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34 |
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PACKERS-VIKINGS POST-GAME NOTES & QUOTES:
PACKERS IMPROVE TO 8-1
-Green Bay improves to 8-1 for the first time since 2002 with a 34-0 win over Minnesota today. Today's win marks the largest margin of vicotry since Oct. 9, 2005, when the Packers defeated New Orleans 52-3. The last time Green Bay shut out its opponent was with a 10-0 win over Buffalo, Dec. 22, 2002.
-Today's game was the 94th meeting between the two clubs and also the first time the Packers shut out the Vikings in the all-time series.
-Today's paid attendance was 70,945, the largest regular-season crowd in Lambeau Field history.
-Ryan Grant's 30-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was his first NFL touchdown and the longest run of his career.
-Grant rushed for 119 yards, the second 100-yard performance of his career.
-Grant also becomes the first 100-yard rusher against the Vikings this season.
-With a 3-yard pass to Vernand Morency in the second quarter, Brett Favre became the second player in the history of the NFL to pass for over 60,000 yards.
-In his 246th consecutive start, Favre extended the single-stadium touchdown pass record with his 200th career TD pass at Lambeau Field on a 1-yard pass to Donald Lee. Favre now has 202 touchdown passes at Lambeau Field.
-Ruvell Martin caught two touchdown passes today, his first two on the season. It was the first time in Martin's career he scored multiple touchdowns.
-With today's three touchdown throws, Favre now has 61 games with at least three passes, one game behind Dan Marino's (62) NFL record.
-With today's 351 passing yards, Favre recorded his 54th career 300-yard passing game.
-Aaron Rodgers was 2-2 with 17 yards in his first action of the season.
-Today's game marks the first time this season that the opposing defense did not sack Favre.
-Head Coach Mike McCarthy improves to 4-0 all-time against the Vikings.
-The Packers swept the season series against the Vikings for the second consecutive year. The last time the Packers won four consecutive games against the Vikings was 1987-88.
-Mark Tauscher made his 100th career start today.
-Today was Ryan Pickett's 100th career game.
**
HEAD COACH MIKE McCARTHY:
(on the overall performance of the team today)
"Very good performance by our football team in all three phases. We anticipated a very physical game with Minnesota today, especially after the game we had with them up in the Metrodome. I thought our guys really prepared well...That's clearly our best performance this year and that's what you're looking for."
(on how satisfying Ryan Grant's game was)
"It's really something that we've been giving a lot of emphasis. It starts up front. I thought the run-blocking unit, starting with the offensive line, did an excellent job. I think Ryan keeps getting better each week with his opportunities, so we're definitely heading in the right direction."
(on if the shutout meant anything special to the defense)
"We've talked as a team (that) it was time for us to shut somebody out. We've had some good performances (but) down the stretch we could have played a little better, so it was very important to our defense and I think it's a reflection of a football team that is focused on improving."
(on being 4-0 as head coach against the Vikings)
"It's important to sweep any division opponent, especially with the history of the rivalry of these two teams. It's definitely something you continue to build on."
QUARTERBACK BRETT FAVRE:
(on whether it's time to say the Packers are a great team)
"Do I think we're a great football team? I don't know what you would classify great as. I think our record would indicate that we're pretty good, but I keep saying this week in, week out. I think there's so much more out there for us to do to be more consistent in all phases."
(on whether Grant reminds him of Dorsey Levens)
"A lot. The (jersey) number obviously is striking from that standpoint, but he is a big, physical back, deceptively fast, kind of sneaks up on you. I think his role in our passing game can evolve to what Dorsey's role with us was. But he does remind me a lot of him."
(on whether you can say the offense is balanced yet) "Two or three games out of those nine that were somewhat balanced don't make us a balanced offensive football team. I think it shows that we can be and I think we as players know and coaches know what we're capable of doing, but it's hard to say that we're balanced."
(on the final TD pass to Ruvell Martin)
"I'd rather be lucky than good. I've told everyone who would listen I've had my share that were meant to be caught. That's not one of them. But today it was going our way and that was an indication of that. That was not a really good decision and it was definitely not a good throw, but I will take it. It counts the same."
