Brian Hoyer will have nightmares about Rashan Gary for a very long time. The Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots Sunday to start the 2022 season 3-1. It was an ugly overtime victory where both teams had opportunities to clinch a win. Bill Belichick and The Patriots came well prepared and ready to play, and at times the Packers appeared to be giving this one to the Pats. Fortunately for the Packers, Aaron Rodgers made several critical throws, and AJ Dillon found gaps in the defensive line in overtime and the fourth quarter. Let’s recap what went right and wrong with this one. Here are six winners and two losers involved in the victory over the Pats Sunday.
Green Bay Packers Week 4 Winners
Allen Lazard
Injuries have hindered Lazard’s contribution during the first three weeks of the season. During the preseason, Lazard suffered an ankle injury after being stepped on by a teammate. He hasn’t looked like himself since. When Devante Adams was traded over the summer, Lazard was immediately slotted into the featured receiver slot and predicted widely to have a significant uptick in production. So far in this season, the numbers for Lazard haven’t been there. He’s missed the majority of the first three games and has frequently been absent from practice.
But that all changed this week. Lazard had six receptions for 116 yards. That’s a striking 19.3 yards per catch. He created great separation and had impactful catches in traffic to shift the dynamic of the contest. When Rodgers needed a receiver to be open on third and long, Lazard was the guy. As much as this team needs rookies like Watson and Doubs, we need Lazard so much more. If Lazard can keep this form, Aaron Rodgers is going to have a very productive season.
First half Aaron Jones & Second half AJ Dillon
This week, I’m counting Aaron and AJ as “one” two-headed demon. The pair totaled 183 yards on the ground and 16 years in the air. On almost every play, the secondary had to come up to assist with making the stop. Aaron Jones set the pace in the first half. When the offense struggled, Jones kept drives alive. As critical as he was in the first half, Dillon contributed the same way during the second half of the game. He was massive in overtime, taking pressure off Rodgers and allowing the team to use the running game to set up deep passing plays.
I said week one. This team will be as good as Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. They are the key to this team. These guys are two of the most talented running backs in the league and complement each other’s game. In 2021 Green Bay averaged 109 yards on the ground per game. In 2022, through 4 games, they are averaging 145 yards per game. They deserve a tremendous amount of credit for this week’s win.
Christian Watson
Most might consider this a slow day for Watson. One reception on three targets for eight yards. But than this happened.
Smooth Lambeau Leap for Christian Watson after his first NFL TD! pic.twitter.com/UBGbq3iC3F
— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) October 2, 2022
Rashan Gary
Scary Gary. Brian Hoyer will have nightmares about Rashan Gary for a very long time. Heck, Bill Belichick might have some nightmares about him. Seven tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and recovery, and two quarterback hits. Give this guy the defensive player of the year trophy now. He is 24 years old, in his fourth season, and on pace for 20 sacks. It’s unreal.
The efficiency at which Rashan Gary rushes the passer is truly something to behold. pic.twitter.com/ihWtbuwtPZ
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) October 4, 2022
Robert Tonyan
I love what Robert Tonyan does for this offense. Two catches for 22 yards. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like much of a contribution, but this guy is vital to this team’s success. Tonyan’s first touchdown catch since 2021, came at its most needed time. It’s great having this guy back healthy. He’s not going to put up big numbers or be flashy, but he’s going to be open on third down or be the check down that Rodgers needs to avoid a sack.
Matt LaFleur
Matt LaFleur is now 42- 11 for a winning percentage of .792%, which is the best winning percentage of all time. That stats not only active coaches; that’s all qualifying coaches ever. Bill Belichick’s all-time winning percentage is .666%. Anytime you can win against Bill Belichick you deserve some profound credit. And, LaFleur won in overtime. He’ll tell you his kicker had ice in his veins or Aaron Rodgers got the ball to playmakers, but this guy wrote the game plan and called the offense. He should get a lot of credit for this one.
Green Bay Packers Week 4 Losers
Romeo Doubs
Aaron Rodger’s confidence in Romeo Doubs is evidently growing each week. Unfortunately, Doubs made two costly mistakes that moved him from being our player of the game into the losers column. The first came in the first quarter. Romeo caught the ball, made a move, and had the ball knocked free. The Patriots are one of the best teams in the league in creating fumbles. They took advantage of Doub’s inexperience and quickly hit the ball free to begin the game.
Doubs later had a chance at redemption. On a third and long, Rodgers launched the ball downfield to Doubs, who dropped the ball in the endzone. It was heartbreaking to watch. Later in the fourth Doubs had two crucial catches to set up a field goal, but the damage was done. Doubs was still solid, but there’s some learning to do. He could have easily cost the Packers this one.
1st Half Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers threw his 4th career pick-six on Sunday. He knew it. We knew it. Fortunately, Aaron Rodgers, even when only given 2.4 seconds in the pocket rebounded in the second half.
On to the Giants
Sunday was an ugly win, but a win. The Packers have to play better going forward, these wins don’t come easy, and this type of win isn’t sustainable deep in the season. Next week the Green Bay Packers play the New York Giants in Tottenham Hotspur New Stadium, London, at 9:30 AM Eastern Time. Pack versus the Giants is an early one across the pond, it will be a challenge with the time and travel and the Giants have the top run offensive in the league.
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