Green Bay Proves It Can Play with the Big Boys in Win over Patriots

Bill Simmons, the Editor-in-Chief of Grantland and a noted Boston sports fan, had an interesting take on the Green Bay Packers' matchup with his squad this week. In his weekly mailbag, he strongly opposed the gambling line of 3.5 points in the favor of the Packers:

"

I could understand the Packers being favored by 2.5 or even 3. But 3.5??? That’s insulting. That’s Vegas saying, 'home-field advantage is worth three points, and we’re throwing in an extra half-point because we think Green Bay is better.' I hope Belichick writes '3.5' on the chalkboard on Sunday.

"

One question many brought up over the course of the week was who Green Bay had played. With wins against the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Bears again, Philadelphia Eagles and Vikings again, the combined win total of the teams they had beaten was a 40-53-1 record entering the week.

With the Packers' two best wins coming against the Eagles, against Mark Sanchez, their backup quarterback, and Miami, in a late-minute victory, there were legitimate concerns regarding how the team would matchup against top-tier NFL squads, but they hadn't had many opportunities.

Outside of a Week 1 game against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on their turf, who had the Packers had a shot against?

As I wrote in this week's preview of the game, win or lose, the battle would be a clear barometer for how deep the Packers could make a run into the playoffs. For a squad that hadn't done much in the postseason since its Super Bowl run, it was important to get high-pressure reps in during the regular season.

New England came into the game with its goals set on keeping its AFC-leading seed. Green Bay simply wanted to tread water as the second seed in the NFC and keep their hold on the NFC North. If there were a time for pressure play, it would be this game, between these two teams, nationally broadcast in every market other than Atlanta on a holiday weekend.

"

Good news, America. #NEvsGB (TV map via @506sports) pic.twitter.com/GsVnmMQRIS

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 30, 2014"

And when the game kicked off, the Packers seemed to have as many answers as doubters had questions.

First, the Packers debuted a shuffled a new starting defense, with Clay Matthews continuing his transition to inside linebacker, but this time not next to long-time starter A.J. Hawk. Instead, second-year inside linebacker Sam Barrington got the nod to begin the game, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN Wisconsin noted: 

"

Clay Matthews and Sam Barrington start at ILB. No A.J. Hawk.

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) November 30, 2014"

New England's defense also gave Green Bay multiple looks, rotating matchups of defensive backs against Packer receivers.

Apparently, Green Bay was better prepared to execute their game plan, as the Packers were up, 13-0, by the time the second quarter began. In front of a record crowd, the momentum was a big factor. Every time the Packers inched the ball up the field, the electricity of the crowd could be felt. 

"

Today's attendance: 78,431. New Lambeau Field record. #NEvsGB

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 30, 2014"

Over time, the matchups that the Patriots put on the field were exploited. The best play call of the night might have been a long pass down the sideline to receiver Randall Cobb, who was lined up as a running back on the play. Chasing him down was linebacker Rob Ninkovich, a clear lean toward the Packers.

On the wit of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy, Cobb was in position to catch a 33-yard reception.

"

Randall Cobb vs. Rob Ninkovich. Not fair. #NEvsGB

— NFL (@nfl) November 30, 2014"

Exhausting the New England defense by keeping them on the field for nearly 37 minutes of the game, the Packers put together a 26-21 victory. What's interesting, though, is the Packers could have made it an even larger gap.

With a 158-yard lean offensively and 13-minute, 10-second lean in time of possession, on paper, Green Bay should have ran away with a victory. Without a significant amount of turnovers or sacks, it's really one category in which Green Bay failed in.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, the Packers, despite an above-average touchdown percentage heading into the game, had failed in putting up six points on all four of their drives in the red zone. An uncharacteristic performance, but at least the squad knows what to work on from here on out: 

"

Packers now have 0 TD on 4 red zone trips. They had the 9th-best TD percentage in the red zone entering this week (63.6%)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 1, 2014"

With a huge win instilling confidence in the roster and a nice transition to a reshuffled defense, the Packers are in a position where they could make a deep play into the postseason if they can efficiently move the ball in the red zone from this point forward.

There are no longer questions of strength of schedule regarding the team. They can only play the team in front of them. Unfortunately for the Patriots, this isn't the squad you want staring in your eyes.