What it means: The Packers haven't just been unbeatable
at home; they've been unstoppable. For the first time in franchise
history, they put up 50 points in consecutive games. In their past four
first halves at Lambeau Field, they have outscored their opponents
128-9.
When they jumped out to a 30-6 halftime lead over the Eagles,
they became the first team in NFL history to score 28 or more points in
the first half of four straight home games. They have scored at least 30
points in each of the past six home games, which set a franchise
record. At 7-3, they pulled into a tie with the Detroit Lions atop the NFC North after the Lions' loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
However, the Lions currently have the tiebreaker over the Packers
because of their head-to-head victory at Ford Field in Week 3.
Stock watch: In last week's 55-14 win over the Bears, safety Micah Hyde made one of the game's momentum-changing plays on defense when he picked off Jay Cutler
in the first quarter. Against the Eagles, he made another early-game
impact when he returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown in the first
quarter to give the Packers a 17-0 lead. It was Hyde's first punt return
for a touchdown this season and the second of his career.
More from Matthews: A week after he debuted at inside linebacker in certain defensive packages, Clay Matthews
added another position to his list. On several plays, he actually lined
up on the line of scrimmage but outside of the outside linebacker. He
batted down a pass from that spot in the third quarter. He started the
game at inside linebacker next to A.J. Hawk,
just like he did last week, and played the majority of his snaps there.
He also played some snaps at his old spot, right outside linebacker. He
was credited with five tackles, a sack and a pass breakup.
Game ball: It's about time defensive coordinator
Dom Capers started getting some credit for what the Packers have done on
defense. From the decision to move Matthews to the improved run defense
to his timely blitz calls, Capers has made all the right moves the past
two weeks. The result was some timely sacks by Letroy Guion, Mike Neal and Matthews, plus another interception return for a touchdown by Julius Peppers.
What's next: The Packers go back on the road and get back to NFC North action Sunday at the Minnesota Vikings.
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