Packers Vs. Bears - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm

Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' last game.

After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons. In general, I either focus on a theme, more nuanced observations, or just things I didn't notice watching live. These can be but are less likely to be "highlight" plays. I present these to you with a short explanation why I picked them and then let you readers discuss the plays.

Hafley's Bag - That was quite a creative first half from defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. He went deep into his bag and pulled out some things he was probably saving for games like this one against the Bears. This play in particular had me staring mouth agape at my TV screen. It's a third and seven and the Packers show seven players on the line of scrimmage. You know some are going to bail out and some are going to rush, so nothing unusual there. But the thing we haven't seen before to my recollection is Rashan Gary ad Micah Parson lined up next to each other on the same side. Let's look at the design. Starting from the left side, You can see Darnell Wright pointing out assignments, indicating he has Enagbare out wide and the guard and center should take Cooper and Brinson. But Cooper and Enagbare both drop into coverage and Brinson heads out wide, taking the guard with him while also occupying Wright. Quay Walker crashes the left guard's shoulder, occupying the center and guard and intentionally pushes the guard out wide, widening what is already a huge gap for Gary and Parsons to loop around into. As an aside, the athletic difference between Gary and Parson is clearly shown here. Gary gets free first, but his approach to the quarterback is a rounded one. Parsons, who is an aficionado of "the shortest distance between two points is a straight line" approach, actually beats Gary to the QB. The lack of sudden change of direction ability (he needs multiple steps to do that) is the one thing that holds Gary back from being the star he could be, as I've mentioned here many times before. Anyway, back to the play design, it was brilliant, impeccably executed, totally confused the Bears and got the Packers' defense off the field. Well done Chef Hafley!

 

Jumbo Ruse - And now some subterfuge on the offensive side. The situation was third and two on the Bears 44 yard line, likely four down territory. So the Packers bring in Kinnard and the Jumbo package with two tight ends and a sole wide receiver (Watson) out wide to the left. The Bears are sure the Packers are just going to run the ball, twice if necessary, to move the sticks. The ball is snapped, Love fakes a handoff to Wilson and you see (count em!) nine Chicago Bears attack the line of scrimmage. Both tight ends leak out and Love has his choice of wide open receivers and picks Whyle for the bigger gain. (By the way, If Love had more time, Watson with single coverage and the entire middle of the field open could have made it a three touchdown day for him). Anyway, this was an example of LaFleur play calling at its best.

 

Parsons + Enagbare - I've picked this play to show a little trick you'll see some of the best pass rushers using. Here Parson is being directed to his left, away from the quarterback, but Darnell Wright's back is also there, so Parsons pushes off of Wright's back to quickly redirect and propel himself towards the quarterback. While Parsons can't quite reach Williams, his push of Wright had a secondary benefit. Wright, who should have been blocking Enagbare, is taken completely out of the play, providing Enagbare an uncontested straight line to the quarterback. 

 

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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of various hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He's a lifetime Packers fan living in the land of the Giants (and Jets). Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP

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Comments (27)

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T7Steve's picture

December 09, 2025 at 01:57 pm

The Parson held a service on Sunday. Haliluiah!

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splitpea1's picture

December 09, 2025 at 02:12 pm

Plays 1 and 3: Very good choices! You would have to think Williams was surprised as hell to see both Gary and Parsons making a beeline to him right down Broadway....Play 3: One of the things Parsons does that doesn't show up on the stat sheet; I'd hate to see what our pass rush would look like without him. At least this time Williams wasn't able to escape and Enagbare was able to plaster him.

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PeteK's picture

December 09, 2025 at 02:21 pm

I think in the next game there will be an occasional quicker DB spying him.

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DoubleJ's picture

December 09, 2025 at 03:53 pm

I'd imagine the spy would be Cooper.

