Here's a couple things I'm thinking/observing
-This was probably the most exciting back-and-forth game I've seen from the Packers this season.... very entertaining... even for a Packer's loss.
-Matt Flynn was very impressive for his first start. Rodgers would have done at least as good IMO. He was accurate the whole game, and was making good decisions, but he couldn't deal with the blitz, as he would freeze if the Pats D was coming faster than he expected, because he does not have a very quick release. Rodgers does have a quick release, and would have gained some yards on the ground from some of those blitzes. Overall a good game from Flynn, but his inexperience really showed on the last drive of the game, and it cost us the W.
-Clay Matthews was a non-factor as he was double-teamed all night (as most teams have been doing to him lately). BJ Raji was the benefactor of Clay's double teams, as he was one-on-one most of the game, resulting in 2 sacks and multiple pressures. Pick your poison I suppose.
-Too many missed opportunities for the Packers Defense. I think I counted 4 balls that could have been intercepted that were dropped. The giftwrapped ball early in the game to Woodson. Sam Shields had one he had a chance at. Eric Walden had one go through his hands. AJ Hawk had a chance at a tipped ball, but Vollmer did a good job of ensuring that the ball would fall to the ground. Its uncharacteristic of this defense to drop so many interceptions, especially when you don't get many chances against Brady.
-To those that are saying that this is an ugly win for the Patriots, consider that you guys put the most points on this Packers defense than any other team we've played. This is only the 4th time this season that a team has put more than 20 points on the Packers and the first time a team has put more than 30 on them. The Patriots offense looked better over 60 minutes than any team we've faced to date.
-To some of you guys complaining about the penalties... you seriously need to look at these things without your blue and silver glasses on. I will say that Wilfork was being held on the hands-to-the-face call and it should have been offsetting penalties, but the ref can only be watching one thing at a time, and the hands-to-the-face was pretty blatant. Bulaga did not commit a penalty on that play either... he may have made slight contact with TBC's facemask but it wasn't worthy of a penalty. McCourty's penalty on the hit on Quarless was definitely legit. Players have been getting penalized and heavily fined for far less all season. He did lead with his helmet and even though his shoulder may have made contact first, he still had helmet to helmet contact against a defenseless receiver... textbook call IMO and he'll likely be fined for it. Just think if Revis would have made the same hit on Welker, you'd all be calling for a penalty and fine.
-Connolly's 71-yard return has got to be the craziest special teams play I've seen all year. Props to the Pats special teams for some AMAZING blocking for a bumbling stumbling big guy.
-The pats seem to have a ton of heart, and BB has been able to do what many coaches have not been able to do, and that is get his players to put the team first. Specifically thinking about how the SNF crew kept bringing up how the receivers would block on running plays. I see why Randy Moss does not fit on this team.
-The Patriots run defense was much softer that I expected to see it. I know you guys had a ton of injuries to your defensive line, but that seems to be the way to move the ball against the Patriots. Though most teams can't match the production of the Pats offense to be able to stick with the run.
-And thanks to all you guys here at patsfans.com for the hospitality... you guys have shown tons of class. I'm hoping for a rematch in Dallas, but until then, I wouldn't mind seeing the Pats win em all.
Cheers :eat3:
