Packers vs Bills: Game Balls
By Josh McPeak
In a game that many Packers’ fans would like to forget, that saw the Packers play about as poorly as possible in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. Green Bay did significant damage to their chances at home field advantage in the NFC and perhaps a fourth consecutive NFC North crown.
There had to be some bright spots, right?
Today’s loss didn’t present much of a controversy for picking game balls on both sides of the ball.
Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) celebrates his first half touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
In the first quarter alone Eddie Lacy had 7 carries for 71 yards. The Packers would enter the second quarter trailing 7-3. It was the first time they had trailed entering the second quarter since week two of this NFL season.
Lacy made sure that wouldn’t last long as he crossed the goal line on a 1 yard touchdown run to put the Packers up 10-7. This capped off a drive that saw him dominate. Lacy had runs of 15 yards, 17 yards and 22 yards on the single drive alone.
At the half Lacy entered the locker room with 10 carries, 73 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. He also had 2 receptions for 11 yards.
Eddie “The Hammer” Lacy, easily takes home this week’s game ball on the offensive side of the ball.
Clay Matthews seemed to play his best on third down during Sunday’s loss to the Bills. On a drive in the first quarter the Bills started on the Packers 48 yard line. After a Buffalo penalty the Dom Capers’ defense had forced a 3rd and 19. Clay Matthews was able to produce heavy pressure leading to a Bills punt.
With the Packers trailing 16-10 after an Aaron Rodgers interception, Matthews again stepped up in a big way. Matthews sacked Kyle Orton on a 3rd and 17 that ultimately knocked the Bills out of field goal range.
Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Still trailing 16-10 the Bills were driving and looking to deliver the dagger when again, Clay Matthews brought down Kyle Orton behind the line-of-scrimmage for a huge sack. Buffalo would settle for a 48 yard field goal putting them ahead 19-10.
Today was a horrible day for the green and gold. Nothing seemed to go right and the Packers dropped to 0-6 all-time at Buffalo. A first round bye seems to be vanishing and a road trip to Seattle looks to be between any chances the Packers have at reaching the Super Bowl.
Offensive Game Ball:
Eddie Lacy: 15 carries 97 yards 1 touchdown along with 2 receptions for 11 yards. Even though he was battling a hip injury, one has to wonder would the outcome have been different if he touched it 25-30 times.
Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Bryce Brown (35) runs the ball as Green Bay Packers free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) defends during the first quarter at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Game Ball:
Clay Matthews: 4 total tackles and 2 sacks that came at hug points in the game. One sack knocked the Bills out of field goal range and the other forced a long field goal.
Honorable Mention:
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix with a game high 13 total tackles. Not sure it is such a good thing when your safeties combine for 25 total tackles however.