Green Bay Packers' Season Review

After a great 2-0 start, the Packers lost three in a row before finally winning Sunday vs. the Seahawks. Here is an update of the year.

Preseason

They did only win one game, but still looked very promising in the four games. They were able to test out many of their new guys and see who was actually worth a spot. In my opinion, they made some very questionable cuts.

To name a few, they cut P Jon Ryan, who had been punting very well in the preseason and last year. They picked up Derrick Frost from the Redskins. Frost averaged just over 40 yards the last few years and is averaging 43 this year. Ryan averaged just over 44 the last few years and is averaging 45 in four games with the Seahawks this year (not to mention his great ability to pull of the punt fake).

Week One

They beat the Vikings 24-19. They looked very good, shutting down the Vikings' passing game, holding Tarvaris Jackson to just 16 completions on 35 attempts for 178 yards. He did have a TD, but they picked him off once as well. He had a completion percentage of 45.7 and a QB rating of a meager 59.0.

The run-defense wasn’t quite as good, as they let A.P. run for 103 yards on 19 carries, with a TD. Which, I guess, isn’t completely horrible, considering he was a top-three back last year.

All this, and I haven’t even mentioned the offense yet.

QB Aaron Rodgers had a passer rating of 115.5, with two TDs, and RB Ryan Grant rushed for 92 yards on only 12 carries. WR Greg Jennings also contributed 91 yards on five receptions.

Week Two

They beat up on the Lions, 48-25. They held them to only 49 yards rushing, but they did give up 276 yards in the air. However, that stat can be deceiving. Kitna was only 21 of 41 and had three picks, two of which were returned for TDs.

Rodgers was clicking on all cylinders again. He threw for 328 yards, had three TDs, no picks, and a passer rating of 117.0, though their run game was sort of shut down. Grant had only 20 yards on 15 carries, though Brandon Jackson did have 61 yards on seven carries, and a TD. Their defense did more than just run interceptions back for TDs, too. They had five sacks and nine knockdowns as a team.

Week Three

They had a bad loss against the Cowboys, 27-16. Their defense looked very bad, especially against the run. Cowboys' RB Marion Barber had 142 years on 28 carries and a TD, plus Felix Jones had 60 yard TD run.

While their pass defense looked very good for most plays, they got burned on several. That includes Miles Austin’s only two catches in the game, both for over 50 yards and one a TD. Dallas' QB Tony Romo had a modest game going 17 of 30 with 260 and a TD and a pick.

The Packers’ offense was just as bad as their defense. Rodgers had a so-so game, going 22 of 39 for 290 yards, but he got sacked five times and hit many more. Grant had 54 yards on 13 carries and a fumble. Jennings was really the only Packer that played well, as he had eight catches for 115 yards.

Week Four

They lost to the Bucs, 30-21. Once again, they established no running game. Grant had 20 yards on 15 carries and a fumble. While just the opposite happened on the other side. Bucs' RB Earnest Graham had 111 yards on 20 carries and a TD, and Warrick Dunn had 63 yards on 16 carries.

Tampa Bay QB Brian Griese had a horrid game, going 15 of 30 for 149 yards a TD and three picks (passer rating of 36.0). Rodgers had a better game, but not much, going 14 of 27 for 165 yards and three TDs, but he threw two picks and ended with a passer rating of 55.9. He did get injured late in the fourth quarter though.

On a 1st-and-10 from the 20, he got hit hard as he threw and it resulted in an interception. He hasn’t really been the same since. Once again, the only Packer that played amazingly was Jennings. He had six catches for 109 yards and two TDs. His back must be sore...

Week Five

Tough loss vs. the Falcons, 27-24. If you look at just the stats, you would think that the Packers won the game, but not so. Rodgers had a spectacular game, going 25 of 37 for 313 yards and three TDs.

But the Falcons out-rushed them.

Atlanta RB Michael Turner had 121 yards and a TD on 26 carries, while Grant had a modest game with 83 yards on 18 carries. While QB Matt Ryan only had 194 yards on 16 completions, eight passes and 132 yards of them went to WR Roddy White. This was the first game of the year that an opposing receiver had more yards the Jennings. He didn’t have that bad of a game though, 87 yards and a TD on four receptions.

Week Six

Finally get a needed win vs. the Seahawks, 27-17. The stat book showed that they should’ve won this game, and they did. They nearly doubled up the Seahawks on yardage. Rodgers had another good game, going 21 of 30 for 208 yards and three TDs (one rushing), while Seattle QB Charlie Frye went 11 of 23 for 83 yards with two TDs and two picks.

Grant had another modest game, with 90 yards on 33 carries (showing—for once this year—that he might actually be able to handle the load). Jennings had another good game with five receptions for 84 yards and a TD. This game was the first that they went turnover free and also the first game that they sacked the opponent more then they got sacked.

The year ahead

They are hurting. With Cullen Jenkins, Kregg Lumpkin, and Junius Coston recently going on the IR, they are down some key players. Not to mention the rest of the injury list (listed below). I really believe that the acquisition of Tony Gonzalez would have been huge, but I guess it’s not that surprising.

Ted Thompson doesn’t believe in free agency or trading. The bye week next week will really help their defense get healthy, and if Rodgers can be close to 100 percent, as well as Grant, the Packers will be a force to be reckoned with.

Injury List

Aaron Rouse (head), Ryan Pickett (elbow), Atari Bigby (hamstring), Chad Clifton (hamstring), Korey Hall (knee), Al Harris (spleen), A.J. Hawk (groin), Jason Hunter (hamstring), James Jones (knee), Patrick Lee (back), Michael Montgomery (ankle), Rodgers (right shoulder), Charles Woodson (toe).