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The Green Bay Packers(4-2) beat the Cleveland Browns(1-6) with the score of 31-3 at Clevand Browns Stadium on Sunday. Yes, it may have been the lowly Cleveland Brown, but the Packers did show improvement in two key aspects of the game that they have struggled throughout the season where they needed to take steps forward in the right direction: Protecting QB Aaron Rodgers and running the football. For the first time all season, the Packers Offensive line did not give up a sack to the opposition. Yes, the Browns may lack a pass rusher, but this has to serve as a confidence builder as in the previous 5 games the Packer's Offensive line gave up an NFL-leading 25 sacks. Also, the unit was without LT Chad Clifton due to injury and recently signed veteran Mark Tauscher also did not play. The Packers also ran the ball the best they have all season. RB Ryan Grant finished the game with 27 carries for 127 yards and 1 TD. Even though the Cleveland Browns Rush Defense ranked 30th in the NFL coming into the game, the Packers can still use this as a confidence builder. They need to take this past weeks improvement in these two key aspects of the game and reporduce the results in the future as well if they will want to compete in the NFC North. The Defense played exceptionally well for the second straight week yielding on 3 points and 139 total yards of Offense. Look ahead, the Green Bay Packers return to Lambeau Field in the much anticipated rematch between the Minnesota Vikings(6-1). Vikings QB Brett Favre will return to Lambeau and for the first time be a visitor. The Packers got dominated early in the first game. However, they did fight back to keep it close. However, the Packers need to take a page out the Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive gameplan this past week. The Steelers Defense pressured, hit, sacked, and hurried QB Brett Favre all game and forced him into making two critical mistakes that may or nit have cost the Vikings the game. This is excactly what the Packers need to do. They can not just sit back and let him beat them like they did in the first game. They need to bring pressure and often. I am fully confident in the Packers Offense. Yes, they will need to protect QB Aaron Rodgers and do a better job blocking DE Jared Allen in particular, but they should be able to move the ball and score points. If the Packers can shut down Vikings RB Adrian Peterson like they did in the first meeting, have a more aggressive Defensive gameplan, and do not give up any big plays on Special Teams(Percy Harvin), I beleive the Packers will win. This could be a huge victory that could springboard them into the top of the division. GO PACK GO!!!
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