The canine days of summer time name for not one however two collection of posts right here at Acme Packing Firm. Whereas we sit up for the following version of the Inexperienced Bay Packers via our 53-man roster prediction this week and subsequent, we’re additionally looking again on the 2022 squad and a few of our favourite moments from final season.

That signifies that immediately we’re kicking off our Finest Performs of 2022 collection, as we depend down the ten (effectively, technically 11) prime performs as voted on by APC’s contributors. We begin this afternoon with two performs that tied for the #10 spot because of a handful of votes for every play.

First up is an incredible particular person effort by a rookie receiver to get the Packers on the board in a primary time recreation earlier than we glance to later within the season and discover a defensive celebrity arising within the clutch with a game-clinching interception.

Let’s get this countdown underway.

T-10: Romeo Doubs scores in Buffalo

Romeo Doubs’ rookie season performed out very like a microcosm of the Packers’ season as an entire: a endless rollercoaster of ups and downs. From being the go-to goal in a stagnant offense to working via an injury-riddled second half of the season, Doubs skilled all of it. As we glance again on the season’s greatest moments, nonetheless, we’d do effectively to not overlook that Doubs really did flash. There’s something to construct on as he enters his second yr in a crowded however nonetheless wildly inexperienced extensive receiver room.

Coming off of a disappointing zero-catch efficiency marred by drops the week prior in Washington, Doubs was on the lookout for a get-right recreation. In Buffalo in week eight, the Packers bought off to a gradual begin that had all of the makings of a blowout. They seemed outgunned and outmanned in opposition to one of many league’s prime offenses. Nonetheless, within the second quarter, because of a healthy dose of Aaron Jones, Rodgers and Doubs discovered themselves within the crimson zone.

Doubs’ third landing of the yr got here close to the tip of the second quarter. Motioning proper throughout the formation, Doubs had Taron Johnson beat the entire manner. Whereas he might have made the catch tougher than it wanted to be, the acrobatic, spinning seize confirmed off the rookie’s knack for large performs.

The play is likely one of the many causes newly anointed QB Jordan Love praised Doubs throughout OTAs for his capability to make powerful catches and changes. Joint practices with each the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots are only a month away, so it received’t be lengthy till we get a style of Doubs’ reference to Love in opposition to actual defenses. If acrobatic catches like this one change into extra routine, Doubs is one among many second-year Packers who could possibly be in line for a giant season.

T-10: Jaire Alexander’s interception clinches a win over the Bears

After a promising 3-1 begin, the Packers went on a 1-7 streak, with that Payments recreation coming proper in the midst of the chilly stretch. The one win in that eight recreation span was an time beyond regulation win in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys at residence. In week 13, Inexperienced Bay went into Chicago for a December contest in opposition to their largest rival and wanted to go on a miracle run. Positive, the Bears got here in 3-9, however a Packers loss would imply each groups would go away Chicago with even data.

Chicago jumped out to a 16-3 lead, scoring on three of their first 4 possessions, however Inexperienced Bay took an opportunity with 17 seconds left within the first half. Christian Watson scored from 14 yards out on a 4th-and-4 play to get Inexperienced Bay again within the recreation earlier than the break. Issues slowed once more early within the second half, however the Packers managed to get forward 20-19 with simply 4:49 left within the recreation.

Chicago took the ball and began to maneuver instantly. In simply 4 performs, the Bears had been sitting 1st-and-10 on the Packers’ 43 yard line. With 2:57 left within the recreation, Justin Fields took the shotgun snap and faked an inside handoff to David Montgomery, whereas the Packers dropped right into a zone and rushed 4. Cole Kmet, Montgomery and Dante Pettis ran quick, beneath routes, however Fields opted to go for the primary down strike and threw to Equanimeous St. Brown on his left. St. Brown was standing on the Packers 25, however needed to come again for the ball as Jaire Alexander jumped his route.

Alexander hauled within the soccer, finishing the catch and falling ahead to the Inexperienced Bay 32 yard line. In accordance with ESPN Win Likelihood, that play moved the needle from Bears 52.5% more likely to win to 74.9% Inexperienced Bay, a full 27.4% soar.

The momentum of that play was huge, because the Packers scored three performs in a while a 46-yard rush by Watson which will come up once more in a bit. They held on for a victory in Chicago, then received their subsequent three video games to even their document at 8-8 heading into the showdown with Detroit. Given the shift this play created within the recreation and the season, in addition to the issue of the Biggest Rivalry in Soccer, Alexander’s choose stood out as a significant turning level.

Verify again on Tuesday afternoon once we reveal play quantity 9 on the countdown.