NFL: Packers-Browns Game Recap

Last Sunday, the Green Bay Packers put on their most impressive performance of the season, dominating the Cleveland Browns 31-3. It was a great tune-up for the upcoming rematch between the top two teams in the division.

The Packers have outperformed every division rival against common opponents:

• Minnesota only beat the Browns by 14, the Lions by 14 (albeit on the road rather than at home where the Packers' matchup was), and St. Louis by 28—the only single performance in which a rival has outperformed Green Bay—for a combined score of 99-43. Green Bay won by 28, 26, and 19 for a combined score of 93-20.
• Chicago and Green Bay both beat the Lions and lost to the Bengals, but the Bears won by 24 and lost by 35, whereas the Packers won by 26 and lost by seven.

Here is how each of the Packers units graded out:

Quarterback: A+

Aaron Rodgers came close to the best possible passer rating of 159.3, finishing 155.5. (For the record, The Traitor's best performance was in 1995 against the Bears, with a 147.2 rating. To be fair, it was a stretch in which he finished three games with a 133.6-plus rating and threw 11 TDs and no picks.) Rodgers was 15-for-20 for 246 yards, three scores and no picks. He also ran four times for 23 yards.

Running Backs: B+

Ryan Grant finally got a chance to show what he could do, running 27 times for 148 yards (5.5 average) with a long of 37 yards and a touchdown. What brings this grade down is that Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn combined for 31 yards on 10 carries, and the backfield had just three yards on two catches.

Receivers: A

This unit was not called on much, but delivered 13 catches for 243 yards (18.7 average) and three scores. Donald Driver once again led the way with 84 receiving yards, and six players either had more than ten yards or a score.

Offensive Line: B+

This was the highest grade I felt I could give a unit that faced the Cleveland defense, which came in worst in the league. But they did everything they were asked to do, yielding no sacks, keeping Rodgers from being hurried, and opening holes for Grant.

Defensive Line: A-

This was a good performance even considering the competition. They made seven tackles and had two assists, generated 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble, and held the Browns rushing attack (such that it is) to just 58 yards on 21 carries (2.8 average).

Linebackers: B+

Not much in the way of big plays (a half-sack and a recovered fumble), but they made a lot of tackles—20 tackles and six assists.

Defensive Backfield: B+

Yes, Derrick Anderson was 12-for-29 for 99 yards and a pick (the second week in a row the Packers gave up fewer than 100 yards passing), but some of that was him misfiring. The secondary generated eight tackles and two assists to go with Charles Woodson's pick.

Special Teams: D

While no one made any bad plays, the Packers were outperformed in every phase of special teams. They had an 18-yard average on kick returns vs. 34 yielded, and two vs. nine on punts, leading to a 29-net vs. 44.8. Billy Cundiff hit his only field goal while Mason Crosby was 1-for-2, although three of his six kickoffs went into the end zone, including two touchbacks.