The Green Bay Packers survived an early surge and a late comeback attempt by the Philadelphia Eagles to win their ninth game of the season, using 23 straight points and a long touchdown run by Aaron Jones to eventually beat Doug Pederson’s team at Lambeau Field by a 30-16 final in Week 13.
Here are all my notes and observations from rewatching the Packers’ win on Monday:
– Eagles running back Miles Sanders rushed for 17 yards on the first drive. He had only 14 the rest of the way. The run defense showed a few cracks early but eventually solidified. Eagles running backs carried 16 times for only 59 yards.
– Christian Kirksey was very fortunate to avoid a defensive pass interference penalty on third down on the opening drive. He never got his head around and was grabbing late. It would have been his second DPI in as many games. Instead, the Packers got off the field and the Eagles settled for a field goal.
– The Eagles played like a desperate team early. That probably gave them an edge in the first quarter. Once the game settled in, it became clear quickly who was going to win.
– Carson Wentz felt the pressure early and, as a result, ran himself into a bunch of bad situations. He’s been hit so many times in 2020 that it’s hard to blame him for peeking at the rush. But when a quarterback’s eyes leave the progression and key on the rush, it’s all over. The second and third down plays to end the Eagles’ second drive were a great example. The Packers got to Wentz early, essentially incapacitating his ability to effectively play the position.
– The Packers only ran five plays in the first quarter but trailed just 3-0. The Eagles had their chance to take control early. Matt LaFleur’s survived the storm and dominated the rest of the way, save for two minutes or so in the fourth quarter.
– The 24-yard completion from Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams on the final play of the first quarter was a fun one. Rodgers made the throw fading away from pressure while moving to his left, floating it over the linebacker in the flat to Adams, who was wide open running the crosser.
– Aaron Jones gains a decent chunk of yards every season by redirecting run plays when the original design or blocking scheme is jammed up. Twice on Sunday, he ran into a brick wall inside only to reset his vision, bounce it outside and pick up a solid gain.
– On the fourth-and-goal play, Adams gained a half-foot of separation with a decisive route and was just too athletic for Darius Slay to handle in a jump-ball situation. For 99 percent of receivers, that route and throw would be a low percentage play. Adams, with his route quickness, leaping ability, body control and strong hands, made it look easy.
– Marcedes Lewis might be the slowest player on the team. Matt LaFleur is still finding ways to scheme him open.
– What an awesome design on Malik Taylor’s 14-yard catch. The Packers set up a screen to Jamaal Williams to the defense’s right, only to have Taylor run a shallow crosser to the defense’s left. Robert Tonyan’s vertical route picked off Taylor’s man, springing him open. The screen play was also developing. Rodgers just had to pick which one he wanted.
– Kingsley Keke put a shimmy shake on the right guard on his second sack. Nice move. His quickness and athleticism can really create problems for big guards. Jason Peters, the veteran, couldn’t handle him.
– Another drop on a deep ball from Marquez Valdes-Scantling. He tried to body catch it. Big mistake. He probably makes the catch if he extends and attempts to catch the ball out front with his hands. The drop erased what should have been a 55-yard play.
– Preston Smith helped create two tackles for losses on Miles Sanders by setting a strong edge.
– Darnell Savage slipped down while trying to make a speed turn, creating the big play to Dallas Goedert.
– Still have no idea how Rodgers and Adams connected on the 42-yard play from the end zone. Incredible throw into traffic, and an even better catch. It took late hands and a supreme level of concentration and confidence for Adams to finish the play with that many bodies in the area.
– Allen Lazard is faster than he gets credit for. He toasted Avonte Maddox for a deep ball down the sideline on 3rd-and-3.
– Adams just manhandled Slay on the touchdown. Went right through him. That play should have been a 3- or 4-yard gain. Adams powered through the cornerback and scored.
– Hunter Bradley’s snaps are getting increasingly more erratic. His snap on the missed extra point was at least partially to blame.
– Maddox made a great play, but Adams had a terrific route on the slot fade.
– Not sure Christian Kirksey is the linebacker you want spying athletic quarterbacks. He lumbered around chasing Jalen Hurts.
– The touchdown pass on 4th-and-18 was probably thrown into Jaire Alexander’s zone. Darnell Savage was chasing, but the ball was thrown over Alexander’s head against either Cover-3 or quarters coverage.
– MVS might have had a long touchdown if Rodgers hadn’t been hit releasing the ball with just under seven minutes to go. He was in the clear. The ball wasn’t too far off, but MVS couldn’t make an attempt on it.
– It appeared to be Kamal Martin who missed the tackle attempt on Jalen Reagor’s long punt return touchdown. Raven Greene also had a shot but couldn’t make the tackle.
– Someone needs to teach JK Scott how to either force the returner to help or make a legitimate tackle attempt.
– This was the best game Dean Lowry has played all season. He bullied Peters for a sack in the fourth quarter.
– He might have given up the touchdown on fourth down, but Alexander was terrific for much of the contest. Aggressive, physical. He’s a tone-setter and a receiver-eraser.
– Special, special run from Aaron Jones. Make the linebacker and safety miss in the open field and find the end zone. And look at the hoard of teammates racing to his aid down the field. The dagger was an incredible blend of individual brilliance from Jones and a team that loves fighting for each other.
– Credit the defense for slamming the door shut late. They forced a punt and got the late turnover to close it out.
– Preston Smith’s pressure helped create Savage’s diving interception. He hit Hurts’ arm on the release. And what a catch to finish it. The second-year safety is an elite athlete who knows how to catch the ball with his hands.
– For the second straight game, a conversion from Tonyan allowed the Packers to kneel on the ball and end the game. No Tim Boyle for the kneeldowns. It was Rodgers to end it.
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