These Packers can make you a nervous wreck.  They make just enough mistakes to keep their opponents in the game, and just enough clutch plays to win.  Sunday’s victory over the Rams is a perfect example.  When your team goes into the fourth quarter with a nineteen point lead, you should be able to sit back, take a deep breath and relax. 

Not with this bunch.  Those young cornerbacks take you on a roller coaster ride throughout the game.  One moment they are getting beaten badly for a long ball score.  The next moment they are pulling off a pick six, or diving to make an acrobatic pass break-up.  The patchwork offensive line is getting bulldozed, stoning the run game and forcing Aaron Rodgers to run for his life.  But then bows up and paves the way for AJ Dillon to pound for critical, time-eating first downs. 

In a game that felt like it was dominated by Green Bay, it still took Adrian Amos falling on an onside kick with less than twenty seconds left to play to lock it down.  So be it.  I’ll take the stress gladly in exchange for a crucial Packer victory that sends them into a much-needed bye at 9-3 and, combined with the Vikings loss to the 49ers, restores Green Bay’s three and a half game lead in the division, and keeps them on the heels of Arizona for the number one seed.   

GAME BALLS 

AJ Dillon 

With Aaron Jones on an obvious pitch count, it fell to Dillon to pound the ball on one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL.  It took three quarters to soften them up, but the second year pile driver had several key runs down the stretch and finished with 69 of the hardest-earned yards you’ll ever see.  He also caught a short pass and turned it into a five yard touchdown.   

Davante Adams 

Somehow it feels like Davante had a somewhat quiet eight catches for 104 yards.  But, as usual, nearly every one of them came at a critical point in the game.  He almost made a spectacular catch to effectively end the game while being sandwiched  between two defenders late in the fourth quarter.   

Aaron Rodgers 

It wasn’t his best game.  At times he struggled with accuracy, and the fierce second half pass rush rattled him , but how many quarterbacks can throw for 307 yards and two scores without even practicing all week?  The fact he’s dealing with a painful toe injury makes it all the more impressive. 

Rasul Douglas 

A game ball to a corner who got embarrassed on a 54 yard bomb to Odell Beckham?  Who had a potential game clinching pick go right through his hands?  Well yeah, because for every bad play he makes, he seems to more than compensate with a huge one.  How about a pick six by jumping Cooper Kupp, one of the best receivers on the planet?  Or a diving pass break-up to prevent a big gainer in the 4th quarter?  Or a clutch tackle on a promising screen pass to Tyler Higbee, holding it to just three yards?  Challenge him at your own risk.  You may burn him, but he may also stick a dagger in you. 

Adrian Amos 

Mr. Steady amidst the chaos on the back end.  An awesome tackle behind the line on fourth and one, a hard hit to force an incompletion on third down, and having the poise to cover the onside kick to end the game. 

Honorable mentions to Rashan Gary who had consistent pressure and a strip sack despite a bad arm, and Randall Cobb who had a dominant first half with four catches for 95 yards and a touchdown before leaving with a groin injury. 

LAME CALLS 

Still forcing the deep ball 

It still drives me nuts that Rodgers will eschew the short range, open receiver in favor of throwing long to a receiver who is covered, sometimes double covered.  It ended a few drives prematurely.  I get you have to keep the secondary honest, but sometimes Rodgers needs to be more patient.  Take what’s there.  Hard to argue with his record, but it sure is rough on my blood pressure. 

Amari Rodgers as a kick returner 

Special teams coach Maurice Drayton loves him, but I just don’t see it.  He just doesn’t show anything on returns.  How about EQ?  MVS?  Taylor?  Somebody.  Anybody. 

AFTERTHOUGHTS 

Aaron Rodgers:  “The toe felt good most of the game.  I’m not sure at his point (if I will have surgery during the bye).  We’re going to do some testing early this week and then make a decision.” 

Davante Adams:  “I know his (Rodgers) injury is nagging him, but to be able to ball through it, it just shows what kind of player he is.  He doesn’t let it get in the way.” 

Kenny Clark:  “We’ve got a lot of confidence in our front.  We’ve got a lot of really good players.  I’m really happy about the way our front played as a whole.” 

Matt LaFleur:  “We talked about emptying the tank.  I think everybody is pretty exhausted, but it’s a lot better to go into the bye week with a win.  We’re really going to enjoy this.” 

THREE AND OUT 

•  After the game Aaron Rodgers was effusive in his praise of left tackle Yosh Nijman.  “I almost forgot about that side of the ball” AR said.  “I told him he did a great job”.  Nijman did, for the most part, seem to hold his own against the likes of Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd. 

•  Many observers believe the NFC West is the toughest division in the NFL.  Don’t look now, but the Packers are 4-0 against the NFC West. 

•  Two unsung key plays:  Corey Bojorquez 61 yard punt downed beautifully at the one yard line by EQ, and Yosh Nijman hustling behind the play to recover a fumble by Marcedes Lewis to keep a drive alive. 

Get some rest guys.