Christmas Day was anything but a walk in the park for the Green Bay Packers. Despite some sloppy play from the Cleveland Browns’ offense, they were able to hang around all afternoon and had a chance to win it on their final possession. They came up just short, and Green Bay escaped 24-22.
Here are five numbers that tell the story of the Packers’ narrow victory over the Browns.
4
Turnovers were the story of this game, and Green Bay ended up winning that battle 4 to 0. All four turnovers for the Browns came via Baker Mayfield interceptions, and the final one was the knockout punch that ended Cleveland’s chances.
Green Bay’s secondary wasn’t too great outside of the interceptions. The Browns picked apart the back end of the defense with some big-play passes and got whatever they wanted in the running game.
The Packers can’t rely on getting four interceptions every week. Things need to get buttoned up with the defense in a hurry. Cleveland likely wins if Mayfield had been at all competent in this game.
21
Piggybacking off of those four turnovers, Green Bay capitalized with 21 points. The only one they didn’t turn into points came on the final drive when they finished in victory formation.
It was yet another slow start for Green Bay. After the offense sputtered out on its first drive, Mayfield threw a deep ball that landed right in the lap of safety Darnell Savage. Mayfield’s decision-making unraveled after that.
Green Bay leads the NFL in turnover margin at plus-16, and their 18 forced interceptions rank fourth in the league. One big part of that: Rasul Douglas.
Douglas added to his season total by intercepting Mayfield twice on Saturday, including what ended up being the game-clincher late in the fourth quarter. Douglas now has five interceptions on the season after Brian Gutekunst plucked him off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad in October.
5
Along with the four turnovers, Green Bay was able to harass Mayfield and keep him in the pocket at critical junctures, which led to five sacks on the afternoon.
What’s really bizarre about the performance by the Packers’ defense is that they didn’t play that well, but a glance at the box score would suggest otherwise.
The familiar duo coming off the edge led the way. Rashan Gary notched two sacks, and Preston Smith got another one. They applied enough pressure to keep Mayfield uncomfortable in the pocket.
Injuries and COVID absences have decimated Cleveland. It’s especially hit home up front with the offensive line. Green Bay capitalized on the lack of depth to the tune of five sacks on the afternoon.
10 for 114
Davante Adams feasted against the Cleveland secondary as Aaron Rodgers repeatedly went to his favorite target. One of the most head-scratching decisions in the 10-catch performance from Adams came when the Browns sent a zero blitz while Adams was in single coverage working out of the slot. The result was as predictable as one might imagine.
Adams would finish with 144 yards and two touchdowns, and the Packers needed every bit of it. The connection between No. 12 and No. 17 remains one of the most dynamic in the entire NFL, and it showed yet again on national television on Christmas Day.
443
The one number that everyone will remember from this game is 443. With an early touchdown pass to Allen Lazard on Saturday, Rodgers passed Brett Favre for the most passing touchdowns in Green Bay Packers history with 443.
Certainly, the milestone was on Rodgers’ mind. It’s good they were able to hit on it early so they could focus back on winning the game.
It’s an incredible achievement for Rodgers, who did it in far fewer games and pass attempts and with far fewer interceptions than Favre. The moment was goosebump-worthy. Favre even had a message appear on the jumbotron that sent the Lambeau Field faithful into a frenzy.
A tip of the cap to the reigning MVP for becoming the Packers’ all-time leader in passing touchdowns.
