Is Green Bay the worst 4-0 team ever? (1 Viewer)

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

James Jones cost the Packers a win tonite with two fumbles and dropping a pass on the 13 yard line on the last drive.

I will gladly say that James Jones did not cause the Packers to lose the game tonight. Not saying the Bears would not have scored, however the Olsen TD was not the correct call and should have been called an incomplete pass. The Woodson fumble was much more costly than either of the James' fumbles. And, finally the crappy play calling by McCarthy et al. cost the Packers the game in the 2nd half. If pointing fingers at anyone for this loss I will be pointing at McCarthy and the coaches. As a coach you put your players in a position to win... he did not do that.

He was a yard and a half in bounds and got pushed out......while he still got one foot down. That is why the rule is in place.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

James Jones cost the Packers a win tonite with two fumbles and dropping a pass on the 13 yard line on the last drive.

I will gladly say that James Jones did not cause the Packers to lose the game tonight. Not saying the Bears would not have scored, however the Olsen TD was not the correct call and should have been called an incomplete pass. The Woodson fumble was much more costly than either of the James' fumbles. And, finally the crappy play calling by McCarthy et al. cost the Packers the game in the 2nd half. If pointing fingers at anyone for this loss I will be pointing at McCarthy and the coaches. As a coach you put your players in a position to win... he did not do that.

He was a yard and a half in bounds and got pushed out......while he still got one foot down. That is why the rule is in place.

He was in an awkward position to get his second foot down and I wonder if he would have. That said the call was correct, absolutely correct.This was a disappointing loss in many respects. I felt the Packers won most of the key physical battles. Yet young teams will have growing pains. I give the Bears credit. Time to digest, learn, grow, and prepare for this week.

 

[FavreCo]

100% correct call. I own Olsen and started him. That being said, it was correct. Packers gave it away. Jones needs slapped around as does Favre for that stupid INT. This team missed the 3 WR set in the 3rd Q with Jennings in the locker room.

 

[pigskinliquors]

I believe this Packer team is a lot like the Dolphin Teams in the 90's (the end of Marino's career). They were lead by a hall of fame quarterback who could look brilliant most of the time, while hurting the team intermittently and had no running game whatsoever, which put additional pressure on the Defense, as they were on the field for too much time during the game. The Packers have a better defense right now than most of those Dolphin Teams had, though the offense is eerily similar.

Those Dolphin teams always started out the season great (twice 2-2, the rest ALL better), passing up a storm, and slowly got worse as the season wore on. My prediction is that the Pack does the same. Not being able to run the ball will catch up with them. With games @ Denver, @ Dallas and @ Chicago still on their schedule (+ approx. 6 toss-up games), I'd estimate that this team ends up 10-6, and is ousted in the first round of the playoff. I predict that Favre gets worse (at the high level he's been at, I don't see him maintaining) as the season goes on, the running game doesn't come around, and the Defense (while very good) just has too much pressure on them to go far.

My .02

 

[Aaronstory]

100% correct call. I own Olsen and started him. That being said, it was correct. Packers gave it away. Jones needs slapped around as does Favre for that stupid INT. This team missed the 3 WR set in the 3rd Q with Jennings in the locker room.

Easy on Jones. The kid will learn from this. Did you realize his father was in the stands last night to watch him play football for the first time in his life? I have no doubt Jones' head was not in the game.As for Favre, that was just about the worst INT he's thrown since the horrible overtime pick against Philly in the 2003/2004 playoffs. Inexcusable.

 

[DoubleG]

I'm blaming much of the loss on taking the ball out of Favre's hands in the 2nd half but if this wasn't a "we can't let a big market team like Chicago go 4 games down this early in the season" type of game, I'll eat my hat. I've never seen things point in favor of another team as much as this.

The challenge at the end is for the spot of the ball, not whether it is a first down. The spot was wrong so they never should have lost the timeout. Al Michaels touched on it a little. Also the too many men on the field was mentioned by Madden and he also thought the lining up over the center was bogus also.

Nice job NFL...you kept the division close.

Please.

First off, Favre had the ball in his hands in the second half - right before he threw into Urlacher's. At what point did the officials force Favre to that pick? And exactly how did the officials force Jones to get the ball stripped twice? And was it the officials that left Desmond Clark wide open on the TD?

