1 00:00:00,880 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:17,800 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford. He is the one and only 3 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:20,440 Speaker 1: West Hodkowitz. Were coming to you here from our studios 4 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,079 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field, WES. Our final show of the week, 5 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 1: Our final show before the Monday night showdown in Minneapolis 6 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 1: Packers Vikings at US Bank Stadium on Monday Night football. 7 00:00:32,440 --> 00:00:35,159 Speaker 1: So it's time to talk Keys to victory. What do 8 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:40,440 Speaker 1: the Packers need to do to emerge victorious and clinch 9 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 1: their first NFC North title for the first time in 10 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 1: three years. Whoever is running the ball for the Minnesota 11 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:50,159 Speaker 1: Vikings stop that individual. So if it's Dalvin Cook, Alexander Madison, 12 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 1: Matt Mike Boone, Robert Smith, Adrian Peterson, whoever is back 13 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:58,600 Speaker 1: there for they make sure you're stay on top of it. 14 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 1: Because the thing is is that I think by all accounts, 15 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: Cook is not playing in this game. Mike Zimmer has 16 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: not said that, but again those are what all the 17 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: reports are. We'll see what happens in the lead up 18 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:13,640 Speaker 1: to kick off. But Alexander Madison not practicing this week. 19 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:16,760 Speaker 1: Now the spotlight is on Mike Boone and you really 20 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:18,679 Speaker 1: don't know exactly who's going to be back there, what 21 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,160 Speaker 1: they're gonna do. The thing I like though, if you 22 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:24,479 Speaker 1: can stop the running back, whoever that guy is, that's 23 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 1: where you're making Kirk Cousins win this game for the Vikings. 24 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 1: And don't get me wrong, he's certainly capable of doing that. 25 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 1: But the less dimensions he has to work with and 26 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:36,160 Speaker 1: the fewer weapons that there are available, it's gonna behof 27 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:38,200 Speaker 1: the Packers and their defense. Yeah, and I don't have 28 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: a whole bunch of statistics in front of me, but 29 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:42,679 Speaker 1: I've seen things and read things over the course of 30 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:46,199 Speaker 1: this season. For as strong as season as Cousins is having, 31 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 1: and he's having the best season of his career with 32 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 1: a one eleven passer rating, it's only thrown five interceptions. 33 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 1: Two of those came against the Packers in Week two, 34 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 1: but he's only thrown three interceptions since Week two. Kirk 35 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: Cousins is much much better are off of play action 36 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 1: and that bootleg stuff. Then if he's just a straight 37 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 1: drop backpass or taking snaps in the shotgun without all 38 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 1: the other action that makes you know, the defense have 39 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: to honor other things. I think that can be said 40 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:15,239 Speaker 1: for a lot of quarterbacks. I'm not trying to pick 41 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: on Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers looks a heck of 42 00:02:17,639 --> 00:02:19,639 Speaker 1: a lot better off of play action as well. We've 43 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 1: talked about that, but that just goes to your point 44 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 1: of whoever it is that's running the ball for the Vikings. 45 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:28,360 Speaker 1: If you can clamp down there and take away some 46 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: of the the play action and bootleg stuff that is 47 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:33,920 Speaker 1: such a big part of the Vikings offense and the 48 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 1: action that they get off of those maneuvers, I think 49 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 1: that does put the Packers defense in a pretty good position. Well, 50 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 1: and again the Mike Spotford let's be real Moment of 51 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 1: the Week sponsored by a quick trip the Packers. The 52 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:49,160 Speaker 1: thing is is that Delvin Cook is a dynamic football player. 53 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:51,440 Speaker 1: He's been voted to the Pro Bowl for a reason. 54 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 1: So we saw bust off of seventy five yard touchdown 55 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:56,519 Speaker 1: run here at lambeau Field when his team was down 56 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 1: still as by the way, Yeah, but here's the thing 57 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:03,520 Speaker 1: is that if Cook is unable to play, the Packers 58 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:05,679 Speaker 1: need to make this game look like Delvin Cook is 59 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: not playing in it. You can't let the next guy up, 60 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:11,800 Speaker 1: whether it's Madison Boone or whoever. Be, you know, come 61 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:14,800 Speaker 1: in and feel really confident. They've been doing a really 62 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: solid job. I think the last two three games of 63 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:20,359 Speaker 1: not allowing explosive plays and for the most part limiting 64 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:22,840 Speaker 1: the damage that running backs have been doing. I think 65 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:25,519 Speaker 1: you're seeing Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry and that defensive 66 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 1: front really gel together and get some really good solid, 67 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:32,480 Speaker 1: uh you know, tackling at the second levels is you know, 68 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: kind of played into all that. And if the Packers 69 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: can win that aspect of this and get Aaron Jones 70 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 1: going on their own side of the ball, I talk 71 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 1: and I mentioned over and over again trying to take 72 