NFC North: Jerricho Cotchery
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The clock was winding down Sunday in the fourth quarter at New Meadowlands Stadium as the Green Bay Packers' defense ferociously protected the slimmest of leads. One bad step or unfortunate bounce could have erased a 6-0 advantage.
Cornerback Charles Woodson ended one drive with an interception and linebacker Clay Matthews set back another with a sack. But no defensive player contributed more than a reserve safety who might not start another game this season.
Charlie Peprah could give way to Atari Bigby as early as this week, but on Sunday he created two of what I consider the most decisive moments of the Packers' 9-0 victory. Peprah broke up a pair passes to Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery, providing a textbook display of how a safety can play pass defense.
The first came with 4 minutes, 18 seconds remaining. On fourth down from the Packers' 45-yard line, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez fired downfield. Peprah went high with Cotchery and broke up the pass at the Packers' 12-yard line.
The Jets got the ball back less than a minute later, and from his 28-yard line, Sanchez again looked downfield for Cotchery. This time, the ball hit Cotchery in the hands and was milliseconds away from being ruled a catch before Peprah's hit dislodged it at the Packers' 45-yard line.
On this blog, at least, decisive plays call for Decisive Moments.
The clock was winding down Sunday in the fourth quarter at New Meadowlands Stadium as the Green Bay Packers' defense ferociously protected the slimmest of leads. One bad step or unfortunate bounce could have erased a 6-0 advantage.
Cornerback Charles Woodson ended one drive with an interception and linebacker Clay Matthews set back another with a sack. But no defensive player contributed more than a reserve safety who might not start another game this season.
Charlie Peprah could give way to Atari Bigby as early as this week, but on Sunday he created two of what I consider the most decisive moments of the Packers' 9-0 victory. Peprah broke up a pair passes to Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery, providing a textbook display of how a safety can play pass defense.
The first came with 4 minutes, 18 seconds remaining. On fourth down from the Packers' 45-yard line, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez fired downfield. Peprah went high with Cotchery and broke up the pass at the Packers' 12-yard line.
The Jets got the ball back less than a minute later, and from his 28-yard line, Sanchez again looked downfield for Cotchery. This time, the ball hit Cotchery in the hands and was milliseconds away from being ruled a catch before Peprah's hit dislodged it at the Packers' 45-yard line.
On this blog, at least, decisive plays call for Decisive Moments.
Wrapping up the Green Bay Packers' 9-0 win against the New York Jets.
What it means: The Green Bay Packers improved to 5-3 to take a half-game lead in the NFC North as the Chicago Bears enjoyed their bye week. I'm obviously not in New York to poll the Packers individually, but they have to be satisfied with five victories at their season's midpoint after the run of injuries they've endured. Tally ho!
Scoreless: On a windy day at the New Meadowlands Stadium, the Packers' defense issued an impressive shutout. Despite a perceived mismatch against the Jets' rushing game, the Packers limited them to 99 rushing yards. But two late plays stuck out to me. Backup safety Charlie Peprah, playing because of injuries to Atari Bigby, Morgan Burnett and Derrick Martin, twice separated the ball from Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery -- one on fourth down to end a late Jets threat. You know it's a good day when your No. 4 safety is making game-saving plays.
Injury report: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers played much of the fourth quarter with his left ankle heavily taped after appearing to sprain it on the stadium turf. I had to laugh when, shortly after the injury, FOX cameras panned to Gillette Stadium to show Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre preparing to play with two fractures in his left foot. Can Rodgers ever get some independent credit?!
Unsung hero: How about punter Tim Masthay getting down the hold on Mason Crosby's 20-yard field goal in the first quarter? The snap hit the ground, but Masthay got it up in time for the kick.
What's next: The Packers will host the Dallas Cowboys in their second Sunday night game in three weeks.
What it means: The Green Bay Packers improved to 5-3 to take a half-game lead in the NFC North as the Chicago Bears enjoyed their bye week. I'm obviously not in New York to poll the Packers individually, but they have to be satisfied with five victories at their season's midpoint after the run of injuries they've endured. Tally ho!
Scoreless: On a windy day at the New Meadowlands Stadium, the Packers' defense issued an impressive shutout. Despite a perceived mismatch against the Jets' rushing game, the Packers limited them to 99 rushing yards. But two late plays stuck out to me. Backup safety Charlie Peprah, playing because of injuries to Atari Bigby, Morgan Burnett and Derrick Martin, twice separated the ball from Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery -- one on fourth down to end a late Jets threat. You know it's a good day when your No. 4 safety is making game-saving plays.
Injury report: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers played much of the fourth quarter with his left ankle heavily taped after appearing to sprain it on the stadium turf. I had to laugh when, shortly after the injury, FOX cameras panned to Gillette Stadium to show Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre preparing to play with two fractures in his left foot. Can Rodgers ever get some independent credit?!
Unsung hero: How about punter Tim Masthay getting down the hold on Mason Crosby's 20-yard field goal in the first quarter? The snap hit the ground, but Masthay got it up in time for the kick.
What's next: The Packers will host the Dallas Cowboys in their second Sunday night game in three weeks.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and children.
