Tom Crabtree found the end zone early and the Packers finally turned the running game over to James Starks (23 carries for 123 yards) but it was the Defense that held on to this victory for Green Bay. Cornerback Tramon Williams picked off Michael Vick in the end zone to crush a late charge by the Eagles. The Packers escaped the Michael Vick experience with a 21-16 victory.
Aaron Rodgers (18-27-180 3TD's) had just an average game but it was enough today as he gets his first ever playoff win. The Packers did fumble the ball four times and lost two of them. Also each Wide Receiver had a drop with the James Jones drop late in the first half being the reason Green Bay did not blow Philadelphia out.
Two missed field goals by the normally reliable David Akers are a huge reason that the season is over for the Eagles. The injury to DeSean Jackson and a hobbled Michael Vick were a big reason the Eagles could not hit the big plays we have become so accustomed to seeing them win with. Packers Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers really had the Eagles confused by not blitzing as often as expected. On a different day this could have been a step along the Eagles road to the Superbowl but as it is, the Packers move on and Atlanta is the next step along the road to Super Bowl XLV.
It is amazing how Green Bay keeps coming up with players who can step in and get the job done. With 15 players on Injured reserve and three more who could not go today, is there any team with greater depth than the Green Bay Packers?
The Offensive Line played much better today, very few penalties, and great run blocking and blocking on screens on a windy day where a running game is even more important that normal. The Packers know it will take a better performance in the passing game to pull out a win over the Falcons. Expect another nail bitter on Saturday night in the Georgia Dome!
The surprising Seattle Seahawks will now travel to Chicago in the other NFC Divisional round match up. It would appear that the winner of Green Bay at Atlanta would figure to represent the NFC in February at Dallas stadium BUT this is the NFL where anything can happen!
Rodgers had an average game only because of his receivers dropping balls. He likely throws for 275 yards and 4 or 5 TDs if guys could hang on to the ball and the Packers win by 10+. Good game overall for the green and gold.
ReplyDeleteA PACK win against Atlanta would be nice, but no use to speculate...that is why the games are played. Hopefully we will end up with a BEAR/PACKER NFC championship game. AS a fan of both teams, I could not lose. I would be pulling for the PACK, of course. Time will tell.
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