Green Bay Packers: Under the Scope (Week 1)

Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) is pursued by Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Clay Matthews is Still Incredible

Many of you saw the quickness of Clay Matthews III on his interception where he beautifully jumped the route of tight end Martellus Bennett in the middle of the field. This was a huge swing in the game and another example of a great player making a great play.

But I want to call your attention to another play Matthews made in the second quarter. With 10:19 to go before halftime, the Bears had the ball in the red zone on the Packers’ 15-yard line. It’s second down and ten and Chicago lines up in a single back formation, with Matthews hovering over the right tackle.

Cutler snaps the ball and hands it to running back Matt Forte who runs left, essentially away from Matthews altogether. The edge has been set for Forte, who has a tight end blocking and receiver Alshon Jeffery up ahead as well. This clears the way for nothing but open space out in front and what seems to be an easy touchdown run.

Not on Clay’s watch. Matthews catches up to Forte after he ran around the backfield and across the field, and is able to make the clean tackle from behind. The tape shows no one else had a chance to bring down Forte before he would have scored. Matthews showed some seriously impressive catch-up speed and a big stop on Forte who had been terrorizing them all day long.

Though the play was still good for a gain of six, not many players in the league would have even made the stop. A linebacker having to run across to the opposite side of the field and bring down a ball carrier who had a straight shot to the end zone. By all means, Clay Matthews still got it.

Next: Julius Peppers a Freak of an Athlete