SHOWDOWN!!

Pack Faces Patriots in Much Anticipated Game

The schedule maker must have had a premonition. This week in the NFL features some exciting key matchups. On Thanksgiving Day it was a back-to-back-to-back affair that had some heavyweight inter-divisional games. Seattle waxed San Francisco all but eliminating the 49ers from the playoffs while Philadelphia rose up from the mat to upend Dallas in Big D. Although the Chicago Bears failed to hold up their end of the bargain against Detroit 5 of the 6 teams involved are or were clearly enmeshed in the playoff hunt. For a change the games did not cause anyone to get up off the couch any earlier.

Much like one of those “As Seen on TV” infomercials we are compelled to almost yell “But wait… there’s more!” There is a smorgasbord of playoff implication games this weekend that has even more slugfests. In the AFC the surprisingly resurgent Cleveland Browns face the equally resurgent Buffalo Bills in the Snow Dome. San Diego leaves the warmth of SoCal and wings into Baltimore to face the Ravens and in the west a big one is brewing for the suddenly struggling and downward trending West Divisions leader Denver Mannings go to Kansas City to meet the Chiefs Sunday night. And we’re not done. Even with their embarrassing records of 4-7 New Orleans won’t find anything easy against the up and down Pittsburgh Steelers while their main competitors in the Atlanta Falcons – if such an animal exists when 4 – 7 is tied for a divisional lead - squares of against the NFL leading Arizona Cardinals who are showing every week they are, in fact, the real deal even with starting QB Carson Palmer done for the year.

All of those juicy entrees are mere appetizers for the main course when the 2 hottest teams in the NFL will battle it out on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. The New England Patriots are currently riding a 7 game winning streak against the Green Bay Packers and their 3 game streak. There are few certainties in life beyond death, taxes, and Bill Belichick guiding the Patriots into the playoffs.

Maybe it is appropriate that the main course of Sunday is the much awaited, much anticipated game between the 2 hottest QB’s in the show featuring Aaron Rodgers and Tome Brady. This is the first meeting between these two future Hall of Famers who are both 1 and 1A in the running for league MVP. Peyton Manning has looked more like Eli the past few weeks as the luster off his ego and game has dulled in some underwhelming mere mortal and interception littered efforts recently.

Tom Brady has been assassin cold and precise as the Pats have rolled over their foes in the process. While Philadelphia has a game on both right now the Pats and Pack have put up some scary offensive numbers. The Eagles blew Dallas out on Thursday and have posted an impressive 375 points thus far.

But right on their heels is New England (357 points (and Green Bay (354 points). When paired with the fact that the Pats are 11^th in points against and the Pack is 13^th this is rightfully and deservedly being called the game of the year thus far. Just don’t call it a Super Bowl preview or a must win affair. It isn’t. For New England it is another playoff-like game against a quality opponent and truth be told the Pack’s game against Minnesota last week had far more playoff ramifications than this game.

That does not mean that either team will take the week off. This one should be a doozy.

New England holds a comfortable 3 game lead over the pesky Bills and Dolphins while Green Bay is locked in a dogfight with Detroit and the Lions are showing no signs of finding another creative way to blow a legitimate shot at the NFC North crown. The Lions dropped behind Green Bay last week when they were dumped by these same Patriots by a count of 34 – 9 while the Packers passed a test against the Vkings 24 -21. Now Brady and Belichick are tasked with doing the same against Rodgers and Mike McCarthy.

This will be there first time Rodgers and Brady have met. It is the marquee matchup of the games 2 marquee QB’s that will draw one of the most watched games this year. Brady is back to doing what Brady does best. He is spreading the ball around and relying on super duper TE Rob Gronkowski in the red zone. In every measurable statistic both Brady and Rodgers are in the top 10. Brady and Rodgers are completing passes at 65% and 66.4% of the time and sit at #8 (Brady) and #9 (Rodgers) in yardage with 2,998 and 2,957.  Rodgers is 2^nd in TD tosses with 30 and Brady is right there at #4 with 26. Don’t count on either QB to turn the ball over – Brady has thrown 6 INT’s and Rodgers has put up a minuscule 3… all of which came after his throw bounced off his targets’ hands. At a ridiculous 10 1 ratio of TD’s to INT’s Rodgers is as consistent as they come.

