Sunday, October 29, 2006

Packers Win! Packers Win!

The Pack beat the 4-point spread for the game by 17 points, defeating the Cards 31-14, for their third win of the season. It was also Coach McCarthy's first victory at Lambeau Field, and the first win at Lambeau this season. By all accounts, it appears to also have been the occasion for Brett Favre's first Lambeau Leap following his 13th career rushing TD.

The rushing game was terrific, with both Ahman Green and Vernand Morency each rushing for more than 100 yards. It is only the second time in Packers history that two running backs have each run for more than 100 yards in the same game. It looks as if the running game which started to emerge in last week's victory over the Dolphins got even better this week. Granted, this was the Cardinals. But still, a tremendous effort from the offensive line made it all happen. Green and Morency both showed speed and power on their runs. If this combination can stay healthy for the rest of the year it can certainly give the Pack a chance to be in every game.

Donald Driver also came up big, as usual. And his biggest play of the day, a long (50-yard-plus) pass play, was called back because of a holding penalty. Driver did limp off the field after a great run after a catch. He came back in later. Hopefully, not a problem this coming week.

The defense also pressured Cards QB Matt Leinart most of the day, recording several sacks and a number of knock-downs. There was only one wide open receiver all afternoon on the Cards last touchdown, which appeared to be the result of an entirely broken coverage.

Aside from a questionable play call on the Packers' first possession -- where they were fourth-and-one, set for an apparent field goal and instead faked it, and themselves, into turning the ball over on downs -- most of the play-calling seemed on target.

Packers 31 - Cards 14. Guess that call (noted in an earlier post) by Michael Irvin saying that Matt Leinart would "dominate" the Packers' defense didn't exactly come to fruition, did it? Shocking.

It's great to be a Packers' fan anytime...but especially after a win.