Right now I downloaded packers and patriots game to see where the Packers O is having success and Pats D is exposed or they are getting sacked. Just observations of mine. I'll do the 2nd half another time. Packers O Packers lined up in shotgun with a TE and RB both to Flynn's right. Two wideouts to the right and one to the left. They run a Play action which draws the MLB. It leaves the field wide open for a post route. Completed 12 yards. Line up 3 Wide outs to right side and a lone wide out to the left. Flynn from the shotgun with a RB staying for extra protection. James Jones executed a very good double move on #32, ball was placed perfectly. #31 and #32 run into each other comically and 66 yard TD Patriots D First play from scrimmage they (Packers) lined up with quads to the left and single wideout to the right. The lone middle linebacker showed blitz and dropped back into coverage. The Right Guard thought he was blitzing and didn't even look to the Left. This left the CB as a free runner since the Tackle took the end and although the pass was complete for 4 yards they still got a hit. Again, the Packers have an empty backfield with 2 receivers left and 3 to the right. Again the MLB shows blitz and drops back, Vince Wilfork engages the left guard and the Left tackle decides to take the CB this time which leaves the DE as a free rusher. Sacked Flynn 6 yard loss. Packers have empty backfield 3 receivers to the right and 2 to the left. Pats play with Linebackers covering the two inside receivers, 3 CB's and 2 safeties. Both Linebackers blitz and the ends are engaging the left and right tackles which leave the Linebackers as free runners. Flynn throws it away. 3 Man rush, Vince Wilfork get through a double team forcing Flynn out of the pocket and throws it on the run for a gain of 2 Another blitz was picked up by the Packers offensive line but Flynn held it for too long and over time the line was overrun for a 7 yard loss..... Observations -We obviously don't have a Clay Matthews but why Brady is pressured he just throws it away and the one time he did throw it was forced into coverage and almost picked off by Woodson. -Danny Woodhead is annoying. -Gronkowski gets free releases (as does everyone else) -Logan Mankins was getting man-handled by BJ Raji -Mccourty is extremely good. -Charles Woodson played a fantastic game on Wes Welker. (so far in the first half) -With the WR screen to Welker, Woodson beat the lineman on the screen for a loss of a yard. -Delayed blitzes are extremely effective against the Pats O-Line. -Flynn made his first start and a few sacks were a result of that.
One thing to take into consideration: DL Myron Pryor DL Ron Brace DL Mike Wright LB Brandon Spikes all inactive which did not allow the Patriots to rotate personel on the line and hurt the run D. Two of them return to the lineup for the Jets game. I think the injuries along the DL and one of the Patriots better run stuffing LB are big reasons the Packers offense were able to run so well. The Packers did a great job keeping the Patriots offense out of sync though. Game would have been different without the Pick 6 and huge return from Connolly I'll admit.
Both Brace and Wright are on IR. I think Pryor might be hurt but I'm not sure. Getting Spikes will help with the run D. The Packers D is quite good and they did get pressure on Brady. The Pats would have probably lost with Rodgers in although I don't think they took "the kid" seriously.
"That was a good game. Packers would have won with Rogers." Rodgers would have definitely been a bigger challenge but I don't think it's that straight forward. Belichick is most effective when he has tape to game plan and that's something he did not have when preparing for Flynn.
If nothing else, Rogers knows how to run a 2 minute drill without letting the clock run out in the red zone.
"-We obviously don't have a Clay Matthews but why Brady is pressured he just throws it away and the one time he did throw it was forced into coverage and almost picked off by Woodson." I think that is probably the best front seven the Pats faced all year. Not only CM but AJ, Collins, BJ, etc. I think what made the Pack so effective is there ability to cover all the offensive weapons forcing Brady to throw it away - if anything Brady does a good job of not taking poor risks with the ball. I think most teams don't have the coverage depth the Pack have and can't get away with pressuring Brady. Just ask the Steelers. "-Delayed blitzes are extremely effective against the Pats O-Line." Good catch. I didn't notice this when I first watched the game during the season.
Yeah delayed blitz may be the way to go. Feels like too often we line-up, run at the line straight away and get clogged up. And as soon as that happens, we're screwed.
"If nothing else, Rogers knows how to run a 2 minute drill without letting the clock run out in the red zone. " That was definitely Flynn's biggest mistake in an otherwise great game.
He had some poor clock management in the first half as well, needlessly burning time outs, but yeah, in the end during the 2 minute drill that really doomed the pack, without watching it again right now I think i remember them wasting a good 20+ seconds.
