Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers: Stock up, stock down entering Week 15

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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In what can easily be labeled as their greatest win of the season, the Packers cleared arguably the most daunting hurdle in their quest of running the table to win the NFC North with a commanding 38-10 victory over the powerhouse Seattle Seahawks that puts Green Bay over the .500 mark for the first time since early November.

The Aaron Rodgers-led attack took it to its conference rivals by scoring its first touchdown within the first minute and a half of the contest, but the real story of this lopsided thrashing was the huge turnover disparity (6-0) in favor of the home team.

Much like the tale of Sisyphus, who was condemned to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain only to see it trundle down again and start over, the Seahawks kept ramming themselves into the same guardrail with their multiple attempts to get back on even ground thwarted by five Russell Wilson interceptions and an Alex Collins fumble.

An opportunistic Green Bay defense couldn’t help but capitalize on a number of missed throws and fortuitous bounces that came their way.

The bewildered Seahawks kept setting up the opposing offense with short fields to seal the game shut in a one-sided battle that offered zero drama in the way of ever leaving any doubt about which team would be adding an extra “W” to the victory column.

While the absence of Seahawks’ free safety Earl Thomas was a major factor that allowed Rodgers to slice and dice the opposing secondary like a Hibachi chef at the local sushi bar, much credit is due to Green Bay’s offensive line, which not only paved sizable holes in the ground attack, but also provided their quarterback with enough time to go through his progressions and only get sacked once all afternoon.

But perhaps the most noteworthy development of the Packers’ dominant performance is the fabulous job Mike McCarthy has done in maintaining a sense of hope and enthusiasm among his players over the past three weeks in an attempt to dig them out of a dark hole they had been residing in during their four-game losing streak.

The Pittsburgh-born veteran head coach and play caller has settled on an effective running-back rotation in recent games by featuring hybrid weapon Ty Montgomery in the backfield, which is forcing defenses to often line up in nickel formations.

As a result, the ground attack has been revived thanks also in part to the recent free-agent acquisition of Christine Michael, who may not be fully versed in executing every play at the moment, but provides a formidable cocktail of size, quickness and straight-line speed that James Starks couldn’t offer when he was afforded the lion’s share of carries.

This is one of the rare weeks where there is a lot of love to go around in out weekly player rundown, better known as the Stock-Up, Stock-Down Report.

You may, in fact, notice a paucity of critical observations, as most team members diligently carried out their assignments without any major flaws.

The mission to take over the division doesn’t end here, but a quick inventory check can help give us a full grasp of the players that can be counted on during the final stretch of the season and which ones are fading fast into the shadows.

Let’s dig in.

Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) passes the ball in the first quarter during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up

Aaron Rodgers: His 66-yard touchdown strike to Davante Adams was a sign of great things to come, as a hobbled No. 12 did most of his damage from the pocket by throwing accurate darts all afternoon.

A strong running game and terrific pass protection allowed Rodgers the freedom to scan his progressions and avoid firing low-percentage throws into coverage on an afternoon in which he completed 18 of 23 pass attempts for 246 yards and three touchdowns.

The 33-year-old State-Farm pitchman worked his magic on a four-play, 26-yard drive in the first quarter highlighted by a well-executed 15-yard strike to Jared Cook in which Rodgers threaded the needle with his tight end sandwiched between DeShawn Shead and Bobby Wagner.

The 12th-year signal caller was flawless on the following five-play, 48-yard scoring drive that saw him find Jordy Nelson and Montgomery on three short, quick completions totaling 22 yards before going back to Nelson again on a 9-yard hook-up that put Green Bay ahead 21-3..

Rodgers was very composed on the touchdown pass and identified Nelson’s mismatch against a Seahawks’ linebacker (K.J. Wright) before delivering the throw.

Ty Montgomery: The second-year man’s transition to running back is officially complete, as McCarthy recently revealed that Montgomery hasn’t attended a wide-receiver’s position meeting “in months.”

Seattle’s Top-5 defensive unit was no match for the 216-pound ball carrier, who ran with power and a steely determination in gaining 41 yards on nine carries.

While Montgomery undoubtedly benefited from superior blocking, he also made yards on his own, as seen on his one-yard touchdown run to put the Packers up 14-3 in the second quarter.

