Packers Vs. Broncos - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' last game.
By JerseyAl
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.
Play Action? - It's been pretty well established that opposing defenses are not being fooled by the Packers' play action attempts. Many times this season, it's been because they haven't been able to run the ball worth a damn. But AJ Dillon has resurfaced the last two games and Aaron Jones returned on Sunday, but still I noticed the Denver linebackers showing little concern for the run when the Packers ran play action.As I was watching this unfold and wondering why, I noticed something - the actual play action fakes are pretty horrendous. With Love barely holding the ball out and Dillon nowhere near close enough to Love to actual receive a handoff, there is no actual illusion of a running play coming. You can see on this play how minimal the fake handoff is and how not a single Bronco fell for it and thus they sniffed out the screen rather easily.
Mystery play - Ok folks, tell me what this play is? I'm assuming it's a screen, but does it make any sense for Watson to receive the pass practically on the sideline? Does it make sense for the Packers' OL on that side to not release and continue blocking their men, and out towards Watson to boot? It also appears Watson lines up on the wrong side at first. Love moves him to the right so he can then go in motion to the left. And why run this to the short side of the field where Watson is space restricted? I don't know - nothing about this play makes sense. To make matters worse, this kicked off the worst three play sequence we've likely seen for this young team. After this first down play lost two yards, Love threw a quick pass to a well-covered Toure for a three yard gain. After a five yard penalty made it third and four, Watson and Reed ran the same dig route in unison like they were chained together and watched Love's pass sail over the sideline where one of them was supposed to be. also, Note Josiah Deguara with a rather futile cut block attempt - more on that to come.
Double Down Deguara - You get a two-fer here. On two consecutive pass plays, Deguara ends up on the ground after blocking air. I suppose this is why his snaps have been reduced the last two games while Tucker Kraft's have increased. And also the reason his PFF Pass blocking score for this game was a 4.9. No, that's not a typo. I don't pay that much attention to PFF anymore, but when I was looking up his snaps over the last few game, that number kind of caught my eye. Oh, there was also the penalty on the goal line. Did I miss anything?
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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 (66)
HawkPacker
October 24, 2023 at 03:12 pm
They are just not fun to watch this year. I did not expect them to win many games this year but I did want to see some improvement as the season went along. None yet but hopefully that changes but with tougher teams coming up in the schedule, I highly doubt it.
Coldworld
October 24, 2023 at 03:21 pm
This team doesn’t have a plan I can decipher on O and it doesn’t seem to know its own plays half the time.
Perhaps it might be more challenging to try to find 3 plays that don’t make one say hmmm.
The_Justicar
October 24, 2023 at 04:12 pm
As bad as the defensive calls are I think the offensive scheme may now be worse.
Coach Cleve Steamer
October 24, 2023 at 05:45 pm
The offensive scheme=colitis.
SpikeHyzer
October 24, 2023 at 06:24 pm
To be fair, the D has held teams under 20 in 4 games.
CheesedDeadHead
October 24, 2023 at 06:45 pm
"To be fair, the D has held teams under 20 in 4 games."
The Packers are 2-4 and have given up 132 points or 22.0 pts per game. From 2 different sites that ranks them 21st in the NFL or,
20 teams have given up fewer points per game than GB.
That is while having played 4 teams ranked 19th or worse (19, 21, 29, 30) in offensive scoring and the other 2 at 8 and 13. Not a murderer's row of offensive juggernauts. This is still an underachieving defense.
crayzpackfan
October 25, 2023 at 08:01 am
Not very good teams Spike.
SpikeHyzer
November 04, 2023 at 05:46 pm
Perhaps you both have good points, but I still blame the offense for losing winnable games. The D held them low enough to win.
Tundraboy
October 24, 2023 at 05:35 pm
Three (optional) Signs of Progress?
crayzpackfan
October 24, 2023 at 03:23 pm
Nothing JD could do on that last play. Jewel (47), my hometown high school baller was all over that play. Sorry, had to give some shine for the local kid.
Melch
October 24, 2023 at 03:46 pm
AWFUL DECISION BY LOVE. THEY HAD 2 PLAYS TO GET INTO FG RANGE
JerseyAl
October 24, 2023 at 04:39 pm
As LaFleur explained it was his own play call, same as the last play against the Raiders. That doesn't mean I like it. Love could have not thrown it, but a first-year starting QB is probably going to do what the coach wants.
MainePackFan
October 24, 2023 at 07:46 pm
Al, as always, thank you for the great content you produce for us.
Lafleur is saying what any coach would say. We can kid ourselves and think the problem is Lafleur. It isn't. I went back and watched the first couple games today to see what the Packers were doing in those games that was working. It's night and day, and frankly , the biggest difference is what Jordan Love is doing.
