Post-Game Analysis: Special Report

Mason Crosby watches his successful field goal attempt

Special teams weren't so special against the Patriots although place kicker Mason Crosby did well. He made his only field goal attempt and his only 33-yard extra point. All of his kickoffs were short and returnable and I was worried. However, in the post-game interview Coach Mike McCarthy said he told Crosby to kick them short so they could work on kickoff coverage. So I give Crosby an A+.

 

I was going to talk about punter Tim Masthay next, but let's jump on the kickoff coverage. All five were returned for an average of 24.6 average with a long return of 35. His first one was returned 31 yards to the 26 and his next two were stopped at the 17 and the 13. The second half kickoff was returned 35 yards to the 37. His fifth on was returned 24 yards to the 27 and his last I give the kickoff coverage team a C+.

 

Now I'll get to Masthay. He punted three times for an average of 34.0 with two inside the 20. Throw the average out since he was punting near the 50. His first was from the Green Bay 47 and was downed at the 18. His next was from the Patriot 47 and was downed at the 15. His last was from the Green Bay 13 and it was downed at the Patriot 37. There were two fair catches and one went out of bonds. I give Masthay a A-. As far as punt return coverage I give an incomplete for no action.

Post-Game Analysis: The Offense - Backfield Edition

Offensively there was a lot to feel good about except for the red zone problems. I would hope Associate Head Coach Tom Clements and Aaron Rodgers will get together without Mike McCarthy in the room and figure out how to score touchdowns from 20 yards in as well as they do from 20 yards out.

QUARTERBACKS:

(27-of-43 for 295 yards, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions with 4 sacks)

 

Aaron Rodgers Zeroing In

For the second year in a row Rodgers looks a bit tentative on his throws. I noticed last year his accuracy was off and it was again Thursday night against the Patriots. He completed 11-of-19 for 117 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions for a quarterback rating of 76.0. He had two tries for touchdowns from the red zone and missed on both. Not a good outing for him.

 

He missed twice on the first drive with incompletions to Davante Adams from the five to the right and to Eddie Lacy from the two to the left. After going four-and-out from the New England 43 the Packers drove from the Patriots eight from the Packer 14, but once again couldn't punch one in. First down was an incompletion to Adams in the middle followed by a one-yard completion to Adams to the left and another incomplete pass to Adams to the right. FIELD GOAL resulted. Rodgers was also sacked twice, including on the first play.

 

Scott Tolzien looked good. He went 10-of-16 for 107 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for a rating of 102.9. He showed a good pocket presence and a nice touchdown on his longer throws, especially his fourth-and-one from the New England 26 to Jeff Janis for the touchdown. Now that was a great play and if you haven't noticed it came from outside the red zone.