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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
| Packers |
0 |
7 |
7 |
21 |
35 |
| Giants |
0 |
10 |
3 |
0 |
13 |
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PACKERS POST-GAME QUOTES
Head Coach Mike McCarthy
Opening Statement:
I'll start off with the injuries. Tony Palmer had a stinger and did not return. Chad Clifton had an ankle and did return.
What was the difference for you guys offensively, especially in the second half?
At first I thought we got into a rhythm early. We wanted to come out and get into the game and start fast in the first quarter especially because we had to play a good game on the road with the atmosphere that we had coming into the end of the year. I thought we got into a good rhythm early and we hit a patch in the second quarter where our protection gave penetration in the running game. Outside of that we did a good job of adjusting for the most part particularly in our pass protection and our guys played extremely well in the second half.
Seemed like Brett Favre got better as the game went on, especially on that 9-9 TD drive.
I thought he was very sharp and once again we cleaned up the pass protection in the second half, enabling him to get back here and deal the football. That's what we wanted to do in the game plan, spread it around, pick out players and do a good job of picking up perimeter players with yards after the catch and the running backs also did a nice job there too. That's the kind of rhythm you like to play with on offense.
Is this as complete a game as this team has played under you?
I think it's clearly one of them. I thought the special teams once again were very good and I thought the big hit that they made and the fumble recovery really gave us a chance to pull away in the football game. We still have a lot of work to do, we're 2-0 and we'll continue to work to do well against San Diego.
You finished well last year. How important is it to keep the momentum going this year?
Very important, we want to win them all. We're at six in a row now. Our guys' confidence is building and I think that's very important. But still we have work to do and there's a number of things that happened in that game that we can learn from and we will learn from this week. But I'm very happy with the way we started and finished the game.
What did you do to clean up the protection specifically?
Fundamentals. The line movement was favorable to really handle the run and the pass in the second quarter. I thought our guys did a good job protecting at the part when Chad Clifton went out of the game and we had Palmer go out and we moved a few guys around. But we stayed with just basic protection and I think the three step game helped us also throwing the football. But there was no big scheme adjustment or anything like that.
It's six in a row now, do you think people are starting to pay attention to this team?
We're getting way too much attention right now. We're 2-0 and we've got a long ways to go. We're a football team that's got a lot of improvement ahead of us. If no one notices, I'm fine with that. We play San Diego at home this week and we're really focusing on taking it one game at a time because of the things we need to improve on.
Brett has become the all-time winningest QB. How much do you guys talk about that?
We didn't talk about it during the week. We gave him the game ball after the game. The All-Time in anything in this league is something monumental to achieve so we gave him the game ball. 149 victories. I think that speaks for itself.
What is the ultimate barometer for a QB?
I think it's wins. I know there's a lot made of statistics and TDs. I think it's clearly wins. When you go out and win over that period of time, I think that's the ultimate compliment a QB can have. To me if you ask me what's the biggest record to have, I think he just accomplished it.
Brett Favre
When you are as on as you were in the second half do you really need an effective running game? You seemed to just be carrying the team?
It all depends. I thought we were executing the short passing game as well as we have in recent memory and to me I think that offsets the running game if we are struggling. They go hand-in-hand. As we threw the ball better, when we spread them out and did run the ball, what DeShawn (Wynn) did at the end there is what can happen. At some point you have to play one or the other. You have to eliminate the short passing game. For us, I think that phase of our game has been there. It is about good decision making first of all, and from a receiver's standpoint, exact routes, because it is short and the ball is out quick. My decision is obviously always critical, but in those situations it is extremely critical and it opens up the run game. Did we need it today? I guess not, but next week probably so, probably who knows? Today it worked for us.
What does it mean for the confidence of the team to get off to a 2-0 start?
It is sure better than 0-2. I hope our team, with being as young as we are, or as they are, I know what is ahead of us and to start 2-0 with as many question marks as we had or have I am pleased. I can't say enough about this team and the way that we have handled adversity. Once again, we have a long ways to go and it only gets tougher. The more we win, the better we play, the more there is a target on your back, and how we handle it, and I have said this about my own career, how you handle success is ultimately as important as how you handle adversity. If we start believing what people are saying, and I don't know what people are saying, but we are 2-0; we have a lot of work to do. Including myself, today was great from an offensive standpoint, something we didn't do last week, but I know we play San Diego next week and the walls can crash down on you quickly. It means a lot, it means we are 2-0, but we still have 14 left and they only get tougher as we go.
You have six in a row in the regular season, what does that say about this team?
I wouldn't call it six in a row, I know it you go back to last year it counts, but this is a new year and there are a lot of new faces once again. To me, I don't think we have played all that well. If you look at last week, our defense played outstanding and our special teams played great. Today we played pretty good on offense but there were still some opportunites that we left out there. To be honest with you, going into these two games there were question marks about our offense, about our team, and I would be the first to say that from my end. Wondering where we are? Where do we stand? What are we trying to do? What do we hang our hat on? Yet we are 2-0 and today was a lot more effective offensively. For us it is a lot of minuses but winning the game is the most important thing. If you want to call it 6-0 I don't know, because I don't feel like we are a 6-0 team right now. I am not downplaying our team, I think what we have done is outstanding, but I am going to keep riding away as long as I can, but we have to continue to get better week in and week out.
Winningest quarterback in NFL history, does that mean a lot to you?
Maybe one day down the road. It won't mean a lot if we lose next week. The most important play is the next play; the most important game is the next game. What you have done in the past is in the past. I thrive on the fact that I have played in a lot of games and if they want to say that I have won that many, great, but the most important thing on my mind right now is trying to find out a way to beat San Diego, which could be very difficult.
You downplay how you played, setting a record, and getting a game ball, but you must feel pretty good about it?
Yeah. I am not going to sit here and lie to you, I am not going to turn it down, but I have always been about the team. That hasn't changed. They do give out, from day one, when I was in fifth grade, they give out trophies for individual achievements and that hasn't changed. I would much rather take a win. I have said this all week and in the past; I think it is unfair that a quarterback gets labeled with wins and losses; I think it is a team effort and last week is a perfect example. I didn't do nothing last week and they gave me a win. I give it to our defense and special teams, but it does mean a lot.
Nick Barnett
On the expectations:
I don't think we are going to sneak under the radar. I don't think we have for the last two weeks. I think teams came expecting to play. The Giants in that first half came out and were trying to be physical with us. They had a lot of intensity, so we matched it and played football.
Corey Williams
On the interception:
It was going to be a screen. Eli had a lot of pressure on him. He was dropping back and Kabeer did a great job of picking up the running back so he couldn't go to him. He threw it right to me. I caught it and took off. I didn't see him till the last minute. We have a good thing going. We just have to continue it.
Donald Driver
On the offense:
It was a good thing for us to take care of business. Last week the offense wasn't clicking but today we were clicking pretty well. That is the thing that everybody kept dwelling on, that the offense hasn't put points on the board. We wanted to prove everyone wrong and put up some points.
On winning the first two games:
I haven't felt like that in a long time. That is a good thing to be sitting at 2-0 and we have a big game next week against San Diego. The offense has to play well next week so we take care of business.
A.J. Hawk
On the game:
We were just getting a little more familiar with how they were trying to attack us. They have some talented players that make plays but we got stops when we needed to.
On the Packers offense:
It keeps us off the field. I think our offense does a great job of sustaining drives. They did that very well today.
On Brett Favre:
He looks good most of the time. Today he looked great. I think the offensive line gave him time to throw and when he has any time at all, he is just going to pick teams apart. He showed that today.
Charles Woodson
On the Packers defense:
Our defense is an 'in-your-face' defense and we are going to stay after you all game. They moved the ball on us pretty good in the first half and second half our defensive line got after them a little bit. They closed the pocket down on them. We just buckled down in the second half and made some plays.
Bubba Franks
On the offensive weapons:
We have so many weapons in this offense it's hard to find who the 'go-to' guys are. Brett is doing a good job of spreading it out and we are happy to receive whenever we can.
On Favre:
Brett played a great game. I think he plays pretty much every game a great game. He played great today. I think his change of pace kind of threw the defense off. They were having trouble getting lined up with the snap count.
