PRN Sorgi : Al Harris

Packers-Colts: What I Predict

Jay_Sorgi — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

It's Peyton Manning vs. Aaron Rodgers.

It's Ryan Grant against a Joseph Addai-less Colts running game.

It's Harrison and Wayne against an Al Harris-less Packers' secondary.

What are the keys for Green Bay?

When the Packers have the ball: Productivity from their possessions.
It's one thing if the Packers control the ball for a long time, but against the suddenly re-explosive Colts, you can't go on long drives and not get something out of them. The Packers must avoid going on six or seven-minute drives that just result in turnovers or Mason Crosby field goals.

36 minutes of possession and a TD and four Crosby 3-pointers on the board won't cut it against a team that can score anywhere at anytime.

When the Colts have the ball: Please, don't blitz.
The same Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne the '08 Packers will face Sunday played them in 2004. In that game, the Colts' passing game completely decimated Green Bay's early blitzes for 320 first-half yards and five scoring throws.

It's better to drop seven or eight guys back and force Manning to throw underneath (with linebackers and safeties limiting the yards-after-catch) than let Harrison and Wayne streak past you, like they did against the Ravens' then-top ranked defense last week. With no Joseph Addai, the Packers can afford to do that, too.

My prediction and why: Indianapolis 31, Green Bay 27.
This game will be nip and tuck, and close, late game situations against playoff-caliber teams haven't recently gone the Packers' way. They let Tampa Bay and Atlanta beat them this year due to late mistakes, and even last year, the Dallas game and the NFC final against the Giants turned into defeats.

Peyton Manning usually doesn't lose these games.

If Rodgers pulls out a late win over the current king of NFL quarterbacks, he may prove that he ranks as a top 10 NFL quarterback in more ways that just statistics.

Packers-Bucs: The Sad In-Game Blog

Jay_Sorgi — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:04:00 GMT

4th Quarter

3:10 p.m,. :46 Packers' 4th Drive
Ball goes on downs to Tampa Bay after Flynn can't get it done on a four-and-out.

3:05 p.m. 1:58 Bucs' 3rd Drive
Buccaneers 30, Packers 21
Graham goes to the GB 1 yard line and pretty much ends it. Adding injury to insult: Collins looked like he got hurt.

Graham finishes off the Packers

2:59 p.m. 2:12 Packers' 2nd Drive
The pooch directional kick goes out of bounds and Rodgers comes in with the ball at the GB 40.

Rodgers INT'd by Gaines Adams as he got destroyed by a rushing lineman. Nothing he could do.

2:56 p.m. 2:26 Bucs' 2nd Drive
Buccaneers 23, Packers 21
Bryant 24 yd FG
The drive starts at the GB 36 thanks to a bad punt, and the D-tackles are doing nothing as Graham goes seven yards on 1st down.

Rodgers is out of the game thanks to the shoulder injury which he suffered while trying to scramble for a 1st down.

Graham ran for a first and ANOTHER DB injury - Aaron Rouse, knee injury. Griese scrambles for a first down at the 13 yard line, and Griese proves he's a non-athletic statue who can scramble for key yards.

As time continues to drain in the game, under five minutes, 3rd-5 at the 7 - stuffed short of the 1st down. Not only was Bishop's hit big, but it means a score comes earlier and gives Flynn/Rodgers/whoever more time with 2 time outs left.

2:47 p.m. 8:30 Packers' 2nd Drive
The Matt Flynn era begins with Rodgers on the sidelines and Flynn doing NOTHING.

2:43 p.m. 9:40 Buccaneers' 2nd Drive
They're running a lot of Earnest Graham to try to milk the clock. Cool. Rest Rodgers' arm more, please?

There has got to be a serious butterfingers problem on a big 20 yard completion where Griese avoids Jenkins...and Jenkins looks hurt. That is not what we want, either. He's hurt.

Pass interference on Clayton - but he really didn't do much. We got away with one.

2:29 p.m. 14:33 Buccaneers' 1st Drive
Packers 21, Buccaneers 20
Woodson 58 INT return TD
Shoulder injury on Rodgers - "questionable" - but Wayne seemed to think Rodgers said "I'm OK" on the sidelines.

Why is Michael Clayton matched up on A.J. Hawk? A crossing pattern to get into GB territory.

CHARLES WOODSON! THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SAVING OUR HIDES! He took the ball right from Warrick Dunn on an INT and went to the house.

That helps Rodgers rest his shoulder.

