Sam's Grading the Pack Week 5: What, You Didn't Think They'd Pull That Off?
Classic Packers. I mean, you can't write this stuff. Less than two minutes to go and Aaron Rodgers marches down the field in classic greatest-quarterback-of-all-time fashion and find none other than Davante Adams, the man brutally knocked unconscious a mere ten days ago. Also, who needs Ty Montgomery when you have Aaron Jones? The Packers haven't had a running back with his lightning quickness and knee-jerk agility in my lifetime. If Ty Montgomery is healthy next week, I'd still give more touches to Aaron Jones. His engine turns a Ty Montgomery-like three run drive into a seven-yard dash, which enables Aaron Rodgers to do so much more in the play action game. The offensive line put together one of their better days, but still didn't protect Aaron Rodgers enough, especially in the first half. The defense came up with some big plays, including a pick-six from the previously-benched Damarious Randall. Mason Crosby missing two extra points was horribly disappointing, but when you have Aaron Rodgers as your quarterback and an explosive running back tallying over 100 yards, you can get away with it.
OVERALL: B-
Offense: B QB/RB: A WR/TE: B- OL: C
Defense: C DL: C LB: B- DB: C Special Teams: C
BEST GRADE: A+: Aaron Jones, RB
Aaron Jones is exactly what I've been looking for in a Packers running back. Christine Michael showed little flashes of this type of running last year, but Aaron Jones put it all together against a decent run decent. He tallied 19 Rushes for 125 Yards and a Touchdown, an incredible day for his first NFL start. His first career catch was also an incredible diving nine-yard effort in the red zone at a crucial point of the game. With Ty Montgomery out of the lineup and Jamaal Williams simply never getting more than three yards on any of his carries, Aaron Jones stepped up exactly when he needed to. His deceptive speed also meant the Cowboys defense had to respect the run game, giving Aaron Rodgers more opportunities in the passing game. That will almost always lead to a victory.
WORST GRADE: D+: Justin McCray, LG
Looks who's on the list for the worst grade once again. The silver lining is that at least he didn't fail this week. He wasn't absolutely awful, and he did make a couple good blocks in the running game, but twice in this game he just let someone come straight through the middle. There was one blitz where both he and Corey Linsley didn't even touch the middle linebacker coming straight at Aaron Rodgers. He definitely needs to step up if he wants to see the field at all once David Bakhtiari gets healthy and Lane Taylor slides back over to Left Guard, but if need be, a performance like this is just enough for Aaron Rodgers to work his magic.
Honorable Mentions: A: Aaron Rodgers, QB; and Davante Adams, WR
Only yard prevented Aaron Rodgers from getting an A+ (sound familiar?). He was 19/29 with 221 Yards and 3 Touchdowns. He had no interceptions, and probably over half of those incompletions were drops. If he couldn't make a throw, it's because someone wasn't in the right place or his offensive line couldn't hold up. He also added 4 rushes for 32 Yards, one of those runs being a clutch first down run with less than a minute left, setting up the Davante Adams game-winning touchdown. Speaking of Adams, he came back from one of the most vicious hits I've ever seen to pull in 7 catches for 66 Yards and 2 of the most decisive touchdowns of the season. With Jordy Nelson swallowed up for most of the game, Davante Adams stepped up as WR #1. What more could you ask for?
MVP Watch: Although Jordy Nelson wasn't heavily involved, he did pull in a touchdown grab to keep his GPA up at 3.79, first place among the whole team. Aaron Rodgers is right behind him at 3.63, with Davante Adams a bit further back in third at 3.37.
STATS OVERVIEW:
Passing = Rodgers: A (19/29, 221 Yds, 3 TD; 4 Rush, 32 Yds)
Rushing = A. Jones: A+ (19 Rush, 125 Yds, 1 TD); Williams: C- (1 Rush, 1 Yds)
Receiving = Adams: A+ (7 Rec, 66 Yds, 2 TD); Nelson: B (2 Rec, 24 Yds, 1 TD); Cobb: B- (4 Rec, 29 Yds), Bennett: B- (3 Rec, 53 Yds)
Defense = 1 INTs (Randall), 1 Sack (Perry), 1 Fumble Forced (Perry), 2 Fumble Recoveries (Rollins, Perry)
Question? Comments? Concerns? General Feedback? Does Aaron Rodgers have a legitimate MVP campaign? Let me know!!
Thank you and God Bless,
Samuel R. Fuller
