Game Changing Play of the Week: Dean Lowry's Athletic Pick Helps Secure a Win
Dean Lowry's interception made the Bears' attempted comeback significantly more challenging.
By TimBackes
Another week, another "ugly" win. But as it results in yet another sweep and elimination of the Bears, and a clinched playoff berth, it's hard to be too upset. This team just keeps winning, and while the naysayers continue to wait for their ultimate "I TOLD YOU SO!!!!" moment in the playoffs, those of us who are capable of joy will continue to enjoy the ride.
There were several crucial plays that helped influence the outcome of the game, but in close, divisional contests, it's hard to beat a late-game turnover. While the impressive interception made by Dean Lowry at the line of scrimmage didn't put the final nail in the Bears' coffin, it sure helped the team secure the much-needed victory.
The play
The Lowry yeeteth, and the Lowry yoinketh away. pic.twitter.com/mQjrysCcv6
— Tim Backes (@timbackes) December 16, 2019
Just an outstanding individual effort by Lowry to make this play.
Lowry uses the strategy that's been perfected by J.J. Watt on this play. If you know you're not getting any push against your offensive lineman, take a step back, and leap and get your hands up to at least swat down the ball. It takes excellent situational awareness to be able to pull this off consistently, and Watt, as one of the finest defenders of his generation, has made a living off of plays very much like this, in addition to his strong pass rush.
Now, obviously, Lowry is absolutely no J.J. Watt. But this is still very much a Watt-like play. Maintain awareness of what the quarterback is doing and where they're looking, realize you're not going to get to the quarterback on your rush, and try to make a play in a different way.
To be able to actually haul this ball in rather than just swat it down takes a whole lot of concentration and a bit of luck. Lowry was a broken tackle away from taking this to the house, as well.
The impact of this play was significant. The Packers were able to halt an attempted comeback drive for the Bears, get the ball back and eat some clock and the rest of the Bears' timeouts, leaving them with 40-some seconds and no timeouts remaining to attempt their eight-point comeback. At a moment when the Bears seemed to have the momentum, Lowry's individual effort shut it down.
On to Minnesota, where the Packers will have the opportunity to seal up a division title!
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Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.
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Comments (19)
GVPacker
December 16, 2019 at 04:32 pm
I knew Mitch T would throw at least one pick! and it would be big one! He did throw another one but that was harmless.
The Packers Defense is very bendy but has played respectable in the Red Zone this season. Over the course of the last three games the opposition has scored only three TD's and two of them required highlight reel circus catches! There is no doubt the Packers offense is in a funk this year.The Jimmy Graham experiment isn't yielding the results needed. The other TE's on the roster need more playing time!
Sol
December 16, 2019 at 04:33 pm
Northwestern guys might not be the most athletic. But they are always aware of what’s going on on the football field.
Leatherhead
December 17, 2019 at 11:00 am
Smart and tough is not a bad combination in a football player.
He’s a big guy who doesn’t miss games and does some good stuff on the field. What’s not to like? A good choice to extend him by Gute.
ILPackerBacker
December 17, 2019 at 11:56 am
If this were remotely true wouldn't he at some point decide he didn't like being pancaked by TEs?
Leatherhead
December 17, 2019 at 02:23 pm
Well, I guess you’re smarter than me and Gute and Thompson because we all think he’s a pretty good player. It’s amazing we are11-3 when we have so many bad players on the field.
Lphill
December 16, 2019 at 05:29 pm
Was a gift from Trubisky if he caught it cleanly he may have rumbled in for 6 .
RedRight49
December 16, 2019 at 05:35 pm
That was an all out effort by Lowry to do the big D leap and then concentrate on the batted ball while the pigskin was moving out of his hands at least five or six times and, while running towards daylight at a pretty good clip.
That was true focus and a very impressive interception by the big guy!
Lare
December 16, 2019 at 05:35 pm
"Those of us who are capable of joy will continue to enjoy the ride".
It appears you are joyful and triumphant.