Tramon Williams
On the kick returns:
We got one right before halftime that was called back. We came out in the second half knowing that we had to get the momentum. The guys were blocking great. They had so many holes and I had to choose one. I chose it and made a play.
**
Game summary
4th quarter
GB 35, NYG 13
GB: DeShawn Wynn, 38 run, 4:12
5 plays, 53 yards, TOP 2:23
Key plays: A 6-yard pass to Donald Driver picked up a first down, and then Wynn burst into the open field for the score.
GB 28, NYG 13
GB: Donald Driver, 10 pass from Favre, 11:41
5 plays, 22 yards, TOP 1:45
Key plays: Charlie Peprah forced a fumble on the kickoff that Tracy White recovered, giving the Packers a first down at the Giants' 22. Passes of 7 yards to Bubba Franks and 5 yards to Driver preceded the TD throw.
GB 21, NYG 13
GB: Donald Lee, 3 pass from Favre, 13:33
10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 5:49
Key plays: Favre threw nine times on the 10 plays, getting completions of 15 yards to Brandon Jackson, 14 yards to Lee, and 19 yards to Driver to make it goal-to-go.
Injury update, 3rd quarter
Giants CB Aaron Ross has cramps. His return is questionable
3rd quarter
GB 14, NYG 13
NYG: Lawrence Tynes, 32 field goal, 4:22
10 plays, 49 yards, TOP 4:45
Key plays: A 26-yard run by Derrick Ward and an 11-yard pass to Ahmad Bradshaw got the Giants into scoring range. A third-down pass interference penalty on Al Harris gave the Giants a fresh set of downs in the red zone, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Amani Toomer pushed New York back to third-and-goal on the 23.
GB 14, NYG 10
GB: Bubba Franks, 2 pass from Brett Favre, 9:07
10 plays, 51 yards, TOP 5:53
Key plays: A pair of 10-yard passes to Korey Hall got the drive going, and then a 17-yard pass to James Jones gave the Packers a first-and-goal. A pass interference on the Giants made it first-and-goal again, on the 2, and the TD pass came on second down.
Injury update, 3rd quarter
Packers G Tony Palmer has a stinger. His return is questionable.
2nd quarter
NYG 10, GB 7
NYG: Lawrence Tynes, 48 field goal, 1:38
8 plays, 41 yards, TOP 3:46
Key plays: A 19-yard pass to Jeremy Shockey converted a third-and-3 and moved the Giants across midfield. A deep pass for Shockey at the goal line on third down was incomplete, setting up the field goal attempt.
GB 7, NYG 7
NYG: Plaxico Burress, 26 pass from Eli Manning, 7:16
2 plays, 66 yards, TOP 1:02
Key plays: A 40-yard pass to Amani Toomer preceded the TD throw to Burress.
GB 7, NYG 0
GB: DeShawn Wynn, 6 run, 8:18
6 plays, 71 yards, TOP 3:13
Key plays: A 46-yard pass to James Jones and a 21-yard gain on a screen pass to Ryan Grant gave the Packers first-and-goal. Wynn scored on a draw play out of the shotgun.
No score.
Injury update, 2nd quarter
Giants WR Steve Smith has gone to the locker room to have x-rays. He is out of the game with a scapula injury.
The following players are inactive for the Packers today:
34 RB Vernand Morency
37 S Aaron Rouse
75 T Tony Moll
78 G Allen Barbre
85 WR Greg Jennings
91 DT Justin Harrell
95 DT Daniel Muir
96 DE Michael Montgomery
The following players are inactive for the Giants today:
2 QB Anthony Wright
27 RB Brandon Jacobs
59 LB Gerris Wilkinson
35 CB Kevin Dockery
61 T Adam Koets
77 WR Kevin Boothe
85 WR David Tyree
99 DT Russell Davis
Press Box Notes
PACKERS HEAD EAST TO TAKE ON GIANTS
The Packers kick off the road portion of their 2007 schedule today as they take on the New York Giants. The Giants - not the Packers - were awarded the NFC's final playoff bid last season after four tiebreakers and mere percentage points.
After defeating former Green Bay assistant Andy Reid in Week 1, the team again will face a former Packers assistant in Tom Coughlin (1986-87). Coughlin spent two seasons with the Packers as wide receivers coach.