BTW, the referee clearly stated "GB is challenging the spot of the ball as it pertains to a first down" - hence losing the challenge. Michaels either misunderstood or didn't hear the specific wording of the challenge.

:rollseyes:

The Packers lost to the Bears - deal with it. BTW, Lovey is now 4-0 at Lambeau. Have a good season, guy.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Apparently this thread is true. If they can't beat a decimated Bears team at home then they are clearly a mirage.

 

[pigskinliquors]

Apparently this thread is true. If they can't beat a decimated Bears team at home then they are clearly a mirage.

They are still a decent team in a poor division, but I don't see them making a run in the playoffs.

 

[Aaronstory]

Apparently this thread is true. If they can't beat a decimated Bears team at home then they are clearly a mirage.

 

[Sabertooth]

As a lifelong Packer fan I will say this. They are still a year or two away from being a real contender. Sadly this is probably Favre's last stand. They need better players in the secondary, better offensive linemen, and Michael Turner.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Apparently this thread is true. If they can't beat a decimated Bears team at home then they are clearly a mirage.

Tell me I'm wrong. The Bears were ripe to be beat and the Packers couldn't do it. What are you hanging your hat on? The win against the Vikes on the road? Don't make me laugh.

 

[redman]

James Jones cost the Packers a win tonite with two fumbles and dropping a pass on the 13 yard line on the last drive.

Had Jones caught that ball at the 13, the clock likely would have expired before the Packers would have been able to run another play (there were 8 seconds left when he dropped the ball), so his drop actually enabled them to take one last shot at the end zone.

 

[Sabertooth]

James Jones cost the Packers a win tonite with two fumbles and dropping a pass on the 13 yard line on the last drive.

Had Jones caught that ball at the 13, the clock likely would have expired before the Packers would have been able to run another play (there were 8 seconds left when he dropped the ball), so his drop actually enabled them to take one last shot at the end zone.

The crux of Ghost Rider's statement stands however. Jones made two terrible mistakes. You need to learn from you first mistake.

 

[Capella]

Apparently this thread is true. If they can't beat a decimated Bears team at home then they are clearly a mirage.

Correct.

 

[Sabertooth]

 

[ookook]

Mirage? No.

The Packers are a good team but not a great team and will likely struggle in post season.

If somoene thought with a 4-0 they were great, well then disappointment was inevitable.

(1) Favre did cause the INT by playing the way he often does...by the seat of his pants.

(2) Olson was forced out. Of course, I see it all the time not called. I see it worse not called. But he was not given the chance to get his second foot in.

(3) Jones seond fumble, and maybe the first, were tough plays by the defender. Lots of WRs would have coughed up the second one. Some the first.

(4) The loss rests squarely on the shoulders of McCarthy and no one else as far as I am concerned. The Bears adjusted their defense to prevent the run and McCarthy tried it over and over again despite that. Even the damn stupid shove-like passes are a run in disguise. What happend to the crossing routes and slants that were incredibly effective in the first half? They might have been even better in the second the way the Bears were stacking the run.

Also, clock management was atrocious toward the end of both halfs. No excuse for it.

Some have said the running game will come around as the season progresses. But we have seen plenty of the bad coaching last season. (He either has not balls or is just dumb, or both). To go anywhere they needed a senior offensive coordinator who was willing to ultilize the strengths of the team. Not a failed one wh likes to bang his head against the same wall over and over.

McCarthy lost the game.

 

[snorlax]

The season's not over. Hopefully this game will be a wakeup call for the Packers. They showed a lot of good things in the first half, and then a lot of things came together to give the game to the Bears at the end. The Packers outplayed the Bears for most of the game, and hopefully they'll have a better killer instinct in future big games after this experience.

 

[MDSkinner]

100% correct call. I own Olsen and started him. That being said, it was correct. Packers gave it away. Jones needs slapped around as does Favre for that stupid INT. This team missed the 3 WR set in the 3rd Q with Jennings in the locker room.

I agree with everything you say here.I do think it is a bit interesting that Jones is blamed for this loss. I am a Bears fan, so admittedly biased, but it seems to me that Jones mistakes merely kept the Bears in the game. The Favre interception seemed to be the momentum changer in the game, and the seemingly predictable playcalling in the second half is what really lost the game. I am not expert in terms of playcalling, but it did not seem that the Bears changed their game plan for the second half at least defensively...the Packers did, however on offense and it seemed perfect for the Bears. It seems Sherman is more to blame for the loss than Jones, but that is just me.

 

[Squinting Cyclops]

packers game plan in the second half (after the short field gift field goal)

Green Bay - 5:58

1st-10, GB10 5:58 D. Wynn rushed to the right for 5 yard gain

2nd-5, GB15 5:19 D. Wynn rushed to the left for no gain

3rd-5, GB15 4:25 B. Urlacher intercepted B. Favre for no gain

Green Bay - 4:14

1st-10, GB21 4:14 D. Wynn rushed to the right for 1 yard gain

2nd-9, GB22 3:42 D. Wynn rushed to the left for 3 yard gain

3rd-6, GB25 3:05 D. Wynn rushed to the left for 4 yard gain

4th-2, GB29 2:33 J. Ryan punt, no return

Green Bay - 14:02

1st-10, GB10 14:02 D. Wynn rushed up the middle for no gain

2nd-10, GB10 13:20 B. Favre incomplete pass to the right

3rd-10, GB10 13:16 B. Favre passed to B. Franks down the middle for 5 yard gain

4th-5, GB15 12:29 J. Ryan punt. D. Hester returned punt for 2 yard loss. GB committed 5 yard penalty

first 3 possession of the half listed above (sickening futility)

lets run the ball for 3 and out a few times and only let Brett convert dump passes to the RB's and TE's that cover 5 yards of less until we throw one last gasp pass to Driver with seven seconds left.......

that was the obvious game plan, the BIG question is who wrote the game plan...

(1) the packers organization or

(2) the "shred the evidence" KING

you would have thought Favre had injured his throwing arm with the limited passing he was doing in the second half, it was that bad

 

[redman]

James Jones cost the Packers a win tonite with two fumbles and dropping a pass on the 13 yard line on the last drive.

Had Jones caught that ball at the 13, the clock likely would have expired before the Packers would have been able to run another play (there were 8 seconds left when he dropped the ball), so his drop actually enabled them to take one last shot at the end zone.

The crux of Ghost Rider's statement stands however. Jones made two terrible mistakes. You need to learn from you first mistake.

I agree that it was a happy accident that he dropped the ball. This is going to be an interesting matchup next week with the 'Skins travelling to Lambeau. Good test for both teams.

 

[Aaronstory]

Apparently this thread is true. If they can't beat a decimated Bears team at home then they are clearly a mirage.

Tell me I'm wrong. The Bears were ripe to be beat and the Packers couldn't do it. What are you hanging your hat on? The win against the Vikes on the road? Don't make me laugh.

Of course, how foolish of me. The first 18 quarters of football that the Packers played this year were a mirage. It's the last two quarters, and the last two only, that can tell us how good this team is. You are wise beyond your years.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Apparently this thread is true. If they can't beat a decimated Bears team at home then they are clearly a mirage.

Tell me I'm wrong. The Bears were ripe to be beat and the Packers couldn't do it. What are you hanging your hat on? The win against the Vikes on the road? Don't make me laugh.

Of course, how foolish of me. The first 18 quarters of football that the Packers played this year were a mirage. It's the last two quarters, and the last two only, that can tell us how good this team is. You are wise beyond your years.

Well, we could go with the Favre lost them the game angle.

 

[Pipes]