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 1: the crowd out of it at US Bank Stadium. Eliminating 73 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: explosive plays in drawing this thing out is the number 74 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 1: two top two things that I think kind of fit 75 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:56,280 Speaker 1: into that recipe for for success. Yeah, I mean when 76 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: you talk about taking the crowd out of it, I 77 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:03,400 Speaker 1: mean there there's is nothing better than hitting an explosive play, 78 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 1: staying out of those third down situations offensively, and nothing 79 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 1: is going to slow down the pass rush. Daniel Hunter, 80 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 1: Everson Griffin going against Brian Blaga, David Bactieri. Nothing's going 81 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 1: to slow down that edge rush more than getting that 82 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 1: running game going for the Packers. If you can get 83 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:23,039 Speaker 1: the vikings to have to honor the run, you know, 84 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:26,160 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers if he's got an extra half a second 85 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 1: and actually extra three quarters of a second because those 86 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:31,479 Speaker 1: pass rushers have to play a little bit of run 87 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 1: on the way to the quarterback, as some folks like 88 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: to say. I think that can make a huge difference here. 89 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 1: And the other thing I think that that goes without 90 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 1: saying is obviously the turnover battle, which we can get 91 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:43,080 Speaker 1: into some of those numbers as well. Yeah, and this 92 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 1: is to be honest with you, Aaron Jones performance in 93 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:48,440 Speaker 1: that first game against Minnesota twenty three carries for hundred 94 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: and sixteen yards five yards of carries. His longest carry 95 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 1: was fifteen yards in that ball game. To go for 96 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: a to go for a buck sixteen with your longest 97 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:01,479 Speaker 1: carry being fifteen, that means that means you were pretty steady, 98 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 1: pretty consistent, and a and a regular mover of the change. Yeah, 99 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:07,360 Speaker 1: and to do that with five yards a clip, I 100 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:09,160 Speaker 1: mean that shows you that there weren't a whole lot 101 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: of one and two yard carries in there. That is 102 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:14,599 Speaker 1: them consistently winning on first and second down. And when 103 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 1: you think about the start they got off to in 104 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 1: that game, like three straight offensive touchdowns, being able to 105 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:21,840 Speaker 1: turn over a football that is I think what kind 106 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:23,479 Speaker 1: of set the table for them to have the day 107 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:26,039 Speaker 1: that they did. You got to repeat that. Yeah, absolutely 108 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 1: with regard to the turnovers, I think, as we've been 109 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: talking all weak long, it goes without saying, especially anytime 110 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: you go on the road, you go into a dome 111 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:37,240 Speaker 1: and a noisy venue, and you look at this Vikings defense. 112 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:40,839 Speaker 1: They are, I believe it's fourth in the league with 113 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 1: twenty seven takeaways. They're coming off of a seven takeaway 114 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 1: outing against the Chargers. The Packers are a few steps 115 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 1: behind them in the rankings, either sixth or seventh in 116 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 1: the league with twenty three. I mean, some of the 117 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 1: numbers get skewed a little bit. As I said, the 118 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 1: Vikings just had seven takeaways in one game, and you know, 119 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:01,080 Speaker 1: things got out of hand again it's the Chargers. The 120 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: Packers got two takeaways last week, one on a hail 121 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 1: Mary at the end of the half, the other one 122 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 1: on you know, the multilateral final play of the game. 123 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 1: But you can you can parse the numbers and and 124 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 1: say what's misleading and whatever and any which way you 125 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:20,040 Speaker 1: want to. I think the Packers have to win the 126 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 1: turnover battle in order to win this game. I just 127 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:28,839 Speaker 1: I just think that they're the great equalizer when you 128 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 1: have a lot of other things going against you. And 129 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 1: I think with the Packers going into this building, with 130 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: that crowd, with that Minnesota defense, and and what one 131 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:43,840 Speaker 1: or one or two turnovers can do for Minnesota's defense, 132 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:45,560 Speaker 1: and what that's going to do to the crowd, the 133 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: Packers just cannot go down that road and expect to 134 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 1: win this football. Yeah, And and that is especially in 135 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 1: that environment, because in any other road, you know, you 136 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 1: can't lose one or two points in the turnover differential 137 00:06:58,320 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 1: and expect to win on the road. You're gonna need 138 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:03,120 Speaker 1: things to go your way in different areas for that 139 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 1: to play out. But in that stadium, a place where 140 00:07:05,960 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: the Vikings are undefeated this year. I don't know their 141 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 1: exact record over the last three seasons when they're in 142 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 1: that house, but it is difficult to beat them. And 143 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 