Packers Vs. Rams - 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 try to focus on a theme, the less obvious, or things I didn't notice watching live.
The theme for today is setting an aggressive tone early. The Packers did this and carried it through the entire game. It's nice to see they're capable but why is it so rare?
3rd and Five - This is the first third down of the game. MY GOD, look at where the DB's are lined up at the snap. When was the last time you can remember seeing that from a Joe Barry defense? On third down? Was he confidant enough to do this because Stafford wasn't playing? Was he willing to try it because a three-man rush was employed? Did LaFleur finally demand a concrete change in tactics? Did Barry generate some new brain cells over the week? I could go on, but the gist of it is, I have no idea what brought on this miracle. Now, the Rams do convert and get the first down, helped by a nice OPI push off by Nacua on Alexander, but that's irrelevant to my point here.They came out setting an agressive tone.
3rd and inches - This was the Rams' second third down of the game. One would expect a QB sneak or simple dive play here, but the RB is 8 yards behind the LOS. Something is up and Keisean Nixon and Alexander see it early. Nixon doesn't play it safe, he makes an aggressive charge into the backfield, disrupting the flow of the play and forcing the ball carrier into Alexander, who also has come up aggressively. Defensive backs not waiting for the play to come to them is a sight for sore eyes for this Packers fan.
Quick Strike Attempt - This is the first play after the Owens strip sack and Campbell fumble recovery. This brings back memories of Favre and earlier-career Rodgers, going for it all on the first play after a turnover. You can't try this all the time, but once in a while, it's good to see the Packers not just hand it off in these situations. Now, there's nothing there for Love, as they go max protect and only send two receivers out in patterns. The Rams have Watson covered on the crossing pattern and Doubs is double-teamed deep. Love does the smart thing and takes the easy completion. But as they say, it's the thought that counts. It's an aggressive play call, and as you may have noticed, "aggressive" is the word of the day.
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther. Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (22)
RCPackerFan
November 07, 2023 at 05:59 pm
"3rd and Five - This is the first third down of the game. MY GOD, look at where the DB's are lined up at the snap. When was the last time you can remember seeing that from a Joe Barry defense? On third down? Was he confidant enough to do this because Stafford wasn't playing? Was he willing to try it because a three-man rush was employed? Did LaFleur finally demand a concrete change in tactics? Did Barry generate some new brain cells over the week?"
I really don't know what it was, but we need more of it. I have to only assume this was LaFleur forcing Barry to get the CB's tighter. But maybe it was purely because they didn't have Stafford?
I would love if someone would ask LaFleur or Barry these questions.
Since'75
November 08, 2023 at 11:38 am
I posted a few times the Packers were playing against a practice squad QB last Sunday.
I have first hand knowledge, that statement hurt some Packer fans feelings.
Seems i over estimated Bret Rypien.
Jump to Tuesday and guess what, Bret Rypien is out of the NFL.
GEE, go figure huh, it's a mad mad world out there isn't it?
Unless of course, some team signs him up for their practice squad 😮
Since'75
November 10, 2023 at 02:14 pm
UPDATE!!!!! : Brett Rypien was recently signed to the Seahawks practice squad.
Sometimes i just....impressive myself 😲🙄😎😃🍺👍
splitpea1
November 07, 2023 at 06:15 pm
Watershed moment for the Packers' secondary as they recorded 7 defended passes. The opposing QB probably had something to do with the approach, but i don't care what the reasoning was. Maybe this will be a watershed moment for Barry after seeing the results.
TKWorldWide
November 07, 2023 at 06:57 pm
I was hoping after the 2nd Viking game last year that JB had seen the light.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2023 at 09:50 pm
TK,
that would be too obvious. JB is, as they say, not very smart.
Johnblood27
November 08, 2023 at 01:38 am
Hey...
I resemble that remark!
TKWorldWide
November 11, 2023 at 02:14 pm
I’m right there with you.
barutanseijin
November 07, 2023 at 06:20 pm
You’re 2-5 coming in to the game, it only makes sense to play aggressively no matter who the opponent may be. You have nothing to lose.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2023 at 09:51 pm
It only makes sense, yes.
That's why it was so very surprising seeing this coming from JB.
I suspect player mutiny caused it.
Cheezehead72
November 08, 2023 at 06:26 am
JB is not Capt Obvious
PeteK
November 07, 2023 at 06:40 pm
The Packers are not a team that anyone wants to meet because they're so VICIOUS.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2023 at 09:59 pm
All kidding aside, that should be the case. Trying to tackle #28 should result in regret felt a year later. Kenny Clarke, Rashan Gary, P Smith and LVN are all monsters. J Ford should be in, at least against the run. All 196# of Ja throws his weight around. Owens tackles HARD.
This roster has talent. Violence is not something young players cannot achieve. When entire teams underachieve, coaches are doing something wrong.
THESZOTMAN1
November 07, 2023 at 07:06 pm
Yo, Pete K---
Is that a Lou Reed reference?
PeteK
November 08, 2023 at 09:13 am
Yes, Good catch. Hope we don't hit someone with a flower this week. LOL
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2023 at 10:01 pm
Al, I noticed this difference in our defense as it happened. I stared, blinking, not believing my eyes.
JB had an epiphany? Or will he revert to the same old trying not to lose?
KKB
November 08, 2023 at 01:17 am
3rd and 5.....
Barry must have been in the bathroom. And the DBs played that way on their own.
Thegreatreynoldo
November 08, 2023 at 05:37 am
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. There might have been a time when an All-Pro and best CB in the NFL gets that OPI call against a rookie. Perhaps Nacua has sufficiently taken the NFL by storm to get some slack from the Refs. It would have been a ticky-tacky call, in any event.
Rustyweezee
November 08, 2023 at 11:17 am
No, that’s as aggressive a push off as there is. Happened so quick was the only reason it wasn’t called. I suppose Jaire could’ve gotten the call if he embellished, but he did the sensible thing in quickly getting to the tackle. I think the reason OPI isn’t called as often as it should be is because it’s happening so frequently these days.
T7Steve
November 08, 2023 at 06:20 am
Thanks Al!
This is the first time you went Humm on plays that I actually did take notice of during the game. Couldn't miss the difference.
If I took notice, it was probably glaringly obvious to everyone else. Total change of playing mindset on both sides of the ball.
Seems to me it had to be the players taking over. If it had been coaching, why hadn't it happened sooner?
ricky
November 08, 2023 at 10:39 am
This is the same defensive pattern from last year. Get roasted week after week in the media, have the fan base up in arms, and probably have some veterans on the defense ask for a change. So it happens. But once he gets comfortable again, Barry will resort to his old ways. I hate being cynical, but it may well be time, at the end of the season, for Bisaccia to have his second chance at being a head coach. Unless Gutekunst has a better idea.
Packer_Fan
November 08, 2023 at 11:56 am
This game was the first time the defense was aggressive and played down hill. Playing bend but don't break is a losing formula for this year. I always thought that the defense needed to play more aggressive and win a couple of games.
McDuffie and Valentine played well. Barry should again be aggressive again this week because of another young QB. We'll see