Sunday, November 29, 2015

Next Up, and Sneak Preview


We have finally dried out after last Thursday night’s loss to the Chicago Bears, but losing the last two home games is sitting uneasily in our stomachs. It was an ugly game, and the offense is lost. It is not our job to fix it, so we hope Mike McCarthy and his staff have a miracle or two up their sleeves. Now, we get the second of two Thursday night games in a row this week, with a chance for some revenge against the Lions in Detroit. The game will be shown on both CBS and the NFL Network. After the game, there is a new series on the NFL Network, with the first episode airing after the game — featuring the return of Brett Favre to Green Bay.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Thanksgiving in Green Bay

    
Well, thanks to the NFL’s schedulers, we’ll be spending the Thanksgiving holiday driving to Green Bay and attending the Bears vs. Packers game Thursday night. Not super-convenient for the Packerville, U.S.A. family, but it probably won’t happen again for a while. Of course, it’s going to be a special night for reasons other than the game at hand — QB Brett Favre’s number will be retired and unveiled on the stadium facade, directly behind our North end zone season ticket seats. And hopefully, all will go well and QB Bart Starr will be in attendance as planned.

The weather forecast is for rain all day on Thursday. It may or may not switch to sleet/snow during the game. We’ve got the proper attire and will remain dry and relatively warm regardless. But it may change or curtail the halftime Favre/Starr festivities. 

After a good night’s sleep in the Packerville/Green Bay World Headquarters following a Packers victory (our fingers are crossed), we’ll head back home to celebrate the Thanksgiving feast on Saturday. We hope all of our readers enjoy the holiday and settle down to watch the game in a more dry viewing place.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Lions at Packers

 
We’ve been trying to get to posting some images from last Sunday’s Packers vs. Lions game, but one thing after another got in the way. Like on Monday and Tuesday, we couldn’t stomach rehashing the loss yet. Then work got in the way, and finally last night we were starting, and the  power went out for three hours and fifteen minutes. Anyway, here we go... above we see fans tailgating on our walk to Lambeau. All weekend, Packers fans thought this would be the game that would stop the downward skid.

Fans crossing Ridge Road on the west side of the stadium. 

Our first glimpse of Lambeau’s field — right into the sun.

The fans slowly gather in the stands, watching the pre-game warm-ups

What it looks like as you enter the bowl from the stadium concourse. 

Down in the concourse, fans mill about — time to grab our traditional bratwurst.  

Out on the field, Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford shares some thoughts with Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers

An unidentified Lion also chats with Rodgers. 

Gone, but not forgotten... WR Jordy Nelson, out for the season with an ACL injury, is around all season and on the sideline during games. 

FOX Sports media personalities Erin Andrews and Troy Aikman meet on the field during the pre-game. 

Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers checks out his players before the game. 

K Mason Crosby (#2) and P Tim Masthay (#8) have a word with Special Teams Coach Ron Zook at midfield. 

Packers receivers enter the field for team warm-ups: WR Jared Abbrederis (#84), WR Randall Cobb (#18), and WR Jeff Janis (#83). Also seen is DB Micah Hyde (#33).  

Detroit players during pre-game warm-up. 

QB Aaron Rogers (#12) leads his teammates out for the team portion of pre-game warm-ups. 

Players come down to the north end zone.

   
During November, the NFL’s “Salute to Service” brings out military members with a giant field-sized flag. 

The coin toss. 

The opening kick-off. 

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) gestures signals to his offensive teammates. 

On an incredibly brightly sunlit field, RB James Starks (#44) runs left for some yardage. C Corey Linsley (#63) blocks for him on the way.

Another hand-off from QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) to RB James Starks (#44). 

K Mason Crosby kicks the game’s first field goal through the uprights. 

QB Matthew Stafford (#9) hands off to RB Joique Bell (#35). LB Julius Peppers (#56) looks to contain things on his side of the line.

A time-out offensive meeting on the Packers’ sideline. 

A look at the Packers’ entire sideline area

The Packers’ defense waits for the Lions’ offense during a time out. 

The crowd enjoys the sunshine on a great Autumn day. 

To the right of the Packers Radio Network booth, Packers’ CEO Mark Murphy (in white shirt and tie) watches his team with GM Ted Thompson (on the right side of the booth). 

The front of the Packers’ defense tries to nail down Lions’ RB Ameer Abdullah (#21). 

Detroit huddles up. 

QB Matthew Stafford looks for an open receiver. He found plenty all day. LB Clay Matthews (#52) is coming around the end to try and get a sack.

We like to see the Packers close up, but really only when they’re coming towards us to score. This view just means they’re stacked up against their own goal line.

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) looks to pass his way out of his own end of the field. 

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) under pressure, which seems to be commonplace nowadays. 

Here QB Rodgers (#12) tries to get a pass off accurately, with RB James Starks (#44) stepping on his left foot. 

QB Rodgers (#12) trying to throw in the other direction, with the Lions’ Devin Taylor bearing down on him. 

QB Aaron Rodgers looks up at the replay board while talking things over with his offense on the sideline. 

A new Lambeau Field crowd record — 78,528 paying customers. 

There’s a Detroit runner behind there somewhere. 

LB Joe Thomas (#48) has a clean shot at QB Mathew Stafford (#9), if he can get there in time. 

At halftime, former Packers’ GM Ron Wolf receives his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring. 

Wolf’s name and years in Green Bay are unveiled on the stadium facade as well. He joins all of the other names of Green Bay greats in Canton who are listed up there. 

The crowd gave Wolf a fine ovation for his work in Green Bay. He brought the “title” back to Titletown. 

Detroit’s RB Ameer Abdullah runs the second half kickoff 104 yards to the Green Bay one yard line. 

DT Mike Daniels (#76) tries to get QB Matthew Stafford but can’t, ultimately. 

P Tim Masthay (#8) gets off one of his nine kicks on the day.

Stafford hands off to Bell again. All of the Packers’ defenders eyes’ are upon him.

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) pitches out to RB James Starks (#44). 

QB Rodgers (#12) on the run again, seemingly under perpetual pursuit. 

Head Coach Mike McCarthy watches over his team as they make a valiant effort at a comeback. 

QB Rodgers (#12) trying to get the team down to within field goal range. 

The FOX broadcast booth as the game winds down. 

The Packers’ defense  having done all they can do — rest on the bench as the offense desperately tries to score. 

QB Rodgers (#12) acknowledges the crowd’s support, but asks for quiet. 

Even the scoreboard has to tell the crowd to quiet down. 

K Mason Crosby’s (#2) final kick fails as time runs out. 

The Packers have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. 

An unhappy crowd files out of Lambeau Field, wondering if this skid will ever end.