1: even when teams look like they've had the upper hand, 144 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 1: they just haven't been able to finish it. So I 145 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:19,360 Speaker 1: think when you go from the first game of the 146 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 1: year with Green Beta where they need to be at 147 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 1: in this second match up with Minnesota. They got off 148 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 1: to that first start they wanted, that first quarter they wanted, 149 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 1: but what does it look like in quarters to what 150 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:31,280 Speaker 1: does it look like after halftime? You're gonna have to 151 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 1: keep that up. It is impossible to play a a 152 00:07:34,040 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: complete sixty minute performance. There's always gonna be something in 153 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:39,240 Speaker 1: there you're gonna want back. The game is just too 154 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 1: many plays and there's too many variables, especially when you're 155 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: on the road. But if you end up coming out 156 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 1: and having a good start, and you come out a 157 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: halftime strong and you protect the football, that's the recipe. 158 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 1: It's it's it isn't a secret what you have to 159 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: do to beat the Vikings. It's just the amount of 160 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 1: perfection that you have to achieve to do it is 161 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,400 Speaker 1: That's really the challenge. Yeah, and we talked about a 162 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 1: bunch of the key matchups and whatnot in this game 163 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 1: on yesterday's show. But the other thing that that it 164 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 1: really is interesting about this because, as we talked about 165 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:11,880 Speaker 1: last week, it had been a long time since a 166 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 1: Packers Bears game at lambeau Field had such high stakes 167 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: for both teams. It's frankly been a while since a 168 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 1: Packers Vikings game anywhere had stakes this high now I know. 169 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 1: In which was only four years ago, the Vikings were 170 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 1: coming to lambeau Field in the regular season finale and 171 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:33,360 Speaker 1: the NFC North title was on the line. But the 172 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: Vikings and the Packers were both already in the playoffs, 173 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:39,680 Speaker 1: and neither team had a shot at a first round 174 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,680 Speaker 1: by it was really just who's gonna host a playoff 175 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 1: game and who's going to be on the road for 176 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:47,000 Speaker 1: the playoffs. The Packers lost, the game went to Washington, 177 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: the Vikings ended up hosting the Seahawks this game. The 178 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:55,960 Speaker 1: Packers can clinch the division with a win, they can 179 00:08:56,040 --> 00:08:58,959 Speaker 1: keep themselves on track to get a number at least 180 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 1: a number two seed in the first round. By Meanwhile, 181 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 1: the Vikings are looking to clinch a playoff spot with 182 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 1: a win. Now there's a chance they could get into 183 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:14,680 Speaker 1: the playoffs if on Saturday night, if the Rams lose 184 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 1: to the forty niners, the Vikings would already be in 185 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 1: the playoffs before Monday night. But of course they're still 186 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 1: looking at what they would still be looking at, wanting 187 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:26,679 Speaker 1: to win the division, take the division from Green Bay 188 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 1: by by winning the last two games and seeing the 189 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 1: Packers lose the last two games. So this is this 190 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 1: is a as as high stakes a Packers Vikings rivalry 191 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:39,440 Speaker 1: game as we've seen in quite a while. It is. Yeah, 192 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:43,080 Speaker 1: and I go back to and they knew they were 193 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: in the playoffs. I mean, like you go back to 194 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 1: two thousand twelve, even when they were at the YEA. 195 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 1: Was definitely big because the Vikings that was at the 196 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 1: Metro Dome. The Vikings needed to win to get into 197 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 1: the playoffs. The Packers were. The Packers were in the 198 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:58,840 Speaker 1: playoffs and were the division champs, but we're looking to 199 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 1: win to get a first round by so there was 200 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 1: a lot on the line for both teams. Adrian Peterson 201 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: had the big monster game as he was chasing the 202 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:10,679 Speaker 1: single season. It was he was at a hundred ninety Yeah, 203 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 1: it was a hundred nineties something that he got. He 204 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:15,040 Speaker 1: ended up like seven or eight yards short of the record. 205 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 1: I think it was yah um and uh um. Yeah. 206 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: So the the Vikings got in the playoffs, the Packers 207 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 1: ended up having to play in the first round, which 208 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 1: ended up being against the Vikings. And then Christian Ponder 209 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: didn't play and Joe Webb was the quarterback and the 210 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:31,680 Speaker 1: Viking season ended at lambeau Field the following week. But 211 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 1: it's funny too because the Packers then had to go 212 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 1: on the road to San Francisco. We all know that 213 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: story very well. San Francisco got the bye instead of 214 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:41,439 Speaker 1: Green Bay is essentially what happened. The Vikings got the 215 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: last playoff spot instead of the Bears, and that result 216 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 1: at the Metrodome really just changed the whole course of 217 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:50,679 Speaker 1: the the NFC playoffs did, and it caused me to 218 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 1: do a midnight overnight drive back to green Bay, Wisconsin 219 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 1: because we had availability at seven thirty in the morning. 