Green Bay Packers regret mistakes resulting in early playoffs exit - NFL News Update
The Green Bay Packers' hopes of reaching a second consecutive Super Bowl were shattered when the almost invincible Packers failed to perform against a determined New York Giants' side, and ended up losing 37-20, at the Lambeau Field of all places.
Packers' exit in the first game of the playoff was a hard blow for its players to swallow and the self criticism is in full swing as the players analyse the reasons for their ignominious exit from the race to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.
Team coach, Mike McCarthy lamented his team’s abnormal number of turnovers during the game, something that was rarely witnessed during Packers' 15-1 regular season.
"Frankly, the turnover ratio is something we take a lot of pride, something we spend a lot of time on", said McCarthy. "Turnover ratio is something we don't lose very often. We did not play to our identity".
The Packers were woeful in defence but that was not surprising as their defence ranks the lowest in the National Football League (NFL).
The surprising thing witnessed on Sunday was the fact that the best ranked Packers' offence failed to function.
Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers was sacked multiple times and even threw a rare interception. The Packers' offence also turned the ball over with regularity and the high number of dropped catches sealed Packers' fate as they were outplayed and outrun throughout.
Defensive End, Ryan Pickett was distraught at the defeat and believed that whatever the Packers achieved in the regular season is nothing and it was a failed season for the franchise.
"It's a failed season", said Pickett. "The reason we played was the Super Bowl".
Packers' CEO and President, Mark Murphy also expressed his disappointment with the early exit, but believed that Packers have what it takes to return even better next year.
"Obviously, very disappointing", Packers’ president, Mark Murphy, said. "It's the reality of the NFL. The difference between winning and losing isn't much. You learn from things like this. The future is very bright".
The Green Bay Packers were unbeaten for most of the 2011 regular season until week 15 of the National Football League (NFL) when they were beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs, but Packers were dominant in their final two games, securing home advantage and a
first week bye for the playoffs.
The Giants qualified with a 9-8 regular season record for the wildcard round, but picked up form at just the right time, defeating Atlanta Falcons, 24-2, to face the Packers at Lambeau Field.
The Packers were favourites but the Giants seemed hungrier and with their defence forcing Packers to make multiple errors, they picked up a well-deserved win.
The Giants will now travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers for the National Football Conference (NFC) championship, while the Packers will be free to ponder over their fate.
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