New England Patriots: 5 Things We Learned From 31-27 Win Over Green Bay Packers

I covered my mouth with my hands from the stands at Gillette Stadium as the New England Patriots defense reeled from one successful play after another. I was convinced covering my mouth would remedy my hoarse throat from screaming all night long, or at the very least prevent me from being kicked out of the game for foul language.

But in the waning minutes, with Matt Flynn commanding the Green Bay offense with more resemblance to a 12-year vet than another one playing last night, I found the will deep within my vocal chords for one last cry for help. "Let's go defense!"

The Patriots defense, gassed from being on the field for a whopping 40:48, found the will deep within their bodies for enough stops to win the game.

It was a thrilling game that was never supposed to be that close before it began, and by the way the Patriots played, it never should have been that close in progress. There's a lot to take away from a win like that, so let's take a look inside.

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This Offense Can Score On Anyone

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Tight end Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown after catching a pass from quarterback Tom Brady #12 (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadiu

The Patriots offense has faced one test after another this season, but is 8-1 against defenses ranked in the top 10 and has put up 29.7 points per game against those defenses.

Not including Kyle Arrington's touchdown on his interception return, the Patriots scored 24 points on Green Bay's no. 1-ranked scoring defense.

I'm sure they would have liked to hang onto the ball for a bit longer (more on that later) but their level of productivity was acceptable considering the level of competition.

Brandon Spikes' Absence Is Felt Strongly

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Running back John Kuhn #30 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by linebacker Tully Banta-Cain #95 and cornerback Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on Decembe

Serving game two of his four-game hiatus for violating the league's PED policy for taking Adderall, Spikes was out of the game and his absence was felt.

The Patriots forfeited 143 rushing yards on the day, despite yielding only 3.8 yards per carry. Jerod Mayo and Devin McCourty played like the two men that are leading the team in tackles. Mayo contributed 16 stops, and McCourty added 10.

What killed the Patriots the most, though, were Matt Flynn's checkdowns. Eight of Flynn's 24 completions came on checkdowns to running backs and fullbacks, and those plays went for 61 yards.

Spikes can't return soon enough to make the stops on those short plays up the middle. The Patriots should be thanking their lucky stars that he's back in time for the playoffs.

Defense Can Make The Plays When They Need To

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Cornerback Kyle Arrington #27 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown after intercepting the ball and running 36 yards against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on December 19

Facing a 17-14 deficit at halftime, the Patriots had the not-so-intriguing prospect of kicking back to the Pack. Kyle Arrington responded with what was probably the interception return of the season, thwarting six tacklers on his way to six points.

Then, with the game on the line, the defense was on the field. Fitting, because that's where they spent most of the night.

They responded yet again, and despite allowing Green Bay to march up the field and almost win the game, they made the stop they needed as time expired.

Third downs were their usual ugly selves against the Patriots, who allowed conversions on 11 of Green Bay's 19 attempts for a 57 percent conversion rate. As it's been all season, that remains an area in which the Patriots need to clean up their act, especially if they would like to breathe on Monday.

Patriots Offense Must Stay On The Field

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks to his team during the fourth quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won th

We have been led to believe that the Patriots offense is a machine over the past few weeks, but they were very human last night. They only converted four of their 10 third downs, showing a major difficulty in sustaining drives.

The time of possession battle fell heavily in Green Bay's favor, as the Packers held onto the ball for 40:48 to New England's 19:12. In fact, the Patriots escaped as the first team to win when holding onto the ball for such a short time.

When the offense suffers shortcomings like that, it falls right back on the defense. Thankfully, the defense was up to the task despite being gassed by the fourth quarter, but to expect them to hold when their on the field for such a long time is ludicrous.

Despite Close Victory, Patriots Are Still The Team To Beat

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown scored by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 (not pictured) against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on

It wasn't pretty. At times, it was downright infuriating. But we hear it all the time: The mark of a good team is that they win the close games.

With scores like 39-26, 45-24, 45-3 and 36-7, the Patriots haven't had one of those in awhile. This is the same team, though, that won a 31-28 nail biter against the Colts, a 38-30 contest against the Bills, and a 23-20 overtime thriller against the Ravens.

This was just another win in what has been a long season full of every kind of win possible.