GREEN BAY – A possession that produces a field goal early in the second quarter doesn't typically stand out as one of the more important sequences in a game.
But the Packers' 12-play, 75-yard series worth three points in their 45-27 victory at New England was crucial, and therefore it's the Chevy Drive of the Week.
Its value was heightened because it began on Green Bay's own 2-yard line following a punt. The Packers were in control early and led, 14-0, but this was a huge chance for the Patriots to get right back in the game.
The Packers had other ideas, though, as QB Jordan Love hit WR Christian Watson along the sideline to convert on third-and-7 from the 5-yard line, getting the offense out of the deep hole.
Three snaps later, on third-and-5 from the 20, the Patriots jumped offside, giving the Packers a free first down. After a 4-yard run by RB Pierre Strong Jr. – who had entered the game in place of Josh Jacobs following his broken finger – and a 9-yard completion to WR Matthew Golden moved the chains again, Love went deep to Golden for 43 yards. Golden beat top Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez, who stumbled and fell as the ball arrived along the far sideline.
The big play got the Packers into the red zone. Unfortunately, a sack of Love on third-and-5 from the 14 wrecked the chances for a touchdown, but rookie K Trey Smack was good from 41 yards out to push the lead to three scores for the first time, at 17-0.
Instead of shifting the game with the Packers backed up by their own goal line, the Patriots fell further behind. The 12 plays and 6:36 of clock time were both game highs for Green Bay's offense, and the 75 yards represented one of four scoring drives of 69 or more.
