Sunday, September 30, 2007

Packers win 23-16!

This game, like so many games in the Humpty Dump over the years, almost took a nasty turn. But the turn turned, and all came out well. The Packers beat the ViQueens 23-16.

At the start of the quarter, the 'Queens held the Pack and we had to settle for a field goal to go up 16-9. After a bit of back and forth, Brett threw his 422nd TD pass on a beautiful fake pump and then sideline throw to James Jones, who carried it in for the first TD of his young career. This made the score 23-9 with just under 6 minutes to go. On the next series, the Packers had the 'Queens in a 3rd and 13 situation following a sack by KGB. A. J. Hawk proceeded to tackle Adrian Peterson short of the first down, but was flagged for a face-mask penalty that gave the 'Queens a first down and kept the drive alive. The defensive line continued to pressure the 'Queens QB, including another sack. But again, Minnesota converted, this time on 4th and 4 to put the ball at the Packers 28-yard line. A pass to the 15 took the game down to the 2-minute warning. The next play was a TD pass to Sidney Rice in the endzone over Jarrett Bush, making the score 23-16.

The 'Queens attempted an onside kick but, as last week, Donald Driver recovered with 1:54 to go. Minnesota had only 1 timeout left at this point. Following a handoff, the 'Queens called their last timeout. On the next play, attempting to just run out the clock, RB Ryan Grant fumbled the ball and the 'Queens recovered at their own 41-yard line. It appeared as if Grant never got the exhcange cleanly on the handoff. The 'Queens then moved the ball down to the Packers 35-yard line. Their next pass was tipped and intercepted by Atari Bigby before hitting the ground.

These games in the Humpty Dump are never easy. As noted in my pre-game posting, goofy things have tended to happen there over the years. But for the fourth time in the last five trips there, the Pack emerges with a victory.

The Pack still has absolutely no running game to speak of, placing dead last in the league in rushing. But...this was Brett Favre's day. He finished the day 32 of 45 for 344 yards (his 50th career 300+ yards game) and 2 touchdowns.

NFC North Division standings after today have the Pack at 4-0, the Lions at 3-1, and Da Bearz and ViQueens fighting it out for worst place at 1-3 each.

Da Bearz come to Lambeau Field next Sunday night. They have no quarterback, no running game, and the vaunted defense is hurt. They do have Devin Hester, who had another kickoff return today. This is an early prediction. But after next weekend, the Pack will be 5-0. First though, isn't it great to be 4-0? It's the first time since 1998. Oh yeah!!!