On the ground Eddie Lacy has gotten hotter as the weather has gotten colder. Lacy is currently 13th in rushing yards with 672 and New England can roll out 3 legitimate RB’s in Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley (who is now on the IR list), Jonas Gray, all of whom have posted 300+ yards for the year and the newly signed  LeGarrette Blount. Blount was recently grabbed before he exited Heinz Field as the Steelers released him for leaving the field before the end of the game. As much as Blount has been labeled a head case in his previous stops in Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay he has performed well for Belichick.

Where Green Bay holds a distinct advantage is in their wide receivers. Sports Illustrated cover boy Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb form the leagues deadliest 1-2 punch, and rookie Davante Adams has slowly gained Rodgers’ and McCarthy’s confidence. Andrew Quarless is no Gronk but in Green Bay’s pass happy attack he doesn’t need to be. As rookie TE Richard Rodgers goes on he is being folded into the mix as well. Conspicuously absent form the group was last year’s #3 Jarrett Boykin who has made up for his lack of playing time by performing on special teams.

New England has great balance if not the flash and explosive capabilities of Green Bay. Brady loves to spread the ball around after Gronk. His targets are unimposing on paper – Julian Edelman has 70 catches and after him Brandon Lafell, Tim Wright and Danny Amendola round out the wideouts. Edelman is an all purpose type of player Belichick loves and Amnedola’s contributions have been paltry. Brady will utilize his backs as well as anyone in the game.

McCarthy and Rodgers have found yet another outlet and weapon in their passing attack in Lacy. Lacy has made tremendous gains in the passing attack that has allowed McCarthy to resurrect a former staple in Green Bay’s offense in the screen pass. Getting the ball into Lacy’s hands in space and into the second level has become a lethal strike that DB’s will fear – even All World CB Darelle Revis. Trying to bring down the 230 lb. Lacy 1 on 1 on a cold afternoon is not something for which Revis et. al. can be thankful.

Revis has been selling his services to the highest bidder and has come as advertised to the Pats. Revis is the penultimate shutdown corner in the game. While Revis has only 2 picks for the year that stat is misleading as most QB’s don’t dare to test his side. All of which begs the question of how exactly will the defensive guru Belichick deploy him? Will he attempt to take Nelson out of the game a la Richard Sherman and force Rodgers to one side of an overloaded field? Or will Revis be moved around forcing Rodgers to constantly wonder where he is? Might he even consider the jailbreak rush to force Rodgers to throw early? The Pats imported huge CB Brandon Browner from Seattle’s Legion of Boom to pair with Revis and S Devin McCourty. At 6’4” and 221 lbs. Browner is a bruiser but at 30 years of age the word is while he is still a ferocious tackler he has lost something off his giddyup. In spite of his size Rodgers may just test Browner in a speed match up.

Unlike the opener against Seattle Green Bay has developed far more weapons now. Cobb had a very sluggish start but is now piling yup the numbers in the last year of his contract that should have Ted Thompson or another team open the vaults to lock up his services. Cobb and Nelson have been played as dual wideouts, in the slot and on the same side forcing defenses to now pick their poison.

With big back Lacy pounding inside teams can no longer ignore the run and force Rodgers to pass- he will eat them alive. But if the D drops back into coverage the question becomes will New England’s stout but aging DLine have enough to take Lacy’s relentless and furious pounding? Vince Wolfork is imposing but aging. Chandler Jones has had an up and down year. In their base 4-3 defense New England relies on run support form LB’s Jamie Collins and the impressive Dont’a Hightower.

