5 things we learned from Packers’ win vs. Ravens in Week 15
Most Green Bay Packers fans know the feeling that comes upon them Sundays during the winter.
Nerves run wild, you can’t eat from noon to around eight because the Packers are playing and it’s going to be a stressful game. This week was no different.
Green Bay went into Sunday’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens atop the NFC and one win away from clinching the NFC North for the third straight season (so yes, we not only own the Bears but the whole North).
While watching Sunday afternoon’s matchup against Baltimore, we saw a few things about this Packers team that are good and bad. Let’s go into depth on five key things we learned watching Green Bay vs. Baltimore.
Davante Adams is one of the best Packers receivers of all time
Entering Week 15, Davante Adams was 76 yards and one touchdown away from passing Packers legend Jordy Nelson for all-time yards and touchdowns in franchise history. Adams finished the game with 44 yards and one touchdown, cementing himself at number two on the Packers all-time receiving touchdown list with 70, trailing only Don Hutson (99).
Adams only needs 32 yards next Saturday against the Cleveland Browns to pass Nelson for the fifth-most receiving yards in Green Bay Packers history. This will most likely happen, which will continue to build upon his already very impressive resume.
If Adams signs a long-term extension with the Packers this offseason, it would not be shocking if he surpasses the late Don Hutson for most receiving touchdowns in Packers history.
Packers running backs can perform against the best of run defenses in the NFL
The Ravens have the best run defense in the NFL this season only giving up an average of 85.5 yards per game. They have held the likes of Jonathan Taylor and Nick Chubb to only 3.5 yards per carry. With that being stated, the double-edge sword that is the Packers running backs — Aaron Jones and A.J Dillion — were very effective against this same group that has been great all year.
Jones finished Sunday’s game with 58 yards on the ground and 12 more through the air with a receiving score, continuing to solidify himself as one of the best dual-threat running backs in all the NFL
A.J Dillion also found the end zone on a two-yard rush to cap off Green Bay’s second drive of the game. Dillion put up 35 total yards and his one score helped his team beat a good Ravens squad.
Aaron Rodgers should win MVP this season
As of late, Aaron Rodgers has been playing exceptional football. Going into Sunday’s game against the Ravens, Rodgers had thrown 10 touchdowns with zero interceptions the past three weeks. Two of these games he finished with a passer rating over 140, and this Sunday was no different.
Rodgers finished the Week 15 matchup completing 23 of 31 passing for 268 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions. This is Rodgers’ fourth straight game not throwing an interception. During this four-game stretch, Rodgers has accumulated 1,301 passing yards with 14 total touchdowns (13 passing and one rushing).
Let’s not forget Rodgers also tied Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre for most passing touchdowns in Green Bay Packers history at 442. Going into next week’s matchup against the Browns, Rodgers may break the record at home for Christmas.
If Aaron can stay on this pace over the next three games, he could steal the MVP award from the current man who is favored to win, Tom Brady. This is something to keep an eye on as the regular season comes to an end.
The Green Bay Packers’ special teams is not very… special
What do you know, the Packers’ special teams made the story, but not for anything good. After last week’s atrocious showing where the special teams unit allowed a 97-yard punt return touchdown, they didn’t do to much better this week.
Although there were no points scored on punts or kickoffs, they still preformed very poorly. There were three special team penalties against the Packers, one of which negated a big kick return and set the Packers backed up to their own end zone.
This has been hands down the worst unit on this Packers team all year. Whether it was the struggles of the field goal unit, or the terrible punt coverage we have seen over the last few weeks, something needs to be done about the special teams because it’s scary to watch every time they’re on the field.
MVS is a legit number two receiver on this team
Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been a super reliable receiving option for Aaron Rodgers this year. If you were to look at his stats, they would look below average, only having 427 yards on 25 catches with three touchdowns. This does not look like a typical number two receiver. Although the stats do not pop out to you, watching him each week, you see what I am talking about.
MVS racked up 98 yards on five catches versus Baltimore, one was for a touchdown that put the Packers up 28-17 in the fourth quarter. He averaged just shy of 20 yards a reception and was the Packers’ leading receiver.
The main reason MVS is so reliable is because in games where Davante is getting covered well, he always seems to stand out and show us how he has continued to grow into a great second option for Mr. Rodgers.
Although this game was a stressful one for Packers fans, we can all relax and enjoy the week before Christmas because for the third straight year, they are champs of the North and on path for a second straight year holding the NFC’s number one seed.