Who needs training camp? Green Bay Packers’ outside linebacker Clay
Clay Matthews
Matthews missed almost a month with a hamstring injury. Then he stepped on the field in the season opener and led the Packers to a 27-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener.
It’s the first Packers’ win at Philadelphia since 1962, ending a 9-game road losing streak against the Eagles.
It was Matthews that knocked Eagles QB Kevin Kolb out of the game in the first half with a concussion and it was Matthews that stopped Michael Vick on 4th and 1 in the final minutes, ending the Eagles comeback threat.
AUDIO: Clay Matthews on stopping Michael Vick on 4th & 1 :17
Matthews finished with a team high 7 tackles, 2 quarterback sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defensed. Stopping Vick may have won the game for the Packers. The defense had little left in the tank and if the Eagles had converted 4th and 1, the game may have been decided in overtime.
Offensively, Aaron Rodgers didn’t have his best day, completing 19 of 31 for 188 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
The Packers see a marked improvement on special teams. The coverage units did a great job on Sunday. Mason Crosby booted field goals of 49 and 56 yards and Jordy Nelson averaged over 31-yards on four kickoff returns, giving the Packers good field position several times in the second half.
And after leading the NFL in penalties a year ago, the Packers committed just two of them yesterday.
Next up for the Packers is their home opener against Buffalo this Sunday at Lambeau Field (12:00).