PACKERS TEAM NOTESGETTING WHAT YOU EMPHASIZEGreen Bay’s defense has been <strong>at</strong> its best this season when it has beenplaced in adverse situ<strong>at</strong>ions and forced to respond.The <strong>Packers</strong> turned the ball over 22 times this season, but the defenseshowed significant improvement from last season in not allowing thosegiveaways to be converted into touchdowns.Opponents scored just 39 points (six field goals, three TDs) followingthe 22 takeaways this season, an average of 1.77 points per giveaway.Th<strong>at</strong> average ranks No. 4 in the <strong>NFL</strong>, and the <strong>Packers</strong>’ three TDs off ofgiveaways were tied for No. 2 in the <strong>NFL</strong>.The <strong>Packers</strong>’ average of 1.77 points off of giveaways was the best markby Green Bay since 1.70 in 2000. The defense allowed five TDs aftergiveaways th<strong>at</strong> season.Green Bay had not given up a touchdown allseason off a turnover until the Falcons drove for ascore following QB Aaron Rodgers’ fumble inWeek 12 <strong>at</strong> Atlanta.The defense didn’t get a chance to keep the P<strong>at</strong>riotsout of the end zone after QB M<strong>at</strong>t Flynn’s thirdquarterinterception <strong>at</strong> New England, as CB KyleArrington returned it 36 yards for a touchdown.According to STATS, the three TDs allowed werethe fewest given up by Green Bay since the st<strong>at</strong>isticbegan to be recorded in 1995.Although the <strong>Packers</strong> led the league in 2009 with16 giveaways, a franchise record for fewest in aseason, opponents were able to convert thoseturnovers into 70 points. Th<strong>at</strong> average of 4.38points allowed per giveaway was the highest in the <strong>NFL</strong>.Another aspect of the defense th<strong>at</strong> the <strong>Packers</strong> made strides in thisseason was limiting opponents when they get inside the 20-yard line, anarea of emphasis after some struggles in 2009.In 2009, the <strong>Packers</strong> ranked No. 28 in the league in red-zone defense,allowing opponents to score touchdowns on 60.9 percent of trips insidethe 20.The <strong>Packers</strong> jumped 16 places in the league rankings in 2010, finishingNo. 12 in the <strong>NFL</strong> in red-zone defense. Green Bay allowed its opponentsto get into the end zone 48.4 percent of the time (15 TDs on 31 opportunities).Th<strong>at</strong> marked the best red-zone perfomance by the defense during HeadCoach Mike McCarthy’s tenure, topping the mark of 48.8 in 2007. Itwas also the best red-zone percentage by the <strong>Packers</strong> since 2003 (39.1).Green Bay gave up an average of 4.45 points per opponent red-zone tripthis season, which ranked No. 12 in the <strong>NFL</strong>. The <strong>Packers</strong> ranked No. 21in the league (4.72) in the c<strong>at</strong>egory in 2009.MAKING PLAYS ANOTHER WAYWhile QB Aaron Rodgers continued to rank among the league’s toppassers again in 2010, it wasn’t the only aspect of his game on display.Rodgers ranked No. 3 among <strong>NFL</strong> QBs this season despite missing onegame with a career-high 356 rushing yards on 64 <strong>at</strong>tempts (5.6 avg.),trailing only Philadelphia’s Michael Vick (676) and Tampa Bay’s JoshFreeman (374).Rodgers ranked tied for second among QBs in 10-yard runs (16) andwas No. 4 in rushing TDs (four).He picked up 113 yards on 17 third-down carries this season (6.6 avg.),with six of them going for first downs (35.3 percent).Rodgers went over the 300-yard mark for the season in the Week 14contest <strong>at</strong> Detroit to be<strong>com</strong>e the first <strong>Packers</strong> quarterback since TobinRote (1954-56) to record back-to-back 300-yard rushing seasons.Rodgers posted his fourth rushing TD of the season <strong>at</strong> Atlanta in Week12, making him just the second QB in franchise annals to record fourplusrushing TDs in three straight seasons (Rote, 1954-56).His 51 rushing yards on 12 carries against the Falcons in Week 12 wasjust a yard shy of his career high, a 52-yard outing vs. Minnesota lastseason (Nov. 1, 2009). He is one of only five quarterbacks to post 50rushing yards in a game this season.Rodgers is the first <strong>NFL</strong> quarterback to post four-plus rushing TDs inthree consecutive seasons since Minnesota’s Daunte Culpepper (2000-03) posted th<strong>at</strong> number in four straight seasons.Since 2009, Rodgers ranks No. 2 among QBs in rushing yards (672), No.2 in rushing TDs (nine), and No. 1 in 10-yard runs (30).Of his 122 rushing <strong>at</strong>tempts since 2009, nearly a quarter (30) have beenfor 10 or more yards. He posted a 10-yard run in 11 of 15 starts thisseason, and in 22 of his last 31 contests.In 2009, Rodgers finished second among all <strong>NFL</strong> quarterbacks (DavidGarrard, 323) with 316 rushing yards, the most by a Green Bay QB sinceDon Majkowski posted 358 yards on the ground in 1989.Rodgers also led all <strong>NFL</strong> signal-callers with five rushingtouchdowns in ’09, the most by a <strong>Packers</strong> QB sinceMajkowski’s five in ’89.FINDING A RHYTHMNo quarterback was more efficient than Aaron Rodgerson third down last season, and after a slow start in 2010,he picked up his play in th<strong>at</strong> area.Over the final seven games (missed Week 15 <strong>at</strong> NewEngland), Rodgers was No. 2 in the <strong>NFL</strong> with a 133.7passer r<strong>at</strong>ing on third down, trailing only New EnglandQB Tom Brady (136.3) over th<strong>at</strong> span.Th<strong>at</strong> came on the heels of a 65.7 passer r<strong>at</strong>ing forRodgers on third down in the first eight games, as heconnected on just 38-of-73 passes (52.1 percent) for five TDs with fiveINTs, and an average of 6.22 yards per <strong>at</strong>tempt.Since Week 9, Rodgers saw his yards per <strong>at</strong>tempt on third down jumpup to 8.90, good for No. 4 in the <strong>NFL</strong> over th<strong>at</strong> span.Rodgers was tied for No. 2 in the <strong>NFL</strong> behind only Brady (eight) for themost 25-yard passes on third down since Week 9 with six, despite playingin only seven games to Brady’s nine. Rodgers connected on just two25-yard passes on third down in the opening eight contests.Last season, Rodgers ranked No. 1 in the <strong>NFL</strong> in passer r<strong>at</strong>ing on thirddown <strong>at</strong> 133.5. No other quarterback in the league threw for as manyyards (1,710) or touchdowns (14) on third down as Rodgers, and hispasser r<strong>at</strong>ing was the best in the <strong>NFL</strong> since Kurt Warner’s 137.3 r<strong>at</strong>ingin 1999 with St. Louis.Rodgers ranks No. 1 among all <strong>NFL</strong> quarterbacks with a 116.0 passerr<strong>at</strong>ing on third down since 2009, throwing 25 TDs to just five INTs.This postseason, Rodgers has continued his third-down efficiency witha 116.0 passer r<strong>at</strong>ing (16-of-18, 213 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs).Rodgers was a perfect 10-for-10 on third down on S<strong>at</strong>urday night inAtlanta for 151 yards and a 118.8 passer r<strong>at</strong>ing.COACH LOCATIONSCoaches’ Box: Dom Capers (defensive coordin<strong>at</strong>or), JerryFontenot (asst. offensive line), Scott McCurley (defensive qualitycontrol), Curtis Fuller (administr<strong>at</strong>or), Joe Philbin (offensive coordin<strong>at</strong>or),John Rushing (offensive quality control), and Joe Whitt Jr.(secondary - cornerbacks).Sideline: Edgar Bennett (running backs), James Campen (offensiveline), Tom Clements (quarterbacks), Mike Eayrs (research anddevelopment), Chad Morton (special teams asst.), Kevin Greene(outside linebackers), Ben McAdoo (tight ends), Winston Moss(inside linebackers/asst. head coach), Darren Perry (secondary -safeties), Jimmy Robinson (wide receivers), Shawn Slocum (specialteams coordin<strong>at</strong>or) and Mike Trgovac (defensive line).17
DIVISIONAL GAME REVIEW - PACKERS 48, FALCONS 21PACKERS DOMINATE IN DIVISIONAL ROUNDOn the road again. In a dome this time. None of th<strong>at</strong> seems to m<strong>at</strong>ter tothese Green Bay <strong>Packers</strong>.Behind a jaw-dropping performance from quarterback Aaron Rodgersand a pair of momentous interceptions by cornerback TramonWilliams, the <strong>Packers</strong> chalked up another road playoff victory onS<strong>at</strong>urday night. This one was less dram<strong>at</strong>ic than last week but undoubtedlymore impressive, a 48-21 <strong>NFC</strong> Divisional-round be<strong>at</strong>ing of the No.1 seed Atlanta Falcons in front of 69,210 fans in wh<strong>at</strong> became an awfullyquiet Georgia Dome by evening’s end.With the win, the No. 6-seeded <strong>Packers</strong> advance to next Sunday’s <strong>NFC</strong><strong>Championship</strong> Game against either Chicago or Se<strong>at</strong>tle, one win awayfrom a trip to the Super Bowl and two wins away from the league title.To these <strong>Packers</strong>, the playoff journey is only half over.