Packers Snap Counts Versus The Cardinals: Week Eight
The Packers elevated Juwann Winfree and Ben Braden from the Practice Squad. The Packers Transactions report listed Winfree as a Covid Replacement Player but did not list Braden as a Covid Replacement player. Since Allen Lazard and Davante Adams were placed on the Covid Reserve list, there should have been two such slots available. The Packers also activated Malik Taylor from the Covid Reserve List and Dominque Dafney from Injured Reserve.
The inactive players were Vernon Scott, Jack Heflin, LaDarius Hamilton (who played last week), Dennis Kelly and Jaylon Smith. It is not clear whether Jaylon Smith was a healthy scratch. Jake Hanson saw the field for the third week in a row, albeit all on special teams again.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Jenkins | 73 | 100 | |
| Runyan | 73 | 100 | 4 - 18% |
| Patrick | 73 | 100 | |
| Newman | 73 | 100 | 1 - 5% |
| Turner | 73 | 100 | |
| Nijman | 4 - 18% | ||
| Braden | 6 - 27% | ||
| Hanson | 3 - 14% | ||
| Rodgers | 73 | 100 | |
| Love | DNP | ||
| Jones | 48 | 66 | |
| Dillon | 29 | 40 | 5 - 23% |
| Hill | 6 - 27% | ||
| Tonyan | 35 | 48 | |
| Lewis | 31 | 42 | |
| Deguara | 16 | 22 | 15 - 68% |
| Dafney | 14 | 19 | 12 - 55% |
| Davis | 10 - 45% | ||
| St. Brown | 67 | 92 | |
| Winfree | 54 | 74 | |
| Cobb | 50 | 68 | |
| Rodgers | 16 | 22 | 8 - 36% |
| Taylor | 5 | 7 | 15 - 68% |
The offensive line's run blocking was good enough. The Packers rushed 20 times for 93 yards and a 4.7-yard average in the first half. The Packers added 58 yards on 14 carries (4.4-yard average) in the second half to finish with 151 yards rushing. Both Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon ran with determination and power, particularly on their touchdown runs.
Aaron Rodgers dinked and dunked his way down the field all game long. Throwing to the flats and outside the numbers became more than a tendency. He also got the ball out extremely quickly. Per Pro Football Focus, the offensive line only allowed 7 pressures on 37 pass attempts. PFF also noted that Rodgers' average depth of target was a season-low 5.9 yards, even including the 60-yard Hail Mary pass attempt.
The offense was assisted by getting excellent field positions due to Arizona turnovers. The Packers recovered a muffed fair catch attempt at Arizona's 3-yard line. Three straight incomplete passes led to a Mason Crosby field goal. The offense also got the ball at the Arizona 14-yard line after Henry Black intercepted an errant pass by Kyler Murray which was also tipped. The Packers converted a 4th and 3 with a pass from Rodgers to St. Brown for 5 yards, and then Rodgers connected with Cobb for a 2-yard touchdown. Nothing came easily in this game.
| Player | Snaps | % | STs |
| Amos | 59 | 100 | |
| Savage | 59 | 100 | |
| Stokes | 59 | 100 | |
| Douglas | 59 | 100 | |
| Sullivan | 59 | 100 | |
| Black | 13 | 22 | 18 - 82% |
| Jean-Charles | 15 - 68% | ||
| Yiadom | 18 - 82% | ||
| Campbell | 59 | 100 | |
| Barnes | 38 | 64 | 6 - 27% |
| Gary | 36 | 61 | |
| P. Smith | 35 | 59 | 1 - 5% |
| Mercilus | 29 | 49 | |
| Garvin | 25 | 42 | 4 - 18% |
| Burks | 7 | 12 | 18 - 82% |
| McDuffie | 11 - 50% | ||
| Summers | 18 - 82% | ||
| Clark | 53 | 90 | |
| Lowry | 29 | 49 | 6 - 27% |
| Lancaster | 15 | 25 | 7 - 32% |
| Keke | 9 | 15 | 1 - 5% |
| Slaton | 6 | 10 | 7 - 32% |
The Packers had great intensity on defense and did a fine job, particularly in the first half when they held the Cardinals to 7 points. The only hiccup was a long completion allowed by Eric Stokes even though he appeared to be in good position. That was a 7-play drive that ended in their lone score in the first half. Arizona's other first half drives lasted 4, 3, and 3 plays, per ESPN. The individual statistics for the defensive players are naturally fewer than normal since the defense was so efficient that the Cardinals ran just 17 plays in the first half, and finished with 52, per ESPN.
The Packers applied pretty good pressure for the most part. PFF notes that the Cardinal's offensive line allowed just 8 pressures on 33 passing attempts, and credited Mercilus with 3 pressures. It looked to me like the Packers had more pressures than that, with Lowry (including a sack), Gary, and Clark adding multiple pressures. De'Vondre Campbell also had a sack, 2 tackles for loss, and 7 tackles (4 solo).
Rasul Douglas led the way with 9 solo tackles, 2 pass breakups including the game-sealing interception. The Cardinals had 5 explosive pass completions, but the Packers were also able to make big plays to thwart the Cardinals.
The Packers also did a fine job of containing Kyler Murray, who rushed 6 times for 21 with a long of 9. The Packers played just 1.89 true defensive linemen per play on average. Krys Barnes played a lot and Campbell played every snap, boosting the ILB average to 1.76 per play, a high number for the Packers.
The Special Teams looked better. The coverage was good, and neither Crosby nor Bojorquez needed to worry. Bojorquez had several fine punts. Ty Summers recovered a muffed fair catch. Oren Burks had 2 tackles on special teams and recovered a fumble.
WR: 2.63
TE: 1.32
RB: 1.05
DB: 5.22
DL: 1.89
LB: 3.88
ILB: 1.76
OLB: 2.12
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Comments (55)
Thegreatreynoldo
October 29, 2021 at 05:53 am
I wanted to acknowledge the Packers defensive brain trust, so I used a photo of Joe Barry. I didn't like the hire of Barry, but the defense has been better than expected, and much better given the injuries. I didn't have access to my usual computer or I probably would have used a photo of Gray.
Arizona uses a ton of WRs. Against GB, they played 3.12 WRs/play. They probably would have played even more but DeAndre Hopkins tweaked his hamstring and played just 15 snaps. OTOH, they played just 0.91 TEs per play. Zaven Collins left after just 3 snaps. Not crying a river since GB came in even more banged up. So the Packers countered with playing 3 CBs plus Amos and Savage 100% of the time and sprinkled in some dime with Black at 13 snaps.
Not sure if GB played a lot of zone. To contain Murray, it looks like they cut down on defensive linemen and played a lot of ILBs and LBs in general.
Hoping Tonyan and Hill will be okay. Were there any other injuries?
alinger84
October 29, 2021 at 06:33 am
Keke left the game with a concussion.
dobber
October 29, 2021 at 07:29 am
Yeah, that's two in two seasons. Last year's was severe enough that it cost him a lot of time. Packers should be concerned.
dobber
October 29, 2021 at 07:37 am
Watched the replay on Tonyan's injury and I'm unsure as to whether he hurt his knee when he planted his leg (which would explain his awkward contact with the defender) or if he hyperextended it when his leg swung around on the awkward contact. The first would be worse--that screams ACL--and the second would be better for his prospects of playing again this season.
As for Kylin Hill, that looked bad. Joints aren't supposed to move sideways like that...again, screams major injury. That was a ball he had no business bringing out of the endzone, and was indecisive to boot. Still, here's hoping he's avoided major injury...I'm not optimistic.
packerbackerjim
October 29, 2021 at 07:45 am
Hill’s poor decision reminded me of Ty M. Ugggh.
Coldworld
October 29, 2021 at 08:51 am
Summers was going to down the ball on the 1 yard line, as were the Packers surrounding him. The chances of them seeing the finger touch were pretty low. As such the last thing they wanted is to let the ball cross the plane. It would have been nice if they knew, but they did the right thing in the circumstances, based upon what they knew. The fact that we couldn’t pound it in from there is the bigger issue.
