There are very few losses in the NFL that can be attributed to one single aspect of the game. There are normally a number of issues from various aspects of the game that cause a team to lose. The season opener between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers was the exception to the rule. Green Bay won the game 16-13 on a last second field goal, without scoring an offensive touchdown. All of their points, aside from one game tying field goal, came off of turnovers; most of which were on special teams. The Philadelphia Eagles, having significant question marks with their return game coming into the game, showed why by muffing two punts which led to 10 points including the game winner.
The Eagles fell behind by seven early when a punt was muffed by Greg Lewis and recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Later on, Lewis almost cost his team again by attempting to field a bouncing punt with about five Packers around him. Luckily for him, he was able to secure it and save his team about five yards of field position. Not so luckily for him, coach Andy Reid had seen enough, and that was the last punt return he handled.
But that wasn't the low point for the Eagles' special teams. With less than two minutes left, and the game tied, the Eagles forced the Packers to punt again - setting up a possible game winning possession for the Birds. This time they sent kick returner JR Reed back to retrieve the punt. Reed called for the fair catch, but the kick was short. Reed, instead of letting it bounce, decided to run up, and weave through blockers and tacklers, to catch the ball. He was a tad late, and couldn't control the kick. Green Bay recovered within field goal range. All Philadelphia could do was watch the clock wind down until Mason Crosby kicked the game winner through.
To put it simply, special teams lost the Eagles the game. That's not taking anything away from the Packers - they played a good game defensively - but the Eagles gave them the game. The offense and defense can not be blamed for this loss for Philly. Granted, the Eagles weren't entirely in sync on offense, but they looked like the Colts compared to the Packers' performance on that side of the ball. And defensively, they shut the Packers down entirely. Aside from one field goal drive that featured some classic highlight reel, Houdini like escapes and passes, the Packers couldn't move the ball against an Eagles' defense that had its own question marks coming into the season.
The Eagles now have some serious concerns in special teams now that they have seen how poor play from that unit alone can keep your team from winning. J.R. Reed should be adequate as the kick-off returner, but he is obviously not the answer for returning punts. Greg Lewis probably will never return another punt in his career, and Corell Buckhalter, who's experience consists of returning a few punts in preseason, is unlikely to be much better. There is only one person on this roster who could do the job: Brian Westbrook. Before he became the focal point of the offense, Westbrook earned his spot on the roster by returning punts. And he was very good at it. And he is clearly the best choice to fulfill that role right now. The only question is, will Andy Reid subject his prized offensive weapon to perceived high injury risk job of return man? Only Reid knows that answer, and its unlikely that he even knows it right now, but one thing is for sure: the present strategy is unacceptable. The special teams doesn't necessarily need to be special, but it can't become a liability like it was in the opening day loss.
Showing posts with label Green Bay Packers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Bay Packers. Show all posts
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Saturday, September 1, 2007
NFC North Preview
Part four of an eight part series examining each of the NFL's divisions as we approach the start of the regular season. Today we take a look at the NFC North; home of the defending NFC champions.
Chicago Bears
Da Bears own one of the best defenses in the game, and Devin Hester is the most dangerous return man since Dante Hall was in his prime. And that's about it. But that should be enough to once again make Chicago one of the favorites in the watered down NFC. Their run to the Super Bowl last season can be described as "in spite of the play of their QB." Compare that to the team that beat them in the big game, and you can see how important quarterback play is in the NFL. Last season, Rex Grossman was either good or horrible. If he can eliminate those horrible performances, or even if he just improves them to okay, the Bears would have to be a clear cut favorite. If he can't, combined with the loss of rushing leader Thomas Jones, the Bears will have a tough time making it back to the Super Bowl. But, being in a weak division, they should cruise to the playoffs regardless.
Prediction: 11-5
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings will follow a formula very similar to the Bears: Good defense, good running game, and hope your QB doesn't lose you games. Their defense isn't as good, but their running game is better. And it's anybody's guess how their QB, Tavaris Jackson, will do. However, Jackson will be asked to do very little with the running game he will have. Chester Taylor, who had a very good but understated season last year, will share the backfield with number one pick Adrian Peterson. If Jackson can just manage the game, and not lose the team games, the Vikings will put up a good fight and not let the Bears run away with the division.
