Funviralpark 3. Things still matter for the Packers defense.
A pick 6 by Savage turned out to be the first of four turnovers produced by Green Bay.
Safety Adrian Amos also deflected an interception against Minnesota in scoring position, defensive lineman Kenny Clarke performed his own strip sack and recovery in the third quarter, and safety Rudy Ford deep in the fourth quarter. I played center field well with the ball.
The Packers scored 28 points from takeaways, their most in a game in Green Bay since 2005, building a 41-3 lead. Missing two field goals, the Vikings didn’t score until midway through the fourth quarter after being on the first goal line.
Of the defense, Rodgers said, “I think that’s how they’ve been expected to play for most of the season.” , the most important thing when you’re talking about the playoffs is… you want to play the right way.When you look at teams other than Rashan Gary, they’re pretty healthy and they’re playing right.”
After months of defensive ups and downs, a second-half shutout and four steals in Miami last week seem to have kicked off a second-half-season surge that energized the entire team.
“Momentum is something really inexplicable, crazy, and I think there’s something about it,” Raffler said. “Look, what I’m saying is that if you have 12 takeaways in the last four games, you have a good chance of winning the game.”
4. Jay Alexander silenced Justin Jefferson.
Back in Week 1, the Packers missed several zone coverages and Jefferson had nine catches for 184 yards and two TDs.
In the rematch, Alexander got the assignment most of the time and only caught five targets for 15 yards once, making Jefferson a non-factor. Cousins finished with his rating of 18/31, 1 TD, 3 INT, 49.2 passers for 205 yards.
“I know Jaile chirped a little bit, but he backed it up,” Lafleur said, acknowledging that Alexander’s physical play at the line of scrimmage pulled Jefferson out of the game.
LaFleur also did a lot of credit for Savage, who was benched about a month ago but had to answer a call last week. He seems to have reclaimed his regular role in the secondary in another solid outing.
“Some players don’t react that way, but I think that speaks to who he is as a man,” Raffler said of his fourth-year safety. I’m happy, I think he’s built up two games in a row and played really good football.”