packers game plan in the second half (after the short field gift field goal)Green Bay - 5:58 1st-10, GB10 5:58 D. Wynn rushed to the right for 5 yard gain 2nd-5, GB15 5:19 D. Wynn rushed to the left for no gain 3rd-5, GB15 4:25 B. Urlacher intercepted B. Favre for no gain Green Bay - 4:14 1st-10, GB21 4:14 D. Wynn rushed to the right for 1 yard gain 2nd-9, GB22 3:42 D. Wynn rushed to the left for 3 yard gain 3rd-6, GB25 3:05 D. Wynn rushed to the left for 4 yard gain 4th-2, GB29 2:33 J. Ryan punt, no return Green Bay - 14:02 1st-10, GB10 14:02 D. Wynn rushed up the middle for no gain 2nd-10, GB10 13:20 B. Favre incomplete pass to the right 3rd-10, GB10 13:16 B. Favre passed to B. Franks down the middle for 5 yard gain 4th-5, GB15 12:29 J. Ryan punt. D. Hester returned punt for 2 yard loss. GB committed 5 yard penalty first 3 possession of the half listed above (sickening futility)lets run the ball for 3 and out a few times and only let Brett convert dump passes to the RB's and TE's that cover 5 yards of less until we throw one last gasp pass to Driver with seven seconds left.......that was the obvious game plan, the BIG question is who wrote the game plan...(1) the packers organization or (2) the "shred the evidence" KING you would have thought Favre had injured his throwing arm with the limited passing he was doing in the second half, it was that bad

I think Jennings being in the locker room and Jones not being able to hold onto the ball couple with the poor field position was the reason why the Packers were so conservative in the 2nd half. Most of the Bears' points were scored with a short field. Even if the Packers end up punting instead of the turnovers the Packers win the game going away. I didn't like the play calling but let's credit the Bears defense for making plays when they needed to.

 

[donhaas]

I think Jennings being in the locker room and Jones not being able to hold onto the ball couple with the poor field position was the reason why the Packers were so conservative in the 2nd half.

Good points. Jennings was in the locker room getting x-rays for a long time and Jones was benched for the rest of the game after his fumbles (coming back in one time).... That changed the whole look of the Packer offense.. I'm obviously disappointed in losing a game that they completed dominated, but in the realm of things, it's just one game. The Packers will learn from their mistakes and get better. They are very young. They are light years ahead in their rebuilding.still can't believe the packers rebuilt in one year after going 15 seasons without a losing season....some teams (see Lions, Bears) rebuild for decades

 

[Master of Past and Present]

I think Jennings being in the locker room and Jones not being able to hold onto the ball couple with the poor field position was the reason why the Packers were so conservative in the 2nd half.

Good points. Jennings was in the locker room getting x-rays for a long time and Jones was benched for the rest of the game after his fumbles (coming back in one time).... That changed the whole look of the Packer offense..

I'm obviously disappointed in losing a game that they completed dominated, but in the realm of things, it's just one game. The Packers will learn from their mistakes and get better. They are very young. They are light years ahead in their rebuilding.

still can't believe the packers rebuilt in one year after going 15 seasons without a losing season....

some teams (see Lions, Bears) rebuild for decades

If this was after Favre retired with a new QB leading the team to this, that would make sense but when Favre retires, this team will regress badly if the run game isn't fixed. Even with a run game I don't think Rodgers leads them to much of anything. And about your shot about the Lions and Bears, I'm not a fan of either but that is straight

1973-1988 one winning season besides the strike shortened season so it's not like Packer fans haven't been there.

 

[DoubleG]

Wow, I must admit I thought of many reasons one could argue about why Green Bay lost the game - but an NFL conspiracy against them....



First off, for those Packer fans who are bemoaning the conservative game plan of the Pack in the second half, I give you their opening drive of the game:

Green Bay Packers at 14:55

1-10-GB17 (14:55) D.Wynn left guard to GB 29 for 12 yards (H.Hillenmeyer, A.Archuleta).

1-10-GB29 (14:17) B.Favre pass short right to D.Driver to GB 36 for 7 yards (C.Tillman).

2-3-GB36 (13:35) B.Favre pass short right to G.Jennings to GB 48 for 12 yards (C.Tillman).

1-10-GB48 (12:58) D.Wynn right guard to CHI 8 for 44 yards (D.Manning).

1-8-CHI8 (12:24) D.Wynn up the middle to CHI 7 for 1 yard (T.Harris).

2-7-CHI7 (11:42) (Shotgun) V.Morency right guard to CHI 2 for 5 yards (L.Briggs).

3-2-CHI2 (11:05) D.Wynn up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

5 of 7 plays were runs. Three of those five runs were for 5 yards or more (the 4th ended because he was in the endzone).And here are second three drives in the second half (with the score tied 20-20):

Green Bay Packers at 14:02

1-10-GB10 (14:02) D.Wynn up the middle to GB 10 for no gain (L.Briggs).

