In a season filled with fascinating, incredible, and sometimes hilarious plays, Acme Packing Company looked back at the 2016 Green Bay Packers to determine the truly best. Over the next few days, we will reveal our countdown of the top ten plays of the 2016 season, as voted on by 13 APC contributors.
The contributors were asked to vote on what they believed to be the best overall plays of the 2016 season based on a number of factors. Included in the analysis were the impact on the season overall, impact within the game, highlight-reel spectacle, individual effort or achievement, and hilarity or ridiculousness.
Acme Packing Company's rundown of the Packers' top plays from 2016 marches on by celebrating Micah Hyde's mind-reading acumen.
The situation
Midway through the third quarter of the divisional-round battle with the top-seeded Dallas Cowboys, the Packers had seen their 18-point lead dwindle with Prescott and company once again in the red zone. With more than a quarter left to play, it seemed as though Dallas had found its spark just in time to reverse the narrative and steal away the victory.
The play
The Cowboys lined up with wideouts Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley stacked on the left flank with Terrance Williams motioning inside the box from the slot. They ran out of the same formation and motion against the Packers and other teams earlier in the season, always resulting in a screen pass.
Recognizing this, cerebral defensive back Micah Hyde signaled to corner Ladarius Gunter to cover his zone. Gunter responds, positioning himself closer to the receivers while Hyde shifts further inside on the line of scrimmage.
When the play begins, Prescott drops just a single step back from center before turning to his left and tossing the ball towards Beasley. However, by the time the ball leaves his hand, Hyde has already moved into the space between the passer and his target on the 20-yard line. With Bryant turned around and unable to make a block and Beasley too deep to make a play on the ball, Hyde finds himself with the football and space to run.
By the time the Cowboys manage to corral Hyde, he has moved past the 35-yard line, transforming a once-promising drive into a nightmare for Dallas.
The impact
The Packers didn't score points off the turnover, as Aaron Rodgers tossed an interception on an overthrown pass intended for Davante Adams. Still, Hyde's interception stalled the Cowboys long enough to keep them from usurping control of the game.
The countdown
9. Ty Montgomery is a wide receiver no more
8. Clay Matthews forces two fumbles on one play
7. Davante Adams torches the Seahawks
6. Another Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary
5. Just run around until someone gets open
4. Aaron Rodgers shrugs off the blitz to throw spectacular TD