Overtime pain

Posted by Mark Daniels on

At this rate, the Green Bay Packers will be conducting an open casting call for football players by mid-season, the injuries kept piling up during a disheartening 16-13 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins at FedEx field in Landover, Maryland today.  Graham Gano's 33 yard field goal 6:54 into the extra session capped a 24 yard drive after Aaron Rodgers was intercepted by Laron Landry.  On the pass, Rodgers was hit helmet on helmet by Jeremy Jarmon and suffered what the Packers said was a concussion.  No flag was thrown.  Rodgers did not meet the media after the game.   His injury was the last in a series of crippling mishaps.  Jermichael Finley injured his knee on the second snap of the game, trying to make a tackle after Donald Lee fumbled.  Washington failed to cash in and the Packers then mounted a drive, capped by Rodgers' five yard scoring strike to Donald Lee who injured his shoulder on the catch and he didn't return.  The Packers also lost Ryan Pickett to an ankle injury and Clay Matthews, after recording another 1 and a half sacks, couldn't come back after a hamstring cramp in the second quarter.   Considering the Packers started without Nick Barnett, Morgan Burnett, Brandon Chillar, Mark Tauscher and don't forget the absence of Ryan Grant, its a wonder the team had enough healthy bodies to finish.   Despite the injuries, Green Bay had leads of 10-0 and 13-3 and couldn't put the Redskins away.   The Packers piled up 427 yards of offense, they had over 200 in the first quarter.  Brandon Jackson rushed for a career high 115 yards including a 71 yard dash.   The offense fizzled when it mattered most, converting only 2 of 13 third down chances, failing on a 4th and goal at the one, turning it over twice and missing two field goals, the second, Mason Crosby's 53 yarder that glanced off the left upright with :07 to play in regulation.  Dropped passes were also an issue, Donald Driver had 4, James Jones and Jordy Nelson also had trouble hanging on to it.  Washington got back into the game with 10 points in the 4th quarter, a 48 yard touchdown pass from Donovan McNabb to Anthony Armstrong who beat reserve safety Charlie Peprah down the middle, and Gano's 45 yard field goal with 1:07 to play.   Rodgers completed three passes for 44 yards in the waning seconds, only to see Crosby's potential game winner strike the metal.   Coming home 3-2, the Packers are huring in more ways than one.  Here's what the guys had to say after the game:

 

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