Packers Lose Again, Detroit Wins 27-20

The Green Bay Packers played as a team again and ended a two game losing streak, defeating the Baltimore Ravens 28-10,  improving the Packers record to 5-2.

Offensively the Packers are still not in complete sync.  Brett Favre played a lot better.  He still threw two interceptions but one of his throws was a deflection off of Robert Brooks hands.  The running game shows signs of life at times and then other times looks as stagnant as a Louisiana swamp.  Travis Jervey continues to improve each week and I believe that he will get a lot better each and every week.  Jervey is really doing a great job of holding on too the ball.  The Packer receivers had way too many dropped balls.  I can recall at least 5 or six dropped balls.   Shroeder, Freeman and Brooks each had key drops stalling drives.  The offensive line played well in pass protection but had too many penalties for my liking or Coach Holmgrens.  I liked the fact that Holmgren chewed some butt on some key plays.   I have always thought he was too relaxed on the sideline.  Overall I give the Packers Offense a C+.

The Packers defense finally made an appearance and they played with the fire and emotion that they played with during the first three weeks.  I can't say enough about the performance of Vonnie Holliday and the linebacking corp.  Tackling was superb with the exception of Darren Sharper.  He overran several plays and missed at least two tackles.  Leroy Butler showed why he is the MVP of the defense playing hurt and coming up with several key plays including an interception in the second half.  The defensive line put pressure on the Ravens QB's at a pretty consistant rate.  Overall the Packers Defense gets an A.

Special Teams played what I consider to be the best game they have played all season.   Roell Preston gave the Packers an early spark with the punt return for a touchdown on the Packers first posession.  Coverages were excellent for the most part and I can't say enough about the performances that Sean Landetta has given the Packers throughout the season.  Overall the Special Teams unit gets an A.

Well my pick for last weeks game was real close.  I only missed the final score by three points.  The Packers are playing the 49ers this week at Lambeau.  The Packers are to the 49ers what the Cowboys were too the Packers the last ten years.   The Packers have knocked the 49ers out of the playoff for the past three years and beat them on that thrilling Monday Night game two years ago.  The 49ers will come into Lambeau as fired up as ever and the Packers will need to play smart football.  I think the 49ers have some weeknesses in the secondary that Favre will be able to take advantage of.  Look for a big showing again from the Defense. 

My Pick

Packers 31  San Francisco 24

The Green Bay Packers came up with a big win in defeating the San Francisco 49ers 36-22.  With the victory the Packers now trail the Minnesota Vikings by one game with the Vikings loss to Tampa Bay.

Offensively the Packers started off quickly scoring on an 80 yard touchdown pass play from Brett Favre to Antonio Freeman on the first play of the game.  Then taking advantage of a Steve Young interception, Brett Favre hooked up with Robert Brooks on a beautiful touchdown catch.  Then the offense went into stagnation until the 4th quarter.  It is this inconsistancy that the Packers need to improve on.  I feel that the Packers did not run the ball enough after jumping out to the big lead.  The running game is by no doubt in my mind improving.  Travis Jervey played an outstanding game in gaining 95 yards on the ground and also gaining confidence.   Jerveys ten yard touchdown romp in the fourth quarter for the Packers last score was a run of beauty.  Antonio Freeman showed his big play potential with two long touchdown receptions and many key catches keeping Packer drives alive.  Penalties were kept to a minimum and the offensive line really kept Favre protected throughout much of the game.  Favre was picked off three times again today although the last interception was a interference call that was not called on a pass that was intended for Robert Brooks.  I believe the Packers are finding their groove and look for bigger and better things to happen for the rest of the season.  Overall the Packers offense gets a B.

The Packers defense came up big when they had to.  The sack happy Defense sacked Steve Young 9 times which is the most that Young has been sacked.  Leroy Butler came up with a huge sack in the 4th quarter causing Young to fumble.  Reggie picked up three of the sacks and proves that he is still a force to be reckoned with.  Rookie defensive end Vonnie Holiday is improving with every passing week and is becoming a marquee defensive end.  Vaughn Booker is also a rising star and seems to be the sucessor to Reggie White.  The secondary played well enough to win and really did a fine job in keeping the three 49er receivers from making the big plays.  Big play teams like the 49ers are going to score points and it is how the Packers reacted to that is what makes a championship team.  The defense hunkered down when they had to and pummeled the 49er stars in the 4th quarter.  Overall the Packers defense gets an A.

