Game Recap: Packers Beat Eagles 30-16
Sarah Kelliher recaps the Packers’ week thirteen win against the Eagles.
There was only one team flying high at the end of Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field and it wasn’t the Philadelphia Eagles (3-8-1, 2-2 NFC East). The Green Bay Packers (9-3, 3-1 NFC North) topped the Eagles 30-16 at Lambeau Field in a historic week thirteen win.
To start things off, Green Bay won the coin toss and deferred, so the Packers defense was first to hit the field. Unfortunately, they were out there for a long time too. The Eagles went on a massive opening drive, shaving 7:58 off the clock, and made things look a little too easy. However, the Packers’ defense was able to eventually hold the Eagles on third down and forced them to kick a 52-yard field goal. Philly’s attempt was good, and they took a 3-0 lead.
On the contrary, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense were on and off the field before you could even blink. The Packers quickly went three and out after a fumble and sack to open the game, and then, the Eagles got great field position after Packers punter J.K. Scott launched one right out of bounds.
Lucky for the Packers though, linebacker Rashan Gary and defensive end Kingsley Keke had back-to-back sacks and forced the Eagles to give the ball right back to the good guys.
From there, Green Bay really took control. Rodgers connected with his number one wide receiver, Davante Adams, for a 24-yard pass. Then, he connected with wide receiver Allen Lazard for a first down, Adams again for a first down and running back Aaron Jones for a pair of first downs. Then, after going to Adams and just missing him on 3rd and goal, the Packers went for it on fourth and goal and went right back to 17. Rodgers and Adams connected off a 1-yard grab to take a 7-3 lead. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Adams now has touchdown catches in seven straight games, tying Don Hutson for longest streak in franchise history.
Thanks to another sack from Green Bay’s defense, this time from safety Raven Green, the offense didn’t have to wait long to get the ball back either. And, when they returned to the field, they seamlessly picked up right where they left off.
Rodgers connect with tight end Marcedes Lewis for a wide-open 36-yard play. Then, he connected with wide receiver Malik Taylor for 14-yards. And, to put the cherry on top, Rodgers then “tip toed” away from a sack and darted the ball 25-yards down the field to a wide-open tight end in Robert Tonyan to take a 14-3 lead.
It took a bit for Green Bay to get on the score board in the second half, but when they did, it was in historic fashion. Starting with the ball on their own one-yard line, the Packers marched 99-yards down the field after a 43-yard catch from Adams, a 31-yard catch from Lazard and a nice first down run from Jones. Then, Rodgers connected with Adams, who bullied his way into the end zone for a 9-yard score, and Rodgers’ 400th career touchdown pass. Crosby’s extra point attempt was no good.
Even after testing the waters with quarterback Jalen Hurts on their next drive, the Eagles still came up short and were forced to punt the ball away. Green Bay couldn’t find the end zone on their next drive either, but Crosby was good from 40-yards out to extend their lead to 23-3.
Just when you thought you could walk away from the tv for a minute, this game got interesting quick. Hurts didn’t miss on his second drive at quarterback and he threw a 32-yard touchdown pass on fourth and 18 to cut the Packers’ lead to 23-10.
Then, after going three and out on their drive the Packers were forced to punt, and it was downhill from the moment it left Scott’s foot; the Eagles returned the punt 73-yards for a touchdown. Their extra point attempt was no good but all the sudden the Eagles trailed by just a touchdown.
Just when every Green Bay fan’s heart started to race though, Aaron Jones allowed everyone to take a deep breath. Jones took it 77 yards to the house, with help from left tackle David Bakhtiari and wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling blocking for him the entire way to give us our final score of 30-16.
The Eagles did have one more chance, but safety Darnell Savage picked off Hurts with 1:47 left to seal the deal for Green Bay.
What we learned: Aaron Rodgers is a magician (but we already knew that)
Aaron Charles Rodgers is a very special player and Green Bay Packers fans all around the world should thank their lucky stars for him. Rodgers had a great game on Sunday finishing 25/34 for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns (ESPN stats).
Rodgers was all over the record books in this one too. According to the CBS broadcast, Rodgers is the fastest player in NFL history to achieve the 400-career passing touchdown milestone and did so in just 193 games. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported that Rodgers is now the first player in NFL history with five seasons of at least 35 passing touchdowns.
Great stuff from 12.
What went right: The game plan
After calling nearly a perfect game against the Bears last week, it would’ve been difficult for the Packers coaching staff to come up with an even better plan, but they still came prepared in this one. The Packers did exactly what they needed to do on offense against a weak Philly defense and even took advantage and applied some pressure on defense against the Eagles’ extremely weak offensive line.