Since moving Clay Matthews to the middle of the field the Packers have found a new gear on defense. Belichick has singled out OLB Julius Peppers as a potential problem. Given how well Peppers has played a very strong case can be made that the biggest impact of any free agent signing has been from the team that utilizes the FA market the least. Remember the big splash Jarius Byrd made with his megabucks deal? Any notion Peppers has lost a step has by now been laid to rest.

The coaching confrontations are very intriguing. Belichick has 3 Super Bowl rings in New England and McCarthy 1 in Green Bay. Belichick is a defensive genius and McCarthy is one of the most underrated offensive minds in the game. McCarthy’s unimposing low key demeanor has been largely overlooked by the mainstream that does not know a great coach when they see him. McCarthy’s attention to detail, demand for consistency and creativity gets largely overlooked, a fact that suits McCarthy just fine. The churlish Belichick is not just the worst interview in the NFL – he is the worst interview in this known solar system. Curt, abrasive, prickly and condescending are some of Belichick’s better qualities and he doesn’t give a damn about. Give credit where it is due – he flat out knows how to win and couldn’t care less what anyone outside of the organization thinks.

Don’t look for either team to try something cute. This is going to be a middle of the ring toe to toe affair where both teams will try to impose their will on the other. Brady and Rodgers are the 2 best in the show now and the chilly air will be filled with footballs. Both teams will be forced to scramble on defense to keep up. Forget about time of possession; this one will be all about what these two teams do best. Score. There will be points aplenty when hot meets hotter.

This will be one of the best games of the year. The Packers can hang with and beat anyone. So can New England. One team will lose the game but at this point of the season one loss will not define that team. Green Bay has a little bit more to prove while New England always seems to find a way.

It is a big game and could turn out to be a preview… but for now it is just another game on the schedule.

  NEW ENGLAND 38  

 

  Green Bay  31 

PACK OVER TROUBLED BRIDGEWATERS

Pack Grabs NFC North Lead with Win over Vikes;

 Lions Fall to Pats

Okay, so it wasn’t another 50 point eruption against an overmatched opponent. And it wasn’t a showdown with a powerhouse. The Green Bay Packers 24 – 21 win over Minnesota was a very efficient, workmanlike effort against a greatly improved divisional rival. Coupling the Pack’s W with the loss New England hung on Detroit has some significant impact. At the close of business yesterday Green Bay is once again in the driver’s seat chasing their 4^th consecutive NFC North title.

Aaron Rodgers didn’t post video game numbers but was nothing less than sharp. For the day Rodgers was a steady 19 form 29 good for 209 yards and 2 TD’s. If one player would like to face Minnesota again it would be RB Eddie Lacy. Lacy ran the ball more times than he has all year. Lacy carried the rock 25 times, good for 125 yards, again his highest output of the season and chipped in with 2 TD’s – one on a leaping plunge into the end zone that gave Green Bay a 7 – 0 lead as the Packers continue to rack up 1^st quarter points and another on a 10 yard toss from Rodgers that put the game away in the 4^th quarter.

Minnesota’s Head Coach Mike Zimmer has the Vikes ship clearly pointed in the right direction. Rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater has played much better than his rocky start. Teddy B posted 21 completions on 37 attempts for 210 yards, 2 TD’s and 1 pick. Bridgewater also added 32 yards on the ground and a 6.2 yards/ carry average. But the impressive news is the new look Packers D once again held its’ opponent to 112 yards on the ground collectively. RB Jerrod McKinnon will not make anyone forget Adrian Peterson. The Packers defense limited his contributions to 54 yards on 15 carries for a 3.6 yards/ carry average.

Detroit is now falling off the lead they once held in the division. New England spanked the Lions 34 – 9 and the showdown in Green Bay nest week is set. But the loss also dropped the Lions one game in back of Green Bay marking the first time all year the Lions have had to look over their shoulders.

The Packers don’t make life easy in the North. As well and as improved as the Lions have been they can’t seem to put enough together in the second half of a season to grab a crown for themselves. Under Jim Schwartz the Lions seemingly invented new and unusual ways of shooting themselves in the foot. Once the weather gets cold and the races heat up the Lions look for a place to hibernate and lose some of their bite. Now Green Bay gets tasked with facing the AFC frontrunner when the Patriots come into Lambeau Field next week.

