The Green Bay Packers secured their win at Lambeau Field on Sunday evening. It was almost a disaster in the process. After building a 14-3 lead in the first half, they watched the Chicago Bears storm back to tie it 21-21. Then, on the final drive of the 4th quarter, the Packers' defense couldn't get a stop. With 22 seconds left, Chicago had it 4th and short. Head coach Ben Johnson called a play action bootleg for Caleb Williams. Unfortunately, his throw to Cole Kmet in the end zone was intercepted.
People wondered what happened. Why didn't Williams throw the out route to D'Andre Swift or turn to a wide-open D.J. Moore who came free over the middle? Further examination of the play reveals that Swift was covered, and Moore was never supposed to be an option. Williams' choices were either to take off and run or go for Kmet. Footage shows he chose correctly. The Bears' tight end was wide open as the play unfolded. Even star Packers safety Xavier McKinney admitted it after the game.
“They were doing that pretty much the whole game,” McKinney said. “They were running and they were play-action booting us. And we had to honor the run. They got what they wanted. It was a good play call. I’m not going to lie. (Kmet) was open. It was a good play call so you can’t really be mad at it. We just made a better play.”
Unfortunately, Williams made two small but crucial mistakes. He waited a split second too long to throw, and when he did, he didn't put enough velocity on it. As a result, Nixon intercepted it.
Ben Johnson called the right play. The execution just wasn't quite there.
Truth be told, the Bears had the Packers' defense out of sorts most of the second half. Williams got hot, and the running game found a groove. It was the most vulnerable Green Bay had looked on that side of the ball all season. Sadly, the Bears' poor start in the first half made the hole too big to dig out of. Some defensive lapses ultimately proved to be the difference. Still, the game proved once again that Ben Johnson is not intimidated by anybody. His mind is so sharp that he can dissect what defenses are doing and find answers almost immediately.
When an opposing player openly admits a play call should've worked, the coach is pretty good. One thing is certain. Johnson now has a full game of tape showing what the Packers defense likes to do. You can bet he'll have countermeasures ready for the rematch next week. First is taking care of business against Cleveland. Green Bay doesn't have much time to celebrate as they get the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos next. The NFC North could be decided at Soldier Field. Johnson will almost certainly aim for the kill shot.