Mojo
December 16, 2019 at 05:45 pm
It was a nice play alright, but didn't have quite the impact the author thought it had. Because of the offenses ineptitude, the Pack only ran 2:00 minutes off the clock and managed to lose 5 yards from where they began. Chicago still had over four minutes to restart a game tying drive and still two of its TO's.
Scott did pin them at the their own 5 though so there was that, but incredibly, even though Chicago's next series ended near mid-field, they weren't done yet. The GB offense couldn't do squat once again, leaving Chicago with a Hail Mary's chance to tie. Low and behold, after some lackadaisical defense Chicago was at the GB 34 with two cracks at the TD. The first, fortunately, wasn't controlled by a Bear receiver after going right through Alexanders hands.
The second Bear chance almost became a thing of legend. Had Horsted lateraled to Robinson or broke-fee from Sullivan we're talking about them having a chance to tie and eventually win a game that should have been over three series ago.
I don't know why, but except for a few players, it appeared to me the defense was just jogging around watching Chicago get in scoring range and just hope one of their teammates makes a play. Chicago was very very close to embarrassing the Pack on that last play. We would never hear the end of it had Chicago won on that crap.
jannesbjornson
December 16, 2019 at 06:49 pm
Have to get points off turnovers. LAck of focus by the HC and offense on the follow up.
Leatherhead
December 17, 2019 at 10:56 am
Mojo, I agree. It didn’t really change the game, but it did give us a CHANCE to change the game and make it two scores with only a couple minutes left.
I think the play that changed the game might have been the Pick Six we dropped. Or MVS alligator arming it. Either of those plays are big game changers.
TheVOR
December 16, 2019 at 05:44 pm
A fantastic play and opportunity, completely wasted by a Horrific SACK that should have never happened! If they ran on 1st and 2nd down, and it was like 3rd and 5 or 6, they should have run it one more time and kicked the FG, and Iced the game. Instead they did the one thing that everyone including the announcers for the game knew was basically "Unforgivable"! They took a stupid SACK!
Hand the flipping ball off, give the kicker who's having one of his best seasons ever, the opportunity to Ice the game away. Man what a wasted opportunity it was.
The Lowery play was phenomenal, followed 3 plays later by one of the stupidest decisions I've seen all year. Take the points already! Nope, apparently a sack right there was better? Man that was unforgivable! Not sure if that was Rodgers, or MLF, but it was a horrific decision.
packergal
December 16, 2019 at 06:08 pm
TheVOR,
After every horrific decision, Just repeat after me and you will better understand:
"...When the GB Offense works, its because of Rodgers"...
"...When the GB Offense fails it's because of MLF and the receivers"...
GO PACK and beat Viqueens on Monday!
ShooterMcGee
December 16, 2019 at 07:20 pm
That is priceless.
ShooterMcGee
December 16, 2019 at 07:37 pm
Did we see our starting ILB next year in Nick Kiwiatowski? He played really well and blew up Aaron Jones twice on blitzes. He will be a free agent and the Bears have Roquon Smith.
EddieLeeIvory
December 16, 2019 at 08:46 pm
I hate the Viqueens
NickPerry
December 16, 2019 at 08:52 pm
The play by Lowry was absolutely fantastic. It was the BEST catch of the season with the exception of the pass in the corner of the end zone to Williams...
I AM enjoying the ride and am actually looking forward to next year as crazy as that sounds, Like I said in a previous post last week I'll stand up and clap my hands for these 2019 Packers when the season is over. At the start of this season if you had told me the Packers would be the #2 seen in the NFC at 11-3, I'd have said "Get the F*** outta here!"
Side note...Watching Dree Brees and the thought of playing them in that Dome is making me sick!
LeotisHarris
December 16, 2019 at 09:55 pm
Watching here too, Nick. Were you able to tell if any members of Drew's family made it to the game tonight?
johnaltin
December 25, 2019 at 02:30 am
The impact of this play was significant.
https://www.geometrydash.me/