Defense bends, doesn’t break during Green Bay’s 38-20 rout of Washington
By CHRIS HAVEL
The vicious hit on Eddie Lacy notwithstanding, there was a lot to like in the Green Bay Packers’ 38-20 romp over Washington Sunday in the regular-season home opener at Lambeau Field.
Aaron Rodgers and the offense were smoking hot to the tune of a team record-tying 480 passing yards and four touchdowns. Meantime, the Packers’ defense showed that it can play from ahead.
Certainly, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy’s team has room to grow in terms of tackling, decision-making and communicating. But as home openers go, the Packers’ rout of Washington was as good as it gets.
The Packers (1-1) won their 27th game in the last 29 at Lambeau Field. They did it in smashing style with a power running game punctuating the Packers’ precision passing attack. James Starks rushed for 132 yards to become the first running back to over 100 yards in forever. Starks looked more decisive than in previous games, but the fact remains that hi success was predicated on Rodgers and the passing game.
In that regard, the Packers bordered on flawless.
Rodgers was 34 of 42 and he made it look easy. When the Packers’ quarterback and his receivers are clicking it’s a thing of beauty.
Rodgers tied Matt Flynn’s single-game passing record with 480 yards, and he became only the second quarterback in league history to throw for that many yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. The great Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle was the other, that in 1962.
“You know, he spoils me,” McCarthy said. “No doubt, Aaron is a special football player. He’s at the point of his career where he is about making other people better, pulling everybody up.”
It should be comforting to know that after surrendering three sacks in the first nine minutes, the Packers’ offensive line regrouped and did its job.
For all the criticism McCarthy has received regarding the lack of a running game, I almost understand why he might be tempted to pass, pass and pass some more. Rodgers pierced the Redskins’ defense with perfectly placed spirals in the hands of an array of receivers.
James Jones hauled in nine catches for 152 yards in the first half. Several moved the chains and kept the Packers’ offense on the field. Randall Cobb flashed the quickness that made him everyone’s pick for NFC “Breakout Player of the Year” while tap-dancing through tackles.
Starks’ effort was impressive on several fronts.
First, it showed that he definitely is prepared if called upon. Second, it had me thinking: If that were Lacy, rather than Starks running through those holes, the Packers might’ve rushed for 200-plus yards. The loss of Lacy shouldn’t be downplayed because of Starks’ effectiveness. The Packers need Lacy and Starks both to be available, a point that was highlighted Sunday.
Defensively, coordinator Dom Capers was more innovative and aggressive. He dialed up several blitzes and the defense got home. The defensive line continued to play well, and B.J. Raji is off to a great year.
Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III was shut out in the first half while Green Bay opened a commanding 24-0 lead. Several creative blitzes, including a sweet sack by cornerback Davon House, kept RGIII either throwing away passes because no one was open, or misfiring because he was being hit while releasing.
RGIII finished 26 of 40 for 320 yards and three touchdowns, but the game was out of hand by the time he racked up those numbers.
Green Bay’s defense did a much better job of getting off the field. Several three-and-outs set up the offense with good field position, and scarcely allowed the Redskins’ defense a chance to catch its breath.
Clearly, Rodgers’ use of the no huddle helped set the tone early on. The passing game’s excellence, backed by a strong running game and a defense that can be really good with a lead, is the formula for success.
On Sunday, it worked beautifully against the Redskins.
This week at Cincinnati we begin to find out how well it travels.
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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As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game,
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-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.
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-- 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!!"
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"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."
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-Frank Chavez, Sacramento
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-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly