Packers Vs 49ers - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' game against the San Francisco 49ers
By JerseyAl
After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons.
Run Jones Run
A few things about this play. As many people have pointed out, the best thing Jones could have done here is just keep running towards the pylon. If he does, I think he gets inside the 10 if not further. But it's not the yardage that matters. If he hugs the sideline, wherever he gets pushed out of bounds, the clock stops. The Packers would have had around 25 seconds AND a time out to work with, which likely would have changed their approach at the end of the half. The other thing is, while it's a minor quibble, if Rodgers hits Jones in stride, it's a touchdown.
Gary's Awakening:
I tweeted during the game that this was the coming out party for Rashan Gary. Not only was he dominant as a pass rusher, he's starting to think a little more out there. He's starting to go beyond pure physical play and becoming more of a total football player. On this play, San Francisco is running the same play that was very successful earlier in the game with Trent WIlliams in motion. On that first play, Williams, with a full head of steam and Gary entagled with another 49er, just totally pancaked Gary to the ground and the 49ers got their first down easily. So this time around, Gary knows what's coming. He could have chosen to meet Williams head on ready for the collision, or he could do what he did - jump a gap and don't give Williams a chance to even touch him. Also, if Gary doesn't get the RB, Campbell is right there in the intended hole to back him up. What a big play, although ultimately, all for naught.
Lonely Lazard:
I know you've all seen this play multiple times by now, but I stopped the video just to make it a bit clearer just how open Lazard was. I also included this play because I was struck by the irony of my "3 plays..." post from last year's NFC Championship defeat to the Bucs, which also featured a play with Lazard wide open (in the end zone, that time). Rodgers again has his "DavanteVision" glasses on, which means he has pre-decided there is only ONE receiver he is throwing to, whether open or not, whether it's a difficult throw or not, whether the odds are good or not.
Here's the link to last year's play if you want to be reminded.
As I said, I know that you likely already know about this play, but I felt it appropriate that I leave this here as a fitting final remembrence of what could be the end of the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay. Great hopes derailed by some unnecessary failures.
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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 (96)
Bearmeat
January 24, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Thanks for the many fine memories - mostly in the regular season, Aaron. Bye.
x24
January 24, 2022 at 12:34 pm
You mean "Jones" in the first clip?
You are right on- "Davantevision" strikes again
And sadly- probably our last chance for that "Savage and Mercilus" tackle...
JerseyAl
January 24, 2022 at 01:43 pm
whoops - I guess I had the "DavanteVision" glasses on... Fixed it.
UnoMyName
January 24, 2022 at 02:25 pm
""Savage and Mercilus" tackle..." love the phrase nevertheless.
HawkPacker
January 24, 2022 at 12:37 pm
In the first one Al, I believe you mean Aaron Jones and not Adams. That's funny as when I watched live, I thought it was in fact Adams as well. Tough game to lose and no one is happy in Packerland.
JerseyAl
January 24, 2022 at 02:21 pm
A "Davantian slip".
croatpackfan
January 24, 2022 at 03:10 pm
Must be that Aaron Rodgers borrow DavanteVision glasses when you were writing this hmmmmm thing.
Also, agree with you on all 3 plays. On "Lazard" play on the other side of the field ESB was 2 yards in front of his defender towards end zone. If The Diva saw that it would be easy TD.
Despite crucial 2 big mistakes at ST, for me offense, particulary Aaron Rodgers lost this game. And that will be his legacy... Choker...
BAMABADGER
January 24, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Al: The Lazard no pass is Deja vu all over again, all over again, all over again. That one play is the reason AR will go to only one SB with the Packers and why The GOAT has 7 victories and 10 trips. Brady would always throw to the open man.
Now let's blow this team up and rebuild. GPG!
PS: Has the ST coach been escorted out the facility yet??? Any money owed this incompetent should be paid for with MLF's salary.
stockholder
January 24, 2022 at 02:41 pm
Blow up the team? Gutey has made 36 draft picks. He's given away at least 5. Everybody says 3 years for them to succeed. Do the Math. It isn't pretty. No body will come to play for a loser. Did Rodgers lose this game.? Is Rodgers the Team? The only math people do is the cap. The ship is sinking. And three others teams have the jump in Rebuilding. The LIONS<VIKINGS<BEARS
croatpackfan
January 24, 2022 at 03:11 pm
You are boring, man!
stockholder
January 24, 2022 at 06:54 pm
Gutey for GM of the year.
JerseyAl
January 24, 2022 at 03:26 pm
Did Gutey run over your dog or something? Your continual completely one-sided myopic rants on Gutey are just hard to understand.
From something Pete Dougherty wrote after last year's draft:
The history of the draft shows that every team misses on a lot of picks, including in the early rounds. You might remember that Ron Wolf, the Packers’ former general manager and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, said his goal was to find three solid starters in every draft. But you might not remember he also likened drafting to baseball, where if you hit over .300 for your career, you’re a Hall of Famer. In other words, not many do it.
Whatever your expectations are of him, they are wildly unrealistic. Think about it.
stockholder
January 24, 2022 at 06:53 pm
I don’t think I’m being unrealistic at all. I’ve seen his draft Grades. And I have commented on how to make the roster, and the Future outLook better. But if you think he’s doing Great. I should agree with you. Regardless how Toxic it is. The plan is to move on from Rodgers. His draft reflected that. I’m not supporting Rodgers for GM of the year. But the questions before each draft, were about a revolving door. And not a fix. My argument has always been; he hasn’t done enough. Gutey was under a national microscope this year. {I’m sure he got help! } And thats where he should stay. Under a microscope.
Coldworld
January 24, 2022 at 06:59 pm
I’ve seen his roster. I saw the one he inherited. Hmmm, screw your draft grades and the rest, I will go with the players I see, no matter how often you repeat it.
Oppy
January 24, 2022 at 09:04 pm
This Packers roster is the most talented Packers roster in the last decade.
Guys like Elgton Jenkins, Jaire Alexander, Rashan Gary, AJ Dillon, Eric Stokes are a big part of that roster.
Also FA pick ups like P. and Z. Smith, Adrian Amos, Billy Turner..Chandon Sullivan, De'Vondre Campbell.. Rasul Douglass??
That's all under Gute. There's more prominent role players as well.
He's done a good job turning around this roster. It is a stronger team today than when he took over.
Tundraboy
January 24, 2022 at 09:09 pm
Yes. Bye to Arod and sadly Adams but it's for the best.
Hematite
January 25, 2022 at 06:36 am
I 100% agree!!!
Packers0808
January 24, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Time to let Rodgers go, I guess, he doesn't like to be needled!
Philarod
January 24, 2022 at 03:35 pm
Original.
Razer
January 24, 2022 at 12:53 pm
I guess there were no Special Teams clips available - arrrgh.
The punctuation on a player's career can be sad - even great careers. I see Favre's game ending pick in the Giants NFC CG like it was from this weekend's highlight reel. Rodgers launching it downfield to Davante Adams in double coverage is his unfortunate "last play" in a great Packer run. The inability or reluctance to vary his targets has been the weakness of this offense in these tight games. The coaching staff got a lot more out of Rodgers these last 3 years, re-enegizing his career. But when push came to shove, Rodgers ignored all the options that this offense afforded him and played hero ball.
Hematite
January 25, 2022 at 06:39 am
For some reason I can't use the thumbs up/down feature so my reply to you is THUMBS UP!!!!
BruceC1960
January 24, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Not to mention, ESB would have been a great choice too on the 3rd and 11.
jannesbjornson
January 24, 2022 at 08:01 pm
He was more open with the 1:1 it seems, but where is the other safety?
Handsback
January 24, 2022 at 01:08 pm
It's not like Rodgers hasn't ever played with Adams on the bench...he has and has done quite well hitting passes that move the chains. I would love to hear what MLF and Rodgers talked about in last years NFC title game. The only reason I say that is because it happened again.
This loss was on Rodgers, and MLF. You notice I didn't say the ST or it's coach. Because before the game MLF should have spent some time with that coach, not saying his name because of the bad taste that's left, and make sure he had everything covered. In fact maybe have a sit-down with all the players that played on special teams and asked them to do their jobs with a laser focus. Of course that might have happened and they just ignored him.
Johnblood27
January 24, 2022 at 08:32 pm
maybe... just maybe... if mlf would jump up and down and wave his arms at the special teams like he does the fans they would take notice that something is expected of them and they might actually do their jobs...
maybe...
maybe...
BruceC1960
January 24, 2022 at 02:03 pm
Nice piece Al.
My 4 hmmm plays.
AJ just go out of bounds
12, how do you not see Lazard or ESB on 3rd and 11?
Big Dog fumble…he’s done that before, but it hasn’t hurt us.
Degaura drop on 3rd down at midfield. The ball should have been caught, but shouldn’t your HOF QB throw a better ball than that?
Coldworld
January 24, 2022 at 02:36 pm
The sad fact is it’s not just Rodgers but LaFleur repeating their errors as if stuck in Groundhog Day. When asked about whether the lack of throws to other receivers, LaFleur said, mentioning things he perhaps needed to reconsider, that after the game that everything they did in relation to passing concepts flowed through Adams all year and had again on Saturday.
Rodgers may move on, but we are stuck with a Coach whom I increasingly see as part of the problem (and that’s without considering the debacle that was Drayton and STs).
PeteK
January 24, 2022 at 03:32 pm
There's more to coaching than calling plays. He kept this team focused and disciplined through all the interruptions and injuries. Holmgren had Favre, MM Rodgers, LF Love? Remember the previous two had very poor starts to their careers.
Coldworld
January 24, 2022 at 04:16 pm
Yes, he did, but that’s not the sum of what is required to win.
Coldworld
January 24, 2022 at 07:16 pm
The more I think about this and the more I listen to LaFleur, I think he’s missing the ability to distance himself and judge analytically and dispassionately. I think he wants to make too many people happy. That explains denial over Drayton and being sucked in to the Rodgers offense.
Unfortunately that’s a recipe for really dreadful coaching and playing staff management and for an inability to improve strategically. This guy is a type who will be popular, take responsibility but never impose need over objection.
That explains personnel decisions within The roster, that have been odd at times (ESBs heavy use having been cut over people who weren’t, failure to play Love with the starters, the continual resort to Burks and the idiotic playing of Bakh when allegedly he didn’t want it but Rodgers did, then playing the starters and Rodgers till MVS got injured, going into a playoff with Turner at LT after a six week layoff when he’s never been good instead of a player who played 8 games there leaving our back up backup at right.
I think LaFleur shows signs of being a really bad choice. I certainly think he’s not the man to work with Rodgers, in fact I think he’s effectively been busy making Rodgers happy by creating and playing who and what Rodgers wants. LaFleur and Rodgers should never be on the same team again. LaFleur isn’t the leader in that relationship.
4thandinches
January 24, 2022 at 09:28 pm
Is it possible Rodgers doesn’t want to be led by anyone? I have strong suspicions the answer is yes. Look Gute didn’t want to trade for Cobb and MLF probably made a ton of concessions because doing so had the greatest short term benefits. Having Rodgers not Love QB for the team when they had a high quality squad. The organization decided to swallow its pride and give 12 what he wanted. I’m glad neither Gute nor MLF died on some hill to ‘be the leader’. I’ll also be happy for 12 to move along and let our real leaders get back to calling the shots.
I’m glad to have MLF s as our coach. He’s young and still learning but his track record is pretty darn good!
Coldworld
January 25, 2022 at 08:27 am
My concern with LaFleur is that I do not see the learning, I see the same mistakes and the same things said afterwards.
croatpackfan
January 25, 2022 at 03:16 am
I blame MLF for being servile and submissive to Aaron Rodgers. He does not have strength to overrule Aaron wishes (e. g. Aaron wanted to play game vs Lions and he got it, Aaron wanted to have as many deep pass as he wish, and he got it, Aaron wanted to have that or this player for the specific play or series, he got it, rarely he listen what MLF call).
Only balls MLF showed was at the end of last season NFCCG when he put Mason on the field on 4th and 8. And Aaron Rodgers made it big issue after the game, while by any account it was right decision to do. Aaron again showed us that he panicking at the crucial moments and have only DavanteVision glasses in those kind of moments. Other HCs and DCs already knows that and that is why Tampa left every other player and cover Adams with 3 man. To prevent failure on the 4th and 8, MLF tried to cut the lead to 5 points and have faith in D to made another stop. What was logical, knowing how Tom Brady played bad in the second half. I can only imagine what Aaron told to MLF in the locker room or in his office after the game - or he might only looked at him silently.
After that game, Aaron was doing what he wanted and MLF subs every AR wish.
I believe MLF can be good coach only if he grows his ball to the extend of the true HC. At the moment he is just cheerleader and servant to the "The Diva God" (that is how Aaron see himself).
