Week 3: Packers vs. Chargers: Analysis

San Diego Chargers (1-1) @ Green Bay Packers (2-0)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date: Sunday, September 23, 2007

Scoring Summary
First Quarter
7:07 - (SD) Vincent Jackson 27 yd. pass from Rivers (SD, 7-0)
2:40 - (GB) Crosby 28 yd. field goal (SD, 7-3)
Second Quarter
11:53 - (GB) Driver 5 yd. pass from Favre (GB, 10-7)
2:48 - (GB) Franks 5 yd. pass from Favre (GB, 17-7)
0:32 - (SD) Davis 9 yd. pass from Rivers (GB, 17-14)
Third Quarter
9:02 - (SD) Tomlinson 21 yd. pass from Rivers (SD, 21-17)
Fourth Quarter
2:03 - (GB) Jennings 57 yd. pass from Favre (GB, 24-21)
0:59 - (GB) Jackson 1 yd. run (GB, 31-21)
0:20 - (SD) Kaeding 44 yd. field goal (GB, 31-24)
Green Bay Packers (3-0) 31, San Diego Chargers (1-2) 24

Statistical Analysis
Passing
Brett Favre, GB: 28/45, 369 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 110.3 QB Rating
Phillip Rivers, SD: 27/36, 306 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INTs, 116.2 QB Rating
Analysis: Both quarterbacks put in great performances. I applaud Favre for not throwing a pick against a tough defense, but Rivers' pick really hurt him, as it set up the Brandon Jackson rushing touchdown with twenty seconds left. The Chargers could have definitely tied the game if Rivers had not thrown that pick. Anyway, a fantastic game from either quarterback.

Rushing
LaDainian Tomlinson, SD: 22 rushes, 62 yards, 2.8 YPC
Brandon Jackson, GB: 6 rushes, 22 yards, 1 TD, 3.7 YPC
Michael Turner, SD: 4 rushes, 12 yards, 3.0 YPC
Ryan Grant, GB: 3 rushes, 10 yards, 3.3 YPC
DeShawn Wynn, GB: 2 rushes, 9 yards, 4.5 YPC
Analysis: Not too good on either side. Although they were playing tough defenses, the Pack really needs to get their running game whipped into shape. Wynn and Jackson and Grant need to step up and show the team and city what they are made of.

Receiving
Donald Driver, GB: 6 rec, 126 yards, 1 TD
Antonio Gates, SD: 11 rec, 113 yards
Vincent Jackson, SD: 6 rec, 98 yards, 1 TD
Greg Jennings, GB: 4 rec, 82 yards, 1 TD
James Jones, GB: 6 rec, 79 yards
Donald Lee, GB: 4 rec, 44 yards
LaDainian Tomlinson, SD: 3 rec, 33 yards, 1 TD
Craig Davis, SD: 4 rec, 31 yards, 1 TD
Malcolm Floyd, SD: 1 rec, 25 yards
Brandon Jackson, GB: 3 rec 22 yards
DeShawn Wynn, GB: 3 rec, 14 yards
Lorenzo Neal, SD: 2 rec, 6 yards
Bubba Franks, GB: 1 rec, 5 yards, 1 TD
Ryan Grant, GB: 1 rec, -3 yards
Analysis: The Packers receivers had a very good game for Favre. Driver was stellar as usual, while Jennings had 82 yards on only four catches in his first game back. Donald Lee is really taking over the starting tight end position, grabbing four passes to Franks' one. Gates and V. Jackson had good days for San Diego, while Brandon Jackson continues to be used out of the backfield, amassing equal rushing and receiving yardage.

Defense
A.J. Hawk, GB: 11 tackles
Atari Bigby, GB: 11 tackles
Charles Woodson, GB: 9 tackles
Al Harris, GB: 7 tackles
Nick Barnett, GB: 7 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PD
Shaun Phillips, SD: 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 PD
C. Hart, SD: 6 tackles, 1 PD
S. Cooper, SD: 6 tackles
Aaron Kampman, GB: 5 tackles
Marlon McCree, SD: 5 tackles
Quentin Jammer, SD: 4 tackles, 2 PD
Nick Collins, GB: 4 tackles
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB: 3 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 FF
Jarrett Bush, GB: 3 tackles
D. Florence, SD: 3 tackles
Igor Olshansky, SD: 3 tackles, 0.5 sacks
Brady Poppinga, GB: 2 tackles
C. Cole, GB: 2 tackles
Jamaal Williams, SD: 2 tackles
B. McKinney, SD: 2 tackles
Eric Weddle, SD: 2 tackles,
Shawne Merriman, SD: 2 tackles
Analysis: The Green Bay offensive line had a very good day, limiting Merriman to only two tackles. However, Phillips picked up the slack for Merriman. Hawk, Bigby, and KGB are the MVPs of the defense for this game, in my opinion. All three played very solid. The Packers defensive linemen, with the exception of Kampman and KGB, were an almost non-factor, leaving much up to the linebackers and secondary, who produced. I would say that Bigby is a plyer to watch for the future.

Overall, all facets of the Packers team played well, with the exception of the running game. With Minnesota up next, it will be interesting to see how the running game will hold up against a good D.