Name: BigE
Email: BigE@idatasports.com
Date: Wed Oct 23 14:08:29 2002

Headline: Packers Scalp the Skins

The Green Bay Packers survived a major scare Sunday when Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre was twisted to the ground by LaVar Arrington early in the third quarter. Despite losing Favre for most of the second half, the Packers picked it up defensively, and pounded out a 30-9 victory to improve to 6-1.

The Redskins got on the board first with a 12 play, 64-yard drive, which resulted in a 25-yard field goal to make it 3-0. On this first drive by the Redskins, the Packers defense was kept off balance by a 26-yard reverse by wide receiver Derrius Thompson on the second play of the series. That seemed to open things up for the Skins, who also came out with a wide open passing attack. But even with the injuries to Joe Johnson and Vonnie Holliday, the Packers were able to harass Patrick Ramsey all day, and that was what forced the Skins to a field goal in the first drive.

The Packers answered when Favre handed to Ahman Green on a counter, and Green cut back through the hole for a 24-yard touchdown to make it 7-3. When Green cut back against the grain, he ran right past LaVar Arrington, and Arrington really is a rising star in the league.

After another Skins field goal made it 7-6, the Packers went back to work, starting at their own 27-yard line. The Packers needed only five plays to cover 73 yards, capped off by Green’s two yard plunge to make it 14-6.

The Packers defense shut down the Skins next drive, and tacked on a Ryan Longwell, 36-yard field goal to make it 17-6 at the half.

That's when a dark cloud formed over Lambeau field, and the whole state of Wisconsin held their breath. Fans were forced to watch the Packers play with journeymen Doug Pederson at quarterback, as Favre was carted off the field. Could the Packers even survive this game, let alone the rest of the season?

The Packers were in serious trouble after the Skins hurt Favre, and then drove down far enough for a 31-yard field goal to make it 17-9. The tide seemed to be turning at this point, and the Packers needed to figure out how they would put points on the board.

That's when the defense stepped up. The Packers offense had another failed attempt at a drive, and the Skins were on the move again. The Packers Tod McBride stopped all that as he swiped the ball loose from the Skins Kevin Lockett, and the Packers recovered.

Then Pederson hit Javon Walker for 20 yards on a third and 10, which put the Packers in field goal range. Ryan Longwell tacked on a 41-yard field goal to make it 20-9.

On the Skins next drive, the Packer pass rush really turned up the heat. Kabeer Bbaja-Biamila, who had another huge game, rocked Ramsey as he was getting ready to throw causing him to fumble. The Packers recovered on the Skins 23.

After Pederson hit Donald Driver for 16 yards, Green went off left tackle, broke a tackle, and walked into the end zone for the 8-yard score to make it 27-9. Longwell added another field goal to make the final score 30-9.

After starting the season looking soft on defense, that has now turned into a strength for the Packers. The Packers are leading the NFL in giveaway/takeaway, and that is because of the aggressiveness of the defense. Everyone has turned it up a notch. Gilbert Brown has dominated the middle. Nate Wayne is regaining his old form, this week making 16 tackles. Marques Anderson has been making plays, and tackling crisply. The defensive line is playing like a bunch of All-Pro's. But most of the credit has to go to KGB. There is not a lineman in the league who can stop him. The Skins Chris Samuels is already one of the best tackles in the game, and KGB was going around him like he was standing still.

The most important thing is to get our three-time MVP healthy during the bye week. How quickly Favre heals will determine the Packers fate for the rest of the season. You can bet the Packers opponents will be coming after Favre even more now. How will Favre deal with an injury that will hinder his ability to elude the rush? Let's hope he's a quick healer, or the Packers are in serious trouble!

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