Inbox: Timely plays on defense are the name of the game

[Cheesehead]

Keith from Bakersfield, CA


Your WYMM segment is absolutely fantastic. On that 21-yard pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, it looked like Robert Tonyan would have been wide open after his chip block for a higher-percentage pass and likely pickup. Aaron Rodgers chooses the tight window throw to MVS (or, what would be a tight window for a mere human QB). Was he possibly aware of the penalty against Allen Lazard, and thus taking the bigger play potential?


After another look at the sideline all-22 view, the answer is no. The flag doesn't fly until the ball is on its way to MVS. Tonyan was open in the flat, but a defender was nearby, and it would've been difficult to get the roughly 10 yards after the catch needed for the first down.


Howard from Appleton, WI


Spoff, your WYMM on third downs was great, thanks. But another VERY crucial one came on the third play of the second half by a defensive holding penalty. I didn't see it on TV, and the announcers seemed clueless and unaware almost until the next snap. Did you see the foul? On whom? Without that call the entire second half might have been totally different.


MVS was held on his go route after about 5-10 yards. On the film you can see the downfield official – to whom MVS was complaining when the deep ball fell incomplete – launch his flag back toward the line of scrimmage early in the route. It was an obvious penalty. TV only showed the hand-fighting at the end of the play as the ball came down. That had nothing to do with the call.


Dan from Cross Plains, WI


Good morning! No question, just a comment. After watching this past week's games, particularly the shootout on MNF, I'm convinced there are no "great" defenses in the NFL. It's all about managing the best you can until you have the opportunity to create a big play to turn it over or get that crucial sack. I'm glad we have an offense that is able to sustain long drives to keep our defense fresh and keep the momentum. This was a big reason for the W against Detroit.


That's a valid perspective, one that started to grow on me after the Patriots-Eagles shootout in the Super Bowl a few years back – which featured a boatload of points and then was decided late on a strip-sack. That's not to say you don't keep working toward a higher, more consistent level on defense, but any strong unit can have a bad day against a formidable QB. Timely plays on defense are the name of the game now.


TC from Waunakee, WI


Good morning II, Re: Williams landing on a defender and having the play blown dead, it was argued that the extra four yards wasn't worth a challenge. But as I understand the rules, spots can only be challenged for whether or not they made the line to gain. So if on first down, Williams had fallen on the defender after one yard and then gained eight more, this still wouldn't be challenge-able...correct?


Challenging the spot (for which only first downs apply) and challenging down by contact are two different things. I don't think you can be awarded any extra yards, though, if the whistle blew. Fumble plays have the "imminent recovery" stipulation on a play blown dead, but I'm not aware of any such application for a play continuing as-is, so to speak.