Sept. 17, 2014 By Zuhayr Tahir
Well that’s probably not how the coaches drew it up, but the Packers will take a victory like that any day.
The Packers faced off against the Jets 12 p.m. on Sunday afternoon in their home opener at Lambeau field looking to bounce back from an embarrassing showing in Seattle just ten days earlier.
The game consisted of a less than desirable opening that included a fumbled snap on the center exchange between Aaron Rodgers and Corey Linsley on the first play from scrimmage. The Jets recovered and quickly drove a short 16 yards for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
The Defense looked awful early in the game allowing three touchdowns on the Jets first three drives and soon found themselves down 21-3 in the 2nd quarter. Social media erupted with demands to fire the defensive coordinator Dom Capers as Packer fans openly voiced their frustration on poor play by the defense along with frustration at the questionable play calling by head coach Mike McCarthy on the offensive side of the ball.
The Packers needed a big play, and it finally came with two minutes left in the first half when Tramon Williams intercepted a wobbly Geno Smith pass at the Packers three yard line. Down 21-9 the Packers offense drove 97 yards and scored their first touchdown of the game on a pass from Rodgers to Cobb to go into halftime down 21-16.
It was a tale of two halves for the defense as the Packers came out stuffing the Jets run game and swatting away passes. Unlike the first half, they were able to get off the field on third downs and give the offense their opportunities.
The offense continued to build off their momentum and completed the 18 point comeback when Rodgers tossed his second touchdown of the game to Cobb with 5:45 left in the third quarter. They converted the two point conversion and took their first lead of the game, going up 24-21.
The Jets proceeded to tie the game at 24 on the next drive, but Jordy Nelson broke the game open soon after when he beat cornerback Dee Milliner with a double move and scored on an 80 yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to reclaim the lead for good at 31-24.
Rodgers finished the game completing 25 passes for 346 yards and a touchdown, while Nelson finished with a career high 209 yards and a touchdown.
The defense held for the entire fourth quarter and sealed the game by knocking down a fourth down pass from Geno Smith to Jeremy Kerley. The Packers bled out the final three minutes, gaining their first victory of the season.
The Packers showed all the qualities of a championship team by fighting back from a slow start, playing tough defense, and converting explosive plays on offense. The running game still needs to show some consistency, but it should improve in the coming weeks as the matchups become more favorable.
Next week, the Packers will have to endure another tough test as they travel to Detroit to play with the Lions. It will be the first divisional game of the season for the Packers and Lions, and Detroit will be looking to bounce back after an ugly defeat in Carolina. Both teams are 1-1 and will be fighting for the division lead and bragging rights.
