Week 5: Favre, Packers serve notice to NFL
Oct. 15
Week 5 wrap-up
Packers 31, Ravens 23: When Brett Favre reported for some extra game-planning work last Tuesday, offensive coordinator Tom Rossley told the quarterback they would have 400 yards of total offense against the Ravens. Favre thought Rossley had gotten into something hallucinogenic. Rossley had a plan, though. Part of it was something he had seen in the opening week when the Bears played the Ravens.
Antonio Freeman got plenty of attention Sunday, as he and Brett Favre celebrate the wideout's lone TD. Freeman caught nine passes for 138 yards.
The Bears spread out their offense. They moved the football. They didn't score (just six points). But they did move the football. The Bears had Shane Matthews at quarterback that Sunday. The Packers have Brett Favre. What a day. What a delight it was to see Favre throw and, well, just play great football. With Favre, the spread offense was highly effective. It forced All-World MLB Ray Lewis into being a fairly average pass defender.
Favre also took snaps out of the shotgun 36 times, which made him quite comfortable with a better view of the Ravens' pass rush -- what little there was. The Packers have the best young offensive line in football; it has a unique blend of athleticism and strength and plays with a tenacity that is a reflection of the position coach, Larry Beightol. Keep this name in mind: Chad Clifton. The second-year left tackle may be Pro Bowl material before the season is over. He neutralized Ravens DE Michael McCrary, despite playing with a hamstring injury that had made him iffy for the game. The protection allowed Favre to carve up the Ravens' secondary, as Antonio Freeman finally had a game worthy of his salary.
This was also a breakout game for Packers second-year coach Mike Sherman. Even though he appears overly serious, one thing that is evident about Sherman is that he isn't about being a media star. He just wants to coach his team. Sherman and Rossley came up with a brilliant game plan that may unlock a new era for Favre.
The Ravens left Lambeau Field most impressed. Really, there probably is no reason to doubt that they are still the team to beat in the AFC. They just happened to have a front-row seat to witness one of the great games played by one of the greatest quarterbacks who ever played. |