“We’ve had 16 quarters on our mind, we’ve <strong>com</strong>pleted eight of them,and we have an opportunity to play in four morenext week,” Head Coach Mike McCarthy said.“We feel very good about who we are, the waywe’ve played, our brand of football in all threeareas. And th<strong>at</strong>’s wh<strong>at</strong> we’re sticking to.”Th<strong>at</strong> brand of football was downright dominantagainst the Falcons, who under quarterback M<strong>at</strong>tRyan had been 20-2 on their home turf over thepast three years. But the <strong>Packers</strong> became just thesecond No. 6 seed to knock off the No. 1 in the<strong>NFC</strong> since the league went to this playoff form<strong>at</strong> in1990 (Philadelphia be<strong>at</strong>ing the New York Giants inthe 2008 playoffs was the other).The <strong>Packers</strong> overcame a couple of early blundersbut did so swiftly and efficiently. A fumble byreceiver Greg Jennings <strong>at</strong> the end of a 30-yardgain set up Atlanta’s first score, a 12-yard run by Michael Turner. Thenafter the <strong>Packers</strong> answered with wide receiver Jordy Nelson’s 7-yardtouchdown to cap an 81-yard drive, Atlanta’s Eric Weems returned theensuing kickoff 102 yards for another score and it was 14-7 Falconsearly in the second quarter.But the <strong>Packers</strong> took over from there, stunning and quieting the GeorgiaDome crowd with an almost unf<strong>at</strong>homable 35 unanswered points overthe next two quarters. As the offense put together four consecutivetouchdown drives of 92, 80, 80 and 50 yards, Williams made his two bigplays right in the middle of the barrage, both in the final three minutesof the first half.First, with the score tied <strong>at</strong> 14, he picked off a deep ball from Ryanto Michael Jenkins in the end zone, thwarting wh<strong>at</strong> turned out to beAtlanta’s last chance to take the lead. Then, with the <strong>Packers</strong> leading21-14 in the final moments of the first half and the Falcons trying torun one more play to get in field-goal range, he stepped in front of widereceiver Roddy White along the sideline and returned his second interception70 yards for a momentum-changing score to make it 28-14 asthe clock hit zero for halftime.“Th<strong>at</strong>’s hard to <strong>com</strong>e back from,” linebacker Clay M<strong>at</strong>thews said. “Itwas probably pretty demoralizing, but we couldn’t have asked for it <strong>at</strong>a better time.”The entire sequence showed just how <strong>com</strong>plete this <strong>Packers</strong> team hasbe<strong>com</strong>e. The response to the long kickoff return – a 92-yard marchcapped by John Kuhn’s 1-yard plunge behind “new” fullback B.J.Raji – sent a message the <strong>Packers</strong> weren’t going to be r<strong>at</strong>tled on thisnight, and they went on to thoroughly shake their opponent instead.“We had to get back in control of the game, so th<strong>at</strong> was a big one,” guardDaryn Colledge said of the tying TD drive. “But Tramon’s touchdownbefore halftime, th<strong>at</strong>’s the swing there. Th<strong>at</strong>’s the one th<strong>at</strong> puts you overthe top.”In the meantime, Rodgers was nothing short of superb. He precededWilliams’ pick-six with an 80-yard TD drive in the 2-minute drill, hittingwide receiver James Jones for a 20-yard score with 42 seconds leftin the half to give the <strong>Packers</strong> their first lead <strong>at</strong> 21-14. Jones, makingup for a much-discussed drop of a deep ball in Philadelphia last week,made a tremendous c<strong>at</strong>ch, outjumping cornerback Brent Grimes in theend zone and hauling the ball in as he fell to the ground.Given the double-dose of momentum going into halftime, Rodgers cameout and didn’t let up, scrambling for a 7-yard touchdown and then hittingKuhn for a 7-yard TD pass on the first two drives to make it 42-14 withless than 3 minutes to go in the third quarter.“He was on fire,” McCarthy said. “He likes playing in domes, and youcould see why.”It wasn’t just the impeccable st<strong>at</strong>s Rodgers <strong>com</strong>piled – 31-of-36 for 366yards with three TDs and no interceptions for a 136.8 r<strong>at</strong>ing – but theway he did it. He repe<strong>at</strong>edly shook free from pressure or spun away fromblitzers, buying time and then firing a strike.His execution led to the <strong>Packers</strong> converting 7-of-8 third downs throughthe first three quarters as the offense, aside from the early Jenningsfumble, could do no wrong.