By RUPackers30
Published: August 30, 2007 PrintEmail
SEVEN YEARS AND FIFTY DAYS
Why the Green Bay Packers can’t defeat the Philadelphia Eagles…and whether or not the monkey gets off their back come September 9th.
"Seven years, and fifty days The time is passing by Nothing in this world could be, as nice as you and I." - Cascada
OK, it’s actually seven years and eight days. I used 50 so I can use the title of the Cascada song for the article.
Give me a break.
The fact is…it’s been a long, agonizing time since my beloved Green Bay Packers have been able defeat the Eagles. The last victory came on September 17, 2000, in a snooze of a game that saw Ryan Longwell kick two field goals to give the Pack the W, 6-3. Don’t know exactly how long ago that was? Here…lets take a trip down memory lane, shall we?
-Dorsey Levens was the Green Bay running back -LeRoy Butler was the Green Bay safety -Ross Verba was playing guard -Frank Winters was the center
And here we are, seven years removed from a scene we long for, Favre walking into the Lambeau tunnel with his head held high, pointing to the sky, the Eagles sulking into the other tunnel. But what is it over the last four games that has kept Green Bay down? What is keeping this team from returning to the glory days of Earl Lambeau, who for 15 years beat the Eagles ten times in a row? In this article, I will analyze the four defeats, weigh the strengths and weaknesses, find out ultimately what went wrong, and offer tips as to what the Pack need to do to get the monkey off their back.
11/10/03 EAGLES @ PACKERS EAGLES WIN, 17-14
On a chilly, snowy Monday night at Lambeau, what the ESPN talking heads deemed Brett Favre’s bread and butter, the national audience saw the running game work it’s magic. Ahman Green gained 192 yards on 29 carries, including a 45 yard TD scamper on 4th and 1 that is etched vividly in my mind.
SO WHY DID GREEN BAY LOSE?
Blame the weather if you want…but Ahman Green fumbled early and often. On a few occasions, Brett Favre dropped back to throw, made the forward motion, except the ball was busy falling behind him and dribbling around the soaked, muddy turf…one critical such fumble came as the game clock expired while Favre was orchestrating a two-minute drill. Simply put, Donovan McNabb made much fewer mistakes than the Packers offense did, as he didn’t fumble, he made the 6 yard throw to Todd Pinkston to drill the final nail in the coffin, and he saw the gaping holes in the Packers’ D-line sufficient enough to scramble and get the short yardage needed for the first down. No, he didn’t have the completion percentage Favre did that night, but again, he didn’t make the foolish mistakes Favre did. The three turnovers, Longwell’s missed field goal, and a 3-and-out late in the fourth certainly didn’t help their efforts either. I consider this a good close game , with Philly taking the steps necessary to win a thriller.
A game that started with such promise for the high-flying Packers, and stayed all game long. Until overtime. Robert Ferguson scored the first two TD’s of the game off Brett Favre bombs. Ahman Green had 156 yards on 25 attempts. Mike McKenzie defended six passes and forced two fumbles. Donovan McNabb was sacked eight times. David Akers missed an early 33-yard field goal. On third down efficiency, the Packers trumped Philly 24% to 53%.
SO WHY DID GREEN BAY LOSE?
This is a game that I’ve all but tried to blank out of my memory. Every highlight I see…I vainly hold out hope that Freddie Mitchell will only get 24 or 25 yards on that 4th and 26…not the 28 he snagged. I hold out hope that Donovan McNabb doesn’t rack up 107 yards rushing. And still, most of all…I envision Brian Dawkins dropping the Brett Favre overtime interception which would set up the David Akers game winner.
Back to reality we go.
There are a few calls, decisions, what have you’s that Mike Sherman faced during this game that we can go back, scrutinize, and say “yeah but I woulda” to ourselves if faced with them again. The most talked about of which came on 4th and >1 with about two minutes to go in regulation. You have Ahman Green, who’s been tearing it up all day…and all the guy has to do is get 4 short feet. Get those 4 short feet, go to the two minute warning, then drain the clock and win 17-14. Instead, citing Philadelphia put their “big guys” in, Sherman sent Josh Bidwell trotting out to send the football airbone…a little too airborne, giving the Iggles the ball at the twenty.
Then we have a similar 4th and 1, this time the Packers are knocking on the door for another six, and, according to Sherman, it’s inside the one. So instead of taking the safe three (which in retrospect seems like a delightful idea, doesn’t it?), Sherman sends in the reliable Green to work his magic again, using a very Sherman-esque argument…”We made a fourth and one against Tampa.” Someone didn’t give Mikey the memo that this isn’t the pushover Buccaneers, and Green is stopped short for a turnover on downs.