During the play, Montgomery willed his way into the end zone despite the fact that his lead blocker (T.J. Lang) was knocked into the backfield.

On a 1st-and-10 carry at the 5:45 mark of the third quarter, the Stanford product used his quick feet and vision to cut back and glide through the open lane for six yards.

In addition, Montgomery did damage in the passing attack by securing three of his four targets for 45 yards.

No. 88 has become a certified stud that the Packers will be leaning on in these next three crucial games on the docket.

Christine Michael: The well-traveled journeyman is trying to make a home in Titletown and acquitted himself quite well in a revenge game versus his former team by generally following his blocks and running with a purpose.

Michael saw a lot of action late with the Packers trying to bleed the clock and showcased his considerable physical tools on a fourth-quarter nine-yard gain on 1st and10 in which the Texas-born back used his burst and agility to elude oncoming tacklers.

His one blemish took place on a 3rd-and-3 play late in the first quarter where Michael went the wrong way during a poorly-executed sequence that forced Rodgers to eat the ball instead of handing it off to his halfback.

All in all, Michael’s fresh legs and 221-pound frame helped the offense rack up some tough yards in traffic.

The fourth-year veteran is taking positive steps toward becoming an integral part of the team.

Davante Adams: Perhaps a bit peeved by last week’s uninspiring performance versus Houston, Adams couldn’t be stopped by Seattle’s vaunted secondary and caught four of his six targets for 104 yards, including the previously-referenced 66-yard touchdown.

On the connection, the 24-year-old worked his way open by executing an out-and-up pattern that spun around Jeremy Lane and left him trailing Adams, who caught the perfectly-thrown ball in stride on his way to paydirt.

Lane wasn’t the only one having trouble keeping up with No. 17. Adams used his quick-twitch suddenness and superb route running to gain separation on (DeShawn) Shead as well.

The breakout pass catcher also made his presence felt on underneath crossing patterns and hitch routes, but could have had an even bigger day in a more competitive contest with the way he was beating defenders off the line.

David Bakhtiari: Green Bay’s stalwart left tackle must have been smarting from his struggles against Whitney Mercilus last week and put together one of his greatest performances in his career considering the opponent at hand.

Bakh was a key factor in keeping Seattle sackless until the last play of the third quarter, as the 310-pound blocker displayed superb footwork and lateral agility in staying in front of his opponents in a very adroit and almost effortless manner.

He was a true dancing bear with how he countered Cliff Avril’s spin moves in the second half and also held his ground against Michael Bennett’s bull rush.

There’s a reason why Rodgers referred to Bakhtiari as his “rock” after the game. The nimble bookend typically does a tremendous job of fighting off the other team’s best edge rushers.

To date, the Packers offensive line has allowed the third-fewest quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), even while being involved in the third-most passing plays.

Mike Daniels: The New Jersey native was active and did his part in fighting off blocks and gaining penetration in an effort that saw him post five tackles on the day.

Runs coming toward Daniels typically went for minimal gains given how difficult it is to move his box-like frame once he digs in and starts pumping his massive lower body.

Datone Jones: On a day when the defense had to make do without the services of their most productive pass rusher (Nick Perry) Jones checked in with an encouraging effort by using his speed and agility to make it a long afternoon for left tackle Bradley Sowell.

Green Bay’s 2013 first-round pick exploded off the snap on 1st and 10 with about four minutes remaining in the third quarter and pushed Sowell all the way into the pocket before forcing Wilson to fumble the ball, which the quarterback managed to recover.

Once the Seahawks became one-dimensional, Jones proceeded to pin his ears back and make a beeline around the edge against an opponent that lacked the quickness to turn with him.

Along with posting two tackles and a sack, the one-time UCLA Bruin tormented Wilson with five quarterback hits. Truly remarkable.

Jayrone Elliott: In the absence of Perry and Clay Matthews—who’s there, but really isn’t—Elliott was one of the young, seldom-used defenders that the Packers desperately needed production from.

Their prayers were answered by the former undrafted free agent that was too fast and too furious for the stationary George Fant in the fourth quarter by getting the outside shoulder of the Seahawks’ right tackle and penetrating the pocket untouched on a play that resulted in a Wilson sack that cost the offense eight yards.

