Good evening, Patriots fans. I am going to put this very bluntly: New England DID NOT deserve to win this game. Playing the Green Bay Packers on their field is always a challenge and they proved why today. From start to finish, every sequence for the Patriots was a struggle. Though the final score may seem close, this team needs to work on everything that cost them this game today.
This was not a start that Patriots fans expected. The Packers came to play and drove down the field on two consecutive possessions. Mason Crosby was forced to kick field goals on both possessions because the Patriots defense held their ground. Unfortunately, the New England offense couldn’t get much going and Green Bay took advantage of this on their next possession with big passing plays. It ended with Aaron Rodgers finding the other Rodgers (Richard) open for the touchdown. The Patriots did move down field though and Brandon Bolden ran his way into the end zone to put 7 on the board. The defense surrendered another field goal to Crosby but New England’s offense was back at it with some clutch plays. Tom Brady found Brandon LaFell open in the end zone so Green Bay only led by 2. Unfortunately, the Patriots gave the Packers too much time and they took full advantage. Rodgers found Jordy Nelson, who ran it nearly 50 yards and dove for the touchdown. At the half, Green Bay led New England 23-14 and I was extremely worried about their chances of winning this game. They just did not look like the Patriots of previous weeks.
The Patriots couldn’t click on their opening drive and it seemed that the Packers did, but Crosby missed a field goal. The good thing is that the Patriots took their time and Brady found LaFell for his 2nd touchdown of the game. Green Bay created another touchdown-looking drive but the defense once again only held them to another field goal. But New England was not done as they once again drove down the field into Packers territory, converted a crucial 4th down, and looked like they were going to score. They tried to settle for a Stephen Gostkowski field goal (from 47) but sadly, he kicked it wide right. The Packers would hold on from there. Your final score: New England Patriots 21, Green Bay Packers 26.
If you had Rodgers and/or Crosby on your fantasy team today, good work. They got you a lot of points. Unfortunately as Patriots fans, they contributed to snapping the Patriots’ 7 game winning streak. On this blog, the other writers and I discussed which game New England could possibly lose and most of us said either this game or next week’s game in San Diego. If the Pats had to lose a game, now wouldn’t be a terrible time. I’d rather have them lose now than in January. This loss puts this team at 9-3 so they are still on top of the conference. Lambeau is a difficult place to play, especially with that brutally cold weather (I know, Brady is supposed to be used to cold weather but hey, there are exceptions). I am frustrated with the inability of this team to make plays on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. But let this game be a learning experience for the Patriots to do really well and end the final few weeks of this season on a great note. To cheer you Pats fans up, click here and please enjoy a rare picture of Brady on a leash. Until then New England fans, please do enjoy the rest of the week. We’re on to San Diego! Follow me and the blog on twitter and let’s go Patriots!
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