Hematite
January 25, 2022 at 06:45 am
Well articulated as usual Coldworld!
Bitternotsour
January 24, 2022 at 05:11 pm
At this point in Rodgers career he needs a HC who'll put a boot up his ass. Can you imagine him pulling his shit with Ron Rivera?
It will be interesting to see MLF coach without a prima donna QB. I gotta say I'm not really hopeful, but he gets the benefit of the doubt. The dynamic was skewed in GB. Rodgers got McCarthy fired and was essentially untouchable. Well. Hopefully he's someone else problem going forward. Bring on the draft picks.
dobber
January 24, 2022 at 07:14 pm
"At this point in Rodgers career he needs a HC who'll put a boot up his ass"
What he needs and what he's likely to get are two entirely different things.
Swisch
January 24, 2022 at 05:26 pm
Well, it will be fascinating to see how LaFleur coaches without Rodgers.
Also, we'll see if some of our receivers emerge with more opportunities.
It seems once the Packers compromised by accepting Rodgers with his arrogant delusions of grandeur, it was hard to control Rodgers.
That was the huge risk, and it isn't surprising that sooner or later it would end with massive disappointment.
4thandinches
January 24, 2022 at 09:18 pm
I don’t see it as coaching malpractice to have coaches plan the passing game mostly around their best pass catcher. Adams is the one every defense it’s trying to stop. So finding ways to get Adams the ball and finding ways to use him as a decoy makes sense to me. That makes him central to the passing game. From what I’ve heard about that last play, Adams was supposed to be clearing 2 defenders way out of the area, leaving the middle wide open. That our QB didn’t throw the ball to the open guy isn’t MLFs fault. MLF also isn’t one to put the blame on Rodgers, so he takes it himself. Blaming Rodgers doesn’t improve the relations between the team and the quarterback who they need to trade.
Coldworld
January 25, 2022 at 08:31 am
Mostly is fine, but nearly exclusively is not. ignoring open players to throw into multiple coverages repeatedly is nonsensical. More generally, it’s the antithesis of the illusion of complexity and minimizes the YAC potential.
Spiker
January 24, 2022 at 11:06 pm
How do we know that Rodgers ignored most of the game plan and just did his own thing? I have a feeling that was some of it. I’d like to see MLF’s full playbook and game plans next year with out a dumb ass diva inserting his way or no way attitude.
chip2u
January 25, 2022 at 12:07 pm
I think AR would do well at Indy. 2nd best RB in the league, good OL, decent defense and an ex QB as coach. Colts can't continue with Wentz and it puts AR in the AFC.
stockholder
January 24, 2022 at 02:13 pm
I'm surprised Rodgers got the pass off at all.
Coldworld
January 24, 2022 at 02:39 pm
He had plenty of time. He’d have had more if he had not waited for Adams to get deeper and thrown to Lazard. See what you want to see I suppose.
stockholder
January 24, 2022 at 02:45 pm
I can't see what you want.
JerseyAl
January 24, 2022 at 02:44 pm
He had a clean pocket and even had room to step into the throw.
stockholder
January 24, 2022 at 02:47 pm
It's Called once in a Life-Time.
Coldworld
January 24, 2022 at 04:17 pm
It’s called fantasy in the face of reality: the replay is in the article for goodness sake.
PeteK
January 24, 2022 at 03:33 pm
You're ignoring a good delayed blitz pickup by Turner that gave Rod the extra time.
Streeter87
January 24, 2022 at 02:23 pm
Lots of chatter... I think it's obvious what the right answer is looking towards what the Packers look like 5 years in the future... There has been some discussion about trade partners, and in terms of picks only... I'd like to put another idear into to blogosphere... Look towards trades with other teams who have QBs that they are not happy with, but at the same time might have large upside... I'd look at two examples... First consider Cleveland as a trade partner, where we would perhaps get their RD1 and perhaps RD2, along with Baker Mayfield. Second, and my favorite is Jax is not thrilled with the start of the Trevor Lawrence era, would they trade AR for Lawrence straight up? Throw in a tag & trade Davante with either team would make AR happy, On the flip side, it would be interesting to see what either of those two guys could do behind our offensive line.
croatpackfan
January 24, 2022 at 03:18 pm
No Baker, no Lawrence - Love may not be hofer but he is better than both.
