PRN Sorgi : Ryan Pickett

Packers 27, Seahawks 17: The In-Game Blog

Jay_Sorgi — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:31:28 GMT

4th Quarter

6:14 p.m. 0:00 Packers' 4th Drive
Hmm...so far, my prediction is right. If Rodgers and company just do their job here, again, I reign supreme among the experts.

Ryan Grant is just mopping up on the ground, wasting clock, and linemen absolutely enjoy run-blocking the clock out, mauling tired opponents. Ryan Grant, 91 yards on 33 carries. I'll take a 2.6-ish average when it helps the Packers' passing game.

Unsung hero, Ryan Grant. Way to make my prediction stand up in the end, too.

6:04 p.m. 3:14 Seahawks' 3rd Drive
Green Bay 27, Seattle 17
Frye-Colbert 5 TD pass

115 yards of offense for Seattle so far. Make that 142 after a 27-yard run by Frye. Not good.

Worse is the late hit on Kampman for a roughing the passer. Questionable call.

Nice catch in the middle by Keary Colbert. Too little, too late, hopfully.

5:56 p.m. 5:28 Packers' 3rd Drive
Now it's run clock down and kick the Seahawks' butts with the running game. They're taking time outs wth 5:32 left. Telling that they're desprate.

However, Ruvell Martin missed a possible catch and gave Seattle life - if you call needing three scores with 5:28 left life.

5:54 p.m. 6:22 Seahawks' 2nd Drive
The Packers' pass rushers can now pin their ears back and rush Frye like nuts. A penalty wiped out a Colin Cole sack, giving the Seahawks life across the 50 yard line.

TRAMON WILLIAMS! Great job of coverage on Koren Robinson, perfect textbook coverage!

5:46 p.m. 8:59 Packers' 2nd Drive
Green Bay 27, Seattle 10
Mason Crosby 50 yd FG
A 2nd down sack outside the 40 yard line REALLY hurts and puts them in danger of not scoring. A conversion here could take the air out of Seattle...but he gets a short pass completion to the 33.

Field goal? Right down the middle, 50 yarder!

We like 24-0 scoring runs, too.

5:42 p.m. 10:26 Seahawks' 1st Drive
Charles Woodson - another INT! What is this? 4 picks, all in the 4th quarter? WOW!

5:36 p.m. 11:23 Packers' 1st Drive
Another 3rd down play, another CLUTCH catch by a wideout...this time Driver to the 22. Give these guys credit - they are getting hit hard but making plays.

WOW! 29:11 to 17:17 time of possession advantage. We like it. Sometimes it's an overrated stat, but it's making the defense tired.

Another BIG 3rd down play by a wideout! This time, Jordy Nelson on the sidelines. All smiles on the Packers' sidelines.

2nd and goal at the one...JOHN KUHN catch in the end zone!!!! What a drive, Aaron! 15 plays, 84 yards!

3rd Quarter

5:29 p.m. 0:00 Packers' 4th Drive
3rd down and 6 at the 18: Jennings with a great sidestep play on the sideline...a Baryshnikov-like move. Again, another great throw by Rodgers to Jennings...the younger of Rodgers' meal tickets for a 13-yard scramble and pass.

Rodgers is nimble again making a 16-yard run and dodge-the-tackler-out-of-bounds. Slick, as is the extra five yards on Trufant for defensive holdlng, going to the Seattle 35. This time, Seattle's making the boo-boo's and the Packers aren't. Great coaching job, Coach McCarthy.

5:21 p.m. 4:26 Seahawks' 3rd Drive
Nick Collins attacked Julius Jones along the sideline like a heat-seeking missle for a two-yard gain on 2nd and 10...then Aaron Karmpman by himself ate Frye for lunch. Latte with that?

5:15 p.m. 5:56 Packers' 3rd Drive
Green Bay 17, Seattle 10
Rodgers-Jennings 45 TD pass
WHAT A THROW by Rodgers on the bomb! He couldn't even step into it and had to just use his injured arm! Also, Jennings beating an All-Pro in Trufant!

