BEARS DOWN

Turnovers Key Strong Second Half as Pack Overwhelms Chicago

by: Michael Filipelli

The Green Bay Packers finally found their offense. The juggernaut that was supposed to be had been dormant so far this season, and last week against the Detroit Lions it vanished altogether. So where did the Packers find their offense? Where else?

Chicago.

The Bears were flying high at 2-1 after holding off the underwhelming New York Jets last week and jumped all over the Packers defense from the opening kickoff. Jay Cutler started as Jay Cutler always does against the Packers. He hit virtually every throw from every angle, even slinging one under Clay Matthews’s outstretched arms for a completion. The opening drive took over 6 minutes and was capped by Cutler’s 6 yard toss to Brandon Marshall to stake Da Bears to a 7 – 0 lead.

In a radio interview earlier this week Aaron Rodgers had a subtle message for the fans that had begun to chew their fingernails to the first knuckle. “Relax” Said Rodgers.

When Rodgers says something as deceptively defiant as that he is perfectly capable of backing it up. Not with his mouth but with one of the best – if not the best – arm in NFL. Rodgers took a little less time off the clock on the ensuing drive in leading the Pack back. Eddie Lacy finished off the Packers responding drive with a 2 yard TD blast. Lacy was in single back formation most of the game and was used exclusively. In spite of James Starks’ great early showings Mike McCarthy challenged Lacy this week by saying “Eddie’s got to play better.”

After a fumble and safety last week Lacy was the workhorse in the Packers offense on Sunday. After the Bears next drive stalled and they settled for a 23 yard FG from Robbie Gould Rodgers looked like the Aaron Rodgers of old, or at least the past 5 years. When Rodgers hit his favorite target Jordy Nelson for a lead taking score the game looked as if it would be a last-one-with-the-ball-wins affair. Cutler did his part by marching Chicago right back up the field and found his other favorite target Alshon Jeffery to retake the lead at 17- 14.

At that point the Bears and Head Coach Marc Trestman tried to get cute. When the ensuing kickoff became a surprise onside attempt it blew up in Trestman’s face. The Packers not only recovered the ball but the special teams also cut the field in half for Rodgers with enough time on the clock to strike yet again.

Say this about Rodgers – he does have a flair for the dramatic. The Pack regained the lead in this yo-yo change of leads when Randall Cobb, the same Randall Cobb that earlier this week said he was “…embarrassed…” by his performance and shouldered the yoke by adding “I’ve got to do a better job of getting open.”

Cobb not only got open he left S Ryan Mundy dizzy when he caught an 8 yarder to take the lead once again from their hoists. It was not the only time Cobb would have Bears defenders literally grasping at air with his ankle-breaking moves that made would-be tacklers whiff almost laughably.

Football is anything but conventional. Sometimes the quirkiest of plays that can be defined in fractions of inches can impact not only the moment but the game and can swing momentum in the blink of an eyelash.

So it was when Cutler marched the Bears right back down the field. The Packers defense had been struggling to clamp down on the Bears Matt Forte and his runs that chewed up yardage in big chunks and had no answer for Cutler who looked unfamiliarly comfortable firing passes. But there is always something about Cutler whenever the Bears square off against the Pack that just screams “…wait for it… wait for it…”

Cutler kept his part of “anything you can do I can do better” with Rodgers and took Da Bears back into scoring range with seconds on the clock remaining in the first half. When it comes to playing the Packers the Bears have done more to aid Green Bay’s cause than their own. With almost no time left on the clock and no timeouts Cutler rifled a dart to TE Martellus Bennett who grabbed it at the 1 yard line with no time showing.

But before Bennett could right himself and step another 3 feet into the end zone the Packers secondary closed and swarmed like a hoard of Huns on an unsuspecting village. As Bennett turned he was met by Ha Ha Clinton- Dix who latched on to Bennett until more help arrived from A.J. Hawk, Micah Hyde and Casey Hayward. Bennett desperately tried to thrust the ball over the goal line that was literally fractions of an inch close as he struggled to maintain control of the ball. The Packers defense was successful in yanking Bennett, the ball, and although they didn’t know it at the time, the game itself back. After an interminable booth review the review confirmed the call on the field of no touchdown. In an ironic twist of good luck both Hyde and Hayward’s helmets were right at the level of the ball, obscuring any clear shot to review the play. As the Bears and Cutler sullenly exited for halftime the Packers defense was suddenly energized. Cutler had moved the Bears in time consumptive drives that ended in scores and yet the defense somehow rose when they needed to the most to go storming off with the Packers holding an improbable 21 – 17 lead.

