Welcome back to my offseason series, revisiting the 2019 season one or two plays at a time. We're up to Week 6: an ugly game against the Lions that was ultimately won by a Mason Crosby field goal as time expired.

Today we're going to be looking at two key plays: one on each side of the ball. Let's get to it.

Play 1: 2nd & 3, 1:33 remaining in the 2nd quarter, Packers trailing 7-13

After a Lions punt, the Packers found themselves on their own 6 yard line, down 6 points, with 4:34 to play. They didn't seem in any particular hurry to start the drive, but they were able to pick up a couple first downs. At the 2 minute warning, they had moved 32 yards. The first play after the 2 minute warning was a 7 yard pass to Jamaal Williams [30], who stayed in bounds. The Packers got up to the line quickly and ran up the middle to Williams. How did they do? 

The Packers go with a 2X1 look out of 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR), spreading out the defense. The Lions don't want to give up a big play, so they have two deep safeties, positioned roughly 15 yards off the line of scrimmage at the time the ball is snapped. 

That leaves 6 defenders in the box against 6 blockers. Those are good numbers to run against, and the Packers do exactly that. 

David Bakhtiari [69] and Elgton Jenkins [74] kick out the left side, while Billy Turner [77] and Brian Bulaga [75] double-team the single down-lineman on the right. That leaves Corey Linsley [63] to pick up Jarrad Davis [40]. Linsley slides briefly to the left before coming back and sealing off Davis.

Tavon Wilson [32] comes firing down from his safety position to meet Williams through the line, but Williams sees him and cuts to the area Wilson just vacated. No one is left to pick him up and Williams rumbles for 45 yards.

Really nice call against the defense and perfectly executed by the offense. 

On the 4 plays after this, the Packers ended up losing 10 yards, but were able to kick a field goal to end the half, bringing them to within 3 points.

Play 2: 3rd & 6, 7:01 remaining in the 4th quarter, Packers trailing 20-22

After the Packers kicked a field goal to bring the score to 20-22, the Lions moved 16 yards in 5 plays. They found themselves facing 3rd & 6 at their own 41 yard line.

The Lions are clearing out the middle, isolating Jaire Alexander [23] on Marvin Jones [11] in man-to-man coverage. Jones pushes up the field at Alexander then uses his shoulder to attempt to create separation out of the break. With Blake Martinez [50] picking up the flat route, the corners on the left side dropping with the out-breaking routes and the two safeties dropping deep, the middle is wide open.

Alexander isn't bumped off the route by Jones. He is able to stay on his hip out of the break and puts himself in a great position to make a play on the ball.

And that's exactly what he does. Alexander has Jones blanketed out of the break, diving at the ball and sticking with the play to knock the ball out of the hands of Jones. Magnificent play by Alexander. The Lions punted with 6:53 remaining on the clock and never saw the ball again. The Packers ran 14 plays and ran out the remainder of the clock. Time hit 00:00 with Crosby's game-winning field goal splitting the uprights. Of course, he capped it off with a Lambeau Leap for the ages.

After the FG, Crosby curls around the end. Bradley [43] keeping an eye out. They make eye contact, give waves, then Bradley gives the point. Nice boost to complete the Leap.
Keep an eye on JK Scott. Leaps in a different spot. Props to the fan seeing him mid-jump. Nice adjustment. pic.twitter.com/NxOgZIAv5P

— Dusty (@DustyEvely) October 15, 2019

If you want to talk about "winning ugly", this game was the definition of that. Dropped passes. A fumbled punt return. An interception that bounced off the facemask of a receiver. This game had it all. And yet, in the end, the Packers were able to pull out a win, thanks in part to these two plays.

Albums listened to: Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy; Sufjan Stevens & Lowell Brams - Aporia