Post-Season Observations

The Packers' season came to an end this weekend with an overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Neither team was able to stop the other for the majority of the game, leading to a combined 1,024 yards, and a playoff record 13 touchdowns and 96 points. In his first career playoff game, Aaron Rodgers got off to a shaky start, throwing an interception on the first play from scrimmage. A Donald Driver fumble led to a second Cardinal touchdown early in the game. Rodgers, however, quickly found his groove, and eventually threw for a Packers' post-season record 422 yards. (the previous record was 332 yards thrown by Lynn Dickey in 1983) All but 2 of these yards came after the first quarter. Rodgers threw for 4 touchdowns and ran for another. The Packer defense was non-existant for the majority off the game, never putting any pressure on Kurt Warner, allowing him to pick apart the secondary for 379 yards and 5 touchdown passes. In the 4th quarter, Rodgers led the Packer offense down the field for a game-tying touchdown pass to Spencer Havner. The defense let the Cards march right down the field for a chance at a game-winning field goal. Neil Rackers, unbelievably, missed a manageable 34 yard field goal.

The game went into overtime, and Green bay won the toss. After a holding penalty put the Pack deep in their own territory, Michael Adams stripped Rodgers of the Ball on a corner blitz and Karlos Dansby found the ball on his way to a 17 yard game-winning fumble return for a touchdown. As they have all season, penalties came back to haunt the Packers. This time, however, it was the absence of penalties that may have done the most damage. On the same play the Packers were called for holding, Rodgers was drilled helmet-to-helmet after the ball was released. No penalty was called. This is ridiculous considering some of the weak calls refs have given to quarterbacks during the season. When an actual late hit occurred, the refs completely missed it. On the final play of the game, after Rodgers fumbled he was taken down by the facemask. Senior Sports Illustrated writer Peter King explained the reason this call was missed -

"The referee, Scott Green, stands behind the pocket and has to watch first for the loose ball. Once the ball is out, Green's job is to watch ball for possession. He can't watch the QB then. If he saw the facemask, it'd mean he wasn't watching ball. It's a quirky rule, but it's the referee's call -- and the ref is charged with possession once the ball is loose."

Obviously this was a disappointing end to a season that seemed to be heading deep into the playoffs. The Packer offense was red-hot going into the playoffs, coming off a record setting season. The Packers were the first team in history to have a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards, a running back rush for 1,200 yards, and have two 1,000 yard receivers. On the season, Ryan Grant carried the ball 282 times for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns. Rodgers was second in the rushing department with 58 attempts for 316 yards and 5 touchdowns. Rodgers also had one of the best years in Packer history throwing the ball. Rodgers threw for 4,434 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He had the 3rd highest completion percentage (64.56%) in team history, and his 30 touchdowns tied for 6th highest in team history. Rodgers' 7 interceptions were the 3rd fewest season total in team history. His 4,434 yards were fourth highest in the league and fourth highest in team history. Rodgers became the first quarterback in league history to throw for 4,000 yards in his first two seasons as a starter. Rodgers was also selected to the Pro Bowl.

The Packer receivers had huge seasons as well. Both Donald Driver and Greg Jennings went over 1,000 yards, 1,063 and 1,113, respectively. Driver caught 6 touchdowns and Jennings added 4. Jermichael Finley, when healthy, was a huge addition to the passing game. He had 676 reception yards and scored 5 touchdowns. Finley will be a key part to the passing game next year, as he has proven to be an excellent matchup against nearly anyone. It's been awhile since the Packers had a go-to tight end; Finley should fill that position. Spencer Havner also emerged as an excellent receiving tight end, scoring 4 touchdowns of his own. Usually sure-handed, the Packer receivers had quite a few drops near the end of the season, yet they still did an excellent job of getting open for Aaron Rodgers.

The offensive line struggled early in the season, and it appeared the Packers were headed for a team record for sacks allowed. Mark Tauscher returned to the team and helped solidify the o-line. Rodgers was still sacked 51 times over the season, which was the 3rd most sacks allowed in team history. Run-blocking was fairly decent, as Grant was able to rush for 1,253 yards with an average of 4.4 yards per carry.

The Packer defense was amazing at times this season and equally as poor at others. Highlights of the defense included rookie Clay Matthews, who finished 3rd in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Matthews led the team with 10 sacks, and was a constant threat in the pass rush. Matthews' true impact doesn't show up in stats, but his conastant pressure on the quarterback allowed the defensive backs to have the year they did.
 

Charles Woodson had one of the best seasons of his 12 year career on his way to becoming the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year. Woodson had 74 tackles (66 solo), 2 sacks, and an NFL leading 9 interceptions, 3 which were returned for touchdowns. Woodson had 18 passes defended and forced 4 fumbles. Woodson played nearly every position in the defensive backfield. He was also used to stop the run and blitz the quarterback. Throughout the season Woodson came up with big plays at key moments in games. Woodson joins fellow defensive players Clay Mattews and Nick Collins in the Pro Bowl.
 
Overall, the Packers' season came to a disappointing end, but the hopes for next season are high. The Packers were one of the youngest teams this season, and hope to use the experience gained this season to propell them even further next year. Said Rodgers after the loss to the Cardinals, "This is just going to make myself and these guys want it that much more." I look forward to the next time the Packers take the field.