Revisiting 2019 - Week 13: Making Big Plays in the Snow

Dusty goes back to Week 13 and breaks down 3 plays that helped the Packers beat the Giants

After the beatdown in Santa Clara, the Packers went into New Jersey to face the losers of their previous 7 games. The final score showed a 31-13 victory for the Packers, but it was a bit dicey for a while. The Giants were aggressive, going for - and converting - multiple 4th down attempts. 

The Packers didn't truly put the Giants away until the 4th quarter. Let's take a look at a couple plays that were huge in the Packers getting out with a W.

Play 1: 4th & 10, 4:24 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Packers leading 17-13

With a little over 4 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, the Packers were clinging to a 4 point lead, facing 4th & 10 from the Giants 35 yard line. I like the decision. It's not a gimme field goal on the best of days, and this was surely not the best of days. It was also too close to punt. It may have been a long 10 yards, but it was their best option.

The Packers are running go routes on the outside, releasing Jimmy Graham [80] on a drag and Geronimo Allison [81] on a dig. The Giants are showing two-high safeties, and their movement directly after the snap dictates the throw. If they pinch in, Aaron Rodgers [12] has man-to-man coverage on the outside with Davante Adams [17] and Marquez Valdes-Scantling [83].

If they fan out, the middle of the field is open. There's a single linebacker in the middle of the field. If he drops back on the dig route from Allison, the throw can go to Graham underneath with the understanding that he should have a lot of room to run. If he stays on the drag, they hope Allison can beat his man in the middle.

The safeties fan out and the shallow linebacker stays with Graham. Allison pushes hard off the line, getting the defender to flips his hips and start running downfield. Allison cuts to the middle and finds plenty of space.

The left side of the line is getting pushed back and Bryan Bulaga [75] gets beat by Markus Golden [44], leaving Rodgers with nowhere to step up. That does not matter. Rodgers hits Allison on the dig for 15 yards and the 1st down. 

The Packers scored a touchdown 7 plays later to push the score to 24-13 early in the 4th quarter.

Play 2: 2nd & goal, 7:11 remaining in the 4th quarter, Packers leading 24-13

After the touchdown, the Giants gained 33 yards on 6 plays before the Packers defense picked up their second interception: Darnell Savage was in the right place at the right time, got an interception and returned it 28 yards. The Packers started their next drive on the Giants 38 yard line and were at the Giants 2 yard line within 7 plays.

It's a simple play. Play action to the right, roll left. Marcedes Lewis [89] looks like he's blocking down to sell the run, then leaks out into the flat. Austin Walter [29] starts the play looking to shoot the backside of the line, but is able to wheel back around and pick up Lewis. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Carter [59] comes through the line unblocked and makes a beeline for Rodgers. Rodgers is able to get out of the initial grab by Carter, but he can't make a full escape.

Once again, that does not matter. Rodgers goes airborne and throws a perfect pass, high-and-away to Lewis. "Big Dog" nabs his first touchdown as a Green Bay Packer and the Packers push their lead to 31-13 more than halfway through the 4th quarter.

Play 3: 1st & 10, 6:27 remaining in the 4th quarter, Packers leading 31-13

The game is pretty much over at this point, but I would be remiss not to bring up this play.

The Packers are showing a single-high safety to the strong side of the formation, leaving Darius Slayton [86] man-to-man with Tramon Williams [38] on the outside. The Giants had luck against Williams up until this point. Per PFF, Daniel Jones [8] was 3/3 for 61 yards when targeting Williams. The 4th time? They were not quite so lucky. Jones has already decided he's throwing to Slayton before the ball is even snapped, but Williams is in terrific position. 

Jones lofts the ball over the top. Unfortunately for him, Williams is playing ahead of Slayton. If Jones was trying to hit Williams, it's a beauty of a throw. Perfect amount of loft, just over the outstreched arms of Slayton. Truly a place only Williams had a shot. Lovely throw.


If you want to relive more of this snowy game - including a 103 yard game from Allen Lazard - you can check out my article from that week right here.


Albums listened to: Basia Bulat - Are You In Love?; Sufjan Stevens - Aporia; My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Everything; Manchester Orchestra - A Black Mile to the Surface

 

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Dusty Evely is a film analyst for Cheesehead TV. He can be heard talking about the Packers on Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter at @DustyEvely or email at [email protected].

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Comments (6)

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fordguy's picture

May 06, 2020 at 04:32 pm

For the Rodgers haters out there I think you need to get your eyes checked talking about arm strength looking at the 4th and 10 throw. Getting hit, falling backwards and is able to throw the ball that far and to the perfect spot.
Not sure where the decline is that's talked about by some.

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edp1959's picture

May 07, 2020 at 04:57 am

My thoughts exactly.

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PeteK's picture

May 07, 2020 at 08:23 am

He had a very solid Rogers season. However, there were some poor throws to open receivers which we're not used to seeing. I believe there will be some improvement because of the addition of Funchess, Dillon and full seasons from Sternberger, Lazard.

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PatrickGB's picture

May 06, 2020 at 05:20 pm

I loved that game and love your hard work on the analysis Thanks Dusty!

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Leatherhead's picture

May 06, 2020 at 05:35 pm

That’s a big time throw, in the clutch, under pressure. Nice catch by Geronimo in the snow in the clutch.

Your number 2 looked really familiar. That would have been called the Waggle Right back in the day. Everybody sells the run to the right, but the QB keeps and swings back left while the TE releases. We’d run that for some nice gainers.

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Daren726's picture

May 06, 2020 at 07:35 pm

Gonna miss Geronimo!!

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