Packers Vs Vikings - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' game against the Minnesota Vikings
By JerseyAl
After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons.
Clark the Destroyer:
This was the first defensive play of the game for the Packers and imagine what that poor center was thinking afterwords. Clark absolutely plundered the soul (my new favorite expression - name of a Stones song) of that guy. My favorite part however was the insult to injury Clark doles out. After the center manages to get up off the ground and stand back up, Clark just pushes him back down to the turf, as if saying, "that's where you belong."
A different Slant:
This was the first play of the final drive of the second quarter where the Packers started to actually find some rhythm with their offense. I think it's no coincidence that calling a simple slant to start it off (a play that seemingly is not in favor with this offense), got things off on the right foot. What I find interesting about this play is that Rodgers has two open targets in the middle of the field, with Davante running a dig route. EQ is obviously the first route in the progression (news in itself that it wasn't Davante) and Rodgers doesn't overthink things and takes an easy first down completion. They're going to need a lot of that approach against the Rams. So watch them come out taking early deep shots again.
2 points guaranteed:
There are few thing as sure in life as the Packers allowing two point conversions over the last decade or so. At least that's the impression I have in my head. Am I wrong? And too often, it is downright embarrassing how easy they seem to make it for other teams. Here, Cook gets to jog into the end zone as there is confusion in the secondary and they end up unnecessarily overloading the right side of the Vikings offense. An edge rusher, three DBs and a LB with two eligible receivers to that side. I'm not sure if this is just another one-time mistake near the red zone or the Vikings spotted something like this on tape, because they knew exactly where to go.
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther. Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (49)
BAMABADGER
November 23, 2021 at 03:19 pm
Al: The 2 point conversion defensive alinement error was a eye opener. Thanks
Fubared
November 23, 2021 at 03:28 pm
I have never seen the Vikings not convert the two point conversion. Matter of fact I know they have numerous plays they practice over and over and over and call the one that fits the defensive alignment they are seeing.
Its just those little things coaches do to prepare there teams as a just in case that make a difference.
I do know the Zimmer is anti "development" so he spends time coaching people on what their jobs are what they must do and not time trying to teach basic elements. You need smart players to do that and they make sure they draft talent, speed, smarts and avoid injury prone guys.
dobber
November 23, 2021 at 07:19 pm
"I have never seen the Vikings not convert the two point conversion. "
Apparently you didn't watch them play the Panthers a couple weeks ago...
Bure9620
November 24, 2021 at 04:54 am
Yeah, no team is 100% in 2 pt conversions.....
JerseyAl
November 23, 2021 at 08:12 pm
You must be a joy to be around.
NickPerry
November 24, 2021 at 05:39 am
Wow, your name sure applies.
Minniman
November 25, 2021 at 12:14 pm
…Exacerbated by Sullivan getting in the way of the (faster) Savage attempting to cover.
Not sure if Savage was ever going to get there in time though, but yeah, the initial transgression was as Al highlighted (poor matchups).
I also saw another play where Henry Black was on the field for another goal-line mishap (the play where Jefferson walks in). I can only deduce that they couldn’t get him off the field beforehand (due to no break in play) and were stuck with him out there.
Fubared
November 23, 2021 at 03:24 pm
Game over we lost. Now if the Rams run out of town and Vikes win again, were on a losing streak and they are gangbusters. By the time we meet again in Dec they may be tied with us or ahead for the NFC title.
So all we have to do is get our secondary to run faster, actually try and cover people and not just watch them streak down the field, some tackling would be good, and if we cant do that, we dont belong in the playoff conversation, check match set.
Oppy
November 23, 2021 at 08:51 pm
Such a scary scenario you paint.
Luckily, the one thing anyone who knows anything about football knows: The Minnesota Vikings are Perennial. Bed. Shitters.
Probably the biggest choke artists to ever don helmets. A total fraud of an organization. The could eff up a proverbial wet dream.
Ammirite, or what?!
Go Pack!
Gee
November 24, 2021 at 11:29 am
Besides this week they are at San Fran, I just don't see them winning that game. Both teams need that game and as you say they have a longgggg history of doing everything to lose. After that they still have the steelers and rams, and 2 with the bears. Good Luck to them, even getting the 7 seventh seed.
Bure9620
November 24, 2021 at 04:57 am
Ya a week at a time. We only have 2 road games left, one of them against the lions and we have a 2 and a half game lead with a bye coming. We literally have over a 90% chance to win the division. Congratulations to the Vikings for winning their Super Bowl, but we are playing for a 1 seed.
mrtundra
November 27, 2021 at 07:39 am
Screw the vikings! They are wannabes.
Barazinho
November 23, 2021 at 03:38 pm
Al, for #2 I think you men the first play of the final drive of the second quarter. The first play of the final drive of the second half was a slant of sorts, but slanted all the way to the end zone.
JerseyAl
November 23, 2021 at 03:53 pm
Whoops, you are correct. Typo will be fixed.
Since'61
November 23, 2021 at 03:48 pm
Al - I can’t remember the last time the Packers defense stopped a 2 point conversion attempt. We’re lucky that teams don’t go for the 2 points after every TD.
Good job again as always. Thanks, Since ‘61
Leatherhead
November 23, 2021 at 05:17 pm
We stopped all three 2 point conversion attempts in 2019.
JerseyAl
November 23, 2021 at 06:13 pm
OK, you made me look. Last five years:
2021 0% stop success
2020 0% stop success
2019 100% stop success
2018 33% stop success
2017 0% stop success
Since'61
November 23, 2021 at 07:16 pm
Al, Thanks for the update. Basically we've had one good season at stopping the 2 point conversion out of the last 5. We need to get better. Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
November 23, 2021 at 07:48 pm
We’ve been bad stopping anything near the goal line for much of this year.
LambeauPlain
November 24, 2021 at 09:22 am
One thing about Pettine's D...They seemed to play better in the RZ and at the goal line and were incredibly soft between the 20's.
Barry's Men are the opposite (until last Sunday) when they play well between the 20's and almost seem to expect a TD or 2 point near the goal.
Crankbait
November 23, 2021 at 05:30 pm
Packers do a lot of sloppy things that make you scratch your head.
Still some residual McCarthy at Lombardo Avenue.
Looking forward to them shaking all of this off and playing smart at home this weekend.
dobber
November 23, 2021 at 08:01 pm
"...at Lombardo Avenue."
Geez, that Guy...
LeotisHarris
November 23, 2021 at 08:11 pm
As it says on his statue out front: "Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think."
dobber
November 23, 2021 at 08:19 pm
Winner!
LambeauPlain
November 24, 2021 at 09:17 am
As my wife and I were walking to the Lambeau Shrine a few years ago, I heard a guy tell his buddy..."Hey look, the Packers can't even get the time right on the big clock! Losers!" They were bare fans.
I told the real losers "just so you know, that is Lombardi time. Arrive at your meeting 15 minutes early."
They scoffed at me and one of the losers said "Nice try, pal!"
I said "it is a fact...as much of a fact as the bares losing the game today!" They did, of course.
pacman
November 23, 2021 at 04:12 pm
So Al, who do you think is to blame for taking all those long shots at the beginning of the game and abandoning the run? MLF or AR?
Here's another question for you - the way the D was playing, should MVS have run out of bounds at 1 yd line? Answer, you just can't.
But I'll bet everyone was wondering about it at the time.
Really good play picks this week.
JerseyAl
November 23, 2021 at 04:15 pm
It's definitely both. Some are called, some are Rodgers seeing single coverage and going for the big play.
As for MVS stepping out - no way you take the chance of not scoring. Besides, there was way too much time left to try to run down the clock.
croatpackfan
November 23, 2021 at 04:16 pm
Nice choices of plays, as always.
I will add only Deguara TD, as it was fast hard ball and Deguara catch nicely with Kendricks & Smith on his neck.
LambeauPlain
November 24, 2021 at 09:29 am
Man, it would be a great tonic if Deguara consistently steps up for the rest of the season. He's been nearly invisible until last Sunday. Maybe he is finally trusting his knee.
My doctor and I were talking Packers yesterday, both bemoaning losing Jenks and he said repaired ACLs "can" be as strong as the original ligament but often are not and are very much a "mind over matter" challenge to trust the new knee.
mrtundra
November 27, 2021 at 07:42 am
DeGuara could be used as a safety valve against the Rams' pass rushers. Have him block along the LOS and then release underneath the coverage. If Rodgers finds him, he could be moving the chains, all day long!
Leatherhead
November 23, 2021 at 05:09 pm
Always go for two. If you’re successful half the time it’s as good as making every kick..
One more opportunity for the offense to score points, one less opportunity for a special teams foul up.
If you can’t make two yards on one play at least half the time, you aren’t going to win a lot of games. We should have more faith in our offense.
Crankbait
November 23, 2021 at 05:36 pm
One thing about this season compared to last season is we are playing from behind way too much.
Offense is playing like it did when McCarty was coach... no continuity - rhythm and constantly hunting for a big play to get back in the game.
Offensive line has just been way too inconsistent so far. Injuries are part of that. It is what it is and this division is far from being decided.
Vikings are finding their niche.... they are playing Randy moss ball... chucking it up for grabs which is probably what they should've done long ago considering the new rules that favor jump balls with receivers.
Leatherhead
November 23, 2021 at 06:14 pm
You do realize the Packers led the league in offense several times under McCarthy?
Bitternotsour
November 23, 2021 at 08:23 pm
and mccarthy beat the vikings with a back-up quarterback who had never started a game just 3 weeks ago.
he ran the ball down their throats. gave us a blueprint. thanks mike.
Crankbait
November 24, 2021 at 11:32 am
And what do they have to show for it? One Super Bowl? Yes that's right. His style of our fence was constantly shut down in the playoffs more than not.
dobber
November 23, 2021 at 07:17 pm
"One thing about this season compared to last season is we are playing from behind way too much."
...and, yet, they're 8-3.
At this point in 2020, the Packers were (wait for it)....8-3.
Maybe the problem in 2020 was that the Packers didn't play from behind enough.
Since'61
November 23, 2021 at 07:18 pm
Cookie! Thanks, Since '61
HawkPacker
November 23, 2021 at 07:50 pm
You're funny Dobber.
Coldworld
November 23, 2021 at 07:51 pm
The second half of the last game reminded me of last year. Play more like that on O and we won’t be playing from behind so much. Flippant perhaps, but where has that offensive philosophy been, and why?
Oppy
November 23, 2021 at 08:55 pm
The fatal flaw in your "always go for two" plan:
Betting on 50/50 results because if you convert half the time, it's the same as making every kick.... Only covers your ass if you always score an even number of touchdowns in each game.
You don't win games based on total number of points in a season, you win games based on total number of points in a game. Scoring touchdowns isn't a given, but extra points are as close to automatic in the NFL as you're ever gonna get.
Leatherhead
November 23, 2021 at 11:30 pm
And yet, over 50 are missed each year.
Oppy
November 24, 2021 at 08:39 am
50 missed extra points out of 1,473 total touchdowns scored in 2021.
That's a 96.7% success rate for extra points.
Or, 'the closest thing to guaranteed points in football.'
packer132
November 23, 2021 at 05:50 pm
The two point conversion turned out to be huge, giving the Vikings a 7 point lead instead of 5. Packers turn around and score 7 to tie the game instead of leading 31-29. No player held the edge, and easy conversion. It's always a couple of plays that decide a win or loss in an even NFL today. With all the injuries for Green Bay, it will take a player or three to step up against the Rams and either make the tackle, catch, or interception that seals the victory.
PeteK
November 23, 2021 at 07:27 pm
It would not have mattered as a field goal still wins the game. Niners beat Rams with a methodical ground game, lead by Elijah Mitchell's 91.
Crankbait
November 23, 2021 at 08:36 pm
We either don't have or refuse to play a methodical ground game.
Dylan is not the answer he is too heavy footed and has no explosion through the hole like Jones.
We are back to hero Ball as you saw against the Vikings. Rams will blitz the crap out of us through our depleted line minus Bakhtiari and 12 is not gonna get in rhythm. Should be fun at the end of season when we get healthy again... probably go down to the last game of the season to decide the division with the Vikings.
bjkdad44
November 23, 2021 at 09:55 pm
Which lefluer does not do… sadly
HawkPacker
November 23, 2021 at 07:52 pm
Al, re: your first hmmmm. If I remember correctly, Kenny Clark inadvertantly grabs the running back's face mask but did let go and thankfully, no penalty was called. Pretty astute move by Clark.
Tundraboy
November 23, 2021 at 08:33 pm
Circled my calendar for January 2nd. Looking forward to putting Vikings out of their misery.
MarkinMadison
November 23, 2021 at 09:41 pm
I will never, ever get tired of watching Kenny Clark play.
The fact that this team is 8-3 with all of these injuries is amazing. People are going to whine if they lose to the Rams. I get it. I also get that they are getting a freaking bye week in December. This team is tired. They need rest. They need returning starters. Would I like to see them get the #1 seed? Hell yes. But at the end of the day then name of the game is get in the dance and just win. That is all. Nothing else matters.