Minnesota is awaiting the completion of a new domed stadium. Playing on the University of Minnesota’s field the Viking fan base was not as strong or as imposing as it had been in year’s past. There was an air of resignation among the fans as the best they could hope for was what they in fact got. The Vikings were a game bunch but still no match for the Packers.

The game itself offered little from the WOW! factor aspect. IF anything the dizzying, maddening and frustrating flag-fest the NFL has rolled out this year has become annoying, irritating and excessive. While Roger Goodell has taken the noble cause of reducing player injuries, especially shots to the head, the league may have gone too far in trying to add excitement to the game. With the new pass interference rules and emphasis on hands to the face calls games have denigrated into tediously grinding affairs as the officials are garnering more air time than the players. For any doubters if you know the name Gene Steratore then the NFL has gone too far.

Steratore was yesterday’s game referee and the 15 flags thrown gave him plenty of face time. In an effort to reel in the fan that is on the fence about the NFL the hardcore, die hard football cognoscenti are becoming more and more alienated. The flow of games has an organic presence. The constant interruption of yellow hankies interferes with that flow and also the fervent interest in games. If an NFL game isn’t a blowout it is a penalty filled affair that make taking it in unsatisfying. While player safety is something where little compromise should exist the ham-handed, overbearing and overzealous approach Goodell has foisted upon the game has gone too far.

One of the more mind numbing aspects of this approach is the inconsistency that is sure to lay its footprint. Players don’t know what is going to be called or not called. Neither do coaches. Early on Jordy Nelson had Harrison Smith draped on his back and pulled both of his arms away from the ball. But there was no flag. As the Packers coaches were seen literally leaping onto the field in protest most fans sat back, rolling their eyes in a moment of “Here we go again.”

Bridgewater still has a long way to go but has settled into the starters’ role. His ability to extend plays with his legs has been a true asset for him. But even at that Rodgers was still superior. Rodgers put up 34 yards on 6 carries while Bridgewater posted 32 for 5 carries. Bridgewater has a natural throwing motion and style of play that is reminiscent of the Eagles Randall Cunningham. Long and lanky Cunningham could not only run but he could launch a ball 60 + yards with ease. Bridgewater looks like he can deliver it to anywhere and as he learns the pro game he will become a new thorn in the side of the defenses of the league.

With only the season finale showdown in Detroit left in the divisional battles the Pack is poised to go after the division again. The schedule is favorable for Green Bay with the exceptions being the Lions and next week’s biggie against Tom Brady. The media and fans love a good old fashioned heavyweight battle and this is the marquee game of the week. The Pats dismantled the Lions with relative ease and were certainly not guilty of looking ahead. For their part Green Bay did the same. Both teams are well run and can stay in the moment and keep focused on the task at hand.

Against Minnesota Green Bay was good but not quite as sharp as they had been during their recent streak of pillaging. Good enough was the case going against the 4 – 7 Vikings but that is not going to cut it when Mike McCarthy squares off and matches X’s and O’s with Bill Belichick. The Vikings Mike Zimmer commented on the new looks and wrinkles the Packers defense threw at the Vikings. Since moving Clay Matthews inside Dom Capers has been more creative in the deployment of his troops. OLB Nick Perry was a game day scratch and OLB Jayrone Elliot heard his name called on the field for the first time this year. McCarthy and the Pack expected to win this game but it also afforded the opportunity to play not only Elliot but rookie CB Dimitri Goodson, DT’s Mike Pennel and Josh Boyd, LB Sam Barrington and the forgotten Jamari Lattimore. On noted absence of late has been ILB Brad Jones.

In any season there will be forgettable and unmemorable moments. Such is the case with Minnesota. The Packers did what they wanted and what they expected and when the dust settles there will be little to remember about this game except 1) it was played and 2) the Pack won.

