| Packers kicker Mason Crosby failed to make the potential game-winning field goal against the Colts on Sunday. (US Presswire) |
It was a tale of two halves in the Packers’ 30-27 loss to the Colts on Sunday in Indianapolis.
In the first half, all three units -- offense, defense and special teams-- followed a sound plan and were dominant in building a 21-3 lead.
But in a second half that lacked the right adjustments, the offense sputtered, the defense was trampled and two missed field goals allowed special teams to drive the final nail into the Packers’ coffin.
Here’s how they graded out in the loss that dropped Green Bay to 1-3 in the midst of a three-game road trip.
Offense: B-
QB Aaron Rodgers came out firing, marshaling three first-half scoring drives and connecting on two touchdown passes, a six-yarder to WR James Jones and a 31-yarder to WR Randall Cobb. He wasn’t sacked and looked every bit the reigning league MVP. The Packers’ run-pass play-calling was split almost evenly (eight runs, nine passes), with RB Cedric Benson rushing the ball seven times before leaving with an ankle injury early in the second quarter. But in the second half, it was an entirely different, distinctly more ugly story. With Benson out, Green Bay seemed to abandon the run, passing on 30 of the 44 plays after he left the game. The Packers’ first six drives of the second half were, in order: interception, punt, missed field goal, punt, punt, punt. Rodgers was sacked five times. A late, fourth-quarter touchdown regained the lead, but the two-point conversion was, predictably, a pass play and it failed.
Previous game's grade: A-
Defense: C
Prior to halftime, the Packers made Colts QB Andrew Luck look like the rookie he is, sacking him four times and allowing just a field goal. In the second half, the defense didn’t match Indianapolis’ nergy, and the Colts scored on all three of their third-quarter drives, cutting the Packers’ lead to 21-19. They didn’t get to Luck once in the second half, as he passed for 362 yards, 212 of which went to WR Reggie Wayne, who was unstoppable. The fact that a rookie QB -- even one as highly touted as Luck -- and a 12-year veteran receiver so thoroughly and effortlessly tore apart the Packers pass defense in the second half is a code-red indication that the unit may not be any better than it was last season, when it allowed the most passing yards in NFL history.
Previous game's grade: C
Special Teams: C+
The coverage and return units were strong. Mason Crosby didn’t allow the Colts a single kick return, blasting his kickoffs deep into or out of the end zone. P Tim Masthay was sterling, as usual, landing four of his seven punts inside the 20, and hammering one 58 yards when the Packers were backed up at their own 12-yard line. Cobb, the dynamic returner, secured everything that came his way and gave Green Bay good field position, especially on kick returns (31.7 average). Those units all did their jobs. This grade is what it is because Crosby missed his only two field goal attempts, including a not-even-close 51-yarder with three seconds remaining that would have tied the game. He’s not the only one to blame for the loss but he’s certainly the goat.
Previous game's grade: A-
Coaching: B
The plan was good. The Packers came out and scored 21 first-half points, while dominating the Colts on defense. But when Benson got hurt and Indianapolis began its inspired comeback, the Packers had no answers. The contrast between the first and second halves was so stark, one wonders what the locker room speech must have been at halftime. The Packers were the picture of obstinate futility, stubbornly refusing to run the ball despite clear evidence that what they were doing wasn’t working after Benson went down. The coaches should make better and quicker adjustments to what’s happening on the field. Coach Mike McCarthy’s play-calling will be the subject of much debate because, seriously, why would you protect an 18-point halftime lead by passing twice as often as you run it? And defensive coordinator Dom Capers must explain what was so overpowering about Luck-to-Wayne that he couldn’t scheme a way to stop it.
Previous game's grade: B+
Follow Packers reporter James Carlton on Twitter: @CBSPackers and @jimmycarlton88.