The Eagles already allowed the most sacks in the league heading into week thirteen and the Packers only added to their daunting total. Green Bay had seven total sacks on the afternoon with two from Keke, 1.5 from both Za’Darius Smith and Rashan Gary, 1 from Dean Lowry and 0.5 from both Preston Smith and Raven Greene.
What went wrong: The garbage touchdowns
Another week, another pair of garbage touchdowns that made me want to rip my hair out. The Packers were close to letting this one slip away from them in the fourth quarter but, once again, regained their composure at the last minute. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. As Green Bay gets deeper into their season, they cannot continue to let this happen.
Offensive MVP: Davante Adams
Davante Adams continues to make football look a lot easier than it should be. Adams broke 1,000 total yards on the season during Sunday’s game and finished the day with 10 receptions for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns (ESPN stats).
He’s simply just too good.
Defensive MVP: Rashan Gary
Rashan Gary continues to trend in the right direction for Green Bay and Sunday was a really fun one for him. Gary was hustling all afternoon and finished the day with 4 total tackles, 2 of which were solo, 1.5 which accounted for sacks and 1 tackle for a loss (ESPN stats). Gary also had 2 QB hits on the day as well.
A look at some of your takeaways!
- “Got too close for comfort, but good W.”- @jherr206
- “They played great, it was awesome to see Gary and Savage stepping up- I think the defense is showing what it can do. A few plays here and there would have put this game in blowout territory. I hope they practice special teams coverage a lot this coming week.”- @GeorgeHagstrom
- “400” - @BigMack_4
- “I love this team. Thats it!” - @Sandro_46
Up next, the Green Bay Packers visit the Detroit Lions for a key NFC North matchup. Kickoff is set for Sunday, December 13 at 4:25 p.m. EST.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Sarah Kelliher is a contributor for CheeseheadTV and a podcaster with Pack-A-Day Podcast. She can be found via Twitter @sarahkelliher4.
Comments (52)
Packer_Fan
December 06, 2020 at 07:08 pm
MVS was down again. Should have caught that pass. Defense played well except for the 4th and 19 TD pass. Special teams are not special. Offense came out in the second half predictable again. And again in the 4th quarter. The Pack don't have good 3rd and long plays
canadapacker
December 06, 2020 at 07:17 pm
He needs to catch that ball - but it was a tough catch - but he needs to catch that ball. Now it was only one play and he needs to catch that ball. He does other things and stretches the D and he blocks ( did you see him on Jones' run?) He needs to catch that ball. But he is still a valuable member of the team and I like him and he will still get his chances. Tonyon forgot to turn around on one play - did anybody post about that ? He needs to turn around. It was a 3rd down play as well.
Demon
December 06, 2020 at 07:34 pm
Wow it was a tough catch? That was a perfecly thrown ball. Head high, hit MVS right in the bicep. You think that was a tough catch?. The 4th down td catch from Adams was a tough catch! The difference was that Adams is a pro, went up and got it.
canadapacker
December 06, 2020 at 07:42 pm
Adams made 2 impossible catches. Did I not say that MVS needs to make that catch?? - but it wasnt a wide open and turn up the field after type of drop - the ball was there so were 2 of their guys and he needs to make that catch - but it wasnt an easy catch and it hit him in the arm but he needs to make that catch - but people like to dump on him - and I dont. But he needs to make that catch.
Demon
December 06, 2020 at 08:04 pm
We are going to agree to disagree. That was a perfectly thrown ball to a NFL WR. An AVERAGE receiver makes that catch. People like to dump on him because he gives them reason to.
If youre a NFL wide receiver, I dont care if youre a body catcher, a hands catcher or catch it with your feet. catch the damn ball.
jannesbjornson
December 06, 2020 at 08:31 pm
Perfect ball from Rodgers, he has to snag it.
stockholder
December 06, 2020 at 09:23 pm
I think MVS hasn't got over the fumble or the threats. He had turned the corner. He needs to get positive again. I don't think anyone has given up on MVS. Rodgers will feed him and he'll be fine.
jannesbjornson
December 07, 2020 at 03:00 am
He's now the #4 guy in the pecking order.
Leatherhead
December 07, 2020 at 09:24 pm
Yup. Gotta catch those no matter how tall and fast you are. MSV was part of Gutekunst’s first draft, along with EQ, and the departed Moore. We’ve also said goodbye to Kumerow and Shepherd. And of course Lazard, who has missed games.