2-10-GB10 (13:20) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass incomplete short right to B.Franks (A.Ogunleye).

3-10-GB10 (13:16) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass short middle to B.Franks to GB 15 for 5 yards (B.Urlacher, D.Manning).

4-5-GB15 (12:40) J.Ryan punts 47 yards to CHI 38, Center-R.Davis. D.Hester to CHI 36 for -2 yards (F.Walker).

PENALTY on GB-J.Bush, Player Out of Bounds on Punt, 5 yards, enforced at CHI 36.

Green Bay Packers at 10:48

1-10-GB23 (10:48) B.Favre pass short middle to D.Wynn to GB 24 for 1 yard (L.Briggs).

PENALTY on GB-M.Tauscher, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at GB 23 - No Play.

1-20-GB13 (10:29) B.Favre pass incomplete short right to D.Lee [A.Ogunleye].

2-20-GB13 (10:21) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass incomplete short middle to D.Wynn (I.Idonije).

3-20-GB13 (10:17) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass short middle to V.Morency to GB 16 for 3 yards (A.Ogunleye).

4-17-GB16 (9:43) J.Ryan punts 35 yards to CHI 49, Center-R.Davis. D.Hester pushed ob at GB 36 for 15 yards (F.Walker).

PENALTY on CHI-R.Wilson, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at GB 43.

Green Bay Packers at 07:38

1-10-GB27 (7:38) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass short middle to B.Franks to GB 33 for 6 yards (B.Urlacher).

2-4-GB33 (6:56) D.Wynn left end to GB 34 for 1 yard (A.Adams, L.Briggs).

PENALTY on GB-J.Spitz, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at GB 33 - No Play.

2-14-GB23 (6:27) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass short left to J.Jones to GB 34 for 11 yards (L.Briggs).

3-3-GB34 (5:44) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass incomplete short right to J.Jones [M.Anderson].

4-3-GB34 (5:39) J.Ryan punts 59 yards to CHI 7, Center-R.Davis. D.Hester to CHI 21 for 14 yards (F.Walker, J.Hunter).

There were, in those 3 series, 8 passing attempts in 9 plays (9 out of 11 if you count the two plays in which penalties were charged). This was, of course prior to the final drive of the game which consisted of 8 straight passes by Favre - which would have brought the total to 16 of 17 passing plays for GB in the entire 4th quarter.To be fair, the Packers had ripped the Bears in the first half to the tune of 102 rushing yards. To say "Why did Green Bay come out and run the ball with a 17-7 lead??" is just silly. They ran the ball because they had been averaging 7.9 yards per rush in the first half! (That and Jones can't have the ball stripped if they're handing to Wynn and Morency) - and the clock keeps running. Given Favre's familiarity with picks and the early success of the Packer running game, I would think it would be obvious why they would try to come out in the second half and run the ball. Incidnetally, the first drive of the 3rd quarter for the Packers started on the BEARS 33 - already field goal range.

Unless my math is horrible, the Packers ran 9 times and passed 18 times in the second half - in which they were either leading or tied until 2:05 left in the game. Hardly what I would consider an "NFL Issued Ultra-Conservative Conspiracy Game Plan to Lose To The Bigger Market Chicago Bears".

The Packers lost because they turned the ball over 5 times - 4 on offense and 1 on special teams. It's that simple. The refs, nor the NFL forced J. Jones to fumble twice, nor did they brainwash Favre into throwing an ill-advised pass right to Urlacher deep in his own territory, nor was the ball manipulated into Brad Maynard's hands on the punt return fumble.

 

[donhaas]

I think Jennings being in the locker room and Jones not being able to hold onto the ball couple with the poor field position was the reason why the Packers were so conservative in the 2nd half.

Good points. Jennings was in the locker room getting x-rays for a long time and Jones was benched for the rest of the game after his fumbles (coming back in one time).... That changed the whole look of the Packer offense..

