John C. Redfern
10/05/08
Senior Writer
SUMMARY: With rookie Q Ryan leading the Falcons offense against a struggling Packers defense, the Falcons beat the Packers 27-24.
HIGHLIGHTS: 1. Scout. 2. Packersnews. 3. JSOnline. 4. Espn.
QUOTES:
GAME BALLS: 1. WR Jennings. 2. CB Williams.
REPORT CARD—THE GOOD, BAD, & UGLY [GBPG Grades]:
Rushing Offense—C+ [C+]
The Packers rush 23 times for 104 yards with a 4.5 yard per carry average. RB Grant looked better having 18 carries for 83 yards.
Passing Offense—B [B+]
With a painful shoulder, QB Rodgers still completed 25 of 37 passes for 313 yards, 3 touchdowns, two sacks, and one costly interception. He did make a few bad reads. WR Jennings had another great game with 4 catches for 87 yards and one touchdown. WR Driver had 3 catches for 68 yards. TE Humphrey had 4 catches for 67 yards.
Rushing Defense—D [D]
The rush defense gave up another 176 yards with an average 4.9 yards per carry. RB Turner ran 26 times for 121 yards and one touchdown.
Passing Defense—B- [B]
Q Ryan, a rookie, took advantage of good protection and of crucial coverage mistakes to complete 16 of 26 passes, 2 touchdowns, an interception, and a passer rating of 94.1. CB Williams had 11 tackles and S Collins had 8 tackles. Being shorthanded on defense, the Packers showed it during crucial big plays.
Special Teams—D+ [D]
The special teams failed to hold the line in a crucial kickoff allowing the Falcons to get good field position at the Packers 48, leading to the field goal. The Bucs averaged 28.3 yards on kickoff returns, while the Packers averaged 27.5 yards. P Frost averaged 3 punts for 41 yards. K Crosby missed a crucial 53 field goal after a penalty nullified a 43 yard field goal.
Coaching—D [D]
Coach McCarthy executed another outcoached game plan. In 3rd down efficiency, the Packers were 7 for 13. The Packers had 9 penalties for 97yards costing a victory. As a reviewer said in his gut reactions:
"(1) This is a poorly coached Packers team, on both sides of the ball (2) Please tell me Frost was cut after the final whistle (3) When is the defensive coordinator going to get fired? (4) Bob Sanders just got out-called by a rookie quarterback and (5) Rodgers is not making more than two reads and he has not looked on the backside of a play once, other than by design."
Overall—C- [C]
With the loss, the Packers dropped three consecutive games falling behind the unbearable Bears (3-2) in the NFC North.
COMMENTARY: If the Packers cannot win their home games....Rants and raves: Big plays, bad plays.
PREVIEW: A tough road game against Seattle.
