Jordy Nelson's Departure from Revis Island Turning Point in Patriots Loss

In a game as close as the New England Patriots' 26-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers, you can find multiple instances where one play would have likely changed the outcome of the contest. Few plays, however, tilted the game more than Aaron Rodgers' 45-yard pass to Jordy Nelson for a touchdown as the first half wound down.

New England had just pulled within two points—16-14—and was getting the ball back to start the second half. They were threatening to pull off the game-changing double score, but Rodgers and Nelson had other plans.

Here is how the play developed.

Green Bay is in "11" personnel, with running back James Starks motioning out of the backfield. Jamie Collins follows him into the formation. Darrelle Revis is matched up on Nelson—the "Z" receiver—in our feature spot at the top of the screen. Patrick Chung is on tight end Andrew Quarless, who is in the slot.

With the Patriots in their nickel package, Devin McCourty is over the top as a single high safety, while the cornerbacks are showing man coverage.

NFL Game Rewind

At the snap, the Patriots bring five rushers, with Dont'a Hightower vacating the middle of the field. McCourty keeps his eyes on Rodgers, while the Packers quarterback tries to let a rub route develop on the field side. Meanwhile, on the boundary, the real action is about to take place.

NFL Game Rewind

Before we check back in on Nelson, the blitz pickup by Green Bay deserves its own picture. All of the Packers win their one-on-one battles, although Hightower disengages and makes a late push at getting some pressure. This is a situation where Chandler Jones would have helped immensely.

NFL Game Rewind

Here is where things get dicey. Rodgers is keeping McCourty in the middle of the field while Nelson and Quarless hit the top of their stems. Once Rodgers flips his head back to the right side of the field, McCourty has a tough decision to make.

Quarless looks for an instant like he might run an out-and-up, a double move that the Packers employed with great success. McCourty moves to combat that big-play possibility, as he likely figured that Chung needed more help than Revis.

Nelson, however, has gained separation from Revis with a bit of a push and a sharp cut on his slant. The rest isn't pretty.

NFL Game Rewind

Revis maintained his outside leverage throughout the play—a must with a safety in the middle of the field only—but did give up too much separation to make an immediate tackle. Once McCourty realizes that Nelson was Rodgers' target, he has already overrun the play. With nothing but green grass ahead of him, Nelson takes it to the house and gives Green Bay a two-score lead going into the half.

Revis had nothing but respect for Nelson and Rodgers after the game:

"

I felt that there was a push off, but at the same time I am not going to use that as an excuse. He made a great play. I have a lot of respect for Jordy, Aaron Rodgers and that whole wide receiver group.

You just have to hang in there and hope that the defensive line gets to him. Aaron is very good at scrambling and extending plays. You don't want to be in that position as a defensive back. It is those extra extended plays that you don't want to be a part of.

"

If the Patriots and Packers were to meet again in the Super Bowl, don't expect Revis to make a similar mistake.