BruceC1960
January 24, 2022 at 06:27 pm
I think we will all be disappointed what AR brings in a trade.
4thandinches
January 24, 2022 at 09:38 pm
I fear you are very correct. We can’t afford him and everyone knows it. Between that and some pretty obvious ego baggage and stubbornness, I imagine there are only a handful of teams that would be interested and have the resources. If Rodgers doesn’t like the trade partner he’ll refuse to sign an extension with the new team. In that case he’s a 1 year rental. I don’t think gms will be lining up to mortgage multiple 1st rounders for a rental…
I hope I’m wrong!
Hematite
January 25, 2022 at 06:49 am
I agree.
Especially after Saturday nights performance.
PackFanatic99
January 24, 2022 at 07:51 pm
Rodgers straight up for Lawrence?? Are you nuts? I know Lawrence has his whole career ahead of him. But Rodgers is a PROVEN MVP caliber QB at least in the regular season. And all we need is one team who is enamoured with this reg. season performance who thinks they can "fix" his post season woes. And who knows, the right coach may (I doubt it though).
I think ROdgers is worth 2 first rounders. Am I crazy? Maybe even another draft pick thrown in.
If its trade, I'd say one of those up and coming QBs PLUS a first rounder. But it better be a QB you really think has upside, that MAY be able to get you to the SB. And it also depends on what they REALLY think of Love, and who knows what that is. BUt they see him a ton in practice, they must know what they have.
jannesbjornson
January 24, 2022 at 08:11 pm
How many did they get for Favre?
Coldworld
January 25, 2022 at 08:38 am
He’s worth whatever someone will pay for him. 2 first rounders probably requires competition by teams who need him to get over the top on their view and have cap space.
His performances off the field may have deterred owners. His performance in the playoffs may have too. No way of knowing. The only things that are certain is that we will get more for him this year than next and have more cap moving forward as we stand.
Rebecca
January 24, 2022 at 02:42 pm
St. Brown has his man beat too. Imagine the thoughts going through the other receivers’ minds when the are open but know ahead of time that Rodgers will predictably throw to Adams. It’s only human to think,”WTF, everyone on the planet knew Adams would draw 2x coverage. It’s elementary football sense to take the better option when presented, but Rodgers’ mind was made up and he wasn’t about throw to the either of the other two receivers. I don’t think he even looked for Lazard or St.Brown. Wow, discouraging. I wonder what Jordan Love learns here. It’s so hard to make sense of Rodgers’ state of mind, and I no longer care.
Coldworld
January 24, 2022 at 04:21 pm
This has been going on all year. It’s not like LaFleur didn’t know and apparently condone it. Baffling. That’s not good coaching, sorry, any more than it’s good quarterbacking.
Rebecca
January 24, 2022 at 04:42 pm
Absolutely, LaFleur has had plenty of opportunities to direct this team in spite of Rodgers. We’re all tired of making the same mistakes repeatedly.
Coldworld
January 24, 2022 at 07:20 pm
I’m coming to the view that LaFleur is just dominated by Rodgers in terms of players, plays and game strategy.
Swisch
January 24, 2022 at 05:18 pm
It seems LaFleur and Gute made a compromise right before training camp to go with Rodgers despite his apparent mentality as a prima donna.
I was ready to trade Rodgers at the time rather than accommodate his shenanigans, with the thinking that a resistant quarterback would cause heartbreak sooner or later.
splitpea1
January 24, 2022 at 03:41 pm
I wouldn't want to meet Trent Williams head on, either. Actually, if it were me, I'd probably have to be scraped up with a spatula thereafter....
Our defensive performance may have gone for naught in this particular game, but it seems this organization has finally built a defense that it can hang its hat on going forward--which certainly includes coaching. And with all the looming questions ahead surrounding the offense, that's something that should at least bring a small measure of comfort.
JerseyAl
January 24, 2022 at 03:28 pm
Plenty of free agents on this defense as well. And Jaire has to be extended. No guarantee this defense is of the same quality next year.
croatpackfan
January 24, 2022 at 03:39 pm
Al, I believe Packers pick 5th year on Jaire, isn't they?
JerseyAl
January 24, 2022 at 04:02 pm
They exercised his fifth year option but will want to extend him in 2022. Have to leave money for that.
croatpackfan
January 24, 2022 at 05:02 pm
Yes, now I understand why you are talking about extension...
