Entering Week 12, the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles found themselves in strikingly similar situations. Both teams got off to solid starts before tapering off, with the Packers losing four straight games and the Eagles dropping five of their last seven.
In the NFC playoff picture, it was about as close to a must-win game without technically being a must-win game as you can get, with both teams clinging to postseason hopes.
The high-stakes matchup looked like it could quickly turn into a shootout after the game’s first quarter, but it was Green Bay who was able to pull away and improve to 5-6 with a 27-13 victory in Philadelphia.
Aaron Rodgers continued his recent string of impressive performances, throwing for 313 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Davante Adams. He added 28 yards on the ground as he guided the team to its first victory since Week 7 against the Bears.
In what was a nice change of pace from recent weeks, Green Bay finally got off to a hot start. Rodgers completed five of his first six passes for 47 yards and a touchdown on the Packers’ 75-yard opening drive.
The Eagles quickly shredded a still-beleaguered Green Bay defense, matching the Packers with an 81-yard scoring drive of their own. Carson Wentz completed all six of his passes and capped off the possession with a 1-yard rushing touchdown. It would prove to be Philadelphia’s only touchdown of the game as the Packers’ defense was able to buckle down the rest of the night.
But while Wentz and the Eagles were able to be slowed, the Packers’ offense put together lengthy drive after lengthy drive and came away with points on five of its six drives, not including a kneel-down to the end the first half.
The Packers went 75 yards yet again on their second drive, and Rodgers connected with Adams on a perfect throw from 20 yards out to put Green Bay up 14-7 and stake the visitors to a lead they would not relinquish.
Philadelphia tacked on a field goal in the final minute of the first half and looked to be driving to take the lead to open the third quarter. Wentz drove the Eagles into Green Bay territory before a Ha Ha Clinton-Dix interception put an abrupt end to the possession. The Packers and Eagles would trade field goals on the following two possessions before the Green Bay offense really took control of the game.
Clinging to just a four-point lead entering the fourth quarter, the Packers needed the offense to stay on track to put the game away. Rodgers and the team did just that. Green Bay utilized a methodical offense en route to running an astounding 30 plays on its final two drives, holding the ball for 14:49 and, most importantly, scoring 10 points to put the game out of reach.
The Packers final touchdown came courtesy of Aaron Ripkowski, the fullback’s first career rushing score and the first rushing touchdown by someone not named Aaron Rodgers of 2016.
The defense looked shaky at times, leaving many receivers open and missing a few crucial tackles, but overall the Packers looked solid in all three phases of the game. Dom Capers’ used creative blitzes and heavy pressure to keep the Eagles’ rookie signal-caller out of rhythm. Green Bay got sacks from Clay Matthews, Mike Daniels, Julius Peppers, and Nick Perry and forced a number of errant or hurried throws.
But while the defense was serviceable, it was the offense that shined brightest on Monday night. Rodgers had his third straight 300-yard passing game and the team played a turnover-free contest. Eight different receivers caught passes, with Adams (113 yards, including an impressive 50-yard over the shoulder catch, 2 touchdowns) and Jordy Nelson (8 catches for 91 yards) leading the way.
The Packers picked apart Philadelphia all night. Green Bay held an 11 minute advantage in time of possession, including holding the ball for almost an entire quarter’s worth of time late in the game. While the banged-up offensive line couldn’t help spring the running game, they did keep Rodgers from being sacked. Most impressively, the Packers were 10/14 on third down conversions and added a successful attempt on fourth down as well.
Green Bay still has a long way to go if they want to sneak into the postseason, but coming away with a convincing win on the road is a big step in the right direction.
The Packers now sit two games back of Detroit with five weeks left in the season. Next week Green Bay returns to Lambeau Field for the first time since November 6 to take on the Houston Texans.
——————Sean Blashe is a Packers fan who grew up in Bears territory and is currently a journalism and history major at Marquette University. Sean is a writer with PackersTalk.com and you can follow him on twitter at @SeanBlashe .
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8 responses to “Rodgers, Adams Pace Packers as Green Bay Rolls Past Eagles”
No matter what happens the rest of the year Arod beat the Eagles for me. I live in Eagle country and all my friends are Eagles fans. Thanks to Arod and a great showing from our receiving corps we got the win. The defense held up against a meager offense in Phila.Even though our defense has been plagued with injuries this year it is time for Capers to go. I do not believe McCarthy will be fired this year but our defense has to be fixed and it’s time for a new defensive coordinator. Sean McDermott comes to mind. As far as a new head coach I’d love to see Jon Gruden who has ties to Green Bay to take over and bring a fire to this team and get us back in the Super Bowl. Rodgers turns 33 on December 2nd and I believe wants to win another Super Bowl or two for his Hall of Fame resume. I see us drafting CB,WR,TE, and RB. Sorry,also an EDGE rusher to replace Peppers.
