Packers 31 Ravens 30: Game Balls and Lame Calls
Zero to hero in one play.
By KenLass
Football is such a crazy game. You’re a goat. You’re a hero. It can change with every play.
Nobody knows this better than Packers safety Darnell Savage. He spent most of Sunday’s game getting abused by Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. Had the home team been able to complete its remarkable comeback, no doubt Green Bay fans would have saddled most of the blame on the third year player out of Maryland. Savage was exposed as too small and too slow to cover the big, athletic Andrews, who caught 10 passes for 136 yards and two scores.
And yet, on the most important play of the game, it was Savage who made a terrific break on the ball and got just enough of a deflection to cause the two point try to fail. Two points that would have given Baltimore the lead with 42 seconds left to play. We won’t remember all the failures. We will remember the play at the end. We will remember how Darnell Savage saved the game.
Hats off to Ravens coach John Harbaugh for having the cahoneys to go for two. I’m not smart enough to know whether it was the right decision, but the actual play call was terrible. A rollout which cut the field in half, and a one man route, with Andrews the only guy out there. That made it easier to defend, and that’s just what the Packers defense did.
So much was made of the absence of quarterback Lamar Jackson, but it’s hard to imagine he could have played any better than back-up Tyler Huntley. He drove the defense nuts with his elusiveness and speed. I blame Kenny Clark. It’s his fault for landing on the Covid list for this game. Seriously though, Green Bay sorely missed his pressure up the middle, which usually drives quarterbacks out into the waiting arms of the edge rushers. The result was the edge guys constantly trying to rush up the middle, losing contain, and allowing Huntley to scramble to his right and make plays.
From the start it was clear that Aaron Rodgers could do pretty much whatever he wanted with the Ravens banged up secondary. It was just a question of whether the defense could get him the ball often enough. And they did. Just barely. The usual game ball to Rodgers for his 132.2 QB rating and a trio of touchdown passes, inter mixed with the usual clutch throws on third down. He had two bad misses. One on the very first drive when he overthrew Davante Adams who had gotten behind his man, and the other in the 4th quarter when he overthrew Allen Lazard in the end zone on a play that would have prevented all the late drama. But he did enough to win....thanks to the game hero, Darnell Savage.
GAME BALLS
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Finally, the breakout game we have been waiting to see from number 83. Five catches for 98 yards and a score. What impressed me most was that he showed he is not just a one trick pony. He can do more than run fast and catch the long ball. He caught short throws over the middle and on the sideline in clutch situations. He keeps teasing he can be that definitive number two receiver the Packers need. Can he keep it up?
Eric Stokes
The first round draft pick has been in the shadow of fellow corner Rasul Douglas of late, but this game was his turn to shine with seven solo tackles and a pass defensed. It was Stokes who deserves a little credit on the two point try, as he kept Mark Andrews in front of him and covered. His tackling on the short passes in front of him was sure and reliable.
De’Vondre Campbell
Once again he led the defense in tackles with ten. He had a sack and a tackle for loss. The Pro Bowl voters had better be paying attention.
Honorable mention to the makeshift offensive line. They were shaky at times on pass defense, but they did pave the way for 96 yards rushing against the fourth best rushing defense in the league.
LAME CALLS
Defending the Short Middle
For the second game in a row the Packers were gouged by slant passes over the middle rupturing into big plays. The safeties just aren’t playing this well and they’re not getting much help from the inside backers. The Ravens were killing us over the middle.
Losing Contain
Tyler Huntley can hurt you out of the pocket. But he’s pretty harmless in it. There was no excuse for letting him constantly break to the outside. The edge rushers have to be more contain conscious and not be lured into taking an inside lane to the passer.
AFTERTHOUGHTS
Aaron Jones (on giving Rodgers the ball after his TD pass that tied Brett Favre's franchise record): "I actually didn't even know that he had tied it. I always give my touchdown balls to my mom so, that's something I like to do, give the guys their touchdown ball when they score, so I took it and gave it to him and I was totally unaware. So that's pretty cool."
Matt LaFleur: "We're certainly happy about winning the North again, but also understand that there's three very tough games in front of us, and we're going to have to continue to work each and every day to continue to improve."
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: "Never want to get too high. Never want to get too low. Just make he plays when they come. That's the mentality that I've got to have, because once you think otherwise you start pressing and you don't make the plays."
