Despite getting marched up and down the field on, the Pats brought a strong red zone defense and almost made enough plays to give Tom Brady a shot at the win.
Still, it was not enough, and the third down scrambles by Aaron Rodgers, along with the Chung/Ryan/Arrington/Dennard getting picked on, were what killed the Patriots.
Aaron Rodgers showed why he is the best QB in the game right now, making plays on the run like neither Brady nor Manning can do, while also picking apart the defense with a cold-blooded efficiency that seemed set on targeting anyone not named Browner/Revis from the get go.
Here’s what I saw on the All-22, defense edition.
Missed the first couple Lacy runs during the broadcast, but seeing them now it was just what we saw earlier this season when the run defense stunk – not getting off blocks. Hightower/Collins showing double A blitz on the first one certainly made it harder on them with less space to react. Collins got pinned on the second one along with Chris Jones.
Good aggression by Logan Ryan in the red zone, not biting on a double move and staying physical. He shows flashes still.
Can’t tell if he got a hand on the ball on the next play but it was good positioning by Ryan.
Alan Branch shows up in his snap of the game, holding the point of attack, shedding and making a tackle on Lace to force a third-and-long. He could really be a guy who makes a big impact here in the last part of the season. Still, Chris Jones continues to impress being used in a variety of techniques.
First third-down red-zone stop of the day as Rodgers targets Ryan for the third time on this drive. Jones rushes off the edge as Ninkovich drops into a spy role on Rodgers. Seems like Rodgers was more about targetting Ryan than he was going through his reads, just enough late pressure from Jones to prevent him from going to an open Quarless in the middle of the field.
Next drive, Ayers picks up a sack on second down. Not sure what the Packers were doing as Quarless holds as if to block Ayers then runs out into a route leaving Ayers with a clear shot that he finishes. Lacy slipped into the flat and was wide open, but Rodgers never saw him. But all for not as Browner gets one “those” penalties.
Patriots showing a fair amount of Cover 2 Man, then Chung charges into the box at the snap. Also plenty of Double A-Gap pressure being shown almost every down, whether Collins/Hightower come or not.
Adams breaks free on a broken play and Rodgers fires a perfect pass that goes for 33 yards. So hard to defend this kind of stuff and it’s what makes Rodgers so good. It’s where the defense needs a finisher on the defensive line, but even then these are the kind of plays great players can make even when the defense is pretty sound.
Rodgers goes back to Adams on a dig the next play, firing it into a tight window and almost getting Adams killed by Hightower. There’s a certain calmness to Rodgers and Adams at this point and I believe they knew full well this would be the gameplan, at least early. They’re isolating Adams on one side and just letting him work Ryan.
Rodgers scrambles for 17 on 2nd-and-18 after a holding call and these are the kind of plays that give you an ulcer. Starks and an OL breaking off into a screen pass route cleared Hightower from the middle of the field, opening up a ton of space.
3rd-and-1 and Lacy gets 4. Pats haven’t been good in these situations this year. Wilfork gets too far upfield opening a seam.
Rdogers once again targets Ryan, this time with a fade. Continues to be clear how much they’re targeting Ryan with their entire offensive gameplan.
Second third-down, red-zone stop of the game as Rodgers doesn’t have anyone open. Great coverage. No pressure.
Third possession for the Packers with the Pats down 6-0. After two attempts to get Starks involved they go back after Logan Ryan and connect for 45 yards. This play was discussed a couple different place this week as Ryan bites on the out, but gets burned when Adams turns it up. At this point you have to wonder why they’re not trying to get Ryan some help. At least Ryan had the speed to catch him. Rodgers didn’t even look at anyone else.
Now comes the 32 yard touchdown where there’s not much to say other than Rodgers blew right past Chung and an unpressured Rodgers threw the perfect pass to him. Rodgers’ pump fake might’ve helped a bit, but Chung had no chance.
Fourth possession for the Packers begins in the second quarter, with the Pack leading 13-7.Logan Ryan has been replaced and I’m sure Kyle Arrington was told to be ready for incoming bombs.
I continue to be impressed with Akeem Ayers and how solid he’s been in run defense. How did the Titans not have a use for this guy.
