Packers get back into the win column in Joe Philbin’s debut
The Packers finally ended their losing streak and have won their first game since the firing of Mike McCarthy with a 34-20 home victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
It didn’t start out well for the Packers as the Falcons scored on their first possession aided by two catches by Julio Jones that were challenged by Joe Philbin, who lost both of them. The Packers would go on to score 34 unanswered points before Atlanta scored a few touchdowns in the fourth quarter to make the score seem somewhat respectable.
Those two “catches” by Julio Jones sure looked iffy to me at best. It took just one game as the Packers’ head coach, but Philbin went into the record books by becoming the fastest to use up both of his challenges in a game. I think he did it to show that he will fight for his players.
Aaron Jones got his 20 touches with 17 rushes and 3 receptions. He didn’t have a monster game, but he was efficient enough. His 29-yard run in the third quarter was the nail in the coffin.
Aaron Rodgers was efficient enough as well. He broke Tom Brady’s NFL record for most consecutive passing attempts without an interception. He had another close call though as Deion Jones dropped a potential pick-six, almost denying Rodgers the record. Rodgers has had many close calls this year. I remember the Bears’ Kyle Fuller dropped one that would have sealed a Chicago victory. We all know how that game turned out instead.
There was a pick-six in this game as Beshaud Breeland intercepted Matt Ryan in the second quarter and took it 22 yards for a 17-7 lead. It was their first defensive touchdown of the season. Breeland also recovered a fumble late in the game on a snap that hit Mohamed Sanu in the leg.
It was a nice win over a struggling Atlanta team. It is likely that Joe Philbin is just there to keep the seat warm, but the team sure looked a lot better on Sunday than they did the previous three weeks. It’s nice to see the team with a comfortable lead. In fact, DeShone Kizer was sent out there to take the final snap and kneel on the ball.
A win doesn’t mean that our problems have gone away, but it at least makes us feel better the next few days. For example, we are feeling better than New England Patriots’ fans right now after the Pats lost in heartbreaking fashion down in Miami. It’s been one of the more frustrating seasons in recent memory, but at least the Packers have a chance to finish it on a high note.
The Packers get tested next Sunday as they head to Soldier Field to take on the Bears. It will be quite an atmosphere in the Windy City next week. For now, let’s enjoy this win for a few days.
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