THREE AND OUT
• Well, the special teams weren’t as atrocious as last week, but there is still a long way to go. Isaac Yiadom’s catch interference on the punt was senseless. When Amari Rodgers finally pulled off a good kickoff return, it was called back for holding. There was a delay of game on a punt, and the mishandling of a pooch kickoff. But at least they didn’t allow any points or miss any field goal or extra point tries. I suppose that’s progress.
• What was up with the defense only having ten men on the field on the Ravens’ touchdown? Heaven knows Green Bay was having enough trouble stopping Tyler Huntley with all eleven guys.
• I love, absolutely love watching Marcedes Lewis rumbling down the field after a catch. He’s like a runaway drunken bull, staggering and stumbling all over the place as tacklers bounce off of him. More of that please.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (69)
calabasa
December 20, 2021 at 07:41 am
Agree on the style points going for two. That’s how this sport should be played- to win. Go for it on fourth, go for the win. Kudos for the “cahoneys” Harbaugh!
Also, our continuing special teams nightmare is going to end our season at some point. At this point it’s insane how bad they are. I suppose shit rolls downhill, and the injuries have depleted ST’s, but man it doesn’t end.
murf7777
December 20, 2021 at 07:56 am
“ I suppose shit rolls downhill, and the injuries have depleted ST’s, but man it doesn’t end.“. No excuses, the Ravens have almost the same amount of injuries throughout the year and they have the number 1 ST’s. I agree they must play better if Packers want to win the SB! Sooner or later it will cost us a game.
Guam
December 20, 2021 at 08:42 am
Excellent point Murf. Some want to blame injuries for the Packers' poor special team's performance but Baltimore is #1 in the league with more injuries. This is about coaching. Yiadom blundering into the returner; unprepared to handle a pooch kick; and penalties are all coaching issues. Why Drayton is still with the Packers is a mystery.
Coldworld
December 20, 2021 at 09:23 am
They ST unit exudes confusion and uncertainty. They look lot be poorly directed and not prepared for uncertain circumstances. Yes, depletion can hurt, but look at the snap count, there are a lot of supposed ST players dominating. Our injuries have been mostly to starters not expected to play STs and their replacements other than Douglas haven’t played key roles on STs either.
This is not primarily about players other than the glaring need to find a returner. I have zero doubt that a competent coach could get adequacy from the cast of characters playing STs yesterday. Confusion is rife even among players who’ve been on STs all season, many in prior years (here or elsewhere). That, at this point in the season, is coaching.
Drayton needs to be removed and an old hand hired to at least stabilize matters. LaFleur, like any coach who wants to be successful, cannot afford blinders. It’s time for Murphy, Gute, Rodgers, Aunt Nelly, whomever, to intervene and force a move. Drayton’s unit is season ending bad.
Minniman
December 20, 2021 at 12:57 pm
Calabasa, in this instance I don't agree with you re the 2-point try.
In the Ravens I saw a team that had:
a) Put 2 successive stops on the Packers Offense late in the 4th
b) Unlocked the Packers D (resulting in 2 BAL TD's with 5 minutes to go)
Had this game gone to extra time, I didn't see anything that suggested BAL weren't able to score a TD in that period...... and importantly, stop the Packers from scoring one (if they lost the toss).
The late game momentum was theirs and they were doing it offensively by attacking the Packers seam......... which isn't really present in goal-line stand situations. So take the 1, defend as they'd been doing the last 5 minutes (if they lost the toss) then attack with a bit more of the middle of the field exposed (this keeps the GB safeties back to defend against the TE's) and allows Huntley more open field opportunities (which the Packers D front had no answers for LATE in this game).
In this instance I just thought that John Harbaugh was impatient - and the play called stank........ if he watched the cards game, he'd have seen how that play panned out.
HarryHodag
December 20, 2021 at 08:02 am
Game ball: Aaron Rodgers. The Packers likely would have lost the game if he wasn't as dead on as he was.
Love him or hate him, he's the juice that makes to offense go.
Game ball: the offensive line. Under normal circumstances this is the starting line: David B., Jenkins, Myers, Newman, Turner. Sunday is was Nijman, Runyan, Patrick, Newman, Kelly. Aaron Rodgers barely touched. Jones and Dillon running against a top-ranked run defense. Next year's roster will be interesting to see who stays and who doesn't. Runyan and Newman have played all year. Who sits? Myers returns, what do you do with Patrick? He can play multiple positions and was the starter at right guard. Turner is likely released and Nijman goes to right tackle. Kelly is a good backup.