3rd Quarter

2:25 p.m. 0:00 Buccaneers' 3rd Drive
Rodgers got hurt on the TD pass - Matt Flynn coming in? PLEASE, no! A right-arm issue, but he warms up and is OK.

Bryant was double covered on a deep pass...Larry: "Say what?" Called on Aaron Rouse.

2:21 p.m. 1:46 Packers' 3rd Drive
Buccaneers 20, Packers 14
Rodgers-Jennings 48 TD pass
Ryan Grant has GOT to get better blocking, because Chris Hovan just pushed Ryan Grant back like a blocking sled on 2nd and 10. 3rd-16? Jennings on the slant!!!! HUGE TOUCHDOWN!!!!!! That changes games, people. He's "just fast enough" to be the slowest game-breaker in the NFL!

2:18 p.m. 4:02 Bucs' 3rd Drive
Nick Collins must come from the Julius "The Doctor" Erving and Michael Jordan school of hops, because he showed about a 900' vertical to INT Griese.

2:15 p.m. 4:36 Packers' 3rd Drive
Thanks for the late hit to, at last, give Green Bay good field position when they need it, BIG TIME. GB 40 for first down. 3rd and 8...Rodgers has to scramble, but Elbert Mack stops him two yards short of the yellow line.

2:10 p.m. 6:00 Packers' 2nd Drive
Buccaneers 20, Packers 7
Phelps 38 yd fumble return TD
One play, Grant fumble, Jermaine Phelps returns the fumble for the score. What is this, Ahman Green-itis? Nope...Derrick Brooks just hit the ball with his helment. BETTER PROTECTION, Grant!

2:07 p.m. 6:29 Bucs' 2nd Drive
1st and 20 - WILLIAMS! If you just hold on to the ball on the near pick you dropped, it's a touchdown. We are AGAIN PROVING we cannot tackle Warrick Dunn. He has 84 combined yards already. 3rd down INT - penalty of a late hit on Aaron Kampman? What are you thinking, ref? Are you watching Brewers-Cubs or something?

Johnny Jolly! You must be hungry...on first down, eating Warrick Dunn for lunch. Nick Collins on a nice 3rd down stop.

1:56 p.m. 9:43 Packers' 1st Drive
1st down - uh, will you ever, Aaron, throw to another WR besides Jennings? Nice play to Greg on 2nd down, but not enough for a first, and a stuffed run kills Green Bay again. The ball bounces at the two on the punt but Patrick Lee can't bat it out of the end zone.

1:51 p.m. 12:22 Buccaneers' 1st Drive
Bucs start their first drive in a much worse position than the average - the GB 47 - in the first half. Not for Green Bay - the TB 24. Well, maybe not - Crosby gets him near the TB 45. OK, special teams. We don't like kickers making tackles.

Graham is exploding off the line, thanks to a gaping hole. 20 yards, on 1st down, and Ryan Pickett again is doing NOTHING defensively on the line. Repeat of last week. Same thing on the Dunn run left side.

Why the heck are they exploding cannons on runs into the red zone? Annoying.

Tramon Williams Johnny on the spot and he's got a caravan before going out of bounds - the pass through the hands of Clayton. Explode a cannon for that!!!

2nd Quarter

1:23 p.m. 1:32 Packers' 3rd Drive
After a Barrett Ruud sack...BRANDON JACKSON you are the lifesaver - 18 yard gain to produce a 3rd and short. A third and short that Jennings butterfingers - HOW COULD YOU DO THAT? They're going for it on 4th and 10 with :10 left?? It has to go to the sideline - out of bounds to Jennings - Tampa Bay gets the ball.

1:23 p.m. 1:07 Bucs' 3rd Drive
Bryant 36 FG
A heck of a stop by Cullen Jenkins on 1st down. 2nd Down - Collins, you HAVE to hold on to that overthrown pass!! That's what makes great defensive backs instead of average ones. But Earnest Graham gained a first down at the GB 21, which makes me sick - though it's eased when Jeremy Trueblood gets the false start to set up a 1st and 15.

Can we stop Warrick Dunn? Ryan Pickett and Aaron Kampman had them wrapped up and couldn't.

But thanks to another Packers stop, Bryant has to kick a 36 yard field goal.

1:12 p.m. 5:27 Packers' 3rd Drive
Great gain by Jennings on a pass from Rodgers across the field - the first BIG play this team has had and they needed it. A sack by Wilkerson, though, partially negated the big play.

Then, Rodgers made his first costly mistake of the season - an INT, overthrowing Driver, to Barrett Ruud.

