Three huge plays made by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Davante Adams during Sunday’s 28-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks were improvised in one way or another by the Green Bay Packers’ dynamic duo.
One was a play brought to coaches during the week. Another was a play devised during halftime. The final connection was a play crafted at the line of scrimmage.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Monday that it was Rodgers who suggested the offense should attempt the fake rub play that resulted in the game’s first touchdown on Sunday night.
It was a concept the Packers have used before. Rodgers remembered it and lobbied for it be in the plan, and LaFleur agreed – and then he called it in a big spot to start the game.
On 3rd-and-7 from the 20-yard line, Adams faked an in-breaking route in combination with Geronimo Allison and then broke out outside and over the top of the coverage, and Rodgers lofted a perfect throw for the score.
A suggestion on Monday resulted in a huge play on Sunday.
“That’s the value of having a veteran quarterback like that,” LaFleur said. “He has a great memory, number one, and can remember some of the stuff he’s done in the past. It certainly helped us in the game because that was a big-time play.”
At halftime, Rodgers and Adams discussed another potential play. It involved more deception, with another double move with an in-breaker setting up an outside release. Rodgers brought the idea to LaFleur during the break.
Once again, the first-year coach took the suggestion and used it. From the 40-yard line, Adams released inside and showed a deep crosser before stopping and cutting sharply outside. He flashed wide open, Rodgers found him in rhythm, and Adams cut back inside and raced into the end zone for the score.
“That’s years of practicing together. Those guys were clicking and we needed it. They made some huge plays down the stretch,” LaFleur said.
Finally, Rodgers and Adams made individual magic on 3rd-and-8 on the final drive.
Adams said in the locker room after the game that Rodgers came up with the check “on the spot” at the line of scrimmage. He saw man-to-man coverage, with Adams in the slot, and checked to the slot fade.
What did Rodgers say before the play?
“Tae, I need you to make a play here.”
Good call.
Adams crossed up the defender at the line and won over the top, and Rodgers held the middle safety long enough and placed a perfect ball over Adams’ shoulder for 32 yards.
It wasn’t exactly how they envisioned it. Adams took a little longer to set up the cornerback and win down the field, but he kept the route outside and Rodgers held it long enough to make the throw over the corner and before the safety rotated over.
Another benefit of the connection between a great quarterback and his favorite receiver.
“Tonight reminds me of the connection that Jordy (Nelson) and I had for so many years where there’s some unspoken things that we could do without even communicating anything about it, and Davante made three or four plays like that tonight, so that was pretty fun,” Rodgers said.
Credit LaFleur, who afforded his star players the freedom to create the game-changing plays.
“It doesn’t matter where it’s coming from,” LaFleur said. “You gotta rely on the collective unit. If it makes sense, why wouldn’t you do it?”