Packers' opening day win is extra 'special'

By David Walter Sep 11, 2007, 19:50 GMT

- Solid special teams play is something of a lost art in the National Football League these days. It is the forgotten middle child, with siblings offense and defense getting all the hoopla and attention.

For the Green Bay Packers though, a surprise season-opening win over the Philadelphia Eagles this past Sunday came down to one thing; strong special teams play.

Rookie Mason Crosby hit a 42-yard field goal with just two seconds remaining as the Packers capitalized on a pair of Philadelphia special teams blunders to claim a 16-13 win at Lambeau Field.

'I'm very happy with the special teams and what a great start for a rookie kicker,' said head coach Mike McCarthy in his postgame press conference. 'I can't be more happy for Mason and our special teams units. It's nice to see particularly the younger guys that played here last year really step up. We talked about being vastly improved in that area and today was the first step in that.'

In a game where Green Bay had trouble generating much offense and didn't score an offensive touchdown, it was the special teams that saved the day.

With time winding down in the game, the Eagles forced the Packers to punt. Philly's J.R. Reed raced upfield to try and haul in a short kick, but the ball glanced off his body and to the turf. Jarrett Bush recovered, giving Green Bay possession at the Eagles' 31 with just over a minute to play, setting up Crosby's heroics.

In the early stages of the contest, Bush and the Packers special teams unit came up big as Philadelphia punt returner Greg Lewis was hit by Bush just as he tried to haul in a punt, jarring the ball loose. A wild scramble ensued and the ball caromed all the way into the end zone. When the scrum cleared, Tracy White had possession for a Green Bay touchdown.

'We had to make a big statement,' said Bush. 'We weren't ranked very high in special teams last year, so we made it a point all offseason to work on special teams. They had our tongues hanging out working on special teams. Now we proved it on the field, and we have to prove it day in and day out.'

SPOTLIGHT ON FAVRE

With this season once again possibly being Brett Favre's swan song in the NFL (although it is quite possible he plays forever), the 17-year veteran was rather unimpressive in the season opener, but did just enough to keep his club in the game.

He went 23-of-42 for 206 yards with an interception and with the victory achieved a milestone, moving out of a second-place tie with Dan Marino on the all-time quarterback wins list and into a first-place tie with the legendary John Elway at 148 victories.

'I think ultimately you're judged by wins and losses, but I've always said this -- I think that is an unfair stat to the rest of my team,' Favre said after the game. 'How can a quarterback who is one of 53 be labeled with wins and losses and not the center or the safety or whatever? But that's the way it is, and I'm glad there's a lot more wins than there is losses.'

CROSBY GETS HIS KICKS IN FIRST NFL GAME

If booting the game-winning field goal wasn't enough for Crosby, who beat out the incumbent Dave Rayner for the kicking job with a solid training camp, he accomplished a few other feats Sunday.

The rookie out of Colorado, who was a perfect 3-for-3 with a PAT, booted a 53- yard field goal on his first NFL attempt, long enough for second all-time in team history.

He also became the first rookie kicker in club history to kick a game-winning field goal since Chris Jacke on December 3, 1989, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the first rookie in the entire NFL to kick a game-winning field goal on opening day since Matt Bahr did it in overtime for the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 3, 1979.

'I visualized this whole week just having a good game and making kicks,' Crosby said. 'But the thing I'm most happy about is how this team fought through everything. We got a chance to win it and I was very happy I could perform and make the kick to finish it off for everybody.'

FANTASY FOCUS

Not many players on the Packers offense constitute a must-play each and every week, but wide receiver Donald Driver comes closest.

The veteran didn't find the end zone Sunday against a solid Philadelphia secondary, but he did lead Green Bay with six catches for 66 yards.

With not many other options on offense for Favre, Driver should see his fair share of balls thrown his way this season. Whether he finds the end zone or not is another story. At this stage, it would probably be best to use Driver as a spot starter each week and play the matchups with him. Without much help lining up on the opposite side of the field, Driver will be main player defenses target when the Pack has the ball.

With running back Vernand Morency inactive due to injury, Green Bay was left to start rookie Brandon Jackson in the backfield. The former Nebraska product ended with 40 yards on 15 carries against a so-so front seven for the Eagles.

It is probably your best bet to stay away from Morency and Jackson in your fantasy lineups for the time being. Even when Morency gets into game action, the team will likely have both players split carries, and neither is an attractive play.

A dark horse fantasy player to keep your eyes on this season will be Crosby. The kid looks calm and collected and has a big time leg. With Green Bay's offense most likely struggling in the red zone, Crosby could get his share of field goal opportunities. It is too early to have him on your roster as your full-time kicker, but he is probably worth keeping tabs on this season.

UP NEXT

The Pack travels to New York for their first road game of the season against the Giants, who suffered an opening game loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

The G-Men come into the game pretty banged up as quarterback Eli Manning will likely not play due to a suffering a contusion to the AC joint in his right shoulder. Running back Brandon Jacobs (sprained MCL in his right knee) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (irritated lateral meniscus in his left knee) are also likely out.

If the Giants are without Manning and Jacobs on offense, Green Bay's much- improved defense could keep the Giants off the board, leaving it up to Favre and the offense to put some points up.

Green Bay, which last played the Giants in 2004 and lost, will look to start the year 2-0 for the first time since the 2001 campaign.

© 2007 The Sports Network