Unpacking the Game: Patriots vs Packers

The Green Bay Packers hosted a New England Patriots team that had plenty of hype surrounding it to enter the season. QB Mac Jones was going into year two with the team and Bill Belichick is well, Bill Belichick. Unfortunately Jones sustained a high ankle sprain in week three and was ruled inactive for the game on Friday. Meanwhile, the Packers were hoping to build off their win last week and secure a convincing win against a Brian Hoyer-led Patriots team. This too, was curtailed early in the game (more on that later). Instead, the Packers faced a Bailey Zappe-led offense and barely held on to clinch the win with a FG in overtime. You might be asking yourself What happened? Let's unpack the game!

Offense

This marked the second consecutive game that the Packers were able to use their preferred offensive line consisting of Bakhtiari - Runyan - Myers - Newman - Jenkins. This inspired much hope for a blow-out game against an injured Patriots team. Unfortunately this was not the case. Jenkins' return has been a welcomed one, however, it appears as though he is likely best off playing inside at RG — at least until he can get more snaps under him. He was beat badly at times and gave up at least one sack and I noted several pressures as well. The O-line did pave the way for a strong rushing game though. The Packers rumbled their way for 199 yards on the ground.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

The offense had success early in the game on the ground with RB Aaron Jones. Jones looked elusive and regularly used his speed to bounce outside and make defenders miss. At the start of the second quarter when they had ran the ball down to the red zone, rookie WR Christian Watson had a 15-yard jet sweep that he ran in for an untouched touchdown. At this point, the Packers led 7-3.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

As a result, the Packers used the run game to try to open up the passing game. They had little success with this. Just minutes before the end of the first half, QB Aaron Rodgers had only completed three of 10 passes for 38 yards and had already made several errant throws. This was the worst QBR that Rodgers has ever had in a half. The rhythm and timing of Rodgers and the WRs just seemed really off. If this was not bad enough, Rodgers then had a route jumped by Patriots CB Jack Jones who intercepted the ball and ran it back for a pick-6 with 13 seconds left in the half. This was only the fourth pick-6 in Rodgers' career. This gave the Patriots a 10-7 lead. After the score, Rodgers found WR Allen Lazard for a 6-yard gain as time expired in the first half. Rodgers finished the first half completing four of 11 passes for 44 yards, 0 TD, and 1 INT. It was clear that the offense would need to regroup at halftime and adjust their game plan accordingly.

The Packers used these adjustments to march down the field to the Patriots' 10 yard line before David Bakhtiari was flagged 10 yards for a holding penalty. This backed the offense up to the 20 yard line. Facing a 2nd and 19, Rodgers found TE Robert Tonyan in the end zone for a TD. This gave off extreme 2020 season vibes when Rodgers connected with Tonyan for 11 TDs. This gave the Packers a 14-10 lead.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

This success continued into their second drive of the half when the offense drove down to the 20-yard line before things fizzled out. The Packers settled with a 38-yard Mason Crosby field goal to tie the game 17-17.

On the third drive of the game, the offense was able to generate some more success passing the ball. Facing a 3rd and 6 from the GB 29 yard line, Rodgers found WR Randall Cobb for a nice 24 yard gain across the middle of the field. This proved to be a spark. A few more plays later and Rodgers connected with ascending rookie WR Romeo Doubs for a 13-yard TD. This marks two consecutive weeks that Doubs has scored a TD. This score tied the game 24-24.

With the ball game tied and faced with just under four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the offense had one more chance to clinch the win. On 3rd and 8 from the NE 40, Rodgers hit Romeo Doubs in the end zone for what would have been a 40 yard TD. Doubs made the catch but lost possession of the ball as he fell to the ground — the pass was ruled incomplete. LaFleur challenged the call but the call stood. After forcing a quick 3 and out on the Patriots' offense, the Packers got the ball back with 0:04 left in the game. Rodgers threw the ball to Cobb for a 7-yard gain before he lateraled it back to Elgton Jenkins who was touched down. With the game still tied at 24-24, this ended regulation and forced OT.

After winning the coin toss to start OT, Rodgers and CB Rasul Douglas elected to receive the ball. After a quick 3 and out, they had to punt the ball. Thankfully, the Packers defense gave the offense one more chance after forcing a 3 and out themselves. This proved to be enough. Starting the drive from their own 10 yard line, the offense used a balance of running and passing to move the ball down the field. Rodgers connected with Cobb, Lazard and Doubs to account for 50 yards gained. Rodgers then handed the ball off to RB AJ Dillon who rushed four consecutive times for 15 net yards and a first down. This meant the ball was all the way down to the NE 13 yard line. The Packers let the game clock run down to 0:04 before they called a timeout. This led to an easy Crosby 31-yard chip shot that won the game 27-24. The offense was not always pretty, but the team found a way to come out victorious!

