Packers vs. Eagles: Quick Takes from Green Bay’s 53-20 Win

Quick takes from the Packers' 53-20 win over the Eagles in Week 11. 

The Green Bay Packers (7-3) cemented Lambeau Field as a house of horrors for visitors in 2014, using another virtuoso performance from Aaron Rodgers to build a 30-6 half-time lead and a turnover-happy defense to finish off a 53-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles (7-3) Sunday afternoon in Green Bay. 

 

It was over when…

…Eddie Lacy bulldozed into the end zone with 2:00 left in the second quarter, giving the Packers a 30-3 lead and throwing a first-half dagger for the fourth-straight home game. Green Bay has led at halftime by 28, 25, 42 and 24 in its last four games at Lambeau Field. 

 

Game Balls

  • Aaron Rodgers: Lacy (113 total yards, two touchdowns) and Randall Cobb (10 catches, 129 yards) each made a strong case to take the game ball from Rodgers. But the NFL’s new front runner for MVP was just too good again, throwing for over 300 yards with three touchdowns and a 120.3 passer rating. He can’t be touched at home, where he’s now thrown 18 touchdowns without an interception this season. Rodgers again took some time off in the fourth quarter. 
  • Letroy Guion: The Packers nose tackle set the tone early, using a rip-and-punch move to get into the backfield and sack Mark Sanchez in the first quarter. He later chased down Darren Sproles on a well-designed screen play to keep the Eagles out of the end zone. Here’s a mind-blowing stat: Guion has nearly as many sacks (2.5) in 10 games in Green Bay as B.J. Raj posted from 2011 to 2013 (3.0, 46 games). Good find for Ted Thompson. 
  • Micah Hyde: HIs 75-yard punt return for a touchdown turned a 10-0 game into the beginnings of a rout. It was Hyde’s only return of the game. The rest of the special teams had a rough afternoon. 

 

Stat of the Game 

4-0: The Packers forced four takeaways and didn’t have a giveaway. Throw in three defensive/special teams touchdowns and there’s no way any team was beating Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau Field on this night. 

 

Other Notes

-- Clay Matthews’ move to inside linebacker continues to pay dividends. The Packers were far from dominant against the run, but LeSean McCoy didn’t have a run over 13 yards and the Eagles averaged just 3.5 yards per carry over 31 attempts. A defense that couldn’t stop anyone is now holding its own up front. Matthews playing inside has been a big reason why. And as long as he continues to get pass-rush opportunities from the edge, everyone is happy. It’s the best of both worlds. 

-- The Packers probably should have broke the franchise record for points in a single game. The mark is 57, set back in 1945. Green Bay botched one extra point, had another blocked and then missed a field goal. That’s five points. My Wisconsin math says 53 plus five equals 58. Still, the Packers scored 50-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time in franchise history, so not all was lost. 

-- What’s the price tag currently on Randall Cobb? The Eagles had no answer for him Sunday. He dominated the middle of the field, catching 10 passes for 129 yards. On one third down, Cobb caught a comeback with his back to the defender, clairvoyantly spun inside and picked up the first down. He’s too quick in the slot and Rodgers has supreme confidence in him in any situation. He’s clearly made himself a lot of money this season. 

-- Two truths of the universe once again proved correct Sunday: Aaron Rodgers will shred your single-high safety look, and Eddie Lacy can’t be tackled high. Why a defense would attempt either at this point is insanity. 

-- With a win and a Lions loss in Arizona, the 7-3 Packers are once again tied atop the NFC North (barring applied tiebreakers). Detroit will go on the road to New England in Week 12, while the Packers head to Minnesota. A chance to claim sole possession of first place awaits. The final six weeks—with a Week 17 climax—should be fun.

 

Zach Kruse contributes to Cheesehead TV. He is also the Lead Writer for the NFC North at Bleacher Report. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected]. 

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Comments (29)

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lucky953's picture

November 16, 2014 at 08:56 pm

Good call on Guion. His pursuit was outstanding. I didn't know he could be this good. I thought Hyde's return really had Philly hanging their heads, after so much had made made about their return game. They're good on ST, but GB played excellent kick coverage.