(on what it's like to watch the young receivers grow up)
"I think you've seen just a small percentage of what these guys are capable of doing. I don't know if I'll be around when they hit their stride. I think they can be great for this team for a long time."
RUNNING BACK RYAN GRANT:
(on setting the tone of the game by establishing the run)
"We thought we could do some good things. We had to set a tone. But as good as their rush defense is, we felt like if we execute, if we take care of our part, good things will happen. The line did a great job this week, everybody in the front, the wide receivers, everybody, the fullbacks. Coach (Edgar) Bennett has been doing a great job keeping us set on what our focus is and what our goals are, staying consistent on what we're trying to accomplish. We're trying to put things together."
(on if he wanted to do his part with all the talk being centered on Vikings RB Adrian Peterson)
"It's always one of the goals of a back to out rush the other back. Adrian's had a great season so far, and I hope he's ok health wise. With the week he had last week, of course there's going to be a lot of attention on him. We feel like we can do some good things. It's a consistency standpoint, when you hold yourself accountable. They take care of their part, I'm going to take care of mine, and we were able to put some good things together."
(on if he tired out as the game went on since he was both rushing and catching the ball a lot)
"Not really. I take pride in having myself in the best condition. I can do whatever they need me to do."
WIDE RECEIVER RUVELL MARTIN:
(on his two touchdown receptions)
"Well the first touchdown was the same one that Greg Jennings hit the record on. It was just the drag slant combination. I don't know what Brett (Favre) did, I'll have to see it on film. I'm guessing he did something, pumping the ball to get the safety to come down and open it up. And man, the second one, I was open in the back of the end zone and I gave Brett the arms. And I'm thinking he thought I was wide open, so that's why he threw it the way he did. And it ended up, they came underneath it. They just hit each other. My thought was, man, either they're going to hit it and you know, miss it, and I'm going to try to catch the tip. Or I'm going to try to tackle whichever one catches it, picks it off. It was the first one, they hit it and knocked each other down."
(on if after catching a touchdown of that manner he knew it was his day)
"Yeah, that's a good day. We talk in the wideout's room all the time how you see touchdowns like that. Just fluke touchdowns that leave a guy wide open. And we always say, "Hey, why can't that happen to us?" Today it did."
(on the five wide receiver set formations)
"Oh I loved it. I loved it. That's like a college type formation. To get into that, we're just out there having a blast. All five of us out there, running around, catching balls, having a great time."
DEFENSIVE TACKLE RYAN PICKETT:
(on how they stacked up against Adrian Peterson)
"I think we did pretty good. I feel like we were aggressive. They had kind of a different attack than what we were expecting. They (were) blocking differently than we thought they would. But we knew they were going to come out and establish the run. And we felt like if we could stop the run, we could win the game."
(on Peterson having a mix of rushes for no gain as well as double digit gains)
"I mean he's a great back. It's going to be like that. A couple times, they caught us, they got 10 yards. But it's important that he get the 10, and not the 50-yard gains. We knew he was going to get some runs. He's a great back. But contain him, and basically stop them, get them in third and long."
(on how good he thinks Peterson is)
"He's good man. To me, right now, he's one of the best backs running the ball I've ever seen. He's fast, strong, quick, I mean he's unbelievable watching him on tape."
(on if stopping a back like Peterson takes a total team effort)
"It takes the whole team. We'd be watching him and be like, "Man, just turn it off. We don't need to see no more of his highlights. Let us go into the game feeling good." We were tired of seeing it. You know, he makes people miss and he's a dangerous back, he's real good."
GUARD JASON SPITZ:
(on having a running back rush for over 100 yards on the leagues second ranked rush defense)
"I mean, Grant's doing a heck of a job hitting the holes and running. Obviously, we still need to improve on that side of the ball, there's probably yards left on the game, but they take both sides. But we'll go back, watch the film, see what we need to correct and see what we did well."
