Sunday, December 20, 2009

End of 1st quarter: Packers 7 - Steelers 14

We knew this would be a tough game. Just didn't think the quarter would go like this.

It started with the Packers getting the opening kickoff and going three-and-out. Something they did on three of their five possessions in the quarter. QB Aaron Rodgers was knocked down several times and was only 3 for 11 on passing in the quarter.

After that first three-and-out, the Steelers first play was a 60-yard TD pass over CB Jarrett Bush who got beat badly. 7-0 Steelers.

The Packers next possession saw them again going three-and-out, with play selection being all passes on the first two possessions.

On the Pack's next possession, on 3rd-and-5, Rodgers connected on a deep over-the-middle pass to WR Greg Jennings who took it to the endzone for an 83-yard touchdown. It was the longest of both Rodgers' and Jennings' careers, and the longest this year for the Packers. Score: 7-7. The hold on the extra point was a bit dicey as it turns out that backup QB Matt Flynn is no longer holding on kicks; punter Jeremy Kapinos is now holding.

On the Steelers next possession, they put together a 10-play, 72-yard drive to go ahead 14-7 on a 2-yard run.

Then there was another 3-and-out by the Packers. Seems as if there has been a total of about 3 or 4 running plays so far.

On the Steelers next possession, LB Clay Matthews sacked and clearly caused a fumble by Ben Roethlisberger on 3rd down. The Pack would have had the ball inside the Steelers' 30-yard line. The Steelers challenged the call and it was ruled as a throwing motion and thus incomplete pass. Former quarterback and booth announcer Troy Aikman was amazed, saying it was clearly a fumble. Footage of Roethlisberger on the bench even showed him going "Wow"...twice.

Following the punt, on the Pack's final possession of the quarter, on 3rd-and-10, Rodgers connected on a 49-yard pass to Donald Driver to set up the Packers deep inside Steelers' territory.

That's where the quarter ended.