Earlier in the season, it would have been appropriate to point out how the Green Bay Packers play down to lesser competition in close wins over the New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars at home.
Can’t say that now though as the Packers (11-4) steam-rolled the Titans to the tune of 55-7.
Aaron Rodgers was responsible for four of the touchdowns, throwing three and rushing for another.
What It Means: It’s hard to say the Packers are peaking at the right time because of how bad the Titans looked. Their quarterback Jake Locker had a 0.00 passer rating at halftime. Still, the Packers defense looked great with their pressure and coverage. And what appears to be a trend is the improvement of the running game with the hybrid Ryan Grant/DuJuan Harris going for 109 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. Winners in eight of their last nine, the Packers can currently move into the second playoff spot with a Seattle Seahawks win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. That would give them a first-round bye and home-field advantage.
Player of the Game: Linebacker A.J. Hawk (two sacks and seven total tackles)
Could have went with Rodgers (27/38 for 342 yards and four total touchdowns), James Jones (seven catches for 100 yards and a touchdown), Randall Cobb (three catches for 62 yards and a touchdown) or Sam Shields (interception and sack), but went with Hawk who leads the team in tackles (116 total) and has been consistently solid on an injury-riddled defense. Plus, it was nearly a shutout, so it has to be a defensive player right?
Highlight of the Game: Has to be Harris and Grant each chugging in for seven yard rushing touchdowns because running backs rarely score for the Packers. Grant went on to add another score with a nine-yard rush in the fourth quarter.
Stat of the Game (55): According to ESPN Stats and Information: That’s the Packers most points in game since scoring 55 vs Buccaneers in 1983.
What’s Next: Green Bay hits the road to take on a Vikings team in the thick of a heated race for the final wild card spot. If the 49ers beat the Seahawks, it’s a good possibility that the Packers and Vikings meet a third time for opening week of the playoffs. If that’s indeed the case, it could be very interesting to see how Mike McCarthy and the Packers approach the game in Minneapolis.
What did you think of the Packers domination of the Titans? Let me know by commenting below.
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice and pretend to be a Golf expert from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best. If social media is not your thing, shoot him an email at grays@uwalumni.com.
Pictures obtained from Packers.com.