As we covered only a couple of days ago, the Green Bay Packers went with 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 were clearly expecting more of the same. And, while the overall approach was a run-heavy one for the Packers, they kicked off the game by playing against-type.

Before we get there, let’s back up a second to a play from last week. One of the Packers’ favorite run plays to attack the edge is something I typically just tag as Pin/Pull. It’s pretty self-explanatory in terms of how it operates: the receivers/tight ends to the run side will block down (“pin”), while an offensive lineman will pull from the line and look to kick out the boundary defender. You can see how it works on this play from the Colts game:

On that play, Christian Watson [9] is working as the pinner and Zach Tom [50] as the puller. To get to the edge a little quicker, this play operates off a pitch to the running back.

Against the Titans, the Packers come out in 3×1 set in 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR). The right side of the line has a lot of bodies, with Tucker Kraft [85], Jayden Reed [11] and Christian Watson [9]. Josh Jacobs [8] is set back with Willis.

This would set up nicely for Pin/Pull. They could use at least 1 pinner on the right and Jacobs aligned to that side makes for a nice, quick pitch to get the edge.

At the snap, the Packers do a good job of selling this. Josh Myers [71] pulls out to the right and Reed releases inside like he’s going to block a linebacker. Jacobs releases laterally and Willis fakes the pitch.

All this action gets the linebackers moving to right, only to see Willis pop up and find Reed crossing the middle of the field.

Reed does a great job on this: he looks like he’s lining up Ernest Jones [53] for a block, then simply ducks underneath and continues his route. By the time anyone on the defense knows what is going on, Reed is all alone in the empty field for a gain of 30.

Great opening call by Matt LaFleur to give the Titans something they were clearly looking for, only to pull the rug out from under them.

Album listened to: Bob Dylan – Blonde on Blonde