Packers Vs. Lions - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' last game.
By JerseyAl
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.
Busy Belton - Last Week, I brought you some clips of Jordan Morgan whiffing on blocks and then standing there watching and wondering what he should do. This week I bring you his replacement, and make no mistake about it, the former first round pick Morgan has a reserved seat on the bench at this point. Anthony Belton has shown that despite very limited experience at the position of guard, attitude and determination goes a long way. In this clip, Belton initially has no one to block. Over the course of the play, he seeks out three different Lion pass rushers to deliver a blow to. First he helps out his guard, then he helps his tackle, then gets up off the ground to punish the defensive end coming over from the other side of the line. Belton gets a three-fer on this play and looks to have settled in nicely and helped contribute to an uptick in the overall line play over the last two games.
Evan "Wow" Williams - This game had one Evan WIlliams highlight after another, mostly against the run. I had my choice of 12-15 highlight reel worthy clips but chose two to show you below. In the first one, Williams shows a lightning quick change of direction, dogged pursuit of one of the fastest players in the NFL and textbook tackling technique (take note, CV). As Tom Brady mentioned several times on the broadcast, it was like Williams and Brian Branch were having a competition for the most "wow" plays on defense. And speaking of Brady, I have to say he has improved as an announcer after what I thought was a very poor start to his new career. He now actually does more than just spew platitudes on "great plays." But back to Williams, on the second clip he shows the instincts of a jaguar who spots his prey, stalks it, sees an opening and attacks his prey before it knows what's happening. Evan Williams is the REAL DEAL.
Block of Wood-en - Here's another little per peeve of mine, The Packerds DL and Edge players just don't block many passes. When i watch the Eagles or Steelers, it just seems like I always see blocked passes. So I decided to see if this was just my imagination or reality. I looked up the PFF "batted passes" stats for defensive linemen and edge players. Here's some of what I found:
Batted Passes:
| Team | 2024 | 2024 | 2025 (12 games) | 2025 (12 games) |
| DL | EDGE | DL | EDGE | |
| Eagles | 14 | 3 | 13 | 1 |
| Steelers | 15 | 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Packers | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Is it something about Pennsylvanian teams or is it just that these coaches emphasize and teach their players to get those hands up if their not getting to the quarterback? The numbers bear out my theory but to an even greater extent than I could have imagined. And not one Packers edge player has blocked a pass in two years? The Packers' numbers would place them somewhere in the bottom third of the league and to me, these are wasted opportunities. If you're in a stalemate with a pass rusher, there's only one way you can impact the game - get your hands up!
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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 (17)
Since'61
December 02, 2025 at 02:16 pm
Williams has been a godsend for the Packers defense. Sadly it looks like Morgan is a wasted #1 pick. Maybe he works out if the Packers eventually play him at LT. For now Belton looks like he can be a solid RG.
Excellent point Al about the failure of the Packers to block passes. Hafley should be working on this with the DL and LBs.
Beat the Bears! Thanks, Since ‘61
Leatherhead
December 02, 2025 at 03:20 pm
I wouldn't give up on Morgan yet. IF he's not starting next year, and playing well, then it's time to give up. I think he's a LT, that's what he was in college, that's what we drafted him for (no, we didn't spend our first round pick on a RG), and that's where I think he'll be lining up next year (no, we won't keep Walker).
A pass that a DL defends is more valuable than one that a DB defends. Plus, these tipped balls do get intercepted from time to time. I'd like to see them get their arms up on these shorter timing routes.
Ihappydirt
December 03, 2025 at 12:42 am
Morgan is likely the LT of next year after they let Sheed go for big bucks and the 3rd compensatory. JM is better at tackle than guard and Belton could be a stud.
TXCHEESE
December 02, 2025 at 02:42 pm
Belton! Damn, this should be played in the film room every week and every season from here on out. That was just great effort, and effort wins the day. Thought I was watching Neo from the Matrix.
Williams is the real deal.
Morgan better wake up or he will be pine warming the remainder of the season.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 03, 2025 at 12:49 am
Morgan should be held in reserve the rest of the season, that's not even a variable. He's our future LT. Hopefully playing RG hasn't ruined him.
T7Steve
December 02, 2025 at 02:49 pm
I hope Morgan is watching and learning and will play well at tackle when given the chance (long down the road I hope).
I've really been irritated by batted passes when they happen to Love, but until Al mentioned it didn't realize the Packers choose not to block them. It really strikes me now that he mentioned it. Maybe they should contact the Brewers and see if they can get their bat boy off their practice squad to give them some pointers.
splitpea1
December 02, 2025 at 03:15 pm
Play 1: Good for Belton. Way to hit as many players as you can before the whistle blows!
Play 2: Exceptional job both times of getting penetration and sealing off lanes by the defense; you want to see Gibbs going parallel to the LOS. The Packers have held him in check the last three games.
LeotisHarris
December 02, 2025 at 03:32 pm
Say what you will about all that Dean Lowry was and wasn't, but that mofo used his 6'6" frame and arms to swat down passes back in the day. Johnny Jolly was an elite ball batter-downer as well.
TXCHEESE
December 02, 2025 at 04:15 pm
No lies told.
Bitternotsour
December 02, 2025 at 05:33 pm
Johnny Jolly is a sad story.
JerseyAl
December 02, 2025 at 07:27 pm
In both cases, the reason was they weren't big threats in the pass rush department. To their credit, they did what they could to have an impact. This is what I'd like to see the Packers current defensive staff teach.
jannesbjornson
December 02, 2025 at 08:43 pm
It is a basic kata, dating to High School Football: get your arms up and narrow the passing windows.
TruePackerBacker
December 02, 2025 at 05:36 pm
JerseyAl, This was one of the best article/review I have seen and watched this year. So Thank You first of all.
Like I have stated in a previous post. I believe the move of Rhyan and Belton literally saved our OLine.
Before the season started, we all saw our coaches say Jenkins would be an all pro center, but turns out not to be the case. As much as I love EJ, I dont think center was the right move for him. Couldnt move him back to LG because of Banks having "Must play" money.
So for the rest of the season, Im interested in seeing Banks play with Rhyan at center and well "so far so good"... Making me believe maybe EJ was the hole on the oline. (I dont want to mention Morgan because he clearly isnt an Inside lineman and We need to see him outside in live games, which I feel like packers need to start doing now becaause if Morgan struggle at LT and we let Walker go then back to another problem)
The next thing I truly loved that you took notes on is the Batting passes. Every game we have played Eaglespast 2 years, they had at least 2 Batted passes in each game. I think it might be a coach thing, something they are not emphasizing enough for the player to remember to put hands up even if they dont get to the qb. It can really be a game breaker.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 03, 2025 at 12:53 am
Pulling Walker off LT now would be insanity. Hopefully he doesn't get hurt and we don't need to put Morgan in; next season the position is his to lose.
Vachio
December 02, 2025 at 06:15 pm
The lack of batted passes is definitely irritating. I mean, they taught us that in little league. You see the QB wind up, you yell "PASS" and then get your hands up. Fundamentals.
Ihappydirt
December 03, 2025 at 12:48 am
Evan Williams is so solid. What a crazy safety draft/FA year. McKinney, who shouldn't have been available. Bullard and Williams in the draft. Completely remade the room from one of the league's worst to one of its best. Even Olidapo is showing up on ST when he doesn't get flagged.
Savage57
December 03, 2025 at 06:28 am
The lack of batted balls is just lazy D. It's the same in hoops. If you're coached to play D with your arms up to limit passing lanes, that's how you play. If not, they're hanging at your side, waiting instead of anticipating.