Packers Vs. Jaguars - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm

Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from Sunday's game against the Jaguars

After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons.

Rodgers - Bad Habit Returns

It's third and three, midway through the third quarter and the score is tied 17-17. I stopped the video to show MVS open for an easy completion for a first down if only Rodgers would let go of the ball. From the end zone angle,(which I slowed down for you), you can see Rodgers looking directly at MVS as he hits the hash mark but instead chooses to look elsewhere in search of a bigger play. Rodgers ends up having to throw the ball away. This is not what made Rodgers so successful the first half of the season, where we were all singing his praises for getting the ball out quickly and playing within LaFleur's system.

 

Dean Lowry:

How easy is it to get a first down on third and short against the Packers? Well, take a look, First of all, it was rather clear that the Jaguars would hand the ball off to Robinson, right? Next, with Kenny Clark at the RDE and Dean Lowry at the LDE, it's kind of obvious where the play will go. Yet, the Packers have beefy linebackers Preston Smith and Rashan Gary in tight behind Clark, with two defensive backs behind Lowry. But none of this was really my original point in selecting this play, they're just things I noticed as I watched the play multiple times. My real reason was to show how easy it easy to move Dean Lowry wherever you want him. Lowry's biggest fault is pad level. He is always comes out of his stance too upright, making it easier for offensive linemen to get under him, control him and tip him over, as you see here. This is why you see Lowry on the ground so much. On short yardage especially, you want to keep your pad level low and push the OL back - which is not going to happen when you're standing upright.

 

Hard Hits:

I'll probably touch on this more in my Polluted Mindset piece tomorrow, but as I watch Packers opponents and other NFL defenses, one thing I see ( and HEAR) are big hits. The sounds of pads smacking are kind of what football is all about to me. I seem to see/hear it from all defenses except the Packers'. This may be me being more critical of my own team or maybe it's partially my imagination, but I don't see big, loud pad-smacking hits for a Packers' defense. And this has been the case for years, not just in 2020. Packers running backs and wide receivers get beat up rather regularly, Here, Aaron Jones gets blown up by not one, but two Jaguars simultaneously. The cracking of pads on the broadcast is loud and clear. Packers' opponents just don't get the same treatment.

 

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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

__________________________

7 points
 

Comments (45)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
TarynsEyes's picture

November 17, 2020 at 09:56 am

I'll speak to the first clip concerning Rodgers ignoring MVS for the bigger play which didn't come to fruition. This decision by Rodgers would appear to be the 'trust' issue as MVS has shown to have more an issue with the short passes. Hopefully this is the reason, otherwise Rodgers is seeing things he wants to see because nobody was open for anything other than MVS, before he sees MVS, during or after seeing MVS. That was the only throw he had, and he ignored it. It had to be the trust thing.

6 points
7
1
Coldworld's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:09 am

Even if you are right it only highlights the fallacy of that approach. Personally, I think his willingness to throw to MVS on crossing routes where he was far better covered suggests otherwise. Go for the easy completion.

I’ve noticed for several weeks that receivers have been open at times while Rodgers still looks. I suspect seeking Adams. The irony is that the more yards others get the more Adams will benefit. I do hope we are not backsliding. It’s starting to give support to the Adams fixation theory. Hopefully Lazard’s return will help.

4 points
4
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TarynsEyes's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:20 am

The Adams fixation theory is partly or more, based of the trust issue of the other WRs. Lazard appears to have erased that for his part for Rodgers, but MVS apparently has not, at least to the level where Rodgers throws that ball in this instance.

2 points
3
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Coldworld's picture

November 17, 2020 at 06:01 pm

Yet he threw later when Lazard was less open. Sorry, you may be right, but I can’t get there on this one. That is despite your original premise of get it out to the open guy and get yards being spot on.

2 points
2
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SpikeHyzer's picture

November 17, 2020 at 01:31 pm

I saw that play in real time and was really upset. Hitting MVS in stride would have been a big play, so I don't know where he was thinking he'd find a bigger one. And those trust issues are a chimera and I don't believe they exist. MVS has proven himself over the last 2 weeks and Rodgers has always said he was great in camp and had trust.