Somewhere George Halas and Vince Lombardi are watching these games and it wouldn’t be a shock if Halas was heard hurling expletives at the Bears while Lombardi sat back with a confident grin. Of course Vince would have already chewed a few butts at halftime on defense because the defense that took the field for the second took the field from the Bears in the process.

The time and space Cutler enjoyed in the first half had suddenly disappeared. The pass rush intensified as Datone Jones recorded a sack. Cutler finally reverted to being Jay Cutler once again when Tramon Williams jumped a slant route and a Cutler fastball ricocheted off his shoulder and was snagged mid-air by the opportunistic but less-than-100% Clay Matthews who took the pick about as far as his sore groin would allow. Matthews had exited the game last week with a groin injury and was a game day decision to play. Rather than over extend or risk a further injury from a tackle Matthews wisely stepped out of bounds. He turned the ball and the game over to Rodgers and the now red-hot offense.

Just that quick Rodgers found Nelson again from 22 and everyone in Chicago went suddenly silent. The inevitable collapse was on display and as Cutler melted down, so did the Bears. Cutler tossed his second pick of the day when it looked for all the world that he was targeting the Packers Sam Shields who gladly took the perfect strike and sprinted down the sideline. The replay showed that Cutler’s intended target Brandon Marshall not only hadn’t turned around he wasn’t even in the area code of the throw. Whether it was a missed route or not Cutler fired one directly between the 3 and the 7 on Shields’ jersey. So stunned was Shields his eyes were wide as saucers as the easiest pick he will ever see was safely in his hands.  Another drive, another Rodgers to Cobb scoring strike and the rout was on.

Whatever the Bears were doing that worked for them in the first half was gone. The failure of the Packers defense to shut down Marshall and Jeffery in the first half was replaced a tight coverage and yards grudgingly given. Forte also found less running room and the Packers pitched a near-perfect shout in the second half. It was only after the Bears had dug the grave too deep they were forced into a passing only game, a matchup that pitted him against Rodgers, and a matchup that Cutler has no shot of winning.

Rodgers did all the little things right. His throws were dead on accurate and placed in a place where only his receiver could make a play. In the process he began to expand his targets. Rookie TE Richard Rodgers had a couple nice catches, one for a long gainer of 43 yards early. Fellow rookie Davante Adams had some of his own and Cobb finally added a missing element in the attack. While Lacy was held to 48 yards on 17 attempts, a paltry 2.8 yds/ carry average his relentless pounding in the middle of the line made it impossible for the Bears to ignore the run. DE Jared Allen missed the game due to pneumonia and it was yet another cruel twist that haunted the Bears.

For his part Rodgers posted numbers that moved from pedestrian back into Mr. Rodgers neighborhood. For the day Rodgers was 22 for 28 with 302 yards, 4 TD’s and most importantly only 1 sack. Rodgers also gained 8 yards to grab that kept the Chicago D reeling.

The Packers are now officially back in the hunt in the NFC North and now have to enjoy the W, get a good night’s sleep and then forget and prepare to host Minnesota Thursday night in yet another early, key contest.

In many respects it now looks as if the veterans ‘pre-season’ is now over and they can play big boy football. And as long as Rodgers stays healthy all he has to do is to continue to play like Aaron Rodgers and all will be right in Titletown.

NEVER TOO EARLY FOR AS SHOWDOWN

Packers Face Bears in Key Tilt

The NFL is a cold, hard, cruel, and unforgiving business. It is also a week in, week out drama of good news/ bad news for each team.

The Green Bay Packers have opened the campaign at 1 – 2, hardly what Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers, or anyone else expected. The good news is the revamped defense is beginning to show signs of becoming the disruptive force McCarthy promised in the off season. Julius Peppers is settling into his new role as an OLB and is starting to play more comfortably and confidently. A man of Peppers experience may have found what is an ideal position for him and is also playing with his hand in the dirt as a DE in the Packers sometimes 4-3 front.

