After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons. In general, I try to focus on a theme, the less obvious, or things I didn't notice watching live. These are not likely to be "highlight" plays.

Evan Williams was selected in the fourth round by the Packers after they traded up with the Jets for pick #111 in exchange for picks #126 and #190. I went back and looked over various scouting reports and they all pretty much had Williams as a backup strong safety at best. Well, Williams has already proven the scouts wrong as he has claimed a starting job and has formed a very good tandem with Xavier McKinney. Watching Williams on tape, he and McKinney communicate so well and are totally in sync as to their responsibilities on every play. This plays to the football intelligence and instincts described as Williams' strong points in those scouting reports. Where he has surprised and exceeded all expectations as a rookie has been against the run. Every report mentioned missed tackles as a problem. Watching NFL games live, you'll see a safety making a tackle, but don't always see what he did to get to that point. So here are three plays that I think show the traits that have made him so successful in such a short time.

Lateral Quickness and  Change of direction - Williams has shown the ability to accelerate and run to a spot in response to a running back's cut. Here he has his eyes on Mixon the entire time despite Stefon Diggs attempting to block him. As soon as he sees Mixon start to bounce his run outside, he sheds Diggs easily and starts sprinting at an angle that would have had him meet Mixon at around the five yard line. However, Keisean Nixon is all over this as well and takes away the sideline from Mixon forcing him right back into Williams' path, who finishes Mixon off with a textbook wrap-up tackle. Williams had his eyes on the ball the entire time and once Mixon committed, Williams put his foot in the ground and accelerated to where he expected Mixon to end up.

Anticipation and attack - As the Texans line up, Williams surveys the formation and heads up to the line of scrimmage. The Texans are in 12 personnel (1 running back & 2 tight ends) and the Packers are surely anticipating a run as they have eight players in the box with McKinney as the single high safety. Williams anticipates the play, reacts immediately and gets to the running back as he reaches the line of scrimmage. Williams makes first contact with the back (Dameon Pierce) and slows him down for others to finish him off. 

Run fill - The Texans are once again in 12 personnel. Williams reads the blocks of the tight ends and anticipates in which direction Mixon will cut off of those blocks. A potential big hole is there for Mixon, but Williams fills it and makes himself big with arms and legs spread wide. That causes him to lose some leverage and with Mixon having only one option now (plow into Williams). he takes the brunt of the collision but holds on and brings Mixon down. This is another example of his instincts leading him to the right spot.