Reviews & Grades: Packers Crush Seahawks

Jclombardi reviews & grades Packers victory over Seahawks.

Summary: The Packers routed the Seahawks 48-10. The offense had a big day with running backs Grant, Jackson & Green scoring six touchdowns. The defense got four big interceptions to shut down the Seahawks. With the win and Giants loss, the Packers are in the playoffs.

Video Highlights:  NFL.com.  Game Summaries: ESPN.  CBS.

Game Highlights: Playoff Bound. Playoff Fever. Playoff Clinching Win. Redemption Song: Crosby and Bush. RB Jackson’s Big Day.  Running backs’ Six Touchdown Day. Jolly’s Defense.  Crosby’s Success. Crosby’s Big Game. Secondary’s Success.

Game Balls: 1. LB Barnett 2. SS Bigby 3. RB Jackson 4. RB Grant.

Quotes:

1. Coach McCarthy: “Playoffs, it feels good. Our focus all along was to get to the 10 wins. Fortunately with the 10 wins we get into the playoffs today. That’s always the first step. As we talk as a football team our goal of winning a world championship is in front of us.”

2. RB Jackson: “It’s a blessing. I was telling Bennett sometimes you just got to smell the end zone. I’m just blessed to do what I did today. Just hard work and it pays off.”

Report Card–Good, Bad, & Ugly–LA vs SE:

Pass Offense—B vs B-.  Starting slowly again, QB Rodgers had a pedestrian game completing 12 of 23 passes for 237 yards, 1 touchdown, and 103.0 passer rating. QB Rodgers became the first NFL player to throw more than 4,000 yards in the first two years as starter. WR Jennings had 4 big receptions for 111 yards. TE Finley had 3 big receptions for 80 yards. WR Driver had 3 receptions for 33.

Rush Offense—A vs A-.  All three running backs had a solid day. The Packers had 153 yards on 32 carries averaging 4.8 yards. RB Grant had 16 carries for 97 yards averaging 6.1 yards and 2 explosive touchdowns. Future Hall of Famer veteran RB Green had 8 big carries for 29 yards and 1 touchdown including breaking tackles for a big first down. RB Jackson has become an all-purpose back and had 5 carries for 20 yards and 3 touchdowns (two running and one passing).

Pass Defense—A- vs B+. The Packers defense rebounded with a stellar game. The airtight coverage allowed defensive coordinator Capers to harass QB Hasselback with five-man pressures from multiple angles. The effective use of blitz and coverage combined with a better effort from the secondary allowed the Packers to get back on track. The 3-4 defense stopped the Seahawks with big plays including 4 interceptions and 3 sacks. QB Hasselback completed 19 of 37 passes for only 198 yards, 4 interceptions, 1 touchdown, and a poor 36.6 rating. SS Bigby had 2 interceptions, CB Bush had 1 interception, and LB Hawk had 1 interception. DE Jolly knocked down two more passes against the Seahawks. His 11 total breaks DE Jenkins’ record of 9.

Rush defense—B vs B-.   The Packers’ streak of not allowing a team 100 rushing yards ended at seven games with the slippery combination of  Forsett and Jones accounted for all but six of the Seahawks’ 115 yards. 

Special teams—B vs B. The coverage team had a good day. In kick coverage, they allowed 142 kick return yards. K Crosby hit both field goals. P Kapinos had 4 punts averaging only 41 gross yards.

Coaching—A- vs B+. Both the offense and the defense had a stellar game. On offense, the Packers had 20 first downs and 417 total yards. In 3^rd down efficiency, they were a good 8 for 14. In the red zone, they were an outstanding 5 for 6.

Overall Game—A.  In an easy home game against the Seahawks, the Packers won big getting into the playoffs with a wild-card spot.

CBS Overall Game—A. The Packers did what they wanted to on offense and the defense picked off Matt Hasselbeck four times. Ryan Grant had two touchdown runs and Aaron Rodgers was good again.

Oates’ Grades: Offense: B+.  Grant still has the speed to go all the way if a play is blocked correctly. Between blitz pickup and pass receiving, Jackson is a very good third-down back. Defense: B. Hasselback kept hitting Packers defenders in stride. Jolly has become a force on the defensive line. Bush just can’t locate the ball on deep throws. Special Teams: B+. Struggling Crosby kicked field goals of 29 and 52 yards. The kick coverage was solid again. Green Bay should still have strong-legged Seattle punter Ryan. Overall: B+. Seattle was overmatched and dispirited. Green Bay played a complete game and was rewarded with a playoff berth.

Rodgers vs Favre series: week 16–“Silver Fox” Vikings 11-4.  Packers 10-5.

Commentary: The Packers are back in the playoffs after an easy win in the final 2009 home game.

NFC Playoff Scenario: Packers–Clinched playoff berth with win vs Seahawks and Giants loss. Now, the Packers are No. 5 seed because of head-to-head win vs Dallas. Next, they could be No. 5 seed with win or Dallas loss or No. 6 seed with loss/tie and Dallas win.

Preview:  A tough road game against the Cardinals.