Packers 27 - Patriots 31
The Packers knew that in order to defeat the Patriots as 14 point underdogs, they were going to have to play mistake free football. They certainly had their most inspired game plan of the season, but ultimately could not shake that haunting 4 point margin that stains the box-score of every Packer loss this season.
The stage was set for a game to be remembered. With backup QB Matt Flynn making his first NFL start against terrific Tom Brady and the Patriots on the road, and on primetime television, the momentum was somehow immediately in Green Bay's favor. After winning the coin toss, coach McCarthy instructed his captains to defer, seemingly giving the Patriots the first chance to score. Most still cannot believe what happened next. In a rare fit of trickery, the Packers kicked onside, and recovered, securing the first possession and the ball after halftime. Flynn, looking sharp and qualified, led Green bay into field goal position, and took the lead.That lead changed a total of 5 times throughout the game, as the perfect Patriots traded blows with the pesky Packers.
The sports world nev
er thought they'd hear this, but Matt Flynn was on fire. He went 24 of 37 for 251 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 pick, and a passer rating of 100.2, but his Cinderella story was irreversibly tarnished by that costly interception. Green Bay was driving early in the third quarter, with third and three yards to go at their own 30 yard line, when Flynn had a short route to WR James Jones cut even shorter by Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington, who took it to the house for a pick six, giving way to another lead change as New England went up 21-17.Special Teams was poised to come away with an average grade, until they took a turn for the worse. The Packers were up 17-7 with just over two minutes to play in the first half. Kicker Mason Crosby hit a squib directly to Patriots guard Dan Connolly who then proceeded to redefine the term "big man with football" as he chugged 71 yards to the Green Bay 4 yard line, bowling over a myriad of would-be tacklers along the way. The Patriots scored immediately. The Packers, once poised to go into the half with a big lead, suddenly found themselves up just 17-14 against a Patriots team known for scoring quickly and often. The fact that the Packers Special Teams unit could not seem to tackle a jogging target who carried the football like a 3rd grader is another indictment of coach McCarthy, who has had a Special-Teams-sized thorn in his side ever since he took the job in Green Bay.
As an aside, after the 71 yard sack race, Dan Connolly sat out the rest of the game with a "head injury." While no one saw that injury occur, it's easy to imagine that a 6'4" 313 lb man could simply qualify a 71 yard sprint as it's own injury.
The Packers defensive unit, down DE Cullen Jenkins and LB Frank Zombo just to name a few, played a below average game. That's not to say they played terribly, but considering the standard they'd set previously was about 14 points per game, giving up 31 is certainly below average. Tom Brady was pressured, sacked, and yet still calm in the pocket. He was lucky that Packer defenders dropped no less than 3 gimme interceptions, which again just speaks to how perfectly Green Bay needed to play to pull this one off. Surprisingly, a unit ranked among the top against the run, gave up a combined 97 yards and 1 touchdown to the wily Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
After coming under much fire, the offensive line showed improved run blocking. It certainly helps that the Patriots rank among the league's worst defenses, but don't bother telling that to RB Brandon Jackson, who gained 99 yards on 22 carries. John Kuhn also notched 21 yards rushing, with 27 yards through the air and one touchdown catch - an epic dive to go up 24-21 in the 3rd quarter.
The game was finally frittered away in the final moments, due to some much ballyhooed clock management. Matt Flynn, playing with pride on his father's birthday, had driven the Packers down to the Patriots 15 yard line with just 20 seconds remaining. He awaited a play call to come in, while McCarthy awaited the umpire's ball spot. If it was a 1st down, they could have spiked it, effectively buying 40 more seconds to collect their thoughts. But the spot came in late: 4th and 1. Flynn got the call, hastily rallied the troops, and took a vicious sack to end regulation. The irony of it all is that the offensive line, while performing notably better on the run, ultimately allowed a Patriots 3-man rush to get through for the game-losing sack. As has been the case all season - As the o-line goes, so doth the team.
Fans can feel much better about an epic loss to the Patriots than a real stinker against the Lions. But a loss is a loss, and the Packers are now 8-6. Thankfully, with last minute losses by the Giants and the Buccaneers, the Packers wildcard hopes are still alive. They must win out to make it in. Next up is those aforementioned football Giants. For the Packers, the playoffs start now.
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