Packers vs. Eagles: Full Report Card Grades for Green Bay
The Green Bay Packers avoided a five-game slide Monday night when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 27-13 behind a solid offensive game plan from head coach Mike McCarthy and an improved showing by the defense, which got some help with the return of cornerback Damarious Randall and linebacker Clay Matthews.
The Packers bested many of their season averages Monday. The defense, which had been allowing 26.3 points per game (25th in the league), held Carson Wentz and the Eagles to just 13—with seven of those points coming from Caleb Sturgis' leg.
Green Bay also held Philadelphia to just 292 total yards on the night despite allowing an average of 350.8 on the year.
On offense, Aaron Rodgers and his weapons seemed to display a renewed sense of vigor. They improved upon their 24.9 scoring average per game and amassed 387 total yards despite still not having much of a rushing game to speak of.
The Packers still have issues that could eventually keep them out of the playoffs this year, but if the personnel can get healthy and stay that way, and Green Bay can continue on this upswing, the Packers could have a shot. Let's break down this week's grades.
Quarterback
1 of 10
Aaron Rodgers had one of his best games of the season Monday night against the Eagles' questionable passing defense. The signal-caller completed 76.9 percent of his passes, a season high, and threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns.
The offensive line aided him by preventing him from taking a single sack and giving him time to find his open receivers.
Packers Nation held its breath when Rodgers injured his hamstring on the first drive in the second half of the game. But he reassured his fans afterward. "I'll be good to go," he said, per the Packers' Twitter account.
Phew. The Packers are finally starting to look cohesive, and Rodgers appears improved. Now would be the worst time for the QB to get hurt.
Grade: A-
Running Back
2 of 10
The Packers may not have totaled 100 rushing yards for the seventh time this year, but they did have a big milestone courtesy of the running backs.
It took them 12 weeks, but Green Bay finally saw a rusher score a touchdown when fullback Aaron Ripkowski punched it from one yard out in the fourth quarter.
It was also the fullback's first career touchdown.
Ripkowski's efforts gave the Packers something to cheer about, but the rest of the running backs group still left something to be desired. New acquisition Christine Michael carried the ball only once for four yards. James Starks was the primary ball-carrier, amassing 41 yards on 17 attempts. That average of 2.4 yards per carry isn't going to get the Packers far on the ground.
Let's hope that in Week 13 the Packers can figure out how to better use Michael and their other rushing weapons to put together a balanced offensive attack.
Grade: B
Wide Receiver and Tight End
3 of 10
It's Davante Adams' world, and we're just living in it.
The Packers' much-maligned receiver has turned over a new leaf this season and would be within his rights to request an apology from those who have doubted him all this time.
Adams went off Monday, catching five of six targets for 113 yards and two touchdowns. His 50-yard reception was an explosive play the Packers needed early in the second half when the Eagles were within four points.
Though that drive ended in a field goal, Green Bay extended its lead to a touchdown and never relinquished it.
Eight other pass-catchers got involved for the Packers, and Jordy Nelson contributed a nice chunk of yardage (91). Randall Cobb was reliable, catching six of seven passes.
However, the Packers still aren't getting much from their tight ends. Jared Cook bobbled a catch that was later overturned on a Doug Pederson challenge. Richard Rodgers didn't catch anything and appeared to miss a block that a scrambling Rodgers pointed out for him.
Green Bay's passing corps would be dramatically improved with more consistent tight end play.
Grade: B+
Offensive Line
4 of 10
Despite Philadelphia's considerable pass-rushing abilities, the Eagles didn't sack Rodgers once thanks to the security of his offensive line.
This was one of the most rewarding matchups the offensive line has had all season; coming out on top against an Eagles front seven that features Fletcher Cox, Beau Allen, Connor Barwin and others is no small feat.
In his postgame press conference, Rodgers gave his line props for allowing him to extend plays and helping the offense get into a consistent rhythm for the first time in weeks.