Lame call: special teams the obvious choice, but mainly Bojoquez, and not really him. I'm starting to see the same voodoo being worked on him as previous punters. They come to Green Bay and suddenly they start kicking like they're on LSD.
Bitternotsour
December 20, 2021 at 08:08 am
you mean like on LSD in a bad way, right? not like floating a big effortless punt into an infinite blue sky...
mnbadger
December 20, 2021 at 01:10 pm
Watching the Mercedes "Big Benz?" rumbling ". . . like a runaway drunken bull, staggering and stumbling all over the place as tacklers bounce off of him" also feels like a trip, but definitely a good one. GPG!
Philarod
December 20, 2021 at 08:45 am
I agree with you, except for your comment on Bojo - who is a very good punter.
3 punts for a 48.7 average, including a touchback. He's been a rose among thorns this year.
pacman
December 20, 2021 at 08:10 am
Game Ball - to Kenny Clark who showed us how valuable he is by not being there to block up the middle.
to everyone for the win with so many injuries (even though Ravens had even more)
to the refs for finally giving GB the benefit of some bad calls
Lame Call - to all of management for continued ST failures - how can MLF live with - himself!
to AR for wasting timeouts (what else is new?) that might have been necessary with 42 seconds left on the clock if they made the conversion.
to Joe Barry for having only 10 men on D to give up the TD
to MLF for not being able to get his team going in first qtr again
Not the kind of game expected from the #1 seed. We didn't blow them away with passing even though they had only subs in the secondary. And we didn't take advantage of the running game (yet again) when we should have at the end of the game.
Now the pressure is on to get some of the injured guys back and get a few games under their belt.
This has to be the year. GPG!
PeteK
December 20, 2021 at 08:41 am
Downer dud, wa wa wa .
Bitternotsour
December 20, 2021 at 08:10 am
not to throw water on MVS, but I'll start trusting him when he stops making body catches. 2 of those five he let get into his body. he did snatch one very impressively...
jont
December 20, 2021 at 11:06 am
I generally agree, but his TD was really very good, and he showed tremendous confidence taking the ball in one hand and stretching over the line.
NitschkeFromTheGrave
December 20, 2021 at 08:21 am
Lame Call- MLF; Matt, what were you thinking on the 3 and out set of downs that lead to the final touch down by the Ravens??? That may have been the worst set of plays you have ever called and it almost lost the game.
For those who may have read my posts on Aaron Rogers, you know I have not pimped him as the second coming. I call him out when he's off and last Summer I wanted his head for his antics with management. The past few games many have taken their swipes saying A.R. was off. However, few have recognized, written about or talked about he has been playing at this level for weeks WITHOUT practicing. Those who have played at some level understand if you miss one practice you can throw everything off including your team mates. A.R. Hasn't practiced in weeks. (which also says something about how good this team really is).
Yes, He missed Lazard badly, he missed a few others but came away with a passer rating of 132.2 in this game and he's not 100% (toe). His raw talent and brains (in the game) are uplifting and amazing. He is one guy on this team, yes the most important guy and although it is rare for me to give him a bigger head, I will say, "the Packers are very fortunate to have him and we fans STAND IN AWE."
GAME BALL - Aaron Rogers
PeteK
December 20, 2021 at 08:45 am
Absolutely, the way he threads the needle on some long passes is truly amazing.
Ya_tittle
December 20, 2021 at 12:03 pm
That pass in the middle to MVS was nuts!
NitschkeFan
December 20, 2021 at 09:03 am
@NitschkeFromTheGrave, I have to agree with everything you wrote today. The plays MLF called were a very poor way to try and move the damn chains, keep the ball and win the game.
On Rodgers, he is just the best thrower I think I have ever seen in my 50+ years of watching football. Of course he is not perfect, but if you watch a few games every weekend year after year, you will have seen a few hundred QB's play in dozens of their games. Even the best of them do not make the consistent quality throws and decisions that Rodgers makes. It has been a great ride watching him on the Packers, and so many fun weekends and so many victories. Knowing that is almost over makes me sad. I doubt that I will live long enough to see the Pack have another HOF starting QB (I'm getting pretty old).