Thank you!
PeteK
January 24, 2022 at 04:04 pm
Rodgers and Z almost bring us even. Cobb, Lowry, Crosby releases allows us to bring back Campbell, Douglas, and Alexander. Also, cap should increase as revenue has, especially with added game and lg TV package. A big question for me; referring to Adams, are sign and trade deals possible in the NFL ?
Coldworld
January 24, 2022 at 07:28 pm
They are, but you need to be very sure of your trading partner. However, the problem here is you also need to have the cap space to do it and it’s likely to take a tag, which all hits the cap in year one. Adams may not like it too, the team taking him would likely want an agreement in principle on terms, giving him a quasi veto. However, I don’t see us having the free cap to do it.
splitpea1
January 24, 2022 at 04:00 pm
If they don't re-sign Campbell, it probably won't be. I'd hate to have another hole in the middle filled by another low draft pick or UDFA. Together with Barnes, we have a nice tandem. By the way, I loved the solid hit Barnes put on Samuel--nice and clean, while putting him out of commission for a while.
Swisch
January 24, 2022 at 05:33 pm
A good article for CHTV may be to look at the salary cap minus Rodgers, Davante, and Z.
What would that mean in terms of signing Jaire, Campbell and Douglas on defense, with MVS and Tonyan of offense -- plus any others.
When do the contracts of Gary and Lazard come due?
Coldworld
January 25, 2022 at 09:04 am
We need to clear about 65 million in cap space to operate normally next year. A little over 40 million of that needs to be achieved by March assuming we don’t do anything else (like resigning Campbell, Douglas or anyone or tagging Adams). Rodgers and Z net us just under 35 million (19 from Rodgers if I recall).
Coldworld
January 25, 2022 at 08:56 am
There’s a much better explanation than I could manage by Robin Adams over at wisportsheroics.com, but this site won’t let me post the link. Google “Packers 2022 Salary Cap Projections” and you will find it. Lays things out pretty well with some help from Ken Ingall’s work.
Thegreatreynoldo
January 26, 2022 at 04:08 am
Sorry, I don't much like that article. The tweet from Ken Ingalls is very good. I don't know why Ken is using $7.9M as the cost for the draft. OTC's $3.1M estimate right next to the Packers is a better number for figuring things out, and it is a little high under the rule of 51.
The $63.3M over number is too high. Keke is gone and the draft picks is almost $5M off. $57M is a better number.
4thandinches
January 24, 2022 at 09:05 pm
Yup. And Campbell has shown us the real value of a quality ilb. I hope Gute remembers that for the future and finds a replacement somehow (since there’s no money to resign him). It shouldn’t be a position to just be filled with a udfa by default.
Swisch
January 24, 2022 at 04:19 pm
The overlook of Lazard against the 49ers is quarterback malpractice bordering on criminal negligence.
It boggles the mind that Rodgers could miss a receiver so wide open in the middle of the field.
It's so shockingly bad that I wonder if rather than stubborn unwillingness, it's an inability of Rodgers to survey the field properly, a deficiency in his game to find secondary receivers.
It seems any backup quarterback in the NFL would have made this play.
I truly feel sad for Rodgers that this is likely the last impression he will leave us as a Packer.
I can't believe my eyes that in such a huge situation, with a chance to move the chains on third down, he would miss a receiver all alone right before his very eyes.
Hematite
January 25, 2022 at 08:25 am
Perhaps he needs glasses or a seeing eye dog, he is getting up there in age😂
NC-conman
January 24, 2022 at 04:22 pm
The single dumbest decision by a HC last weekend was made by MLF. He let AJ play ST. Got hurt. Ball game over. Pack offense at that point doomed because not enough weapons. Adams and Jones are great but not enough. WR2 and TE are well below average even among non playoff teams. Needed Dillon badly. That MLF ST decision was dumber than MM putting Bostick on his hands team. I'm certain Shanahan licked his chops when he saw DIllon blocking for Amari, who was zero threat to the game impact. "Go knock AJD out of game" said the SF ST coach. That was their best chance of victory at that point down 7-0. They outcoached us.
jlc1
January 24, 2022 at 04:35 pm
Yes that keeps getting overlooked. You would not put Jones on ST so why Dillon? Plus I have not heard why Nijman did not start. Is his run blocking poor?
As for Bostick that play had everything to do with him not doing his job, blocking so that Jordy could cover the ball. Oh wait, that's right, it was a Packers ST play and somebody did not do their job. Shall we call it the Bostick curse now?
Coldworld
January 25, 2022 at 09:00 am
I’m wondering if Rodgers wanted that line. It made no sense to me.
YouAskedForThis
January 25, 2022 at 11:31 am
Did anyone see the play/hit Dillon got hurt on ? I did not. Was it clean ?
JerseyAl
January 25, 2022 at 11:44 am
Yes, he got knocked to the ground on the kickoff return. While DIllon is on his back, Oren Burks falls on top of him, knee-first right into Dillon's chest. Friendly fire.
MarkinMadison
January 24, 2022 at 04:27 pm
Thanks for the fun year Al.
I need a beer now.
ricky
January 24, 2022 at 05:29 pm
The biggest play of the game was the fumble by Lewis. Up to that point, the Packers offense was rolling, and looked like they were going to get another TD. After the fumble, it was as if a switch was switched in Rodgers. He focused solely on Adams, and also looked like he just had mentally changed. All of a sudden, it got colder and darker, and all the doubts began to creep in. The second-biggest play was the loss of Dillon. The "Hammer" was no longer available, and the offense suffered because of only having one RB. That they apparently didn't even consider giving Taylor a few carries was telling. What is really sad is this was all so predictable. Rodgers focusing on Adams in tough spots? Been complaining about that for at least three years. Poor special teams play? We've been complaining about that seemingly forever. Just like we complain about the bad coaching on defense, and lack of inside LBers. This won't change until the team opens its wallet to pay premium prices for premium coaches. The bottom line should be winning SB's, not expanding the revenue streams to pad the bottom line.
Shinesman
January 24, 2022 at 11:53 pm
I don't know why, but this team is very bad at overcoming adversity in games. That fumble not only changed Rodgers, the whole game plan changed. Why? It wasn't needed to change to longer developing routes and plays. I was like wtf just happened.
Tundraboy
January 25, 2022 at 10:37 pm
No leadership from main players. Noone who absolutely HATES to lose! Guess who?
mrj007
January 24, 2022 at 06:38 pm
Did this coaching staff make ANY halftime adjustments? What did 49ers do so different in second half that basically stopped Packers offense? Maybe the d coordinator said - let’s just put 3 or 4 guys on Adams and let “Dantevision” take over….
jannesbjornson
January 24, 2022 at 08:28 pm
The 49rs Game Plan, beside the DBLs on Adams, coming in was to pressure the obvious weak points of the sp teams. The blocked punt we saw early in the season with a Dafney whiff. We have seen Lancaster get blown up more than once as a blocker on the kicking units. If high school kids can sit in front of the computer playing Youtube highlights, what do you think a professional coaching staff looks at?? LaFleur was ineffective as a HC getting this Unit dialed in. The Lewis Fumble killed Momentum and it is hard to regain that mojo with repetitive FUs as the Game proceeds. When the rosters were announced, I went into panic mode with the flip flop of Turner to LT. Like it or not it threw the timing of the Ol line off. Why wasn't Taylor used in the second half?
Irish_Cheesehead
January 24, 2022 at 06:57 pm
Rodgers is a great stats MVP and he sure padded Adams’ stats this season as well. Hopefully we can get a haul when we trade both of them. Looking forward to actually seeing MLF’s offense next season. This old act has run its course. It’s hard to watch.
PhantomII
January 24, 2022 at 08:02 pm
The game plan as it were: Ran thru Adams is fine. As he consistently gets Dbbl. coverage...He is used to eat up coverage and allow single coverage for all other WR or TE's. Run Adams to an area where it most greatly helps the other targets with more room to make their play
with the most YAC.
PackFanatic99
January 24, 2022 at 08:38 pm
Thanks for all the commentary this year. It was a fun season up until Saturday.
The "woulda and couldas" are killing me, almost as bad as the 2014 loss to Seattle in the playoffs.
A 1st and goal series where no passes are thrown to the end zone. A gift TD before halftime is blown by the Packers. Blocked Punt. Blocked FG.
EGAD. Take any of these away and the Packers win.
Plus, some other circumstances that would have led to a win:
If the weather had been better, Packers win. When I heard it was very windy at mid day in Green Bay, I got very worried.
