Packers Are Playoff Bound » Brats & Beer

December 10, 2007
posted under: NFL playoffs, Packers, Raiders

Green Bay clinched the NFC North division title today in convincing fashion with a 38-7 blowout victory over the Oakland Raiders in front of the Lambeau faithful. It was just the sort of win the Packers needed to get the fan base re-energized and to gain momentum for the final three games of the regular season.

It did look like the Green & Gold were suffering either from rust due to their extended break or from a lingering hangover after losing to Dallas 10 days ago. During a sloppy first half, Green Bay scored just one offensive touchdown and allowed Oakland to get into the end zone just before halftime. It was looking like we might be in for a long day, but thankfully they regrouped and scored 24 points in the second half while the defense pitched a shutout.

Amazingly enough, the Packers relied more on running the ball than passing for the first time this year. Ryan Grant looked especially good rushing for 156 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Brett Favre threw just 23 passes for 266 yards and two more touchdowns, a big chunk of it coming on an 80-yard pass play to Greg Jennings. Best of all, No. 4 managed to get through the game without a scratch — or his arm falling off.

But the big star of the game was the defense, which held the Raiders to just 233 total yards and came up with two turnovers. With KGB back in the lineup, the front four was able to get pressure on Josh McCown (no sacks, though), while the secondary showed improvement with Charles Woodson back in the game. Al Harris and Atari Bigby both came up with interceptions.

Green Bay also made some big plays on special teams. Will Blackmon returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and later recovered a fumble in the end zone on punt coverage for another Packers TD. He’s the first player to score on a both a punt return and a fumble recovery since 1974.

Let’s hope the momentum continues to build next week with a victory in St. Louis. The Seahawks won today to clinch the NFC West while keeping the pressure on Green Bay in the race for a first-round bye. Unfortunately, those stupid Lions had a chance to upset the Cowboys but let Dallas score a game-winning touchdown at the end.