The Packers scored first thanks to a player most fans thought would be cut. The offense moved the ball well, the defense provided several stops and the special teams unit was efficient.
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Corey Clement ran for two scores before leaving with an injury, Jazz Peavy had two touchdown catches and No. 10 Wisconsin stuffed Akron’s spread offense in a 54-10 win on Saturday. “Getting in the end zone’s always fun, especially getting the first one out of the way and get the first win”. No word yet on if Shaun Hill or Sam Bradford will be the starter week 2, but after giving up a first round draft choice, it’s hard to see Bradford as a permanent benchwarmer. While the Packers hope to get a good start by being a leader in the NFC North, the Jaguars look to do the same in the AFC South.
If not for the circumstances, this game wouldn’t rank among Nelson’s career highlights.
The Packers twice had a 4th-and-goal from the Seattle 1-yard line in the first quarter of that battle, both times opting for chip shot field goals and a 6-0 lead. That includes seven in 2014. “I think I screwed them on that one (sack)”.
The home side got the ball back for one more drive upfield, and they pressed for a late touchdown, but with 20 seconds left, Bortles tried to find Allen Hurns and the Packers’ defence held out. It wasn’t anything spectacular.
Led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a defense that came up big when it had to, Mike McCarthy’s team survived on the road against a very hungry squad.
Even Rodgers and his most-trusted receiver, Jordy Nelson, seemed off kilter early on.
“I’m not used to losing and I won’t get used to losing – I can promise that“, Jaguars rookie cornerback Jalen Ramsey said.
Davante Adams’ touchdown gave Green Bay a half-time lead after Rodgers remained calm in the pocked and picked out his man. Better days will be ahead, because Rodgers’ cast of pass-catching characters is as deep as any quarterback in the National Football League has at his disposal.
Packers receiver Randall Cobb appeared to suffer a minor knee injury in the second half.
They were able to hang in there because quarterback Blake Bortles completed 24 of 39 passes for 320 yards. The touchdown, a 29-yarder, was the offense’s play of the day.
Equally impressive was Rodgers’ work from the pocket, escaping pressure from rookie Jags cornerback, Jalen Ramsey – scrambling free to deliver a flawless ball for Adams.
“The core exercises in the offseason” enabled Rodgers to make the throw, he said. So when we came back in, I just felt like it was something I needed to get off my chest to the team and let them know from this point forward these are the expectations. Driving for the tie, converting two 4th down plays, Jacksonville was forced to burn their final two timeouts and take a delay of game penalty before a Nick Perry sack brought out Myers who hit from 50 to make it 27-23 with 5:12 to play. “It’s good”, Bortles said. “Great second/third reaction on the touchdown”.
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“There’s a lot of people hurt in this locker room”, Robinson said. Richard (Rodgers) made a nice catch on the sideline and nearly another one but dropped it as he went to the ground out of bounds. “How they are handling it now shows me a lot about them”.