Now it’s on to bigger and better things.

NO PEEKING

Pack Preps for Divisional Battle with Vikes

 

by: Michael Filipelli

Call it a trap game. While many are looking forward to the showdown with AFC powerhouse New England next week the Minnesota Vikings are on the slate this week. On the surface it would appear that this will be another cornucopia of points for the Green Bay Packers. The Pack is currently tied with Detroit for the NFC North lead and is in the discussion of the best in the business right now while the Vikings are floundering and coming off a defeat at the hands of the Bears.

Minnesota is tied in the basement with the disappointing Chicago Bears at 4 – 6. While that record is shameful in the Windy City it is a breath of fresh air for new Viking boss Mike Zimmer and the frozen followers of Minnesota. Last year the Vikes were in such disarray Leslie Frazier was axed. Zimmer is no-nonsense tough guy of a coach who has come in, kicked a few keisters around and has put his stamp quickly on the Purple Gang.

Minnesota is without star power with Jared Allen now toiling in Chicago and Adrian Peterson embroiled in an ugly child abuse case for “…whooping…” his 4 year old son with a switch. Peterson’s case came on the heels of Ray Rice’s horrifically shocking video release of the beating of his then girlfriend now wife and has dragged the NFL into the vortex of a national referendum on how exactly Roger Goodell and the NFL should respond. This has become a Rubicon of indecision, indifference, outrage and has sparked a national debate. The NFLPA has in its standard contract a personal conduct clause but the existence of what infraction equals which penalty is glaringly missing. In a league so defined that everyone almost knows an offside penalty = 5 yards and a personal foul = 15 yards there is no definable criteria for infraction and punishment in the NFL for misconduct away from the gridiron. And the off field transgressions are mojunting.

None existed when Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg.

None existed when Michael Vick was part of a dog-fighting ring.

LeVeon Bell and LeGarrette Blount were arrested by a motorcycle cop when he smelled the pot from their vehicle – on an interstate.

Now that Peterson’s case has been adjudicated and he has been released he is not yet out of Goodell’s doghouse. Stating that Peterson has not comprehended the gravity of his situation has resulted in Peterson remaining in limbo and unable to rejoin his team.

But life in the NFL marches on in the face of the black eye it has received off field. Zimmer has acknowledged that Peterson will not be back this year and that the Vikings must focus on the here and now and what is, not what was. Peterson has even said that a fresh start elsewhere might be the best thing for him and he may not be wrong. He is adamant about not wanting to be compared to Ray Rice. Rice’s heinous act showed both the face of domestic violence and the very dark underbelly of large, incredibly strong men who are rewarded for violence.

Zimmer has not had his big back to take the load of talented but inconsistent rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater. The intial plan was to keep Teddy B on the bench while he interned under incumbent Matt Cassell and former flavor-of-the-month and first rounder Christian Ponder. Ponder’s stock has fallen so far that in a year or two he will be rendered to becoming the answer to a trivia question. In Peterson’s place Minnesota has found decent enough players in RB’s Jerrod MacKinnon and Matt Asiaga who have put up 484 and 279 yards respectively. Their presence has not caused anyone to forget what Minnesota has lost with Peterson.

As the season has ground on there is a sun rising on Minnesota. They lost a close one to Chicago last week and now are tasked with facing the highest scoring team in the NFL when the Packers visit the Twin Cities. The Packers staggering 108 point explosion in the last two games has been the talk of the NFL. The biggest question associated with Green Bay right now is “are they peaking”. The biggest question this week in anticipation of the game against Minnesota  associated with Green Bay is “are they peeking?”

