We give grades to the different aspects of the Packers game from Sunday or Monday. Am I too critical sometimes? Yes. Am I also too nice sometimes? Yes. I do not have a teaching degree in case you were wondering.
Honestly, I thought about writing a full blog about this game and not doing my duty with the classroom. But I do want to write it out while talking about the game itself in the way I know how to do it. I am completely stunned still this morning to see Green Bay win this game and be right in the mix with the playoff hunt. It is incredible.
A-Game
Matt Flynn - When the first half ended, I called for Matt Flynn's head. I wanted to see Scott Tolzien because I really thought Flynn had ran out of gas. Mike McCarthy went with Flynn again, and Flynn helped lead them back with a big pass to Jordy Nelson to put Green Bay down 26-10. Flynn continued with a massive second half leading Green Bay down the field with four touchdowns and no mistakes. Green Bay could have quit on this game and it would have probably started with Flynn. He did not let it happen on Sunday. The leadership Flynn displayed on Sunday was amazing. No matter what happens this season, Flynn deserves major credit for leading this team back in three games to keep this Green Bay's head above water.
Eddie Lacy - Given the situation, the best game of the season for Lacy. He rushed for 142 yards and went over 1,000 yards become the first Packer rusher over that number since 2009 with Ryan Grant. Lacy helped create confusion with this Cowboys defense. He also had a big 60 yard run to open the second half providing sort of hope leading in the second half. But he also averaged 6.7 yards a carry. Lacy seems to be rounding into form, and is making his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year. It is dangerously close with Keenan Allen and Lacy.Sam Shields - SAMMMMMMY. I do not know when it happened, but Sam Shields became one of my favorite players. I think it was during the Super Bowl run when Shields kept making big plays in the playoffs. Shields came up big again late in this game with a major defense of a vertical route of Dez Bryant where if Tony Romo throws it on the money it is probably a touchdown, but instead, Shields caught up to the pass and broke it up. Then once again, Romo underthrew a ball leading to Shields making the game changing interception. I loved he threw the ball in the stands after the pick and did not get a penalty for it (Don't pull that shit again, Sam).
B-Game
Tramon Williams - In a weird way, Tramon and the TV show Homeland are the same. The reason I make this comparison is Homeland was put on such a pedestal after the first season and Williams the same after the Super Bowl season. People put high expectations for both things, and they have been let down at different parts of the last two years. Homeland put on a bow on Season 3 and people still hate it saying they are done with the show. Williams is not having the same sort of criticism making the clinching interception to win the football game. In the last month or so, Williams has improved his game greatly.
Jarrett Boykin - We have talked about Boykin a couple times this year, but it needs to be stated again, he deserves to be a major factor on this team next season. He made a couple big catches on Sunday including a great back shoulder catch leading the Packers down for their final drive of the game. If the Packers get into the playoffs and Randall Cobb is able to return, think about this Packers receiving core. They become damn near unstoppable.
Andrew Quarless - Another big game for him. He was a player I wanted to watch on Sunday to see if he could carry over last week's game to this one against Dallas. Quarless did the same thing having six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. Do I think Quarless' elevated play means Green Bay should ignore the tight end position in the draft? No I do not actually. But I really cannot see why they would draft Jace Amaro or Eric Ebron in the first round despite my undying love for both players. Quarless is looking more and more like the player everyone talked about when he came out of Penn State.
David Bakhtiari - What a game from him. I know DeMarcus Ware is battling through injuries, but this is another premier pass rush that Bakhtiari has made completely nonexistent. He will never win it given the play of Lacy and Allen and others yet Bakhtiari deserves some Rookie of the Year votes. The stuff he is doing to protect the blind side is something I do not think many people are giving him credit for this season. If Green Bay were to make a run here, Bakhtiari could be a difference maker keeping Flynn and Aaron Rodgers upright.
C-Game
Clay Matthews - He came up big when Dom Capers started moving him around in the second half, but I am starting to wonder a bit about Clay. It does not seem like he is having the same sort of impact as he once was with this football team. Who is to blame for that? Probably Nick Perry and not having a pass rush from the defensive line even if it is not their responsibility to rush the passer. I will say it seemed like Matthews' rush was stronger when Mike Neal is out there. Maybe that's just me guessing things right now, but it does seem like Matthews' play becomes more clearer when Neal is out there.
D-Game
Green Bay's defensive line - This was a true example of why this team misses C.J. Wilson more than I think anyone realizes right now. DeMarco Murray gashed this defensive line and linebackers and it would have been the lead story if Dallas won this football including Murray who should have had over 200 yards right now. This defensive line needs to start figuring out how to get off blocks much better. Or make sure the holes are big enough for the linebackers to fill the spot. It could be the latter right now, but until we figure out whose to blame, I will start with the defensive line.
F-Game
Brad Jones - Another real bad effort from Jones. This is his second straight game where he has struggled mightily. I think it is time to see more Jamari Lattimore out there at middle linebacker. As I said last week, Jones seems to be a liability and he is in fact a liability. I have no idea if Jones is hurt or what, but he looks like he should not be out there right now. I hope there is more of a mix with Jones and Lattimore.
Jason Garrett's playcalling - I really cannot believe how bad Garrett was on Sunday. I know he threw Tony Romo under the bus, but Garrett gives him the chance to do it. Dallas threw the ball nearly 50 times and only rushed the ball 18 times. That's pathetic. If I am Murray this morning, I am legitimately scorching the earth when I get to the facility. He should have received the rock like he was Adrian Peterson. Murray has become a top ten back in the NFL and only his coaching staff does not realize it.
MD Jennings - Remember when I said I was interested to see what Sean Richardson can do against Dallas? Remember when he barely saw any time and instead we watched MD 'Toast' Jennings play instead. The guy is the Marshall Newhouse of the defense. He could not cover his shadow. My buddy and Sportandfashion-news contributor put it best with Jennings.
For not liking to tackle MD Jennings picked an interesting career
— Seth (@SethKrueger) December 15, 2013Charlie.
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