coverage.
On our first drive, we punted. This was the first time Jeremy Kapinos, the guy we signed on Wednesday to replace Derrick Frost, would be able to prove himself. His punt went 25 yards. That did not bode well for the Packers. However, his subsequent punts throughout the game were 40 yards or more, with one of them pinning the Texans inside the 5. So kudos to you Mike McCarthy for making the right choice. At least every single Packer fan is hoping that you made the right choice. I know I’m still crossing my fingers.
Turnovers should have been the big difference-maker for the Packers. They ultimately kept the team in the game. During the second quarter, Houston fumbled the ball at the goal line as they were trying for a score. We didn’t capitalize on the fumble and Mark Tauscher was eventually hurt on the drive. Reports from today’s team report indicate the Tauscher is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. Because of the long recovery time, Tauscher probably won’t be ready until training camp next summer, and because he’s a free agent, he might not even come back to Green Bay.
Tramon Williams intercepted a pass made by Schaub in the second quarter. Donald Lee made the touchdown catch thrown by Rodgers, and things were tried up 7-7.
Houston reclaimed their lead near the end of the first half when Kris Brown knocked in a field goal to bring the score to 10-7.
Will Blackmon had a stellar punt return for a touchdown, what would have been his third this season, but unfortunately it was called back because someone on the punt return team got to cozy with a Texan and decided to hold him for a while. I was jumping up and down in my apartment, so excited that we were finally on top, until I saw the flag. What an unfortunate turn of events.
Rodgers threw his first interception of the game on that drive with 33 seconds left in the half. Houston
started at the 40 with 3 timeouts left. There was plenty of time for them to get into field goal range to attempt to secure a 6-point lead. Brown was lined up for a 41-yard field goal attempt but pushed it just to the right. At least the turnover didn’t cost the Packers anything at the end of the first half.
The second half for me is pretty much a blur. Sure, somehow we ended up tied at 21-21, but I can barely remember how. I’m still amazed that it even happened. Houston raked in over 500 yards. That’s not something our defense should be proud of. We capitalized off of turnovers and tied the game.
Just when I was starting to feel like we might miraculously win, time just sort of ran out. The drive that should have ended in point for Green Bay was destroyed by penalties and even a sack of Aaron Rodgers, pushing the Packers out of field goal range.
The Texans marched down the field. Schaub made some good throws and the rookie Steve Slaton was definitely utilized by their offense. The Packers’ defensive line just couldn’t hold things together, and Houston found themselves in field goal range with one second left.
Brown had missed a 41 yard field goal right before the close of the first half. The commentators for the game said something that made sense to me, for once. Kickers rarely miss more than one in a game. This one was marked as a 40 yarder. As much tense as I was, and as much as I wanted him to miss, in the bottom of my heart, I knew that it was going to be a solid kick. Of course he made it, right down the middle.
This game ended in much the same way as other games this season. The Packers’ defense couldn’t find a way to stop the run and the offense only had brief moments of brilliance. After the Houston Texan’s first visit to Lambeau, they left with a victory. Once again the Packers brought less than their best and lost by three points.
Alright, so here it is. I’m pretty sure that Aaron Rodgers is a keeper for us. I know there are many Packers fans out there that are ready to place the blame for this season’s less than satisfactory progression squarely on his shoulders. But look at the guy. He has a 92.1 quarterback rating. Now let’s wander over to the Jets and look at Brett Favre’s stat—88.2. Now I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with the way Favre is playing this season. I’m just saying, Rodgers is doing a heck of a job.
I think he can do some good things for next season, because I’m pretty sure that’s where we should put our focus. Sure, we need to go out and try to win the last three games, but we need to be realistic.
The Green Bay Packers are sitting at 5-8 right now, still solidly at third in the NFC North. We need to fix whatever is ailing our defensive line, because there’s something going on there that’s not meshing with the rest of the team. Our offense is playing reasonably well and special teams stepped it up. The last piece of this little trio is the defense, and they’re acting like the clichéd square peg in the round hole.
Somehow we need to get our shapes to match up. It’s time to get back to basics, everyone. Remember those good old kindergarten days?