FREE SAFETY AARON ROUSE:
(on if he could get used to playing more after his first NFL start)
"Oh c'mon now, that's a given. Yeah. Every game I can get used to doing that."
(on the biggest thing to adjust to in a game situation)
"The speed and the tempo. The speed of the game is definitely a lot quicker than I expected. Other than that, it was a great game."
(on how Al Harris and Charles Woodson helped him prepare)
"Those guys made sure I was level headed, they were constantly talking to me, "Just be out there, be calm, play your game." That definitely helps a lot coming from two tremendous veterans in a game like that."
(on if pitching a shut out and holding Adrian Peterson to under 60 yards were the primary goals)
"Most definitely. A guy that came off the NFL record last week, and to shut him down to 60 yards, that says a lot about our defense. To go out there and score 30-some points, that says a lot about our offense. They have a good game going, and our special teams definitely contributed today, and we have to keep it going."
WIDE RECEIVER KOREN ROBINSON:
(on being around his old friends and teammates as well as the home crowd)
"I loved it man. It feels good. Just to rally the team, everything just feels good. I haven't been around anything like this. So it feels good for me. And I just felt like...just live life, it's good, it's good."
MINNESOTA VIKINGS HEAD COACH BRAD CHILDRESS:
(on the injury to running back Adrian Peterson)
"He wanted to go back into the game, but there was no point. We are calling it a knee sprain right now, but we won't know anything until he goes in for an MRI tomorrow."
(on if Minnesota was flat today)
"I can't say flat, but if my team wasn't ready and I didn't have them ready, then I am going to take responsibility for that. It's my fault."
(on Brett Favre)
"He is a great player. You are watching history. He is having an unbelievable year at his age and with all his tools."
(on the Packers rushing offense)
"I'm not used to seeing the ball run on our defense that way. Generally what happens when someone is running the football is they are exerting their will on somebody and somebody is not exerting it back."
MINNESOTA VIKINGS QUARTERBACK BROOKS BOLLINGER:
(on his performance)
"I am disappointed because today I didn't play very well. The Packers did play well on both sides of the football. There are a lot of things that we need to do better, but I know that I didn't help us out very much and didn't play as well as I am capable of and that is frustrating to me."
(on today's tough loss versus last week's big win)
"You never go into a game expecting something like this. We had confidence coming off last week, we felt like we had some momentum, but for whatever reason it just didn't carry over into the football game."
MINNESOTA VIKINGS LINEBACKER CHAD GREENWAY:
(on why it is so hard to get to Favre)
"He is just a good player, he has good players around him and he has guys on the outside who make plays. It was also about us being on the field too much today."
(on taking a step backwards this week)
"We lost, so we obviously took a step backwards. There is no question, but you just have to keep playing ball. We probably played our best game last week and our worst one this week. We just have to keep working."
**
Scoring summary and game notes:
Fourth quarter
GB 34, MIN 0
GB: Ruvell Martin, 17 pass from Brett Favre, 5:38
9 plays, 96 yards, TOP 5:54
Key plays: Passes of 16 and 10 yards to Koren Robinson, and another of 34 yards to James Jones moved the Packers into scoring range. The TD pass bounced off of Minnesota defenders Cedric Griffin and Darren Sharper as they collided in front of Martin, who snagged the deflection for the score.
**
Injury updates (third quarter):
Packers T Mark Tauscher left the game with an ankle injury. He could return.
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson left the game with a knee injury. His return is questionable.
**
Third quarter
GB 27, MIN 0
GB: Ruvell Martin, 8 pass from Brett Favre, 2:24
10 plays, 69 yards, TOP 4:59
Key plays: A 24-yard pass to Donald Driver converted a third-and-5 and got the ball across midfield. The Packers picked up 15 yards when a sliding Favre took a blow to the head from Kenechi Udeze. Then on third-and-9, a swing pass to Brandon Jackson picked up 13 yards to make it first-and-goal on the 10. The TD pass came on third down.