Coldworld
October 29, 2021 at 08:40 am
Hill put himself in a horrible position and the defender did not bottle it. Both could be out for a considerable time. That kick should have been downed in the end zone. Did anyone notice who replaced Hill?
Esquetoi
October 29, 2021 at 09:13 am
Taylor replaced Hill on kick returns.
Coldworld
October 29, 2021 at 09:54 am
Thank you.
PeteK
October 29, 2021 at 09:19 am
Taylor
Coldworld
October 29, 2021 at 08:37 am
It looked to me as if Campbell was spying Murray.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 29, 2021 at 09:53 am
I think so, too. I suppose every time the Mike LB drops into zone coverage it might look like spying as well.
It (the effort to contain Murray) could have partly schematic. Barnes played a ton of snaps. Preston Smith had no traditional stats even though our Aaron Nagler picked him out for having a good game. I suspect the OLBs were told to strongly consider the run when pass rushing.
LLCHESTY
October 29, 2021 at 12:06 pm
I didn't notice they stayed in nickel all game. I forget they play it with 3 DL sometimes this year. Thought they would target Kirk more with Hopkins missing most of the game. Very good job of Packers keeping them off balance most of the game.
Good news, Za'darius tweeted this morning he landed in Green Bay and is ready to get on the field with his guys.
You should tell BDU to do a minor name change and rejoin Acme. He's going to be missed, especially during draft season.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 29, 2021 at 02:37 pm
I will suggest that to BDU. I never really tried to get him to comment here: he didn't like Coral much, after all.
However, I think I will wait a week or two. BDU still has to take care of Dawn and the dogs, so it isn't that he needs something to do. I think it is just the constant and monolithic dissemination of liberal ideology we conservatives are inundated with. Almost every newspaper outlet, all the main broadcasters, all the top news on youtube. Even I find it wearisome to have to ferret out information to support my positions since it isn't spoon-fed to us. I don't read overtly conservative outlets like National Review or listen to Shapiro and the like. I go to the CDC and do the math instead of letting a newspaper telling me what the math is - you can do a lot with statistics, after all. I have also refrained from posting there since BDU left. I don't know whether that will last.
LLCHESTY
October 29, 2021 at 11:14 pm
I'm not a conservative but I don't like it when they wipe threads at Acme. I don't watch tv news, I will occasionally watch Lawerence O'Donnell because I think he's a smart guy and he worked on the hill for awhile so he has some insights there. I like watching Bill Maher these days because he has opposing viewpoints on. Seems like he aggravates the far left a lot these days which says more about them than it does about him. I follow Tom Nichols on twitter and he said we're an unserious nation at the start of a descent into chaos. I don't like that I think he's right.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
October 30, 2021 at 06:11 pm
TGR,
Towards the end of game I too was wondering why Dillon wasnt in at the goal line. Weighs approximately 50 lbs more than Jones. If any physic majors are out there do the math.
However, some minutes earlier camera showed Dillon on sidelines and he was flexing/stretching a leg where I assumed he was injured somewhat and the reason he never went back in game. However, I have not heard one thing about Dillon being injured anywhere following the game, so I must have been wrong. Like many others I don't understand why he wasn't in, nor why they attempted to pass.
dobber
October 29, 2021 at 07:32 am
Packers defense set the tone in the first half. They were physical, got pressure without sending extra guys, and flustered Kyler Murray. I don't buy that 8 pressures number...they were moving him off his spot all night. I'm not one to usually heap blame on the refs, but the uncalled holding in the second half by the AZ OL was an unrecognized part of their comeback.
Great win. Not pretty, but a gritty performance that good teams come up with to win games they shouldn't.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 29, 2021 at 10:01 am
I think PFF's recap came out about 90 minutes after the game ended. That's awfully fast to chart each player and aggregate the data into pressures. And of course the TEs, RBs, and perhaps the QB could be responsible for additional pressures.
I remember one PFF recap for an early game that noted Keke played well and then the full PFF grade came out a few days later and Keke was assigned a terrible grade - I think it was in the thirties.
In the Watch Party I wrote a comment noting a blatant hold on Barnes. Noticed another on Gary but didn't write about it. You guys who can see the increase in holding in real time could help the rest of us. I saw some holding but didn't realize it was on a wholesale scale.
dobber
October 29, 2021 at 10:23 am
"You guys who can see the increase in holding in real time could help the rest of us."
Bearmeat, myself and others typically participate in a fb chat during games, and that was a steady theme in the second half.
Coldworld
October 29, 2021 at 05:30 pm
It became increasingly prevalent. In my view it was the main difference in the performance of the Cards offense.
flackcatcher
October 29, 2021 at 12:51 pm
Watch the game down in Tampa with a couple of football front office guys last night. They both pointed out that some teams are teaching the high collar hold. Better to take the flag, than have your QB go on the IR list. There is the suspicion that some Ref crews are looking the other way on holds cause the speed of this generation OLB and some DT makes it difficult for the line judges to get in position. Of course the breakdown between New York and the NFL refs only has made the game calls far tougher than they need to be.
Guam
October 29, 2021 at 07:37 am
I also was not a fan of the Barry hire, but I am happily eating crow. The defense has been much better than expected despite having a number of key players out with injuries. I am concerned if Jaylon Smith was a healthy scratch. He looked lost his first two games with the Packers and if this was a healthy scratch, his days with the team may be numbered. I had high hopes he would be a great compliment to Campbell and give the Packers a dynamic duo in the middle of the field for the first time in a long time. OTOH, Mercilus and Douglas have been excellent additions to the team.
The only head scratcher for me was why Dillon didn't get more carries in short yardage around the goal line. Where else would you prefer to use a 250 pound running back?
dobber
October 29, 2021 at 07:55 am
I read a couple posts that said he (Dillon) was dinged.
Coldworld
October 29, 2021 at 08:45 am
I’ve seen posts but nothing elsewhere. It is possible.
On Jaylon Smith, after reading the information here (thanks again TGR), I think they elected to activate 2 H backs instead for STs—both Deguara and Daffney were stalwarts there. Also explains activating Taylor without him having practiced for 3 weeks.
Guam
October 29, 2021 at 08:52 am
So they activated Jake Hanson over Jaylon Smith.......???? Not sure that changes my opinion of what is going on with Jaylon Smith. An injury would make sense, but anything else......
Thegreatreynoldo
October 29, 2021 at 10:17 am
Hanson was the 8th OL. Teams can have 47 players active normally but if they activate 8 offensive linemen, the team can have 48 players active. So, there is no penalty for activating Hanson and no tradeoff: i.e., the team cannot activate another player unless said player was an OL.
When I read bloggingtheboys, they didn't think Jaylon was overly instinctual. IDK myself, but it might mean Jaylon needs to understand the scheme and his keys before he becomes a useful player.
Barry and his staff seem to be able to get good play out of LBs. OTOH, that same staff gave up on Kamal Martin. In some ways, Jaylon Smith and Martin bear some resemblance: both player's athleticism jumps off the film, but they don't play so well.
dobber
October 29, 2021 at 10:28 am
Jaylon Smith is really best suited to be a WLB in an even front. He's a run-and-hit guy.
That said, think about it this way: how long did it take this defense to get on track--and that was with a full camp and a couple weeks of games. Maybe Smith doesn't make an imipact with this defense, but I have a hunch they'll need him, yet.
LLCHESTY
October 29, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Playing Smith more in the open field makes sense, he seems to get confused inside. But there's a lot more yardage to be gained if you confuse him in the open field too. Great athletes fall by the wayside all the time in the NFL because they're lacking instincts. Smith is also playing with one bad pin that will never be 100%.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 29, 2021 at 02:59 pm
Yes, that's what I was trying to convey. Jaylon S. might not be ready to contribute to the defense now, so lets give him several weeks grace to learn the defense and his keys.