In the good news dept. the defense is playing well and has improved rapidly each week. Against Detroit Peppers had a decent afternoon recording a hat trick strip sack/ forced fumble/ and recovery on one play. He and Clay Matthews are looking like a good complementary pairing and the rest of the young D is also rounding into shape. Last year’s memory of zero picks by a safety was finally laid to rest when rookie Ha Ha Clinton-Dix recorded his first as a pro. Over the past 3 season the Packers defense has been under a microscope of scrutiny in spite of the dedication in the draft to address the issues. But when Peppers became a free agent Green Bay gladly scooped him up in an effort to change the defensive culture.

The change has begun to take hold. Sam Shields played up to his new, multi-year contract and all but shut down Calvin Johnson completely. RB Reggie Bush was help to 61 yards on the ground. The defense also forced 3 turnovers… but it still wasn’t enough to avoid a loss described by Randall Cobb as “…embarrassing…”

Then there’s the bad news dept. The big question circulating throughout the NFL is “What’s wrong with the Packers?” Most specifically it’s “What’s wrong with the Packers offense?” How can a team that boasts Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson and Eddie Lacy suddenly become so vanilla in its attack?

Start with The Man himself. Rodgers’ throws have been, for him, uncharacteristically off this year. Packer fans have come to expect near perfect when it comes to Rodgers and his ability to put the ball in tight windows, which is why it comes as more of a shock when doesn’t hit those windows on a dime. Bears fans expect Jay Cutler to toss a few picks – he always does. Detroit has Matthew Stafford and a pinball offense but Stafford also has accuracy issues.

But not Rodgers. Rodgers has played his career without having the issue of accuracy being an issue. Rodgers’ issues coincide with what is becoming a glaring hole in the Packer offense. Green Bay used to sport the deepest stable of receivers in the NFL. But in this season after Jordy Nelson there has been a tremendous drop-off. Even Cobb has yet to distinguish himself yet. Cobb has playmaking ability but he acknowledges “I have to do a better job of getting open.”

Jarrett Boykin had emerged as a quality #3 wideout, so much so that James Jones was allowed to skate out to the Raiders. But Boykin has been barely noticeable. In the opener against the defensing Super Bowl champ Seahawks the talk was how Rodgers did not once attempt a throw at Richard Sherman’s side. The answer is simpler than simple – Boykin could not clear himself from Sherman to get open. Rodgers will deliver the ball to whoever is open and thus far Boykin has backslid. He may have fallen far enough for rookie Davante Adams to rise.

Adams has been targeted by Rodgers more frequently of late. He posted 5 catches against the Jets but has also had some drops that suspend absolute confidence. The loss of Jermichael Finley is also impacting the air attack. While Andrew Quarless has been serviceable he does not possess the ability to be a matchup nightmare the way Finley could. Quarless doesn’t have the speed – or the hands – to be a seam splitting over-the-middle- threat. McCarthy loves the tight end position in his offense but no one has jumped up to show enough to inspire confidence.

Rodgers inaccuracy is compounded by the offensive line playing at a subpar level. The Packers playbook was tailor made to beat Detroit. The Lions were forced to add help to their depleted secondary last week. The Packers came in knowing that and had a game plan designed to put pressure on that corps and exploit their talents.

It never came to fruition. The plan was simple enough – pound Eddie Lacy inside and force Detroit to move men up to plug the holes. Then Rodgers could go over the top to anyone open and there should have been plenty. Should have been.

It never came to fruition. The Lions clamped down the Packers running game and stuffed Lacy repeatedly with just a 4 man rush. When Rodgers did try to throw he was seeing double and triple coverages on his receivers and tried to buy time with his legs. One of Rodgers admitted faults is holding onto the ball too long. No doubt even the best QB in the game is not above criticism and McCarthy and offensive coordinator Tom Clements will be pounding that home in preparation for the Bears.

While Rodgers will hear about getting rid of it sooner Lacy will be hearing about ball security. His early fumble that gave the Lions an easy touchdown are the type of mistakes that land a talented back on the bench. When Lacy was dropped for a safety in the end zone he was involved in enough points to give the Lions a win. Ouch. The offensive line needs a gut check on top of it all. The loss of Bryan Bulaga has impacted the line but no team should be so reliant on a single member of the line that losing just one leaves it vulnerable.

