thomchatt3rton wrote:Just some random thoughts.
Somebody mentioned that this was SEAs first double-digit loss since 2011?? That's amazing.
I'm glad Lacys ankle is negative, but I didn't fret when he went out. I like Starks better against SEA anyway because he's quicker through the hole. Lacy's strength is that he's a big battering ram, but that doesn't help you when SEA's D is loaded with big battering rams. You need a quicker back against them.
Why do the Packers always wait until late in games to vary their offense? The O was stuck in the mud for long stretches mid-game trying to do the same things, then all of a sudden in 4th quarter you get: empty backfield, some formation wrinkles (like Cobb in the backfield), the hurry-up offense, a lot of short quick passes, WR-screens etc, and all of a sudden they're moving the ball. Why wait so long to switch things up? I can think of several similar games in the past that followed same pattern. Anybody else notice this, or am I seeing something that isn't there?
I also think it's an issue of not wanting to overuse those sets and 1. give more film on it and 2. give a defense more time/chances to adjust to it. I liken it to pitching. Stay with me. I'm a pitcher and when you start a game the goal is to go through the lineup 2-3 times so you can get through 6+ innings. I have 3 pitches(4th if you count a 2 seam as a separate pitch) and I like to save one of them as long as I can. For example, I like to try to make it through the full batting order using primarily fastball and some sliders. The second time through, I'll throw a 2 strike circle change and the hitters timing is mind blown.
I think the Packers offense does something similar in that they have certain sets, looks or plays that they will save until they need them in a game. If they can win the game running more basic stuff, there's less film out there on the exotic stuff. If they have to go to that stuff, at least save it until there's a crucial drive and you give the defense little chance to make an adjustment. You throw something at them they haven't seen all game, with a no huddle and no halftime or even in between drives for coaches to make strategic adjustments, and it's that much harder to stop. The question is, how long do you wait to pull out your good stuff? The get the impression that the Packers are very confident, almost stubborn, and think their base stuff is always good enough to win. So they will run that stuff until the very last moment the other looks are needed. I understand the thinking, if we can keep a lot in our back pocket for a big moment or drive late in the playoffs, it can be that much more effective and at a time where it's most needed. But, if you save too much you may never even reach that moment. There's a very fine line between showing too much and saving too much and I think the Packers are very big on playing the long game and saving as much ammo as possible, probably more than any other team.