Fast Start
The Packers won the toss and decided to take the ball. To say “that paid off” would be an understatement. While the score was a blowout, many of the plays were extremely close, and kudos to Jordan Love for making just a ton of throws, especially under duress.
The Packers possessions looked like this:
- Touchdown- 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:52
- Punt- 6 plays, 28 yards, 2:29
- Touchdown- 3 plays, 19 yards, 1:28
- Touchdown- 10 plays, 93 yards, 5:44
- Touchdown- 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:45
- Touchdown- 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:36
- Touchdown- 8 plays, 40 yards, 4:37
- Punt- 3 plays, 1 yard, 1:05
- Punt- 3 plays, 3 yards, 1:03
- End of Game- 1 play, -1 yard, 0:16
After the Packers’ fourth possession (the 10-play, 93 yard TD drive), Darnell Savage had the pick-6 to essentially ice the game…that is until Joe Barry decided to take over.
Credit to Matt LaFleur, not only for game-planning/designing a brilliant scheme, but for sticking with the run throughout the game, even though it wasn’t working. Yes, Aaron Jones had a great game, but the overall rushing attack wasn’t productive (15 rushes for 32 yards, a 2.1 yards/carry avg.). However, it did wear down the defense, and with Love being ON with his throws off play action, the Dallas defense was extra-delayed in attacking the run, even up big in the 2nd half.
Points Off Turnovers
Unlike Aaron Rodgers-led Packer postseason teams, this Green Bay squad scored 14 points off both Dallas turnovers, and they won by 16…imagine that. While LaFleur once said “All gas, no brakes,” he may have pulled his starters a bit early considering the Cowboys had the ball with a chance to pull within 8 points (one score) with just over a minute left – the Packers obviously controlled it throughout, and much to the thanks of Jaire Alexander’s INT. That, not only, kept the momentum on Green Bay’s side, but catapulted them into firm command of the entire game. Turnovers are huge as they guarantee keeping points off the board, but scoring off of them is hallmark of a great team.
Now to the likely Demise of this Packers team…
Dallas had little issue moving the ball. The Cowboys racked up 510 yards on 89 plays. Yes, that’s a ton of plays, 35 (65%) more than the Packers ran. Dallas only punted twice, and the 2 interceptions came on man coverage…the 2nd half, once up 48-16, the Packers played a soft zone, and Dallas obliterated it. From that point, Dallas’ drives resulted in:
- TOUCHDOWN- 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:29
- TOUCHDOWN- 4 plays, 91 yards, 1:24
- DOWNS- 11 plays, 65 yards, 2:06
I’ve written, last year, about how Joe Barry’s defense has typically played better later in the year since joining Green Bay, he relies too much on his players to make plays in zone coverage rather than just play tight man coverage and force the opposing QB to make good, clean accurate throws on time and on target. In zone, you can get checked down to death. Luckily, Dak Prescott was off (he’s also a choke artist, Cowboy fans won’t even argue this) and missed some easy throws coupled with a drop or two by his targets…this is also why wins are a QB stat, because Jordan Love completely pounded the Dallas defense and put the other QB in a spot where he eventually had to play perfect.
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