I'm obviously disappointed in losing a game that they completed dominated, but in the realm of things, it's just one game. The Packers will learn from their mistakes and get better. They are very young. They are light years ahead in their rebuilding.

still can't believe the packers rebuilt in one year after going 15 seasons without a losing season....

some teams (see Lions, Bears) rebuild for decades

If this was after Favre retired with a new QB leading the team to this, that would make sense but when Favre retires, this team will regress badly if the run game isn't fixed. Even with a run game I don't think Rodgers leads them to much of anything. And about your shot about the Lions and Bears, I'm not a fan of either but that is straight

1973-1988 one winning season besides the strike shortened season so it's not like Packer fans haven't been there.

Who says the Packers haven't been there? What do Packer teams of 30 years ago have to do with them rebuilding now??

It's amazing that the Packers rebuilt in one year (after not having a losing season for 15 years) when some teams rebuild for decades (see Bears, Lions).

You can agree or disagree with the premise, but the Packer sucking in the 70s has about as much to do with the conversation as them dominating in the 60s.

Rodgers will be fine. The defense is rock solid and young. They are set with Jennings and Jones.

Favre might play for five more years, anyway.

I see another 15-year run coming

 

[ffinmyblood]

Wow, I must admit I thought of many reasons one could argue about why Green Bay lost the game - but an NFL conspiracy against them....



First off, for those Packer fans who are bemoaning the conservative game plan of the Pack in the second half, I give you their opening drive of the game:

Green Bay Packers at 14:55

1-10-GB17 (14:55) D.Wynn left guard to GB 29 for 12 yards (H.Hillenmeyer, A.Archuleta).

1-10-GB29 (14:17) B.Favre pass short right to D.Driver to GB 36 for 7 yards (C.Tillman).

2-3-GB36 (13:35) B.Favre pass short right to G.Jennings to GB 48 for 12 yards (C.Tillman).

1-10-GB48 (12:58) D.Wynn right guard to CHI 8 for 44 yards (D.Manning).

1-8-CHI8 (12:24) D.Wynn up the middle to CHI 7 for 1 yard (T.Harris).

2-7-CHI7 (11:42) (Shotgun) V.Morency right guard to CHI 2 for 5 yards (L.Briggs).

3-2-CHI2 (11:05) D.Wynn up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

5 of 7 plays were runs. Three of those five runs were for 5 yards or more (the 4th ended because he was in the endzone).And here are second three drives in the second half (with the score tied 20-20):

Green Bay Packers at 14:02

1-10-GB10 (14:02) D.Wynn up the middle to GB 10 for no gain (L.Briggs).

2-10-GB10 (13:20) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass incomplete short right to B.Franks (A.Ogunleye).

3-10-GB10 (13:16) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass short middle to B.Franks to GB 15 for 5 yards (B.Urlacher, D.Manning).

4-5-GB15 (12:40) J.Ryan punts 47 yards to CHI 38, Center-R.Davis. D.Hester to CHI 36 for -2 yards (F.Walker).

PENALTY on GB-J.Bush, Player Out of Bounds on Punt, 5 yards, enforced at CHI 36.

Green Bay Packers at 10:48

1-10-GB23 (10:48) B.Favre pass short middle to D.Wynn to GB 24 for 1 yard (L.Briggs).

PENALTY on GB-M.Tauscher, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at GB 23 - No Play.

1-20-GB13 (10:29) B.Favre pass incomplete short right to D.Lee [A.Ogunleye].

2-20-GB13 (10:21) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass incomplete short middle to D.Wynn (I.Idonije).

3-20-GB13 (10:17) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass short middle to V.Morency to GB 16 for 3 yards (A.Ogunleye).

4-17-GB16 (9:43) J.Ryan punts 35 yards to CHI 49, Center-R.Davis. D.Hester pushed ob at GB 36 for 15 yards (F.Walker).

PENALTY on CHI-R.Wilson, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at GB 43.

Green Bay Packers at 07:38

1-10-GB27 (7:38) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass short middle to B.Franks to GB 33 for 6 yards (B.Urlacher).

2-4-GB33 (6:56) D.Wynn left end to GB 34 for 1 yard (A.Adams, L.Briggs).

PENALTY on GB-J.Spitz, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at GB 33 - No Play.

2-14-GB23 (6:27) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass short left to J.Jones to GB 34 for 11 yards (L.Briggs).

3-3-GB34 (5:44) (Shotgun) B.Favre pass incomplete short right to J.Jones [M.Anderson].

