Settin’ ‘em up and knockin’ em’ down
On his third week back from his injury, it looks like Jordan Love is getting closer to 100%. That’s evident in his movement, but it’s also evident in the return of the under center portion of the Green Bay Packers offense. Here are the Packers’ under center snaps in the games since Love has been back:
Week 4: 5.4%
Week 5: 22.4%
Week 6: 35.7%
As a point of reference, they averaged a 30% under center rate in 2023.
So, with the offense being able to operate in the way they want to operate, how did they look? To the chart!
That 1 INT puts a stain on an otherwise nice day, which is a shame because it was the result of a receiver who fell down off a quick-hitting timing route and the defender being in the right place at the right time. However, the defender was in the right place due to a bit of questionable play sequencing to end the half, which is something I’m going to try to get into a little later this week.
Aside from that little red dot, this was a good game from Love. He had his highest completion percentage of the season (68.8%), his best TD rate (12.5%), and his best AY/A (9.16) and highest QB Rating (119.5). It was also his first game of the season where he wasn’t sacked.
With the exception of a couple of deep shots, Love primarily lived in the short portion of the field, turning in an ADOT (Average Depth of Target) of 6.1 yards (per PFF). This was the lowest ADOT of the season for Love (his previous lowest being his 8.5 ADOT against the Rams in Week 5).
Against an Arizona Cardinals front that ranked last in the league at generating pressure coming into this game, Love was clearly comfortable just sitting back in the pocket and waiting for the routes to develop. On the day, Love averaged 2.69 seconds to throw (per PFF). On the 66.7% of dropbacks he wasn’t blitzed on, Love averaged 2.98 seconds to throw. He was completely unconcerned about the pass rush all day.
Opening the Screen
Alright. Let’s go to the film for a play. The Packers’ screen game, once so mighty, has felt a bit clunky over the last few years. This year it has been showing signs of life in nearly every game, both in terms of design and execution.
It’s 2nd & 10 and the Packers come out in 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR). Jordan Love is in shotgun with a split backfield. Jayden Reed [11] is on his right and Emanuel Wilson [31] on his left. Tucker Kraft [85] is in-line on the left, with Dontayvion Wicks [13] split just outside. Christian Watson [9] is split out on the right.
Reed has a little shuffle-step motion pre-snap, widening the defense ever-so-slightly. At the snap, Watson runs a vertical route while Reed releases and wheels up the sideline, with Wilson crossing Love’s face to the flat.
At first blush, this looks like their running their All Go RB Seam concept.
This was a big concept for the Packers in 2019 and 2020, but defenses were able to take away the explosive element so we don’t see it nearly as much as we used to. But the threat of that big play often sees defenses throw an umbrella over the routes, which can open room underneath.
When Watson and Reed release, the defense drops back. Wilson releases and Love gets him the ball with plenty of room to roam. Shout out to Josh Myers [71] who is ready a little too early, so he checks behind him before simply sprinting downfield.
Seriously. Look at how this looks when Wilson gets the ball.
This is a nicely drawn-up screen that leads to 19 yards on 2nd & 10 and takes me back to the days of Dorsey Levens and Edgar Bennett.
Albums listened to: Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation; Leif Vollebekk – Revelation; EMA – The Future’s Void