The Packers took the Patriots behind the woodshed on Sunday, thumping them 45-27 on their home field. They did so on the strength of an explosive passing game that generated one big play after another.
In fact, on throws traveling 20 yards or more, Jordan Love completed an astounding 6 of 8 attempts (75%) for 235 yards and a touchdown. He was throwing darts downfield all game and putting the ball wherever he wanted.
The Packers’ speed at wide receiver also put pressure on the Patriots defense and forced them into mistakes. For instance, their first big play, a 49-yard completion, came on a busted coverage on their 2nd drive. They picked up another 43 yards on their third drive when Christian Gonzalez tripped while trying to stay with Matthew Golden.
Along the way, you had Matt LaFleur dialing up one great play call after another.
Just look at how he dissected the Patriots defense on this play. First, notice the motion and run-fake on an end-around to Savion Williams and how that drew Patriots defenders towards the line of scrimmage:
An important point to emphasize here is that the Patriots had reason to think this might be a run with Williams. LaFleur had already given him the ball on a jet sweep in the first quarter and an end-around on the previous drive:
The other element of this play was the “Yankee” route combination, which called for a post from Christian Watson and a deep over from Matthew Golden:
Watson’s speed knocked the top off the coverage, taking two defenders with him: