One Man's Redemption, A Team's Victory
| 7
|
by Cheezer
For Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, revenge came in the form of a game sealing interception that he returned 46 yards for a touchdown in a 33-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The play came with 0:59 left in the game and the Chiefs needing two score to take the lead. The play proved to be nice redemption for Woodson as he had four penalties throughout in the game.
With 2:14 to go in the game, Woodson had a 27 yard punt return to help set up Mason Crosby’s fourth field goal to give the Packers a 26-22 lead. I have questioned the use of Woodson on punt returns because I’ve felt that the reward was not enough to justify the risk of injury to a crucial player on the Packer defense. Sunday I was proven wrong as his penchant for fielding punts instead of calling for the fair catch proved to be beneficial in a game that saw 35 points and four lead changes in the fourth quarter alone. The punt return also served to use up enough time to take the game to the two-minute warning without the Packers having to run an offensive play.
Observations:
- Green Bay continues to struggle with tight end coverage. Tony Gonzalez had 9 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown (4 for 60 came against Atari Bigby).
- Bigby made the crucial mistake of biting on play action and then being called for Pass Interference in the endzone against Samie Parker. The Chief’s immediately scored a touchdown and took a one-point lead into halftime.
- In an attempt to slow Gonzalez down late in the second half, the Packers lined Defensive End Aaron Kampman on him to jam him and not allow him a free release from the line.
- AJ Hawk played his best game of the season in pass coverage. Sticking with Gonzalez up the seam and watching for the ball on one break-up. He had an interception while in coverage against Priest Holmes.
- Priest Holmes looks finished. He completely lacks speed.
- Favre’s arm looks fine as he used the deep ball twice to set up scores. He had a 44 completion to Driver that set-up a field goal and a 60-yard touchdown to Greg Jennings that proved the game winner with 3:05 left in the game. Jennings was matched up against Chiefs LB Donnie Edwards on the play. Oops.
- The Packer offensive line must improve in both pass and run blocking. The legs of a 38-yr old quarterback may lose steam come December and January (yes, January) because he uses them so much to buy time for his receivers. If this happens, expect to see more passes sail for incompletions and interceptions.
- Ryan Grant, starting his first game for the Packers, left with a concussion. He finished with 19 carries for 55 yards.
- Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila had two sacks with under 3 minutes to go in the game. Moving him to a situational pass rusher has proven to keep him fresh so he can make plays at the end of the game. Green Bay had 5 sacks on the game.
- This is the first time a Packer team with Favre has defeated the Chiefs.
