Confessions of a Polluted Mindset – Cleveland Rocks! (almost)

Thank You! – In the spirit of giving, the Browns did the Packers a huge favor by getting away from the run game on their final possession.

Looking good – Mason Crosby and the kick “operation” appear to be 100% back to normal. As in, I’m no longer afraid to watch.

Why oh Why? – To not use DIllon on the two possessions before the final one, especially when you have a 2nd and three and a prime opportunity to run the clock, is downright criminal.

Misguided? – In interviews, LaFleur, Rodgers and Adams all lamented the 4th quarter series when they ran three times in a row, “taking their foot off the gas.” For me, after Jones gets seven yards on first down and you have two plays to get three yards, and you’re going to run twice, why is AJ Dillon not brought in with two chances to pound out three yards. Seems like a sure bet to me, but to the three aforementioned, their choice would have been to throw the ball. Obviously, I am in direct conflict with their thinking.

Too close – So, the Packers are winning these close games where they let teams stay close or come back to make it close. Are we feeling good because they find a way to win or concerned that they are playing with fire if this theme continues in the playoffs?

Revenge of Pettine – After the defense showed so much promise earlier this season, we find ourselves once again lamenting soft pass coverage and porous run defense. Just like the good old days of 2020.

New faces on special teams – Vernon Scott, Shawn Davis, Innis Gaines are recent adds to the special teams. I noticed them doing some good work on kickoff coverage.

Why so soft? – I totally get the frustration when we see a DB line up behind where the receiver needs to get for a first down. However, blaming the player is in most cases misguided. Players are coached to play within a scheme on any given play. How they are lining up is usually predetermined by the call. A perfect example was that 3rd and 16 play where Stokes was giving a lot of room and the receiver catches a pass for 17 yards and a first down. It’s easy to blame Stokes there, but believe it or not, he did exactly what he was supposed to on that play. Our own Aaron Nagler asked LaFleur why Stokes was so soft on that play and coach revealed that they were playing double-coverage and Stokes’ job on the play was to funnel the receiver to his help – in this case Darnell Savage. Perhaps the plan was a “sucker” coverage, where they give the receiver an open spot and entice Mayfield with what looks like an easy completion. The plan is for the safety to jump the route and get another INT or at least a PBU. Savage, however, arrives too late and takes a bad angle (have we heard this before?). Not Stokes’ fault at all. 

Here’s the play:

Here’s LaFleur’s explanation: