Welcome back! After looking at a particularly ugly game last week, we're back in the win column this week. It was a game that was a lot closer than many of us had hoped, capped off with a goal line stand as time ran out.

But we're not here to talk about that. As we've gone through this series, I've talked a lot about how my favorite part is remembering some of the big moments from a game that are largely forgotten. The goal line stand is a huge moment and the first image I have in my mind, but there were a bunch of other moments that played just as much into a Packers victory as that one.

So join me as we walk through a 4-play Packers offensive series in the 3rd quarter that helped the Packers put some distance between themselves and the Panthers.

Play 1: 2nd & 26, 13:48 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Packers leading 14-10

The Packers ended the 1st half by driving all the way down to the Panthers 1 yard line, only to see Jamaal Williams [30] get stuffed 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage as time ran out. The Packers got the ball to start the 2nd half, but started that out with a 7 yard sack and a 9 yard Illegal Use of Hands penalty. 

So here they were, facing 2nd & 26 at their own 9 yard line.

The Panthers start out with a two-high safety look. If that alignment held, Jimmy Graham [80] running a post route from the slot makes a lot of sense. If this was Cover 2, the safeties typically "fan out," leaving the middle vulnerable. Aaron Rodgers' [12] looks down the middle of the field to start the play and sees one of the safeties crashing towards the line while the other rotates back towards the middle of the field. That tells Rodgers he's not dealing with a two-high safety look: he's dealing with a single-high safety look. That changes the vulnerable spot from the middle of the field to the boundary.

Davante Adams [17] runs a tremendous post-corner route, selling the post route before violently cutting back on the corner route. Were this Cover 2, there would be safety help over the top. In this case, the safety is still rotating back to the middle, so if Adams beats his man he'll have some space to work with.

Adams gets his man to bite on the post route, then jumps over the top on the corner route.

Rodgers knows he has Adams early, but still has to wait until Adams is in his final break to throw it. He bounces around and is able to get the ball over the top to Adams. 38 yards on 2nd & 26 is a pretty good start!

Play 2: 1st & 10, 13:25 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Packers leading 14-10

With a little breathing room, the Packers bring out a heavy look to the right side of the line. Not only are Marcedes Lewis [89] and Jace Sternberger [87] on the line, but Jake Kumerow [16] motions in late to give a little extra heft to that side.

The big guys take care of business up front, but Kumerow can't get a blocking angle on Eric Reid [25]. Reid busts through the line and threatens to blow up the play.

Aaron Jones has great vision and agility, and he shows both of those off here. Instead of hitting the middle of the line, Jones jumps behind the oncoming Reid, finds another hole and busts through it.

Once he's in the open field, Jones is a demon. He gives a single step to the right on Tre Boston [33] before cutting back to the left. By the time the dust settled, Jones had picked up 28 yards. Great blocking up front and tremendous vision and burst from Jones.

Play 3: 1st & 10, 12:38 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Packers leading 14-10

The Packers follow up those two beauties with an RPO to Kumerow. We're looking at the numbers and defensive alignment. Kumerow motions across the formation before the snap, carrying Javien Elliott [23] with him. When Elliott reaches the other side of the formation, he doesn't align over Kumerow; he lines up as if he's going to rush the quarterback. That leaves 9 yards of space between Kumerow and Reid, the next closest defender.

The read is simple: if Elliott rushes, throw to Kumerow. Elliott rushes, Rodgers throws, Kumerow catches it and makes a man miss. It's not a huge gain, but a 12 yard gain on 1st & 10 is something you'll take every single time.

Play 4: 1st & 10, 11:54 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Packers leading 14-10

Lewis is lined up off the right side of the line, but he releases to the flat at the snap. That leaves 5 Packers blockers against a 7 man box from the Panthers.

The Packers linemen do a good job up front. Bryan Bulaga [75] and Billy Turner [77] move Bruce Irvin [55] with relative ease, while Corey Linsley [63] roots out Dontari Poe [95] from the middle. 

That opens a nice hole in the middle of the field, but Luke Kuechly [59] is standing right there waiting to make the tackle. Jones sees him and cuts behind the blocks of Bulaga and Turner and bursts upfield before Shaq Thompson [54] can close the gap. Tre Boston takes a bad angle and can't come up with the ankle tackle. Jones ends up in the end zone and the Packers extend their lead to 21-10.

From 2nd & 26 on their own 9 yard line to a touchdown in 4 plays. That's pretty impressive.

If you're interested in looking at a handful of passing concepts from this game, you're in luck! You can find my article from that week right here.

Albums listened to: The Smashing Pumpkins - Adore; Ellis - Born Again; Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience; Fiona Apple - Fetch The Bolt Cutters