Packers Snap Counts: Week Two vs. The Colts
The Packer run the Colts off the field in a 16-10 win.
The Packers elevated Sean Clifford from the practice squad. They did not elevate RB Ellis Merriweather because Marshawn Lloyd was active. However, Lloyd left the game with an injury. The inactive players were Jordan Love (due to injury), S Olapado, OLB Brenton Cox, OTs Dillard and Glover (making Telfort the swing tackle), and DL Colby Wooden. Wooden did not miss practice during the week. Malik Heath was on the active list after being a healthy scratch last week. Jordan Morgan left the game with an injury and he was ruled out.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
| Player | Snaps | % | ST |
| Tom | 70 | 100 | 5/23% |
| Jenkins | 70 | 100 | 3/14% |
| Walker | 70 | 100 | 5/23% |
| Myers | 70 | 100 | |
| Rhyan | 50 | 71 | 5/23% |
| Morgan | 20 | 29 | 2/9% |
| Monk | 5/23% | ||
| Telfort | 5/23% |
The Packers ran for 261 yards on 53 carries, a 4.9-yard average. However, after gaining 237 yards on 34 carries in the first half, the Packers run game came unglued. They gained just 24 yards on 19 carries in the second half, including a loss of 8 by Bo Melton and two carries for negative two yards by Lloyd in the second half. Josh Myers had some issues, including vomiting on the football just prior to a snap in the 85-degree weather, which led Willis to throw the ball away. Still, Myers gutted out every snap, which was important after Jordan Morgan left the game with an injury and did not return. The line did not allow a quarterback hit or a sack, though Willis had to escape the pocket due to pressure a handful of times. The dominance on the ground in the first half (TOP of 23:05 for the Packers to 6:55 for the Colts) led to the Packers having a time of possession for the game of 40:11. The Packers caught a bit of a break when DeForest Buckner could only play 10 snaps for the Colts and by slot receiver Josh Downs being ruled out with an injury. Those are good players.
QUARTERBACKS:
| Player | Snaps | % | ST |
| Willis | 70 | 100 | |
| Clifford | DNP |
Willis completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards, good for an 8.71-yards per attempt average. He had what I would call a big-time throw to Wicks that went for a touchdown. He had no turnovers and a 126.8 passer rating. He also gained 41 yards on 6 carries, good for 6.8-yards per carry. Matt LaFleur was very cautious with Willis. His decision not to try to score when the Packers got the ball back with 1:42 left in the second half drew some scattered boos from the crowd. Willis completed 4 of 5 passes in the first half for just 25 yards. Even when the run game disappeared in the second half, Willis was still able to complete 8 of 9 passes for 97 yards, including a nice pass to Doubs for 39 yards. Most of the plays had easy passes built into them, and the Packers did not ask Willis to do much on third and long situations.
RUNNING BACKS:
| Player | Snaps | % | ST |
| Jacobs | 47 | 67 | 1/5% |
| Wilson | 13 | 19 | |
| Lloyd | 10 | 14 |
Josh Jacobs looked good. He gained 151 yards on a whopping 32 carries for a 5.1-yard average. Jacobs broke tackles and showed burst, good speed, and balance. A huge fumble just as he was about to score a touchdown marred his day, and helped keep the game close. Lloyd gained 15 yards on 6 carries for a 2.5-yard average before leaving the game. Wilson gained 9 yards on 5 carries for a 1.8-yard average. Jacobs and Wilson picked up blitzes well. i have been pulling for Emanuel Wilson but Lloyd looks exciting, too. On an 85 degree day the Packers decide to give the lead back 32 carries; Wilson just can't (or the Packers don't think that he deserves to) catch a break. The Packers should just let Lloyd heal instead of pushing him into games. I often read that the Packers are notoriously conservative about clearing banged up players but I think that is more reputation than reality.
TIGHT ENDS:
| Player | Snaps | % | ST |
| Kraft | 56 | 80 | 11/50% |
| Musgrave | 31 | 44 | 1/5% |
| Sims | 6 | 9 |
Kraft caught both of his targets for 16 yards. The Packers clearly prefer a dual-threat tight end, one who can block in-line and leak out for passes. Kraft is fast enough to run more sophisticated routes, of course. Musgrave still gets his snaps, and it may be that he will be more featured against certain teams as a move tight end. Musgrave got his only target for 6 yards. Sims had no targets. I am surprised the Packers used 1.33 TEs on average per snaps since using two tight ends usually means removing Jayden Reed from the game.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
| Player | Snaps | % | ST |
| Doubs | 55 | 79 | 1/5% |
| Watson | 41 | 59 | |
| Reed | 39 | 56 | 4/18% |
| Wicks | 36 | 51 | |
| Melton | 16 | 23 | 7/32% |
| Heath | 1/5% |
With only 14 pass attempts, the receivers' stats were bound to be unimpressive. Doubs let the team with 62 yards on 3 receptions and Wicks caught 3 or his 4 targets for 26 yards and a touchdown. Reed managed just 9 yards on 2 receptions, but he had carries for 22 yards and 15 yards. If playing two tight ends means that Reed comes off the field, then Musgrave is not going to get many snaps. The Packers lined up Reed in the backfield mutliple times with good results. Watson and Heath did not have any targets.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN:
| Player | Snap | % | ST |
| Clark | 35 | 62 | |
| Wyatt | 25 | 45 | |
| Brooks | 23 | 41 | 3/14% |
| Slaton | 19 | 34 | 8/36% |
The Packers only used four defensive linemen. Wyatt had a good day with 2 tackles for loss, a sack and 2 quarterback hits. He got into the backfield quite a bit and had perhaps 5 pressures altogether. Clark had 3 tackles (2 solo). Slaton had 1 assisted tackle and Brooks did not have any statistics. Wooden was not active. The Colts gained 140 yards on just 18 carries, good for a whopping 7.8-yard average per carry. Despite that terrible number, the Colts only scored 10 points (and missed a 50-yard field goal). It would be nice if instead of using averages there was a statistic for the median carry. Off the top of my head I can think of Richardson's 29-yard run, and Jonathan Taylor's 21 and 18 yard carries. Some of those long runs are on the linebackers rather than the defensive line.
Wooden's absence is interesting. He was not on the injury lists during the week. Slaton's demotion not just behind Wyatt but also behind Brooks seems like it was due to the match-ups rather than being indicative of a long-term trend, but time will tell.
EDGE:
| Player | Snaps | % | ST |
| Gary | 37 | 66 | |
| Enagbare | 31 | 55 | 11/50% |
| Smith | 28 | 50 | |
| Van Ness | 20 | 36 | 9/41% |
| Mosby | 8/36% |
Van Ness and Smith each had 1 solo tackle and Enagbare had 1 assisted tackle. Gary had no statistics. That sounds worse than it is, even if I think it should be better. For context, the Colts ran the ball 18 time and only had 17 receptions. Consequently, the Packers only made 30 solo tackles as a team (and 40 solo and assisted tackles combined). The Colts made 56 solo tackles and had 87 combined tackles. Just because a player had a lot of tackles does not mean that the player played well. That said, one can hope that the low statistical numbers being produced by the Edge players in the first two games are not a trend of things to come. No Edge player had a sack, but Gary and Van Ness had some pressures. Van Ness had a pressure wiped out by his own roughing the passer penalty, which was probably correctly called if not the most egregious example of roughing. Once again, Mosby got the nod as the #5 Edge over Brenton Cox, who was inactive. Enagbare, Smith and Van Ness are a competent group, if not electrifying so far. It is surprising to see Enagbare with more snaps than Preston Smith, who better get it into gear if he wants to earn any of his incentives for sacks.
The Packers did play a defensive line of Smith, Gary, Van Ness and Enagbare on a third down and long situation.
LINEBACKER:
| Player | Snaps | % | ST |
| Walker | 56 | 100 | 3/14% |
| McDuffie | 50 | 89 | 6/27% |
| Wilson | 8 | 14 | 17/77% |
| Cooper | 7 | 12 | 5/23% |
| Hopper | 0 | 0 | 10/45% |
Quay Walker led the team with 6 solo tackles and in being in the wrong place and doing the wrong thing. Several runs ruptured for huge gains when Walker decided to take on an offensive lineman who was not even up on him instead of meeting the ball carrier in the hole. Click here to see a video clip from Andy Herman of a Jonathan Taylor run that should have been 10 to 12 yards shorter than it was. McDuffie had 4 tackles (3 solo) and a quarterback hit. McDuffie is a nice player to have on one's team, but in a more ideal world he would be getting 7 snaps, not 56. He plays hard and with good physicality. Eric Wilson had a good day in just 8 snaps. He diagnosed an option play on a third down to force a 50-yard field goal, which the Colts missed. He made an interception and forced a fumble. Wilson is another nice player to have. His film is pretty good in the limited snaps he gets. Wilson is 30 though, so fans will have to hope Cooper and Hopper learn the playbook quickly and turn out to be gems.
SECONDARY:
| Player | Snaps | % | ST |
| Alexander | 56 | 100 | 3/14% |
| Nixon | 47 | 84 | 7/32% |
| Valentine | 32 | 57 | 9/41% |
| Stokes | 24 | 43 | |
| Ballentine | 13/59% | ||
| McKinney | 56 | 100 | 9/41% |
| Bullard | 42 | 75 | 12/55% |
| Ev Williams | 20 | 36 | 11/50% |
| Anderson | 14/64% |
The Colts top receiver had just 56 yards and next best was 30 yards. No one gave the Packers' secondary much trouble and the opposing quarterback completed only 50% of his attempts for a 41.8 passer rating. The Colts' receivers dropped at least 2 or 3 passes, some in important situations, including on third downs, but the Packers also dropped at least two passes, including one by Quay Walker that would have sealed the game. Evan Wilson and McKinney each had one interception, though they were both really just an errant passes, they caught them. Alexander, Valentine, and Bullard each had one pass defensed.
Valentine getting more snaps than Stokes, who appeared to be perfectly healthy on sidelines, is interesting.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Narveson made his extra point only extra point and 3 of his 4 field goals, missing wide right from 45 yards out. Whelan had a fine day, averaging 46.9 yards net on his 3 punts, all of which were downed inside the 20.
RB: 1.00
TE: 1.33
WR: 2.67
DL: 1.82
Olb: 2.07
ILB: 2.16
DB: 4.95
Photo courtesy of Tork Mason,USA Today Network.
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Comments (52)
Coldworld
September 16, 2024 at 06:22 am
I think you mean it’s Lloyd who can’t catch a break? You have 2 Wilsons named as RB 2&3 in snaps and the text there seems similarly confused?
Some interesting wrinkles. Since Stokes did nothing obviously wrong last week or this, I assume it was a tactical
move or heat related perhaps. I’ve not heard of an injury. Slaton playing less and going for a more pass focused mix may be a factor in Taylor’s yards and an insight into the fact that Hafley put less emphasis on the run threat as the game wore on?
Striking that Eric Wilson only had 8 snaps and Cooper’s 12 was much lower than I had hoped we would see. There still seems to be a lot of shaking down necessary before that unit is at its best. I assume Mosby was active for STs. He was unavailable last week.
Watson having no targets was something of a shock. That could just be a Willis game plan oddity. Wicks seemed the beneficiary. I wasn’t expecting too much volume from Reed, partly because he’d been on the injured report and mostly due to their strength being the slot and doubting we’d ask Willis to make too many throws over the middle. Wicks seemed to play from the slot a lot. Their slot is good but not a big man. I imagine the 2 TE looks were more to do with that and the run first approach generally.
Thanks for the morning coffee treat yet again. With the decline into podcast videos (or the rambling in these particularly. Just seems lazy to me), I no longer spend game days here, unfortunately, but do await your piece to welcome me back! I am starting to wonder if Nagler TV is not starting to undermine this site.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 16, 2024 at 06:59 am
I will fix the two wilsons in the table. I expected Wilson to have more snaps than Lloyd given Lloyd's injury - by which I mean that I write the tables and insert the names of the players long before the official snaps counts come out. that because the snaps counts come out around 3:30 a.m. and my deadline is 5:00 a.m.
But anyway, I meant that Wilson can't catch a break. I think he is pretty good but I don't think the staff likes him that much. Here I thought Wilson would get a lot of carries because Lloyd got injured during the game, and who would expect a Packers coaching staff of giving any running back 32 carries, especially on an 85 degree day with players puking on the field. When Lloyd went out with 6 carries, I figured GB would limit Jacobs to 25 carries or so, meaning Wilson would be maybe 15 carries, but Wilson got just 5. Wilson is putting out tape for next year, since Lloyd and Jacobs aren't going anywhere, and he (Wilson) is not a staff favorite like Myers (who was not cross-trained and got really no competition brought in) or Orzech, who got barely any competition brought in.
Coldworld
September 16, 2024 at 07:44 am
I agree on all you say. Thank you for the clarification. It’s been a trait of the LaFleur era that play doesn’t easily get you on or off the field absent injuries. It’s not a trait I think is particularly healthy either. Fortunately, Jacobs didn’t get an unnecessary injury late due to fatigue.,
Thegreatreynoldo
September 16, 2024 at 06:37 am
The good news is that GB won. Also good news: it looked like Malik Willis could have done more if he had been asked to do so. Sure, I thought LaFleur was a little too conservative but I am not going to second guess him too hard.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the Packers don't like Emanuel Wilson nearly as much as I do. The supposedly conservative medical staff keeps clearing Lloyd to play, and a seemingly desperate coaching staff keeps chucking him out there.
Full disclosure: I disliked drafting Quay Walker with the 22nd pick; I was thinking since he has tons of talent but in college still shared snaps with Nakobe Dean, he might be worth a late second or a third as flyer. I think we fans are going to be underwhelmed by Walker. He can blitz and he has shown some ability to cover, even if the passes mostly just bounce off his facemask.
This team is going to need more pass rush; the running QB excuse is or will get old.
I don't think Stokes beat out Valentine during training camp, at least I thought it was close even if the coaches gave Stokes every opportunity. That is a good thing as so far so good. Still interesting that Valentine got all those snaps, even though I think either player would be fine.
Coldworld
September 16, 2024 at 07:15 am
LaFleur was very cautious with Love in the first half of last season in terms of his scripted plays and calls. It was Love who pushed the envelope later in games and our generally doing better when he had more discretion that eventually led to the O coming together.
If Willis is needed, it can’t take that long, but it doesn’t surprise me that LaFleur would lean over conservative. Next week I suspect we will have more trouble running, particularly between the tackles and a similarly cautious Willis game plan will probably be futile.
murf7777
September 16, 2024 at 07:30 am
Great stuff as always! I have to agree I was considering whether Mlf was being too conservative, but if Willis would’ve threw an INT during the last 2 minutes of the first half we all would’ve been giving him the biz for pushing Willis too far with only a couple of weeks with the team. The last thing the Packers needed at that point would be a pick 6.
I suspect if Willis plays this week the play book will open some more as Mlf gains confidence and knowledge of his abilities.
dobber
September 16, 2024 at 08:06 am
This was a game, I think, where they held plenty back due to Willis' inexperience in the offense, but they also didn't have to do much because the run game didn't need much help. It was refreshing.
That said, Tennessee knows Willis well and they'll try to pressure him into playing against his strengths. They have a pretty stout run D up the middle. The Packers won't be able to churn like they did yesterday and LaF will need to trot out any wrinkles they've put in place for Willis. I think the key issue with Willis is syncing up with his pass-catchers and his OL. He's been in NFL camps for a couple years, so once the terminology in the Packers' O is in place, that's most of what's left.
dobber
September 16, 2024 at 07:46 am
"This team is going to need more pass rush; the running QB excuse is or will get old."
Agree 100%, but against Hurts and now Richardson--who broke off a couple key runs for first downs--you've got to play to contain.
Next week, against a Tennessee team that doesn't protect the QB well and Levis, who is more of a pocket passer, the rush needs to be getting home with some regularity.
"I don't think Stokes beat out Valentine during training camp, at least I thought it was close even if the coaches gave Stokes every opportunity."
Seems odd to say, but if the position group stays healthy and they like their PS guys, Stokes could be a trade deadline move for help at a position of need, or for draft capital to flip for a guy to fill out the LB or OL room.
bjkdad44
September 16, 2024 at 08:05 am
🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻
jannesbjornson
September 16, 2024 at 11:19 am
Maybe they move Q.Walker.
T7Steve
September 16, 2024 at 06:43 am
Thanks, TGR.
I noticed Wilson twice in the RB count too, but they were close enough to the same that it doesn't matter. Maybe since Jacobs is used to playing in Vegas, he's used to the heat and can eat it up. He might have a couple more games where he has to be overused as far as a Packer run count, but he can get a rest when Love comes back. If the others are looking good in pass pro they can spell him more when Love gets back.
I think all in all it was a good showing and when the LBs get up to speed with the rest of the D it will be fun to watch. Giving up a few chunks of yards to Taylor is going to happen but they didn't let him decide the game.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 16, 2024 at 06:47 am
Josh Jacobs says he gets better as a game goes on, he's not asking for fewer carries.
Coldworld
September 16, 2024 at 07:01 am
Generally, although yesterday that wasn’t the case. I think that’s his second most attempts ever in a game. That might be a tad too many on a regular basis. By the end of the 3rd quarter I’d have given Wilson some attempts as no one was getting any penetration.
At times it looked like the colts weren’t even honoring the pass, just screens, End arounds and the run up the middle. It did fairly effectively stifle all three as long as we weren’t prepared to do anything else. It wasn’t even particularly effective at running the clock.
Lloyd is a change of pace and style. I can see why they want that variation and also why they would want to get him involved for the first time. That said, LaFleur and Stenavich have a long history of taking forever to acknowledge good play by a player not initially anointed. It just seems a quirk of this regime that it really tough to get on The inside track if you weren’t there in summer, or off it if you were. Today, Jacobs was the hot hand, so no complaints, at least till later in the second half perhaps.
Leatherhead
September 16, 2024 at 12:45 pm
Jacobs was earning his money yesterday; that's what we paid for. He's a workhorse RB who can get a lot of yards. I think we're really lucky to have him, and Wilson, and Lloyd. IMO, this is the best RB unit we've had since before the merger. Better than Brockington and Lane, better than Green/Davenport/Fisher. We've been a throwing team for a long time,but with our QB out injured and a RB unit like this, we might see a different deal in Green Bay for a while
LLCHESTY
September 16, 2024 at 02:18 pm
I'd take the Ahman Green group anyway. Jacobs is a good, bordering on very good, RB. Green was truly special in his prime.
Bitternotsour
September 16, 2024 at 06:04 pm
Get ready for it, Jacobs is in his prime, and he's special. He got over-used in that game though, and MLF didn't do his offense any favors by not acknowledging 9 guys in the box. Nonetheless, a win is a win.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 16, 2024 at 06:45 am
Excellent work! I was wondering what happened that Valentine was in, he made at least one nice play that I noticed. I did NOT notice that we had a defensive line of four edge rushers! Even if that was only used on one play, this is the sort of versatility that really helps.
I watched Bill Bilichek being interviewed about the season so far and it seems his coaching success was all about in game adjustments. Hopefully that becomes a plus in GB, and having the options produced by player versatility can only help.
dobber
September 16, 2024 at 07:49 am
"I did NOT notice that we had a defensive line of four edge rushers!"
This is where the raw snap count numbers can be deceiving.
bjkdad44
September 16, 2024 at 08:08 am
🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻
RCPackerFan
September 16, 2024 at 07:11 am
The few surprises for me.
Cooper - I thought for sure he was going to play a lot more snaps. After last weeks impressive debut and LaFleur said he was going to get more snaps moving forward I thought for sure he was going to get 1/3-1/2 of the snaps.
Hopper - I saw on twitter that Hopper was on the field. I didn't see him. I'd like to see him get some opportunities as well.
Valentine - I was surprised to see him getting snaps over Stokes. I think something they may need to try and do is to get Stokes and Valentine on the field together and perhaps moving Alexander to the slot. At least occasionally.
Van Ness - I am surprised he isn't getting more snaps. He seems to make plays when he is on the field.
T7Steve
September 16, 2024 at 07:28 am
Depth is a good thing to have at CB.
Do you think Van Ness makes these plays because of the change up effect of different speed and style? Maybe they're playing less while they're working to add to his technique and strength or at least that's what I hope.
RCPackerFan
September 16, 2024 at 11:37 am
yes definitely. I love having the depth at CB.
That is a good question about Van Ness. I will just say it felt like he played more because he seemed to have a bigger impact then Enagbare. I didn't realize he had that many fewer snaps then him.
GregC
September 16, 2024 at 07:20 am
Interesting game for snap counts, with the intense heat and several young players being worked into the lineup. It was good to see Evan Williams out there. I think the play of the defensive backs was excellent, although they were helped by some bad throws and some drops. They did not allow any of the big plays that Richardson hit on in week 1, and they often had to cover for quite awhile with the lack of pass rush and the mobile QB's ability to buy additional time.
Tom Silverstein mentioned in his game blog that Ty'Ron Hopper came in at MLB for at least one snap, but he must have been mistaken because I don't see any snaps here for Hopper. Too bad. I would like to see them try Hopper at MLB.
I've never seen the Packers run the ball as well as they did in the first half. I figured the Colts would be ready for it in the second half, which they were. It took LaFleur a long time to counter that, unfortunately, so the offense got stale in the third quarter. Luckily, they got away with it because the defense was good, and Anthony Richardson was terrible.
Marshawn Lloyd's injury was to his ankle. His previous injury was a hamstring, so I'm thinking the two are not related, although I know sometimes injuries happen when a player is favoring one leg. Bummer that his only good carry was called back due to a penalty. So much for the running back rotation: 32 carries for Jacobs in 85 degree heat, yikes!
Thegreatreynoldo
September 16, 2024 at 07:42 am
I double-checked on Hopper using NFLgsis. No defensive snaps for Hopper, but 10 ST snaps (45%).
I don't want to get too down on Quay. You can live with him but he is a liability against the run.
@ RC: I also thought Cooper and perhaps Hopper would get some more snaps than they did, but no dice. LaFleur said that Evan Williams would get some time after getting no snaps in week one, and he got 20. Nice. And he caught the interceptable pass though that was mostly a bad pass rather than Williams doing something extraordinary.
murf7777
September 16, 2024 at 07:45 am
Greg, I think instead of questioning Mlf about taking so long to counter the Colts stopping the run in the second half you should applaud the game plan. Let’s look at it another way. He continue to run, while throwing some low risk play action passes.. By doing this the Packers were taking time off the clock and keeping the TOP on the Packers side. Why was that important. Because the more you exposed Willis to risky situations the more likely something bad could happen. I thought Mlf had a great game plan to win this game.
It’s not like they were playing an offensive team juggernaut, in fact what also has to be taken into consideration is that the defense was playing great ball so he could play this conservative without taking a lot of risk.
How would the fan base talks go if Mlf came out throwing in the 2nd half and Willis threw a pick 6 and another INT and they lost the game? I think Mlf played the odds correctly in this situation.
dobber
September 16, 2024 at 07:54 am
"How would the fan base talks go if Mlf came out throwing in the 2nd half and Willis threw a pick 6 and another INT and they lost the game? I think Mlf played the odds correctly in this situation."
You're right on the mark, murf. The game plan was working, the Packers played most of the game with a two-score lead, and Indy wasn't really pressing the scoreboard, so LaF laid low, played the clock (one of the faster games we've seen in awhile), and forced Indy to try to make things happen. A 16-10 win counts the same as a 34-28 win.
Coldworld
September 16, 2024 at 09:20 am
I think that may have been the plan, though LaFleur can get in to ruts. The problem was that it stopped working for too long. The Colts were barely honoring the pass in the 3rd and into the 4th quarter. Meanwhile they gradually got a little more rhythm. In the end, it made the game close enough that one big play might have turned it where that was unnecessary.
murf7777
September 16, 2024 at 10:36 am
Yep, and if they passed more one INT from Willis might’ve turned the game. I believe you play the odds, the odds were in the favor or running more and not risk passing more. It was very hot so with our TOP it would make sense that the D would wear out. It’s easy to critique as an arm chair QB. It’s funny how some fans find things that are always wrong, even in victory vs complimenting what they accomplished.
dobber
September 16, 2024 at 01:41 pm
These days, most play callers can't stay the course in the run game like that. They gotta get fancy.
GregC
September 16, 2024 at 08:54 am
It was a great game plan, but I thought they should have mixed it up a little more in the second half. That's just a quibble because it all worked out in the end. I expected the Colts to score in the 20s, and they are capable of making big plays at any time, so I was a little worried.
murf7777
September 16, 2024 at 10:38 am
Well in reality, there isn’t many games in the NFL where the other team doesn’t have a chance of victory in the 4th quarter. Parity is high in the NFL. I bet on many games and my nails are almost gone…..lol
Leatherhead
September 16, 2024 at 05:32 pm
According to a graphic during the game, MLF has never lost a game where he had a 10 point lead going into the 4th quarter. I could believe that. IMO, LaFleur does a very good job of closing out wins.
crayzpackfan
September 16, 2024 at 09:17 am
Murf-
I agree that they needed to still come out running. My complaint is that MLF should have had two unique running game plans or different looks for each half. He simply gave the same look and tried drawing water from a dry well. Should have tried a jet sweep or two with Watson, maybe some tosses right or left, or some designed QB runs instead of just Jacobs up the middle.
LambeauPlain
September 16, 2024 at 02:05 pm
I agree. The first half game plan was excellent on both sides of the ball. But the Colts have smart coaches too and they stopped the run game in the second half.
Matt's 2nd half "adjustment" was to run the same plays into a wall of work horses. His objective seemed to be to run out clock even though the game was still doubt. Packers last series on O were 3 similar basic runs over LG or C, then punt. Not even a thought to get a first down and ice the game. I was hoping he would go for the kill shot. Instead the Colts got their shot, down 6.
Thank goodness we have a punter! And the DBs did not cause any interference and played smart.
But I am nitpicking as that was a gutty, hard fought Team Win. In the NFL there are no "bad wins" and this was a very "good win".
tobinrote
September 16, 2024 at 07:23 am
agree completely with TGR on Walker who is the weakest spot on the D. he doesn't seem to want to take on running backs. i think more than a few of our number 1s were at best 3rd or 4th rounders, Musgrove clearly, Van Ness probably and Walker who is just not up to being a starting ILB.
as usual thanks a ton to TGR for still WRITING his column, which never descends into the constant stream of puff pieces.
dobber
September 16, 2024 at 07:55 am
Walker is a chaser...a run and hit guy. He's got size, but not a take on mentality. In this Packers version of the 4-3, he's playing mostly WLB (where he should be) and not MLB...but that means they're getting by with lesser players in the middle and on the strong side. McDuffie is a try-hard guy and I think Wilson's play has been surprisingly good, but I'll echo the sentiment that they need Cooper and/or Hopper to jump over those guys on the depth chart sooner rather than later.
It could be Williams starts to steal some LB snaps as a hybrid. I think we all want to see more of him.
Coldworld
September 16, 2024 at 09:44 am
Williams is a tad small to be a true hybrid on a regular basis. Perhaps Hopper, since Oladapo looks like a longer term prospect. I think a 3 safety look might be a sub package we see more of though, situationally. They need to find ways to get play makers on the field.
egbertsouse
September 16, 2024 at 07:39 am
Gary was such a non-factor that I actually thought he was injured and not in the game. He’s become the invisible man. They’re paying him a lot of money to have no stats.
Coldworld
September 16, 2024 at 07:50 am
Gary was successfully helping contain Richardson and did have a pressure or two. I’d take that over losing contain against guys like Richardson or Hurts any day.
I’m not as down on Walker as many, but I think we need to see his role adapt and that that won’t happen till Cooper and Hopoer are getting more snaps, particularly Cooper. At this point I don’t see a veteran alternative so that’s the dam that has to break.
LambeauPlain
September 16, 2024 at 02:17 pm
"Gary was successfully helping contain Richardson..."
Matt referred to this to Larry after the game saying how proud he was of the DL being coached to play another game of "contain" after boxing in Hurts. He also said the DL likely won't be playing contain again this season.
Looking forward to what Hafley and the D will be dialing up against Levis in Nashville.
BA4Pack
September 16, 2024 at 07:57 am
TGR keep the great articles coming.
I look forward to your analysis of the Pack snap counts each week.
GPG!
Lphill
September 16, 2024 at 09:43 am
Cooper was the best linebacker in the draft would be starting on any other team , he would compliment Walker in the run game , was a hot day Van ness should have been rotated in more for Gary and Smith .
cdoemel
September 16, 2024 at 04:08 pm
Thanks Coach
Leatherhead
September 16, 2024 at 01:04 pm
A really nice game to watch, and one I"ll remember for a while. I loved watching our offense attempt a Scott Hunter-esque 14 passes. I remember in the 2019 Championship watching the 49ers score in the 30s on a day when they threw it 8 times, and thinking, "That's the offense you want". "Run More, Pass Less"....that was my mantra here.
Well, we ran more yesterday. Of course, running yards don't seem to translate into points as well as passing yards do and 16 isn't a lot of points, but it was good enough yesterday. Actually, several teams won yesterday who scored under, and that's somewhat unusual. Most of the time, if you don't score at least 17, you've left your team very little chance of winning.
It looks like we could have a couple of weeks of Malik Willis, and we might find ourselves leading the league in several rushing measures by then. I was impressed with Willis' ability to protect the ball, and his arm strength. I kept wondering why we didn't just throw it up deep and letting our WR make a play. (which is what Doubs finally did, but it should have been an interception). Willis threw one pass that was Favrian, a deep out into a window about the size of large pizza. I mean, it's a throw you wouldn't attempt unless you had a super powerful arm and total confidence in your ability to throw a bullet. I mean, a great throw........but the dude was not open. I don't care how great your arm is....if the dude isn't open, he's not open. And that's what I meant by a Favrian throw.....a hard bullet over a distance to a guy who is covered.
The defense was much better yesterday. They were able to limit Indy to only 50 plays and didn't give up many first downs. They also got several takeaways...interceptions, a 4th down stop, a missed FG. If we had fallen on the ball even once when Indy laid it on ground, we might have ended this earlier.
I see Valentine and Stokes split time at the corner. Good. We're going to need all of our CBs to make it through this season. Alternating early in the season makes sense to me.
I'm not very impressed with Richardson. He doesn't look like he's really ready to play.
LLCHESTY
September 16, 2024 at 02:22 pm
If Jacobs didn't fumble at the goal line I think the rout was on. LaFleur would have most likely let Willis attempt more passes of it was 17-0.
Leatherhead
September 16, 2024 at 05:35 pm
It was a really big play, and I think hoping for a rout when you're playing your backup is a little too much to hope for. Jacobs had a bad fumble....I hope he doesn't have very many more. This game was closer than it had to be.
Minniman
September 16, 2024 at 02:18 pm
Thanks for the snaps summary TGR
Like last week, EXECUTION was the difference.
Last week the Packers failed to execute and caught the L
This week they were let off by several execution blunders (drops) by the Colts (which would definitely have impacted the game)..... and one massive one themselves (by Jacobs)......... and eked out a W.
The Packers weren't putrid - but they were predictable. Watch for more designated passing plays next week or the Titans will just overload the box and make Willis have to win with his arm.
All this said, I thought that Willis played more freely in the 4th quarter - perhaps this was just the precipitate of having more than a 1 score lead (for most of it).
Leatherhead
September 16, 2024 at 05:39 pm
TGR, I'd like to thank you for agreeing with me that in Green Bay, the TE is a blocker who gets a couple of targets. He's an offensive lineman who is an eligible receiver. People hate it when I say that, but it's the way it's been in Green Bay for a really long time, since before Chmura/Jackson even. Putting two TEs on the field is going to take either Reed or some other WR off the field. It's not that that Kraft an Musgrave aren't capable of doing more, it's that this is the way the Packers offense is designed to roll. Give it to the RB half the time, throw to the WRs, off play action if possible. TEs will get a couple of short targets.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 16, 2024 at 10:31 pm
LOL. See? Sometimes, I can be a perfectly reasonable person. Not to worry, we will butt heads on some other issue soon enough.
Bitternotsour
September 16, 2024 at 10:53 pm
A man with a good car, needs no justification
Over to you Leotis Harris
Thegreatreynoldo
September 16, 2024 at 11:01 pm
From PFF:
1. LB Quay Walker: 40.1
2. DE Kingsley Enagbare: 43.7
3. DE Rashan Gary: 45.5
4. DE Lukas Van Ness: 47.2
5. DL Kenny Clark: 48.6
PFF noted that Enagbare and Gary had no pressures, and LVN had just 1 hurry. I sure hope the OLBs can turn it on when they face a conventional QB against whom they don't have to play contain, and I wonder what the hell they are going to do against a QB who is a good passer who can also run? I noted in the Practice Roundups that Rasheed Walker was completely blanking Smith, Enagbare and especially LVN in practice, and I didn't think Rasheed was the second coming of Anthony Munoz. I worry that fans our going to get a rude awakening about GB's pass rush. Clark sucked against the run again. [I got blasted a few time last year when I noted that Clark was getting moved in the run game too much. I sure didn't want to pay him.] Quay gave up 4 completions, was lousy at tackling and was lousy against the run as well.
1. RG Jordan Morgan: 48.5
2. WR Bo Melton: 52.6
3. RB MarShawn Lloyd: 53.3
4. RT Zach Tom: 55.8
5. WR Christian Watson: 56.3
The WRs are bound to have a lot of snaps without targets/receptions when a newbie and a backup starts at QB. Melton had no recs, supposedly blocked poorly but had 2 carries for a net of 8. Lloyd got just 18 yards on 7 touches, but I thought one of his runs showed that he has talent. Watson ran around a lot but had no targets. His blocking was pretty good, though. Tom had 2 penalties.
1. LB Eric Wilson: 99.4
2. S Javon Bullard: 78.3
3. CB Jaire Alexander: 70.7
4. CB Eric Stokes: 69.1
5. CB Carrington Valentine: 65.9
Always happy to see 3 CBs play well because you can't have enough CBs in the NFL. GB needed one of those rookie safeties to come through and so far Bullard has. Now GB could use one (if not both) of those ILBs to come through. Eric Wilson was excellent. Where is Wyatt? He can rush the passer, and would be better off as a specialist.
1. RB Josh Jacobs: 77.2
2. WR Romeo Doubs: 74.4
3. WR Dontayvion Wicks: 73.9
4. LG Elgton Jenkins: 70.2
5. QB Malik Willis: 69.6
Jacobs ran wild but had a fumble. Surprised Doubs isn't higher. Wicks is about right. Jenkins is pretty much back to his pre-injuries form. I thought Kraft might sneak into the top 5 but I don't know who I would remove to make room for him. Surprised Willis isn't higher. He had a 126 passer rating, and ran at a decent clip. He was pretty efficient. I guess PFF wants to see bigger numbers in the aggregate? IDK - Eric Wilson got a 99 in just 8 snaps.
BAMABADGER
September 17, 2024 at 04:07 pm
Lloyd on IR, dang it. Seems to happen with a higher draft choice every season. Here’s to a speedy recovery.