PackerRats Postgame: How we won the Super Bowl

[swede]

Before the game I heard CMIII basically saying they were going to be very, very disciplined in their approach to the pass rush. They did not want the R'burger getting out of the pocket to make plays. No sacks that I remember, but they did follow that part of the game plan.

One of our cautions for potentially losing the games was dropped balls by the receivers and injuries. Since we had problems on both of those fronts I think we can count ourselves as very lucky that the Steelers didn't have more big plays on offense or defense.

We won. Did they win the way you thought they would?

[RashanGary]

We turned the ball over three times and coughed it up zero. If not for that, we lose. Aaron played great. His mistakes were incompletions not turn overs.

[superfan]

Did they win the way you thought they would?

For the most part, yes. I had an expectation that if GB won, it would be on defense in the last possession. Not counting the victory formation. In many ways GB beat the Steelers at their own game - winning ugly, despite a number of mistakes.

Also, the early lead followed by the second half close call was not surprising - that felt awfully familiar.

[pbmax]

Getting the lead was huge, as was stretching it to 11 twice. Really made Pittsburgh commit to the pass. If they had been able to grind and then play action (like first TD drive of 2nd half) I would have been even more concerned. Pack had one sack of Ben.

[gbgary]

[bobblehead]

It went like I thought. 40 passes 10 runs (estimate, didn't see the box). Rodgers was awesome. I thought we could blow them out that way, and if not for shields and woodson going down (together no less) I think it would have been ugly for them. As it was, despite all the regular season injuries we played the second half without the DPOY and still won. If we are healthy next season (finley mainly) and resign Jenkins it could be epic.

[gbgary]

It went like I thought. 40 passes 10 runs (estimate, didn't see the box). Rodgers was awesome. I thought we could blow them out that way, and if not for shields and woodson going down (together no less) I think it would have been ugly for them. As it was, despite all the regular season injuries we played the second half without the DPOY and still won. If we are healthy next season (finley mainly) and resign Jenkins it could be epic.

11 for 52...4.7

[Fritz]

The drops nearly killed me.

[pbmax]

That really was a McCarthy game. Positive turnover ratio, make them drive the long field and capitalize on the short field.

But the way, short of one KO return and two penalties (one of which was completely avoidable), the Special Teams were OK.

[pbmax]

The drops nearly killed me.

Rodgers was throwing through some portholes tonight. He was very good. A few wayward throws when he was dancing around the rush.

[denverYooper]

Jordy with 140. Coulda been closer to 2 bills. Anyone get the 30-1 odds on that first TD?

[packerbacker1234]

Rodgers didn't look too confortable int he pocket when the pressure was there - but when your hit 16+ times in the game it's hard to be expected to feel good. He just looked ackward at times.

However when afforded time Rodgers was spot on. Clifton eliminated Harrison's pass rush (proving why he is a pro bowl player this year).


Why did we really win? Look no further then an off comment after the game by Jennings. "We endured the loss of our #1 WR today". He was referring to Driver. Talk about the ultimate respect - and that resonates throughout the entire locker room. No one gets too high on the themselves. They play for each other.

[swede]

I was also thinking this morning about the loss of Driver. MM was obviously attacking through the air as a game plan. I wonder how difficult it was to call the three, four, and even five receiver formations with DD out. How difficult was it to attack the middle of the field with Swain instead of DD?

I'll watch the game again tonight to look for changes in how we played, but right now I think MM and DC were resourceful and cool under pressure, like a pilot and co-pilot bringing a jumbo jet in for a safe landing with 3 of four engines out, making changes on the fly that aren't even in the fricking manual just to survive.

It helped that Aaron had only a handful of bad throws in almost 40 attempts!

[Fritz]

I was remarking to my buddy last night that it must've been really hamstringing for Capers, too, to lose C-Wood, whose hybrid slot role had become so important. Oh, and not to have Shields for what, half of the second half? Geez, not really sure how long cuz the announcers wouldn't fucking call the game and tell us.

[pbmax]

Dom said they had to play a lot more zone in the second half with both Shields and Wood out. Not sure if Shields coming back in alleviated that somewhat.