Now limping into Chicago they face a Bears team with a completely different defensive look from last year. Peppers jokes that “John Kuhn cost me my job (in Chicago)” referencing the now famous cut block Kuhn threw in last year’s finale that made the Rodgers to Cobb end of game 4^th down improbability a reality. Jared Allen was imported from Minnesota and has looked like a Bear thus far. CB Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillman is lost for the season but rookie CB Kyle Fuller is now running away with the rookie of the year award with 3 INT’s already. Fuller has great field vision and hands and the loss of Tillman has been eased by his emergence.

Shae McClellin – the guy who planted Rodgers on his shoulder and sent him to the bench last year – is making the same type of move Peppers has in moving from DE to OLB. His results are at an incomplete level but he is still an imposing defender.

The Bears are led by Cutler and the question is will Cutler be Cutler and toss some game-altering interceptions? Head Coach Marc Trestman has been a stabilizing force and hopes he doesn’t. Matt Forte is still quite a load in the Bears backfield and now 2^nd year man Alshon Jeffery has emerged to truly compliment Brandon Marshall in giving the Bears twin terrors on the outside.

It took awhile for the Bears to dispatch the Jets on Monday night but at 2-1 this game has ominous significance even this early in the season. Don’t call it a must-win game though. But a loss will most likely mean the Pack will have to lower their sights to securing a Wild Card berth. The NFL’s decision to have these early inter-division games has placed a greater emphasis on the importance of the early season games.

The importance and necessity of the preseason and 4 contests has been greatly devalued in the new

CBA/ injury conscious NFL. The smart coaches do not put their starters at risk in a game that means absolutely nothing. More and more coaches are treating the pre-season as talent evaluation tools while the starters use the first 2 or 3 games of the regular season to sharpen their edges. Under the new CBA coaches have a limited number of contact practices to utilize throughout the year – 16 in all. And if they have been used early, well, that’s life in the new NFL.

The rest of the NFC North sheds no tears for the plight of the Pack. In some quarters there is enjoyment in seeing the reigning divisional champs struggle. But this Packers offense is far too talented and far too proud to play this poorly for much longer. McCarthy may shake things up a bit by juggling his game day lineup. Rookie WR Jeff Janis may suit up in place of the injured Jarrett Boykin. If TE Brandon Bostick is healthy enough he and rookie TE Richard Rodgers may also see the field.

The Packers need their stars to play like stars. Cobb needs to get untracked. Lacy desperately needs to put in a game as he did a season ago. There are red faces in Titletown and there is a sense of controlled urgency. Rodgers made a radio appearance and responded to some of the more fanatical ramblings of panic by responding “Relax. It’s a long season.”

The season could be made much longer with another loss.

The Bears will be ready and will look to knock the Pack out. Lacy will finally have his impact game back and when that happens Rodgers will have his choice of targets. If Lacy posts 100+ yards the Pack will get back on track and back to where they once belonged. That’s the game plan. If it works, look out.

And conversely if it fails, look out.

 

 

 GREEN BAY 24  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Chicago  17  

CAUSE FOR CONCERN?

Packers Offense Continues to Struggle Against Lions in Loss

The winds of fortune are changing direction in the NFL these days. Along with that the winds of change are blustering as well. The 2104 version of the Green Bay Packers were, on paper, a supposed offensive juggernaut. The defense? Well, maybe not so much.

The 19-7 loss in Detroit was marked not by the defenses shortcomings but an offense that could never get itself started. This loss cannot and will not be laid at the doorstep of the defense however. On this day the defense more than did its part by forcing 3 turnovers while keeping Calvin Johnson in check. RB Reggie Bush was held to 61 yards, 26 of which came in the 4^th quarter on the Lions lone offensive TD. Limiting the explosive Detroit offense to a single offensive TD should have been part of a big win. It was not.

Julius Peppers and Co. had a pretty good day on the field. Peppers himself had a sack, a forced fumble and recovery of that fumble all in one play to lead the Pack D. The schneid of interceptions by a Packers safety was finally vanquished when rookie Ha Ha Clinton- Dix grabbed a tipped pass for his first interception as a pro and the first by a Packers safety since the days of Leroy Butler.

But when an offense gives the opposing team’s defense 9 points while registering a scant 7 the question has to be asked – what’s wrong with the offense? The Packers looked like the Packers on the opening drive by moving 59 yards in 9 plays that ended with an Aaron Rodgers shovel pass to TE Andrew Quarless for the game’s first – and the Packers last – score of the day.

