Packers’ Jayden Reed Stopped by Giants on Two-Point Play; Here’s Why
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Were the Green Bay Packers overly reliant on gadget-style plays to Jayden Reed on Monday night against the Giants?
Maybe, but that had nothing to do with the result of the failed two-point play that might have cost the Packers a victory.
“When we have the opportunity, we have to execute,” coach Matt LaFleur said.
With the Packers having just taken a 22-21 lead, they went for two to make it a three-point game. Reed motioned from the left slot into the backfield, then took a handoff to the left.
On the play, left tackle Rasheed Walker pulled to the left to block cornerback Deonte Banks, leaving receiver Romeo Doubs to handle outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari at the point of attack.
Both men took care of business, with Walker pancaking Banks and Doubs at least getting an impressive stalemate on Ojulari.
So, what went wrong?
Receiver Malik Heath, who had just scored the touchdown, whiffed on defensive back Darnay Holmes. That forced running back Patrick Taylor, the lead blocker on the play, to block Holmes rather than someone else.
Meanwhile, Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins had to cut off the Giants’ most productive player, standout linebacker Bobby Okereke. However, Okereke got past Jenkins and made a bee-line to Reed. He was the first defender on the scene and nailed Reed – that’s likely the hit that had Reed being checked for a concussion.
Holmes, who initially was blocked into the end zone, helped clean up the play, as did safety Jason Pinnock, who likely was Taylor’s target as the play was drawn up.
“It’s unfortunate the two-point play,” LaFleur said. “We missed two blocks at the point of attack, and that’s why I keep going back to the execution. I’m not trying to sit here and say we couldn’t have called some better things. I’m not saying that. I’m as much at fault as anybody, if not at more fault than anybody. I’m responsible for everything that happens.”
“But … (when) we miss a block at the point of attack, two blocks at the point of attack and, if you get those, I think he’s walking in untouched.”
If Reed walks in untouched …
- Perhaps Joe Barry’s defense would have limited the Giants to the tying field goal rather than the game-losing field goal.
- Perhaps the Packers would be 7-6 and chasing the No. 6 seed rather than being 6-7 and clinging to playoff hopes.
- Perhaps Reed wouldn’t have sustained a head injury that has him iffy for Sunday against the Buccaneers.
The missed block by Heath capped a wild three-game sequence for the rookie in which he dropped the go-ahead touchdown by being too nonchalant after the almost-catch but rebounded by making a superb grab at the pylon.
“He made a hell of a play on the ball,” LaFleur said of Pinnock knocking the ball away from Heath. “That was just a great effort play and a guy not playing to the echo of the whistle. He made the play.
“But I think it’s a great lesson for our guys in terms of the mentality you have to have. I think he knew he caught the football and just didn’t finish the catch, and he had a guy right on his back (who) made the play. I thought it was a pretty good reception on that touchdown, to be able to bounce back, show that resiliency that we often talk about that you need to have in order to have any chance at success in this game, so I was happy for him in that moment.”
