Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Adams, Douglas are difference-makers
The Green Bay Packers started slow and nearly let the game get away late, but three touchdown passes from Aaron Rodgers and two interceptions from Rasul Douglas were enough for Matt LaFleur’s team to escape with a 24-22 win over the visiting Cleveland Browns on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
The Packers have won four straight games to get to 12-3 and are now 7-0 at home.
Here are the stars, studs and duds from the Packers’ win over the Browns in Week 16:
STARS
WR Davante Adams: He dropped a chance to all but seal the game on third down in the fourth quarter, but this was still another sublime performance overall from Adams. The Browns, for whatever reason, tried to throw blitzes at Aaron Rodgers with single coverage on Adams behind it in the first half. The in sync pair made easy work of it, connecting eight times for 88 yards and two scores in the first 30 minutes. Adams won vertically and caught a 33-yard pass against Denzel Ward to set up the Packers’ first touchdown, and he finished the half by hauling in back-to-back touchdown passes. He freelanced an in-breaking route from the slot to beat zero coverage (no safety) on the first score. On the final drive of the second quarter, he caught five passes for 42 yards, including the soaring 1-yard touchdown with a defender trailing. He finished with 10 catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns, setting an NFL record with eight career games featuring at least 10 catches, 100 yards and multiple touchdowns.
CB Rasul Douglas: The Packers don’t win the game without his two takeaways. The first interception was a savvy veteran move. He carried the vertical up the seam before executing a speed turn back to the outside and picking off Baker Mayfield’s late throw to Jarvis Landry. The route concept was specifically designed to stress the coverage look, but Douglas made the play with pure instincts. The turnover set
up a touchdown drive. The play of the game came with under a minute left when he stayed physical with Donovan PeoplesJones throughout the in-breaking route and put himself in a position to intercept Mayfield’s pass and seal the deal. Some will argue it was pass interference or holding. Others will say the receiver initiated the contact and Douglas simply fought for positioning as he’s allowed to do. The end result was a game-winning interception. He has five picks in just 10 games.
STUDS
QB Aaron Rodgers: A lot of credit is (rightfully) going to Adam Stenavich for the play of the patchwork offensive line, but a bunch should go to the quarterback, too. He’s playing fast and decisive and giving the pass-rush little chance to affect the game. Rodgers got the ball out of his hands in 2.26 seconds on average against the Browns, per Pro Football Focus. Once again, he completed over 70 percent of his passes, threw multiple (three) touchdown passes and didn’t have a single giveaway.
His numbers probably should have been better, but Allen Lazard dropped a touchdown pass and Adams dropped what should have been an explosive play late in the fourth quarter. It probably goes without saying, but Rodgers is consistently making great decisions, elevating those around him and taking a huge amount of pressure off the offensive line.
OLB Rashan Gary: He was assisted by quick pressure from teammates on both of his sacks, but Gary continues to affect the game and disrupt the quarterback. Once raw, Gary can now win in every way, including with speed, power and secondary moves. His five pressures against the Browns tied a team-high, and he helped set the edge on a few of the defense’s rare run stops. One common issue for Gary is keeping contain when he elects for speed rushes. Offensive tackles can get him off his pass-rushing arc and deep into the backfield, opening up scrambling lanes.
RB Aaron Jones: The numbers don’t jump off the page (66 rushing yards, 21 receiving yards), but Jones fought for every inch and gained so many tough yards. He’s
a rare combination of slippery and powerful, especially for a 208-pound back. As usual, he was reliable in pass protection and useful as a receiver. His 27-yard run was explosive, and he stepped through a few tackles. He’s looking healthier each week, although he did limp off late.
DUDS
LB Krys Barnes: He was late reacting to a lot of what the Browns were doing on offense, both in the run game and screen game. The defensive line did little to help him up front, but sometimes a linebacker has to be the mistake-eraser.
Run defense: Stopping the run is an 11player effort, and the Packers consistently had individual breakdowns. The defensive line didn’t hold the point of attack, the linebackers didn’t get to the football at the second level and the defensive backs missed tackles in space. The Browns, with a physical and talented offensive line, dominated the line of scrimmage, and running backs Nick Chubb and D’Ernest Johnson did the rest.