Packers Impressions & Tidbits vs. Arizona

Offense

• The Packers first-team offense was forced to punt on their opening drive and did not attempt a running play during the drive for the second consecutive week. The lack of production and balance on the first series has to be a concern.

• T.J. Lang started the game at left guard over Derek Sherrod, who earned the reps last week. Meanwhile, Sherrod played too upright and gave up a sack to Calais Campbell in the first quarter. Lang is in position to earn the starting nod this season.

• The Packers’ first touchdown of the game, a 20-yard back-shoulder throw from Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings, was nearly an identical play to the first touchdown scored last week. 

• After giving up five sacks a week ago, the offensive line had another rough outing this week. Sherrod, Lang (at offensive tackle), and Josh Sitton each allowed sacks as Aaron Rodgers was not given much time to find open receivers and was hit more than he should have been.

• Jermichael Finley made three straight catches during a mid-second quarter scoring drive in his return to action.

• 3^rd-round pick Alex Green, seeing his first action as a Packer, gained 25 yards on a screen pass right before halftime and finished the drive with a 2-yard rushing touchdown.

• Matt Flynn completed a 97-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chastin West, who was on the practice squad last season and is on the bubble of making the roster.

Defense

• After being torched last week against the Cleveland Browns, the first-team defense was able to force a three and out on the Cardinals first drive, aided by great pressure from B.J. Raji on third down.

• Without Cullen Jenkins on the defensive line, the Packers’ line has had a hard time pressuring the quarterback, evidenced by the time Kevin Kolb had to throw the ball on third down throughout the first half. Kolb finished with 80 yards on six completions.

• C.J. Wilson got the start at defensive end with Mike Neal’s recent sprained knee injury and tackled Beanie Wells in the backfield for a loss on the Cards’ second drive. However, he appeared to suffer a concussion in the game, hurting the already little depth along the defensive line.

• Defensive coordinator Dom Capers must be concerned with the way his defense allowed Beanie Wells to power his way to 44 yards on 11 carries in the first half. However, Howard Green entered the ballgame late in the second quarter and made several tackles around the line of scrimmage to slow down runners.

• Safety Morgan Burnett showed why he is en route to earning the starting role this season when he made a last second break on the ball and broke up a 30+ yard pass intended for Larry Fitzgerald.

• Defensive back Josh Gordy, who had an interception and sack last week, was used as the fourth cornerback in the first-team dime defense over both Pat Lee and Jarrett Bush. 

• Give this one to Larry Fitzgerald. After a long Cardinal drive on their second possession, he made an incredible diving, 15-yard one-handed catch, cradling the ball between his forearm and facemask in full extension on 3^rd and 23 to put the Cards in position for a Jay Feely field goal.

Special Teams

• Randall Cobb and Alex Green split first half kickoff return duties. Cobb fumbled a punt in the second quarter, while Diondre Borel fumbled the opening second half kickoff.
• Punter Tim Masthay has picked up where he left off at the end of last season. He had two non-returnable punts downed inside the 20 in the first half.
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