Notes, observations from rewatching Packers’ NFC title game loss to Bucs

The Green Bay Packers made too many critical mistakes and missed too many opportunities during Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, so now Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the conference champions and will play in Super Bowl LV.

Here are all the notes and observations from rewatching the Packers’ 31-26 loss to the Buccaneers:

– The Packers run defense started well and maintained throughout the game, especially on early downs. They were physical at the line of scrimmage and active rallying to the football.

– The Buccaneers clearly identified Chandon Sullivan as a player to attack in big spots. They beat him twice from the slot for third down conversions on the first drive and really never stopped attacking him.

– Kevin King was actually in a decent position on the Mike Evans touchdown. If he times his jump right, he almost certainly knocks the ball away and the Bucs attempt a field goal. It almost looked like he panicked a little bit with the ball in the air, knowing Evans was behind him, then attempted his awkward-looking leap too early and was left completely out of position. The start of a miserable day for King.

– What does Aaron Jones need to do to get a facemask call? Devin White had a big handful of his facemask on a second-down catch on the first series.

– Just like the first meeting, the Packers’ dropback passing game really struggled early. The third-down sack was the result of the Bucs winning with seven in coverage and four rushing.

– The Packers special teams were responsible for a bunch of hidden field position yardage in this game. JK Scott’s first punt was an example.

– Kenny Clark’s third-down sack was a huge early play in the game. The Bucs were driving with a chance to take a two-score lead, but Clark bullied the backup right guard, driving him into the pocket and sacking Brady at the top of his drop.

– Terrific chemistry on display between Aaron Rodgers and Allen Lazard on the 3rd-and-long conversion to start the second drive. Rodgers anticipated Lazard spinning back to the quarterback along the sideline and threw the ball accordingly, and Lazard did exactly what he expected.

– Using Davante Adams in the slot really opened up some downfield opportunities for Marquez Valdes-Scantling against two-high looks. Often, the Bucs used the deep safety to bracket or double Adams, even on short or intermediate routes. That left Valdes-Scantling in one-on-ones. This is exactly what happened on the 50-yard touchdown. The safety comes down to double Adams, leaving Valdes-Scantling with a chance to run by the corner and make a big play.

– Like King, Darnell Savage also misplayed the ball in the air on Chris Godwin’s big catch on third down that sparked the Bucs’ second touchdown drive. The second-year safety actually had a great opportunity to intercept the pass, but Godwin made a much better play on the ball. Tracking the deep ball on this type of play has been an occasional issue for Savage during his first two seasons.

– For the most part, the Packers tackled well all game. But for one play, all their tackling warts showed up, and it resulted in a touchdown. Penetration from Tyler Lancaster had the run stopped in its tracks, but Leonard Fournette gathered himself, avoided Snacks Harrison, broke the tackle attempt of Jaire Alexander, spun past Adrian Amos and then beat the rest of the defense to the end. Another ugly play for the defense during a first half full of them.

– Marcedes Lewis blocked Jason Pierre-Paul into oblivion on a toss play to Jamaal Williams in the second quarter. Drove him 10 yards off the line of scrimmage and escorted him loudly to the ground.

– The Packers got the run game going at times, but they also abandoned it at times as well. Throwing three straight times from the 6-yard line after starting to gain some traction on the ground was an interesting sequence for Rodgers and LaFleur.

– Such a disappointing miss from Rodgers and Adams on the back-shoulder throw into the end zone. Got the perfect coverage, Adams won off the line, the ball was in a good spot away from the defender, and the All-Pro receiver just couldn’t finish the play. It’s a play they hit almost every time. It’s usually stealing.

– The third-down play in the red zone was also uncharacteristic. Sure, Lazard was open on the slant. But Adams was the go-to player on the play and he was open in rhythm. Rodgers waited a second too long. If he anticipates that throw like he needed to, it’s a touchdown. No doubt.

– The Packers linebackers tackled really well in the passing game. Brady checked down a bunch, but the linebackers in coverage were usually right there ready to make a tackle.

– Not sure what else to say about the Packers’ end of half calamity. Just an avalanche of errors. Interception. Dropped interception. Missed fourth-down stop. Giving up an over the top touchdown with seconds left.

– Will Redmond has to make that pick. Has to. Defensive backs practice making that exact catch hundreds of times during a given year.

– Regardless of the coverage called, King made a terrible play on the touchdown. Even in Cover-3, he can’t let the ball go over his head. A massive individual error. One of the biggest in the franchise’s postseason history. Giving up a fluke Hail Mary is one thing (see: Giants, 2011). This is something much worse. Just a complete breakdown.

– Credit the Bucs safeties. They were flying downhill to stop the short to intermediate passing game all game. On the first possession of the second half, Jordan Whitehead closed down Jones in a flash and knocked the ball loose. Game-changing play.

– The offensive tackles struggled, particularly Rick Wagner. Shaq Barrett won with speed to the edge and also a devastating spin move back inside. Wagner was on his heels all day.

– The Bucs lost Whitehead, their other starting safety, to an injury to start the Packers’ second drive of the second half. It was big. The Bucs started running more vanilla coverages and the Packers’ dropback passing game came alive. That’s no coincidence.

– The Packers ran some excellent concepts off their staple mesh plays. Many caught the Bucs napping in the middle of the field. Robert Tonyan’s touchdown was an example. Get the second-level defenders moving horizontally and then attack the middle of the field. Smart.

– It was amazing how often the Bucs ran the ball unsuccessfully on first down.

– Jaire Alexander had smothering coverage on Mike Evans on Adrian Amos’ interception.

– Very odd that Rodgers didn’t look Davante’s way on the free play. He usually takes his time and finds the best vertical route in those situations. Adams was wide open.

– The Packers got A.J. Dillon going on the one touchdown drive but never really went back to him.

– Cool concept working off the double motion with Davante, throwing a changeup on the play that worked for the touchdown against the Rams. The Bucs played it perfectly, passing off the motion and not falling for the double move.

– Give Davante a hop step release at the line and it’s game over.

– King is fortunate Evans dropped a deep ball to start the fourth quarter. King was out of position again.

– Sullivan gave up a third third-down conversion late. And he was very fortunate Evans dropped another one on the first Alexander pick. Rough game for the Packers slot corner.

– Six straight passing plays after Alexander picks, no first downs, no points. Pressure was a major factor.

– Terrific blitz call on the second Alexander pick. Anytime you can get Darnell Savage running unblocked at the quarterback, you’re probably going to get a disruptive play. Brady just arm punted it.

– Rodgers was very disappointed in his throw on 2nd-and-11 following the second Alexander pick. He had MVS on the same go-route as the first half. The ball flattened out and drifted inside too much. With a good throw, it’s probably another touchdown.

– Huge kick from Ryan Succop from 46 yards in a pressure spot.

– MVS was great off the line and getting into routes. He has improved notably in this area.

– Rodgers wasn’t happy with Lazard on the RPO in the red zone on the final drive. That could have been a walk-in touchdown. Lazard wasn’t ready for the football.

– Rodgers had a lot of green grass to his right on the third down, but he also had Jason Pierre-Paul chasing him from behind with an angle, plus Devin White lurking at the goal line. I don’t blame him for not running it, especially when he hesitated for a moment. At that point, he had to get rid of it.

– Did King interfere with Tyler Johnson? Probably not. Did he clearly hold Johnson? Yes. It’s a penalty by the book. The Packers didn’t like it because of the lack of consistency. In a vacuum, it’s a penalty. I can see both sides of it. One thing you can’t argue: Johnson sold the hell out of it.

– Too many mistakes. Too many missed opportunities. The autopsy of this game reads a lot like the one from 2014.