Packers’ Woodson has near-flawless Thanks-giving
Published 8:10 am Friday, November 27, 2009
Charles Woodson had a day most people could only dream of enjoying.
He returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown, recovered a fumble he forced and had a sack to help the Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions 34-12 on Thursday.
Shortly before kickoff, the University of Michigan announced the former Wolverine has donated $2 million to its Mott Children’s Hospital.
“It was a good day,” Woodson said.
“But,” he added. “I gave up a touchdown so that puts a little cloud over it.”
Woodson did allow Calvin Johnson to catch a 1-yard touchdown when Matthew Stafford threw a perfect pass to his receiver’s outside shoulder, then seemed flawless.
“He had an incredible day,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said after improving to 8-0 against Detroit. “I don’t know who’s playing better football than Charles Woodson in the National Football League.”
The 1997 Heisman Trophy winner certainly is not showing signs of slowing down.
Oakland drafted him No. 4 overall in 1998 and he made only one interception in each of his last two seasons with the Raiders before joining the Packers three years ago.
He has picked off 26 passes in a Green Bay uniform and scored an NFL-high six TDs off interceptions.
In a victory over Dallas this season, Woodson became the first player in two years to force two fumbles, make an interception and a sack in a game. His seven interceptions rank among league leaders and he trails only Nick Barnett on the team in tackles.
Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers compares Woodson with two of his former players, Rod Woodson and Jason Taylor, who won the NFL defensive player of the year award.
“He falls right into that group,” Capers said.
Woodson, though, is only interested in helping the Packers (7-4) keep the momentum they’ve created with three straight victories.
“We need to keep stacking wins,” he said.
The Lions (2-9) were hoping to simply win two straight games for the first time in more than two years.
“Obviously it’s tough,” Matthew Stafford said.
The No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, playing with a sore non-throwing shoulder, threw four interceptions after his TD to Johnson gave Detroit a 7-0 lead.