One of the most impressive accomplishments of Mike McCarthy's first year as head coach was the way his club performed on the road. The Packers finished 5-3 away from home last season, recording the most road wins in franchise history for a coach in his first season.
The Packers last played at Giants Stadium in 2002. The game was originally scheduled for a Week 2 showdown but was postponed until January because of the Sept. 11 attacks.
A win for the Packers would mark the club's best start since 2001, when the team began the season with three consecutive victories.
YOUTH WILL BE SERVED
Two of the league's youngest teams take the field Sunday at Giants Stadium.
Since taking over general manager duties, Ted Thompson has vowed to build the team's foundation through the draft. Of the 53 active roster players, 21 have been drafted by Thompson (2005 NFL Draft - present).
The Packers also were the league's youngest team in 2006.
Each team's average age is based upon its opening-day roster. A look at the five youngest teams in the NFL:
Team Average Age
Green Bay 26 years, 89 days
Indianapolis 26 years, 91 days
NY Giants 26 years, 190 days
Dallas 26 years, 197 days
Carolina 26 years, 252 days
- Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau
THE PACKERS-GIANTS SERIES
Calvin Coolidge was in the White House when the teams launched their series in 1928. The two teams meet for the 48th time in the regular season, with Green Bay holding 24-21-2 advantage in the series.
Two of the most venerable franchises in professional football history, the teams have combined for 18 championships. Green Bay (12 titles) ranks No. 1 among all NFL franchises, while the Giants (6) rank third. The two franchises also have a combine 39 members (21 Packers, 18 Giants) in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The two clubs have squared off five times in the postseason, with the NFL championship on the line in all five games. The Packers were victorious in four of the contests.
Fierce rivals in the early decades of the NFL, the two teams have played only five times in the past 20 seasons.
ROOKIES IN THE BACKFIELD
Green Bay became the first NFL team to open the regular season with two rookie starters in the backfield since 1996. That season, both St. Louis (Derrick Harris and Lawrence Phillips) and Miami (Stanley Pritchett and Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar) used an all-rookie backfield on opening day.
Rookie running back Brandon Jackson, a second-round pick from Nebraska, became the first rookie to start at running back on opening day for the Packers since John Brockington in 1971.
Fullback Korey Hall, a linebacker at Boise State last season, was the first Packers rookie to start on opening day at fullback since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
WEARING THE STRIPES
Today's officiating crew includes referee Gene Steratore (114), umpire Carl Madsen (92), head linesman Paul Weidner (87), line judge Tom Barnes (55), field judge Doug Rosenbaum (67), side judge Barry Anderson (86) and back judge Tony Steratore (112).
NEXT WEEK
The Packers host the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 23, at 12 noon CDT, while the Giants travel to take on NFC East foe Washington.
What To Watch For Today
4 BRETT FAVRE
Will make his 239th consecutive start (259 inclduing playoffs) under center today, the NFL's record among quarterbacks.
Needs one win to surpass John Elway (148-82-1, .643). Favre (148-90-0, .622) enters Sunday tied with Elway on the all-time quarterback wins list.
Needs six TD passes to match Dan Marino's NFL record, 420. Favre enters with 414.
Has thrown 202 touchdown passes in road games, an NFL record among quarterbacks. Dan Marino (197) sits at No. 2 on the list.
60 ROB DAVIS
Will play in his 153rd consecutive game today. With appearances in the next nine contests, will tie No. 4 Larry McCarren (162) on the franchise's all-time list.
80 DONALD DRIVER
Has caught a pass in 81 consecutive games, the franchise's second-longest streak behind Sterling Sharpe's 103 (1988-94).
Needs 5 receptions to surpass No. 5 Antonio Freeman (431) on the Packers' franchise list. Driver (427) enters No. 6 in team history.
Needs 5 receiving yards to become the seventh player in team history to reach 6,000 career.
If Driver records his 17th career 100-yard receiving game, he will move into a three-way tie with No. 6 Billy Howton and Max McGee on the Packers' all-time list.
With one TD reception from Favre, the duo will match the Lynn Dickey - Paul Coffman combination (35 TDs) for third all-time on the franchise list.
88 BUBBA FRANKS
Needs one TD reception to reach 30 career. In team history, only 11 previous players have reached the milestone, including Driver in '06.
Needs 69 receiving yards to surpass No. 5 Mark Chmura (2,253) on the team's all-time tight ends list.
74 AARON KAMPMAN
Needs one sack to become just the eighth player to record 30 in a Packers uniform. Kampman, who led the NFC with 151/2 sacks in 2006, enters Sunday with 29.
94 KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA
On Green Bay's all-time sacks list, needs four to match Reggie White's career record, 681/2. Gbaja-Biamila enters with 641/2.
31 AL HARRIS
Will play in his 156th straight game Sunday (145 regular season, 10 playoffs), a streak that began in Philadelphia in 1998. Since coming to Green Bay in 2003, has started all 68 games (65 regular season, 3 playoffs) as a Packer. |
 | Badger Mutual Family of the Game
Seventh-graders in the state of Wisconsin are eligible to enter an essay contest to see their family named the Badger Mutual Insurance Family of the Game. Winners will receive four game tickets, pre-game VIP on-field passes, recognition on the video board during the game and much more. To enter, Wisconsin seventh-graders should write an essay of 500 words or less that tells "Why Education Is Important to Me." Print out a registration form on packers.com. |
|
 | Coldwell Banker "Take it to the House"
Two lucky couples will have a chance to win a house courtesy of Coldwell Banker during halftime at every home game. Visit one of Coldwell Banker's Open Houses to sign up!
"Take it to the House" TV Commercial - Real | Windows |
|
 | Crunch Time Catch
The Crunch Time Catch presented by Copps and Pick 'n Save gives two contestants the chance to show their skills catching punts. Both contestants will attempt to catch a thirty yard punt. If they succeed they move on to a sixty yard punt for the chance to win an Ariens® snow thrower or lawnmower. |
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 | Kohl's Fan of the Game
Four randomly selected fans will be selected at every Packer home game to win Kohl's Gift Cards. |
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 | Kraft Best Seats in the House Sweepstakes
Watch the game from the "Best Seats in the House". Winners and a guest will watch the game from recliners in the stands. The area will also include a color TV and a fully catered picnic lunch. Entry forms available at participating retailers. |
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 | MasterCard Fan Photographer
All Associated Bank customers who make a signature-based transaction will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. You and a guest will receive passes to be on the field for the Packers warm-up to take pictures that will be posted on Packers.com. |
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 | Miller Lite End Zone
Watch for Miller promotions throughout the season for a chance to be part of this exciting section. |
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 | Nicolet Water Boy/Girl Sweepstakes
Win a chance to be the Official Water Boy/Girl of the Green Bay Packers. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 may enter by sending in an official entry form available at participating retailers. |
|
 | Novartis "Blood Pressure Success Zone"
Stop by the Novartis "Blood Pressure Success Zone" located in the Atrium to have your blood pressure screened. While you are there be sure to pick up information on how you can be eligible to win Packers home game tickets, Packers Pro Shop gift cards and a trip for 2 to the Packers away game in Jacksonville!
To learn more about the program, visit www.packers.bpsuccesszone.com |
|
 | Operation Fan Mail
The Green Bay Packers and Festival Foods this season are recognizing military families separated by active duty with a new program, 'Operation Fan Mail.' The families will be recognized on the field during home pregame activities.
To choose families, the Packers and Festival Foods are asking interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted. Essays can be sent to: Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628, or by clicking here. |
|
 | Shopko Kickoff Kid promotion
Packer fans 12 and under can win the opportunity of a lifetime: Packers Honorary Kickoff Kid! One lucky fan will be selected for each 2006 home game to run onto the field after the Packers first kickoff to retrieve the tee. Each winner will receive the opportunity to be on the field during pre-game warm-ups, four (4) game tickets for the winner and his/her family, and a Packers Goodie Bag. Visit participating Shopko stores for your chance to win! |
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 | Verizon Jr. Captain
For every home game one lucky Packers fan between the ages of 7 and 14 is selected to be the Verizon Jr. Captain of the game and join the team captains on the field during the coin toss. Sign up at participating Verizon Wireless locations. verizonwireless.com |
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