I bought a car with a fancy radio. The knobs and touchpad info is easily navigated by my son. For him, it is intuitive. Me, I am slogging through a 60-page manual. I got the radio presets squared away so far.
I like rock, but I also like opera and musicals. So I will learn the damn radio settings because I want to listen to Phantom of the Opera. Apparently, I can insert a thumb drive with my favorites.
WARNING: I might be a little grumpy due to this radio and my efforts to download songs I like, some versions of which are only on youtube. I have been warned about attracting viruses when I try to download songs, so we shall see.
Guam
October 29, 2021 at 11:10 am
Did not know that about an 8th OL not counting against the 47. Thanks for explaining it TGR! It does make ColdWorld's explanation a much better fit.
It still is odd to me that in a game with an elusive QB the Packers did not use someone with J. Smith's speed. Obviously Campbell handled that assignment extremely well, but had Campbell not been up to the task I am pretty sure Barnes, Burks and Summers would not have been successful. It would seem that Smith's speed would have made him the next guy up in containing Murray if Campbell hadn't gotten the job done. Certainly seems to be a reflection on the coaching staff's view of J. Smith.
Guam
October 29, 2021 at 08:50 am
I have seen nothing official about an injury, but it would at least explain an otherwise curious bit of play selection.
Coldworld
October 29, 2021 at 08:54 am
LaFleur commented that he thought his calling was at fault. I’m not sure injury was the cause until we know more. It sounded like the coach accepted he should have. I’d like to see Daffney as an alternative in those situations going forward (former FB), or Patrick Taylor if Hill is injured.
Guam
October 29, 2021 at 11:16 am
This seems to be a repeating issue CW. This is not the first time the coaching staff has eschewed Dillon in favor of passing or Jones in short yardage. Why did they draft a 250 running back if they aren't going to use him in short yardage? Just seems they are outthinking themselves.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 29, 2021 at 03:04 pm
Because he doesn't have good feet when there is trash around. Plus he runs a trifle upright. His vision seems to be improving. Despite the size differential, I'd prefer Jamaal Williams to Dillon on these goal line runs. Size can help, but lots of big backs haven't been as good on the goal line as one would expect.
Guam
October 29, 2021 at 04:19 pm
I'll have to watch for that because I thought he has shown pretty good balance in traffic. He has the power to almost always go forward despite contact.
Coldworld
October 29, 2021 at 05:28 pm
He has improved his vision, but with all respect to TGR, we don’t need Dillon to be a heavier version of Jones. We want contrast that poses a different problem for defenders. We want him to be a more flexible version of Alstot. Last night would have been a perfect opportunity to employ that sledgehammer.
LLCHESTY
October 29, 2021 at 10:28 pm
I have said that three times at Acme since last night but it doesn't seem to help. One guy even said he thought Dillon's feet were better than Lacy's. I don't think he's a plodder by any means but he doesn't quite have elite feet. He needs clean holes and they did a good job with that last night. Rodgers was asked about Dillon last night and he said that he thinks he's running lower this year and "running over his pads" better with proper lean. Definitely fun to watch when he can get going.
dobber
October 29, 2021 at 10:26 am
"I also was not a fan of the Barry hire, but I am happily eating crow. "
This defense has legit gotten better every week. Their aggregate stats don't tell the whole story, anymore (especially with that ugly NO game in there). They were flat-out bad early, but have essentially won these last two games. At some point, we might start asking if the offense is holding them back...
Guam
October 29, 2021 at 11:18 am
And they are getting it done without their two best players (Z. and Jaire)! Pettine was getting lesser results with everybody available.
10ve 💚
October 29, 2021 at 07:42 am
Thanks for the details, Reynoldo-The-Great! These always tell us a big story.
murf7777
October 29, 2021 at 08:10 am
Thanks TGR. This was an impressive win by some very good coaching and schemes. I was really impressed with the front 6 applying pressure while playing disciplined to keep Murray contained. Not an easy task. Of course that doesn’t work unless the back 5 doesn’t keep good coverage for 3-4 seconds. Excellent game plan playing more LB’s vs DL in this game.
