13 arrested, 35 ejected at Packers game

Sure, the Packers’ record, which improved to 6-0 with their harrowing 27-20 victory over the San Diego Chargers Sunday at Lambeau Field, is a great thing for a team with designs on the Super Bowl.

Randall denied that as he lunged to poke away Rivers’ short pass to Danny Woodhead near the front right pylon in the final seconds.

According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, Rivers is just the third quarterback since 1960 to throw for 500 yards against the Packers, joining Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers (503 yards on December 20, 2009) and Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions (520 yards on January 1, 2012).

Though efficient as ever, Rodgers hasn’t had his usual volume this season, and he’s now on pace for just 3,976 passing yards, despite averaging 8.2 yards per attempt and 2.5 touchdowns per game. James Starks, who had 77 combined rushing yards over the previous three games, was an unlikely choice to be the first to top that mark, but aided by a 65-yard run he did just that, compiling 112 yards on only 10 carries.

By averting their first loss since the stunning road defeat in overtime at the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC title game nine months ago, the Packers are assured of staying ideal for at least two more weeks. Not a single pass was intercepted, though the Packers did have seven passes defensed and put 13 quarterback hits on Rivers. The veteran quarterback attempted a team-record 65 passes, completing 43 for 503 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers have the most pre-snap infractions (23) in the league.

Better yet, McCoy didn’t burn timeouts too soon, and he used them when he needed to.

Allen had 11 catches for 128 yards in the first half alone, as he was quarterback Philip Rivers’ favorite target. WRs Davante Adams (ankle) and Randall Cobb (shoulder), and S Morgan Burnett (calf) are among key players who should benefit from the bye week….

The 2-3 Chargers dropped into a negative record territory last week after suffering a final play loss. These aren’t games in which it’s over, like you saw you in the second half of the season past year. With the Packers limited to having the football all of 22 minutes, Rodgers threw only 29 passes and completed just 16 of them for 255 yards. He stopped a first-quarter touchdown to (Ladarius) Green.

McCarthy has mentioned in the past how he has wanted to get Starks more touches. We’re going to need them down the stretch.

The patchwork offensive line kept Philip Rivers upright, backups Darrell Stuckey and Jimmy Wilson played larger roles when safeties Eric Weddle (presumably a groin injury) and Jahleel Addae (back) were out, and wideout Dontrelle Inman saw his responsibilities increase when Keenan Allen suffered a hip injury in the second half. “I don’t think anybody has a quicker release than that guy”. They forced Green Bay to go three and out on three of four possessions in the second half.

“We’ll take [wins] any way we can”, Rodgers said. Montgomery should benefit from the unbeaten Packers now on their bye week before they play again November 1 at the Denver Broncos.

Regardless of Allen’s status, Rivers continued to provide for the lethargic Charger’s offense, finding several weapons in in Antonio Gates and Malcolm Floyd, who helped keep the Charger’s offense intact.

I love how Allen responded after the game when asked why he seemed unguardable, saying “They tried to play me in man”. They got the ball back and marched into Green Bay territory but Datone Jones sacked Rivers to force a punt. Another San Diego first-round selection at running back, LaDainian Tomlinson, fumbled eight times during his rookie season in 2001, losing five of them.

“We went with James first, frankly, because he’s been playing extremely well and Eddie’s been a little banged up”, coach Mike McCarthy told The Associated Press.