And the line wasn't even at full strength; Lane Taylor was in for T.J. Lang.
Grade: A-
Defensive Line
5 of 10
If the Packers had a front seven full of Mike Danielses, they might have the best defense in the league.
Daniels continues to show up week in and week out. Against the Eagles, he had three tackles, including one for loss, and a sack on Carson Wentz for a 14-yard loss.
All the other Packers sacks came courtesy of the outside linebackers, but on the defensive line, Letroy Guion chipped in with another tackle for loss, and the front seven held the Eagles to 81 rushing yards. They had been averaging 114.9 rushing yards per game.
Rookie Kenny Clark didn't do much for the Packers, but according to Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke, it was his first NFL game with more than one pressure. It would be great to see more from the first-round draft pick in the coming weeks.
Grade: B
Linebacker
6 of 10
The Packers had outside linebacker Clay Matthews back on the field against the Eagles, and the effects of his presence spread to the rest of the defense as well.
Outside linebacker Nick Perry historically performs much better when his fellow pass-rusher is playing, and that trend continued Monday, as Perry recorded a sack and a tackle for loss.
Julius Peppers and Matthews also got in on the action and brought Carson Wentz down.
Meanwhile, though Datone Jones didn't record pressures that showed up on the stat sheet, his big hit on Wentz seemed to shake up the QB enough to result in his throwing an interception on the very next play right into Ha Ha Clinton-Dix's waiting hands. That's a fantastic example of the front seven setting up plays for the secondary, the key of any good defense.
Grade: A-
Secondary
7 of 10
The Packers benefited from the return of starting cornerback Damarious Randall, and the secondary prevented Carson Wentz from throwing a single touchdown on the night.
There was a regrettable incident in which Wentz juked Randall out of his cleats, but overall, the secondary was energized from the return of the injured player. Per Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke, Randall, LaDarius Gunter, Micah Hyde and Quinten Rollins all allowed fewer than eight yards per target on average.
Then there was safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix's interception on the first drive of the second half, his third on the season. It was the Packers' first takeaway since November 6, and it kept the Eagles from closing in on the Packers' four-point lead at that time.
Green Bay's secondary hasn't been fantastic this season, but it's also been ravaged by injuries. If the Packers can heal up before facing the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, this secondary could have a chance in those games.
Grade: B
Special Teams
8 of 10
The Eagles boast the best special teams return unit in the league, totaling 655 yards on kickoff returns with two touchdowns and 212 yards on punt returns.
The Packers, whose special teams coverage unit could use some help, had their work cut out for them. But ultimately Green Bay limited the Eagles to just 49 yards on three kick returns.
Mason Crosby was 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts and made all three of his extra points.
Jacob Schum punted just once for 43 yards, pinning it inside the 1-yard line.
Grade: A-
Coaching
9 of 10
Mike McCarthy's job security in Green Bay may be tenuous at best, but he helped his cause Monday night with a well-coached showing against the Eagles.
McCarthy came into the matchup with a solid game plan and appeared to execute it throughout the night, putting his players in position to defeat Philadelphia soundly. Though the score was tied at 7-7 in the first quarter, the Packers never allowed the Eagles to take the lead.
Green Bay benefited from the use of screens and slants, scheming to get weapons Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson open and riding wideout Davante Adams' hot streak. While the Packers had only two passing plays that went for 20 or more yards on the night, but they didn't need that explosiveness to win.
McCarthy called a successful offensive game and gave his defense ample time to rest and recover between drives. Monday night's victory showed why McCarthy has enjoyed such a long tenure in Green Bay, and more just like that will protect his position in the future.
Grade: A-
Final Grades
10 of 10
Quarterback: A-
Running Back: B
Wide Receiver/Tight End: B+
Offensive Line: A-
Defensive Line: B
Linebacker: A-
Secondary: B
Special Teams: A-
Coaching: A-
Final Grade: A-
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