4-3-GB34 (5:39) J.Ryan punts 59 yards to CHI 7, Center-R.Davis. D.Hester to CHI 21 for 14 yards (F.Walker, J.Hunter).

There were, in those 3 series, 8 passing attempts in 9 plays (9 out of 11 if you count the two plays in which penalties were charged). This was, of course prior to the final drive of the game which consisted of 8 straight passes by Favre - which would have brought the total to 16 of 17 passing plays for GB in the entire 4th quarter.To be fair, the Packers had ripped the Bears in the first half to the tune of 102 rushing yards. To say "Why did Green Bay come out and run the ball with a 17-7 lead??" is just silly. They ran the ball because they had been averaging 7.9 yards per rush in the first half! (That and Jones can't have the ball stripped if they're handing to Wynn and Morency) - and the clock keeps running. Given Favre's familiarity with picks and the early success of the Packer running game, I would think it would be obvious why they would try to come out in the second half and run the ball. Incidnetally, the first drive of the 3rd quarter for the Packers started on the BEARS 33 - already field goal range.

Unless my math is horrible, the Packers ran 9 times and passed 18 times in the second half - in which they were either leading or tied until 2:05 left in the game. Hardly what I would consider an "NFL Issued Ultra-Conservative Conspiracy Game Plan to Lose To The Bigger Market Chicago Bears".

The Packers lost because they turned the ball over 5 times - 4 on offense and 1 on special teams. It's that simple. The refs, nor the NFL forced J. Jones to fumble twice, nor did they brainwash Favre into throwing an ill-advised pass right to Urlacher deep in his own territory, nor was the ball manipulated into Brad Maynard's hands on the punt return fumble.

The game plan was horrible in the 2nd half, and it wasn't because they weren't passing, it was the type of passes they were calling. Little dink and dunk stuff that gets you nowhere. Favre threw for 243 yds in the 1st half and it wasn't because he was dumping it off the whole 1st half. They were throwing many intermediate passes and fairly deep passes, but went completely away from that in the 2nd half. Why?? I told people today the worst thing that happened to the Packers last night was the success they had running the ball in the 1st half. That made McCarthy think "yeah, we have a running game" and went to the well to often in the 2nd half. This team has won games so far this year, by doing what they do best, and that is throwing the football with Brett. They didn't do that enough in the 2nd half. Yes, the TO's played a big part in them losing the game, but if it ain't broke, you don't try to fix it. McCarthy last night in the 2nd half tried to fix an offense that wasn't broke, and it failed miserably.

 

[Aaronstory]

Apparently this thread is true. If they can't beat a decimated Bears team at home then they are clearly a mirage.

Tell me I'm wrong. The Bears were ripe to be beat and the Packers couldn't do it. What are you hanging your hat on? The win against the Vikes on the road? Don't make me laugh.

Of course, how foolish of me. The first 18 quarters of football that the Packers played this year were a mirage. It's the last two quarters, and the last two only, that can tell us how good this team is. You are wise beyond your years.

Well, we could go with the Favre lost them the game angle.

I'll go with (as I have in every thread I've posted in about last night's game) that you can't turn the ball over 5 times and win. It's that simple. I don't think we'll see it again this year. Time will tell.

 

[BassNBrew]

Survey says yes.

 

[Capella]

 

[Capella]

Seeing Sabertool make an idiot of himself never gets old.

When you look up in the conference standings from where the Bucs sit, we are right near the top there somewhere. HTH GB.

I just looked again. GB isn't at the top, GB.ttmfs:

 

[jasonbay]

They will also be the worst team to reach the NFC Championship game. Hell, maybe even the SuperBowl.

Nice prediction

 

[sho nuff]

Survey says yes.

So the worst 4-0 team ever made it to the NFC Championship game?

 

[Ghost Rider]

Survey says yes.

So the worst 4-0 team ever made it to the NFC Championship game?

Since Dallas started 4-0 this year, too, and didn't make it as far as Green Bay did in the playoffs, wouldn't that mean that Green Bay wasn't even the worst 4-0 team this year?

 

[BassNBrew]

Survey says yes.

So the worst 4-0 team ever made it to the NFC Championship game?

Yup....exposed on their home field once they played quality competition.