“Mike just got us in a rhythm early,” Rodgers said. “I felt good aboutthe calls, guys made some big plays, and I got into rhythm not onlythrowing the football but moving around the pocket.Special night.”Special doesn’t quite do it justice.“Th<strong>at</strong> was unbelievable,” M<strong>at</strong>thews said. “I have notseen a performance like th<strong>at</strong> in a very long time, if <strong>at</strong> all.He was just throwing the ball <strong>at</strong> will on them, just dicingthem up. It was pretty amazing to know if we gave himthe ball, 80 yards and he was driving down and scoring.”The <strong>Packers</strong>’ top four receivers all posted <strong>at</strong> least 75yards, led by Jennings with eight c<strong>at</strong>ches for 101 yards.Nelson added eight for 79, Donald Driver had six for76 and Jones finished with four for 75.“We’re dangerous, and we knew th<strong>at</strong>,” Driver said. “It’sa scary thing. When we’re clicking, we’re unstoppable.”The Falcons tried to rally but made a few crucialmistakes in the process. Following a touchdown passto White early in the fourth quarter th<strong>at</strong> made it 42-21, receiver BrianFinneran touched the ensuing onside kick before it had gone 10 yards,neg<strong>at</strong>ing his recovery.Then on Atlanta’s next two possessions, Ryan fumbled on a third-and-1sneak and Jenkins fumbled after a fourth-down reception, runningAtlanta’s total to four turnovers on the night – this from the team th<strong>at</strong>led the <strong>NFC</strong> with just 17 giveaways all season <strong>com</strong>ing in.In the <strong>Packers</strong>’ first trip to Atlanta back in Week 12, the Green Baydefense didn’t gener<strong>at</strong>e a single turnover. The <strong>Packers</strong> also had sackedRyan only twice but got to him five times in this one, with M<strong>at</strong>thewsgetting two sacks.The key to such an active, productive defense was two-fold. The <strong>Packers</strong>got such a stronghold on the game th<strong>at</strong> they took the Falcons out oftheir ball-control game plan, which McCarthy referred to as the defenseplaying “downhill.”In addition, even when the Falcons were running the ball with Turner,who had 110 yards against the <strong>Packers</strong> back in November, they weren’tgetting much. Turner had just 10 carries for 39 yards, getting loose onlyon his early TD run and averaging 3 yards per carry on his other nine<strong>at</strong>tempts.“We were able to stop the run, and anytime you get an offense in a situ<strong>at</strong>ionth<strong>at</strong>’s more predictable, Dom (Capers) was able to dial up someof his gre<strong>at</strong> blitzes,” said Raji, who had one of the sacks of his formerBoston College teamm<strong>at</strong>e. “M<strong>at</strong>t is a gre<strong>at</strong> quarterback. I’ve known himfor quite some time, but when you can put any quarterback in th<strong>at</strong> situ<strong>at</strong>ion,it’s going to be tough for him.”Right now the <strong>Packers</strong> appear tough for anyone to handle, but there’sno s<strong>at</strong>isfaction in getting this far. The postgame locker room was morebusinesslike than celebr<strong>at</strong>ory, a reflection not only of how convincingthis win was, but of how much work still lies ahead.“<strong>Championship</strong>-caliber to us is not getting to the <strong>NFC</strong> <strong>Championship</strong>game,” linebacker A.J. Hawk said. “We have a lot higher goals thanth<strong>at</strong>. We’ve been saying all year, ‘Just give us a chance.’”Th<strong>at</strong> chance is now, and the <strong>Packers</strong> know it.“We don’t play this game to get to the <strong>NFC</strong> <strong>Championship</strong>,” M<strong>at</strong>thewssaid. “We play to get to the Super Bowl and win it. We just feel like this isanother step of getting to th<strong>at</strong> game, getting to th<strong>at</strong> point in the season,so we feel good about where we’re <strong>at</strong>.”18
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M.Crosby 50LU (43) (32)GREEN BAY 48
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the first quarter, his second catch
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