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| 8/3/2018 dwm photo |
As we say these days, "it is what it is."
Records and trends don't determine outcomes - players do.
The Packers couldn't have scripted a better start to the game as Clay Matthews forced a Seattle fumble on the first play of the game, recovered by Tramon Williams. Green Bay had the ball 7 seconds into the game at the Seahawk 29. Three plays later, we had a 7 - 0 lead on an Aaron Jones 8 yard run.
Green Bay's defense forced a three and out on the next possession, but the Pack couldn't cash it in when Mason Crosby's 47 yard field goal sailed left. Seattle took advantage with a 39 yard field goal to get on the board.
Aaron Rodgers responded with a three play 75 yard drive - most of which was a 54 yard scramble pass to rookie Robert Tonyan out of Indiana State. It was Tonyan's first catch and first touchdown in the NFL to push the Pack ahead 14 - 3.
As the game moved into the second quarter, Russell Wilson moved the Seahawks 77 yards over 13 plays punctuated with a 6 yard touchdown pass. The Seattle defense forced a quick punt and the Seahawks went 70 yards in 3 plays to go ahead 17 - 14. Most of that drive came courtesy of a Green Bay pass interference penalty.
The good guys woke up with a 75 yard drive - 61 covered in Aaron Rodgers to Aaron Jones pass plays to regain the lead 21 - 17 with :39 seconds left in the half.
A Green Bay sack and Seattle penalty wrapped up the best 30 minutes the Packers played this year. It was a thrilling start and felt like a sign of good things to come last night and down the stretch.
And then came the second half. A penalty killed Green Bay's first drive. They went three and out on the second. A promising start to the third drive fizzled and lead to another punt pinning Seattle at their own 3.
The crucial play of the game came on this series. On 3rd and long, the refs ruled a Seattle receiver dropped the ball. Coach Pete Carroll challenged it and after a long review it was overturned, giving the Seahawks a first down. Green Bay's defense responded, holding them to a field goal which cut the lead to 21 - 20, Packers.
In the fourth quarter, Aaron Rodgers connected with Davante Adams on a 57 yard pass to the Seattle 17, but they couldn't cash it in. Another Crosby field goal made it 24 - 21, Green Bay.
The Seahawks scored a touchdown after a six play, 60 yard drive. On TV, it looked like one of their passes may have been incomplete, but Coach McCarthy didn't challenge it. I don't think he could have. It didn't look incomplete on the first replay and with only one timeout I understand why Green Bay didn't challenge the call. They scored one play later.
Green Bay got the ball at their 25 with 5:08 to play and were forced to punt after 3 plays. I thought they had to go for it. Who knows what could have happened, but the Packer defense was tired and depleted by injuries when Seattle got the ball and ran out the clock.
Kyler Fackrell played a strong game on defense. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams played well on offense. The Packer run game didn't run the ball enough or well enough to keep the Seahawk offense off the field, and it was another loss in the Pacific Northwest when the game feels like it should have been a W for the guys wearing white.
4 - 5 - 1 on the season now looking up at the Vikings and Bears who play each other Sunday night.
Green Bay is still in it to win the division, but the margin for error is zero. The Packers play the Vikings Sunday night after Thanksgiving in Minnesota - if we don't win that one the play-off dreams are over.
After a near win on a big stage - next up are the bright lights of NBC's Sunday Night Football - they better be ready. Go Pack, Go!
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