Packers make a bang in their win against Nashville

As we reported just a few days ago, the Green Bay Packers used a run-heavy approach in their win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. With quarterback Malik Willis starting in Week 3, the Tennessee Titans clearly expected more of the same. And while the general approach Was It was a run-heavy game for the Packers, they started the game with an opposite style of play.

Before we get there, let's quickly revisit a play from last week. One of the Packers' favorite running plays to attack the perimeter is something I usually just call a pin/pull. The way it works is pretty self-explanatory: the receivers/tight ends on the running side block (“pin”) while an offensive lineman pulls off the line and tries to throw out the defender on the perimeter. You can see how it works in this play from the Colts game:

In this play, Christian Watson (9) is active as a pinner and Zach Tom (50) as a puller. In order to get to the edge faster, this play is carried out with a pitch to the running back.

The Packers will play against the Titans in a 3×1 formation with 11 players (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR). The right side of the line is very well staffed with Tucker Kraft (85), Jayden Reed (11) and Christian Watson (9). Josh Jacobs (8) is set back with Willis.

This would be a good position for pin/pull. They could use at least one pinner on the right side and Jacobs, who is lined up on that side, gives him the upper hand with a nice, quick pitch.

At the snap, the Packers do a good job of selling it. Josh Myers (71) pulls to the right and Reed releases inside as if he were blocking a linebacker. Jacobs releases to the side and Willis fakes the throw.

Through all this action, the linebackers move to the right, only to see Willis come up and find Reed crossing the middle of the field.

Reed does a great job of it: He looks like he's setting up Ernest Jones (53) for a block, then he just ducks under it and continues his route. By the time anyone on defense knows what's going on, Reed is all alone on the empty field and has scored a gain of 30.

Great opening call by Matt LaFleur that gave the Titans something they were clearly looking for but then pulled the rug out from under them.

Album listened to: Bob Dylan – Blonde on blonde