No Mac Jones available due to an ankle injury, New England arrived at Lambeau Field with a casualty tag. Although they were defeated, the Patriots complicated the commitment process and forced overtime. These were the keys to the Packers’ narrow victory.
Patriots acéfalos
Without Jones activated, Brian Hoyer started by the Patriots. However, the substitute veteran left the game in the first quarter for a suspected concussion. The noob Bailey Zappe took charge of the offense and while he did well (10 passes, 99 yards, 1 TD), New England didn’t look threatening in the passing game, finishing with 136 passing yards.
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Aaron Rodgers, comfortable
Throughout the game, the Patriots defensive line could not bother Rodgers. Total, New England’s front end only generated one sack (7 yards) and three QB hits; In perspective, the Packers defense scored four sacks (32 yards) and seven hits the passer.
Aaron Jones was a steamroller
The Patriots added 167 total rushing yards (5.1 per attempt), a not insignificant figure. Nevertheless, Green Bay ran the ball better and totaled 199 rushing yards (5.7 per carry) Aaron Jones led the game with 110 yards.
A lot of indiscipline for Belichick’s pupils
One of Belichick’s hallmarks is coaching disciplined teams; however, at Lambeau Field the Patriots did not look like that. New England committed seven penalties for 75 yards; for their part, the Packers saw only four flags against them, costing them 40 yards.
No antidote for Rodgers
With 11 minutes left on the scoreboard, Rodgers had a performance to forget (151 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception). In front by seven points, New England let the current MVP get into a rhythm and gave up eight of nine passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.
