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PACKERS MAKE IT TO PLAYOFFS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 1998
posted 12/24/01
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| TE Bubba Franks hauled in 2 touchdown catches in the first quarter. |
THE WEEK PAST: Scoring on the opening drive of the game and mounting a two-touchdown lead by halftime, the Packers essentially were in control throughout en route to a 30-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns amid a light, game-long snowfall.
Quarterback Brett Favre, the author of three touchdown passes along the way while taking full advantage of a revived running game, maneuvered the Green and Gold into a 6-0 lead before the game was 4 minutes old, finishing off a 7-play, 66-yard march with a one-yard scoring pass to tight end Bubba Franks.
Capitalizing on a Bhawoh Jue interception, Favre shortly had the Packers in the end zone again - again with a touchdown toss to Franks, this one a 4-yard dart.
The Browns then interrupted with a scoring drive of their own, quarterback Tim Couch hitting running back Jamel White with a 3-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter, a development that reduced the Packers' lead to 13-7.
But that, it turned out, was the end of Cleveland's scoring for the day. The Packers, on the other hand, proceeded to post a 39-yard Ryan Longwell field goal off a 42-yard push and right cornerback Tyrone Williams made a major contribution on behalf of the defense, picking off a Couch pass and returning it 69 yards for a touchdown shortly before halftime - a development that expanded Green Bay's lead to 23-7 at the intermission.
Another Williams interception triggered the only other score of the afternoon, the former Cornhusker ending a potential Cleveland threat by waylaying a Couch pass at the Green Bay 16-yard line on the final play of the third quarter.
Favre then moved the Packers 78 yards in 5 plays for Green Bay's third touchdown of the day, this one a 16-yard strike to running back Dorsey Levens in the left corner of the end zone.
Rebounding from a 29-yard effort at Tennessee a week earlier, the Packers rushed the football with remarkable results, amassing 222 yards in 33 thrusts - an astonishing 6.7-yard average per attempt.
Ahman Green sparked the impressive renaissance - with the considerable assistance of Dorsey Levens, barging for 150 yards in 21 attempts (a 7.1-yard average), with a long excursion of 43 yards, while Levens weighed in with 72 yards, including a 40-yard sortie.
The Packers' 222-yard production was their best rushing effort since December 14, 1997, when they amassed 218 yards on the ground en route to a 31-10 victory over the Panthers at Charlotte, N.C.
Favre, meanwhile, made maximum capital of a modest 139 yards passing, producing three touchdowns while completing 18 of 28 passing attempts - without an interception - and emerging with an imposing 112.1 quarterback rating.
The defense, though giving up 337 yards overall, kept consistent pressure on Couch, sacking him four times and "requiring" him to throw three interceptions. Middle linebacker Bernardo Harris, whose tip played a part in Jue's interception, and safety Darren Sharper each posted 8 tackles to pace Ed Donatell's unit. Sharper, linebacker Na'il Diggs and defensive ends Vonnie Holliday and Jamal Reynolds contributed the sacks, Reynolds felling Couch for a 17-yard loss in running down the Cleveland quarterback.
THE FAVRE FILE: Quarterback Brett Favre, who collects NFL career records with singular consistency, added another to his expanding list in leading the Packers past the Browns. His third and final touchdown pass of the afternoon was his 30th of the season, marking the sixth time he has thrown 30 or more touchdown passes in a season and extending what already was an NFL record.
The retired Dan Marino, who had four such seasons, is the only other player in pro football history to have more than two 30-TD seasons.
Sunday's three scoring throws swelled Favre's career total to 285, leaving him only 5 short of the fabled Johnny Unitas, who ranks fifth in NFL annals with 290, Marino leads with 425, followed by Frank Tarkenton (342), John Elway (300) and Warren Moon (291).
Favre also extended his personal "cold weather" record at home Sunday. With the victory over the Browns, he now owns a 29-0 record in Lambeau Field in games where the temperature at kickoff is 34 degrees or below. It was 24 degrees at kickoff Sunday.
The 32-year-old field general also started his 155th consecutive game, extending his NFL record for quarterbacks, and played in his 157th consecutive game, fourth-longest streak in team history.
THE GREEN FILE: Running back Ahman Green made significant Packers history in Sunday's success by rewriting the team's single-season record for total yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving).
Parlaying 150 yards rushing with 18 more receiving, Green ballooned his season yardage total to 1,813 yards, thus eclipsing the four-year-old standard of 1,805 yards, set by teammate and fellow running back Dorsey Levens in 1997.
Green, who has two games remaining to better his record total, also posted his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season, tying him with Levens for the second-most in a season for a Packers running back. Jim Taylor owns the club record, 7, established in 1962.
Green's rushing production swelled his season total to 1,255, fourth-highest single season aggregate in team annals - behind only Taylor's team record 1,474 in 1962, Levens' 1,435 in 1997 and Taylor's 1,307 in 1961.
THE FRANKS FILE: Tight end Bubba Frank' two-touchdown performance against the Browns was his second such effort of the season and lifted him into the team's touchdown-scoring lead with 9 - one more than wide receiver Bill Schroeder.