Kick returner Roell Preston is showing why the Packers chose him over Glynn Milburn at the beginning of the season.  Preston consistantly put the Packers in good field position with his kickoff and punt returns.  The Packers punt and kickoff coverages were adequate throughout the game and only gave up one return of any significance.   Ryan Longwell connected for two more field goals and remains perfect on the season.   Overall the Packers Special Teams unit gets an A.

My Packer picks have been pretty close the past few weeks and I hope the Packers can continue to improve.  The Packers now trail the Vikings by one game with the Packers playing the Vikings in three weeks at the Metrodome.  The Vikings loss today was also big because it came against a division team.  This week the Packers will face an angry Pittsburgh Steeler team on Monday Night Football.  The Steelers are coming off of a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Tennessee Oilers.  The Steeler offense is a struggling unit and it seems that Kordell Stewart is lost at times during a game.   Look for the Steeler defense to be ready for this game despite the beating they took from the Oilers.  Look for a really good and hard fought game in which the Packers will prevail victors.

My Pick

Packers 27   Pittsburgh 17

The Green Bay Packers were almost able to overcome a 27-0 deficit to the Pittsburgh Steelers but were unable to stop Jerome Bettis on 3rd and 5 late in the game in losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-20.

Offensively the Packers started slow and were unable to move the ball against a motivated and fierce Pittsburgh defense.  The Steeler D consistently put pressure on Favre and the offensive line until late in the game and the Packer running game again was unproductive.   The offense made it interesting in the 4th quarter but was unable to overcome early miscues and ineffectiveness against a pumped up Steelers blitzing defense.  The Packers fell behind early in the 1st quarter and never was able to get the running game involved in the game.  Several questionable calls by the Packers late in the game left me wondering.  Running a sweep on 4th and one to start off the 4th quarter is a very  questionable call.   Throughout the Holmgren years I can recollect many times the Packers have run sweeps or swing passes on short yardage situations without any kind of success.  Put the ball into your best players hands.   I think Favre could have pulled some magic in that kind of a situation as he has done many times in the past.  Although it probably wouldn't have made a difference, kicking a field goal in the 4th quarter was another questionable call.   The Packers will need to find some answers to their anemic offensive performance in the next coming week.  Overall the Packers offense gets a D.

The Packers defense was undoubtedly not up to the performance that they are capable of tonight.  Missed tackles played a big part in the Packers ineffectiveness.  The lack of any kind of blitz package was another determining factor.  I can only recollect a couple of times that the Packers showed any kind of blitz.  The defense was never able to put consistent pressure on QB Kordell Stewart.  The defense consistently only rushed four down lineman.  I felt that bringing five or six defensive players after Stewart on passing situations would have alleviated a lot of the Steeler 3rd down success.  The fumble return for a touchdown was  a nice spark in the 4th quarter although this is something that was needed much earlier in the game when that spark could have made more of a difference.  The last 3rd down conversion the Steelers made was the final nail in the coffin.  Gilbert Brown had RB Jerome Bettis in his sights on that play but decided to go for Bettis's legs which is totally unexceptable.  Being the behemoth that Brown is,  he should have stood up to Bettis which would have slowed Bettis down and allowed help to arrive to snuff out the Steeler possession and force them to punt.  Instead Bettis slipped past Brown en route to Jerome's 100 yard game and the needed Steeler first down.  Overall the Packers Defense gets a C-.

Ryan Longwell miss his first field goal of the season in tonight's game.  Overall the Packers special teams played well.  Sean Landetta consistently punted the ball with effectiveness and Longwells kicks were adequate.  Tackling was good and this was probably the lone Packer bright spot.  Longwell converted on 2 of three field goals.   The Packers could have used a big return from returner Roell Preston although the returns were adequate and didn't hamper the Packers.  Overall the Packers special teams gets a B.

This week the Packers are playing another road game outdoors on artificial turf against the New York Giants.  This is a game in which the Packers should win and win easily.   Although no win is easy in another teams stadium.  Look for the Packers to have more success offensively and defensively and for the Packers to show more fight than they did tonight.  The way the Packers came back tonight really goes to show that they never give up but one has to think that if they played with that amount of determination throughout tonight's game the outcome would have been different.

My Pick

Packers 30     Giants 10

The Green Bay Packers put together their most complete game of the year offensively and defensively in dominating fashion, beating the New York Giants 37-3.

This was the Packers best performance offensively in a game this season despite having huge question marks at running back.  Derrick Holmes ran the ball often and with success as Holmes amasssed over a hundred yards in the game to go along with sucessfull running by Raymont Harris.  The potent running game went along with the best performance Brett Favre has had yet this year.  Tyrone Davis caught two touchdown passes making a beautiful catch with a defender on him for his first touchdown.  The receivers really did a good job in catching the ball in this game and getting yards after the catch.  William Henderson also had a great game both running the ball and catching the ball.  Offensive penalties were held to a minimum and the offensive line really played well in giving up only one sack in the game.  Overall the Packers offense gets an A.

This game really showed what the Packers defense is capable of.  They held an anemic Giants offense to less the 150 total yards.  Tackling in this game was superb which has been a problem in recent losses.  The defense was also able to produce turnovers which has also been a area of defieciency.  The combination of Reggie White and rookie Vonnie Holliday put constant pressure on the Giants QB's all game long with out having much of a blitz package established.  This is a game where blitzing probably was not needed, although next weeks game against the Vikings will be a different story.   Overall the Packers defense gets an A.

The Packers special teams unit put together a great game.  Roell Preston consistantly put the Packers in good field position with his punt returns and his kickoff returns.  Ryan Longwell connected for three field goals in four attempts and not having Sean Landetta on the field to punt very often is always a welcome sight despite his great season.  Tackling on punt and kickoff coverages was adequate.  Overall the Packers special teams unit gets an A.

This week is the Packers biggest game of the season, playing the Minnesota Vikings in the Metrodome.  This goes without saying but the Packers will need their best performance of the season against the Vikings who hold a two game advantage in the Central Division standings.  This will be a hard fought game in which pressure on both teams quarterbacks will be key.  The team that holds up to the pressure with more effectiveness will be the victor.  Look for the Packers to put more pressure on Randall Cunningham than they did in the first encounter.  Look for the Pack to give the Vikings a taste of their own medicine.

My Pick

Packers 38     Vikings 24

The Green Bay Packers suffered another defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings and also lost grasp on any realistic chance of winning the division today in Minneapolis.

The Packers once again struggled somewhat offensively and credit must be given to the Vikings Defense and a very loud crowd that caused numorous offensive penalties.   Brett Favre played an outstanding game despite throwing the interception and the fumble that he lost.  Favre gutted it out till the very end and credit must be given.   Derrick Holmes ran the ball well again and I look for good things from this promising back.  Despite giving up ten points early in the game, the Packers were able to come back and make the game close.  The receivers played real well and there were very few if any dropped passes.  Bill Schroeder had his best Packer day although he he rounded off the corner route enabling the Vikings to intercept the pass that got returned for a touchdown.  You can't expect to go into a hostile environment such as Minnesota and expect to score on each and every possesion.  That just doesn't happen in this game.  The offensive line consistantly gave Favre considerable time to throw the ball and really did a fine job in run blocking.  There were numerous movement penalties that hampered some of the Packers drives but once again credit should be given to the crowd noise.  Overall the Packers offense gets a B.

Despite giving up several big plays again to the pass happy Vikings, the Packers defense played well.  With the exception of the long run that Leroy Hoard broke, the Packers run defense was superb.  Once again the Packers defense was unable to put consistant pressure on QB Randall Cunningham, enabling the Cunningham to complete passes to the exceptionally talented Viking receiver corps.  Tackling overall was good in holding the Viking receivers to minimal yardage after the catch which is a key to stopping this offense.  The Packers just were not able to stop the Vikings when the game was on the line.  For the most part, the coverages were there and credit must be given to the receivers for making outstanding catches.  I still see a problem with the cornerbacks not being able to come up with interceptions.  I can recall numourous dropped interceptions as this has been a problem area throughout the season.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B-.

The Packers kickoff return unit never really got to put on a show since the Vikings kicker Matt Boerger consistantly booted the ball out of the back of the end zone.   The same can be said about the Punt return unit as the Vikings played outstanding special teams.  Coverages on kickoff and punt returns were good as the Packers did not give up many return yards.  Overall the Packers special teams unit gets a B.

With any realistic chance of obtaining the division title gone, the Packers must focus the remainder of this season with playing good sound football.  The Packers are playing the Eagles at home this week which is a game the Packers should easily win.   The Eagles have the worst offense in the league and their defense is not all that much better.  Look for a blowout this week as the Packers finally get back to Lambeau.

My Pick

Packers 28          Eagles 0

The Green Bay Packers overcame many penalties, turnovers and dropped passes to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-16.

The Packers offensive woes continue despite racking up nearly 500 yards of total offense.  The Packers offense were plagued by penalties, turnovers, and dropped passes.  Derrick Holmes and Bill Schroeder turned in their best Packers days to date.   Holmes ran the ball with precision and quickness in gaining almost 170 yards on the ground and totaling over 200 yards total offense.  The Packers never had much trouble in moving the ball and also had no problems in shooting themselves in the foot when it came to stopping drives.  Several key penalties and numerous dropped passes and turnovers stalled potential Packer scoring drives.  Brett Favre played well despite throwing for two more interceptions.  It was a pleasant sight to see Dorsey Levens back in action.  Holmes and Levens will be a nice 1-2 combination in the next several weeks.  Overall the Packers offense gets a B-.

The Packers defense played well enough to beat a lackluster Eagles offense.   Understand that the Packers were without several key starters on defense in this game.  The defense did not even give up a first down until late in the second quarter.  Reggie White racked up another sack to add to his impressive league leading total of 15.   I thought that tackling was a bit off in this game and dropped interceptions is something this defense has been plagued by all season long.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B.

Roell Preston ran several punts and kickoffs back, putting the Packers in good field position.  Sean Landetta continues his excellent punting, putting several balls inside the Eagles 20 and Ryan Longwell connected on his only attempt.  Tackling was superb on kickoff and punt coverage units consistently putting the Eagles offense in poor to average field position.  Overall the Packers special teams gets an A.

The Packers are 0 for 2 thus far on Monday Night and this week they play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa.  This is a game the Packers will use to make a statement to the rest of the league.  The Packers are still on of the elite teams in this league and will overcome their recent setbacks.  The Packers are also looking to improve a poor division record as they currently sit at 2-3.  Look for consistent play this week from the offense and the defense. 

My Pick

Packers 28          Buccaneers 20

The Packers offense suffered throughout the game due to injuries, turnovers, and penalties.  Derrik Holmes ran the ball effectively and did a better job than Dorsey Levens although Levens never really had enough carries to develop any kind of rythm.   Brett Favre and the Packers offense were plagued by fumbles.  I thought that both of Derrick Mayes fumbles were very key plays in the game.  The first fumble on the two point conversion that was ruled an incomplete pass and the second fumble which killed a Packers scoring drive which would have put the Packers ahead late in the game.    Losing center Frank Winters is a real killer.  The Packers were running with remarkable effectiveness before Winters left the game but the offense suffered considerably after.  That is a key injury although veteran Jeff Dallenbach should still play effectively.  Towards the end of the game I was wondering if the Packers were going to have to call in Max McGee and Boyd Dowler to run pass patterns.   Despite the injuries and turnovers and penalties, the Packers moved the ball.   Overall the Packers offense gets a B.