Over the decades the rules have changed so much that it is difficult to compare QB's of different eras. For a long time I thought Marino had the best arm I had ever seen, and P. Manning was the smartest QB I had seen. But over the years I think A. Rodg has displayed the combination of both those talents in one package. I am not arguing that Brady is not the GOAT, his success makes him unquestionably the GOAT. But I don't think he was as good a QB as Rodgers, if that makes any sense.
NitschkeFromTheGrave
December 20, 2021 at 01:17 pm
Very well said.
And Thank you
HawkPacker
December 20, 2021 at 04:30 pm
Good writeup. It does make a lot of sense.
Coldworld
December 20, 2021 at 09:59 am
All QBs have dud throws. MVS salvaged another. He seemed to have another to Winfree who was just over the down line while Rodgers threw 2 yards short on 3 rd down All QBs need a little help from receivers. Rodgers needs less than most, we notice it more when he misses and it just happened that the 2 clearest misses were in particularly obviously big play moments yesterday, an open Lazard in space in the end zone and Adams well behind the D. Sometimes that’s how things fall.
RCPackerFan
December 20, 2021 at 08:19 am
Game Balls:
Rodgers -
He had 2 missed throws and those could have been the difference in winning the game and losing it. The first throw to Adams, who knows what happens on that drive if he hits it. Then he missed Lazard in the corner which would have put them up by 3 possessions. Which also could have cost us the game if not for the 2 point conversion.
Jones -
While he didn't put up gaudy stats, and big time numbers, he deserves a game ball IMO. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry (only 13 attempts) and added a couple of catches one of which was for a TD. He had a lot of good runs. He does a lot for the offense though.
Lewis -
How can you not love what he does for the team. I love that he has been targeted more each game in the passing game. He had 3 catches on 3 targets.
Gary -
He was the one player that constantly was getting pressure without giving up the edge down after down.
Lame Calls:
NFL Covid rules -
I really try to avoid the covid talk on here. I try to keep my posts purely about Packers. The team I love and I like to keep real life problems off of my posts because this is an escape for us.
But I just have to say, that the NFL changing their rules really makes no sense for "safety".
First a secondary rant - they said they wouldn't move any games around. This weekend they ended up moving 3 games. Shouldn't we complain because we had to play a game without our starting QB? Shouldn't other teams who have had to overcome covid issues complain because their games didn't get moved around? They said they would not move games around, and yet they did.
But that is not the point I am bringing up. They now are only going to test vaccinated players if they show symptoms. We know that vaccinated people can get it and can spread it regardless if there are symptoms. (at least that is what they tell us) So what they are doing is basically getting rid of the testing part to show if people get it or not. Essentially they are basically saying that if we don't test for it, we don't have positive cases.
The NFL is always going on about player safety. How is less testing more safe?
This to me is less about player safety and safety of people, and them trying to make sure their players are kept on the field so they don't lose money.
If they are truly about safety, they would make everyone get tested and have to have a false test before allowed in the building regardless of vaccination status. When Rodgers tested positive he wasn't allowed in the building until the test came back. Therefore when he was positive there was no spread of it. If they want to go the safest route, that is how they should be handling everyone. regardless of vaccination.
I know I will be blasted for having an opinion regarding Covid that may not be the same as everyone else's. but when you do, at least keep it on the professional level. And anyone that wants to dislike my comment at least have the decency to get in and tell me why you gave me a dislike. Lets have a real conversation about it.
(Back to Packers game)
Slow starts -
My biggest lame call is how this team has started very slowly in the first quarter of just about every game this year. I like that they turn things around for the 2nd half and whatnot, but if they continue to start slow, that could hurt them in the playoffs. They need to start faster.
Notes:
This game to me showed how much they missed having Clark in the middle. There were a quite a few runs up the middle that likely would have been shut down if Clark was in there. Also they had little pass rush up the middle without Clark.
Rodgers - The other Rodgers I thought was starting to get a feel for the return game. He started flashing the last couple of games. Unfortunately he got hurt because he has his best return of the year. Regardless of it getting called back, he finally flashed.
Pro Bowlers returning -
Clark will be back and that will really help.
It seems that Alexander will be returning soon. What does that mean for the defense? I have to think they may make him the star corner. Having him play inside while having Douglas and Stokes outside. I don't know how you can take those 2 guys off the field.
Bakhtiari will be returning at some point. My guess is he will return in 2 weeks against the Vikings. I think they are going to want to get him a couple of games of work in before the playoffs.
