In just 12 snaps, Patrick Taylor leaves mark on Packers win in Miami
By Paul Bretl
Rewind back to training camp, and one of the discussions — at least outside of 1265 Lombardi Avenue — was who was going to be the third running back for the Green Bay Packers behind Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon?
At the time, Kylin Hill was still up the PUP list — and on the team — leaving Patrick Taylor and Tyler Goodson battling for that third spot. It turned out, at least initially, that the Packers rostered only two running backs, but for the most part this season, it has been Taylor in that RB3 role.
Goodson’s explosiveness and burst with the ball in his hands are evident, but what gave Taylor the advantage coming out of training camp was his ability in pass protection and on special teams–two aspects of his game that ended up playing massive roles in the Packers’ victory in Miami.
Taylor was on the field for just 12 snaps in total, six on special teams and six on offense, but three, in particular, had massive impacts on the game. The first came on Keisean Nixon’s 93-yard kick return, where Taylor had a key block that helped create the running lane that led to an open field for Nixon. Green Bay’s offense failed to find the end zone, but they did get three early points.
Then on the opening drive of the third quarter, Taylor found himself in the game at running back as the Packers faced a third and nine. The play began with him throwing a chip block to help Royce Newman out at right tackle and ended with him leaking across the field to the left side, where Aaron Rodgers found him as a check-down option. Taylor picked up 17 yards, and the drive continued.
On the very next play, Taylor identified the blitzer late while in pass protection but caught enough of him to slow him down. Taylor then recovered and was relentless, re-engaging the defender, giving Rodgers just enough time to connect with Marcedes Lewis for a 31-yard catch. Two plays later, the Packers scored a touchdown and tied the game.
"“PT (Patrick Taylor) played really well,” said Rodgers unprompted after the game."
Taylor has spent the season bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and the 53-man roster as both a game-day elevation and a full-time member of the 53-man, appearing in 12 games. With Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, understandably so, Taylor’s role has been small on offense with just 22 snaps, per PFF, including five carries for 21 yards, along with the aforementioned reception. Where his impact has mostly been felt prior to Sunday’s game was special teams, where he has 107 snaps, most of which have come on the kick and punt coverage units.
In addition to Taylor, the Packers also had key contributions from other backups, including Innis Gaines, Devonte Wyatt, and Royce Newman, among others. Football is the ultimate team game, and Green Bay’s performance in Miami goes to show why, with the third running back on the roster, who played just 12 total snaps, having a massive hand in what ended up being 10 points for the Packers offense.