I'm sure you've heard of Elmer Wheeler? If not, I suggest a quick google search. of "sell the sizzle not the steak". Jordan needs to sell his product.
QB's that go through the motions without understanding that every motion, be it in practice or the game, has a purpose, will ultimately fail. Details are the difference. Jordan needs to learn that.
Coldworld
October 24, 2023 at 11:12 pm
Very similar to a few of Rodgers’ Interceptions when behind last year. Same game situation, similar isolation deep route and an open guy shorter. Most of us blamed Rodgers, it looks like falsely. Kind of ironic that you now blame Lovr for doing the same.
MainePackFan
October 25, 2023 at 06:06 am
My post has nothing to do with the interceptions, nor is there a reference to AR. It has to do with how Jordan isn't selling the play action the way he did in the first couple of games. He seems to be skipping the details and nuances of the position. That wasn't the case earlier.
Jordan was throwing on time and in rhythm at the start of the season. There was a purpose to his play action. He wasn't just going through motions. The good news is that it can be fixed.
PeteK
October 25, 2023 at 10:03 am
Who was playing LT and LG ? I agree it can be fixed, patience.
MainePackFan
October 25, 2023 at 01:31 pm
Bahk and Jenkins in the first game. Walker with some Yosh, and Jenkins replaced by Newman in the second as I remember.
Vachio
October 25, 2023 at 11:01 am
That absolutely is a coaching issue. If a coach has players who aren't executing the way the coach wants them to, the coach needs to have them practice the same play over and over again until they run it the way it's supposed to be run. Players who cannot or will not execute as required get benched. Literally, the most basic of fundamentals of coaching.
T7Steve
October 25, 2023 at 11:01 am
Al, how about 3-games that make you go hmmm?
Hopefully that doesn't turn into 3-seasons or 3-decades that make you go hmmm. Decades that you didn't notice while watching the games.
13TimeChamps
October 24, 2023 at 03:24 pm
Speaking of "illusions", remember Deguara's rookie year...I think it was his first game, but not sure...and he took out two defenders with one block? Seems like a long time ago, doesn't it?
Packers1985
October 24, 2023 at 04:21 pm
Yes, if i am not wrong that was against the vikings in 2020 and next game he was out because of knee injury he got playing ST'S
PeteK
October 25, 2023 at 10:12 am
He has an injury history and is playing not to get hurt. TE blocking has been horrendous. Tyler Davis injury is affecting this team more than I thought it would. I always thought that Dillon could be a good blocker from a two RB set, which would help.
CheesedDeadHead
October 24, 2023 at 06:23 pm
"Speaking of "illusions", remember Deguara's rookie year...I think it was his first game, but not sure...and he took out two defenders with one block? Seems like a long time ago, doesn't it?"
So coming right out of college he was blocking like 95% of the players on other teams and after 3 years of Packer "Coaching" he now plays like 99% of Packer players?
701Packer
October 24, 2023 at 03:27 pm
observation: holy crap Jenkins sits flat footed on that first play!
Thegreatreynoldo
October 25, 2023 at 04:17 am
Jenkins got a 48.5 PFF grade against the Broncos.
splitpea1
October 24, 2023 at 03:27 pm
Plays 2 and 3: We've seen few plays this season using the short and/or left side of the field that go nowhere or lose yardage. It doesn't make sense to keep doing it unless you're just looking for a small gain such as the pass to Jones.
The goal should be to hit Watson in stride more often to take advantage of his speed. Scheme him open on crossing routes, slants, etc. where he can turn upfield and accelerate. Using him as a possession receiver really isn't making the best use of his talents right now.
Blocking: Might as well go with Kraft, anyway. He's the future, so the more experience the better.
White92
October 24, 2023 at 09:05 pm
But Deguara was a brilliant pick that was going to be used as a swiss army knife 🤣
Coldworld
October 24, 2023 at 11:16 pm
Deguara was the one LaFleur was euphoric about, a guy ready to play in the new system. … that he never installed.
coolhand
October 24, 2023 at 03:39 pm
The entire game made me go hmmm
Tundraboy
October 24, 2023 at 05:41 pm
Yeah this team necessitates more than 3 examples.
cdoemel
October 24, 2023 at 06:46 pm
This entire game made me go F#CK!!
coolhand
October 24, 2023 at 03:42 pm
On Deguara's missed blocks, even my pop warner coach told me not to leave my feet in blocking or tackling. How can a pro be so bad?
CheesedDeadHead
October 24, 2023 at 06:40 pm
"How can a pro be so bad?"
I think you answered your own question: "even my pop warner coach told me not to leave my feet in blocking or tackling".
So the Packer coaching staff is worse than pop warner. I'm not sure there's much evidence to refute that.
egbertsouse
October 24, 2023 at 03:48 pm
Hmmmmm, isn't the word I say when I watch these plays. In fact, I say three words. that rhyme with "Got the duck."
Melch
October 24, 2023 at 03:49 pm
I DIDN'T EXPECT 70 + PTS LIKE MIAMI BUT 16 AGAINST THESE BUMS.THIS TEAM SUCKS.IS WATSON HURT AGAIN.I SMELL BUST
Melch
October 24, 2023 at 03:51 pm
WATSON AND & DOUBS ARE IN THERE 2CND YR & STILL DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET OPEN
Since'61
October 24, 2023 at 04:10 pm
Sadly these are excellent examples of why the offense has been ineffective over the last 4 games.
Again, what are the coaches doing? Why are we running plays to the short side of the field and making it easier for the defense. Why are the play action fakes totally lame? Where is the coaching? Rodgers was an excellent ball handler and his fakes were great.
This is just poor coaching leading to poor execution leading to failed plays.
If we as fans can see this happening what are the coaches seeing and doing during the week to get these issues corrected. Deguara is a perfect example of terrible blocking technique that should not be allowed at the professional level. Deguara can no longer be considered a young player learning the game. He is three seasons past that point. This is just stupid.
Thanks, Since ‘61
jannesbjornson
October 24, 2023 at 05:11 pm
Maybe he wants to be Cut/Traded ?
stockholder
October 24, 2023 at 05:22 pm
Comp pick equation-
No other reason.
jannesbjornson
October 24, 2023 at 05:46 pm
His guys.
tobinrote
October 24, 2023 at 07:19 pm
when the always fairminded and gentlemanly Since '61 gets this barely able to restrain his frustration and irritation I take it as good a sign as any that these coaches are soon to be gone, and I would guess Love gets no new contract too at the year's end absent a preternatural acquisition of skill set he seems to have shown no signs of having
LeotisHarris
October 24, 2023 at 04:47 pm
'61 said it well. Practices must look just like this rudderless clusterf*ck. Sloppy fundamentals coupled with mental errors. That needle only points in one direction.
Might consider a change to 3 Plays That Make You Dry Heave for this installment.
SpikeHyzer
October 24, 2023 at 06:28 pm
Sadly, the ESPN guys are saying that the practices have been rumored to be going great as the season progresses.
Why can't that translate?
Something deeply wrong there.
packergal
October 24, 2023 at 04:55 pm
"Might consider a change to "3 Plays That Make You Dry Heave"--for this installment.
Leotis,
Reading fan post responses to Al's post might be more entertaining than watching the game!
Tundraboy
October 24, 2023 at 05:44 pm
It can be.
Packers0808
October 24, 2023 at 04:56 pm
Anyone else notice Musgrave seems like a stumble bum every time he leaves the LOS or when he gets. 3 yards and cloud of turf and down he goes. Don't know if cleats choice or jsut clumsy or trying to get too much done to quickly!
PackerBO
October 24, 2023 at 05:02 pm
He kind of does, plus he goes down real easy when a defender goes in for the tackle. I don't think I have seen him break a tackle yet
SpikeHyzer
October 24, 2023 at 06:29 pm
I think it's because when he does make a catch, he's so anxious to turn it into a big play with lots of YAC that he gets ahead of himself.
Or clocked viciously like he suffered from Jackson.
Coach Cleve Steamer
October 24, 2023 at 05:54 pm
I’m not loving Musgrave, or Watson or Deguara, and Love these days. I’m optimistic that we have more than a bunch of flag football guys. It would be nice to see some professional pride as individuals and try to mesh into a team.
SpikeHyzer
October 24, 2023 at 06:32 pm
Deguara is someone who should be cut now, but the others are fine on their learning curves.
It's Doubs who looks bad to me. He can't adjust or get his hands out quickly enough to make plays. He should have made his TD catch cleanly but failed to adjust and cut off the pursuit that led to the dual possession. The TD deflection was also not so hot or so far behind him that he should have failed to make that catch. As someone who got all those reps in Watson's absence last year, he should be making more of these plays.
Coach Cleve Steamer
October 24, 2023 at 07:01 pm
Agreed. He’s got growing to do.
PackerBO
October 24, 2023 at 04:59 pm
Yep 61& leo, well said. I myself do not see basic fundamental football. Not sure what they teach in the off season, but this can't be it can it?
stockholder
October 24, 2023 at 05:11 pm
Play one. -
I say the OL is tipping the direction of the play.
The right side is not in line with the left side.
Play two-
the Left side is Now deeper than the right.
Platy three-
Again to the left side. The left side is further back.
And the TEs tip off Pass. 1 way up. 1 in a block take off.
