Green Bay Packers: Week 13 MVP and other Awards

The Green Bay Packers had a bounce back week with a 31-13 win over the New York Giants, so who contributed the most to receive weekly awards?

Offensive MVP – Allen Lazard

When Allen Lazard gets chances, he makes plays for the Green Bay Packers’ offense. That rang true this week when he caught three passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. He excels as a deep threat, where he’s able to use his large frame and speed to beat defensive backs.

He has the trust of his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, which is not an easy thing to obtain. Matt LaFleur has said that the wide receiver position will continue to rotate, but Lazard has earned his snaps this season. He should definitely continue to receive the snap count of a WR2.

Defensive MVP – Entire Secondary

The pass defense for the Green Bay Packers was superb against Daniel Jones and the New York Giants. Three different defensive backs had interceptions. Kevin King, Darnell Savage, and Tramon Williams all came up with picks of Jones.

Amos and Savage were great in run support combining for eight solo tackles, and many of those being close to the line of scrimmage. Both starting safeties also tallied a pass defended, the one from Amos coming in the end zone.

King did give up a touchdown early in the game on blown coverage on the outside, but later, when he had help over the top, he was able to stay shallow on a curl route and jump it for the interception. In total, the Green Bay Packers secondary totaled seven passes defended and three interceptions. While it was in the snow and against a rookie quarterback, this was still a very encouraging performance from a group that has been lackluster as of late after starting the season hot.

Surprise of the Game – Special Teams

The Packers special teams have been terrible this year. They have negative punt return yards on the season, J.K. Scott had been in a slump after a great start, and they had trouble stopping opposing returners.

Well, the punt returning wasn’t spectacular, but there was a three yard return by Tremon Smith which was the longest of the season. He also returned three kicks with an average of 24 yards per return and a long of 33. Unfortunately for him, he also fumbled twice and was cut on Monday.

Punting and kicking in the snow and wind are not easy things to do, but J.K. Scott and Mason Crosby were fantastic on Sunday. J.K. Scott punted three times with an average of 46.7 yards and two punts inside the 20. Crosby, dealing with a family tragedy went out and did his job like a true professional. He made all five of his kicks, including an impressive 47 yard field goal.

Finally, on six kick returns by the opposing returner, Cody Latimer, the Packers allowed only 19.3 yards per return and a long of 23 yards. This is a huge improvement in kick coverage from what we have seen in past weeks.

Play of the Game – Multiple Aaron Rodgers throws

After possibly the worst three game stretch of his career, and almost definitely the worst game of his career against the San Francisco 49ers last week, Rodgers came out and made some vintage MVP throws. Both big plays to Allen Lazard in the first quarter could have been the top play, the fade away throw to Geronimo Allison on 4th and 10 was a candidate, and the jumping pass with a pass rusher on him to Mercedes Lewis was also spectacular. There’s not much more I can say about the greatness of these plays so I’ll leave the videos here for you to watch as many times as you want.

Celebration of the Week –  Snow Angels

There were Snow Angels everywhere in the game against the Giants on Sunday. The first one was a textbook snow angel by Aaron Jones, making a lasting imprint in the snow, arms and legs perfectly straight, a real thing of beauty. Unfortunately, the touchdown that he was celebrating was called back on a holding penalty.

The celebration of a play that counted that included Snow Angels was after Tramon Williams’ interception. The Green Bay Packers defense did their classic turnover celebration, all posing for a picture in the end zone. Then, a few of them laid down and left their own prints in the snow. It was a bit sloppy, but I give it an A+ for embracing the greatness of football in the snow.

Below I have my updated rankings of this season’s celebrations and as always, go ahead and leave your thoughts on the game this week or what you think of any of the awards I handed out here in the comments or @DairylandXpress.

1. Aaron Jones wave goodbye

2. Aaron Rodgers Belt

3. Za’Darius Smith Ray Lewis impression

4. Za’Darius Smith We Love Eileen

5. Team Snow Angels

6. Za’Darius Smith Pennywise dance

7. Mason Crosby Lambeau Leap

8. Allen Lazard flag point

9. Za’Darius Smith Grave Digger