A Sweet Win For The Packers » Brats & Beer

September 9, 2007
posted under: Eagles, Packers, Post-game

It was ugly and unconventional and not very inspiring from an offensive point of view, but the important thing is the Green Bay Packers found a way to win today’s home opener 16-13 against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Kudos, by the way, to Cheese and Packers for coming close to predicting the final score.)

As predicted, the defense came in and played very physical and did its best to contain the McNabb and the Eagles offense. They did give up 283 yards, including 103 yards on the ground, but they came up big when they needed to especially in the second half. The Iggles were just six of 18 on third down conversions and all but one of their second half possessions ended with a punt. That played a huge part in the Packers victory today.

It also helped that Philly recruited some players off the short yellow bus to field punts this season. Packer Nation should be sending thank you letters and cards to to J.R. Reed and Greg Lewis tomorrow for their special gifts: Lewis muffed a punt in the opening quarter that was recovered in the end zone for a Green Bay touchdown, and Reed lost the handle on the final punt setting up the Packers in range for Mason Crosby’s game-winning field goal.

The Packers offense, one the other hand, didn’t win any awards today. Just 215 yards and a measly 46 yards on the ground. Atrocious! But I think there were a couple notable things to come out of the game. Brett Favre threw only one interception, which was remarkable given his recent track record when under pressure — and he was under tremendous pressure all day. Donald Driver, coming off an injury suffered in the pre-season, was a true soldier making remarkable catches on short slant routes. And DeShawn Wynn showed a little something taking the shovel pass from Favre for a first down. He might be a gamer yet.

Obviously, Mike McCarthy has his hands full trying to get this team through a full 16-week schedule. The offensive line needs a ton of work, the running game needs to improve to be even serviceable, and pre-snap penalties need to be eliminated if the Packers are going to get very far this year. (I was also disappointed to see him abandon the run there for a long stretch of the game: Running out of that spread offense the Packers looked like the UNLV Running Rebels.) But getting this win and having the defense playing well is a pretty good place to start.