The Green Bay Packers improved to 6-2 after Sunday’s 30-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It certainly wasn’t their best effort, but it was enough to stay alive at halftime in a tight NFC North contest.
Green Bay won despite quarterback Jordan Love missing the game with a groin injury that forced backup Malik Willis to play for the fourth time this season. With the offense relying heavily on the running game in the second half, Willis completed only four passes, but a clutch kick with just over a minute left put them within field goal range and ultimately allowed Brandon McManus to field a 24-yard field goal. .
Meanwhile, the defense also failed to live up to its potential, but managed to create a breakthrough turnover in the fourth quarter.
This week in the film room, we’ll take a look at three key plays on offense and defense that helped the Packers escape and win in Week 8.
Let’s start.
Josh Jacobs run
With Jordan Love out, Jacksonville expected Green Bay to focus on the running game. But that doesn’t matter if you have a energetic back like Josh Jacobs.
It’s 1st and 10 here and the Jaguars are looking for another run. However, with Willis’ mobility at risk, the Packers have a read option. Just take safety on the way down and give Jacobs enough time to get to the rim. From there he shows his elusiveness and mighty running, causing one of the defenders to miss a juke and then slide it onto the shoulder. Credit also goes to Christian Watson for a key block downfield that allowed Jacobs to score a touchdown. It was arguably his best streak of the season, giving Green Bay a two-possession lead in the third quarter.
Cooper’s strip bag
There is a lot to like about Edgerrin Cooper’s play this season. Sure, the rookie defender makes some mistakes, but he makes up for them with good play. Cooper had a great performance on Sunday, taking down Trevor Lawrence from the five-yard line for a touchdown.
Cooper shows off his lightning speed and wastes no time in rushing through the middle of the field after throwing the ball. Lawrence tries to escape, but Cooper is too quick and closes the gap, knocking the ball away and stopping the quarterback. Additionally, Devonte Wyatt showed great commitment by recovering from a fumble, even hitting an offensive lineman’s shoulder. That huge turnover set up a touchdown for the Packers that gave them a 27-17 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Game winner
Matt LaFleur revealed after the game that the play call was a suggestion from passing game coordinator Jason Vrable, even though they didn’t practice it during the week. Apparently Vrable saw something in the Jaguars’ defense that made him think it might work, so they included it for Willis on the final drive. 2nd and 6. Willis got the look he wanted and signaled, switching to the play Vrable suggested. The play starts with a scrimmage and split from the tight end, who actually blocks the passes. Meanwhile, Jayden Reed is positioned as an inline blocker. Instead of blocking, however, the swift slot receiver leaked into the wheel path on the opposite side of where the play was being played. Reed has plenty of separation and Willis throws a perfect pass that strides to him for a 51-yard interception. The Packers missed a timeout and kicked the game-winning field goal on a play that wasn’t even in the game plan.