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Idiot Fan's picture

November 16, 2014 at 08:57 pm

It's going to cost us, but I love what Cobb is turning into.

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Packer_Pete's picture

November 16, 2014 at 09:05 pm

I'd take the group Jordy - Cobb - Adams over any 1-2-3 WR group in this league. Incredible how fast Cobb can turn on a dime. Jordy is the best non-diva WR in the game, period. And Adams will come on more and more. This is a fun group to watch. Boykin won't play many offensive snaps if all stay healthy, unless we'll see more blowouts...

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

November 17, 2014 at 12:07 am

It's hard to imagine Jordy Nelson signing a ball on the field, pretending to shot himself in the leg, running 50 yards to spike a ball in the opponents field emblem, faux mooning the fans, dissing his QB post game, paying to fight a Twitter follower, hosing an official with a water bottle, or dragging a tree into the locker room.

Yep, all of that really happened.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 16, 2014 at 09:14 pm

Hmm, I'm wondering if Cobb will try to get every cent he can on the open market, or if he will be content taking a fair, but rich contract to stay with the Pack? You know a Dan Snyder type would back the brinks truck up to his door... Cobb just seems like such a solid guy, I'd like to think he wants to stay if all things are relatively equal.

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Packer_Pete's picture

November 16, 2014 at 09:20 pm

We all want to believe that, but in the end it is all about the Benjamins. And who could blame the players for that? I really don't. The only thing I am upset about is if someone claims it is not about the Benjamins. Like our good friend Greg Jennings. I'd rather have someone come out and say "you know what, I can earn 1 million more per year there". Don't tell me anything about greater opportunities if you go to one of the teams with one of the worst NFL QB groups and claim you did it for reasons other than money.

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Idiot Fan's picture

November 16, 2014 at 09:23 pm

I know it's so easy for me to say, since it isn't my money, but having watched Jennings (and Jones, sort of) go elsewhere for more money to play for a lesser QB and ride off into obscurity, you would think that Cobb would consider long and hard the merits of playing your prime years with Rodgers.

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zeke's picture

November 17, 2014 at 12:21 am

Nit-picking, but I don't think you can include Jones. If memory serves, TT didn't even offer him a contract.

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Idiot Fan's picture

November 17, 2014 at 07:50 am

Yeah, I tried to differentiate him with a "sort of". It wasn't his choice to leave, but he did progress to obscurity outside of GB.

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HankScorpio's picture

November 17, 2014 at 06:13 am

It's not just the guys that have left Rodgers that have struggled. Look around the league. WRs that go from a great QB to a more unsettled situation all struggle. And, of course, the inverse is true. Guys that sign with teams with great QBs produce beyond what they did with a more unsettled QB situation. It's just plain far easier for a great QB to make a WR more productive than the other way around.

The only real question is whether the extra pay is worth it to them. I would imagine some laugh all the way to the bank and some actually do regret the choice.

As for the Packers and Cobb, obviously I'd like to see him retained. But drafting Adams. Abredderis and Janis was a hedge against him leaving.

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Mojo's picture

November 16, 2014 at 11:20 pm

Got a feeling it's going to be a contract similar to what Jordy got. Around 9 to 10 per year with a significant amount guaranteed. In a sense it will be better than Jordy's because this will be his first resigning deal compared to Jordy's second.

It might seem a lot to spend at WR, but everyone else will be pretty cheap for awhile.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 17, 2014 at 12:25 am

I don't believe that he will ask for Nelson money, and I don't think he is worth that type of money. If he really demands Nelson-type money, much as it hurts, I have to wave bye to him.

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zeke's picture

November 17, 2014 at 12:52 am

I think it would be foolish for him not to ask for Nelson money (and not just because Nelson is underpaid). While he clearly benefits from playing with #12, I think it goes both ways. Rodgers appears to trust him completely, and Cobb has a unique skill set. That and the fact that he seems to be a "Packer person" (in terms of character) should lead to a fat new contract from TT.

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Spiderpack's picture

November 16, 2014 at 09:15 pm

I just hope Arizona keeps winning and we play them in the NFC championship game there because we will kick their ass in that dome.

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Mario Willis's picture

November 17, 2014 at 06:53 am

To come out the COLD and into a DOME is like walking up hill and then running down. I just am afraid of Arizona's Secondary and the pain of hitting that TURF it is just CONCRETE underneath carpet.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

November 17, 2014 at 07:55 am

They have grass. It's a pretty complicated system. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIukkv1Ko0U

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Bohj's picture

November 16, 2014 at 09:59 pm

Best special teams = don't punt.
Darren sproles......six yards in punt returns.

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Icebowler's picture

November 16, 2014 at 11:16 pm

Let's start contract negotiations with Cobb's agent NOW!

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Amanofthenorth's picture

November 16, 2014 at 11:47 pm

Glad to see Crosby's always low extra point finally blocked in a blow out. As good a kicker as he is, his XP's have been coming out low. Maybe from fatigue!

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Mojo's picture

November 16, 2014 at 11:59 pm

In case you haven't noticed, Aaron Rodgers is really dealing it this year. His deep-balls have been consistently spot-on. Jordy had a rare drop on one ARod put right in his mitts. Rodgers has been doing this all season long. Keep in mind this is only part of the superior physical aspect of his game. And his mental acuity is as good as any in the league.

There maybe weaknesses on this roster, but if Rodgers keeps this up he might be good enough to put the Packers over the top anyway.

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joepacker's picture

November 17, 2014 at 12:48 am

I'm starting to lose faith that we'll ever break 60 pts...

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Ruppert's picture

November 17, 2014 at 08:39 am

Cobb had to stop fumbling and dropping balls when we are up 30. I mean, come on 18!

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joepacker's picture

November 17, 2014 at 12:54 am

I'm starting to lose faith that we'll ever break 60 pts...

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Mario Willis's picture

November 17, 2014 at 06:46 am

The story of this game is Mark Sanchez is not a NFL QB & the Eagles don't have a secondary.
Our defense held up in the red zone and kept the YAC down.
Eagles play fast (too fast for Sanchez) and that played into our hands we practice fast. Teams will not give Rodgers the ball back that fast and often.

Special Teams wasn't Special at all. I hope this isn't the start of a trend with the Field Goal unit.

Good Game. Over at the HALF! Hasn't Rodgers gotten a rest in 3 home games this year. GEESH! Farve who?

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Mario Willis's picture

November 17, 2014 at 06:55 am

PASS RUSH MUCH!
If we are going to kick field goals anyway. Give Lacy a chance to earn his money...
RED ZONE RUNNING PLAYS PLEASE!

Not to be a negative nancy...but we look really one dimensional sometimes in the RED ZONE!

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barutanseijin's picture

November 17, 2014 at 07:32 am

Not that it mattered a whole lot at that point, but i didn't like that the FG attempt from the Philly 32. On a cold day in GB, that's a low percentage play. Don't set Crosby up to fail. I would rather have seen them try to pick up a first & keep the clock running. Even a plunge up the gut & a turnover on downs is better than a missed FG.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 17, 2014 at 07:23 am

I said it last week, and I will say it again. I really like where the team is at and where they are going.

The offense is clicking, and they have a new found weapon in Lacy in the passing game. He has added a new dimension to the passing game.

The defense is getting better and better each and every week. The run defense is getting better, and 'The Move' really has put their best player in a position to make an impact each and every down.

I really like where the team is. And the part I like more is they still have room to improve. They are not a finished product.

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GBfaninMn's picture

November 17, 2014 at 07:33 am

Bout time a little love for micah Hyde. Dudes been great the last 3 games. All he had to do to get recognized is take one 75 yards to the house.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 17, 2014 at 07:59 am

I will admit when I was wrong. I really liked Hyde last year. But then he struggled early and I thought we might have over hyped him and overrated him.
But we didn't. He has really stepped up the last few weeks and has really made good plays. Both on defense and special teams.

That PR was great, but that play he made on defense was even better IMO. That diving pass deflection.

He is just a really, really good football player.

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