Packers’ McCarthy, Rodgers get it done against New England

fpadmin | 12/01/2014

Packers vs Falcons Monday at Lambeau

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By CHRIS HAVEL
First-quarter fireworks, fourth-quarter defense and error-free football in between enabled the Packers to outlast the Patriots, 26-21, Sunday in a battle of Super Bowl contenders at Lambeau Field.
The Packers (9-3) kept sole possession of first place in the NFC North on a day when head coach Mike McCarthy was at his best. McCarthy’s creative play design and his offense’s solid execution kept the Patriots’ defense on its heels.
The Patriots (9-3) saw their seven-game winning streak end as the Packers rolled up 478 yards, converted 10 of 17 third down attempts and dominated the time of possession.
Green Bay’s most important third down conversion came when Aaron Rodgers threw a dart to Randall Cobb for a 7-yard gain on third-and-4 at the Packers’ 43 with 2:28 to play. The completion enabled the Packers to run out the clock while a helpless Tom Brady showed his frustration.
It came after the Packers’ defense sacked Brady on third-and-9 in Green Bay territory on the previous possession. Belichick elected to attempt the field goal and Stephen Gostkowski missed the 47-yarder wide right.
The Packers’ Mike Neal and Mike Daniels combined on Green Bay’s only sack of the game. It couldn’t have been a more timely sack, though.
“I hate to take a sack in that situation,” Brady told reporters. “I really would have liked to score there. I just wish we would have won this one. We put a lot into this one, and this was a great test for us. I think the guys knew how important this was for our season.”
The game was equally important for Green Bay. The victory kept the Packers one game up on Detroit (8-4) who rallied from an early 14-3 deficit on Thanksgiving Day to beat Chicago 34-17. The win also bolstered the Packers’ confidence because it came against the NFL’s hottest team. The Patriots threw everything into this game and it wasn’t enough.
While the ghosts of past home playoff losses still swirl around Lambeau Field, the Packers’ strong showing against New England bodes well during this run to the postseason.
“The point total was enough to win the game,” McCarthy said. “I thought (the) defense did a lot of good things, and really, I think the end of the game is what you’re looking for as a coach.”
Brady was 22 of 35 for 245 yards and a pair of touchdown passes to Brandon LaFell. He also connected with Rob Gronkowski on seven completions for 98 yards but no touchdowns. The Packers’ defense rallied to the ball and tackled Patriots’ receivers and ball carriers short of a first down on several occasions.
Meantime, Rodgers threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns while completing 24 of 38 for a quarterback rating of 112.6.
The Packers opened a 13-0 first quarter lead, but New England closed to within 16-14 with 1:09 to play in the first half. Rodgers responded by hitting Jordy Nelson for a 45-yard touchdown that reversed momentum and gave Green Bay a 23-14 halftime lead.
The Packers maintained it despite struggling in the red zone. Green Bay was 0-for-4 inside the 20-yard line, and had to settle for four Mason Crosby field goals. That has to improve if the Packers expect to go deep into the postseason.
“I just go back to our philosophy of winning,” McCarthy said. “First, you have to find ways to win. Learn how to win, No. 1, but then you’ve got to find ways to win and you have to do it as many different ways as possible.”
Eddie Lacy’s 21 carries for 98 yards, including 26 in the decisive fourth quarter, may provide a glimpse of what to expect in the red zone. McCarthy likely will look for ways to run, as well as through, inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Rookie receiver Davante Adams is another emerging weapon. Adams caught a career-best six catches for 121 yards. He dropped what would have been an easy touchdown after a nifty slant route. Even Adams’ drop wasn’t enough to ruin his day, or change Belichick’s mind about the Packers’ offensive weaponry.
“I said all week they had good skill players,” Belichick said. “They have good everything.”
Now, the Packers get an extra day off as they prepare for a nationally televised matchup with Atlanta on Monday Night Football.

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.

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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.
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-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

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-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