Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Packers extend lead, lose Benson and Raji, gripe about bad call

Green Bay Packers v Indianapolis Colts

INDIANAOPLIS, IN - OCTOBER 7: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts looses the ball as he is hit by Nick Perry #53 of the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 7, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The Cheeseheads are taking over Lucas Oil Stadium.

It’s 14-0 in the first half, with the latest score coming on a six-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to James Jones.

The bad news for the Packers is that running back Cedric Benson left the game with a foot injury. His return is questionable.

The worse news is that Packers defensive lineman B.J. Raji is being carted off with a lower left leg injury.

The bad news also is that the Packers believe they’ve been jobbed for the third straight week, with coach Mike McCarthy clearly yelling “bullsh-t” after linebacker Nick Perry was flagged for roughing the passer when he dropped his helmet into Colts quarterback Andrew Luck’s chest.

Though FOX’s Brian Billick was equally apoplectic, the rule is that a defenseless player can’t be hit in the helmet or with the helmet. Matthews, while not hitting Luck in the head or neck, nevertheless struck Luck with a helmet.

NBC officiating consultant Jim Daopoulos says it was a good call -- and that Perry can expect a fine.

The penalty didn’t matter; the Colts eventually were forced to punt. And now the Packers have a chance to push the margin to three scores.