From that point the offense went completely intro the tank leaving the defense alone to man the fort. RB Eddie Lacy has yet to find the running room he found last year. Fellow RB James Starks outplayed Lacy against Detroit and was far more efficient and productive. The biggest blow was Lacy’s fumble in the 1^st quarter that jump started the Lions. After being gang tackled the ball was stripped from Lacy’s hands and hit the ground before he did. Lions DB Don Carey grabbed the ball on the first bounce and scampered 40 yards untouched into the end zone to knot the gamer at 7.

Lacy saw far more of the bench than the field after his gaffe. This contest was, on paper, a mismatch that clearly favored the Packers and their high flying offense. The Lions were without their defensive starters S James Ihedigbo and CB Cassius Vaughn to injuries while CB’s Bill Bentley and Nevin Lawson have been placed on the IR. Rodgers and his array of receivers should have had a field day against a vastly undermanned defense.

They most decidedly did not.

What’s wrong with the offense? Start with the man that makes the offense go in Green Bay in Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has been uncharacteristically off on his throws this year. Not by much but enough to warrant concern. Jordy Nelson was sliding in the end zone for a Rodgers pass early in the game but was forced to reach back on an off target throw. This is not the only time this year Rodgers has thrown behind his targets. So   accurate has Rodgers been throughout his career that even these miniscule miscues are looking larger each week. Rodgers is among the NFL’s most accurate passers and has been legendary in his ability to put the ball in tight spaces where only his receivers can get the ball. But this has been a horse of a different color this year. While Rodgers remains among the league’s very best to play the position no doubt he will see the tape and see the ever so slight underthrows.

Lacy came into the year healthy and expected to shoulder a large load in the Packers offense. He has been underwhelming this year has seldom found the second level on his jaunts. Hi first period fumble that gave the Lions a gift TD landed the talented 2^nd year RB on the bench in favor of James Starks. The Lions defensive line of Ziggy Ansah, Jason Jones, Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh manhandled the Packers offensive line and held the Packers backs in check all game. When Lacy wasn’t riding the pine he was finding less open space to hit. Even when the Packers did something right it blew up in their faces like an exploding carton cigar. CB Davon House had a diving pick off the arm of Matthew Stafford at the 1 yard line to kill a Lion drive but on the next play Lacy was collared in the end zone for a safety. Credit the Lions defense for stuffing Lacy and keeping the game manageable for Matthew Stafford and the offense.

Stafford was hardly the reason for the Lions W. He was picked off twice and had zero TD throws. Calvin Johnson was defensed well and was a non-factor. While Bush put up the back breaking TD run in the 4^th quarter all Mike McCarthy and the rest of the Packers coaching staff could do was watch a suddenly disciplined Detroit D calmly and methodically dominate the Pack’s offense.

Rodgers should have had a field day against a defensive backfield that featured a player literally grabbed off the street when the Lions were hit so hard by injuries. The Lions loaded up against Jordy Nelson limiting him to 5 catches. Fellow WR Randall Cobb did not exploit the mismatches nor factored into the offense much. Afterwards Cobb called his performance “embarrassing”. Cobb never took advantage of the mismatches and did not create enough separation to contribute. “I have to do a better job of creating separation and getting open and giving Aaron somewhere to throw the ball” Cobb added. “We (the offense) just didn’t play well. It comes down to it – we got embarrassed”.

The Lions did not win this game as much as the Packer lost this game for themselves. A 7 point offensive production should have plenty of red faces in Green Bay and Mike McCarthy may be forced to make some moves in an effort to shake the moribund Packer offense out of it doldrums. Rookie TE Richard Rodgers may get some opportunities as Quarless has been uneven so far. #3 WR Jarrett Boykin has not distinguished himself and rookie Jeff Janis may be activated to shake up things. Janis has size and speed and Boykin has not done enough to add to the offense.

 

He is not alone in that department.

 

The offensive line has not established itself with authority enough. Lacy has not had the holes to hit that he had last year. And protection breakdown have also not helped. Rodgers has fallen back on his tendency to hold the ball too long and the pressure put on the O line has forced more sacks that have resulted from the failure to contain that pressure.

 

Lacy will hear the words “ball security” like a mantra all week. Lacy is then Packers’ workhorse and will need to get started and fast as the next two games against Chicago and Minnesota now take on an even greater level of importance even this early in the year. The Pack can ill afford to open at 1 – 3 and while it is not time to panic certainly there is an uneasy air settling into Titletown.

 

This is still an impressive offense. But accolades and past achievements mean zilch until it shows up on the field. The Packers have looked sluggish on offense and now need to refocus and start to impose its will on opponent. McCarthy has said his offense “… needs to start faster…” He is dead on accurate. He won’t be alone in his disappointment and the ensuing week he will challenge his offense as he has not had to do during the Rodgers’ regime. The offense will be under a microscope until it shows it has the ability to live up to its billing.

 

The defense has been a work in progress and showed great gains in the past 2 weeks. The pressure on the QB has been greatly improved this year and now the Packers D has shown it is capable of keeping the Packer in the game.

 

Now the offense has to catch up.

NOW THE SEASON CAN START

Packers Face Lions in Key Early Matchup

The schedule maker in the NFL must have had a very boring off season. With the preseason games being reduced to the level of little more than a 4 game money grab the real season begins this week. With so much time devoted to the preseason teams are loathe to trot out the Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelsons of the game to risk an injury that could potentially sideline them for the year. The regulars have roughly two games of full speed full contact to get their bodies ready for the grind if a long year.

And now, in only the 3^rd week of the new season, The Packers face their 3 NFC North foes in consecutive weeks. The NFL: has deliberately put some marquee games on the dockets this week to sustain fan interest. While losing a late season divisional battle is lost on this scheduling format what cannot be lost is the importance placed on these very early contests.

The Pack motors into Detroit to face the improving Lions this week in their annual slugfest. Last year the Lions feasted on Green Bay for Thanksgiving in a 40—10 embarrassing rout of a game. Matt Flynn played gamely but was no match for Matthew Stafford and Calvin (Megatron) Johnson.

But what a difference a year can make. Flynn is still with Green Bay but the 1^st team will now have Aaron Rodgers at the helm. Rodgers is the guy the Lions will be hunting in this week. Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley don’t want to wait until November to get a taste either. Curiously after the Lions blew the Packers out last year both teams suddenly went polar opposite in direction as the Lions sunk like a stone, losing their last 7 games while Green Bay made a mad dash for the finish to steal the division at 8-7-1. The Lions penchant for un disciplined play and untimely penalties sunk their hopes, so much so that fiery coach Jim Schwartz was given his walking papers at the end of the miserable season.

In come the cool, calm and collected Jim Caldwell, and offensive tactician whose even keeled demeanor is hoped to be a steadying influence on the pride of young Lions. Caldwell had a stint in Indy previously and inherits a team long on potential but short on results. The Lions have made exactly one appearance in the post season tournament under Schwartz’ watch and have flirted with the ‘surprise team’ label and have frankly worn it out.

There is a maddening array of talent on Detroit’s team. Johnson is a 6’5” nightmare of a matchup who will be covered by Sam Shields and Tramon Williams. As Shields has said …tackling (Johnson) is almost impossible because of his (240 lb.) size. If you hit him high you bounce off…” Tramon Williams added “…if you go low he can run right over you and he has one of the strongest stiff arms in (the NFL)…"

RB Reggie Bush had field day last year and if the Packers are not ready for his running it could be a long day. Bush has finally found a home in Detroit after being taken #2 overall by New Orleans. After a somewhat suspect beginning Bush then played well but hardly at a #2 level in Miami and now has found his stride in Detroit. Containing the explosive Bush and limiting his big plays will be a strong key to trying to stifle Stafford. When Bush isn’t in the game Joique Bell has become a more than reliable #2 coming off the bench. His combination of power and explosiveness provides the Lions little drop-off when Bush exits.

Matthew Stafford has battled shoulder injuries throughout his career and now goes head-to-head with not only the best QB in the division but arguably in the league in Rodgers. Stafford has a good arm but also has a tendency to drop his arm and sling the ball almost side armed at times, especially when he is being harassed. His low angle of delivery also makes picks more possible. The Packers and DC Dom Capers are well aware of not only Stafford’s abilities but his shortcomings as well.