If it hadn't snowed in the 2nd half Packers win. If Bakhtiari or Jenkins were available at LT, Packers would have likely won.
If Bosa doesn't play, Packers win easily.
If Tonyan hadn't been hurt, and Rodgers had a good TE weapon (with the weather this was a TE kind of game), Packers would have won.
A few points:
1) Jones not running to the goal line on the long pass was INEXCUSIBLE. I said that at the time, but now that I've watched your replay about 10x, it's even more obvious. This was a total brain fart on his part; first of all he should have been thinking "get out of bounds", so if he thought he may be caught, so he should just have run as closely to the sideline as possible. Had he done that he probably gets the TD! Or worst case, 3 more plays from inside the 5. A Game changer. 14-3 lead would have held up.
We have talked about Aaron Rodgers not playing to his potential in big games. WHAT ABOUT AARON JONES? A big fumble in the NFC Championship game last year and now this. He has underperformed. He's the 3rd best player on offense. Top players need to make plays!
1b) To add on to your point, that long pass was underthrown. And it's NOT a small point, its a major point.
As I heard on another podcast today, Rodgers played the game "Scared". In other words, afraid to go for it, he was playing to avoid making a mistake. A top player just cannot play that way in the big games. Maybe a 2nd year QB or something plays like that.
He threw a puffball pass to Jones just to make sure it was completed and not overthrown. He didn't need to zing a pass on a clothesline, but making a decent pass to hit him in relative stride would have led to a TD easily, Jones would not have had any thought of being caught so he would not have cut in. So Rodgers has some blame in blowing this free gift TD also.
2) Ultimately that last desperation heave on 3rd down is the exact reason Rodgers did not have more playoff success. Only looking to one WR, over relying on Davante. THAT is our 3rd and long play with the game on the line?!?
I knew that was a horrible choice at the time, but now that I have seen the replay with Lazard wide open I am even
more sick and disgusted. WTF? And I immediately thought about last year's NFC Championship game where the play you provided a link to is burned into my memory: A high throw in the back of the end zone to a covered Davante while Lazard goes right to left right at the goal line COMPLETELY UNCOVERED as his man had fallen down. WTF again?
Rodgers just DOES NOT PLAY WELL in big playoff games, ever since 2010. These are huge mistakes.
One pass to Cobb and no completions? Can we agree Cobb the GM failed also? That is the reason why GM's let aging WRs go, they get injured a lot as their bodies start to break down and they don't produce in the big games.
And only one completion to Lazard? And a lousy pass at that (great catch by Lazard for a 3rd down conversion).
So this is how it ends.
Tundraboy
January 24, 2022 at 09:07 pm
Not sure why I'm here today. Guess everybody loves to see a bad accident/ wreck.
The final play says it all. Take care all , see you around draft time or after the big trade whichever comes first.
NickPerry
January 25, 2022 at 06:18 am
I said the same thing TB and even though I need a break, I'll alway love this team. Probably a little too much!
See ya around draft time and STAY SAFE!
Tundraboy
January 25, 2022 at 10:41 pm
You as well NP!
NickPerry
January 25, 2022 at 06:16 am
OMG... I hadn't seen this yet and didn't realize just how WIDE OPEN Lazard was. I knew he was wide open, but not WIDE,WIDE open with room to run to at least the 49ers 30 yard line if not further if Rodgers hits him in stride or JUST hits him.
Both players momentum who are guarding Adams are going AWAY from the sideline Lazard would be running towards. EQ has a chance to get in front of and hold up his man from even catching Lazard. Watching that play just made me throw-up!
PS... Thanks for the reminder from last year Al...Now I really feel sick...LOL.
Swisch
January 25, 2022 at 07:17 am
Imagine how the fans at Lambeau Field would have erupted if the ball was caught by Lazard and he started running upfield for a huge chunk of extra yardage.
It's likely the game for the Packers in that one play. Instead of a team demoralized with yet one more punt, it's a team on the move for the winning score.
The consequence of the Rodgers fail is absolutely stunning, and in itself raises a serious question about whether the Packers would really want to bring him back.
Ian
January 25, 2022 at 03:43 pm
For the final play, I have only really seen commentary on how much space Lazard had (way too much to not get him the ball). It looks like as the safety moved to double Adams, St. Brown had about three yards on his defender. Rodgers missed an easy first down to Lazard and a deep shot to ESB on the play.