GREEN BAY – For a little walk down short-term memory lane, packers.com has compiled a list of the top 10 plays that got the Packers to the playoffs in the 2024 season.
The plays are in chronological order, one consequential highlight from each of Green Bay's first 10 victories. The 11th win over New Orleans was excluded because, well, top 10 just sounds better, and that was a 34-0 blowout anyway.
So without further ado …
- Eric Wilson's interception, Week 2 vs. Indianapolis
With backup QB Malik Willis starting in place of an injured Jordan Love, the Packers were in command for much of this game. But with just over 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, trailing 16-3, the Colts had just hit a 30-yard pass to get across midfield, and a touchdown would've made it a one-score game.
Enter the veteran LB Wilson, who stayed right with slot WR Michael Pittman in coverage and snagged QB Anthony Richardson's throw. The Packers didn't add to their lead on the ensuing drive due to a missed field goal, but they took more than six minutes off the clock, and the Colts weren't able to get within one score until less than two minutes remained.
- Jaire Alexander's pick-six, Week 3 at Tennessee
A back-and-forth first quarter saw the Packers leading 10-7 when the Titans got the ball a second time. On the very first snap, Alexander jumped QB Will Levis' quick throw on an out route to WR DeAndre Hopkins and ran the interception back 35 yards for a touchdown, and the Packers maintained a multi-score lead the rest of the game.
- Tucker Kraft's 66-yard TD reception, Week 5 at Los Angeles
The Packers had closed to within 13-10 on a field goal to end the first half, and then they got the ball back early in the second half when DL Kingsley Enagbare forced a fumble by Rams RB Kyren Williams and S Xavier McKinney recovered at the Green Bay 30-yard line.
Two plays later, Love found Kraft in open space along the left side, and the second-year tight end took it to the house, stiff-arming one defender and getting a great block from WR Dontayvion Wicks along the way. The Packers took the lead and never trailed again.
- Christian Watson's 44-yard TD reception, Week 6 vs. Arizona
The Packers were already in command of this game and used this play to turn it into a runaway. Late in the first half, Keisean Nixon had just returned a punt 39 yards to get across midfield, and the Packers went for broke on the first play of the drive. Love to Watson for the score made it 24-0.
- Brandon McManus' 45-yard walk-off FG, Week 7 vs. Houston
Signed earlier that week to replace a struggling Brayden Narveson, McManus made a whale of a Packers debut. Houston took a 22-21 lead with 1:44 left, and Green Bay's ensuing drive featured completions to Kraft and Wicks covering 21 yards, and then two catches by WR Romeo Doubs for 18 more to set up McManus from 45 yards out with three seconds left.
- Malik Willis' 51-yard completion to Jayden Reed, Week 8 at Jacksonville
Willis took over for an injured Love early in the second half and helped build a 10-point lead, only to see the Jaguars rally to tie the game with 1:48 left. On the second play of what turned out to be the game-winning drive, Willis found Reed for 51 yards and a first down in the red zone. Green Bay then ran the clock down for another McManus walk-off kick.
- Karl Brooks' blocked field goal, Week 11 at Chicago
The Packers led by just a point, having failed to get a two-point conversion after scoring the go-ahead TD with 2:59 left. The Bears drove the other way, converting on fourth-and-3 with a 21-yard completion to stay alive. Three plays later, they were in position for a 46-yard walk-off field goal by Cairo Santos, but Brooks got pressure on the interior and a fingertip on the kick to save the game.
- Xavier McKinney's INT and 48-yard return, Week 12 vs. San Francisco
In the third quarter, the Packers led by 10, but the 49ers had driven into Green Bay territory looking to make it a one-score game. A pass over the middle for Deebo Samuel deflected off his hands and into McKinney's for the seventh of his eight interceptions on the season. The subsequent 48-yard return set up a short drive for a touchdown that put the Packers up three scores.
- Josh Jacobs' 49-yard reception, Week 13 vs. Miami
Jacobs did the bulk of his damage on the ground this season, but this was his longest play of the year and it came on Thanksgiving night. Midway through the fourth quarter with the Packers looking for a score to put the game away, Love dumped off a short pass to Jacobs, who did the rest.
He stuck his foot in the ground to juke one defender, ran through a tackle, got some helpful blocks and was all the way into the red zone before getting caught. The Packers settled for a field goal but it was all they needed to go up 30-11 with five minutes left.
- Carrington Valentine's INT in the end zone, Week 15 at Seattle
The Packers took control of this game early with two quick touchdowns, but late in the second quarter the Seahawks, trailing by 14, were on the verge of getting back in it. On third-and-9 from the Green Bay 12, QB Geno Smith was under pressure and forced a throw into the end zone for TE Noah Fant. Guarding a shallow receiver, Valentine peeled off his man to make a leaping interception in the end zone, and the Packers turned that possession into a field goal on the final play of the first half for a 20-3 lead.
