Rodgers-to-Nelson erases 18-point deficit as Packers’ defense finally shows up
By CHRIS HAVEL
A game like this gives players a chance to grow as one. From its stale start to its scintillating finish the Packers came together on their way to a 31-24 victory over the New York Jets in Sunday’s regular-season home opener at Lambeau Field. The Packers looked more like the visiting team at the outset.
Green Bay fumbled away its first snap and the Jets responded by scoring on their first three drives. Before a sellout crowd could decide what hit it the Jets led 21-3 and appeared to be in complete control.
“It’s a game of adversity. It’s a game of momentum swings. It’s a game of big plays,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said. “We were in a spot, but our players stayed the course.”
That’s when Green Bay’s defense grew a spine and forced the Jets’ first punt late in the first half.
“The momentum came when we stopped them and started making plays and got off the field and got off on third down,” Packers linebacker Jamari Lattimore said.
The Packers’ defense appeared to jell as the game unfolded. Players began to play aggressively rather than passively, and they seemed to play with more confidence in themselves and each other. Mostly, the defense seemed bent on locating the football and getting after the quarterback or ball carrier, whichever was required. Far fewer players appeared to be standing in no man’s land, neither playing coverage nor rushing the passer. On Sunday, at least, defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ unit appeared to take a step forward.
Aaron Rodgers did the rest. The Packers’ quarterback targeted Jordy Nelson 16 times while connecting on nine passes for 209 yards and the go-ahead touchdown. The big play was an 80-yard touchdown play in which Nelson beat Jets cornerback Dee Milliner on an out-and-up move. That made it 31-24 late in the third quarter.
Earlier, Randall Cobb caught two touchdown passes and a two-point conversion to give Green Bay a 24-21 second-half lead. Rodgers completed 25 of 42 for 346 yards and looked much better than he did in the season-opener at Seattle.
Derek Sherrod started at right tackle and held up well enough to earn another start should Bryan Bulaga’s comeback from a knee injury be delayed. Sherrod struggled at times, but got better as the game went on. He also received much-needed help from fullback John Kuhn and an array of tight ends.
Rookie receiver Davante Adams looked smooth and showed soft hands and confidence in his 2014 debut.
The Packers’ defense got roughed up early, but bounced back midway through the second quarter to show some toughness. Mike Neal, DaTone Jones and others rallied to the ball carrier, and Clay Matthews and Mike Daniels applied good pressure on Jets quarterback Geno Smith. When the Jets’ top weapon, receiver Eric Decker, left with a pulled hamstring late in the third quarter, New York’s offense went stagnate.
Perhaps the Packers’ biggest play came when cornerback Tramon Williams made a leaping interception in front of Jets tight end Zach Sudfeld at the Packers’ 3-yard line. Then, Rodgers led the Packers on an impressive 10-play, 97-yard drive in 1:44. It was capped by a Rodgers-to-Cobb 6-yard touchdown strike that made it a do-able 21-16 five-point deficit at halftime.
“You never want to come out that flat, you never expect to come out that flat, but we did and we found a way to get through it,” Williams said.
The way they got through it was together.
The offense relied on the defense. The defense earned a measure of trust. The special teams – including sensational work from Mason Crosby and Tim Masthay – also played well.
Rodgers and Nelson did the rest. Afterward, the quarterback had high praise for his primary weapon.
“Well, pretty impressive. Take it for granted sometimes. He’s not a big ‘me’ guy … so he kind of gets overlooked sometimes,” Rodgers said. “We know the kind of player he is.”
The Jets, and everyone else, got a reminder on Sunday.
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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"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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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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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.
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