Packers clip Falcons 22-21 to move within half-game of first

fpadmin | 12/09/2013

Packers vs Steelers: December 22

Celebrate the Holidays at Lambeau Field. Great deals now!!
» Packers Home Game Tickets

Flynn rallies Green Bay to second-half comeback while defense blanks Atlanta
By CHRIS HAVEL
Jordy Nelson reminded everyone why he is one of the NFL’s top receivers, Mason Crosby continued to earn every penny of his incentive-laden contract and Green Bay’s defense finally stepped up. Nelson’s circus catches, Crosby’s clutch field goals and the defense’s second-half shutout filled the void created by Aaron Rodgers’ absence to lead the Packers to a 22-21 save-the-season victory Sunday at Lambeau Field, where halftime boos gave way to postgame cheers.
Life is good when Green Bay wins, and it’s been a while – six weeks, to be exact – since the Packers walked off the field victorious.
Now, amazingly, the Packers (6-6-1) are within a half-game of the Detroit Lions (7-6) and first place in the NFC North Division. The Lions lost at Philadelphia in a snowstorm, while the Chicago Bears (6-6) host the Dallas Cowboys (7-5) at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football.
If Rodgers returns this week, and the Packers manage to win out, the Packers just might supplant the self-destructive Lions and capture a highly improbable but incredibly welcome playoff berth.
This victory said a lot about the Packers. Down by 11 at half, a lesser team might’ve come out flat in the second half and effectively put an end to a miserable and disappointing season. Instead, the defense came out like it had a sore tooth, and Flynn did enough to let Nelson (four for 85 yards) and Eddie Lacy (65 yards rushing, one touchdown) make a handful of key plays. The Packers kept the season, and hope, alive for at least another week.
Sunday’s victory reminded everyone that football is a team game, and that defense wins gives teams a chance to win championships. The Packers’ second-half shutout was welcomed after fourth-quarter collapses at San Francisco and at Cincinnati earlier this season. This time, defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ crew stood up and made a game-turning play with Mike Neal’s sack and forced fumble in the fourth quarter. Furthermore, the Packers’ special teams units were up to the task in less-than-ideal 9 degree temperatures on a slick surface. Kudos for the Packers’ big win begins with head coach Mike McCarthy.
Following a 10-day post-Thanksgiving Day layoff, McCarthy had the Packers ready in a must-win scenario. Quarterback Matt Flynn opened a solid day by leading Green Bay on a lengthy touchdown drive. Atlanta (3-10) answered and eventually took a 21-10 lead into the locker room at halftime. It came on a 71-yard interception return for a touchdown by linebacker Sean Weatherspoon with 23 seconds to play in the second quarter. Flynn’s errant pass caromed off linebacker Paul Worrilow’s shoe and chest and into Weatherspoon’s hands. The Lambeau Field fans booed the Packers into the locker room.
“We played our best football in the second half, and as a coach that’s what you look for in your football team,” McCarthy said.
The Packers rallied around each other, especially the defense, and got strong performances from several players. Tight end Andrew Quarless caught the go-ahead touchdown pass. He finished with six catches for 66 yards and a long of 21 yards.
Jarrett Bush also stepped up with several big defensive plays, including tight coverage on Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez to end the game.
“Good to win, it’s been a while. Forgot what it felt like,” McCarthy said.
The Packers’ defense forced a turnover when Mike Neal’s sack jarred the football loose from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, and Johnny Jolly recovered for Green Bay. Flynn capped the short drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Quarless, and Green Bay led 22-21 with 12 minutes.
“But I’ll say this – I really like the football team, particularly at halftime, coming in, getting booed at home, and just the energy in the locker room. They never even blinked, they stayed the course.”
The Packers will await word on Rodgers, perhaps as early as Tuesday, regarding his availability for Sunday’s game at Dallas. With Rodgers’ return, and the Cowboys coming off a Monday Night Game at Chicago, Green Bay has every reason to think it can still win the division title.
Imagine that. The Packers capturing the 2013 NFC North title sounded like a fantasy going into halftime Sunday. By game’s end, with a scoreboard that touted Green Bay’s win and Detroit’s loss, anything was still possible.

Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

"

Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
"

-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."

-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly