So the Packers fall at home to the Giants 23-20 in overtime and fail in their bid to go to the Super Bowl. The Packers gave the Giants plenty of opportunities to win and the Giants finally cashed in.
Favre didn't have his best game. His second interception was a killer but the game plan installed by Head Coach Mike McCarthy was questionable. Although, Eli Manning threw the ball 40 times to Favre's 35 times, the Giants had many more snaps and a far higher number of rushing attempts than did the Packers (39-14). Why the Packers didn't run more a week after Ryan Grant went for 201 yards is puzzling. Yeah, the yards weren't there early but you can't just give up on the running game.
All-Pro Cornerback Al Harris was overmatched against Giants' wide receiver Plaxico Burress all game. It didn't help matters that Harris played much of the game with an injured foot. But did the Packers make any adjustments to get Harris help? Uh-uh.
Generally, the tackling was about as poor as I've seen from this team this year. Lots of initial hits in the Giants' backfield still resulted in positive yardage when the first contact is made by someone who bounces off. And for the love of all things Lombardi, Jerrod Bush: FALL ON THE FREAKING BALL. DON'T TRY TO PICK IT UP AND RUN, YOU MORON!!!
That said, the Packers had a great season. Far beyond initial expectations. I figured a 9-7 season and a wild-card playoff spot. They're still the youngest team in the league even with the Old Man of the Mountain, Favre, skewing the numbers. If Favre returns, this year's seasoning can only help them understand what they're capable of and what still needs to be done. Of course, I'm not taking anything for granted until I hear Favre say, "I'm back." While it makes all kinds of sense that he'd come back after having an MVP-calibre season personally and a great year for the team overall, he's just nutty enough to do something unexpected like retire. I'm just not quite ready for the Aaron Rodgers era to begin yet.
Favre didn't have his best game. His second interception was a killer but the game plan installed by Head Coach Mike McCarthy was questionable. Although, Eli Manning threw the ball 40 times to Favre's 35 times, the Giants had many more snaps and a far higher number of rushing attempts than did the Packers (39-14). Why the Packers didn't run more a week after Ryan Grant went for 201 yards is puzzling. Yeah, the yards weren't there early but you can't just give up on the running game.
All-Pro Cornerback Al Harris was overmatched against Giants' wide receiver Plaxico Burress all game. It didn't help matters that Harris played much of the game with an injured foot. But did the Packers make any adjustments to get Harris help? Uh-uh.
Generally, the tackling was about as poor as I've seen from this team this year. Lots of initial hits in the Giants' backfield still resulted in positive yardage when the first contact is made by someone who bounces off. And for the love of all things Lombardi, Jerrod Bush: FALL ON THE FREAKING BALL. DON'T TRY TO PICK IT UP AND RUN, YOU MORON!!!
That said, the Packers had a great season. Far beyond initial expectations. I figured a 9-7 season and a wild-card playoff spot. They're still the youngest team in the league even with the Old Man of the Mountain, Favre, skewing the numbers. If Favre returns, this year's seasoning can only help them understand what they're capable of and what still needs to be done. Of course, I'm not taking anything for granted until I hear Favre say, "I'm back." While it makes all kinds of sense that he'd come back after having an MVP-calibre season personally and a great year for the team overall, he's just nutty enough to do something unexpected like retire. I'm just not quite ready for the Aaron Rodgers era to begin yet.
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