December
Move-the-Chains Mindset Produced Good Results for Packers on Long Drive
The best way for the Packers to stop Adrian Peterson on Sunday was their 18-play drive in the fourth quarter.
The Green Bay Packers went on an 18-play, 73-yard drive that consumed 11 minutes to start the fourth quarter and bury the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
When the marathon drive was over, the Packers led 23-14 with 4 minutes to play. There was little hope that poor Christian Ponder could lead a miracle comeback for our Helga-horned neighbors to the west.
The Packers held the ball for so long on that drive because they looked to move the chains on third down instead of trying for the big play. On this drive, it was better for the Packers to be the tortoise than the hare.
Normally, I’m all for the Packers going deep on third down. They have the personnel to do it.
But it hasn’t been working and you can only bang your head against the wall for so long.
Let’s take a closer look at the third down plays on the game-clinching drive:
Third and 8 on GB 28
Here comes the rollout and inevitable toss 30 yards down the field, right? Wrong. Greg Jennings runs an in-route and gets just enough for the first despite juggling the catch. Nice call and a good decision by Rodgers.
Third and 2 on GB 44
Rodgers was flushed right and managed to run past the marker. It looked like he wanted to launch one downfield, but thought better of it.
