How Packers Have Fared Against Rookie Quarterbacks Under Dom Capers
The Packers will face their sixth rookie quarterback in the Dom Capers era Monday night in Seattle. Here's how they fared in five previous rookie scenarios.
By Zach Kruse
For the sixth time in the four-year Dom Capers era, the Green Bay Packers will face a rookie quarterback Monday night in Seattle.
2012 third-round pick Russell Wilson will start for the Seahawks at quarterback.
Here's a quick look at how the Packers have fared against rookie quarterbacks in the five other meetings:
Josh Freeman, Buccaneers (2009, in Tampa Bay)
Result: Buccaneers 38, Packers 28
Rookie stat line: 14-of-31 for 205 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; four rushes, 20 yards, one sack.
What happened: The Packers took a 28-17 lead on Aaron Rodgers' 12-yard scramble early in the fourth quarter, but a special teams breakdown on the ensuing kickoff return gave Freeman just 17 yards to navigate for a confidence-building score. The next Buccaneers drive, Freeman led the Bucs 72 yards for the game-winning score. Rodgers was then intercepted for a touchdown with less than a minute remaining to seal Tampa Bay's first win of the 2009 season (was 0-7 prior). In all, Rodgers was sacked six times and threw three interceptions.
Matthew Stafford, Lions (2009, in Detroit)
Result: Packers 34, Lions 12
Rookie stat line: 20-of-43 for 213 yards, TD, 4 INTs; three rushes, 21 yards, two sacks.
What happened: Detroit took a touchdown lead into the second quarter, but it was all Green Bay from that point on. Rodgers threw three touchdown strikes, and Charles Woodson intercepted Stafford for a score to cap off the fourth quarter. Woodson finished with two interceptions, while Tramon Williams and Nick Collins each had one. The Lions lone touchdown came after Jordy Nelson fumbled the opening kickoff, leaving Stafford just 20 yards to get the ball in the end zone. A Clay Matthews' roughing the quarterback call extended the lone scoring drive, too.
Cam Newton, Panthers (2011, in Carolina)
Result: Packers 30, Panthers 23
Rookie stat line: 28-of-46, 432 yards, TD, 3 INTs; 10 rushes, 53 yards, TD, four sacks.
What happened: Carolina gave the defending Super Bowl champs a serious scare in Week 2 of last season. Newton, fresh off a 400-yard NFL debut, marched the Panthers 85 yards for an opening series touchdown. Randall Cobb then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the Panthers turned the gift into three points. Another long drive on Carolina's next series resulted in three more points, giving the Panthers a 13-0 lead in the second quarter. Panic was subdued by touchdowns in the second quarter and to open the second half that gave the Packers a 14-13, and turnovers caused by Charles Woodson (interception, fumble recovery) put six more points on the board. The Packers still needed a fourth-down stop inside the 10-yard line, Jordy Nelson's 84-yard bomb and an onside recovery to seal the win.
Christian Ponder, Vikings (2011, in Minnesota)
Result: Packers 33, Vikings 27
Rookie stat line: 13-of-32 for 219 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs; four rushes, 31 yards, two sacks.
What happened: Ponder came out firing in his NFL debut, hitting Michael Jenkins down the far sidelines for a 72-yard completion on his very first NFL play. The play was initially ruled a touchdown but video replay overruled the call. Ponder found Visanthe Shiancoe two plays later to put the Vikings up, 7-0. Minnesota would hold first-half leads of 14-7 and 17-10, but the Packers took the lead for good in the third quarter. Down 33-17 in the fourth, however, Ponder led two scoring drives that pulled Minnesota back to within 33-27 with just under eight minutes to go. However, the Vikings decided to punt on fourth down with less than three minutes left, and Ponder never saw the football again. Two Charles Woodson interceptions set up field goals for Green Bay.
Christian Ponder, Vikings (2011, in Green Bay)
Result: Packers 45, Vikings 7
Rookie stat line: 16-of-34 for 190 yards, 0 TDs, INT; Two rushes for 17 yards, three sacks.
What happened: Ponder went three-and-out on the Vikings first series, and Randall Cobb put the Packers up 7-0 with an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown. It was all Green Bay from that point on. The lone Vikings' touchdown came off Cobb's muffed punt in the third quarter, which set up Ponder at the Green Bay 14-yard line. Minnesota had just 266 yards of total offense, most of which came with the Packers up by three touchdowns or more. Tramon Williams had the Packers' lone interception.
Overall stats since 2009
W-L: 4-1 (3-1 on the road)
Average rookie passing: 18-of-37 for 252 yards, 1.6 TDs, 2.2 INTs; five rushes, 28.4 yards, 2.4 sacks. 60.8 passer rating.
Average total yards allowed: 345.4
Average points allowed: 21.4
Average rushing yards allowed: 109.4
Average turnovers: 2.6
Comments (12)
September 20, 2012 at 12:34 pm
I have to expect more of a Ponder-type game than a Newton-type game on Monday. If we can blow up Cutler, we can blow up Wilson. Gonna be weird seeing him not wearing red. Just have to stop the run and we win by 2 TDs.
September 20, 2012 at 12:46 pm
This has potential to be another nail-biter. On the road, in Seattle, nasty Seattle defense. Wilson isnt Newton, but gotta bring the heat to him.
September 20, 2012 at 02:26 pm
The 3 keys to winning football.....win the turnover battle, protect your QB, pressure the opposition QB. Packers 29, Seattle 13.
September 20, 2012 at 03:48 pm
Let's keep it that simple and it should be a good game. Just curious how you came up with 29pts, that's a rare one. 3TD, 2FG, and a safety?
September 20, 2012 at 05:10 pm
Two touchdowns and five field goals.
September 20, 2012 at 06:12 pm
I got my money on 13 safeties and a field goal
September 20, 2012 at 08:13 pm
With replacement officials anything is possible.
September 20, 2012 at 05:52 pm
So in other words... Wilson may start strong but wind up losing in the end?
September 20, 2012 at 06:56 pm
4 tds missing every extra point.. a field goal and safety haha
September 20, 2012 at 07:21 pm
probably no jennings.
cob's got a hammy.
seattle's got a good d.
they can run the ball on o.
this game will be tight.
September 20, 2012 at 10:06 pm
I'd like us to sit back in zone waiting for a mistake to INT over the middle. Lets play contain we 3 of our DL's and rush Matthews. As long as we control Wilson's legs we will win.
September 21, 2012 at 07:30 am
Wilson is more comparable to Can Newton, but a much better (accuracy and efficiency) passer coming out of college. He will make the recievers and the running game better for the seahawks.