Since he arrived, he has caught more passes for more yards and more TDs than anybody except Adams . I think he could be a great WR, but his head needs to get right about making the catch. All the physical tools are there, he just needs to be more determined. If he could be that guy, with Rodgers throwing.......
jlc1
December 07, 2020 at 05:41 am
ESB totally whiffed on a catch. It was right where it was supposed to be, low and away from the defender and ESB did not even touch it. It was comically bad.
Thegravedigger
December 06, 2020 at 08:51 pm
He got hit early and since he was trying to catch it with his body when he got hit he was knocked out of position. At least that is what i want to believe. The alternative is that his confidence is shot again.
10ve 💚
December 06, 2020 at 08:16 pm
Yes, someone did post about Tonyan... you did.
MVS had 2 drops today. The first deep one was NOT a tough catch. It was right there... he should have used his hands, instead he tried to catch with his body. If Savage can improve his catching so well, I see no reason why MVS cannot do that too. If he cannot, then he will go the Janis way. Janis was a fan favorite (I have to confess that includes me), and a ST stud, plus a great jet-sweep guy (unfortuntely Packers were not so keen on jet-sweeps in McCarthy times). But he was very poor in catching with his hands.
Demon
December 06, 2020 at 08:46 pm
When Tonyans catch percentage starts hovering around 50% you can bet on 2 things.
1 he will not be starting anymore.
2 there will be several fans calling for him to never see the field.
No comparison there buddy.
Thegravedigger
December 06, 2020 at 08:55 pm
The difference is mvs keeps getting open with his speed. He just has to grab the next one. Its a confidence thing with him, and when his confidence is up he makes that catch i believe
HighPlainsDrifter
December 07, 2020 at 02:27 am
I'm pretty sure that he's not your buddy. It's doubtful that you have any.
Demon
December 07, 2020 at 11:47 am
Highplains drifter. Another keyboard warrior huh? You're fairly new here, I have not responded, commented, or given an up or down vote to any of your posts. My initial thoughts were that you were just an asshole trying to get attention. Turns out I was right!
Go away you P.O.S!! Before your mother comes down on you for using up all of her data.
HighPlainsDrifter
December 07, 2020 at 01:23 pm
Wow, wonderful use of profanity, makes you appear to be extremely intelligent.
Feel free to respond to any comments that you wish. Just understand that some people don't like to be called "buddy". They take it as an insult, as you meant it in this situation. In fact, it seems that you used it to get attention.
fordguy
December 07, 2020 at 04:01 pm
You've got to copyright that comment. That's the most fitting copy and paste for all of his posts
EstebanPablo
December 07, 2020 at 02:22 pm
Tonyan has zero drops according to Pro-football-reference.com this year, on 47 targets, with a catch percentage of 87.2%. Rodgers has a 150.3 passer rating on targets to Tonyan. That dude is playing lights out...MVS is a below average player at this point with the tools to be very good or even elite.
I like having on our team. He needs to figure out how to catch to ever be considered more than a gimmick player. He's big and fast and can get open running the deep route. Needs to add to that to be considered a complete receiver, and reliable contributor.
Packer_Fan
December 06, 2020 at 07:08 pm
MVS was down again. Should have caught that pass. Defense played well except for the 4th and 19 TD pass. Special teams are not special. Offense came out in the second half predictable again. And again in the 4th quarter. The Pack don't have good 3rd and long plays
Stroh
December 06, 2020 at 07:31 pm
One time was plenty. 3 times is overkill!
Packer_Fan
December 06, 2020 at 07:08 pm
MVS was down again. Should have caught that pass. Defense played well except for the 4th and 19 TD pass. Special teams are not special. Offense came out in the second half predictable again. And again in the 4th quarter. The Pack don't have good 3rd and long plays
Stroh
December 06, 2020 at 07:29 pm
Packer fans shouldn't thank the stars for Rodgers. They can and should thank Ted Thompson for him!!
Crankbait
December 07, 2020 at 12:16 am
Without Aaron Rodgers the Packers would be the Bears.
Philarod
December 07, 2020 at 05:55 am
...for the last 10 years.
At best.
The strength of the team is probably the passing offense, as the run comes and goes.
Adams is a pro's pro, and quite versatile, but he would not look like this with any other QB. The test of the receivers - #2-4 or 5 - are, at best, average in those roles. TEs are becoming average now - maybe Tonyan will become above average.