1:06 p.m. 6:47 Packers' 2nd Drive
Matt Bryant 23 FG
Well, the Bucs seem to be using Earnest Graham more to try and run down the clock and make the Packers' defenders tired. And it seems like Nick Barnett is feeling the effects - if that's a proper excuse for Barnett's missed tackle on Warrick Dunn that extended his gain another 10 yards into the red zone.

Love the end zone pass coverage by A.J. Hawk on Jerramy Stevens to force the 4th down and field goal.

Pray for Matt Bryant. He lost his child this week in what seemed to be a freak accident. Regardless of whether he's in another uniform, it's a tragedy.

1:00 p.m. 11:13 Packers' 2nd Drive
Desmond Bishop gets nailed for a personal foul call, and...oh no...Will Blackmon is injured? Do I need to get in training to play d-back for the Packers??? This is getting insane!

That penalty and a horrific 1st down run forces a three-and-out that puts the Bucs in prime field position - and as a matter of fact, they BARELY avoided a punt block for a safety.

12:52 p.m. 12:09 Bucs' 1st Drive
Packers 7, Buccaneers 7
Griese-Alex Smith 9 yd TD pass
A flag later than the service we often get when we go get fast food near Radio City...Charles Woodson for illegal contact. I think those fast food restaurants trained the refs.

2nd down and 7 - see what happens when blockers get tied up by Pickett and Jolly? Linebackers like "Badabinga" Poppinga come to the runing back!

3rd down - Bryant beat Blackmon this time on the slant for a first down.

1st-goal, Michael Montgomory had a chance to tackle Alex Smith and, as Wayne put it - whiffed.

12:44 p.m. 14:51 Packers' 1st Drive
A pass through the hands of Brandon Jackson leads to Derrick Brooks INT'ing Rodgers. Not his fault, but the stat sheet doesn't care.

1st Quarter

12:41 p.m. 0:00 Packers' 3rd Drive
3rd-down - Hey! Donald Lee can catch when the ball is thrown at his numbers! Nice first down catch in traffic.

We don't love 1st down holding penalties...but Ryan Grant got good yardage to save a 9 yard loss before a 2 yard gain - and Colledge and Phillips go fighting.

12:35 p.m. 2:42 Bucs' 2nd Drive
1st-10 to start the drive: the theme continues. Rodgers hit Donald Lee in the head. This time, Brian Griese hits a ref in the head. The ref has a little less advantage - no helmet to bounce off of. But a 3rd down holding penalty on Charles Woodson keeps the drive alive.

Antonio Bryant turned Nick Collins and Tramon Williams into Tampa Bay toast, but Griese overcooked the throw and missed him. It could have been curtains.

Warrick Dunn still has moves, still is quick in the hole despite being older than 99% of biblical characters, as he proved on a 2nd down play near midfield. But on the next play, Charles Woods made another awesome play one-on-one against Maurice Stovall. Woodson is such a tough stud besides being an awesome athlete.

12:26 p.m. 6:00 Packers' 2nd Drive
Another 3rd and 1 - and Ryan Grant made another great first down. We like these third and ones, so as to not allow to allow Rodgers to get his head cut off by Tampa Bay's great speed rush.

Another 3rd, this time 5, and for the second time, Rodgers had to simply throw a football away or avoid a sack because Tampa Bay's secondary is playing spectacular.

12:19 p.m. 8:58 Bucs' 1st Drive
Tramon Williams and Johnny Jolly were the heroes on this defensive three-and-out. Jolly stuffed a 2nd down run, and Williams showed he was up to the task on 3rd down with blanket coverage.

12:13 p.m. 10:42 Packers' 1st Drive
Green Bay 7, Tampa Bay 0
Rodgers-Jennings 25 yd TD pass
A great Blackmon return got them into Tampa territory, but a Ryan Grant run got them just short. Even if it doesn't work on 4th...good to go for it...uh, did Rodgers get the sneak for the first? (That's his 39,288th sneak this season, seemingly.) By half a football!!!! Phew.

(2nd down at TB 49) Let's see, Donald Lee, when you see a pass coming for you right at your head, you might want to put your hands up a little faster than you did, so it doesn't hit you in la cabeza. (Spanish teachers, feel free to help me with how I spell mi espanol.)

Jordy Nelson, you apparaently know how to catch better than Lee did. Thank you.

Ronde Barber, you apparently don't have the panache of your brother Tiki , nor his ability to avoid slipping when Greg Jennings burns you for a TD!

