Packers Vs. Bears - 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 either focus on a theme, more nuanced observations, or just things I didn't notice watching live. These can be but are less likely to be "highlight" plays. I present these to you with a short explanation why I picked them and then let you readers discuss the plays.
This week's theme is "what might have been." Invariably, after every game, win or lose, you'll hear someone say "we left a lot of plays out there." The early events of Saturday's loss to the Bears exemplifies this theme. Here are three that occurred early in the game (there were more, but I honestly didn't want to go through them all!)
Wrong choice - This was on the Packers' first drive. It's third and seven on the thirteen yardline. For some reason, despite not facing any serious pressure, Love is anxious to get this throw off and quickly picks out Romeo Doubs for what ends up being a six yard gain. Behind Doubs, however, Jayden Reed is making his cut towards the sideline of the end zone with a safety a good five yards off of him. Had Reed been Love's first choice, and he let's it go at the same time he threw to Doubs it's an easy throw and an easy touchdown (and the Packers eventually end up winning the game).
Bad play choice - This is the following play after the one above. It's now fourth and one on the seven and a half yard line. The Packers decide to not kick a field goal here, a decision I support completely. I would have run the ball, but since they didn't, do I like the route that is the primary choice? Not particularly. While it's one that they've been successful with in other areas of the field, in those cases there is a threat of Watson going deep. This forces the DB to play farther off Watson to protect against that possibility. This close to the goal line, the DB can blanket Watson, which he does. Completing this pass would require a perfect pass (Love does keep it out of danger at least) and a great diving catch. Meanwhile, look who's running free in the end zone behind Watson - our old friend Jayden Reed. Once again Reed is open and in this case calling for the ball and then putting up his hands in a bit of frustration that it didn't come his way for an easy touchdown (and the Packers eventually end up winning the game). Maybe it's time to call some plays for Reed in the red zone?
Amateur Hour - This the Packers's next possession. Once again they have marched down the field and are inside the Bear's ten yard line. It's third and goal from the eight yard line. In my mind, I called out the play - the Packers would try to find someone in the back of the end zone, probably Watson because of this height. What I was hoping for was a play where they leak a tight end out late as an option. Well, I got both right, Watson is definitely the primary target, but it requires an accurate throw into a tight window. To be fair, this might have been a completion if the wind hadn't caused the ball to sail out of Watson's reach. Going to Musgrave was a much easier throw to make and while it's no guarantee he can get into the end zone, I like the chances of that option resulting in a touchdown better than the throw to Watson on this windy day.
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of various hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He's a lifetime Packers fan living in the land of the Giants (and Jets). Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (27)
JerseyAl
December 23, 2025 at 02:34 pm
Sorry everyone. Had an issue with the comments carrying over from last week so I had to start from scratch and republish.
crayzpackfan
December 23, 2025 at 02:46 pm
I thought I needed to see a doctor as I was reading the comments all having to do with the Denver game. I kept scrolling back and forth and decided to just look away hoping the monster was no longer there.
Since'75
December 23, 2025 at 04:16 pm
I'm going to let it go...this time. 😉
Ferrari-Driver
December 23, 2025 at 05:24 pm
Made me laugh. Good one.
T7Steve
December 23, 2025 at 02:40 pm
I had such a good comment that it's been copyrighted so I can't repeat it. HA!
Really, everyone was bitching about how they didn't finish the game when they really didn't completely START the game. Actually, the last 3 games.
Every time I used to watch Dusty break down a play, I used always saw someone else wide that was open, and wonder.
splitpea1
December 23, 2025 at 02:43 pm
Thanks for the clean slate.
Plays 1 and 2: Just like in the old cat and mouse cartoon, Jayden Reed must have dipped himself in invisible ink...You can understand maybe once, but twice? Love has to be a little sharper out there, especially when we're potentially talking six.
Play 3: When have they ever tried Musgrave on any high ball in the end zone? If there's one thing he's made to do, it's catch those things.
Summary: I believe we had our full complement of offensive weapons with the exception of Kraft and Whyle. No excuse for going 0 for 5 in the red zone. I think this is something MLF, Love, and the rest of the offensive coaches need to be practicing a lot more of. Just one successful conversion would have won us the game.
TheBigCat
December 23, 2025 at 02:46 pm
Al: I completely agree w/ your Play 3. Football is a contact sport. Make that high-percentage throw to the open TE crossing over the middle, and let him make an introduction to the smaller DB. And if the TE does not make it the end zone, it should be a short 4th and goal.
barutanseijin
December 23, 2025 at 04:52 pm
That’s not just any TE, it’s Luke Musgrave. Odds are he’d trip over the hash marks and never even make contact with the DB. No way he scores.
Coldworld
December 23, 2025 at 05:10 pm
He was the guy who caught the TD that beat Dallas in the playoffs.
barutanseijin
December 24, 2025 at 07:47 am
He has an average YAC of about 2yds, which is basically what he gets by falling over. To score he has to stay on his feet and run through contact, two things he almost never does, all in one play.
pantz_bURp
December 23, 2025 at 03:25 pm
So it's really 6 things this week, right Al?
(Remindz me of my local hometown newspaper called The Echo. (with no Bunnymen)
PB
Swisch
December 23, 2025 at 03:27 pm
It's always an interesting subject as to how well quarterbacks see the field, including how often they miss open receivers that they would have had time to throw to.
I wonder how Love compares in this way to other quarterbacks.
Also, how good is he at finding second and third receivers if his first option is covered?
murf7777
December 23, 2025 at 03:53 pm
I watched a breakdown of the Packers offense last night, and while Willis played well, he missed seeing Watson wide open on two separate drives. One was almost certainly a touchdown, and the other probably would have been too. You can only wonder if Love would've seen Watson and scored. We will never know.
pacman
December 23, 2025 at 03:32 pm
Rodgers used to force it to Adams even though others were more open. Is that what Love was doing? Or is he just going with his first read if it is remotely good. I don't know if Love is good enough to be able to see both receivers and switch in an instant. I don't think he is. He is a good qb. Not a great one (yet).
Coldworld
December 23, 2025 at 03:45 pm
It may be no more than looking at an easy play as part of getting into rhythm early in the game.
murf7777
December 23, 2025 at 03:51 pm
Hey Al, I enjoy your stories. How about creating three plays that really make you say “yeah!” Sometimes there’s just too much negativity out there. Especially, around the holidays:)....Oh, happy holidays everyone!
Lare
December 23, 2025 at 04:00 pm
Not seeing open receivers. The difference between an average QB and a good QB.
Coldworld
December 23, 2025 at 05:12 pm
Rodgers used to get called for missing WRs all the time. QBs miss them on real time and with often limited vision and other things to watch. It’s just how it is
Starrbrite
December 23, 2025 at 10:07 pm
Right—in Bart Starr’s book on Quaterbacking, he mentions peripheral vision as an essential quality.
GregC
December 23, 2025 at 06:04 pm
Being an NFL QB is easy when you have the benefit of hindsight (knowing the pass was incomplete), a birds-eye view, and multiple replays.
Ihappydirt
December 24, 2025 at 08:32 pm
Birds-eye view is real. We don't know what vision linemen were blocking.
Melchy
December 23, 2025 at 04:11 pm
Packers lose to Browns=Awful
Packers tie Cowboys at home=Lousy
Packers barely beat the Cardinals=Lousy
Packers lose to Panthers=Awful
Packers barely beat the Giants=Lousy
Lose to Broncos=Shoulda won
Lose Bears at the end=Double awful
Bottom line is Packers are to inconsistent & won't be good enough till next year.Hopefully Parson's & Kraft come back healthy
Since'75
December 23, 2025 at 04:23 pm
Remember when Jordy tore his ACL in non contact?
He came back and led the NFL the next season in TD catches.
A.P. is another good example....
He tore his ACL, and his MCL in his left knee.
The next season coming back, he rushed for over 2,000 yards.
I don't like A.P. either, but that was impressive.
GregC
December 23, 2025 at 04:30 pm
He definitely missed seeing Reed open on the first play. But it looked to me like Reed had a defender in front of him on the second play, and short WRs are not great end zone targets unless they are wide open, or maybe if it's one of those quick hitters right at the goal line from within a couple yards. On the third play, I never like the idea of throwing to Luke Musgrave when he is short of the sticks--or in this case, the end zone. Maybe he could've beaten that defender to the goal line, but if not, there's no way he's going to break the tackle.
Packer_Fan
December 23, 2025 at 07:09 pm
Al, you have hit on it. I don't know if it is the choice of the play or Love didn't choose the better receiver, everything is out of sort in the red zone.
It's not like at the end of games and the defense is getting carved up, it then seems like the plays called are perfect for what the defense is doing. Be nice if Lafleur and Love can figure that out
GregC
December 23, 2025 at 10:02 pm
The Packers are 6th in the league in red zone TD percentage. The Bears game was an anomaly. Let's hope they can get back on track in the next game.
murf7777
December 24, 2025 at 06:44 am
You mean Denver and the Bears game was an anomaly.