On Christmas Day the Packers scored a field goal on their first drive in the second half against the Cleveland Browns. The three points were the total tally for Green Bay in the second half and yet, it was enough to hang on and win 24-22. “Yeah, you could argue that we should be a little more aggressive there,” Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur said following the game and describing his play calling and the offenses’ approach in the second half.
To start the game, Cleveland scored a touchdown on its opening drive. Green Bay answered two possessions later as an Aaron Rodgers pass hit Alan Lazzard on a 3rd and 5 from the Cleveland 11. Lazzard dove to touch the ball to the pylon and the resulting TD sparked a minutes long celebration for the Packers’ QB Rodgers as the TD pass marked his 443rd Touchdown pass as a Packer breaking the mark set by his predecessor Brett Favre.
Celebrate Good Times:
Packers fans will likely remember the play for a long, long time. The TD pass was a typical play for Rodgers as it looked like a possible nothing but, somehow, as has been the case so often with Rodgers, he took a nothing looking play, and turned it into a score. When the play ended, the Lambeau crowd was treated to a highlight reel video featuring some of Aaron’s great Packer’s TD passes and ending with a special personalized message to Rodgers from Brett Favre.
After the game, Rodgers had this to say about the play and reflecting on his career so far, “[the play, “double-stick”] a base concept I learned in the west-coast offense 17 years ago. I’m very fortunate to have played with the guys I played with, to have been coached by the men I was coached by. I have so much respect and gratitude for this game. I appreciate Brett [Favre], I got to sit behind a legend for three years and see what greatness looked like first hand. It was an experience that changed my life forever. This is a longevity record…it’s one I’m really proud of.” Rodgers concluded in his on field post game interview with Fox’s Erin Andrews. Rodgers smiled as chants of MVP cascaded throughout the jubilant post-game Lambeau Field crowd.
Favre Returns with a Christmas Wish:
The video tribute ended with Favre saying: “I have one request. Go get us another Super Bowl!” The request sent the Lambeau crowd into a frenzy and seemed to spur the Pack to two more first half drives ending with Rodgers’ TD passes.
The Packers 9 point halftime lead was cut to just 2 by the 4th quarter and Green Bay needed another interception by CB Dasul Douglass to seal the win. In week 8 at Arizona, Douglass’ pic in the end-zone saved the game for Green Bay. The turnover Sunday was the fourth of the game for Brown’s QB Baker Mayfield who was returning from COVID19 protocol.
The Facts:
Browns 22 Packers 24
Turnovers: 4/0
Sacks: 0/0vs 5/33
First Downs: 28 vs 19
3rd&4th DN: 8/13vs 4/10
Rushing: 25/219vs 24/109
Passing: 21/36 for 222 vs 24/34for 202
Penalties: 6/38 vs 3/29
The Feelings:
As coach LaFleur said after the game, “we will never apologize for a win”. Still, it is likely that Packer’s fans will want to see improvement in every area of the Packers’ game. The offense sputtered. The D was so-so (and often not so so-so). The coaching seemed to lack aggressiveness on both sides of the ball, where were the kill shots in O in the 2nd half? Where were the blitzes on D? And so, questions are likely to riddle Packers’ fans this week.
Is the D good or bad?
Sure to be a question mark for Packers’ fans this week is Joe Barry’s Packer’s Defense. In the same day that GB gave up a season high 219 yard rushing, it picked off 4 passes. In the same game that the Pack D let the Browns back into the game making it close, they closed it out with another last drive interception stop.
Is the Kicking game settled?
For Packers fans they have pretty much forgotten the early season kicking woes by Mason Crosby. In the past three games Packers fans have seen Crosby go 16/16, on kicks (3/3) and PATs 13/13. But, are Pack fans relaxed about the kicking game? We will see how they feel when the season is over.
Rodgers and the Future:
Chanting MVP and seeing home wins surely has the Pack fans feeling all-right. And, given that the waters have apparently been smoothed between the Packers and Rodgers, now most experts (some of whom just months ago guaranteed that Rodgers would never again play in Green Bay) are now saying, ‘he’ll be back next year and in the future for the Pack’. Revel in the rumors Pack fans!
All is Right on Christmas Day in Green Bay:
What else could you ask for on Christmas Packers’ fans? Rodgers in Green Bay for possibly years to come. Another NFC North Championship. The Packers charging into the post-season. What else could you possibly wish for as a fan on a cold, glorious Christmas Day at Lambeau Field?
The Packers next host the Vikings on SNF, kickoff is 7:20.
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