Game 11 - Steely Performance

Green Bay Packer hat   dwm photo

Pittsburgh 31 Green Bay 28 - the margin of 3 provided off the toe of the Steelers' kicker as time expired.

There are no moral victories in professional football, but last night's game counts as a bit of a redemptive effort by the Pack.

1. This game showed Coach Mike McCarthy still leads and has the pulse of his team.  After a demoralizing defeat in the previous game, pundits and fans were jumping off the team's bandwagon like rats from the Titanic.  A solid 60 minute effort demonstrated this time still has some fight in it.
2. This group in Green and Gold looked like the team I've been watching for quite a few years.  Who knows what is left this season, but I like our chances with this group getting after it.
3. In his last game, it appeared quarterback Brett Hundley might never put it together as a front-line NFL starter.  On a foreign field, against one of the best teams in the league, Hundley played confidently, smoothly, and a sense of urgency.
4. The offense returned!  39 yard pass to Randall Cobb for the first touchdown; a 54 yard screen pass to Jamaal Williams for the lead and a jolt of confidence; and a 76 yard bomb from Hundley to Davante Adams for a 21 - 14 lead.  Even more impressive, when the Steelers took the lead late in the game, Hundley marched Green Bay downfield 72 yards when Williams leaped in for the tying score.
5. Green Bay's defense played tough all game, picking off Ben Roethlisberger twice and recovering a Le'Veon Bell fumble.

The Packers are looking up at a bunch of teams in the NFC play-off race with a 5 - 6 record; to have any chance at the post-season they need to beat the Buccaneers at home and the Browns on the road.

If 7 - 6 with three games offers an opportunity at making the play-offs, Packer fans might get to see Aaron Rodgers come off the bench for the final three games this season.

5 - 6 with five to play... Go Pack, Go!