Franks previously had a pair of scoring catches in the packers' 31-23 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens October 14.
THE LEVENS FILE: Running back Dorsey Levens reached a major milestone in Packers rushing history when he made the 1,000th attempt of his 8-year pro career in the victory over the Browns. He now has 3,941 yards on 1,005 carries and is only the fifth player in the team's 82-year annals to scale the 1,000-attempt plateau. He joins Jim Taylor (1,811), John Brockington (1,293), Clark Hinkle (1,171) and Tony Canadeo (1,025).
THE WILLIAMS FILE: With a pair of interceptions against the Browns, cornerback Tyrone Williams padded his season total to four, tying safety Darren Sharper for the team lead. They also expanded his career total to 18.
His 69-yard scoring runback of his first "pick" was the first by a Packers defender since December 3, 2000, at Chicago, when, poetically enough, it also was Williams who turned the trick, returning a fourth quarter theft 38 yards for a score.
GM/HEAD COACH MIKE SHERMAN'S POST-GAME COMMENTS:
(on the running game) "We did put some emphasis on the running over the course of this past week, but really no more than we did the previous week against Tennessee to be honest with you. It just happened to work out that way that we were fortunate to hit some runs. We blocked better, we came off the football and made some plays. We opened them up in the first couple of possessions with some passes, which helped that as well. Part of it is just how things happened."
(on it being easier to stick with the run when doing well) "No doubt about it. As I said last week, there is a fine line between sticking with it too long and not sticking with it long enough. Fortunately today that did not come to be a decision because we were able to mix it up pretty good."
(on the play of the tight ends) "It was one thing that I told our staff on Monday that the tight ends needed to be a bigger part of our plan. I was happy to see that they were and did something with the opportunity not just from the passing game standpoint, but from the running game standpoint as well. I though Tyrone Davis stepped in and did some nice things as did Bubba [Franks] with his touchdown receptions."
(on clinching the team's first playoff appearance since 1998) "It's a big step. The Packers have been out of the playoffs for two years. It does put us over a hump so to speak, but we still have a long way to go. We're certainly not satisfied just being in the playoffs. We still want to win our division and try to keep pace with the Bears."
(on the play of the defense) "They ran the ball pretty efficiently against us in the first half. What I was most proud of was that we came in at halftime, made some adjustments and were able to stifle the running game and shut them out in the second half. I thought that was the critical part of the football game, particularly from the defensive perspective. I was very pleased with how the coaches handled the halftime and how the players took that to the field. They really did a nice job in the second half of shutting them down."
(on not wanting to know the Bears score before the game) "It had nothing to do with how I prepare or what I had to do today. Whether they win or lose, we had to win today. So I didn't want to know either way. It had no bearing on this game whatsoever."
(on the Packers rushing success) "They (the Browns) are a good defensive football team. I think coming into the game, this team was the number one team in the league in touchdown efficiency. It's 35 percent...I was very concerned about scoring touchdowns in the red zone. We were very fortunate that we were able to do that. They're a good defensive front. They're very stingy against the run and they've played great defense all year long. I think a lot of it has to with the fact that our offensive line stepped up and met a challenge today. They were challenged to come out and have a great football game and they blocked them."
(on new linebacker Rob Holmberg's play) "I thought he did a nice job. He covered Santiago on a go-route down the field. It was slightly overthrown, but I thought he was right there in position to make a play...I thought our personnel staff did a good job getting him in here and our coaches did a great job preparing him. When you consider that this guy was not a part of our team a couple of weeks ago and now he was our starting middle linebacker in this game, he's come a long way for us. I was pleased."
THE PLAYER PERSPECTIVE:
Quarterback Brett Favre: (on hurting his hand) "Either I got it smashed between two helmets or stepped on. It's one of the perks of playing in cold weather - you don't feel it."
(on being in the playoffs) "It is a big deal and everyone was excited in the locker room. I don't want to sound like I'm not excited, but we have two games left. Just getting in the playoffs to me is just not enough. It's a start and of course we haven't been there in several years. Maybe I'm harder on myself and the team than other people."
(on the game) "It was nice to start the game the way we did. We put it in right away and set the tone and tempo of the game and made them play catch-up. Offensively they moved the ball well, but our defense came up with some big plays. Tyrone Williams had some huge plays and our defense played hard."
(on if he knew the Bears had won) "I was at home before we came to the game. I was watching a hunting show actually - South Texas deer hunting which is channel 33 if you're ever wondering. It's one of the perks of a 3:15 game, you can watch the hunting show. My dad, when I came downstairs, was telling me that the Chicago game was tied up at that point. I wasn't real worried about it."
(on the rest of the season) "We have got to peak now, win these two games and have some confidence and momentum going into the playoffs. I couldn't tell you who is going to be seeded where and really don't care. It really doesn't matter. It's kind of fun for guys to pull for a team or against a team, but you can waste a lot of energy on that instead of just going out and worrying about what we do."