Yes, I know we can complain about not running Dillon or Jones on 1st and goal from the 3, but keep in mind, they also threw 2 TD’s on other successful attempts during the game. I saw some very creative play calling by Mlf to get 4 - 8 yards on 1st and or 2nd downs. As of right now, I think he should be the front runner for Coach of the year!
IMO, the best game of the year for this tough, scrappy team that reminds me of the 2010 team.
13TimeChamps
October 29, 2021 at 09:20 am
And Gutekunst for GM of the year....if they have such an award. His in-season moves have saved this team this year.
dobber
October 29, 2021 at 10:29 am
It's been a long time since we described the Packers as tough and scrappy.
Coldworld
October 29, 2021 at 09:04 am
I’d be interested in others take in how good the Cardinals are. Murray is hard to contain, but, when he is he looks to have issues under pressure and to be a candidate to get hurt if he is caught running. I have to think that other teams will run hard on the Cardinals. To be honest they look to be a classic example of a team that has speed over stoutness in their D Line and at linebacker.
Collins got injured, it is true, but they look like a team that may struggle out of doors in bad weather and against good running teams. Teams can have bad days, but they did not have to defend deep and I think, had the Packers had MVS and Lazard, let alone Adams, there were passing yards for the asking. On offense, it’s Hopkins and probably increasingly Ertz and not much else that is special, or was last night. I left feeling that the Cards are less of a team than I expected.
dobber
October 29, 2021 at 10:31 am
" I have to think that other teams will run hard on the Cardinals. "
Yep. As I said, it could be the template for beating the Cards is now out there based on this an the SF game. It looks a lot like the template teams have used to beat the Packers for years.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 29, 2021 at 11:19 am
Playing a 3-4, their DL isn't big. Dogbe (284), Allen (281) and the NT Lawrence (308) are all under the ideal size. The run D wasn't stellar with Watt, so we shall see where it goes without him.
AZ played Allen (78%), Jordan Phillips (68% - he's 341 pounds but has been a bad player for many years), Leki Fotu (51% - another huge guy at 335 but who isn't good so far though at least is only a 2nd year guy) and then Dogbe and Mauro in the twenties percentile. Lawrence did not play and Watt was out of course. The jumbo line clogged things up some but GB was able to run. It seems probable to me that without Watt none of these guys provide much pass rush. Dogbe had 6 tackles despite playing 25 snaps (34%), and Allen had 6 as well. The fat guys combined for 4 tackles despite playing more 68% and 51%.
Isaiah Simmons is a big name who isn't very good. He is pretty good in coverage. Jordan Hicks is the starting Mike: he had to take a pay cut to stick and he is rolling around a decent quality (64 PFF grade). He's listed at 236 pounds but he's been in the league quite a while and I'd guess he's heavier than that now. Zaven Collins (80 PFF grade) has played well in coverage but he's only playing 37% of snaps this year, so perhaps he will be great but perhaps AZ is picking his spots. Chandler Jones returned and played 78% of snaps but contributed 1 solo tackle and 1 PD. Markus Golden (great name - meh player) has never been very good since his 2015 debut. However, he's having a career year and had 2 QB hits against the packers. Golden has a $1.98M cap number and a 2022 cap number of $3M and is easily cut. So, he's their Campbell this year, though Campbell (~80 PFF) is playing considerably better than than Golden (71 PFF).
CBs Byron Murphy and Robert Alford have been decent, no more. Alford signed in 2019 for 3 years, $22M, but after missing all of 2019 and 2020, took a pay cut all the way down to $850K on a qualified contract. Budda Baker is good without being great and he made the Cobb TD catch a lot easier by not covering anyone. jalen thompson is solid.
So that defense has played better than its parts would suggest to me. It probably helps that their offense scored 38, 34, 31, 37, 17 (SF game), 37 and 31 in their seven wins. Good looking wins against LAR, SF, and Cleveland. It held 6 of those teams under 20.