11:53 a.m.
Injury report:
Packers: S Atari Bigby (hamstring), FB Korey Hall (knee), CB Al Harris (spleen), WR James Jones (knee), RB Kregg Lumpkin(hamstring)
Buccaneers: FB B.J. Askey (hamstring), WR Joey Galloway (foot), G Devin Joseph (foot)

Packers vs. Buccaneers: What To Watch For

Jay_Sorgi — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:33:00 GMT

How about a recovery? The Packers need a big recovery, not just a bounce back after the debacle against Dallas.

Here's how they can do it:

When the Packers have the ball: Healthy back, healthy O-line, healthy time of possession.

At last, the Packers have their full arsenal back on both the offensive line and the running back slot with Ryan Grant. Turn him loose, especially with draws and screens to make the Bucs' defensive speed work against them. That, and keep the ball in your hands to make the Bucs' defense tired and frustrated in the fourth quarter while the Packers offense is tired but successful.

When the Buccaneers have the ball: Front four domination.

The Packers' defensive backs belong in Bellin Hospital, not a football field. No Al Harris, probably no Atari Bigby, and Charles Woodson and Aaron Rouse not 100%. Coverage sacks won't happen. Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly must tie O-linemen up on 1st and 2nd down and let the Packers' top-flight linebackers fly to the football and create 3rd and longs. Then Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins and company MUST own those downs to take the pressure off the secondary.

Who wins and why? Packers 24, Buccaneers 21.

Tampa Bay came back on Chicago last week because the Bears can't score points. The Packers can, and even against a great defense, they'll do enough to steal the win in the Gulf heat and humidity. Look for a buzzer-beating "dagger" from Mason Crosby.

Cowboys 27, Packers 16 - The In-Game Blog

Jay_Sorgi — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:11:24 GMT

4th Quarter

10:35 p.m. 0:10 Packers' 3rd Drive
Driver tried the Cal-Stanford miracle play - Driver nailed for a second forward pass.

Later on, Brandon Jackson rushes out of bounds five yards short of the first down. Final nail in the proverbial coffin.

10:23 p.m. 2:11 Cowboys' 3rd Drive
A miss on the onside kick with a recovery one yard short of the 10 yard requirement...and you can put it to bed.

Going for it on fourth down and 8? Isn't that rubbing it in? Finally, they stop the Romo to Witten Machine.

10:19 p.m. 2:11 Packers' 3rd Drive
Dallas 27, Green Bay 16
Three TD's in 5:34?

Well, nice two-minute offense - four straight completions by Rodgers...five straight with Jennings' catch.

Jordy Nelson with a couple nice catches, as the Packers kept moving the chains on a pride-or-let's-make-a-miracle-drive.

Rodgers does the QB sneak for the score.

10:07 p.m. 5:34 Cowboys' 2nd Drive
Colin Cole was held during Bennett's 37-yard completion - not called. Hmm. Wonder. Barber blasting past the line of scrimmage again. Hmm, wonder. Cowboys destroying on time of possesion. Hmm, wonder.

Barber must own the record for 5-10 yard runs in one game ever. This is pathetic.

Barber, though, with Will Blackmon producing a takeaway. A rare moment of brilliance against a briiliant Cowboys offense. First down at the GB 13.

10:00 p.m. 8:44 Packers' 2nd Drive
Well, we can tell so far the Packers are out of their league right now. On a 3rd and 10, with the Packers having to throw the whole time, it's a three-and-out after a Nelson tip incompletion.

9:54 p.m. 9:09 Cowboys' 1st Drive
Dallas 27, Green Bay 9
Romo-Austin 52 TD pass
Now the Cowboys are trying to drip, drip the clock. Felix Jones, 7 yards, first down. When did we ever become this weak run-stopping team? I guess when the Cowboys are involved.

Third down? Another completion to Witten, another first down. What is this, four of these? Romo had his eyes on him all the time and the Packers couldn't stop it. Just makes me sick.

So does a 12 yard Marion Barber run for another first down. This is getting ugly.

Owens' 2nd drop tonight! Haha...Romo hitting him in the hands. Worst spot for the obliterator. Then a very nice intentional grounding penalty, his 2nd. No Cowboys receiver in the 920 area code when he threw it.

Third and 20 at the Dallas 48: Caught by Miles Austin. Game, set, match...thanks to Romo's spectacular throw and Miles Austin pushing on Tramon Williams. What can we say? Ugh.

9:43 p.m. 13:06 Packers' 1st Drive
An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty forces the Packers to the 13...not smart...so the Packers have SERIOUS work to do.