Lphill
December 06, 2020 at 07:35 pm
If the Packers were gonna take a receiver Reager was my pick , he is dynamic, on the punt return he dropped the ball and still ran it back, early in the season Burks and Summers were making stops on special teams, I hope they figure this out , maybe more directional punting instead of right to the returner ?
canadapacker
December 06, 2020 at 07:58 pm
He wouldnt have been there - Pack picked at 30 and they traded up to 26 to take Love. HIndsight is 20-20 but currently the only guy who is outstanding that would have been available is Claypool. Our special teams is horrible and Scott is not getting the hang time - the TD punt seemed to out kick the coverage but not impressed with Scott the last 4 games
Demon
December 06, 2020 at 08:10 pm
In this day and age in the NFL there is no such thing as outkicking the coverage. Too many 4.3 guys now. The punt return for a TD was once again poor lane discipline and poor tackling.
canadapacker
December 06, 2020 at 09:35 pm
Call it what you want - but he had at least 10 - 15 yards clearance when he caught the punt - so somehow nobody on the coverage team got down there.
jlc1
December 07, 2020 at 08:15 am
I see a lot of punts go further than Scott's do and yet the Pack never seems to take advantage of such outkicking the coverage. They are just bad, very bad, on special teams no matter if it is coverage or returning. I mean they were even called for an offside on a kickoff that got returned almost to mid-field. They couldn't make the tackle with a headstart!
HankScorpio
December 07, 2020 at 05:22 am
"HIndsight is 20-20 but currently the only guy who is outstanding that would have been available is Claypool."
Let's take a look at the actual numbers, which, of course, are very, very dependent on the QB and system for any WR (See Allen Robinson)
Numbers from Pro Football Reference dot com and do not include yesterday: Tee Higgins (Ciny, #33-48-673-5) and Chase Claypool (Pitts, #49-45-611-8) have numbers that would rank 2nd behind Adams on the Packers.
Others that went between #26/#30 and #62- Michael Pittman (Indy, #34-26-330-1), Laviska Shenault (Jax, #42-33-354-1), KJ Hamler (Den, #46-25-275-1), Van Jefferson (Rams, #57-11-143-1) and Denzel Mims (NYJ, #59-17-284-0).
Of course 3/4 of their rookie year is not enough to establish which one is the best. What any of these guys would be doing in GB, where scheme and QB play have both been outstanding in 2020, is an open guess. Probably better but maybe worse.
For reference, MVS is 2nd among the Packers WRs at 25-518-4 and Lazard is 3rd at 22-345-3.
Big_Mel_75
December 07, 2020 at 10:24 am
We past on DK Metcalf twice last year. Could you imagine Metcalf and Adams?
jannesbjornson
December 07, 2020 at 12:59 pm
I only see Jenkins being an ALL PRO for many years.
mrj007
December 06, 2020 at 08:39 pm
This team could be unstoppable if they could put a complete game together. Seems like Packers are perpetually letting up almost every they get up by 2 scores. Great job not turning the ball over. 3 and out is NOT the response you want to see after a ST TD. Not sure what to do about ST except bitch constantly on this forum...
Bure9620
December 06, 2020 at 09:01 pm
Oddly, I am glad the Vikings won today.....This puts them in the wildcard chase and makes it more likely they are fired up and potentially in a must win game against the Saints to give the Saints a game...hopefully they beat the saints and miss the playoffs
stockholder
December 06, 2020 at 09:14 pm
This was a great game for all the packer stars. Rodgers 400! Dvante surpassing 1000! And look who didn't want to be counted out. Aaron Jones " Prime TIME" Run. And Finally a safety "Int". to put the game away. So what if it wasn't a chess match. Everybody deserves a pat on the back for winning. Why Look back. Were moving Forward.
NickPerry
December 06, 2020 at 09:44 pm
I don't know how many saw it but the block by Mercedes Lewis on Aaron Jones 77 yard TD run was absolutely fantastic. Go back and watch the run, you'll see Lewis PANCAKE the crap out of #50 for Philly.
HankScorpio
December 07, 2020 at 05:24 am
That was a much bigger deal than MVS' running screen "block".
pacman
December 06, 2020 at 09:57 pm
If MVS (or EQ) could catch like Savage, if Scott could grow a pair and if we could finally get a good ST coach - Packers would be dangerous.
But we should be happy with the apparent improvement on D, AR/Adams/Offense in general having a great season and that The Mandelorian finally came up with a good episode since the early episodes of season 1.
