It wasn’t pretty, but the Packers got the job done.
Green Bay was able to make just enough plays to knock off the New England Patriots 27-24 in overtime on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.
Here were some takeaways from Sunday’s game:
Aaron Rodgers was bad in the first half, including throwing a ball too far out in front on a screen pass causing rookie WR Romeo Doubs to fumble and throwing an uncharacteristic pick-six to rookie cornerback Jack Jones at the end of the first half, giving the Patriots a 10-7 lead at the break.
New England meanwhile, had to turn to rookie third-string quarterback Bailey Zappe in the first half after starter Brian Hoyer suffered a concussion. Zappe played well going 10/15, 99 yards one touchdown and no interceptions. New England’s plan was to pound the run-game with Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. The plan worked for the most part, as the Patriots ran 33 times for 167 yards and 5.1 yards a clip.
The defense of the Packers, weren’t as stout as they were last week against the Buccaneers. For example, this play cannot happen.
Free safety Rudy Ford was completely fooled on the crossing route by wide receiver DeVante Parker which led to the easy score.
Romeo Doubs is making a name for himself in this offense: Sure he dropped a potential game-winning touchdown, but Doubs made two huge catches in overtime to set up the game-winning 31-yard field goal from Mason Crosby.
Head coach Matt LaFleur admitted he made “an emotional decision,” to challenge the Romeo Doubs incomplete pass. LaFleur said that “it was a great learning lesson that, you know you can never make those emotional decisions in the heat of battle.”
OTHER NOTES:
Starting safety Adrian Amos left in the first quarter after sustaining a concussion.
Left tackle David Bakhtiari played 70 of 73 snaps vs Patriots. Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman alternated series last week vs Bucs.
Rookie WR Christian Watson scored his first career NFL touchdown on a 15-yard jet sweep.
Outside linebacker Rashan Gary was a menace on Sunday; Gary had two sacks against New England which brings his total up to 5.0 sacks which is tied for second, only Alex Highsmith of the Pittsburgh Steelers has more sacks (5.5).
Next game:
Packers vs Giants| Sunday October, 9,| London, England| 8:30 a.m.| NFL Network