Coach Cleve Steamer
October 24, 2023 at 06:01 pm
I see what you’re saying. They totally gave each play away. Love looks like he’s trying to fake it ‘til he makes it. It’s not working.
stockholder
October 24, 2023 at 08:50 pm
Yes- Compare that to NO great OL
when Brees was the QB .
SpikeHyzer
October 24, 2023 at 06:23 pm
Great analysis, Al, and I'd add a few points and details to some of it.
While the play action fakes do stand out as horrendous, so too is the route running awful, especially when Love is typically only looking for one target, which makes all the other routes fakes. And they are terrible fakes that aren't committed and that fail to draw defenders away from the ball.
While I also agree that the screen call was awful, I thought the double dig was worse. I believe the announcers said there were 3 receivers tight in space and one shouldn't have been there. I wondered if that is true, and now it seems the solo guy was supposed to be there and one of the two guys running the dig. Horrible execution.
Deguara is awful and I don't think he had a single positive play. He should be cut immediately and Sims should get all of his snaps.
Broncs fans were saying that the ball was well behind Doubs, but I think that was a great improv by Love and it wasn't too hot to handle. A better receiver makes that play and I'm beginning to think he's more of a number 3 or 4 option and we need to upgrade.
Another play that stood out to me was that when Love did fit the rare pass into a double team on that 3rd and 6 (which became the infamous 4th and 6 with a horrendous call on Myers) Surtain clearly committed a pretty egregious PI by raking his arm across the chest and neck of the receiver.
I still believe in Love, but he thows into double teams far too often and needs to find the one on one or checkdown on those plays. It's starting to look like a young Favre!
pack1487
October 24, 2023 at 06:51 pm
I was excited at the beginning of the year as I was hoping to finally see a QB run Matt's offense. However, I now see why Rodgers was constantly calling audibles. These past few games, we've also seen shades of Rodgers where Love is just heaving it downfield for no apparent reason.
I always thought Rodgers got a bad rap but he appears to be the only one on the team that would hold people accountable. There were two plays in a row where a defender just walked past Rasheed Walker essentially untouched and he's still out there starting. You have WRs running the same route or wrong route, and the entire offensive line not being able to block. It's comical but I guarantee if Rodgers was here, these mistakes wouldn't keep happening, especially against the level of competition they've played so far.
Tundraboy
October 24, 2023 at 11:38 pm
So your saying MLF can not stand on his own two feet? We knew that.
ImaPayne
October 24, 2023 at 09:12 pm
Imo the entire offensive scheme is to cover for the lack skills and abilities of one mr love. Its obvious they are trying to fake out defenses and the only reason is to give him more thinking time and its not working.
In addolition the o line is a fn mess. They cant run or pass block.
After seeing the vikes perform last night, none of this matters, pack will be bottom of the barrel for years to come. If the vikes dont win by 24 i will be shocked.
One analyst suggested the coaches know what they have in love and if they think he will be your starter next year, would be almost criminal.
Cheezehead72
October 25, 2023 at 05:31 am
Good examples of why this team is so bad. Yes I expected growing pains and some ups and downs but all I have seen is a constant down since the begining of the season.
BAMABADGER
October 25, 2023 at 09:20 am
When his name was called during the draft, everyone said who is Deguara??? He was listed as a potential 6-7th draft choice and GB drafts him in the 3rd. I would have cut him last season, after the TE draft moves this season he’d definitely be gone this preseason. This guy has very little skill sets to offer. If you released him today, you would see his immediate value around the league.
coolhand
October 25, 2023 at 09:37 am
Mystery play, just watch the effort of 63 on the play. Blocks his man a little and then just gives up as his man runs to the sideline to cover the play. I guess blocking for 2 or 3 seconds is enough
Rebelgb
October 25, 2023 at 10:12 am
My 10 year olds on my youth flag football team do play action and its 100x better than that.
There is no excuse for constant missed blocks, routes run wrong or poor play calling. Youth has nothing to do with not knowing your playbook or constantly under executing.
That ALL goes to bad coaching and a lack of accountability.
My opinion of MLF gets lower and lower every week.
Vachio
October 25, 2023 at 11:09 am
Exactly! My little league coach would have skinned me alive for blocking anything like Deguara blocked on those two reps. And planted my ass on the bench for the rest of the game.
SinceLombardi
October 25, 2023 at 02:04 pm
So tired of excuses. The Bears won with a backup qb, the Vikings won with backup WRs..
and we can’t score in the first 30 minutes week after week.
We carry guys that have been hurt for three years, Safeties that are hurt and not very good when they play.
We hang our hats on Watson being a difference maker? Good luck with that.
Melch
October 31, 2023 at 03:28 pm
I'll say the same thing i said last week,Love & his receivers suck