Baby, it’s cold outside, but Packers stay hot!

fpadmin | 12/19/2016

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By CHRIS HAVEL

Green Bay controls its playoff fate with 30-27 victory and Lions’ loss

It remains to be seen if the Packers are indeed destiny’s children, but this much is clear: Despite all of the highs and lows this season Green Bay controls its own fate.
With wins over Minnesota (7-7) on Saturday and at Detroit (9-5) the following Sunday, the Packers (8-6) will have completed a six-game winning streak to capture the NFC North title.
The Packers’ 30-27 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field was a microcosm of their season. It wasn’t always easy or pretty, but the outcome was gratifying and much-needed.
On a frigid day with sub-zero wind-chills howling off Lake Michigan, the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers gave double-meaning to the term “ice in his veins.” Rodgers delivered the decisive blow in the clutch after four quarters of dealing with a pulled left hamstring, an aggravated right calf and an ornery Chicago Bears defense.
Rodgers’ brilliant 60-yard completion to Jordy Nelson in the final seconds set up Mason Crosby’s last-second, game-winning 32-yard field goal to capture the victory.

Satisfied but not done yet

Afterward, the Packers seemed satisfied but far from finished.
“I think we have a lot of grit as a team,” Rodgers told reporters. “We stick together in adverse situations. There wasn’t any finger pointing after 27-10 turned into 27-27 for either side. We just knew we had to go out and make something happen.
“It’s fun to be standing here at 8-6. We all know what 4-6 felt like. It was tough.”
So was the Packers’ defense when it ultimately had to be.
Trailing 27-24 in the waning minutes, Bears quarterback Matt Barkley drove Chicago deep into Green Bay territory. Only a Micah Hyde goal-line deflection on third down forced the Bears to settle for the game-tying field goal.
That didn’t last long. The Packers faced third-and-11 at their own 26 when Nelson beat Bears rookie cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc deep down the middle for a 60-yard completion.
Rodgers hustled the team to the line and clocked the football with three seconds. Crosby then came on to nail the decisive 32-yard field goal.
Rodgers finished 19 of 31 for 252 yards and an 87 passer rating. He was sacked four times but despite his pre-existing injuries and the extreme elements he handled his business.

The run game arrives

He certainly got help from the running attack. Ty Montgomery had a career-high 162 yards rushing on 16 attempts and two touchdowns. Christine Michael chipped in with 45 yards on four carries keyed by a 42-yard TD gallop.
The Packers ran the football 20 times (not counting Rodgers’ three rushes), but converted nine first downs on those attempts. They finished with a season-high 226 yards rushing. It appears the running game has arrived just in time for the holidays, not to mention the playoffs. Nelson was impressed with Montgomery’s performance.
“Ty had a heck of a game,” Nelson said. “He’s worked his tail off to be in this situation. Obviously it’s not ideal for you to be at this level of football and then switch positions in the middle of a season. To take that head on, it shows you the kind of person he is.”
A legit running attack to go with Rodgers’ arsenal in the passing game should make Green Bay a difficult out in the playoffs. That’s especially true because of the offensive line’s stellar play, although right guard T.J. Lang and others were heaping a majority of the credit on Montgomery.
“Honestly I felt like half of Ty’s runs, he was just breaking tackle after tackle,” Lang told reporters. “It seemed like we didn’t’ really have to block anybody in order for him to squirt out of there. It’s just a huge day for him.
“He’s a guy who’s gotten better every single week.”
The Packers’ defense also had its moments, including Julius Peppers’ strip sack and fumble recovery that led to a field goal and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix’s two interceptions, one of which set up a touchdown.
If there’s a concern coming out of the Chicago victory it’s that the Packers’ defense couldn’t hold a 17-point fourth-quarter lead in adverse weather against a ho-hum Bears’ offense. They allowed Alshon Jeffery to dominate with six catches for 89 yards in the fourth quarter and Chicago came storming back.
Ultimately, the Packers finished the job in the Windy City.

What’s next

Green Bay plays host to Minnesota in a noon, Christmas Eve game at Lambeau Field. If the Packers can get the win over the Vikings, it’ll set up a Packers-Lions showdown in the season-finale at Detroit to see who wins the NFC North Division.
How nice would it be if the Packers opened the playoffs with a home game?
Amazingly, winning out at this point is not only possible but probable. Who would’ve thought that a month ago?
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’s MVP Parties the evening before home games. Also check out our new Podcast: Between the Lines for more Packers insights. New episodes every Wednesday.

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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

"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