NFL First Quarter Report Card: Green Bay Packers

Just when the Green Bay Packers thought they had escaped the horrendous officiating that cost them the win against the Seattle Seahawks, it reappeared Sunday at home vs. the New Orleans Saints. This time they got the win, in large part thanks to an offense that had really been struggling in their first 3 games. Their offense has been so bad in fact that Sunday marked the first time they scored a touchdown in the 1st quarter. The problems for the Packers could be credited to opposing defenses making adjustments from last season. Finally, after 3 games the Packers made changes of their own, and started using Cedric Benson to help open up the passing game and become more of a dual threat

On the defensive side of the football, it is a bit of a mixed bag for the Packers. In the first 3 games, it appeared the elite defense of old finally had come back. That all changed against the Saints, when Drew Brees passed for 446 yards and 3 TD’s. The biggest problem I had with the Packers defense is zero turnovers. We know they are going to give up yards, but if this secondary can’t get at least 1 interception, they could be in trouble. Fortunately, I don’t think this will end up being an issue. Clay Matthews already has 7 sacks this season, and I think he will do even better the rest of the way. If this defense can play like they did in the first 3 weeks, this team will win the NFC.

Passing:

Aaron Rodgers: 109 completions of 156 attempts for 1,064 yards// 7 TD’s and 3 INT’s

Tim Masthay: 1 completion of 1 attempt for 27 yards// 1 TD

Rushing:

Cedric Benson: 64 rushes for 228 yards// 1 TD

Aaron Rodgers: 15 carries for 51 yards

John Kuhn: 4 carries for 8 yards

Randall Cobb: 2 rushes for 48 yards

Receiving:

Jordy Nelson: 21 receptions for 260 yards// 1 TD

Jermichael Finley: 19 receptions for  187 yards//1 TD

Randall Cobb: 18 receptions for 162 yards

James Jones: 16 receptions for 191 yards//3 TD’s

Greg Jennings: 12 receptions for 78 yards//1 TD

Tackles:

A.J Hawk: 33 tackles

Morgan Burnett: 29 tackles

D.J Smith: 27 tackles

Sacks:

Clay Matthews: 7 Sacks

Charles Woodson: 1.5 Sacks

Nick Perry: 1 Sack

Interceptions:

Tramon Williams 2 INT’s

Charles Woodson 1 INT

Jerron McMillian 1 INT

Now the Green Bay Packers head out on the road against the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and St. Louis Rams. It will be a tough stretch for a 2-2 Packers team, but also a chance to prove they still rank amongst the best in the NFL. If their offense can play with the type of success they did against the Saints, they could be in for a big 2nd half.

Grade: B