Mike McCarthy is well aware of the dangers of a ‘trap’ game. Yes the Patriots are ahead. Many fans are already peaking ahead to that marquee matchup. But McCarthy is well aware of the fact that the Patriot game is of far less significance in the big picture than this the battle week. For all intents and purposes winning or losing to the Patriots does very little to impact Green Bay standings-wise. Beyond giving their fans a chance to bray a little more should the Pack prevail against Tom Brady and Co. if somehow the Vikings are to pull an Oakland Raiders and upset the heavily favored Pack the results could have serious implications for the playoffs. The Raiders won their first game at Kansas City’s expense and Minnesota knows they are not in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Minnesota would love nothing more than to upset the high flying Pack and spoil the trip to the Big Dance. Zimmer would love to hang his hat on that one and will be delivering the message loudly to his players. A win would validate the Vikings and give them solid ground upon which they can continue to build for the future. Laying a cornerstone could go a very long way and pay dividends with his current roster and help in the attraction of free agents. Make no mistake the Vikings ship is pointed in the right direction. They have a great Captain at the helm. What they lack are the deckhands in numbers enough to move the ship to the Promised Land.

McCarthy knows this and will be keeping the Packers focused on what is in front of them. One of the first components of making it to the playoffs is winning in your own division. Green Bay is very comfortable right now with a 3-1 mark having beaten the Bears twice and a thrashing of Minny earlier this season. The lone black mark is the black eye the vastly improved Lions gave them in a 19 – 6 win that when compared to the level where Aaron Rodgers and the Packers is playing today it is akin to comparing a snail to Lambeau Field. As incongruous as the juxtaposition it is hard to conceive this offense, the very same offense that has ripped, shredded, and destroyed some very capable teams along the way is the same offense that put up a paltry 7 points in the Motor City.

Have they peaked? Are they peaking? It is difficult to imagine a team, as a team, playing at a higher level that The Pack right now. But – what if they haven’t hit their peak yet? Just how high is the ceiling?

There may not be a ceiling to just how good this Packers team can be. Only time and the rest of the schedule will hold the answers.

The Packers are in control of their fate. Winning out equals a playoff berth – period. The game against the Vikings puts Green Bay at 4-1 in the division and regardless of what the Lions do the finale of the year when Detroit visits Green Bay could hold the NFC North crown in the balance.

That point is rendered moot with a loss to Minnesota. On paper this no contest. There is not a QB on the planet right now that can match up with Aaron Rodgers. Not Brady, not Manning, not Brees and certainly not Bridgewater. It would be a huge mistake for Green Bay to simply mail it based on the recent point production and the fact they have already dropped 42 on Minnesota in week 5 in a 42 -10 blowout.

Rodgers and McCarthy have become a very simpatico pairing in their preparations, perspectives and production. Away from the field Rodgers is California cool and as laid back as a surfer on the beach. His quiet demeanor hides and intensely savage competitive streak. Rodgers has the weapons and this is the “Golden Age” right now of the Rodgers regime. As this season has worn on the Packers have improved in almost every aspect of the game. The truly frightening fact is they may not have yet hit their peak… and the rest of the league knows it. Rodgers is healthy. RB Eddie Lacy is healthy. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb may just be the best 1-2 WR combo in the league. Rookie Davante Adams has become more involved in the offense as has TE Andrew Quarless.

Across the board the Packers have improved. The defense has been laughed at for their paltry standings against the run. After Dom Capers tinkered and moved Clay Matthews inside there has been a sudden and rapid resurgence of the D. Nick Perry is shedding his ‘first round bust’ tag and is playing better than he ever has in Titletown. Mike Neal dropped his tag last year and is playing at a high level. Free Agent Letroy Guion has become entrenched in the trenches and as a former first round pick of Minnesota’s, the team that slapped the ‘first round bust’ tag on him he would love nothing more than to show his former employers up.

Last season Morgan Burnett took the brunt of how lousy the Packers safeties were. Now alongside Ha Ha Clinton- Dix and Micah Hyde Burnett has become a heat seeking missile of a tackler. No one is laughing now. And then there is the way too old/ past his prime/ what does he have left in the tank case of Julius Peppers.

The move to Green Bay has not only extended but his career but has shown what Peppers is capable of. He has 2 pick 6’s this year and has not lost the ability to get to the QB. Peppers is playing as if he had been miscast his entire career until he got to Green Bay. As an OLB and part time DE Peppers has become one of the largest cogs in the Packs D. His is no longer relegated to being a one trick pony and has been able to utilize his tremendous athletic gifts to the fullest degree.

