Morning Buzz: Tricks, not treats for Packers
Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers after their loss to the Atlanta Falcons from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a strong cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers.
Pete Dougherty starts us off by summing things up nicely in his postgame column.
In the last four minutes with the game on the line, the Green Bay Packers needed a big sack from a pass rusher or a great play by Aaron Rodgers. They got neither.
That’s the way it usually works in the NFL. Your best players have to come through in crunch time. It doesn’t matter that the frighteningly short-handed Packers went toe-to-toe with the Atlanta Falcons on the road, or that Rodgers had his best game of the season under the most adverse of circumstances.
All that matters is that none of the Packers’ best players on the field Sunday made a special play with the game on the line, so coach Mike McCarthy’s team went home with a 33-32 loss at the Georgia Dome against the NFC South Division leaders.
Tom Silverstein’s Insider gives out Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down and several Rants and Raves.
Tom also writes on the offense needing to take to the air.
Sometimes you just have to wing it a little, which is exactly what the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers did Sunday at the Georgia Dome, home of arguably the finest performance in Rodgers’ career six years ago.
But before they could wing it there, they had to wing it a little differently during their weekly preparation and then as the game see-sawed through four quarters of an eventual 33-32 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons.
Read the whole thing. It’s a great look at the adjustments McCarthy needed to make all week and during the game.
Ryan Wood spoke with linebacker Jake Ryan about the final touchdown drive and looked at the defensive effort across the board.
The Packers’ young receivers were forced to answer the bell in a tough environment and they responded to the challenge. Michael Cohen has the goods.
Cohen also writes that Ty Montgomery, who was held out of the game with an undisclosed illness, isn’t worried that his ailment will keep him out for any kind of extended time.
ESPN reported that the illness in question has to do with Montgomery’s kidney.
Mike Daniels wouldn’t make excuses after Sunday’s nail-biter.
Pete and Bob talked about the lack of a playmaker coming through at the end and took stock of where the Packers stand nearly halfway through the season.
McGinn, Dougherty on Packers' loss to Falcons
I chatted with Packers fans after the game about the team’s effort and tried to fend off fans who want Dom Capers fired.
WBAY talks scary stuff. Namely, the Packers' defense.
The Packers’ first touchdown Sunday was vintage Rodgers to Nelson.
The guys at Scout talk about moral victories.
Aaron Rodgers’ ability to catch a defense substituting got Brooks Reed in some trouble.
Jersey Al over at PackersTalk wasn’t pleased with some of McCarthy’s decisions
Uproxx appreciated Rodgers’ afternoon.
Finally, Happy Halloween to Packers fans everywhere.