The Packers defense, despite giving up two long pass plays for touchdown, played a real sound game.  Reggie White was held in check but the Packers played real well against the run and against the pass.  Pressure on Trent Dilfer was not adequate enough although the defensive coverage was always tight.  Injuries in this game is a difficult thing to overcome and I believe in the situation the Packers were put in, that they came out OK.  Craig Newsome played through some pain as did a few other Packer players which goes to show that the Packers are trying their hardest to win.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B.

Roell Preston was never really a factor due to deep , high kicks and punts to go along with a real good Buccaneer coverage unit.  Ryan Longwell connected on all three of his field goal attempts.  The last kickoff of the game was a bit of a mystery,   Ryan Longwell kicked a high short kick that landed out of bounds.  This really hurt the Packers chances of obtaining good field position for the final desperation drive.   Overall the Packers special teams unit gets a C.

With two of the last three games at home the Packers are looking at running the table to have any reasonable chance of hosting the first round Wild Card game.  The Packers play the Bears this weekend at Lambeau and are looking to clinch a playoff spot with a win. 

My Pick

Packers 28   Bears 10

The Green Bay Packers defense got 3 sacks in a row late in the game, from Billy Lyons, Reggie White, and Santana Dotson, to thwart a late Bears charge in defeating the Chicago Bears 26-20.

The Packers offense played well at times and then struggled during other moments of the game.  Brett Favre and Dorsey Levens turned in fine performances.  Levens ran the ball well in obtaining his first 100 yard game of this season.  Brett Favre played well despite throwing two more interceptions, one in which the Bears ran back for a touchdown.  The offense played real well despite missing key players at key positions.  Derrick Mayes came up with some big catches and Antonio Freeman was a welcome sight on the field.  There were only a few dropped passes in the game.   The offensive line played fairly well but gave up a few sacks and had several penalties.  Credit should also be given to the Bears secondary.  Overall the Packers offense gets an B+.

The Packers defense played really well.  The Packers defense only gave up   the one big run at the very beginning of the game.  Tackling was extremely good.  Coverages were good for the most part with the exception of Curtis Conway beating the Packers corners deep on two plays.  (Conway dropped both passes)   The Packers pass rush did not make much of a showing until late in the game when the Packers needed it the most.  Back to back to back sacks by the Packers front line ended any chance of a Chicago comeback.  The Packers had two more dropped interceptions during the game, which is an area that the Packers have struggled in all season long.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B. 

The Packers special teams unit did not make much of a showing today.  Ryan Longwell connected on all four of his field goal attempts.  The Packers kickoff unit gave up a big kickoff return for a touchdown late in the game which made the game closer than what it was.  Roell Preston also fumbled twice, once on a punt return which was recovered by the Packers  and the other on the ensuing kickoff return in which the referee's said that Preston was down.  The Packers returns of punts and kicks were average at best.  Overall the Packers Special Teams unit gets a C-.

This week the Packers play the playoff hungry Tennessee Oilers (Titans) at sold out Lambeau field.  This will most likely be the Packers last home game of the season.   Look for another good game in which the Packers will prevail victors. 

My Pick

Packers 28   Oilers 17

The Green Bay Packers put together a good game in defeating the Tennessee Oilers 30-22.

The Packers offense played real well today.  Brett Favre connected with Antonio Freeman for three touchdowns and Dorsey Levens ran the ball with effectivness.    The offensive line played real well in aiding the Packers to run the ball and gave Favre ample protection and time to throw the ball.   Penalties were held to bare minimums.  The Packers offense is starting to come together and I look for more of the same going into the playoffs.    The Packers offense will be even more deadly when the likes of Robert Brooks and Tyrone Davis return from injury.   Overall the Packers offense gets an A.

The Packers defense has been the keystone to this team all season long.  The run defense was superb today in holding Oiler running back Eddie George to only 30 yards rushing and held containment against Steve McNair.  It seems that the Packers have been suceptable to the long ball all season long and today was no exception.  Overall tackling was good and penalties were held to a minimum.  Much like the offense, the Packers defense will do nothing but get better with the return of a healthy Vonnie Holliday, Craig Newsome, and Tyrone Williams.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B+.

