Packers-Cowboys Report Card

The Green Bay Packers bounced back from their shameful effort (or lack thereof) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an inspired performance against Dallas on Sunday to jump back into the playoff race. This was easily the most impressive game of the year for the Pack, as they played well from top-to-bottom.

The fact that they did it against a division leader—the fourth they have played but first they have beaten—nullifies the help they got in having Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Chicago lose to put them in the hunt.

As of now, the Packers are the second wild card team, with a record overall and within the conference equal to the Altanta Falcons but better record against common opponents. (Note: Green Bay has had one more home game than the Falcons.)

Here are the grades for Sunday’s game by unit:

Quarterback: B

This was Rodgers’ third-worst game of the season statistically, as he compiled a passer rating of only 91.1. In this contest, he was a game manager: no interceptions or fumbles lost, completing 69.4 percent of passes (25-36), but averaged just 5.3 per attempt (189 yards). He was sacked four times, but one was for no loss and he did not hang onto the ball as long.

He added another touchdown (rushing) and completed passes to 10 different receivers (another thing the Old Guy has never done, even though he has always been exceptional at finding diverse targets). It is a mark of leadership to be able to change your style (in this case, big plays for dink-and-dunk), and even more of a mark to be able to find so many different teammates to get it done.

Running Back: C-

The backfield combined for 90 yards on 23 carries (3.9 average) with no scores or fumbles, nor any runs of over 13 yards. Ryan Grant led the way with 79 yards on 19 carries (4.2 average) against an above average rush defense (ranked 11th in both yards and yards per carry coming in).

Through the air, a foursome of backs caught seven passes for 22 yards (3.1 average), also without any scores, thanks to Ahman Green’s four-yard loss. Brandon Jackson had three catches for 15 yards to lead in both receptions and yards for the unit.

Receivers: C-

There was nothing spectacular about anyone’s performance in this unit. Donald Driver led in all categories except touchdowns: four catches, 50 yards, 12.5 average. Overall, this unit produced 18 catches, 167 yards (9.3 average), and one score (a two-yard toss to third tight end Spencer Havner) without their best receiving tight end in the lineup. They had only one dropped pass, but also did not get a lot of yards after the catch.

Offensive Line: D+

They were playing a pretty good front seven and a pretty good pass rush—Dallas was averaging 2.5 sacks per game coming in, ranking them in the top third of the league. While they gave up four sacks and none of them can be blamed on Rodgers proclivity for holding onto the ball, for this unit against this team, that is a pleasant surprise (How sad the bar is so low, but as is too often said, it is what it is). And they opened up just enough lanes for the team to generate 105 yards rushing, albeit on 28 carries.

Defensive Line: B

The Packers gave up just 61 yards in this game, and while it was on only 14 carries (4.4 average), it was to one of the league’s best trios of backs. They also did a great job occupying blockers to finally resurrect an anemic pass rush. They only generated six tackles and no assists, but particularly Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins seemed to be disrupting every play.

Linebackers: A-

This was probably the corps’ best performance of the season, facing good backs and a Pro Bowl tight end in Jason Witten. In the passing game, Cowboys backs and tight ends got 10 receptions for just 73 yards and no scores. Meanwhile, the unit compiled 21 tackles, four assists, three sacks, and two fumble recoveries (both by rookie Clay Matthews).

Defensive Backs: A

Charles Woodson was a monster. Apparently, he is like fine wine—getting better with age—because all I heard about the entire off-season (albeit mostly from subjective Rodgers/Thompson haters and Vikings fans…yeah, you know who you are!) when I was trumpeting the virtues of this defense was how old our backs were. (For the record, Woodson is only 32.) He had eight tackles, one assist, one sack, two fumbles forced, and an interception.

The rest of the unit wasn’t bad, either: 11 tackles, two assists, and a sack. Overall, former first round pick Roy Williams had five catches, 105 yards, and a score. But that score came with a 17-point deficit and 38 seconds remaining. Moreover, on his longest reception, Woodson got one of his two fumbles forced and Matthews one of his recoveries.

They held dangerous downfield threat Austin Miles to just 20 yards on four catches, and Cowboys receivers totaled 14 catches for 178 yards (12.7 per catch). The only reason this is not an A-plus is they have to shoulder a little of the responsibility for the tight ends’ 53 yards and they did give up some yards along the way.

Special Teams: C+

Mason Crosby missed another field goal, but it was from 52 yards out and he hit from 48 to take a lead at the end of the first half. None of his three kicks went into the end zone, but the Cowboys averaged just 20 yards per return. (He hit on both extra points).

The punting game saw a lot of work and improvement: Jeremy Kapinos punted seven times for a 35-yard net average (Patrick Crayton averaged eight yards on five returns) and one kick inside the 20. Meanwhile, the Packers return game averaged 12 yards on two punt returns and got 24 on its only kick return, plus recovered the onside kick to seal the game.

Finally, the coaching staff came in with a gameplan. Rodgers’ seven-step drops were gone, and the ball was out quickly. The blitz was turned loose to rattle Tony Romo.

Now let’s see if this means the coaching staff is going to get the most out of talent on this roster—if so, this team should be playing meaningful games at least a few days into the new year.