| Packers fans celebrate one of Randall Cobb's two touchdowns in Sunday's 31-17 win over Arizona. Green Bay now enjoys a bye week to try and heal several of its injured players, a list that grew in Sunday's win. (US Presswire) |
Aside from sustaining still more injuries, there was quite a bit to feel good about after the Packers’ 31-17 win over the Cardinals on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Despite a somewhat stale second half, Green Bay can now enjoy its bye and hope the week off cures at least some of what has ailed it the past month, when the Packers have had as many as 14 players hurt, including several starters on both sides of the ball.
Given the injuries, a four-touchdown offensive output, coupled with two forced turnovers and overall sound performance on defense, plus adequate special teams play and savvy coaching decisions, it was a good win to savor for a week off and build upon moving forward.
Here’s how Green Bay graded out:
Offense: A-
That was the best the Packers have run the ball in some time. The 39 rushing attempts and 176 yards were the most in a game since Oct. 25, 2009 (41 and 202 vs. Cleveland). The ground game was effective from the start and Green Bay rode it right over the trodden Cardinals. No matter who carried the ball, the play calls were apt and the offensive line opened up holes. Green Bay had four players rush for more than 25 yards for the first time since 2003, with RBs James Starks (17 carries for 61 yards) and Alex Green (11 for 53) leading the way. QB Aaron Rodgers (14 of 30 for 218 yards, one interception) admitted he "wasn’t on," but still took advantage of the offensive balance provided by the run game to loft four perfectly thrown touchdown passes, including two to emerging star WR Randall Cobb. The line, even after RT Bryan Bulaga (hip) left the game, was superb, cleared running lanes and allowed just one sack. The Cardinals had the league’s sixth-ranked defense and the Packers dominated it. Previous game’s grade: B
Defense: B.
It’s tough to give up 306 passing yards to John Skelton and call it a great day, but the Packers defense did what it needed to do to help the offense win. Without four key players, Green Bay shut down Arizona’s (admittedly anemic) rushing attack and mostly kept superstar WR Larry Fitzgerald (six catches for 74 yards and one TD) from burning them. Skelton got his 306 yards on 46 passes, largely a consequence of being behind all game. Precocious rookie CB Casey Hayward had another strong outing, breaking up a couple of passes, including a tip that LB Erik Walden caught for his first career interception. Hayward was burned once, but his playmaking skills more than make up for occasional lapses. The Packers got a couple of sacks, both coming from their defensive line, but lost a ton of edge pressure when LB Clay Matthews limped off the field with a hamstring injury. LB Brad Jones and S Morgan Burnett again played very well and seem to be coming into their own. Previous game’s grade: B
Special Teams: A-
Is it time to worry about K Mason Crosby? After Sunday’s missed field goal from 44 yards, he’s now 10 of 15 on the year and has missed more in nine games than he missed all of last year (24 of 28). In his last five games, he’s 5 of 10. Crosby still consistently blasts kickoffs into and out of the end zone and has never seemed to be a head-case kicker, so the guess is he’ll work himself out of this slump. On Sunday he hit from 33. It was another day at the office for P Tim Masthay (42.5 average on six punts, including three inside the 20). Returner Randall Cobb complemented his excellent offensive day with a 44-yard kick return and a 28-yard punt return, thoroughly outplaying Cardinals PR Patrick Peterson. Fittingly, special teams ace Jarrett Bush recovered a Peterson muffed punt at the 2-yard line in the final minutes to seal the victory. Previous game’s grade: B+
Coaching: A-.
This grade is as much for coach Mike McCarthy’s motivational work during the week as for his preparation and in-game adjustments. McCarthy shrewdly used the Packers’ lethargic performance in the previous week’s win over the Jaguars by calling out some of his players’ lack of energy. Then, during the week, he offered them a carrot: beat the Cardinals and the bye week starts immediately; lose, and the time off is delayed until Wednesday. Kudos to McCarthy and the offensive staff for their play-calling and commitment to the run, which were both outstanding. The coaches should also be commended for the way they adjusted to the injuries to WR Jordy Nelson, Bulaga and Matthews. There were no gimmicks or high-risk, high-reward attempts on Sunday; just a well-coached game that allowed the Packers to beat an inferior opponent. Previous game’s grade: B-
Follow Packers reporter James Carlton on Twitter @CBSPackers and @jimmycarlton88.