Not sure why in that one moment he failed to take the first and best option.

3 points
3
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 17, 2020 at 08:02 pm

Yes, MVS (I am probably one of his bigger fans) has proved things, but he also has dropped short crossers over the last few weeks as well.

I think it easily could be a combination of a trust issue and AR's predilection for the big play.

2 points
2
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egbertsouse's picture

November 18, 2020 at 07:37 am

Yep, he’s addicted to hero ball. He’s admitted it during interviews.

0 points
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0
TheVOR's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:22 am

Agree, but I don't think it's the trust issue as much as the addiction to the big play. He's a crack addict when it comes to the bigger play, he'd always rather take the big strike. Didn't help that the protection broke down either. He's starting to hold the ball too long IMO, and when he does, he kills drives.

Can't tell you how many times it's 3rd and 6-ish, and he's throwing incomplete 15-20 yards down field and killing drives. We don't need 20 yards on 3rd and 6, we need 6 yards to keep the chains rolling. Quality control and the head coach need to be constantly reminding this guy when he misses this stuff every week and kills drives. My 2

9 points
10
1
egbertsouse's picture

November 18, 2020 at 07:40 am

My comment to TGR’s post above was meant for yours. Sorry, I’m old.

0 points
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0
deerskinlake's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:02 am

Rogers is an arrogant creep and it is his selfishness that holds this team back offensively.

-16 points
2
18
dobber's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:09 am

You mean that offense that's 6th in the league in yards per game and 3rd in points per game?

5 points
5
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deerskinlake's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:35 am

Until they play teams with a real defense ? Or their QB has his period ?
Yes , that offense

-8 points
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8
JerseyAl's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:55 am

Since coming in here, you've done nothing but be an arrogant asshole. Time to look for the next stop on the internet troll tour. See ya!

17 points
17
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SpikeHyzer's picture

November 17, 2020 at 01:32 pm

When you make statements like that you should definitely be looking in the mirror and replacing Rodgers with deerskinlake.

2 points
2
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x24's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:06 am

Agreed on the sound of big hits. While I do not think big hits should be "YOU GOT JACKED" celebrated, I think the lack of "pop" by our defense it is a symptom of poor tackling. The art of tackling has been replaced by (HaHa Clinton-Dix style) throw yourself at the ball carrier and hope he goes down

7 points
7
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Razer's picture

November 17, 2020 at 12:11 pm

Clinton Dix style of tackling...good one.

3 points
3
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Coldworld's picture

November 17, 2020 at 06:19 pm

Out of this league comment

1 points
1
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 17, 2020 at 12:28 pm

Martin brings the juice. He needs to be on the field for 3 downs.

8 points
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Tundraboy's picture

November 17, 2020 at 09:17 pm

Tell that to Pettine, he doesn't like to take chances, needs players who know his system,, whatever the hell that is. It's not championship level D, I know that much.

2 points
2
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baldski's picture

November 18, 2020 at 01:21 am

We are at the bottom of the NFL in tackling.

1 points
1
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BBlake's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:12 am

I think this a "soft" team, rarely do you see a hard hit.

But in the clip above of Jones being hit, it would help if an offensive lineman would block somebody.

7 points
7
0
TheVOR's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:35 am

The sad truth on Lowrey? They overpaid for a guy who couldn't start on 31 other teams. He's getting thrown around in that clip like a rag doll, and thats week in and week out! Our trenches on defense are so weak, it's alarming. Also a sad truth, if they dedicated 2 more drafts to defense, and given the misses this GM keeps marching out there, they'll never rebuild this mess, certainly not with this GM.

Misses in UFA, and misses in the draft. Kirksey and the disappearance of Preston Smith are huge setbacks for the Packers. You knew Kirksey would be missing games, and he's not exactly blowing the doors off anyone. Preston Smith has been mediocre this season, very disappointing. That and the GM's inability to recognize and draft ILB talent, and DL has crushed any hope of this team making it beyond the first round of the playoffs (IMO).

You can't fake your way thru the playoffs. Every team you'll play has competent or crushing defense, and decent offensive play. This defense can't really get off the field against teams that can run the football, period. This defense will never allow GB to reach a SB, ever! Needs to be rebuilt. It's not all about the horses either, probably need a coaching staff tweak on that side of the football.

8 points
10
2
Razer's picture

November 17, 2020 at 12:20 pm

...That and the GM's inability to recognize and draft ILB talent, and DL has crushed...

You are so right about this. This has to be a scouting or a value issue. Either we don't know what to look for in these defensive positions or we are hoping to pick up the players in later rounds. Ted Thompson did no better and Gutekunst inherited the empty shelves and mindset.

Love my Packers but we are not strong enough in either trench to make me believe that this team will get very deep in the playoffs.

2 points
4
2
jannes bjornson's picture

November 17, 2020 at 12:33 pm

It would help if Pettine activated Winn and used him along with Montravious more in the run sets. Gary can be a hand down guy and play the DE in a 4-2 look.

10 points
10
0
Minniman's picture

November 17, 2020 at 04:15 pm

Unfortunate that Al limited himself to 3 plays as an additional one could have somewhat proven your point.

The contrast to Lowry donning the frock and lipstick and going o-line ballroom dancing with the last 2 plays of the Jags was telling.

Packers threw the proverbial sink at them, got home on all occasions and ended the game. I’m not saying that this should be the dominant play but for Pete’s sake put pressure on a 2nd start rookie QB early. The passive fronts shown by the Packers D early actually allowed him to get over his nerves and find a rhythm. He should have been pancaked at least once in the first half just to get inside of his head.

7 points
7
0
Tundraboy's picture

November 17, 2020 at 09:31 pm

That is Defense 101, isn't it. Rattle the novice QB from the start. And I hate to keep harping on it ,but again we were home. No excuse for these starts.

2 points
2
0
Minniman's picture

November 17, 2020 at 10:56 pm

"That is Defense 101, isn't it."

Yes, Tundra, I'll gladly concede that I'm hardly a sage and it is that elementary!

Perhaps someone could remind Mike P that this isn't the "black and blue" division for nothing - that's not to say "give away a stupid roughing the passer penalty" but he should have been scrambling for his life more.

0 points
0
0
lawatrain's picture

November 17, 2020 at 01:30 pm

This GM keeps drafting players in the early rounds for the future, not the here and now. Continues to squander Aaron Rodgers’ greatness in the continued pursuit of mediocrity. I wouldn’t let the sacred cow Mark Murphy off the hook either he’s the head of it all.

3 points
4
1
dobber's picture

November 17, 2020 at 07:12 pm

Packers 2016 record: 10-6, lose in NFCCG
Packers 2017 record: 7-9
Start of 2018 season: ARod signs a huge extension
Packers 2018 record: 6-9-1

The narrative that ARod, knowing full well he could've walked at the end of the 2019 season if he felt unappreciated, is being squandered by the Packers is garbage. Dude chose to stay when things were looking poor and he was in the middle of his rift with MM. ARod chose the money...he's not some hero soldiering on.

3 points
4
1
fordguy's picture

November 17, 2020 at 05:13 pm

While not a glowing performance by Lowry in any means, the biggest issue with that play is Sullivan. He has a clear path to attack the hole for possibly negative yardage, but he waits for the play to come to him instead of attacking it.

1 points
1
0
Coldworld's picture

November 17, 2020 at 06:23 pm

Lowry has been a liability against the run for more than one season. Even if you are right, you concede Lowry contributed to this play. Benching him won’t fix everything, but it seems to be hard to justify his snaps at the expense if others. Unless you are Mike Pettine it seems.

3 points
3
0
jannes bjornson's picture

November 17, 2020 at 07:11 pm

Why is the CB placed there instead of an ILB?

0 points
0
0
murf7777's picture

November 17, 2020 at 05:42 pm

A lot of that is true but with basically the same D they made it to the NFC championship game. In addition, every nfc teams have some major weaknesses. We are a top 5 O with an average D. This year might be the year they make it due to other nfc teams weaknesses. A healthy Lazard’s and Ervin will be big for this O as well. Keep the faith.

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

November 17, 2020 at 09:22 pm

Probably? Need a D Coordinator with an identity to lead, asap.

2 points
2
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stockholder's picture

November 17, 2020 at 11:48 am

So obvious. Your best work in weeks. Well Done!

5 points
5
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PeteK's picture

November 17, 2020 at 12:24 pm

I have to defend Rogers on that play. He knows that he has 6 blockers vs 4 rushers which equates to a possible big play, and at the last split second a receiver does break free. My opinion so refute if you will , but our O line is over rated. As far as hard hits, I just wish that a few players would shed blocks and gang tackle. Last night I was watching the Bear LBs shoot the gaps and D line not getting driven off the ball and was wondering why our star Clark can't make plays like Urban or Hicks.

-1 points
1
2
Razer's picture

November 17, 2020 at 12:27 pm

Like Stockholder said - well done Al.

The Dean Lowry spotlight is painful to watch because you know why teams run against our defense. I might be weeping if you showed how the Smiths are setting the edge against the run. As weak as we are on the Dline, I can't help but think that Pettine isn't using his tools very effectively and hasn't got these guys playing as a cohesive unit. Painful to watch.

8 points
8
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murf7777's picture

November 17, 2020 at 05:44 pm

Lowry has seen his last year in GB.

2 points
2
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RCPackerFan's picture

November 17, 2020 at 12:52 pm

Rodgers - Bad Habit Returns:
Is this really bad habits or is this a play where he just can't see MVS or where the defenders are? When you watch the play MVS basically follows the cluster in the OL. Does Rodgers simply not see him?

2 points
2
0
Packers1985's picture

November 17, 2020 at 04:00 pm

I think he has seen MVS because if you look at the shot where MVS had past through the defender 12 had that throwing stride but he hesitated. The reason could be because of so many defenders in between that the ball could be tipped.

3 points
3
0
Tundraboy's picture

November 17, 2020 at 09:00 pm

There was a screen out to Davante on 3rd and short, where Rodgers just ignored a wide open receiver, that left me screaming, no more screens, Enough already, they never work ,almost always short or for zero gain. That and running up the middle.

As for the hitting, early on I was wondering why I only heard it from Jacksonville, and we're home,it's cold.

Aargh

3 points
3
0
egbertsouse's picture

November 18, 2020 at 07:46 am

Some of you guys are real students of the game but I’m not. I don’t rewatch games or get the All-22. If even I can see Lowry getting owned play after play why can’t the coaches? I don’t get it. I mean, there have to be street FAs out there that can do better than that.

0 points
1
1
Since'61's picture

November 18, 2020 at 08:48 am

Lowry coming out of his stance to high is a very coachable issue. Again I ask where is the DL coach and what are they doing every week?

Lack of hard hitting has been a symptom of this defense for years. To me it is a matter of lacking a sense of urgency and lack of aggression. We often see the result which is poor tackling and too many yards allowed after initial contact.

Defense needs to play with a nasty, aggressive attitude but legally. Al is absolutely correct. Our defense rarely “pops” an opposing ball carrier. It is painful to watch.

This is another coaching issue. The DC needs to instill a nasty, aggressive attitude into his defense. I see too many of our players standing around and watching rather than going after the ball. Should not be happening at the profession level. We talk about over paying players. I think we are overpaying many of our coaching staff.
Thanks, Since ‘61

2 points
2
0
TXCHEESE's picture

November 18, 2020 at 09:07 am

Watching the first play, I'm not so convinced MVS was that open. Maybe if it was Rodger's first read, otherwise look at the defender closing. Those types of plays turn in to pick sixes. They may have simply called a shot play, that didn't materialize....happens all the time. In regards to the defense, I'm hoping the return to health by Martin and Barnes will put Kirksey on the bench, His tackling tackling style reminds me too much of Hawk and Martinez (aka Hawk 2.0), trying to drag the runner down as he passes by instead of standing him up and driving him back. The other DL need to step up and take over if Clark is consistently getting double teamed. Al is correct. There is no nastiness to this defense. The thing that bothered me most from this game was the lack of effort from our highly paid OLB's until the last two minutes of the game.

1 points
1
0
nygary's picture

November 18, 2020 at 04:34 pm

I don't know what the cap situation is with lowry, but i hope he's gone next year. Why they gave him such a big contract a few years ago i will never know.

1 points
1
0