The Green Bay Packers’ 35 to 18 win over the Washington Redskins on Fox Sunday evening led the weekend, bringing in an average viewership of 38.8 million.
Advertisement
The Cardinals had nine sacks and outgained the Packers 381-178.
The second quarter is when things started to change.
The Packers were beat up that day and at one point were playing without three starting offensive linemen.
As good as Rodgers has been throughout his career, he has never beaten an NFC West team in the playoffs with an 0-4 record. That is why they are favored by a touchdown.
“That’s the way you want to play offense”.
Arizona would have faced Minnesota had the Vikings made that last short field goal and beat Seattle in Sunday’s wild-card game.
It was a much different mood in the Green Bay Packers’ locker room this week after the team’s impressive and confident Wild Card win over the Washington Redskins.
After an very bad first quarter, the offense scored on five straight possessions. “But if Davante is not able to go, Jared will be ready for the challenge, and he knows we need him”.
A fresh memory of that disgusting game might serve the Packers well – as a lesson learned, and added fuel to motivation that already is running high.
So now the 5th-seeded Packers (11-6) advance to a divisional playoff game on Saturday night at 7:15 in Glendale, Arizona, against the second-seeded Arizona Cardinals (13-3).
The NFL, Kevin Minter said, “is all about short-term memory”. When they play well, the Cardinals’ defense is among the best in the NFL.
Whatever the reasons behind the rejuvenated offense, the Packers are feeling much better about themselves than this time last week. Running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks combined for 126 yards and two TDs on 24 carries.
-Offensive coordinator/line coach Harold Goodwin interviewed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coaching job last Friday.
Officials say it was a big hit, and the players even felt inspired by the fans’ well wishes. Washington allowed 258 passing yards per game, and yet Rodgers still threw for well under that mark. They had all of 11 yards – yes, just 11 – after one quarter. “Nothing against the guys that I’ve played with, but I never had an All-Pro D-tackle, and he’s an All-Pro guy”.
If the Packers are moving the ball, defenders could get worn down while being stuck on the field when Rodgers goes no-huddle.
Tauscher also discussed which return from injury would mean more to the Packers – cornerback Sam Shields (concussion) or tackle David Bakhtiari (ankle).
Advertisement
-Outside linebacker Markus Golden (knee) is expected to play this week after missing two games.
