Refs Steal Crucial Game From Packers/McCarthy Does His Part

The refs stole a crucial game from the Packers today, a game which has a lot of potential playoff implications.  McCarthy’s strategies greatly contributed to the loss, and didn’t allow the Packers to overcome the bad calls.  The Packers “lost” to the Bills, 21-13.

Let’s start with the refs.

1. In a scoreless game in the first quarter, the Packers had a third-and-three from the Buffalo 27.  They threw a pass to Jordy Nelson, which he would have caught for a first down, but he couldn’t catch the pass because the defender grabbed his jersey by his shoulder and held him.  This was very visible in the open field.  No call, which turned a potential touchdown into a field goal, and also deprived the Packers of the momentum they would have had from scoring a TD.
2. Down 16-10 in the fourth quarter, the Packers had a third-and-three from the Buffalo 34.  The Packers threw a pass to Boykin, which bounced off his hands and was intercepted.  The defensive back had his arms draped around Boykin well prior to the pass getting there, and because he was basically being tackled, he couldn’t make the catch and the ball bounced off his hands to the defender.  No call, of course, and not only did the Packers not score when they were in scoring position, but Buffalo went on to get a field goal.  A 6- to 10-point turnaround, plus momentum.
3. Later in the fourth quarter, down 19-10, Nelson caught a pass to the Buffalo 35, and was thrown hard to the ground well out of bounds.  Had the penalty been called, the Packers would have had a first down at the Buffalo 20.  On a third-and-8 play from the Buffalo 16 later in the drive, Cobb was interfered with and there was no call.  The failure to call either of these penalties resulted in the Packers kicking a field goal instead of having the opportunity to score a TD.

Now, let’s talk about McCarthy.  I won’t repeat the details regarding what I always say about Favre and Rodgers always playing well when they come out passing and let the QBs get in a rhythm, and struggling when they don’t.  When the Packers ran on the first play against the Lions earlier in the year, I said they were in trouble.  They ran on the second play, fumbled, and it was returned for a TD.  The Packers struggled offensively all game and lost 19-7.  When they ran on both first downs on the first drive today, I said the same thing–the Packers’ offense will struggle.  This was exactly what happened, as they struggled offensively all game and never got in sync, resulting in bad passes and dropped passes.  When they throw on the first 6-7 plays of a game, and continue throwing on early downs and often, the offense dominates.  When McCarthy faces a good defensive team, he tends to get conservative and run on early downs, which results in them struggling.  Examples:

1. The Packers ran on both first downs of their opening drive, and punted.
2. With the Packers up 3-0 in the first quarter, the Bills returned a punt for a TD.  I have said for many years that I would always punt 35-40 yards with height, forcing a fair catch, and not put myself in the position of the other team making a big play.
3. The Bills got a field goal in the second quarter to tie the game at 10 after the Packers gave up two big passing plays by playing press coverage with no safety help.  Teams continue to get burned on this, but the Packers keep doing it.  When they lined up for the second pass and I saw the formation, I predicted the big play to that receiver.
4. When it was 10-10 in the second quarter, a first-down run stalled a drive, and the Packers had a field-goal attempt blocked.
5. Later in the second quarter, still 10-10, the Packers ran on first and second down and punted.
6. Down 13-10 in the third quarter, the Packers threw on first down for a big gain, then ran on first down and punted.
7. Down 16-10 in the third quarter, a first-down run led to an interception that was returned to the Packer 29.