Packers Vs. Cowboys - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' last game.
By JerseyAl

After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons. In general, I either focus on a theme, more nuanced observations, or just things I didn't notice watching live. These can be but are less likely to be "highlight" plays. I present these to you with a short explanation why I picked them and then let you readers discuss the plays.
Javon Bullard - This is something I've noticed about Javon Bullard over the first four games of the season. He has a sneaky way of avoiding big offensive linemen looking to take him out, usually out on the perimeter on a screen pass. Bullard doesn't just accept his fate and wait for the blocker to come annihilate him. Instead, he aggressively attacks and dives (or slides) so close to the ground the big lineman has a hard time getting his hands on him. He's careful not to actually hit the blocker's legs, which would be a penalty. I've also seen him blow up wide receiver screens in previous games using this same technique. There are actually better examples from previous games, but I just wanted to highlight this because it's smart and usually works.
Free Play - This was a bit of a puzzler. Watching this live, I wasn't aware of the Cowboys player trying to get off the field. I just saw the Packers go tempo and Love throw a floater for an interception. The broadcast then pointed out the flag on the play for too many men on the field, which popped two questions into my head. My first question was, did Love actually know what was happening and pulled a Rodgers to get a free play? Looking at the first part of this video, you can see Love glance left and then start barking out orders and clapping his hands to speed everyone up. The second question was, if he knew it was a free play, why did he just throw a 10 yard out to Musgrave? You could see him looking downfield at first but he chooses not to chuck it for Jesus. Tucker Kraft was running a deep seam route and Love should have thrown into the end zone and let Kraft try to come down with it. He should know if you have a free play, just throw it downfield. It doesn't matter if your receiver is covered, you have nothing to lose and you might get a lucky explosive play. Surely he watched Rodgers do that whenever he had the chance.
Stackhouse - I just wanted to give a little love to the big guy. It's not every day you see a 327 pound NFL nose tackle run down a wide receiver from behind, but that's exactly what Stack does. Sure he had an angle and yes, maybe Turpin slows down slightly as a Packers defender nears, but it's still pretty impressive, even if just for the effort to get there from the opposite hash mark.
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of various hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He's a lifetime Packers fan living in the land of the Giants (and Jets). Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (16)
dblbogey
September 30, 2025 at 02:36 pm
Always enjoy your stuff, Al. A healthy Wyatt and some contributions from Stackhouse would help our recently questionable run defense greatly.
mnbadger
September 30, 2025 at 02:56 pm
I noticed the stackhouse play in real time and hoped for replay and follow up comment.
Of course colinsworth was half way thru one his long winded, scripted yawn fests instead of providing commentary on the action right in front of him.
Not a cc fan.
Thanks for following up on great effort and athleticism Al
GPG!
NFLfan
September 30, 2025 at 03:29 pm
Completely agree-I cringe when I see he is calling the game often have to turn down the volume
Starrbrite
September 30, 2025 at 08:33 pm
Right —CC is one of a few I would put on a raft and allow to drift out to sea.
BritPack
October 01, 2025 at 02:45 am
Don't do that, he'd probably end up in the UK. We have enough problems with people invading our shores on rafts.
NFLfan
September 30, 2025 at 03:28 pm
Thanks Al-
I needed a reset from teeth-gnashing.
I'll be on the look-out for Stackhouse-I love players who give it their all.
Starrbrite
September 30, 2025 at 05:38 pm
Can we have a post without the poster sucking up to Al: “Love your stuff Al”; “You’re a genius Al”; “Great work Al”—Geesh, enough already!
BTW Al, I do like your articles…! …it seems you’re one of the few who read the replies.
I’ve felt from the beginning Stackhouse would be a good player.
I believe MLF should have targeted Kraft much more often.
I thought you would mention Special Teams?
My belief concerning a special teams change/improvement, is to leave Bisaccia as the “Asst. Head Coach” and hire a new ST coach. The Packers aren’t going to fire Bisaccia, but I bet he would be ok with a new ST coach—he’s taking some righteous heat/questions.
Go Packers!!!
JerseyAl
September 30, 2025 at 09:25 pm
Love your comments Starrbrite. They are the best! Pure genius!
Starrbrite
October 01, 2025 at 06:07 am
Lol—right on Al.
Since'75
October 01, 2025 at 06:14 am
Great response Al, you are the best!!
Fantastic insights, great writing, fantastic opinions.
Did you get the apple i put on your desk?
JerseyAl
October 01, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Yes, but I prefer Golden Delicious. Make note of that.
Since'75
October 01, 2025 at 02:41 pm
Duly noted good Sir.
*******
For the rest of us, i'm not sure w t * is wrong with a nice juicy red McIntosh, but, whatever.
*******
Don't say anything to Al, i don't want him thinking he's being too picky.
Since'61
September 30, 2025 at 05:42 pm
Three excellent observations AL.. Enjoyed watching the plays you chose. Thanks, Since '61
Ferrari-Driver
September 30, 2025 at 08:28 pm
Al, thanks for the thoughts regarding the game. I've lived in California for most of my life and only get to see one game per year at Lambeau and our next game is the one my wife and I are going to attend. Very excited to see the Packers perform in person and hope for a good showing against the Bengals. Your Cheesehead TV website is my primary source of information to keep informed and I thank all the contributors, including the posters for their inputs.
bjb2012sime
September 30, 2025 at 11:37 pm
Segueing from the Bullard observation- I wonder why when a QB is scrambling and heads downfield, an approaching defender doesn't slide toward the QB before he begins his slide. I don't recall ever seeing this, but it would seem to startle the QB as he wouldn't want to start a slide into a guy already on the ground. It would also make it less likely the defender gets an unnecessary roughness call as HE initiated the interaction and it's up to the QB to respond.Thoughts?
Starrbrite
October 01, 2025 at 06:12 am
Makes sense—I believe the officials are observing the violence initiated via the collision. Your theory is interesting.