Another 3rd down failure - Driver slant pattern tipped by Newman. Time's running out, boys.

3rd Quarter

9:25 p.m. 2:43 Packers' 2nd Drive
Great returns aoften get blown by late flags when it's on a change of direction...holding on Allen Barbre.

Now, Rodgers may have to force things at a time he doesn't want to, but the running game isn't going.

Then, Donald Lee goes early on the line, and on a 3rd and 12, Rodgers gets sacked by a great Dallas line - Ratliff against Moll. Folks, too many three and outs and it's death for the Packers.

9:16 p.m. 2:53 Cowboys' 2nd Drive
Cowboys 20, Packers 9
Time for a stop...but there's no stopping Witten, seemingly today, on a six-yard gain.

Romo wide open to Miles Austin to the 3 yard line and Collins slow to get up.

The Packers will be VERY slow to get up after Barber blasts up the middle for a 3 yard touchdown. This hurts, big time.

9:13 p.m. 5:58 Packers' 1st Drive
Cowboys 13, Packers 9
Mason Crosby 33 FG
Hmmm...is Brandon Jackson our answer to Marion the Barbarian? Action Jackson going nine yards, seven yards, but then Grant comes in and gets a couple attitude runs. I think they're stealing the Dallas playbook.

So is the bomb to Driver to 50 yards! Pac-Man, you've just been blown up!

But on 3rd down, traces of last year with an Anthony Henry blitz for a sack - forcing another field goal. Where's this world class offense?

9:04 p.m. 12:43 Cowboys' 1st Drive
Marion the Barbarian continues to blast through the line and gain big yards. Sadly, the more he gets rolling, the frothier he gets, the more he gets rolling. The Packers have to get Ryan Pickett moving to tie up blockers.

As of 13:40 in the game, we're trailling 165-35 in rushing yards.

Whoa...a three and out? Thanks, D, for stopping Barber and Romo throwing wide. Momentum shift?

2nd Quarter

8:44 p.m. 0:11 Cowboys' 3rd Drive
Dallas 13, Green Bay 6
Nick Folk 39 FG
I think the Packers are using Hawk now as a mirror on Barber, at least the first two plays of the drive.

3rd down: Jiminy Christmas, can you stop Witten? 1st down, 22 yard gain, and he split the safeties for that one.

Another third down and short? 13 yard line. Barber is simply unstoppable.

Second inside the four yard line? ROMO FUMBLE? Jenkins forced it...but who got it? Colin Cole had the football, but after Flozell Adams sat on him, the ball must have squirted loose and Adams got it.

Forces a field goal near the end of the half, a half which Dallas has absolutely dominated:

8:30 p.m. 4:29 Packers' 3rd Drive
Interesting pop-fly kick by Dallas that forces the Packers in back of their own 15 yard line. 87 yard drive, anyone?

Another punt, and thankfully - Rodgers nearly pulled a Favre and threw an ill-advised pass into desparation double coverage.

8:25 p.m. 6:04 Cowboys' 2nd Drive
Felix Jones 60 yd TD run
Can Dallas reach the end zone first, to the chagrin of Packers fans? Yes...after three plays, Felix Jones switches on the afterburners and says goodbye. Jason Witten with a great block on a linebacker.

8:19 p.m. 8:08 Packers' 2nd Drive
1st Down:, DAL 29 Another proof of Rodgers sometimes being smarter than Favre...unloading an uncompletable pass into the Dallas bench area.

Good pass coverage deep twice forces short throws, along with a nice holding penalty. Punting time. Oh well.

Punt return: a field "littered" with flags on Dallas.

8:13 p.m. 10:06 Cowboys' 1st Drive
Tramon Williams is now in corner as Al Harris is recovering from cramping. T.O. might give Williams a cramp or worse. Watch Dallas try to exploit that.

2nd down, DAL 24: Barber with the fumble after a catch - Tony Curtis spot on with the recovery after the hit by Chillar, but it's a first down. Some like it hot, I guess. (You non-classic movie fans should look up that title. Jack Lemmon in drag - funny. But I digress.)

Marion Barber already has 50 yards rushing. Not what we were expecting.

3rd down at the 50: Kampman and Cullen Jenkins scooping up the goodies on a coverage sack! I guess it helps when Woodson doesn't get called for defensive holding for snagging Owens' jersey in his fingers.

8:07 p.m. 12:38 Packers' 1st Drive
Packers 6, Cowboys 3
Crosby 37 FG
Well, we'd like it more if Rodgers can hold on to the ball, but he at least gets a bad snap back to end the first quarter.

