GREEN BAY—Signature Snaps is back, our look at the top plays from the previous season, along with a poll allowing you to vote for your favorite.
We'll continue our review of 2013 with the top five passing plays, listed and described here in chronological order.
Be sure to watch the video and vote in the poll. The top vote-getter in each Signature Snaps category will qualify for the final posting in the series, Play of the Year.
Top 5 passing plays of 2013
Randall Cobb, 35-yard TD vs. Washington, Week 2
Leading 3-0 late in the first quarter, the Packers faced fourth-and-3 but decided not to try a long field goal. Instead, QB Aaron Rodgers hit Cobb on a quick slant over the middle and the slot receiver turned on the jets, speeding through the Redskins defense for a 35-yard TD that started a blowout.
James Jones, 83-yard TD vs. Detroit, Week 5
The Packers led only 9-3 late in the third quarter when Jones beat his man off the line of scrimmage and was running down the far sideline wide open. Rodgers hit him in stride for the Packers' longest pass play of the season and the longest of Jones' seven-year career.
Jordy Nelson, 64-yard TD at Baltimore, Week 6
Again leading 9-3 late in the third quarter, the Packers decided to take a shot. Using a classic play-action fake and short rollout to the right, Rodgers set his feet deep in the pocket and let fly to Nelson, who was at least a step behind the closest defender for a picture-perfect TD.
Jordy Nelson, 76-yard TD at Minnesota, Week 8
This one came from film study, as Rodgers knew that the Vikings would have LB Chad Greenway drop into coverage on the slot receiver in a certain blitz package. With Cobb out due to injury, Nelson was in the slot, and when Rodgers got the blitz he was expecting, he zipped a quick pass right by Greenway's ear and into Nelson's hands. The veteran receiver took it from there, darting upfield for a 76-yard TD that broke a 10-all tie and gave the Packers a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Randall Cobb, 48-yard TD at Chicago, Week 17
One of the most dramatic and memorable plays in Packers' history, and certainly the most significant since Super Bowl XLV. Green Bay's season was on the line, fourth-and-8 from just across midfield, with the Bears leading, 28-27. Chicago blitzed and sent seven rushers after Rodgers, who escaped what looked like a sure sack by Bears DE Julius Peppers with the help of a great cut block by FB John Kuhn.
As Rodgers got out of the pocket, Cobb was all alone deep downfield, as Bears S Chris Conte had squatted at the first-down marker, assuming the blitz would force Rodgers to throw quickly. All Rodgers had to do was get the ball in Cobb's vicinity, and he made the easy catch for a 48-yard TD that made the Packers NFC North champions for a third straight year.
Be sure to watch the video and vote for your favorite in the poll.