GB 20, MIN 0
GB: Donald Lee, 1 pass from Brett Favre, 9:29
9 plays, 72 yards, TOP 5:31
Key plays: Two straight passes to Donald Driver picked up 18 yards, and a 34-yard completion to Greg Jennings, who outjumped Cedric Griffin and hung on despite a big hit from Darren Sharper, gave the Packers first-and-goal on the 7. A 6-yard shovel pass to Ryan Grant put the ball on the 1 before the short TD toss.
Second quarter
GB 13, MIN 0
GB: Mason Crosby, 24 field goal, :00
13 plays, 75 yards, 2:50
Key plays: A 19-yard pass to Donald Driver picked up a third down to start the drive, and a 16-yard pass interference penalty pushed the Packers across midfield. Then an 8-yard completion to Driver converted fourth-and-1, and a quick flip to Greg Jennings picked up 11 yards on another third down to make it goal-to-go.
GB 10, MIN 0
GB: Mason Crosby, 39 field goal, 6:30
13 plays, 69 yards, 8:13
Key plays: Ryan Grant began the drive with two carries for 11 yards before Brett Favre completed five straight passes, the first two to Donald Lee for 19 more yards. A 25-yard hookup with Ruvell Martin converted a third-and-8 and got the Packers into field-goal range.
First quarter
GB 7, MIN 0
GB: Ryan Grant, 30 run, 7:18
12 plays, 82 yards, TOP 5:32
Key plays: A 6-yard shovel pass to Vernand Morency picked up an early third down, and a 4-yard pass to Koren Robinson converted a fourth-and-3 from the Minnesota 34. Two plays later, Grant took a handoff off the right side, got a key block at the line from fullback Korey Hall and another one downfield from Robinson to scoot into the end zone.
**
The Vikings won the coin toss and elected to receive.
Gametime weather: Mostly cloudy, 50 degrees.
**
The following Packers players are inactive for today's game:
19 WR Shaun Bodiford
27 CB Will Blackmon
36 S Nick Collins
55 LB Desmond Bishop
75 T Tony Moll
88 TE Bubba Franks
91 DT Justin Harrell
95 DT Daniel Muir
Starting Lineup Changes:
On offense, Jason Spitz (No. 72) starts at RG for an active Junius Coston (#62).
**
The following Vikings players are inactive for today's game:
13 QB Kelly Holcomb (third QB)
18 WR Sidney Rice
21 S Mike Doss
26 CB Antoine Winfield
38 FB Naufahu Tahi
45 TE Garrett Mills
75 T Chase Johnson
92 DE Jayme Mitchell
Starting Lineup Changes:
On offense, Brooks Bollinger (9) starts at QB for an active Tarvaris Jackson (7). On defense, Marcus McCauley (31) starts at LCB for an inactive Antoine Winfield (26).
Flip Card Changes:
The Vikings signed CB Ronyell Whitaker (27) and released QB Koy Detmer.
**
PACKERS-VIKINGS PRESS BOX NOTES
-After collecting their sixth consecutive road victory at Kansas City, Green Bay returns home to take on division foe Minnesota for the final meeting of the season series.
-Green Bay comes into the contest winners of 11 of its last 12 games.
-What's more, the Packers are off to their best start since 2002 and stand tied with Dallas for the best record in the NFC.
-The Packers look to win consecutive Lambeau Field games over the Vikings for the first time since 2000-02 when they took three straight.
-One of the NFL's great rivalries, the border war between Minnesota and Green Bay has exhibited great parity. The two clubs face off Sunday for the 94th time, with Green Bay only holding a slight advantage (47-44-1) in the all-time series.
-The series stood dead even at 44-44-1 when both clubs introduced new head coaches in 2006. Since taking over for the Packers, Mike McCarthy has won all three meetings against Brad Childress and the Vikings.
-It is almost expected that a Packers-Vikings game will come down to the final minute. Dating back to a Packers victory, 26-22, on Dec. 8, 2002, at Lambeau Field, the last 10 regular season meetings have been decided by seven points or less. Four consecutive meetings (2004-05) were decided by a field goal at the end of the fourth quarter. So too was last year's contest at Lambeau Field, a 9-7 Packers victory.
LAMBEAU FIELD SELLOUT STREAK HITS 250
-Sunday marks the 250th consecutive regular-season sellout (264 including playoffs) at Lambeau Field, the league's longest-tenured stadium.
-The crown jewel of the National Football League, Lambeau Field this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary season (1957-2007).
-The sellout streak first began in 1960, also the same year season tickets were first sold out. With season-ticket holders from all 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Canada, Japan and Australia, the team's waiting list now has more than 74,000 names. People who were recently awarded season tickets put their names on the waiting list in the mid 1970s.
-The streak does not include games played in Milwaukee, where home games were played for 62 years (1933-94) before it was decided to move all home games to Green Bay in 1995. This Sunday against Minnesota does mark the third game in the Gold Package, a season-ticket package for former Milwaukee ticket holders.
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE
-As part of the 'Operation Fan Mail' program, the Packers and Festival Foods will recognize a military family with Wisconsin ties at each home game.
-This week, the Packers and Festival Foods honor Sgt. Matt Williams. An Onalaska, Wis., native, Williams recently completed two tours of duty with the 2nd Brigade Combat team. Williams and the 2nd Brigade Combat team spent 19 months in Iraq and six months in Kuwait. He is joined at the game today by his father Jim, mother Kim, and sister Meredith.
WEARING THE STRIPES
Today's officiating crew includes referee Gerald Austin (34), umpire Ruben Fowler (71), head linesman Ed Camp (134), line judge Carl Johnson (101), field judge Scott Edwards (3), side judge Al Riveron (57) and back judge Bob Lawing (17).
NEXT WEEK
The Packers host the Carolina Panthers while the Vikings return home to host the Oakland Raiders.
**
WHAT TO WATCH FOR TODAY
4 BRETT FAVRE
-Has played in 247 straight games (267 including playoffs) and started 245 in a row (265 including playoffs), the NFL's record among quarterbacks and the second-longest recorded streak in NFL history. Only Minnesota's Jim Marshall (270, 1961-79) has been documented to have started more in consecutive fashion.
-Needs 94 passing yards to become the second ever to reach 60,000, joining Dan Marino (61,361). With 1,456 more passing yards - a number he is on pace to eclipse this season - Favre will break Marino's NFL record. Favre enters with 59,906 career passing yards.
-Needs one TD pass at Lambeau Field to extend the league's single-stadium record to 200. He enters with 199.
-Needs 1,040 passing yards at Lambeau Field to surpass John Elway (27,889 at Mile High Stadium) for the single-stadium record. Favre has 26,850.
-Has 60 career games with at least three TD passes, two games behind Marino's (62) NFL record.
-Has 53 career 300-yard passing games.
-Has 40 career game-winning comebacks (fourth quarter deficit or tie), including four this season.
80 DONALD DRIVER
-Has a reception in 88 consecutive games, the franchise's second-longest streak behind Sterling Sharpe's 103 (1988-94).
-Stands 238 Lambeau Field receiving yards from surpassing No. 2 James Lofton (3,330) and 385 from becoming the stadium's all-time leader ahead of Antonio Freeman (3,477). Driver enters with 3,093.
-Needs six receptions for 50 on the season; would become one of four players in team annals to produce as many as six such seasons, joining Lofton and Sharpe (both seven) and Freeman (six). Driver has at least 50 catches in five seasons.
65 MARK TAUSCHER
-Needs one start for 100 career. He enters with 101 career games and 99 starts.
74 AARON KAMPMAN
-Needs 4 sacks to surpass No. 4 Ezra Johnson (411/2) on the franchise list. He enters with 38 career sacks.
-Needs 2 total tackles for 400 career. He enters with 398.
79 RYAN PICKETT
-Needs one game for 100 career. He enters with 99.
31 AL HARRIS
-Has played in 162 straight games (152 regular season, 10 playoffs), a streak that began in Philadelphia in 1998. Since coming to Green Bay in 2003, has started all 75 games (72 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. |
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 | 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 |
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 | 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. |
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 | 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. |
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 | 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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