"Chips Report" From Week 12 Packers Win vs. Lions

Aaron Rodgers once again had a fantastic game while Pat Lee's became a goat for being ejected. But who else earned our weekly distinctions in the Packers' win over the Lions?

Our weekly "Chips Report" will always include two blue chippers (outstanding, exceptional play), two red chippers (good, though maybe not great) and two cow chips (dud performances). From the Week 12 win over the Detroit Lions...

Blue Chips

  • Aaron Rodgers––Once again, Rodgers was his usual efficient self and played a large role in the Packers winning a key division game against the Lions. He completed 22 of 33 passes for over 300 yards with two touchdowns. Even bigger is the zero interceptions, which compared to Lions quarterback Matt Stafford, was a big difference in the game. Stafford threw three interceptions, which led to 17 Packers' points.
  • James Jones––Every week it seems as if it's a different Packers receiver that steals the spotlight. This week it was Jones who turned three catches into 94 yards, an average of 31.3 yards per reception. The most memorable catch was the one he took 65 yards for a touchdown by outrunning the defense. After being featured in the Fox pregame show, it was a memorable day for the Jones family.

Red Chips

  • Tramon Williams––Normally it takes Williams an interception to be recognized for his play, but not on Thursday. His job shadowing Calvin Johnson was nothing short of remarkable. Not counting the meaningless touchdown with just seconds left on the clock, Johnson was limited to three catches for 46 mostly harmless yards. The play Packers fans will remember is Williams' breakup of the attempted fade pass in the endzone intended for Johnson. Credit also goes to the help Williams got over the top.
  • Robert Francois––Stepping in for an injured A.J. Hawk, Francois stepped in and did an admirable job, especially considering his relative inexperience. His highlight reel play will be his leaping interception that foiled a Lions' drive in Packers territory. He also had three tackles, including two on consecutive plays preceding the interception. Rookie D.J. Smith, likewise, deserves mention for stepping in for an injured Desmond Bishop.

Cow Chips

  • Jermichael Finley––Finley caught only two of five pass thrown his way. Not that every incompletion on passes intended for him was Finley's fault, but dropped passes this week and the week before aren't helping his cause. Combined with a false start penalty, Finley's decreased playing time the second half doesn't come as a surprise.
  • Pat Lee––Lee got mugged, and it's a shame the referees flagged only him, but his ejection after throwing a punch was justified. Playing against a team that's becoming known for dirty play, it's important to keep your cool and not retaliate. Not only was Lee ejected, but the resulting 15 yards didn't help the Packers either.
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Comments (30)

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nerd's phone's picture

November 24, 2011 at 06:13 pm

I thought DJ Smith was way better than Francois. Screens looked good today. Props to my man Starks for playing hurt and also to Saine. Thought he looked good too. Dietrich Smith got it done for awhile against Suh.

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BubbaOne's picture

November 25, 2011 at 05:38 am

Brian, here's a way to get around your parameters of only two players per chip.
One of the red chips should go to "next man up". The way EDS, Francois, Smith, and Saine filled in in a big divisional prime time game was admirable.

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asshalo's picture

November 24, 2011 at 06:25 pm

Have to believe a lot of these players left the game early due to the shortened week-- just get more dinged up with less rest. For that same reason, I don't expect Hawk and Bishop to be out in Week 13

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brian's picture

November 25, 2011 at 02:06 pm

Calf injuries do not heal quickly. With Bishop on crutches saying he felt his calf "pop", having him available WK13 vs the G-men does not seem likely.

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hbuff's picture

November 24, 2011 at 06:34 pm

What happened to the real Brian? No rips of Jones or Shields? Thank you

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adapabay's picture

November 24, 2011 at 06:36 pm

Damn these backups look more than capable.. DJ Smith was all over the place stickin his nose in the play, francois had a stellar play and brandon saine looks like he could be a really find ala Starks last year. Suh is worthless and deserves suspension... oh well 11-0!!!!!

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Oppy's picture

November 25, 2011 at 08:02 am

I think alot of people haven't looked at DJ Smith's body of work as a collegiate LB...

Make no mistake, this kid is one of the most instinctive and fundamentally sound LB's to come out of college in a long time.

The only reason, and I mean THE ONLY REASON, he was not drafted sooner was due to his stature. He's a tackle machine- I think he holds the NCAA record for career tackles, although I'm not sure if that is across all divisions or just DII..

Kid's a beast, and just the latest player to prove that if you can play the game, you can play the game, no matter your physical dimensions.

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PackerAaron's picture

November 25, 2011 at 08:11 am

I know the comparison has been made countless times, but only because its so apt:

Smith totally reminds me of Sam Mills.