The pride of Cleveland, OH also contributed with 1.5 tackles for a loss (TFLs) and a quarterback hit. His ability to seep through Seattle’s offensive line on the visiting team’s first drive on a 3rd- and-1 run play resulted in a one-yard loss that forced Pete Carroll to send in the field-goal unit.

Elliott’s combination of acceleration and length (see 82-inch wingspan) to keep blockers’ hands off his chest make him a player that can add a much-needed shot of adrenaline to a battered outside linebacker corps.

Morgan Burnett: The jack-of-all-trades defender has been a model of consistency in recent weeks. But versus Seattle, Burnett was assigned with the all-important task of covering Jimmy Graham, who he held to one catch for 16 yards.

The defensive leader was able to gain great positioning on the all-world tight end and anticipate Wilson’s throw on what would be the first of five interceptions thrown by the Seattle field general.

As usual, Burnett was a factor in run support as well by infiltrating the trenches and stopping Thomas Rawls for a two-yard advance on 1st and 10 in the third quarter. In total, the strong safety registered eight tackles and currently leads the team with 77 tackles on the season.

Damarious Randall: It’s been a while since Randall has been on the “Stock-Up” side of the ledger, but the young coverman did in grand fashion by coming up with two interceptions that went a long way towards Seattle never having a chance in this one-sided battle.

His first came with a little over 30 seconds remaining in the first half on a deep throw over middle intended for Doug Baldwin.

Randall put on a sudden burst of speed while tracking the ball and picking it off on a pass that was on the verge of dropping into the receiver’s mitts for a touchdown.

The cornerback’s athletic feat reminded every Packers’ supporter why this man was taken in the first round. We still need to find out if he was worthy of that type of investment, but at least we’re beginning to understand what Ted Thompson was thinking when he made the move.

Randall’s second interception came about on a comical pass that bounced off the front of Baldwin’s helmet and landed in the arms of the former college safety, who actually lost his footing on the play and quickly got back on his feet as the ball was coming in his direction.

It was a fortuitous sequence of events that led to the turnover, but Randall should be credited with the focus he exhibited in securing the football.

No. 23 was far from perfect in this game, as evidenced by the way the shifty Baldwin separated from him on multiple occasions. But this outing was absolutely a step in the right direction for the struggling athlete.

Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) rushes with the football during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down

James Starks: The longtime change-of-pace running back has been reduced to bit-player status in Green Bay’s backfield considering that even fullback Aaron Ripkowski had more touches than the two carries Starks handled for a whopping three yards.

There’s no sugarcoating the fact that Montgomery and Michael are the quicker and more explosive options that give the offense far more big-play potential than the 30-year-old ball carrier that can still be effective in spots, but has lost at least a half step in his initial burst and overall ability to bounce runs to the perimeter.

But while most fans have all but written him off, I still contend that we haven’t heard the last from Starks, who will prove useful at some point thanks to his versatility and overall knowledge of the offense.

Letroy Guion: Being too harsh on the run defense may come off as nitpicking, but someone has to be blamed for Rawls averaging 5.6 yards per carry, including runs of 10 and 15 yards.

On Rawls’ 10-yard surge early in the third quarter, Guion was totally knocked back by the offensive line, as his tendency to come off the ball a little too high in his stance continues to haunt him at times.

Joe Thomas: The inside linebacker lit up the stat sheet with 10 tackles, but yet remains a liability in pass coverage even when he’s defending 31-year-old fullbacks.

The 250-pound Marcel Reece burned him twice on two grabs that went for 38 yards and Wilson would have probably continued exploiting this mismatch if he weren’t so busy trying to throw it downfield in his ill-fated attempt to catch up to the Packers.

Clay Matthews: In all fairness, Matthews was more visible than he’s been in recent games, but his best plays took place on all-out blitzes and not an individual rushes.

He’s physically a shell of his former self at this point and we probably won’t see the “Claymaker” wreak havoc on opposing teams until he gets himself all healed up with a full offseason of recovery.

But feel free to enjoy his commercials. His Verizon ad is a real hoot.