LLCHESTY
October 29, 2021 at 01:37 pm
I'm a little surprised that Simmons is still struggling and a guy like Owusu-Koramoah comes in and plays well right away(guess he's injured now). Athletically very similar guys although Simmons is a bit bigger. I think he played more like a rover/safety at Clemson so maybe still transitioning to LB.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 29, 2021 at 11:48 am
As a note, AZ played 4.37 DBs against the Packers and their less than impressive WR group. Not sure if that's normal. CB Marco Wilson started (96% of snaps) while Alford played just 44%. Not sure if that was due to injury or design. They played 1.81 safeties and 2.56 CBs.
Again, I don't know if that's normal for them or if they adjusted to GB's lack of receiving options. At any rate, it allowed high numbers of LBs (4.08) and DL (2.55) per play. Those LB and DL numbers would be high for GB but I don't know what is normal for AZ.
For context, GB played 3.88 LBs and 1.89 DL against AZ, for a total of 5.77 while AZ's LB and DL added up to 6.63. That is a significant difference.
flackcatcher
October 29, 2021 at 01:06 pm
Cards are a classic matchup style team running a spread run shoot style offense. Heck even the Ravens aren't that crazy. But with rules favoring the offense, what they run with Murray works. As long as they get one on one with their skill people in space, they can win. What the Packers defense did last night in winning most of the one on one battles was amazing, that usually does not happen in this league. A truly great team performance by the defense.
LLCHESTY
October 29, 2021 at 10:54 pm
The Vikings rushed for 177 yards against them too. Cousins had a 29 yards run which is very rare but they still had good numbers taking that away. Not every team will be able to run on them but the ones that can will be a headache for them. Watt is a big loss for them, he had more pressures than the rest of the iDL combined.
Hate to say it but I think the Buccaneers are in the driver's seat for the #1 seed if you look at their remaining schedule. It's like a skip through the woods stopping to pick some flowers along the way for them. They've got the Bills but then the Colts or Saints are the 2nd best team they play. Just ugh.
4thandinches
October 29, 2021 at 11:16 am
If you consider the plays where Rodgers scrambled as called passes, the Packers called passes 74% of the plays last week. This week they called pass plays 55% of the time. It’s pretty cool how the Pack can beat teams very different ways, depending upon how they match up from a personnel standpoint. Go Pack Go!
flackcatcher
October 29, 2021 at 01:30 pm
Couple of short points: This was me for most of the game :-0. We forget while young, this is a veteran playoff team, so they know how to get ready on a short week. Mike Pettine lives! (OK his scheme) Honestly, I thought Gray would play more a 3-2-6 with P. Smith not playing. Never thought their base would 2-4-5 with either ILB or Amos playing spy on Murray. They dared the Birds to run on them, and the Bird were unable, or their HC was unwilling to take that gamble. Mental improvement in the special teams game on both kick pro and coverage, can not underestimate how important that was in this game. Heck of game by both kickers. Time management, UGH. This is about understanding game flow. Both coaches truly lack that yesterday. It's a problem throughout the league with so many offensive specialists as head coaches. As we saw with Mike McCarthy, Matt Lafleur has the exact same problem, lack of feel in game flow. One can only hope that more experience in games will cure his problem. (Didn't quite help in MM case while he was in Green Bay :-)
Thegreatreynoldo
October 29, 2021 at 03:12 pm
Yeah, I wish I had written what you just wrote in the article. I can still edit it!
By the way, I think Kliff just can't help himself. He wants to win in just one way. Happy to see AR take what was there and not push things.
Coldworld
October 29, 2021 at 05:38 pm
Dare them to run (other than Murray) is a good observation. I did not see that in real time, but in hindsight, yes they did.
LLCHESTY
October 29, 2021 at 10:39 pm
Edmunds and Connor both had good averages too, not great but enough they could've been used more. I call it mad scientist syndrome when former OCs becomes HCs. I noticed it with Holmgren back in 1998 when Levens would have a great 1st half and then wouldn't see the ball in the 3rd quarter.
From the three yard line I like my chances of a TD by giving it to Jones three times. Especially if you can get him around the edge.