(on the Minnesota game) "It's a big game coming up against Minnesota and we can't lose sight of that. I know we're in the playoffs, but we can't be satisfied with any play or any game."
(on the passing game) "I think we threw for 139 yards or something like that and to someone sitting in California that picks up the paper tomorrow and reads the box score tomorrow they're going to say 'Dang he didn't throw for much,' but it was a good-earned 139. It was very effective as was our running game. We almost had two 100-yard rushers. Take any team, put them in these conditions and see how many yards they can throw for."
Running back Ahman Green: (on playing in the cold and snow) "I'm accustomed to it coming from Nebraska, growing up there and playing college football there. I kind of know how not to make it an issue. If you worry about the cold and you're not feeling your toes and you're not feeling your hands, you put yourself out of the game. You get used to it. You might not ever like it, but you always know what you have to do mentally to be prepared for the game."
(on sitting out with breathing problems) "On the big run I was breathing hard, had cotton mouth and couldn't quite swallow, so everything came out the reverse way - including what I had for breakfast. For the long term it is nothing serious."
(on the running game today) "In terms of the running today we had an awesome day. That's due in part to the offensive line doing their jobs that they've been doing all year."
Tight end Bubba Franks: (on continually being able to get open in the end zone even though teams are keying on him) "They are anticipating and starting to play it very good. I just have to find a way to get in those open spots."
Cornerback Tyrone Williams: (on his first interception) "They ran a flat right route and I jumped it. I had to concentrate on catching that thing and from there it was a foot race."
(on his TD being a momentum change) "It was at the end of the half and they didn't want to give up a touchdown at the end of the half like that. It put them back on their heels big time after they were making a push at us. It gave us back the momentum."
Offensive tackle Chad Clifton: (on a big rushing game this week) "Both backs were running extremely well and we were blocking well. We were in our element tonight with the weather - the snow and the cold. It was a great night for us."
Running back Dorsey Levens: (on his touchdown catch) "It was a play that we practiced all week, it's just and out and up. Brett threw a perfect pass over my shoulder and luckily I caught it."
Safety Bhawoh Jue: (on his first NFL interception) "We were playing a cover four and Bernardo (Harris) was on single coverage with the tight end. I saw him about to throw the ball so I went after it. Bernardo made a great play by tipping it, I caught and looked for daylight."
(on the footing in the snow) "It got harder as the game progressed. Earlier in the game it wasn't too bad, it was soft. It was hard to run throughout the game and as the game went on it got slicker and slicker."
(on the play of the defense) "We definitely made a statement. With as many turnovers as we got today, there is nothing better than that. It means that everyone is rallying to the ball and we're getting the ball out and making plays. Hopefully we can keep that going."
Kicker Ryan Longwell: (on kickoffs getting stronger throughout the game) "The ones where my foot stuck in the ground were great kickoffs - they were deep. I thought the first kickoff was the best one of the game. It was high and to the 9-yard line. The ones where I slipped, I kind of undercut, but that's the thing about kicking on this field."
NOTE-WORTHY:
-Sunday's victory was the Packers' ninth in 15 regular-season meetings in their series with the Brown, launched in 1953.
-The Browns were making their first-ever regular season appearance in Green Bay. They had made five previous in-season excursions to Wisconsin, but all five games were played at Milwaukee County Stadium.
-Defensive end Vonnie Holliday's 6-yard sack of Cleveland quarterback Tim Couch in the third quarter was his eighth of the season, tying his single-season career high, set as a rookie in 1998.
-Rookie Bhawoh Jue's interception of a Tim Couch pass in the first quarter was the first of his young NFL career.
-Tight end Tyrone Davis, on the physically-unable-to-perform list for much of the season, made his first pass reception of the '01 season on the Packers' opening drive, pulling in a 2-yard toss from quarterback Brett Favre. He closed out the day with 3 catches for 14 yards.
-Speaking of streaks, quarterback Brett Favre completed his first 8 passes against Cleveland.
-A block of his first extra point attempt of the game (by the Browns' Devon Bush) ended a string of 104 consecutive conversions for Packers placekicker Ryan Longwell. It is the second-longest such streak in team history.
-The Packers scored on their first two possessions Sunday, the first time they have done so since opening day against the Detroit Lions (September 9).
-The Packers went without a penalty for 55 minutes and 14 seconds of Sunday's 60-minute game - until wide receiver Donald Driver was whistled for an "illegal formation" infraction, a 5-yard levy. It was the Packers' only penalty of the game.
-Linebackers Rob Holmberg and Bernardo Harris combined to blunt a Cleveland threat in the second quarter, Holmberg forcing a fumble by wide receiver Andre King and Bernardo Harris recovering at the Green Bay 13-yard line.
-Quarterback Brett Favre (offense), left end Vonnie Holliday (defense) and placekicker Ryan Longwell (special teams) were Packers captains for Sunday's game.
-Packers inactives Sunday included wide receivers Charles Lee and Robert Ferguson, guard Bill Ferrario, linebacker Nate Wayne, safety Scott Frost, defensive linemen Rod Walker and Billy Lyon and cornerback/kick returner Allen Rossum.
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