Remembering Clay Matthews First Dominant Game with the Packers

Clay Matthews became a star player for the Green Bay Packers in the 2010s and was a major contributor to the team’s Super Bowl season in 2010. The Packers traded up to select the former USC star with the 26^th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. In his career, Matthews earned six trips to the Pro Bowl and was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009. He became a fan favorite for his big play ability, his long hair and his outgoing personality. He has already been inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame. Today, we recall the first dominant game in Clay Matthews’ career with the Packers. This game helped solidify Matthews as a starter and as a player who could have a big impact on games.

Remembering Clay Matthews First Dominant Game with the Packers: The Buildup

The Packers started the season with a 2-2 record, alternating wins and losses. They had a bye the week before facing the Lions and needed to win this game to remain above .500 and stay competitive in the playoff race.

The Lions entered the game with a 1-4 mark. The struggling team had dropped its last two games and looked like they were facing another season as an also ran.

Meanwhile, Matthews started for the first time in his career the previous week. He was slated to start this game in place of veteran Brady Poppinga.

A crowd of more than 70,000 packed Lambeau Field to see this NFC North division showdown.

A Very Fast Start

The Packers appeared to take the lead on the opening kickoff. Jordy Nelson returned the kick 99 yards for an apparent touchdown, but a holding penalty erased the score.

Undaunted, Aaron Rodgers quickly led the Packers downfield. On a key 3^rd-and-7 play, he found Greg Jennings for 26 yards and a first down. Two plays later, Rodgers connected with James Jones deep down the right side for a 47-yard touchdown pass. The Packers quickly led 7-0.

Now, it was the defense’s turn. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers installed what he described as “pressure calls” which featured Matthews blitzing off the edge.

“We wanted to set an aggressive tone right from the start,” Capers said after the game.

The scheme worked to perfection. On first down, Matthews and defensive tackle Johnny Jolly stopped Lions running back Kevin Smith for a one-yard loss. On the next play, Matthews got behind the line and stopped Smith for a four-yard loss.

On 3^rd-and-15, the Packers pressured Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper and defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins intercepted the pass. It was the veteran’s first career pick. The Packers took over at the Lions 17. Six plays later, Rodgers found fullback John Kuhn for a one-yard touchdown toss. The Packers led 14-0 midway through the first quarter.

Remembering Clay Matthews First Dominant Game with the Packers: Continued Dominance

On the next drive, Matthews recorded his first sack of the game. He nailed Culpepper for a nine-yard loss on first down, forcing a punt two plays later.

The next time the Lions got the ball, they drove to the Green Bay 21. On 4^th and 1, Matthews and B.J. Raji combined to stuff Smith for a one-yard loss. The Packers got the ball back.

The next time Detroit had the ball, Matthews broke up a pass intended for Brandon Pettigrew that fell incomplete. He was all over the field, stopping the run, pressuring the passer and breaking up passes.

The Packers scored on their ensuing drive. Rodgers found Jennings twice, once for 17 yards and once for nine more. That set up a 46-yard field goal by Mason Crosby to give the Packers a 17-0 advantage.

More Matthews Mayhem

Matthews sacked Culpepper again the next time the Lions got the ball. The Packers got the ball back and it led to a 28-yard field goal by Crosby.

Then the Lions were stopped on a 4^th-and-3 at their on 45 when Spencer Havner stuffed Aaron Brown for a loss. The Packers got the ball back and Rodgers went to work. He hit tight end Jermichael Finley for five yards on first down and then 30 more on the next play.

With nine seconds left in the half, Crosby kicked a 31-yard field goal and the Packers led 23-0.

The only scoring in the second half was set up by three catches by Donald Driver including plays of 18 and 27 yards. Crosby’s fourth field goal of the game extended the lead to 26-0.

The Packers defense was dominant. They shut out the Lions and held them to 149 total yards and just 10 first downs. Detroit was 0-for-10 on third down conversions. The Pack recorded five sacks and intercepted Culpepper three times, with Al Harris and Atari Bigby joining Jenkins. The Packers held the ball for 40:48 compared to just 19:12 for Detroit.

Remembering Clay Matthews First Dominant Game with the Packers: The Aftermath

Matthews was excited with his performance and the team’s. “I’m always trying to make a big play within the framework of the defense,” he said. “Fortunately, I was able to do that, make a few stops and get them in third-and-longs in which we were able to get after them. So, yeah, it’s big. But we also had a bunch of other guys getting interceptions, pressures, sacks, so it was great all around.”

“He’s talented,” head coach Mike McCarthy added. “I thought Clay took full advantage of his opportunity to start in both the base and the nickel. He’s been coming on strong. He definitely performed.”

“He played great,” said Jenkins. “He came in there and he made plays all over the field.”

The Packers finished the season with an 11-5 record and earned a Wild Card berth. Matthews recorded 10 sacks and recovered three fumbles, returning one for a touchdown. He also made 17 tackles for loss and recorded 21 quarterback hits. It was the first dominant performance of an outstanding career for Matthews.