Prediction: 8-8
Green Bay Packers
One last year for Brett Favre, right? We shall see. What we have seen, is that Favre can still play. He is nowhere near his MVP form, but in an era where the skill level at QB is very low, Favre is in a class by himself. The Packers improved as the season went on last year, finishing 8-8, and have high hopes coming into this season. However, they did nothing to improve themselves this past offseason. The still growing/learning offensive line will cause problems again for the running game, and Favre's consecutive games streak will be put in jeopardy as he should be running for his life again. The young defense was very underrated by the end of last season, and they look to build on that this season. This season won't be the exact way Farve wants to leave the game, but at least it should be ugly. The Pack should be competitive game in and game out.
Prediction: 8-8
Detroit Lions
The Lions are a very tough to team to figure out coming into the new season. Their offense looks like it could be as good as anyone's, but their defense is still a work in progress. They should be very tough in Detroit, where Mike Martz can have fun with Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, Jon Kitna, and company on the fast turf track; much like in St. Louis. Head coach, Rod Marinelli, is a hard work, defensive oriented guy, and that should be good for a defense that finished 30th in points allowed. If the defense can over-perform a little bit, like New Oreans did last season, they have a good enough offense to surprise a lot of people; myself included.
Prediction: 7-9
Chicago Bears
Da Bears own one of the best defenses in the game, and Devin Hester is the most dangerous return man since Dante Hall was in his prime. And that's about it. But that should be enough to once again make Chicago one of the favorites in the watered down NFC. Their run to the Super Bowl last season can be described as "in spite of the play of their QB." Compare that to the team that beat them in the big game, and you can see how important quarterback play is in the NFL. Last season, Rex Grossman was either good or horrible. If he can eliminate those horrible performances, or even if he just improves them to okay, the Bears would have to be a clear cut favorite. If he can't, combined with the loss of rushing leader Thomas Jones, the Bears will have a tough time making it back to the Super Bowl. But, being in a weak division, they should cruise to the playoffs regardless.
Prediction: 11-5
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings will follow a formula very similar to the Bears: Good defense, good running game, and hope your QB doesn't lose you games. Their defense isn't as good, but their running game is better. And it's anybody's guess how their QB, Tavaris Jackson, will do. However, Jackson will be asked to do very little with the running game he will have. Chester Taylor, who had a very good but understated season last year, will share the backfield with number one pick Adrian Peterson. If Jackson can just manage the game, and not lose the team games, the Vikings will put up a good fight and not let the Bears run away with the division.
Prediction: 8-8
Green Bay Packers
One last year for Brett Favre, right? We shall see. What we have seen, is that Favre can still play. He is nowhere near his MVP form, but in an era where the skill level at QB is very low, Favre is in a class by himself. The Packers improved as the season went on last year, finishing 8-8, and have high hopes coming into this season. However, they did nothing to improve themselves this past offseason. The still growing/learning offensive line will cause problems again for the running game, and Favre's consecutive games streak will be put in jeopardy as he should be running for his life again. The young defense was very underrated by the end of last season, and they look to build on that this season. This season won't be the exact way Farve wants to leave the game, but at least it should be ugly. The Pack should be competitive game in and game out.
Prediction: 8-8
Detroit Lions
The Lions are a very tough to team to figure out coming into the new season. Their offense looks like it could be as good as anyone's, but their defense is still a work in progress. They should be very tough in Detroit, where Mike Martz can have fun with Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, Jon Kitna, and company on the fast turf track; much like in St. Louis. Head coach, Rod Marinelli, is a hard work, defensive oriented guy, and that should be good for a defense that finished 30th in points allowed. If the defense can over-perform a little bit, like New Oreans did last season, they have a good enough offense to surprise a lot of people; myself included.
Prediction: 7-9
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