 
 

Count on the Pack to understand the meaning of this game. Brady can wait. There is business to be taken care of right now. Don’t look for any sudden drop-off from the Pack either. Even on the road the Packers rightfully have a huge edge in this game.

And McCarthy loves to have some edge to his team.

 

 

 

  GREEN BAY  41   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Minnesota  13  

 

PACK GROUNDS HIGH FLYING BIRDS

Packers Demolish Philly/ Move Into 1^st Place Tie

by: Michael Filipelli

A blast furnace is hot.

A volcano is hotter.

The sun is even hotter yet.

And then there is Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers is the hottest property in the NFL and as a result the Green Bay Packers are flying high once again. They are flying high enough to have grounded, plucked, and walloped the Philadelphia Eagles with the highest two game output of their storied NFL tenure by a count of 53 – 20. Coming on the heels of a 55 point outburst against Chicago Green Bay has posted over 100 points in their last two games. Madden gamers would love these types of games while the purists find their heads reeling in the proliferation of points.

Rodgers has re-entered the mainstream discussion for MVP honors and is now among the frontrunners. After Sir Peyton tossed up 2 picks in an embarrassing loss to the Rams Rodgers once again had a short day’s work with 342 yards, 3 TD’s and 0 picks, marking 322 attempts at home without a blemish. Eddie Lacy had another strong showing with 2 TD’s and Jordy Nelson also has his name at or very near the top of the All Pro list for the first time with two more body contorting TD grabs. Nelson opened with a 64 yard connection on the games third play that set the tone for the Pack. For the day Nelson posted 4 catches for 109 yards while Randall Cobb added 10 catches for 129 yards.

Mason Crosby opened the scoring after the Packers initial drive stalled. The Packers D has shown a resurgent improvement and held Mark Sanchez and the Eagles on the ensuing drive. Rodgers found rookie WR Davante Adams for a 6 yard score and once again the Packers held against the Birds and forced a punt.

Much was made prior to the game about the play of the special teams. Philly’s Darren Sproles broke the game against Caroline wide open with a scintillating return. The Eagles were hoping to gain an edge from its special teams. But a funny thing happened on the way to chilly, snowy Lambeau Field. The special team’s edge jumped on the Packers bandwagon. Micah Hyde fielded the punt and made the first man miss and was off to the races with an electrifying 75 yard return that energized the 80,000+ Packer faithful and started the avalanche that buried the Eagles.

 

The Pack surrendered a lone field goal as Rodgers continued his mastery. He hit Jordy Nelson on the sideline and Nelson displayed incredible body control as he somehow contorted his body around the pylon for the TD. There was a moment of concern after his Lambeau Leap when he appeared to grab his hamstring upon his exit from the clutches of the giddy front row occupiers. It looked as if it was a Rodgers-esque ‘tweak’ as Nelson returned without issue.

Defense has been Green Bay’s Achilles Heel thus far yet for the second straight game the D turned in a masterful performance. The Eagles are a high flying, high octane fast paced bunch and emptied the arsenal at the Packers who not only withstood the attack but all but stifled Chip Kelly’s offense. After holding the Eagles once again Rodgers engineered another scoring drive that ended when Lacy plowed in from 1 and the rout was on. Although Tim Masthay bobbled the PAT snap the Packers took a fat 30 – 6 lead in at the half.

Kelly has been an innovative breath of fresh air in the NFL. His approach to offense is to keep his foot on the gas and keep it there until his opponents tire and even then he still keeps his foot on the gas. But in facing the Packers he found a team whose defense has to work all year facing a fast paced offense in practice. This advantage played to Green Bay’s strengths as it took the ball out of RB LeSean McCoy’s hands and into Sanchez’ hands.  McCoy was held to 88 yards rushing on 23 attempts for a 3.8 yards/ carry average, a considerable improvement for a defense routinely knocked for its’ inability to stop the rush.

