3 Big Things from Green Bay Packers Nail Biting Win Over Cleveland
By Paul Bretl
For the second week in a row, it was a game that went down to the wire. The Green Bay Packers offense struggled to put the game away late, and even though the defense struggled to get stops throughout the game, they came up big when it mattered most. With the win over Cleveland, Green Bay improves to 12-3.
Now that I’ve been able to rewatch the game and digest everything that took place, I have my 3 Big Things from the Green Bay Packers’ performance.
Thank goodness for the 4 turnovers by the Green Bay Packers defense
Of course, winning the turnover battle is always a good thing and it is going to play a big role in determining the outcome of the game–especially when you win that turnover battle 4-0 just as the Green Bay Packers did. However, the Packers needed each and every one of those turnovers to come away with the win.
For much of the game, the Cleveland offense was pretty much able to do whatever they wanted against this Green Bay defense, especially on the ground. Although the Packers had a 21 to 12 lead at halftime, the Cleveland offense was averaging over 8.0 yards per play at that point in the game–for some context, the L.A. Rams lead the NFL this season in yards per play with 6.1.
Nick Chubb was also able to post 126 rushing yards on only 17 carries, while as a team, the Browns averaged a whopping 8.8 yards per carry. Really the only thing that could stop this Browns’ offense was themselves, or Baker Mayfield specifically, who threw four interceptions.
Three of those interceptions resulted in three touchdowns and 21 points for the Green Bay Packers offense. On their six other drives that weren’t sparked by a turnover, Green Bay punted five times and kicked a field goal once. Then, of course, Rasul Douglas’ interception in the final minute of the game would secure the victory as Cleveland was hanging around midfield.
It goes without saying, but turnovers matter and the Packers needed all four to come away with the win. Had they forced just three interceptions — which is still a lot, by the way — they very well could have lost.