An insane play by Rodgers for 14 yards and a first down to Driver in a Favre-like manner - but again, one that wasn't in danger of being intercepted. He must have learned a thing or two from the legend of Kiln.

3rd and 4 at the Dallas 20: Jones upends Jones - Pac-Man froggers James to deflect and force an incompletion. Oh well, we'll at least have the lead in this surprising field-goal game.

1st Quarter

8:00 p.m. :01 Cowboys' 2nd Drive
Stopping Felix Jones, Pac-Man Jones, Tom Jones, or any other Cowboys returner short of the 20 is ALWAYS an advantage with that spectacular offense. (Is it unusual to be loved by anyone?) The Packers did it this time - 18 yard line.

On two consecutive plays, Nick Barnett became the defensive focal point. When the Cowboys couldn't block him, he stuffed Barber, When they did, Barber got the first down. Watch that tonight.

Cullen Jenkins? Why did you tackle Barber after he already hit the deck at the 36 yard line? You're claiming he wasn't down? Oh, thank goodness the refs agreed with you.

Jason Witten makes a third down catch...but Larry makes a great point. Give him the six-yard square out, as long as he doesn't split safeties.

Crayton WR pass to Owens? Beautiful double coverage, and Owens could have been called for offensive pass interference. Way to stay at home, Woodson and Collins!

ANOTHER 3rd down and 8 at the 21: another completion to Witten. Maybe that six-yard square out that he turned to 10 yards isn't such a good idea to give up.

Great sack on 1st down by Kampman as the Packers did a great job defending the key pass.

3rd down and 13...INT! Collins with a great job...nice run back....whoa...to the Cowboys 42!!! That was a Favre-like forced pass that Romo threw there, and Collins took an easy pick.

7:42 p.m. 8:02 Packers' 2nd Drive
Packers 3, Cowboys 3
Mason Crosby 36 yd FG
Great play on the first snap to quickly respond and snag momentum with the completion to Jennings for 26 yards to the 48...that slant play should be there all night. Six yard runs by Grant all night should make up for the fumble and give Rodgers the lack of pressure that he needs tonight.

3rd down in Dallas territory - Jennings again! Running him in that slot on slants and hooks is REALLY there all night.

1st down at the DAL 11: Wayne: "(Grant) was eaten up by Tank Johnson." Most human beings would be eaten by that dude." 3rd down: I don't believe it! The Cowboys actually produced a coverage sack! The Cowboys can cover something on a rare occasion. Cue Mason Crosby...big one.

7:30 p.m. 13:14 Cowboys' 1st Drive
Dallas 3, Green Bay 0
Nick Folk 26 FG
A T.O. drop helps on 2nd down...nice to know he'd dependable for that. 3rd down...Romo hits Owens for a non-first down. Ain't that nice of the Cowboys to help us not get too hurt by Ryan Grant's miscue. Let's hope their generosity bites them in the Cowboy boot.

7:26 p.m. 14:39 Packers' 1st Drive
Oh no....Ryan Grant had the same fumbleitis he had against Seattle, and Pac-Man Jones recovered and advanced it to the 15. Dallas will take a LOT more advantage than Seattle did.

Pregame

7:04 p.m.
Who's out tonight for Green Bay?
S Atari Bigby (hamstring)
FB Korey Hall (knee)
WR Ruvell Martin (finger)
G Josh Sitton (knee)

Packers vs. Lions: The Lowdown

Jay_Sorgi — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:48:00 GMT

Key when the Packers have the ball:

Continuing Aaron Rodgers' comfortability factor. In the most ultimate crucible that a Packers quarterback has ever had to endure. Rodgers was nearly flawless, partially because he had usually outstanding pass protection against one of the best defensive lines in football. Keeping that going entering a tough two-game stretch after this, and not giving Dallas and Tampa Bay any weaknesses on film, is key. So is running the ball to lessen the chance that he'll spend time recovering from rugburn on his backside.

Key when the Lions have the ball:

Not playing many snaps. The Packers defense played 20 more snaps than the offense in the Packers' win. Rarely does victory happen when the snap numbers come this way. Fortunately, the Lions defense will give the Packers lots of three-and-out opportunities, or even shorter drives with Kitna's propensity for picks.

Prediction:

Packers 35, Lions 20. Watch Al Harris get burned for one deep touchdown by a talented Lions wideout. Watch Lions DB's get burned for two or three deep touchdowns by the widest arsenal of receivers in football.