We actually could have won this game, really, if Andy Reid's decision-making at the end of the game was not what it typically can be to derail our chances. We have an offense that is lights-out, and he decides to put the game's outcome in the hands of a very bendy defense that cannot afford to be bendy at the most crucial time. That a bit later.
First, to be a bit positive, some really good things about our team:
Its playmaking. The Reid way has got defenses scrambling and with our playmakers, these guys showed again tonight they can do great damage. The Packers plan on defense was to essentially play on their heels. A great example of this was the play at the beginning of the 2nd quarter when everyone was moving around in the backfield after the snap, leaving Kelce wide open down the field to catch a lofted pass for a TD.
I also really like Steve Spagnuolo being aggressive with our defense. He blitzed often enough to rattle Rodgers, if you can do it against one of the best QBs ever, you should! We sacked him something like five times tonight. Ragland and Hitchens have picked up the run defense at least a little.
The not-so-good things: We're still not pursuing with assertiveness! It isn't about tackling -- it is about hitting our marks with at least some sense of purpose! The touchdown that ended up winning it for the Packers was just a weave job by their guy all the way to the end zone. Add to that our defensive line still can't get a good enough push when we need it.
You also cannot fumble on the first play after the defense has been on field for eons. McCoy did that and Rodgers got the ball right back, and after a bit of wearing out our defense a bit more, he threw one of the most amazing touchdown passes ever. By the way, Damien Williams came right in, did really well, and LeSean McCoy did not see the field again.
Here was the major ding-dong thing Reid did that is just so aggravating. It was punting the ball away at close to midfield on a 4th-&-3 with about five minutes left in the game. We were down by only a touchdown. Even though the punt was downed inside the 5, when you do that you are giving the ball right back to Aaron Rodgers with a long field to just chew up the clock. And he did just that.
Andy Reid, you really really really really really really really really have to go for it there.
Haven't we said something like that before, oh, about 57 times? When your D-line just can't get that push to stop the run late, take a chance with your dynamite offense. Come on. Errrrrrrrrghh.
We knew this game against a strong Packers team would be tough. Matt Moore is not Aaron Rodgers. What was so nice was that Moore actually did wonderfully. He's taken this offense and done really well.
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Sunday, October 27, 2019
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