Alberta_Packer
December 06, 2020 at 10:07 pm
It was actually a relatively entertaining game - even with the usual 4th quarter swoon (which allows for an extended snack break). The offense was good as usual and in particular the line - with a special mention to Runyan - a steal in the 6th round. The defense stills suffers from schizophrenia but with the lack of dominant defenses in the NFL this year, the team may go further than expected. Also a gold star to Gary and Keke .
hhsbaseball
December 06, 2020 at 10:59 pm
Did Runyan play any snaps at all during the game? I thought Wagner was excellent at right tackle.
Alberta_Packer
December 06, 2020 at 11:09 pm
Thank you - I thought Runyan was 71. Agree - Wagner was superb.
Mojo
December 06, 2020 at 11:43 pm
The reason the Packers are 9 and 3 - Aaron Rodgers plain and simple.
He's running the Lafleur offense to perfection. He's seeing the open guys and getting it to them in a hurry so they can continue the play with YAC.
Not just this game - but most of the season, GB has had players wide open at times like with Tonyan today. And Rodgers is spotting them.
Plus he's not holding the ball forever, running around and taking needless hits or tossing the ball into the stands.
He's also throwing some beautiful touch passes.
Adams and Jones are first tier players at their positions, but Rodgers is the maestro.
If the J Love does pick does nothing else, it might have lit a fire under Rodgers although he'll never admit it. Plus the second year in the offense helps.
Either way, Rodgers is carrying this team this year.
Alberta_Packer
December 07, 2020 at 12:16 am
It seems that Rodgers has mostly recovered from the McCarthy hangover - while also extending his career with the less is more philosophy of the Lafleur system. And as good as he and the offense has been this year, I think he'll take another step next year - especially if he is gifted with another dynamic slot / wr.
dollypathak
December 06, 2020 at 11:46 pm
https://www.dollypathak.com
jlc1
December 07, 2020 at 05:34 am
The 4th and 18 - did somebody fall down in coverage? Every game at Lambeau I see players on both sides lose their footing routinely. Gary even had to leave the game at one point when he was just stepping away from a pile (no not THAT pile that is GB's special teams) and his leg went out from under him. Is Lambeau's turf a real problem? I don't notice as much slipping and sliding elsewhere.
hodge555
December 07, 2020 at 08:09 am
The other incredible stat for Rodgers is that he's the only person to have compiled 400 TDs and have less than 100 INTs.
13TimeChamps
December 07, 2020 at 10:46 am
And he was the fastest to get there out of all the other QBs who have thrown 400!
Leatherhead
December 07, 2020 at 10:39 am
My Game Recap.
The Eagles had a long drive that burnt half the first quarter away before getting a FG. Then they were quiet for the rest of the half. We had three offensive possessions and scored two TDs. When we went up 14-3, late in the 2nd quarter, the Eagles never again for the rest of the game snapped the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead.
The Eagles didn't score in the third quarter, either , and rookie QB Jalen Hurts got a try and finally, against a soft zone defense, they scored a passing TD on 4th and 18 to make it 23-10, which at least looks respectable.
Then, with about 7:30 left in the game, we started looking like the Detroit Lions. First, we threw three quick passes and burned less than a minute off the clock. WTF? Then, we punted and gave up a runback so that in less than a minute they had scored two TDs. 23-16 with about 6 minutes left. Not good.
Fortunately, Jones broke loose (as runners often do against tired, beaten up defenses in the 4th quarter), and ended the nonsense,
No turnovers, no big hits on Rodgers, a win at home.....these are all good things. Enjoy. The Packers are on a 22-6 run right now and that's one of the team's top stretches of the last 50 years. Basically, unless we turn the ball over or get Rodgers sacked a bunch, we're unbeatable.
Bure9620
December 07, 2020 at 08:43 pm
Or Give up Special Teams TDs.......which are game changers.....
Leatherhead
December 07, 2020 at 09:39 pm
Actually, we’ve survived that twice this season.
You know how I feel about giving your special teams a chance to screw you over. Every time there’s a return, or we turn it over, or take a penalty or get somebody hurt. Or we get faked. We could have probably made a different decision that would have prevented it.
canadapacker
December 07, 2020 at 06:40 pm
"""Up next, the Green Bay Packers get a visit from the Detroit Lions for a key NFC North matchup. Kickoff is set for Sunday, December 13 at 4:25 p.m. EST. """ no we go to Detroit - so we get an indoor game to help us tune that part of our game before 3 outdoor games 2 at home and the last one in the windy city.