Rodgers hits Cobb for 33 yards on third down out of the backfield as Arrington gets caught up in the wash and Ninkovich tries in vain to run with a wide receiver. Again, great design by the Packers.
Pats really needed Easley in this game and he didn’t give them much of anything. Unfortunate. Seems like his knee hasn’t healed as quickly as we’d like.
Third third-down red-zone stop and the Pats finally make a play with Hightower getting the sack. Great disguise by Hightower who gave no indication he was coming.
1:05 left now and the Patriots are trailing just 16-14. I know this drive will make me sick, just horrible situational football to give up a touchdown here and we know it’s coming.
Browner is now on Adams with Revis on Nelson and Arrington on Cobb.
First problem is a 28 yard pass to Starks out of the backfield as Ninkovich actually does an okay job sticking with him, but it’s just a dead-on throw on the move from Rodgers. Good catch by Starks too.
Here it comes, :23 seconds left with the ball at the Pats 45. Tough play for Revis, but he could’ve gotten a hand on Nelson early. The problem as I see it is McCourty looking at Rodgers and taking one too many steps too far to his left. That was all Nelson needed with his speed and he’s gone. Gross.
Second Half
Packers open up in 12 personnel and the Pats counter with their base defense.
Rodgers scrambles for another first down, with Ninkovich seeming to overpursue from his spy role. Tough play there. Think that’s 3 times Rodgers has picked up a first down running on third down. Killers.
Great tackle-for-loss on Lacy by Hightower. He’s been one of the few playmakers in this one.
Chris Jones sacks Rodgers to force a third-and-long, but it’s a total coverage sack as Rodgers tries to scramble with no one open but can’t escape. Finally. If they had this kind of integrity all game it might’ve been a much different game.
Pats hold on third-and-17. Again Cobb gets the ball because he’s covered by Not-Revis/Browner aka Arrington.
Second possession of the second half with the Packers up 23-14 now.
Lacy cuts back for his first big gain since the first quarter. Ninkovich loses contain, looking a lot like his crappy game against the Chiefs.
Casillas playing the weak side in 4-3 regular.
And now the targeting of Dennard begins with Arrington out as Rodgers finds Adams (with a major push off) for 12 yards.
2nd-and-15 and Rodgers almost gets ready to run for another first down, but Dont’a Hightower is waiting in the middle. Finally. Great pressure by Collins to push back Lacy too. He’s gotten a lot more aggressive lately.
Third-and-20 and the Packers play it safe with a checkdown. Holy Hoodie they are punting! They are punting!
Fourth quarter now with the Packers up 23-21, 13:43 left.
Pats getting creative in crunch time with the LBs/DEs flipped. Got pressure out of it too as Jones bursts through the line at the snap.
Third-and-six, prime opportunity here but Rodgers finds Quarless with some good movement in the pocket. Quarless got a pretty good push off as well and Chung had no chance once again due to the size mismatch. This is the place championship teams need to make plays. The Pats held Easley and Hightower back in spy positions, avoiding the Rodgers scramble again. And Ayers did a pretty good job forcing Rodgers off the spot, but the Packers made the play.
Quick slant to Adams again, those just tore the Pats up. Dennard gets no jam.
Run defense is wearing out as Lacy gets gains of 5 then 17 two plays later. 1st-and-10 at the Pats’ 15.
Good downfield coverage saves the game forcing two-straight incompletes, the first of which Rodgers has for 12 seconds. Impressive for a defense that has just been okay in this one, playing sound, but not making a ton of plays.
Third-and-five with the game on the line and it’s the Packers who choke with Adams dropping a perfect touchdown pass. Pats brought the blitz this time too, but still, should’ve been a touchdown.
Final possession for the Packers and the Pats need a stop down five with only 2:40 to go.
After runs of 2 and 4 yards the game comes down to a third down for the game. Rodgers’ first reads are not there, but the Pats pressure cannot get to him to finish the play. He finds Cobb for the first down and the game is over.
This play sums it up. Nobody up front could finish. Three guys all getting blocked one-on-one. Need Chandler back.
