TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Packers Rout Raiders, Clinch NFC North Title

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRIS JENKINS, The Associated Press

Published: December 10, 2007

Updated: 12/09/2007 10:55 pm

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers are going back to the playoffs.

And maybe they're bringing a running game with them.

Green Bay didn't need Brett Favre to throw the ball all over the field to clinch the NFC North on Sunday, relying on the rushing of Ryan Grant and a pair of special teams touchdowns from Will Blackmon in a 38-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

The Packers (11-2) assured an end to their two-year absence from the postseason with three games left.

"I don't know if too many people gave us a shot to be at this position," Favre said. "It says a lot about this team. I'm feeling good about my decision to come back, obviously."

Grant's hard running and sharp cutbacks came in handy on a day when Favre's aching right elbow and left shoulder hindered the Packers' passing game. Favre left last week's loss at Dallas because of the injuries and was limited in practice this week, but still made his 250th straight start.

Grant, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Giants just before the season and took over as the starter last month, rushed for a career-high 156 yards and a touchdown. It was his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season.

"I can't say enough about Ryan Grant," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I think he's really coming into his own."

Just at the right time - as the weather turns colder in Green Bay.
Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said the chilly 18-degree conditions didn't affect his team. The Raiders (4-9) trailed only 14-7 at halftime despite struggling on offense, only to unravel in the second half.

"I don't think the cold didn't tackle today," Kiffin said. "I don't think the cold threw incompletions today. I don't think the cold had nine penalties. We did."
Raiders quarterback Josh McCown, starting in place of the injured Daunte Culpepper, was 7-for-15 for 110 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions before he was replaced by Andrew Walter early in the fourth quarter.

The Packers scored on their first two possessions of the second half, as Mason Crosby hit a 44-yard field goal and Favre heaved a deep pass to Greg Jennings that went for an 80-yard touchdown to put Green Bay ahead 24-7.

The Packers finally punted late in the third quarter - and even managed to score on that.

Tim Dwight fielded the ball inside the 10-yard line and lost it after he was wrapped up by Green Bay's Jason Hunter. The ball bounced into the end zone, where Blackmon pounced on it.

0

7

0

0

-

7

Green Bay

0

14

17

7

-

38

Second Quarter

GB-Grant 6 run (Crosby kick), 8:51.

GB-Blackmon 57 punt return (Crosby kick), 5:44.

Oak-Porter 25 pass from McCown (Janikowski kick), :26.

Third Quarter

GB-FG Crosby 44, 10:46.

GB-Jennings 80 pass from Favre (Crosby kick), 9:11.

GB-Blackmon fumble recovery in end zone (Crosby kick), 4:50.

Fourth Quarter

GB-Lee 46 pass from Favre (Crosby kick), 4:00.

A-70,828

RUSHING-Oakland, Fargas 15-57, Jordan 11-21, McCown 1-6, Curry 1-1. Green Bay, Grant 29-156, Morency 7-23.

PASSING-Oakland, McCown 7-15-2-110, Walter 5-8-0-38. Green Bay, Favre 15-23-1-266.

RECEIVING-Oakland, Jordan 4-17, Curry 2-48, Porter 2-45, Dwight 1-22, Miller 1-8, Higgins 1-5, Griffith 1-3. Green Bay, Lee 4-71, Driver 3-38, Morency 3-14, Jennings 2-100, Grant 2-6, Robinson 1-37.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-Oakland, Janikowski 44 (WR). G.B., Crosby 43 (WL), 52 (WL).

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT