Packers Vs Vikings - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' game against the Cleveland Browns
By JerseyAl
After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons.
Screen Killer
I don't think there is a better defensive lineman in the NFL at sniffing out screens than Kenny Clark. A big reason are his eyes. He always has his head up examining what's going on in front of him, even while fighting off a double-team as he is here. And who in teh world double-teams a nose tackle when you're running a screen? That tells you the respect Clark has earned in this department. Nice job by Stokes here also, with nothing really to do over on his side, he reacts well when he sees the screen and ends up making the tackle. And finally, also a nice job by Barnes, who avoids two blocks and is there to help Stokes on the tackle. But Kenny Clark...
All Together Now
I loved this so much. It's not something you see much in today's NFL, but wasn't this reminiscent of the Lombardi Sweep days? Of course, you can't really equate the two as there are no pulling guards here, it's just the entire line running a hard outside zone, with the help of Marcedes Lewis, EQ and MVS. But still, I had a flashback or two as I watched this over and over.
Clear the Area Please
Memo to the Packers offensive line - please don't get in AJ Dillon's way. Here, Dillon lowers his shoulder and bowls over Jon Runyan, who is blocking Dillon's intended path. Once Runyan is disposed of, Dillon plows forward with a few Vikings in tow for another 3-4 yards. Talk about Beast Mode!
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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 (21)
myabfr
January 04, 2022 at 03:46 pm
The power running game was beautiful to watch.
fordguy
January 04, 2022 at 03:56 pm
Al, was hoping you picked out the play on 3rd down when the Vikings had the ball (about 35 minutes into the game) after they stopped GB on 4th down. What in the holy hell is Sullivan doing to help Campbell so they don't get the first down.
Ya_tittle
January 04, 2022 at 05:05 pm
I was wondering that same thing....
Ya_tittle
January 04, 2022 at 03:59 pm
That run by Jones reminded me of that backbreaker touchdown he got, I believe against the Vikes, late in a game where we were trying to run out the clock....
Packers0808
January 04, 2022 at 04:03 pm
Doesn't seem like much to see Mr Moore run back a punt straight up field seemed like something totally not in Packer game book!
Leatherhead
January 04, 2022 at 04:35 pm
The Illusion of Complexity.
We put guys in motion. We use a little razzle dazzle fakery, but at the end of the day we line up 5 offensive linemen who can push people around, a TE or two that can push their man around, and a WR that can push his man around. That's a lot of guys on defense that get blocked on a regular basis. Plus you're still doubling Adams.
It looks complex, but it's really just pushing people around and playing some catch with Adams. And we do push people around out there, so in a lot of ways it's just power football with some glitter.
mvprzy
January 05, 2022 at 09:41 am
"power football with some glitter" that's quotable!
Lphill
January 04, 2022 at 04:53 pm
I’m just surprised that the Vikings didn’t continue to feed Cook .
pacman
January 04, 2022 at 05:27 pm
Nice plays and it was sort of fun to watch but I couldn't help but think that Vikings weren't playing their hardest. I don't know if we could learn anything from this game and I certainly hope that it doesn't swell any heads on our D.
And I guess the ref's missed the push down on Clark on the first play or he would have tackled Cook by himself to make it even more spectacular.
PeteK
January 04, 2022 at 07:13 pm
That will happen when a team gets 1.4 yds on 9 carries and then is down by 3 scores. D was focused on stopping the run, especially Clark who, I think , is having his best season.
Minniman
January 05, 2022 at 02:00 pm
Agree, and also add in that Thielen was out too.
When the Packers showed early that they had Cook bottled up, by the third Vikes 3 and out they were mentally cooked.
Don’t take too much from this and the Lions game Packers.
PeteK
January 04, 2022 at 06:11 pm
Teams watching the running game of the Packers must be very concerned. The quickness of Jones and the sheer power of Dillion is fun for us ,dreadful for opponents. The 3 carries by Dillon which resulted in a TD was simply offensive and unfair. You know where we're running and you can't do anything about it. This is against a good interior D. I sense some trickery off of this in the playoffs.
jeremyjjbrown
January 04, 2022 at 07:30 pm
I'm waiting to see them in the I formation. How do you even defend it? It could be a run to either, a screen to either, a wheel route to either and we haven't even talked about the WRs and TEs yet.
The_Justicar
January 04, 2022 at 08:01 pm
Would be a great strategy
Leatherhead
January 04, 2022 at 08:05 pm
Slamming Dillon into the pile and then Nijman pushing him too is guaranteed to move that piles. If/when we get our preferred linemen on the field, there won’t be a team that can stop it,
There was commentary during the game about how many defenders are involved when we line up 3WRs on one side, and how few defenders remain to deal with the line, Lewis, and the RB. I like the way the math works for us
jeremyjjbrown
January 04, 2022 at 07:27 pm
Lucas Patrick absolutely abuses his guy before finally pancaking him on the strecth run. Damn.
Johnblood27
January 05, 2022 at 06:28 am
The best part of that block... It was Anthony Barr that Patrick abused!
dobber
January 04, 2022 at 07:51 pm
The nice thing about that pitch play is that he gets Jones on the move, in space, with the ability to pick his spot. Way better than the handoff out of the gun.
Coach Cleve Steamer
January 04, 2022 at 11:18 pm
Jones cuts into the hole the way Davante leaves the defenders looking for their cleats! 😄
Starrbrite
January 04, 2022 at 11:36 pm
That’s also what I see/believe dobber.
MarkinMadison
January 04, 2022 at 09:48 pm
I do not believe that there is a better IDL in the NFL than Kenny Clark. I really mean that - not Aaron Donald, not anybody.