Packerholic

This post will provide my thoughts throughout the game. Keep checking back throughout the game as I will keep posting anything new that sticks out to me.

1st Half

• Not a whole lot on the first offensive pocession. It really wasn’t Rodgers fault in my opinion. Jackson made a terrible mistake in not picking up that blitzer. Donald Driver also dropped an easy pass as well.
• A great 3 and out for the defense. The linebackers played really well and Montgommery put good pressure on the QB on the last pass.
• The second offensive possession had some positives and negatives. The offensive line struggled but Rodgers and Jackson looked very sharp. It sucks that the possession ended on an INT. Francies could have done more to prevent the INT. Francies tried to catch it with his body instead of his hands which caused the INT..
• Another great defensive performance. We also got to see the 2-4 which was very effective and if we get result like that in the future I can’t wait to see more of it.
• An offensive possession that ends in a field goal. I thought Rodgers did pretty well on that possession. He did overthrow Jennings a little but those things can be fixed with time. If this is Rodgers last possession I thought he did pretty well. He kind of suffered a little due to his receivers since he would have at least two or more completions and no INTs if it wasn’t for his receivers.
• The defensive possession begins with a great special teams play stopping the returner before he reached the 20. I hope the Packers can find a roster spot for White since he is a special teams demon. Tramon Williams had a good play on second down but he really needs to look back to the QB much quicker. Another 3 and out. I can’t wait to see this defense this season. I am expecting a top 5 defense this season.
• Jackson is really showing what the coaches have been saying this whole offseason. He looks much faster and more surprisingly much stronger. We also got to see some Favre in Rodgers with his throw when he was going to be sacked at least he was smart enough to throw the ball away. The drive then ends with Jones scoring a TD without a helmet on. I think Rodgers have showed some of his critics wrong tonight. He has played very well and his one big mistake was Chris Francies fault.
• OOOOHHHH No. Our defense finally gave up a first down. Yeah this was far from a good defensive possession. We blew several coverages and we had troubles stopping the run. I was still very impressed with the first team defense tonight.
• A great start for Brohm. An INT on his first play. Yeah I sure hope Rodgers doesn’t get hurt or this could be a very long year.
• I don’t if it was just me but I think Collins was playing CB on the play he slipped on. Another Bengal TD but it was mostly Brohm’s fault since he gave the defense a very short field.
• Brohm looked a little bit better in his second possession but he definently needs a lot of work. I think the Packers really need to start looking at veteran backups.
• On defense Jarret Bush made an amazing stop on the Bengals running back to stop a first down. Abdul Hodge also had a great tipped pass. The defense as a whole didn’t look so great though. At least they stopped them to only a field goal.
• To end the half Brohm had a decent possession but made some mistakes as well.

2nd Half

• A good start to the second half with a 3 and out on defense. Hunter looked good and he is getting quite a bit of pressure on the QB.
• Another punt on offense but Brohm looked much better on that possession. Chris Francies is really making it easier for the Packers to give him his pink slip with another bad play (dropping a pass that he should have caught).
• Another good possession for the defense. Hodge is really showing up tonight. If Hodge continues to play this well he is going to win the backup linebacker job.
• A 3 and out on offense. At least we had a great punt and coverage to stop the Bengals within the 10 yard line.
• Another dominant possession by the defense. Abdul Hodge had another great play. Boy is he having a great game.
• Flynn starts off his career on a “high note” getting sacked on his first play as a Packer. Flynn struggled with two pretty bad passes as well.
• Aaron Rouse makes a great INT to end the position. Rouse just keeps making plays. If he can improve his coverage I think he will get one of the starting safety jobs this season. If not he will most likely get one of them next season.
• Flynn is moving the ball much better this drive. Lumpkin has a good run and Finley has a nice catch. The drive ends in a punt though. The drive also ends in a terrible punt due to some terrible blocking.
• Abdul Hodge has another great play and Alfred Malone has a stupid unnecessary roughness penalty. The Bengals get another field goal though.
• I don’t know if it is just me but Flynn really, really needs some work before he will ever be ready to start an NFL game. I think after this game the Packers really need to look at adding a veteran QB.
• Another 3 and out by the defense. The backup defense has been very on and off the entire game.
• Another bad series for Flynn to start with. Taj Smith makes a really nice play to extend the drive though. The drive is capped off with some good Lumpkin runs and finally a Lumpkin receiving TD.
• The final Packers offensive possession ends with a Kregg Lumpkin fumble.

The Packers lose the game 20-17. Since it is preseason it doesn’t really matter. Check back tomorrow for a more detailed analysis and the stars and duds of the game.