Oh yeah…didn’t anyone hear that whistle on the Akers game-winning field goal? You know…the one that Darren Sharper and the whole defense heard while someone on Green Bay tried to call a timeout? The one that caught the 11 guys in white flat-footed? Eh…nevermind. The guy kicks way too high anyway.
12/05/04 PACKERS @ EAGLES EAGLES WIN, 47-17
A rematch to define all rematches. After eleven months of letting that crushing loss stew, the Packers returned to the site of their greatest heartbreak, with one thing on their minds. Revenge. And that day was supposed to be the day it happened. The Pack had won six straight. Brett Favre had a 36 consecutive game streak in which he had thrown at least one touchdown pass.
SO WHY DID GREEN BAY LOSE?
To put it truthfully and bluntly…the score says it all. Under former defensive coordinator Bob Slowik, the 25th ranked overall D in the league showed why they were just that. They weren’t the 25th best defense that night, they were the 8th worst. Donovan McNabb completed his first 14 passes, and finished the night 32-43. Brian Westbrook had 156 yards receiving and 3 TD’s…while Terrell Owens (remember him Eagle faithful?) gashed the Darren Sharper-less secondary for 161 yards and a TD. The game was so lopsided indeed, that McNabb compared the evening to playing a “video game.” Favre’s streak of consecutive games with at least one TD pass came to a screeching halt, falling eleven short of Unitas’ 47. 14 of the 17 points came from passing touchdowns from Craig Nall, in garbage duty late in the fourth quarter.
I cannot pinpoint a few aspects of this loss to justify why Green Bay lost. The Eagles were cooking, and the Packers were basting. Bottom line. One of those nights…ya know.
11/27/05 PACKERS @ EAGLES EAGLES WIN, 19-14
Is the third time really the charm? The Packers were hoping so…as they entered their new found house of horrors…the Link, searching for their first win after two crushing losses. And despite an injury-riddled season on Green Bay’s behalf, and a dismal 2-8 record, if there ever were an evening to get it done…this was it. Donovan McNabb, the architect of the Packer’s last three losses to the Eagles, was out with a groin injury. Terrell Owens had run himself out of town. At the helm was Mike McMahon, the former Rutgers QB (back in the day when Rutgers was thrilled to have more than three wins per season). Lito Sheppard wasn’t playing. Favre was still playing, and Samkon Gado was emerging as the savior at running back that the Packers needed.
SO WHY DID GREEN BAY LOSE?
Stupid, stupid, stupid mistakes that never should have been committed. Samkon Gado ran for 111 yards and a score, while McMahon was limited to 10-21 passing for 91 yards. Favre however, played a bit more aggressively…as was his mantra that season, going 15-33 for 171 yards, one touchdown, but two crippling interceptions. One of which came as Favre was orchestrating a two minute drive near the end of regulation, as Roderick Hood intercepted him in the end zone with 86 seconds remaining. Andrae Thurman and Reshard Lee each fumbled (and lost, mind you) kickoffs, which set up a Brian Westbrook touchdown run, and a David Akers field goal. 10 points off of foolish plays by less than adequate players.
09/09/07 EAGLES @ PACKERS ???
So here we are. Opening day is almost upon us, and we are about to write another chapter in what’s becoming the Packers-Eagles saga. Is this the time? Could September 9th, 2007, be the day at a thawed out Lambeau Field where the Green Bay Packers finally get the best of the Philadelphia Eagles? Judging by the past losses, there are a few things that the Packers must accomplish.
-To Brett Favre: You’re no longer the gunslinger. The days of chucking it 50 yards downfield to Sterling Sharpe and Antonio Freeman are gone. Play conservatively. Short 5-15 yard passes to Donald Driver, James Jones, Greg Jennings, heck even Bubba Franks will get it done.
-To Brandon Jackson: Don’t you dare fumble the ball. Ahman Green’s taken that bugaboo to Houston.
-To Bubba Franks: CATCH THE DAMN BALL! Part of the November 11th loss was Favre starting his night 1-11 passing. He can't do it alone...and if you want to salvage your career...start making plays.
-To Donald Driver: This team needs you more than you can know. If you’re not 100%, don’t play. Other guys will step up.
-To the front 4: Remember back in 2004 when you guys sacked Donovan McNabb eight times? Wasn’t that fun? Let’s do it again…shall we?
-To the Ghosts of Lambeau Field: Vacation's over guys. Time to return to the field and work some miracles here!
If you all can hold true to these requests...you'll defeat the Eagles. Easily.
And now we watch. And wait. And pray.
"I return to you Like I always do When I close my eyes I think of you." - Cascada
(Note: This will likely be by only NFL article for a while now. I’ll be returning to college football on a more consistent basis effective immediately.)