The Packers got their first pick of the year when Williams grabbed a Geno Smith flutterball after he was decked by rising beast Mike Daniels. Packer Nation and probably very quietly the Packers coaching staff as well are eager for a safety to make such a play to end the endless commentary about how long it has been since a safety had an interception in Green Bay.

The Lions are sporting a new, aggressive look to their defense. Longtime hard hitting S Louis Delmas is gone and now patrolling centerfield in Miami. The backside of the Detroit D is young and very inexperienced. If the Lions have a defensive weakness it will be in the corners and safeties and will try to compensate with a fierce pass rush, an area where they are truly deep. Suh and vastly improved newcomer Ziggy Ansah now anchor the front four. But Nick Fairley’s weight and conditioning are causes for concern. OLB DeAndre Levy is one of the Lions young rising stars and plays like his hair is on fire. With MLB Stephen Tulloch the Lions are as good as any team in their front 7.

Caldwell has all but stated the Lions will attempt to contain the NFL’s leading receiver in Jordy Nelson with double teams. Nelson has had a monster start to the year already and his body-contorting ability to snag throws is among the best in the NFL. It will be up to a combination of Rodgers’ passing and RB Eddie Lacy’s running to keep the Lions honest.

Lacy has not had much of an impact this year. He left the Seattle game early with a concussion as the Jets bottled up the run while forgetting how to play pass defense. Lacy needs touches and many of them to help take the load off Rodgers.

The Lions will have to contend with Rodgers and his ability to check off at the line. If the Lions do, in fact, double Nelson look for Randall Cobb to be the beneficiary of some open space. The Pack has gotten by so far without employing the tight end position, and if there was ever a game where Jermichael Finley is missed it is in a game such as this. Now the question becomes will rookie Richard Rodgers get a shot here? Or will Andrew Quarless be looked at as a target?

Rookie W Davante Adams showed some flashes of what he could do last week with 5 receptions for 50 yards. Look to see him get more playing time and if this becomes another shootout the kid could end up being the difference. If Rodgers has time and Nelson is doubled someone has to be open – the Lions simply cannot duble everyone. Giving Rodgers a few more reliable outlets is not a pleasant thought for Caldwell and Co. Adams and Richard Rodgers just might see more than their fair share of balls in this one as the youngster will steadily improve throughout the season.

The defense has had a sluggish start but is showing signs of developing. After 6 awful quarters in the first two games the D finally rose in the second half last week to stifle the Jets. Green
Bay spotted Gang Green a 21 – 3 lead only to grab the game away from New York, a win that was greatly aided by the Jets propensity for shooting themselves in the foot repeatedly. The Lions possess that self-same ability but know they need to cut down on the foolish penalties that keep them mired in the sub .500 department.

LB Andy Mulumba was lost to a knee injury last week and Brad Jones has not yet practiced so Jamari Lattimore will see much of the field. This opens the door for Sam Barrington or Nate Palmer or rookie Carl Bradford to show what they can do. CB Casey Hayward tweaked a glute and could be hampered. Newcomer Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is showing rapid improvement every week and will have to keep the needle pointing up as he will no doubt be tested by Stafford and Megatron. Could it be Ha Ha that gets the last laugh and the first pick?

The Packers defense is a subtle work-in-progress that will improve as the season goes along. LB’s Nick Perry and Mike Neal will see more of the DE position and don’t be shocked to see Julius Peppers with his hand back on the turf. Capers has moved Clay Matthews all over the field and has had him playing both sides, as a pass rusher, dropping into coverage and as an inside LB. Now that the first two games are under their belts the Packers defense has to show some forward improvement and this is just such a game for them to do just that.

While the air battle will be a fierce this one comes down to ball control and rushing. Lacy is due a big breakout game and could be the bell cow here. Lacy’s relentless pounding should have a positive effect as it wears the Lion interior down opening up the airways for Rodgers. Lacy didn’t see much of the ball last week as the Jet and the scoreboard conspired against him. Rodgers will feed Lacy a lot. By the time the second half rolls around the play action will crush any hope the Lions have of staying with the Pack.

This is no revenge game nor will it be a blowout. But the Packers D will rise and Lacy will be a beast. Stafford will toss a couple of picks as the Packers get the first laugh as Ha Ha has a memorable day.

 

 

  GREEN BAY 34   

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Detroit 16