Z - Not sure if he will be back or not. If they could get him back for the playoffs that would an added bonus.
Turner - Sounds like he will be back sometime. Hopefully before the playoffs.
Myers - I believe he was seen running in practice last week for the first time. If they could by the playoffs get Bakhtiari , Turner, and Myers back that would be a huge. Though, as much as Myers has missed, i could see them just going with Patrick. Either way if they can get Bakhtiari and Turner back, that would be a big help for the OL.
Lets enjoy some Victory Monday! Not only that NFC NORTH CHAMPS Victory Monday!
egbertsouse
December 20, 2021 at 08:51 am
Gary? I think I would have a heart attack if he ever got a sack or didn’t sell out and lose contain.
PeteK
December 20, 2021 at 09:20 am
It was Smith pinching inside that was losing contain, Gary for the most part is just not fast enough. Let's give credit to the undrafted Huntley, the man can run and lead.
Ferrari-Driver
December 21, 2021 at 11:06 am
PeteK, I agree with you our defensive line had their hands full trying to get their hands on Huntley and you are probably correct in saying that Gary is not fast enough, or at least fast enough to catch Hundley.
However, I though I would post Rashan Gary's 40 time which was available on Fanside:
"At 277 pounds, Gary ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds, a blazing fast time for a human his size."
However, his speed doesn't compare well with defensive lineman Montez Sweat who ran 4.1 forty and still weights an amazing 260 pounds. He was drafted by Washington in 2019, 1st round, number 26 and has performed well.
Coldworld
December 20, 2021 at 11:59 am
Gary is fast, very powerful, but not a particularly agile player. He showed his speed on the chase down for a tackle for a loss early. That said, Huntley isn’t just fast he’s very agile. We should have played him as we did other mobile QBs earlier, just contain outside and press the pocket up the middle. We did not.
Perhaps that was a reaction to losing Clark, but it seems likely we just underestimated Huntley. We played him like Fields, without a spy and essentially gave him yards. With Fields that was smart, but Huntley is actually better flushed by the look of it. We just got him wrong. All the OLBs were guilty throughout the game, so it looks like strategy.
Fubared
December 20, 2021 at 08:17 pm
Gary was fast. His ass is now wider then my snow shovel. the boy has been eating and eating a lot. he looked like a cliwn out there. he would be second string on most teams. he only wants to get sacks, that pays the money, he couldn't contain an old lady with a cane.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
December 20, 2021 at 09:22 am
Better get on a statin then my friend!
PeteK
December 20, 2021 at 09:00 am
-This new variant is causing a shuffling of the schedule once again which I agree with, but yes ,I don't understand why the more lenient rule. I can't help but be reminded of a Pink Floyd song.
-I think Myers will have to fight for his center job this summer.
-Alexander, Stokes, and Douglas, can't wait !
Alberta_Packer
December 20, 2021 at 01:08 pm
It has been proven that covid and politics don't mix well - ergo more leniency.
Not sure about Myers having to fight for his center job. As a high draft choice who played relatively well as a rookie, I believe he will penciled-in as the starter. Not that Patrick isn't a solid interior O lineman but Myers has potentially more upside.
Yes to the trio of Alexander, Stokes and Douglas on the field together. Also thank you for not mentioning King.
jont
December 20, 2021 at 11:21 am
"We know that vaccinated people can get it and can spread it regardless if there are symptoms.... they are basically saying that if we don't test for it, we don't have positive cases. The NFL is always going on about player safety. How is less testing more safe?"
I am as hesitant as you are to wade into the vax argument because peoplel get so heated, but one answer to your question is that people are discussing infection rates not illness, and this is a critical distinction.
In the public health arena (as opposed to most news reports and discussions) there is a focus on hospitalizations and deaths rather than on the number of cases. This is important because if a disease isn't serious, then it's not necessarily a crisis if a lot of people are infected (you know, think of seasonal bronchitis or something).
Consider also viral load (how much of the virus is in you at any given moment). With covid young people rarely reach a load that causes any real health problem, but quick swab tests can't measure load. So if healthy men in their 20s don't often get sick from this infection, then is suspending them really the optimal course of action?
packerbackerjim
December 20, 2021 at 08:23 am
Game: MVS for his spectacular catches
Lame: whoever was responsible for a 10 man defense
MarkinMadison
December 20, 2021 at 08:36 am
GB: Aaron Jones. As much as I love Dillon (and if I had a son, I would re-name him Dillon) AJ stood out with his burst, getting good yardage against a great run defense.
LC: Whoever was responsible for the delay of game penalty on the punt. That was a bad situation that could have turned into a disaster. DOG should not happen on special teams (unless it is intentional). To back your punter up into the endzone is criminal.
Chef
December 20, 2021 at 08:38 am
I cuon't stuond sofft zune-a. Huontley und Andruos juost picked it ipert. I muoch preffer a calzune-a vit pepperuni und muoshruoms . Bork Bork Bork!
PeteK
December 20, 2021 at 09:05 am
Prasatz tovar, LOl
Stickfish
December 20, 2021 at 08:46 am
Game Ball (overdue as it is) - Coach Stenavich who continues to impress with game plans for the O Line that provides the Pack an avenue to be successful.
Lame call - secondary was beaten again on the two point conversion, tipping away a poorly thrown pass doesn’t make up for it and nobody seems to mention the Ravens WR who was breaking behind the double team and had no defensive players within five yards.
Merry Christmas to all!
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egbertsouse
December 20, 2021 at 08:49 am
Game ball: John Harbaugh for handing GB the game on a silver platter. How many points did he give up because he wouldn’t use the best kicker in the game?
Lame call: Defense that doesn’t show up in every game. And, of course, Mo Drayton and his band of Keystone Cops.
Philarod
December 20, 2021 at 08:54 am
GAME: I'll "steal" the nomination of Stenavich who, regardless of who's available on the OL, has them ready to compete for four quarters.
Rodgers -- with Tom laying an egg, and in front of the league in passer rating, he should now be the frontrunner for MVP. He's human, and missed a couple throws, but was on-point with his leadership, decision making and throws all game.
MVS - I'm still not completely sold on him, but he's improving.
LAME: Our high school-level Special Teams, and whoever was responsible for Savage trying to cover Andrews.
MLF, You are a terrific young head coach, but something has to be done about STs.
Coldworld
December 20, 2021 at 10:05 am
As good as Rodgers was, the performance by Taylor this weekend was extraordinary. A RB, certainly, but he’s got a legitimate claim.
Philarod
December 20, 2021 at 12:31 pm
Taylor would be a worthy choice as well. Amazing season by him!
jurp
December 20, 2021 at 02:06 pm
Taylor is on pace for something like 2350 yards. If he does this or more than he should get the award.
Philarod
December 20, 2021 at 02:56 pm
He's great, but his rushing yards pace is 1800 or so.
Ferrari-Driver
December 21, 2021 at 11:14 am
Taylor was a load in college and he is a load in the pro's. That guy runs with a purpose. The Badgers could have used him against Minnesota when they were playing for a chance to be in the Big Ten Championship game.
I hope he stays healthy; he is a joy to watch.
Grimm
December 20, 2021 at 10:39 am
Even if Rodgers is deserving of the MVP, I am not sure he would get it. He did mislead the media guys over his Vax status and those are the guys that decide the award.
PeteK
December 20, 2021 at 09:12 am
Very strange matchup results. You would think that Savage could easily keep up with Andrews.
Coldworld
December 20, 2021 at 10:07 am
Savage could keep up but he couldn’t defense the catches. I can’t understand why that wasn’t a corner with safety help, given that he really was the only guy that they could connect with.
Ferrari-Driver
December 21, 2021 at 11:35 am
Andrews is a tall and athletic tight end who is 6'5". I recall seeing King who is 6'3" cover him on few plays and I believe he did okay. Andrews was far and away our biggest thorn and perhaps we would have fared better if we had King cover Andrews with Savage over the top on more plays. Just a thought.
Opponents have a much more difficult issue with our Davante Adams who is perhaps the best receiver in the game. The Ravens devoted much of their defensive talent to try to minimize the damage Adams would normally do and had some success in holding him to less than half of his normal yardage, but he still was able to add one more touchdown to the cause.
Alberta_Packer
December 20, 2021 at 03:20 pm
I think that Savage got better in the second half - especially on the 2 pt. convert.
Also not to overlook that they lined King up against Andrews (in the dime) - which only padded Andrews stats. King is barely competent as a perimeter CB - but you have a King-sized problem asking him to be a slot CB. He simply does not have the quickness or twitch to fulfill that role.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
December 20, 2021 at 09:28 am
I have thought for several years the Packers are not using MVS to his full potential. With his speed running slants with his eyes fully on the ball he can be very dangerous. He has trouble tracking those long over the shoulder catches which contribute to some of his dropped catches. I want to see more slants for MVS.
Ferrari-Driver
December 20, 2021 at 09:58 am
That win yesterday made my day!
We were up by 14 points and I made the mistake of starting to feel relaxed and confident. When the Ravens scored their final touchdown, I was hoping they would just go for the single point, but they didn't.
Like many of the Packer fans, I thought they might target Mark Andrews, especially when I saw Harbaugh huddling on the sideline with Hundley during the timeout and saw him wave Andrews over to the conversation. I now suspect that the Packers coaching staff noticed that as well.
Many thanks to Savage for racing to the play and getting a finger on the ball and preserving that road win to keep the Packers in the number one seed position for the playoffs.
Leatherhead
December 20, 2021 at 10:13 am
Savage drew the short straw and got matched up with Andrews, who is a tough matchup. He battled hard but Andrews had hurt us. To me, the pass looked like it might have been off-target behind the receiver, but Savage got a fingertip on it and we’ll never know.
I thought the Ravens played really well. No turnovers, not many penalties, and the backup QB dodged about six sacks. Their special teams did their jobs well. This was a good victory on the road against a good team that played well. Kind of like our wins at SF and AZ.
Think about this: We win close games against good teams. What does that tell you?
fthisJack
December 20, 2021 at 10:52 am
Rodgers drives me crazy. He'll thread the needle on passes where there is no room for error and then he'll completely miss guys that are wide open. Too many times they fail to drive the dagger home and limp to the finish! C'MON!
jlc1
December 20, 2021 at 10:56 am
I think Harbaugh was right with either call because either would give him a chance to play against the Pack ST which is the best matchup in the NFL. If he kicks it GB needs to kick a long field goal. Less likelihood of that than his play call working. In overtime all he needs is to win the toss and at a minimum Tucker kicks a field goal. Again the Pack is likely to then rely on Crosby to kick one unless the offense goes all the way Again less likely than the 2 pointer working. Bottom line? Always bet against Drayton's ST fiasco.
Qoojo
December 20, 2021 at 11:31 am
I wasn't mad at Savage. I was mad that it took so long for Barry to notice and adjust. It was clear that Andrews was too fast for Savage. Then they never forced Huntley to be a passer like you mentioned about containment. This isn't all due to Clark being out. It was a crappy plan and/or crappy execution. How many times did you see the DEs 5 yards past the QB or entire side cave in with no containment? How does the defensive plan against any inexperienced QB not start with making the QB beat you by passing? 10 players on defense and entire side of the field left open. It almost happened another time with King running on the field at last moment. Epic failure on the defense.
Either release Yiadom or stick him deep on the PS and find a street FA. Not hitting the punt catcher before the ball gets there is about as basic as it gets.
Lewis had some extra juice going against the Ravens.
Give the OL coach more money. Definitely do not want to lose him.
LambeauPlain
December 20, 2021 at 01:52 pm
Ripple effect: Not having Kenny in the middle made a huge difference. I think he would have flushed Huntley more quickly and often resulting in more sacks for the edge rushers. As it was Smith and Gary had to fight so much harder to try to get to Huntley and too often lost contain opening up daylight for long runs by the QB. And Huntley often had time to hit those passes in the middle without Kenny in there.
Perplexing: Why is Yiadom even on an NFL team? He can't play defense at all and his ST play mostly poor and yesterday he was awful.
Inspirational: The grit and guts of the OL. Steno and Butkus really know how to coach their guys up and get them ready to play physical football.
Sublime: Rodgers is in a groove right now.
Yellow light: The defense is starting to crack and are giving up big plays again.
Red flashing light: STs of course. Find the best college ST coach you can find and give him an audition for the rest of the season.
Starrbrite
December 20, 2021 at 03:04 pm
Exactly right on Yiadom (Do dee Dum)
mvprzy
December 20, 2021 at 01:00 pm
*Not* taking the extra point to force more time from GB's special special teams unit, was not analytical at all.
PhantomII
December 20, 2021 at 01:05 pm
I think Huntley played pretty damn good for a backup QB. Matter of fact, he should be starting on several teams. I wonder if the Ravens trade him for a #1 pick next off season or during the draft. If he keeps this up, he may be moving on soon. He has shown more than Love so far.
Starrbrite
December 20, 2021 at 03:05 pm
Completely agree —saw the same thing.
Minniman
December 20, 2021 at 01:16 pm
I'm loathe to lead with the negatives, but, Dean Lowrie and Tyler Lancaster were conspicuously quiet in this game - The increased snaps blunted them a bit and hurt the Packers (to be expected).
No safety blitzes - I thought that it would have been smarter to play the contain game and use the occasional Safety Blitz for running down such a mobile QB. Maybe the work that he was doing with the TE's in the seam prevented this.
Underestimating your opposing QB - The Packers dismissal of Tyler Huntley as a dual threat almost cost them the game. Why they didn't make him beat them with his arm first was lost on me.
Denis Kelly did an OK job against a decent Defensive front. There were 2 sacks at pivotal times that hurt the Packers, but by and large the right side of the line did it's thing.
Coldworld
December 20, 2021 at 02:49 pm
Lancaster actually was very highly graded and credited with two pressures per PFF. Abdullah also graded well, which I had not noticed.. Keke got some pressure but washed out on the run and Lowery was back to bring a turnstile. Slaton was ok. Clearly Lowry is made to look better by Clark.
Poor old Lazard gets killed by PFF every time since he’s a blocker on most routs run.
Buckywunder
December 20, 2021 at 03:05 pm
The rollout call by Harbaugh should have been the game-winner.
The Raven breaking behind Andrews was WIDE OPEN. Huntley just didn’t see him or the fans would be having a much different conversation today…
Starrbrite
December 20, 2021 at 03:15 pm
Love the article Ken, you articulated everything I might have said.
Lamar would not have done anything better than Huntley. In fact, Lamar has not played well in the last few games; his inaccuracy is Cam Newton like.
I watched the entitled “Golden Calf” Tawamy Brady last night against the Saints. He looked at and/or cried to an official after every sack or bad pass. He might be the Goat—more like goat smelling; but he bugs me baaaad.
Merry Christmas y’all.
lpirlot
December 20, 2021 at 04:15 pm
Cajones.
Starrbrite
December 20, 2021 at 08:16 pm
Ha—Yes—Cajones!!
Ferrari-Driver
December 20, 2021 at 05:46 pm
Ken, your quote: Savage was exposed as too small and too slow to cover the big, athletic Andrews, who caught 10 passes for 136 yards and two scores.
You may be okay in saying Savage is too small at 5'11" and 198 pounds and I can't argue that point, but to say he is too slow is one aspect of your quote that I can challenge.
Mark Andrews is a big man at all of 6'5" who was tested at the combine running a 4.67 forty which is good for a tight end. However, Savage was the second fastest safety in the 2019 draft running a 4.36.in the 40 yard dash.
Since'61
December 20, 2021 at 07:12 pm
Game Balls: Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, OL, Mercedes Lewis, Rashan Gary, Savage stopping the 2 point conversion.
Lame Calls: 10 men on the field for Ravens 1st 4th quarter TD!!!??? Defensive collapse in the 4th quarter. Lack of defensive adjustments. DL without Clark.
Packers have earned the playoffs and won the NFCN with games left to play. Big question for MLF now is whether to play all out for the #1 seed or to rest some players and allow them to get ready for the playoffs? Most importantly what is he going to do about our STs between now and the playoffs? Our STs are getting worse with every game. Thanks, Since '61
Packers0808
December 20, 2021 at 07:26 pm
I know most likely that M Lewis will retire after this year, but damn I enjoy watching him playing this game!
Fubared
December 20, 2021 at 08:30 pm
okay let's talk lax vax. Seems to be important on this site. Super bowl same night as winter Olympics start. Postponing any games, extending season puts SB in the middle of Olympics, advertisers do not want to happen.
Obviously the call was made to the NFL, get it done. By lowering the tests, yes no one gets caught, games get played. end of story it's about tv advertising as always.
GregC
December 20, 2021 at 09:51 pm
Savage did not make the game-saving play on the two-point conversion attempt. He barely touched the ball, and its trajectory barely changed. The pass was badly off target to begin with. Credit Stokes for having good coverage on Andrews, but the failed two-point attempt was mostly due to a bad throw. Huntley was off-target throughout the second half, which made it all the more frustrating that the edge rushers allowed him to get to the outside and scramble for big yardage time after time.