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Oppy's picture

November 25, 2011 at 09:43 am

If he ends up being a take-over type player at his height, do we start comparing him to Napoleon? ;)

Yeah, hard not to draw comparisons to other mighty-mights. Hope DJ Smith has a long, productive career for the green and gold, he's got all the talent and such a feel for the game. He's a born LB.

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RobMPLS's picture

November 24, 2011 at 07:29 pm

I seriously wouldn't be surprised if N. Suh went "Ron Artest" into the first five rows at Lambeau at the final home game. What a fricken douche.

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T's picture

November 24, 2011 at 07:57 pm

If he gets the same 5 game suspension that Albert Haynesworth received a few years back, he won't be playing in that game. With Sue's recent track record, I don't doubt it.

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murphy's picture

November 24, 2011 at 10:24 pm

Hard to say. The Man Upstairs will have to make that call. That man's name is Roger.

/can't believe Suh didn't take the "I f'ed up, I'm sorry, please don't suspend me" defense.

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PackersRS's picture

November 24, 2011 at 07:53 pm

Finley made one really great catch that not all players can do but his 3 drops were really stupid. He should catch those balls every single time...

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T's picture

November 24, 2011 at 08:01 pm

At this point in the Packers season, I wouldn't resign Finley. Put that money towards a good free agent OL. If he steps up in the postseason, I will be more then happy to eat my words.

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Ted, from Bill and Ted's picture

November 24, 2011 at 08:10 pm

id still resign him, just not for the big money he will probably think he deserves...the top ten talent is there but the stupid mistakes arent helping his cause

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Evan's picture

November 24, 2011 at 09:12 pm

People are still advocating for free agent signings? Havent you been paying attention?

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redlights's picture

November 24, 2011 at 09:25 pm

+1

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PackersRS's picture

November 24, 2011 at 08:35 pm

The thing is because Finley is who he is, he changes A LOT of what defenses do against the Packers. He makes it that much easier for everybody else in the passing game...

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Mojo's picture

November 24, 2011 at 10:57 pm

Agree RS. We'll be glad to have Finley if we resign him. Y'all need to be patient.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 24, 2011 at 11:20 pm

finley's route running is less than spectacular too. this guy could be one of the top 3 tight ends in the NFL if he would mature a little

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Bob's picture

November 25, 2011 at 06:08 am

Let him go and take the compensatory pick. The Packer's still have 3 tightends and 5 receivers who will create matchup problems for anyone.

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brian's picture

November 25, 2011 at 02:17 pm

Why would the team look to FA for OL help?

Bulaga, Sitton and Lang seem entrenched at their positions, and I don't see much reason to think Newhouse / Sherrod won't adequately man the other T spot. Bringing Wells back at C would probably be smarter than replacing him via FA.

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bryce's picture

November 24, 2011 at 08:29 pm

rather than "efficient", i'd say rodgers was more of a stone cold killer

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Majik Man's picture

November 24, 2011 at 08:49 pm

Aside from the great game, I really enjoyed the post-game interview/turkey day awarding with Rodgers. Even while they were kissing his ass and giving him a silly award (especially in lieu of his potential NFL MVP) he kept his cool, and looked focused and ready for more. Like he understands that it's still one step on the road to the goal. There was just something in his demeanor that signified leader. I'm excited for the rest of the year. I think the guys were looking at this game as the real test. The rest, while difficult, are just in our cross-hairs, now. GO, PACK, GO!!!

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murphy's picture

November 24, 2011 at 10:44 pm

And he can still laugh at himself. I look at some of his pre-NFL articles and am very thankful that he has become Packer People.

That Galloping Gobbler "shunned" clip was great.

/since no one answered me in the game chat, are the Packers now 7-0 or 8-0 vs teams that do The Belt?

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Jim Hurly's picture

November 24, 2011 at 11:30 pm

Perhaps Ndamukong is just mad at the guy who named him Suh.

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AJKUHN's picture

November 25, 2011 at 12:14 am

Well played Mr Cash. Well played.

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Bob's picture

November 25, 2011 at 06:05 am

:)

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aussiepacker's picture

November 25, 2011 at 09:23 am

Very impressed with the two insde linebacker backups today. Still hope Bishop and Hawk aren't out long but feel a little more comfortable about the position.

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jim's picture

November 26, 2011 at 11:59 am

greatly impressed by both francois and smith in their roles coming off the bench. smith just didnt quit... he is going to be a real gamer to watch. as for finley,... with all the talent that he has and how teams have to respect that talent which makes the rest of the team that much better, he needs to understand that his playing time is going to be greatly limited if the pack is put into positions which calls for a tight end that can consistantly play tough on the line... playing time will be determinded by performance including blocking, and playing time will dictate his contract. frankly, i like what i see out of quarless more and more.

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