Green Bay Packers: 13 Quick Observations from Wild OT Win
By Paul Bretl
The offensive line holds their own again
As we’ve already discussed, on the ground it was difficult to get things going, but it’s not as if the Green Bay run game was completely ineffective either. Through the air, this Packers’ offensive line, for the most part, was able to give Rodgers the time he needed to go through his reads. And on several occasions, even more time than that.
When you take into consideration the injuries and shuffling that’s taken place along with the defensive fronts that the Green Bay Packers have been up against the last three weeks, the offensive line has done a very good job.
AJ Dillon makes an impact in the passing game
Not only did the Green Bay Packers spend a second-round pick on a running back in 2020, but they took AJ Dillon, who had little pass-catching experience at Boston College. However, that never worried Brian Gutekunst and Co. as they always believed that he had those capabilities.
"“In our offense, there’s probably more room for his creativity than what he did at Boston College, and a lot more in the passing game,” Gutekunst said via Packers Wire after the 2020 Draft. “As we went through the process in the spring, his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield for a man his size was something – again, he didn’t do a lot of it at Boston College – but it was attractive to us.”"
Against the Bengals, Dillon was the Packers’ second-leading receiver behind only Davante Adams, finishing the game with four receptions on four targets for 49 yards, with a long of 24, and his first receiving touchdown.
Key Players Stepped up in Big Moments for the Green Bay Packers
In close games, any team needs their key players to step up in those big moments, and that’s what several members of this Green Bay Packers team did on Sunday.
It was Campbell who came away with the interception in overtime, while Adrian Amos had one of his own during the second half with help from Kenny Clark on a quarterback pressure. Jones totaled 103 rushing yards, including a 57-yard run, while Adams posted 206 receiving yards of his own.
Aaron Rodgers tallied 344 receiving yards with several big-time throws, Randall Cobb had perhaps the play of the game on third down in overtime that set up the game-winning field goal, and even with Crosby’s issues, he ultimately won the Packers the game.
Big players make big plays in big moments.
All stats courtesy of ESPN