5:11 p.m. 7:37 Seahawks' 2nd Drive
Colin Cole making another BIG play to create another three-and-out, knocking down a 3rd and two pass! Great return, too, by Blackmon to shimmy and Jimmy and get 15 yards out of nothing.

5:07 p.m. 8:28 Packers' 2nd Drive
Someone stop this three-and-out fest going on. Greg Jennings does on a square out across the 50 for a first down. Thank you!

Uh oh...3rd and 11? Puhleeze, guys....Driver made the catch but was pushed short of the first down. But that's not so bad because they can pin the Seahawks back deep into their own territory. Frost does a good job - 17 yard line.

5:01 p.m. 12:11 Seahawks' 1st Drive
Seattle driven back to its 22...oh no...a 51 yard run for Julius Jones, but what a way for an old Packer to help out! Mike Wahle for holding on Johnny Jolly. Seeing the replay - he had the top of Jolly's "9" on the jersey. That set up the punt by Seattle.

Aaron Rouse has a head injury. He's out for the rest of the game. The secondary is thinner than Kate Moss.

4:54 p.m. 14:06 Packers' 1st Drive
Big 3rd and nine to "start" the drive and he overshot Driver after underthrowing Jennings earlier. Aaron, not the time to get cold. Hmm...who pulled Jarrett Bush' helmet off? Oh, he's complaining to the Seattle sideline about it. After the kick, a 10 yarder on Seattle.

2nd Quarter

4:31 p.m. 1:08 Packers' 2nd Drive
Green Bay 10, Seattle 10
Aaron Rodgers 1 yd TD run
Another 3rd down situation, this time 3rd and seven - NOT where the Packers want to be...but a GREAT catch by Driver at the Seattle 44, getting a helmet-to-helmet hit by Tatupu. Read below the whole commentary on cannonballs coming at you.

Ryan Grant busted through again for another first down! He isn't doing a heck of a lot in open space, just a bunch of attitude runs which can shut up the Seattle crowd.

Pass to Driver complete and a FACE MASK on Seattle's defense. Driver nearly got his neck pulled out of his socket. Lovely!

Even more lovely, or maybe not, a nice motion penalty on Green Bay on first down.

Nice first down throw to Jennings on an improvised play to get the first down at the 2 yard line...huh? Really bad spot there....PHEW!!! That's a relief. 1st Down.

QB sneak on 2nd down? Just short....or they're reviewing it? He extended the ball over the line, but was his knee down beforehand? More like it was down on 20 different guys underneath him on the pile...

The ruling? TOUCHDOWN!!! Boo all you want, 12th man!

4:10 8:17 Seahawks' 2nd Drive
Seattle 10, Green Bay 7
Frye-Carlson 6 yd TD pass
3rd and short - GREAT stuffing by Poppinga and Thompson on Duckett, but on 4th down, much more by Duckett for nine yards (stepping out earlier than he thought). Still a big momentum swing.

I have to say that Duckett's big head in that steel blue Seahawk colors looks like a cannonball coming at you. Another reason why I don't play defense in the NFL as a career.

Big 3rd and 2 on the six...Frye hits the tight end Carlson who does a half gainer into the end zone. Worse, Woodson's limping.

4:05 11:42 Packers' 1st Drive
Crowd gets a little louder - more space shuttle than 747, but a couple Ryan Grant runs create a managable 3rd down and 3. Managable, until Julian Peterson beat his guy and forced a Rodgers fumble that Seattle records. Really, it wasn't Chad Clifton's fault...Rodgers stepping up gave the opening.

3:58 13:10 Seahawks' 1st Drive
Green Bay 3, Seattle 3
Olindo Mare 51 yd FG
Starting the second quarter, Aaron Kampman makes a BIG first down sack by Kampman to drive them to the GB 36. I love what Wayne said in his conversation with Iowa's Kirk Ferentz - no chance Kampman makes the Pro Bowl based on what he looked like in college.

Still, Olindo Mare makes a long-distance kick. Mare's got to be 51 years old.

1st Quarter

3:52 0:00 Seahawks' 3rd Drive (to be continued)
Charles Woodson, can you make any more big plays in different ways? Another play - a sack of five yards. But then Koren Robinson - did we really have to give him up? He went back to his old team and made a circus catch for a first down.

I said the Packers needed to win first and second down to beat the Seahawks. They're winning first, but not second - a great run by Julius Jones to just get on the cusp of field goal range. Who said he couldn't run tough?

3:45 p.m. 2:25 Packers' 2nd Drive
Green Bay 3, Seattle 0
Mason Crosby 29 yd FG
The 12th man in Seattle sounds louder than Hendrix (from Seattle) doing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock. Great way to shut up the crowd is with a march...and a great eight-yard square out to Nelson starts said drive. Nelson looks hurt, but is sticking it out.

Awesome effort by Driver to wrestle out of Marcus Trufant's grasp to get a first down on another square-out. It's like stealing for Rodgers right now.

AAAAAAAA! Jason Spitz! I don't care if 10 747's fly over you - you must concentrate past the noise and not get a false start penalty on 1st down.

Packers make it up? They got to 3rd and inches, and a 1st down by Rodgers on his 35,189th QB sneak of the season. (They run it pretty often, anyway.)

A 3rd and 10 on the 20, and Nelson's one yard short of the first down on a slant pattern, forcing the field goal, and McCarthy's not happy about missing that first down.

3:31 p.m. 8:37 Seahawks' 2nd Drive
What can the Packers do after pinning the Hawks' back? Stuff the Hawks with a three-and-out. Great pursuit on 3rd down by Cole and Barnett. Ryan blasts a bomb of a punt - 62 yards, but he outkicked his coverage and Blackmon still got good field position at the GB 46.

3:25 p.m. 11:45 Packers' 1st Drive
We're liking 2nd and 2's, and easy Ryan Grant runs for first downs to start a drive. Even better is Grant getting to the 3rd level on consecutive plays for a 16-yard run.

3rd and 5 at the SEA 40:.this time they go too many times to the well for a two-yard loss on a strung-out end run.

Crosby with a 60 yard attempt?? He'd better make this. Huh? Time out? If Crosby misses, Seattle gets the ball at the 50 yard line. Ah, better heads prevail with a punt. A fair catch at the nine. Great punt by Frost.

3:20 p.m. 13:33 Seahawks' 1st Drive
Hmmm...first play - KGB beating all-universe tackle Walter Jones on the first play.

AAA!!! Thank you, refs, for the illegal touching on the punting team on a call where the ball might have gone off of Jarrett Bush and gone back to Seattle.

Pregame Updates

3:13 p.m.
The Packers call heads, it's tails, and the Seahawks get the football to start.

3:01 p.m.
Injury update: who's out?

Green Bay - S Atari Bigby (hamstring), CB Al Harris (spleen), DE Jason Hunter (hamstring), WR James Jones (knee), DE Michael Montgomery (ankle)
Seattle - WR Deion Branch (foot), QB Matt Hasselbeck (knee)

2:11 p.m.
Charlie Frye WILL start for the Seahawks, as Matt Hasselbeck is listed as the number three QB for Seattle.

Packers-Falcons: What I Think

Jay_Sorgi — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 07:14:23 GMT

Here's the keys for the Packers to beat Atlanta on Sunday (in a game they'd better win if they want to win the NFC North):

What to watch for when the Packers have the ball?

Whether Aaron Rodgers' medical doctors or Matt Flynn's sports psychologist worked.

If Rodgers can throw with some level of effectiveness, the Packers can go to their full arsenal. If not, Green Bay throws a quarterback into the fire who has no reason for confidence with the way he's thrown in game situations in a Packers uniform.

What to watch for when the Falcons have the ball?

Someone on the defensive line to actually tie up blockers while stopping the run.

With the so-far dominant Cullen Jenkins laid up for the year due to injury, Pickett and Jolly have got to play nearly superhuman, and KGB/Colin Cole have to get their motor on the same end, or Michael Turner will gash the Packers' run defense like Marion Barber and Warrick Dunn did previously this year, which will also make life easier for Matt Ryan at QB.

Who wins and why?

Green Bay 20, Atlanta 17.

But that is contingent upon Rodgers starting. I have no reason for confidence if Matt Flynn is the guy behind center. He'd lose in the battle of Irish Matthew's.

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)