The Packers special teams units played much better this game than in recent weeks.   Roell Preston had several nice kickoff and punt returns although his first punt return in which he fair caught the ball was one in which I felt that he should have returned.  Overall tackling on punt and kickoff coverage teams was outstanding.   Ryan Longwell is proving his value to the team, connecting on all three of his field goal attempts in adverse conditions.  Sean Landetta is another valued contributer consistantly punting the ball with effectiveness and pinning the opposition deep.  Overall the Packers Special teams unit gets an A.

The Packers play their final game of the regular season against the Chicago Bears.   Look for the Packers to continue their fine tuning in getting ready for the playoffs.  The Packers have a chance at hosting the first wild card game with a victory and a San Francisco loss. 

My Pick

Packers 35   Bears 20

In what could arguably be the best wild card game in league history, the San Francisco 49ers scored on a 25 yard scoring pass on the last play of the game to defeat the Green Bay Packers 30-27.

The Packers offense played well.  Brett Favre led the team to what almost was the game winning touchdown.  Dorsey Levens rushed for over a hundred yards and was a force for the Packers, especially in the first half.  The receivers did a good overall job of  catching the ball and only had a few drops.  The offensive line played well in blocking for Favre and also played well in run blocking for Levens.  A few key holding penalties and offsides penalties were the offensive units only problem of the day.  Overall the Packers offense gets a B+.

The Packers defense played well, despite allowing the game winning touchdown pass on the last play of the game.  The defensive line of the Packers was never much of a factor in a game in which Reggie White played his final game in quiet fashion.   Pressure on quarterback Steve Young was not acceptable, although the Packers often only rushed 3-4 down lineman at a time.  The Packers secondary played real well throughout the game in limiting Steve Young to minimal yardage.  Tackling was good as well except on the last drive in which the Packers missed a few tackles which could have hurt the 49ers chances of scoring.  Overall the Packers defense gets a B.

The Packers Special teams unit did not turn in a stellar performance.  Roell Preston was never much of a factor and also had a fumbled punt.  Tackling on coverage units was good and Sean Landetta punted the ball with effectiveness.  Ryan Longwell missed a 50 yard field goal.  Overall the Packers special teams unit gets a C.

The 1998 season is over for the Green Bay Packers and it looks as though there are a lot of question marks for 1999.  Will Mike Holmgren return?  Who will coach the Packers next season/  Will Antonio Freeman return?  Will Robert Brooks be able to overcome his injuries and return to his All-Pro status?  Will the Packers find a replacement for Reggie White?   These are just a few of many questions the Packers will answer during this next coming season.    I look forward to next season and also to the way the Packers handle themselves.

For those of you who have read my page on a weekly basis I hope you have enjoyed my views on the Packers as the season progressed.    I hope to continue doing this next season, as it provides a bit of venting after each game.

Many people have asked me about how I feel about Ray Rhodes being named the new Packers coach.  Many people think I am upset about this hiring or a little disgusted about it but this couldn't be farther from the truth. 

I feel that the Packers were due for a much needed shakeup and now is a perfect time for this.  With consistency comes complacency, and the Packers have been consistent in many ways throughout the Holmgren era and have played with a lot of complacency this season.  Ray Rhodes brings in fresh philosophies and ideas and a fierceness that the previous coach didn't have.   Regardless of what has happened in the past two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Ray Rhodes is the best coach for the job.  Many people have questioned Ron Wolf's decisions in the past  and many people are questioning the hiring of Rhodes.   The majority of the decisions that Wolf has made have been good decisions,   bringing in an inexperienced coach in Holmgren,  trading draft picks and players for Brett Favre are just some of the more noticeable decisions that Wolf has made.   Ron Wolf has been successful with every team he has been with,  so credit and trust must be placed in Wolf for his decisions.    So my message to all Packers fans around the globe is "stick with the Packers and Rhodes, and let all the other bandwagon fans eat crow this time next season".

Congratulations to the Denver Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons on their Super Bowl berths.

My pick

Denver 48     Atlanta 21

Go Pack.