By CHRIS HAVEL
The Packers certainly make a grand entrance. It’s their exit that needs a bit of work. After building a 24-point halftime lead, Green Bay was outscored 20-9 in the fourth quarter before holding on to a 43-37 victory over the Falcons.
While the Packers (10-3) maintained their one-game lead over Detroit (9-4) in the NFC North with the win, they were reminded of a valuable lesson. Teams like Atlanta (5-8) who are clinging to playoff aspirations aren’t going to quit. In fact, they are going to play to the bitter end. The Falcons did just that behind Matt Ryan’s right arm.
Ryan, who had similar numbers to the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, completed 24 of 39 passes for 375 yards and four touchdowns. It was Ryan’s early interception that proved costly. Instead of throwing the football away, Ryan tried to force a pass that was picked off by Morgan Burnett. It was Burnett’s best game in a long time.
Also, inside linebacker Sam Barrington (seven tackles) was strong in his second start in place of A.J. Hawk. Burnett’s pick sparked the Packers’ 24-point second quarter, but even trailing 31-7 at half the Falcons didn’t quit. Falcons’ receiver Julio Jones torched the Packers’ secondary with a career-best 259 yards on 11 catches. His 22-yard touchdown grab came in Atlanta’s 20-point fourth quarter.
“Defensively, a tale of two halves,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “You have to give Atlanta’s offense a lot of credit. We have plenty to clean up.”
The Packers had better learn from this because the Detroit Lions, who seem destined for a showdown with Green Bay in the regular-season finale at Lambeau Field, feature a similar receiver in Calvin Johnson. The Lions, like the Falcons, won’t go easily.
The Falcons had won three of four games coming in, and receiver Roddy White told reporters they still believe. Atlanta amazingly remains in a first-place tie in its dreadful division.
“Yeah, absolutely … we scored 37 points tonight. If you can’t believe in that, then you don’t need to be in this locker room – we need to cut some people,” White told reporters.
Meantime, the Packers’ defense needs to close out games. Their run defense was strong early in the game, but the pass rush developed late and wasn’t nearly as consistent as it needs to be. If the Lions’ Matthew Stafford has as much time as Ryan did it could be a long afternoon in three weeks at Lambeau Field.
“We can’t play one half or three quarters or anything like that,” Packers linebacker Julius Peppers said. “We’ve got to finish games.”
And the Packers’ special teams units need to sharpen up before Dec. 28. The Packers had a blocked point-after and nearly had a punt blocked. Those are would-be post-season killers.
The offense continues to hum along. Eddie Lacy overpowered the Falcons’ defense and finished with 73 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. James Starks added an impressive 75 yards on 10 carries including a 41-yard run to seal it. It was Green Bay’s fifth straight victory and continued their home-field dominance.
“There’s been some ups and downs on both sides of the ball all season,” Rodgers told reporters. “But we’re really getting this home-field advantage thing going, with the crowd noise, with the footing, with the way we’re playing, being really balanced on offense.”
The balance was impressive. Jordy Nelson had eight catches for 146 yards, while Randall Cobb added four for 58. Cobb is quickly becoming Rodgers’ go-to guy on third down. Tight end Andrew Quarless caught three for 52 yards, and Lacy moved the chains catching five for 33 yards.
Rodgers’ two touchdown tosses to Nelson were the backbreakers. Rodgers hit Nelson on a 10-yard touchdown pass late in the first half, and again for a 60-yard bomb late in the game.
Now, the Packers have a week to prepare for Buffalo and its rugged defense. Then it travels to Tampa Bay before coming home to face the Lions in the season finale.
By then, Green Bay hopefully will have a two-game lead in the division and the No. 1 seed sewed up. But all of that seems doubtful. More likely the Packers will need another strong start from Rodgers and the offense, with a whole lot of help from the defense to close out the Lions.
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.
-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.
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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!!"
-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