“Defense looked shaky at times”–WHAT DEFENSE? GB’s defense over the middle is so porous–put some vets in wheel chairs in there–they could get WIDE OPEN against Dumb Capers pass defense. They can’t play man to man, I keep hearing about how ‘depleted’ their secondary is–but Morgan Burnett, Clinton-Dix, Randall and Micah Hyde WERE ALL on the field last night and they still made Wentz look like an All-Pro! Do ya’ realize the Packers’ secondary is ONE OF WORST IN THE LEAGUE? The LOWEST QB completion rate against a Pack DB is 118.0–this secondary makes ANY QB look like an MVP! Dumb Capers may be able to ‘scheme’ defense–but he DAMN SURE CAN’T COACH IT! Green Bay won because Rodgers and Pack’s offense played KEEP AWAY from Wentz and Eagles, otherwise this defense would’ve done as they always have the last 5-6 years under Capers–find a way to blow a lead and LOSE!
I totally agree with you that we need a new DC.Who would like to see as the replacement? Also, the upcoming draft is supposedly loaded with corner backs and safeties. Sam Shields I believe will not be back. Our defense can be fixed with the draft and possibly a free agent quality corner.As you know they’re hard to find.I too want the problem fixed with our defense ASAP!!!
James–IF they’re not gonna fire McCarthy, and I think his success has fizzled in GB, maybe they should consider Jon Gruden as DC. That places him in position for the HC if McCarthy flops next season. My problem with Capers–his defenses have never been good tacklers or ‘shut-down’ capable to save wins, and that’s AFTER Ted Thompson has signed FA’s or drafted enough talent over past 6 seasons to build SIX COMPLETE DEFENSES. We keep hearing about his ‘schemes’–but when his players can’t make tackles–and McCarthy’s called them out 5 CONSECUTIVE seasons for poor tackling–he apparently CAN’T COACH what he schemes. Just look at the secondary–they had Hyde, Burnett, Clinton-Dix, Randall on the field–and WIDE OPEN down the middle for any offense the play. The Redskins beat’em INTO the wind, made Cousins look like MVP. Those were STARTERS on field last night–and the LOWEST QB completion rate among the bunch is 118.0! WHAT DEFENSE? Against a makeshift O-line last night they didn’t get much production at all until late 4th quarter–did NOT stop the run, Wentz had WR’s over middle wide open as if DB’s were taking water breaks. McCarthy’s offense AVERAGED 35 points PER game in ’11 season–they’re down to about 24 points PER game now. Defense back then didn’t give up 30+ PER game–they ARE ’till last night. Don’t take an elementary school math class to figure points scored is averaging LESS than points given up by defense=LOSE, and that’s what Capers defense has consistently done since ’11. Was what we saw against Falcons, Redskins any different than Matt Flynn coming into game a few years back when Rodgers was out with broken collarbone–LED GB from 16 points behind to take lead over Vikings and defense gave up TIE in overtime ’cause they couldn’t make ONE third down stop? THAT is Capers’ defense. Secret to beat Packers’? JAM WR’s at snap, crowd the box to stop run and pressure Rodgers–a good defense wins more than not–that’s why Pack’s offense has struggled and their defense gives away too many points to win. Even consider hiring Lovie Smith for DC if Gruden said no–but hang that icing of HC job potential and Gruden may jump. IF they don’t fire Capers, they will not advance anymore than just qualify for playoffs based on record vs. lesser opponents or division title.
Sounds like a plan. I said in my first reply listening to Gruden last night he has very fond memories of his time in Green Bay. We all saw what he did with the Buccaneers.He would bring the fire and passion to the Packers that’s been missing at times. We’ve been so close to getting back in the Super Bowl and Rodgers turns 33 Dec 2nd. In the next five years we don’t want to waste the special QB that he has become. The players in New England aren’t any better then what we have in Green Bay all and all. What’s missing in most cases is the coaching staff.
Belichik COACHES like Lombardi did–chase ‘perfection’ and ACHIEVE greatness, that’s something McCarthy and Capers has NO CLUE how to COACH!
AMEN!!!
Going into the 2017 draft we must acquire a running mate for Eddie Lacy. Barring a trade or release of Lacy I would like to see TT draft a running back to compliment Lacy’s power running game. Starks should be released in my opinion and keep Lacy and draft a running back with speed to put back there with Lacy and someone who also can catch the ball out of the backfield. This would allow Ty Montgomery to be another weapon in the passing game