Trailing 33 – 6 Sanchez was forced into trying to match Rodgers throw for throw and point for point. He found out quickly that is a task too monumental for almost anyone QB on the planet. Julius Peppers continues to make Ted Thompson’s decision to sign the free agent a brilliant one as he stepped in front of TE Brent Celek and picked off Sanchez. His rumbling 52 yards return gave the normally quiet Peppers a reason to celebrate with his second pick 6 of the year and first Lambeau Leap.

Sanchez managed to muster a drive that ended with impressive rookie Jordan Matthews getting a TD. While the Packers D dominated they also benefited from Sanchez’ inaccuracy. At least 5 balls were off target to wide open receivers’ and the Pack’s coaching staff will rightfully point out against an elite QB that type of gaffe will be costly. Sanchez has played better in Philly than he did in the Big Apple but he is by no stretch of the imagination an elite QB. Rodgers, on the other hand, is right now the elite of the elite.

Manning and Tom Brady have put together MVP- type numbers but Peyton’s picks will cause his star to diminish. With consecutive 50+ point explosions the only thing that could potentially hurt Rodgers’ run at the MVP is his early exits. Manning is loath to come out of games while he pads his stats in mop up time. Mike McCarthy sees the bigger picture and knows if Rodgers is on the sideline it means two very important things 1) the Packers are so far ahead he can afford to be on the bench and 2) he can’t be injured from the sidelines.

The coup de grace was a TD throw for which Rodgers will get credit but most of the work was done by the Packers’ newest receiving threat in Eddie Lacy. As Lacy took a checkdown swing pass on the left side he cut upfield and began his thunderous jaunt to the end zone. In twirling, spinning, bulldozing and relentless style Lacy willed himself into the end zone for another highlight reel TD to add to his growing collection. For the game Lacy finished with 69 yards on 10 carries, good for a heathy 6.9 yards/ carry average. With Lacy and Rodgers both healthy the Pack is less reliant on Lacy shouldering the load alone. Last year Lacy’s play was necessary as Rodgers was out with a broken collarbone. This year he has not only been used to set up the pass but the Packers are now employing a pass-to-use-the-run-to-set-up-the-pass approach.

In most games Rodgers has had to carry the team. While Rodgers’ play is the catalyst that drives the Packers the D has suddenly become formidable with the move of Clay Matthews to the inside. Moving to the middle hasn’t hindered Matthews; he garnered a sack as did Mike Neal and the other free agent signee Letroy Guion. Guion does not have the rep or star power of Peppers but has become an integral part of the Pack’s front line and has shown steady improvement throughout the campaign. The D has also become a very opportunistic one on top of it all. Early on rookie C Corey Linsley earned another trip to Rodgers doghouse with a snap over Rodgers’ head that he recovered that ended in a sack and Linsley being given what for by an irate Rodgers. Sanchez wasn’t as fortunate.

On a low snap Sanchez desperately tried to pull the ball up but a fortuitous bounce saw the ball leap into CB Casey Hayward’s hands. Hayward was able to jaunt into the end zone flanked by a phalanx of Packers serving as an escort with no Eagle in sight. Once again the Packers dominated the game in all 3 phases of the game and the dangerous Sproles was never really a factor in the game. The Eagles have been brought back to earth with a thud and now find themselves in a dogfight with Dallas, a team they will face twice in the next 4 weeks that will add a greater impact.

With the Detroit Lion losing to the Arizona Cardinals the Packers now find themselves tied atop the NFC North and in complete control of their own destiny. With a schedule that looks very favorable at this point the job is far from over. The question many will ask is “Are they peaking too soon?” The better question would be “Just how is the peak?” Minnesota is up next and then a showdown with New England and Tom Brady at Lambeau, a place no team wants to travel to and have to face Rodgers at his best. Coming into the final third of the season the Packers are starting to find their true identity knowing the hard work begins now.

But the fun is just beginning.