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PeteK's picture

December 09, 2025 at 02:19 pm

-First play reminds me of what Spagnola does to fool offenses.
-It's great seeing so many different players contributing on both defense and offense.
- I usually don't complain about officiating because I feel it usually evens out in the end, but the amount of holding on Parsons is reaching the ridiculous point, time to start sending some film clips to the NFL !

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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

December 10, 2025 at 12:09 am

GB should be able to fine the league, the ridiculous point was reached by week 3.

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Major Snafu's picture

December 09, 2025 at 02:55 pm

At least Nixon made one play that stopped the other team. Now he can go back to being mediocre.

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Ihappydirt's picture

December 09, 2025 at 03:02 pm

Great choices, Al.

I thought you might go with officiating, because there were at least three things that made one go hmmm on that front.

1) NY decides Loveland hasn't completed the process of the catch, but Evan Williams steals it away. The ball never touches the ground while Williams does while contacted by Loveland, Williams raises the ball to show he has possession and somehow the play is deemed dead and Chi's ball.

2) The Musgrave catch is ruled a catch on the field, the replay is very close but hardly conclusive, but the catch is overruled contrary to the norm of must be conclusive to overturn. Announcers had to scramble to overturn their conclusions after both of the 1st two rulings.

3) Frequent egregious holding on Parsons, never called. The one after he was hooked and thrown on his backside, Parsons raises both arms, and still can't get a call.

HM) Nixon takes a blow to the throat and when he clears the arm off said throat he gets called. Burden will get fined, but little good that does for GB.

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Starrbrite's picture

December 09, 2025 at 08:45 pm

An excellent account of the details.

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Bitternotsour's picture

December 09, 2025 at 03:34 pm

The dig at Gary was unnecessary. Is he really not Parsons, possibly the best pass rusher since Lawrence Taylor, jesus, alert the media.

What's next, complaining that Parson's isn't setting the edge?

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JerseyAl's picture

December 09, 2025 at 03:52 pm

It's not a dig, it just me presenting visual evidence of what in my opinion is the one thing that has prevented Gary from achieving elite pass rusher status. Pretty simple.

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Bitternotsour's picture

December 09, 2025 at 03:59 pm

...as I've mentioned here many times before.

go ahead, beat that horse.

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JerseyAl's picture

December 09, 2025 at 08:55 pm

Oh dear, if that bothers you, I guess you should avoid my Polluted tomorrow.

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stockholder's picture

December 09, 2025 at 09:45 pm

I see hesitation.
I say Gary is afraid to push.
Watch walker come in.
Walker actually freed both.

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Coldworld's picture

December 09, 2025 at 04:47 pm

Gary’s inability to turn on a dime has long been known. Al isn’t the first. Gary is sudden, powerful, but agile he has never been. Had he been, Parsons might be playing second fiddle. Gary has plenty of merits, not that it’s currently fashionable to say so, but Al is right on this one to the point where I’m kind of surprised it’s not just accepted fact.

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NFLfan's picture

December 09, 2025 at 04:59 pm

@Bitter-You often seem irritable and cutting-have you seen a doctor recently?

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TXCHEESE's picture

December 10, 2025 at 08:03 am

Gary: 6' 5'', 277. Parsons: 6'3", 250. Don't know that Gary is necessarily less athletic, just bigger. It's why a Ferrari is going to make it around the road course faster than a Bentley.

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TheBigCat's picture

December 09, 2025 at 03:40 pm

Al:
Very glad you included the "Jumbo Ruse" play. That has to be one of my favorite offense plays. While the play is not usually a TD-maker, it can be a true game-changer: the defense gets completely fooled; it tends to be a safe, high percentage throw for the QB; and allows the TE to make a formal introduction to the smaller DBs.

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SicSemperTyrannis's picture

December 10, 2025 at 12:14 am

I greatly enjoyed seeing JL10 making some safe, high percentage plays this game :)

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LambeauPlain's picture

December 09, 2025 at 05:21 pm

Three good Hmmms, Al!

2 were by the Defense, that was unfortunately road graded by the bares OL in the second half. But Hafley knows his players...has great talent at all 3 levels. They play well together.

Broncos will be a good opponent for the Packer Defense. The Packer Offense is going to face its biggest test since the Browns in this one.

Rizzi vs Bisaccia?

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Brushwolf's picture

December 09, 2025 at 09:47 pm

Please. Do not encourage the nightmare ST prepare to rear its ugly head.

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ricky's picture

December 09, 2025 at 06:36 pm

It seems that MLF has come out of his funk (run, run, pass attempt, punt) and is getting more creative again. Hafley has turned out to be an absolute gem as a DC. And with the addition of "Hold 'Em" Parsons (once in a while, sure' but EVERY PLAY!?!) the defense can make the DB's look even better. Even the OL has improved with the additions of Rhyan at center and Bolton at RG, this line has stabilized. Add in that Love is being given more responsibility, and suddenly the national pundits are again giving the Packers some serious consideration for a SB berth.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

December 09, 2025 at 07:58 pm

Hi Everyone, It's LVT. I'm still kickin', 78 & doing Pretty Good. I've beaten Cancer twice. Lung Cancer & 2 years ago Prostate Cancer. All completely gone. I haven't been Betting, but probably should have. I've been picking a lot of games right, including GB Sunday. I called a friend at the beginning of the week to ask about the Spread. He said 6 1/2 is too many points. I knew that. I told him if the line holds at 6 1/2 or goes up, I'M gonna take GB. If it goes down I'll take Chicago. He said, "You're Crazy" THANK YOU !! Wayne Root. I do want to tell all of you something here. I'm gonna take a Future Bet on GB for the Super Bowl. I was going to last week at 11 - 1. They are now 8 - 1 & 3rd choice in the Betting. Should have got them earlier. I haven't seen a lot of Football this year, but I think I saw enough to say, " I think we Beat a Damn Good team in Chicago. I could be wrong, but they are as Tough as anybody. Last I looked they were 44 - 1. I think I'll put a Buck or Two on them as well. They went from 1st seed to 7th. I think they are being overlooked. If they go in the playoffs as the 7th seed, I'll Bet them the 1st game, unless it's against GB. Maybe I'm getting old, but AGAIN: I think we beat a Damn Good Team on Sunday. The game at Chicago should be No More than + or - 2 either way. 1 more thing: I am impressed with GB. I think we have a chance for a couple of SB's with Jordan. Why?? He's Good Enough to Win, & Unlike Favre & Rodgers, he won't be carrying all the $$$ on his back. I can't call the game Sunday yet. I'm not sure that 10 in a row, + 2 1/2 points at home is enough to get the $$$ off of GB. Anyway Hi to all of you, especially TAYRN. Are you still picking winners? Good Luck to everyone, including Me. REMEMBER: If you see hundreds of Runners all going in 1 direction, GO THE OTHER WAY. Talk to you soon.
LVT

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JerseyAl's picture

December 09, 2025 at 08:52 pm

Hello Tom,

Great to hear from you and congrats on kicking cancer's ass. From your comment, it doesn't sound like you haven't been betting! ;)

I had $100 in a betting account I didn't want anymore so before the season, just for the hell of it, I put it on the Packers to win the Super Bowl. That would be a good way to close out that account!

Be well.

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Ihappydirt's picture

December 09, 2025 at 11:31 pm

Maybe my fave response of the year. Way to go beating two cancers! Good luck with your bets.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

December 09, 2025 at 09:52 pm

Hi JerseyAl Nice to talk to you again. I think GB is as Good as anybody. Not like I used to. I still know the Right Way when I see it. What was GB to start with 12 - 1. You've got a Good Bet there. Back it up with a $50 somewhere. Good Luck!!
LVT

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GregC's picture

December 10, 2025 at 01:07 pm

Wow, Parsons left a path of destruction in his wake on that play.

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