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

Defense

The headline before the game was that all-pro CB Jaire Alexander would be inactive due to a groin injury. It sounds like he had a real chance to play, but that the team made him inactive out of an abundance of caution. The defense was wreaking havoc early in the game. OLB Rashan Gary was a monster that could not be stopped. His growth and development this season cannot be touched on enough — he is a gamechanger. After the Patriots' offense drove down the field and scored a field goal on their first drive of the game, Gary stepped in. On their second drive, the Patriots were faced with a 3rd and 10 from the GB 37 when Gary sacked QB Hoyer for a 8 yard loss. This ended the drive and forced the Patriots out of field goal position. Unfortunately Hoyer sustained a head injury during the play and was ruled out after being evaluated for a concussion.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

If the situation regarding Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa revealed anything in today's game, it was that head injuries should be taken incredibly seriously. It is worth noting that S Adrian Amos went out of the game early in the first quarter after he took a hit to the head while making a tackle. He was ruled out of the game as well. Rudy Ford took over his starting spot.

With third-string QB Bailey Zappe entering the game, more pressure was placed on the Packers defense to make it a blowout game. After forcing a 3 and out on Zappe's first drive, the Packers defense forced two more punts. On their last defensive drive of the first half, Gary sacked Zappe at GB 22 for a nine yard loss. Thankfully the ball was fumbled in the process and Gary took possession of it. This was the play that gave the Packers the ball just before the end of the first half and Rodgers' infamous pick-6. The Patriots led 10-7 going into halftime.

After effectively shutting down the Patriots' offense in the first half. the Patriots relied more on running the ball in the second half. The Packers had to respect the run game, and as a result, that opened up the passing game.

With 4:52 remaining in the third quarter having just been assessed a 5-yard delay of game penalty, Zappe found a wide open DeVante Parker for a 25 yard TD. This proved to be a key play for the Patriots but also a controversial call in the game. There were two or three full seconds that passed by before Zappe threw the ball. This should have been a clear delay of game call but that did not happen. Regardless, that did not excuse the defensive coverage that left Parker open. Instead, it gave the Patriots a 17-14 lead.

The Patriots then went ground and pound. It seemed as though every run resulted in a positive four or five yard gain. Even though the Packers D was making disciplined tackles, these short yardage gains helped the Patriots move with ease across the field. RB Damien Harris was able to punch the ball in from the 5-yard line with 11:14 left in the 4th quarter to give the Patriots a 24-17 lead. The defense was able to force two more Patriot punts to end regulation 24-24.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

In OT, the defense clamped down on Harris on the Patriots' only offensive drive to force a punt. This proved to be all the defense needed to secure the win. The game finished with a Packers 27-24 win!

Special Teams

One week after punter Pat O'Donnell was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, special teams (or "we-fense" as Rich Bisaccia calls it) had an up and down showing. They allowed two punt returns, including one that resulted in a 29-yard gain. They also gave up 111 yards on kickoff returns, with a 37-yard return. After last week's lights out showing, this was to be expected. Part of this was because ST ace Rudy Ford was playing defense in place of Adrian Amos. However, it is clear that ST is still a work in progress. The highlight came with 2:02 left in the fourth quarter when O'Donnell had an excellent punt that CB Keisean Nixon downed at the NE 2 yard line. There appears to be lots of promise for the we-fense and I look forward to continuing to witness their growth.

Players of the Game

Aaron Jones had 16 Carrie's for 110 yards.

Rashan Gary — He had a monster first half, the Patriots had to game plan for him in the second half. He finished with 7 tackles, two sacks, and one TFL.

Pat O'Donnell — He continues to exhibit field-flipping ability. He averaged 42 yards/punt and had two punts downed within the 20 yard line.

Mason Crosby — He was 2/2 on FG, converting a 38 yard FG and the game-winning 31 yard FG.

Looking Ahead

The 3-1 Green Bay Packers take on the 3-1 New York Giants in Tottenham, England next week. The game begins at 8:30am CDT. This will mark the first time that the Packers play internationally in London. They were the last team to do so, as it means giving up a home team. This is a big deal for international fans and I look forward to cheering on the Pack early in the morning!

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com