Week 11 Game Recap: New England Patriots 35, Green Bay Packers 0

What you need to know

New England Patriots

The Patriots came into this game on a rare two game losing streak, but quickly established total dominance over the Packers. New England scored in every quarter, out gained Green Bay 357 yards to 120, picked up 22 first downs to the Packers’ five, and scored 35 offensive points while the Patriot defense pitched a shut out.

Tom Brady was in championship form, completing 20 of 31 for 244 yards and four touchdowns. Green Bay did not generate an effective pass rush, and when they got close he often scrambled out of trouble. He threw with confidence and completed passes to eight different receivers. His 54 yard touchdown pass to Reche Caldwell was the longest Patriots’ pass play of the season.

Corey Dillon appeared to injure his shoulder on a one yard touchdown plunge in the second quarter. His role was reduced for the remainder of the game, but Laurence Maroney jumped in to gain 116 total yards and catch a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Four different wide receivers caught passes, while tight end Ben Watson proved again to be the cornerstone of the Patriot passing attack. He was targeted in every quarter and caught an eight yard TD.

Three starters are missing from the New England secondary, and WR Troy Brown once again stepped in to help the team on defense. Even when Packers’ receivers got open, however, neither Favre nor Rodgers was able to deliver an accurate pass.

In the second quarter, Mike Vrabel the linebacker, who sometimes plays tight end near the goal line, made a spectacular catch in the back of the end zone but was unable to get both feet down. Dillon punched the ball in on the next play.

Green Bay Packers

Brett Favre started his 231st consecutive game at quarterback, but did not play like a three time league MVP. Some receivers were running wide open but his passes either sailed high or fell short. Favre was only five of 15 for 73 yards when Tully Banta-Cain and Tedy Bruschi combined to sack him with 1:41 left in the first half. He left the field holding his right wrist, but it was later revealed that he had suffered an elbow injury. The injury may not be severe enough to keep him out of the lineup next week, but he did not return to this game.

With the Patriots up 21 to 0, second year quarterback Aaron Rodgers replaced Favre with Green Bay all but abandoning the running game. The Patriots concentrated on rushing Rodgers, who was able to pick up 11 yards while running for his life. He ended the day with four completions out of 12 attempts for 32 yards.

Donald Driver only caught two passes for 42 yards, while sensational rookie Greg Jennings caught just one ball, despite being targeted ten times.

This was the second time this season that Green Bay was shut out at Lambeau Field, an ignominious accomplishment that had never happened in franchise history.

Dave Rayner’s 44 yard field goal attempt in the first quarter sailed wide right, while Jon Ryan punted ten times for a respectable 45.9 yard average.

What you ought to know

QB Tom Brady, Pass: 20 - 31 - 244 - 4 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 6 - 0

Brady completed 20 of 31 for 244 yards and four touchdowns while hitting eight different receivers. His 54 yard touchdown pass to Reche Caldwell in the second quarter was the longest Patriot pass play of the season.

QB Vinny Testaverde, Rush: 3 - -3 - 0

With 2:00 left in the game, newly signed Testaverde was given mop up duty and took a knee on three consecutive plays to run out the clock.

QB Matt Cassel

With 6:02 left in the game and leading 35 – 0, Cassel replaced Brady, handed the ball off to Dillon twice and took a sack on third down.

RB Laurence Maroney, Rush: 19 - 82 - 0, Rec: 4 - 34 - 1 (6 targets)

With Dillon banged up and the Patriots enjoying a comfortable lead, Maroney received most of the work. He responded with 116 total yards including a 19 yard TD pass in the fourth quarter.

RB Corey Dillon, Rush: 12 - 31 - 1

Dillon appeared to be injured after he scored New England’s second touchdown on a one yard plunge in the second quarter. He came back later in the game but in a reduced role.

RB Kevin Faulk, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (2 targets)

The Patriots’ third down back caught one pass and carried the ball once for two yards. He also averaged 7.9 yards on seven punt returns.

RB Heath Evans, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0

Evans carried the ball once in the second quarter for a four yard gain.

WR Troy Brown, Rec: 4 - 26 - 0 (4 targets)

Versatile Troy Brown caught four passes for 26 yards and also played defensive back. The Patriots are missing three starters in the secondary.

WR Reche Caldwell, Rec: 3 - 70 - 1 (6 targets)

Caldwell caught a 54 yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, which is the longest completion of the season for New England. He reestablished himself as a reliable receiver after his costly fumble in the Jets’ game.

WR Chad Jackson, Rec: 1 - 21 - 0 (1 targets)

The rookie from Florida caught a 21 yard pass in the third quarter.

WR Jabar Gaffney, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (4 targets)

Gaffney could only manage to catch one pass for four yards.

TE Ben Watson, Rec: 5 - 74 - 1 (6 targets)

Watson was targeted in all four quarters, and made an eight yard TD catch in the third. He seems to be Brady’s most consistent receiver.

TE Daniel Graham, Rec: 1 - 2 - 1 (2 targets)

Graham made the most of his opportunities, catching a two yard pass for New England’s first touchdown.

PK Stephen Gostkowski 0 - 0 FG, 5 - 5 XP, 5 points

The rookie kicker from Memphis was perfect on all five extra points.

NE Rush Defense

The Patriots held Ahman Green to 26 yards on 13 carries. The Packers only averaged 2.6 yards per carry with 43 net yards rushing.

NE Pass Defense

Despite missing three starters in the secondary, New England only allowed 77 net passing yards. Packer QBs were sacked four times for 28 yards, while Bruschi and Banta-Cain shared the sack on Favre which knocked him out of the game.

QB Brett Favre, Pass: 5 - 15 - 73 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0

This is one game the three time league MVP would like to forget. He never generated enough offense to seriously challenge New England, and when he was knocked out of the game late in the second quarter the Packers were trailing 21 – 0.

QB Aaron Rodgers, Pass: 4 - 12 - 32 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - 11 - 0

The second year signal caller from California replaced the injured Brett Favre but couldn’t get the offense going. The Patriots concentrated on pressuring Rodgers, who was still able to scramble for 11 yards. He ended the day with just four completions out of 12 attempts for 32 yards.

RB Ahman Green, Rush: 13 - 28 - 0, Rec: 1 - 0 - 0 (2 targets)

Green Bay’s leading rusher finished the game with 28 yards on 13 attempts. With the Packers trailing the entire game, the rushing attack was all but forgotten.

RB Vernand Morency, Rush: 1 - 5 - 0, Rec: 2 - 9 - 0 (2 targets)

He had one carry for five yards and two receptions for nine. Morency also averaged 21.8 yards on four kickoff returns.

RB William Henderson, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets)

The tough fullback caught one pass in the second quarter for six yards.

RB Noah Herron (1 targets)

Herron was a non factor on offense, but returned two kickoffs for an average of 14.5.

WR Donald Driver, Rec: 2 - 42 - 0 (4 targets)

This game turned out to be quiet, with Driver only able to catch two passes for 42 yards.

WR Greg Jennings, Rec: 1 - 26 - 0 (10 targets)

The sensational rookie received plenty of looks, but only caught one pass for 26 yards. He seemed able to get open easy enough, but Favre and Rodgers couldn’t get the ball to him.

TE Bubba Franks, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (3 targets)

The veteran was only targeted in the second half and only caught one pass.

TE Donald Lee, Rec: 1 - 16 - 0 (1 targets)

Lee caught the only pass thrown to him for 16 yards in the third quarter.

TE David Martin (3 targets)

Martin was unable to register a reception.

PK Dave Rayner 0 - 1 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 0 points

Rayner’s only FG attempt sailed wide from 44 yards out.

GB Rush Defense

The Patriots gained 122 yards on the ground as they were able to get a big lead and then run the clock.

GB Pass Defense

Brady torched the Packers for four touchdowns and 235 yards. Green Bay was unable to sack him, and he would have passed for more yardage if New England didn’t have such a big lead.