220 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:00,320 Speaker 1: Right that was that was an interesting time time, but 221 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 1: because when the Packers played on Saturday. But so all 222 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:05,400 Speaker 1: these things stitched together though, it shows you what the 223 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 1: stakes are and in the original point that you presented 224 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:10,719 Speaker 1: this is this is the highest stakes game between these 225 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 1: two teams in some time. And it's funny that no 226 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 1: matter what happens in this league where the Packers they 227 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:18,959 Speaker 1: went down for two years, Minnesota was out of the 228 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 1: playoffs last year, the cream really does always rise back 229 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:23,839 Speaker 1: to the top. And I think when you look at 230 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: not only Green Bay, but also Minnesota. During the Mike 231 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: Zimmer era, these have been two of the more consistent 232 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 1: teams in the NFL. So to see them square off 233 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:34,760 Speaker 1: here with these kind of steaks, uh, it is, it's it's. 234 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 1: I think it's a real testament to how those both 235 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:39,280 Speaker 1: of those teams have sort of pulled themselves back up 236 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 1: thought through adversity and now we're on the precipices again 237 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 1: here of the playoffs. But Minnesota, you can tell Mike, 238 00:11:44,880 --> 00:11:46,920 Speaker 1: And I'm sure Mike Zimmer's message all week long has 239 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: been to his guys, what's at stake, what we have 240 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:51,240 Speaker 1: to do to achieve. It doesn't matter who's out there, 241 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 1: this is our house. We have to protect it. So 242 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,319 Speaker 1: for green Bay, that is the uphill back climb that 243 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 1: they face going into that venue. Yeah, and just interesting 244 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:02,319 Speaker 1: how this season is ending schedule wise, with the Packers 245 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:05,440 Speaker 1: playing back to back division games on the road here 246 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,960 Speaker 1: in week sixteen and seventeen, the Vikings playing back to 247 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:12,080 Speaker 1: back division games at home to end the regular season. Um, 248 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 1: Packers have you know that leg up right now, but 249 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 1: they need to win in order to in order to 250 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:19,559 Speaker 1: keep that and they want to make a statement. I mean, 251 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:21,480 Speaker 1: that's the one thing I've been writing an inbox all week, 252 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 1: and it's one thing you and I have been talking about. 253 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:25,240 Speaker 1: You want to make a statement. As much as Minnesota 254 00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 1: I think needs a marquee win, I think Green Bay 255 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 1: to feel good about the wins over the Giants in 256 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 1: Washington and Chicago, they need to win over a winning 257 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 1: football team, a good football team, to show them, Okay, 258 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 1: what happened last month against San Francisco, that's an anomaly. 259 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:41,560 Speaker 1: We're going to press forward. We're going to be a contender. 260 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:43,640 Speaker 1: Well that and and that's the thing West, You and 261 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: I both know nobody's oblivious to the fact that the 262 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 1: the outside twelve six narrative on this Packers team is 263 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 1: the analysts looking at what happened in San Francisco, what 264 00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:59,199 Speaker 1: happened you know, in l A against the Chargers, that 265 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:02,319 Speaker 1: when this pack As team goes on the road, they're 266 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: they're a different team. They don't live up to, you know, 267 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:07,480 Speaker 1: what everybody thinks they could be or should be. And 268 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 1: and the Packers are being looked at as as not 269 00:13:10,920 --> 00:13:13,840 Speaker 1: as strong a contender frankly as the forty Niners and 270 00:13:13,880 --> 00:13:16,960 Speaker 1: the Seahawks and the Saints. For all the national analysts 271 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 1: that are looking at it. You completely change that narrative 272 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:23,719 Speaker 1: if you go into US Banks Stadium on Monday night 273 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 1: and pull out of victory every the and not that, 274 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 1: not that anybody inside this building, not that anybody in 275 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:31,440 Speaker 1: that Packers locker room or in the coach's offices on 276 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:34,439 Speaker 1: third floor above us care at all about what the 277 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 1: national the outside narrative is. I'm not saying that that 278 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:40,840 Speaker 1: you know, they couldn't care less about it, But it 279 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: will change dramatically and swiftly if the Packers go into 280 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 1: Minneapolis and get a win. Yeah, and I liken it 281 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 1: a lot to what happened in two thousand fourteen with 282 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 1: the Patriots. The Patriots came to lambou Field, things didn't 283 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:54,640 Speaker 1: go well for them. It was a really competitive football game, 284 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 1: but they lost. After that game, they went on a 285 00:13:57,280 --> 00:13:59,320 Speaker 1: four or five game winning streak to finish the regular 286 00:13:59,360 --> 00:14:00,839 Speaker 1: season and then just went all the way to the 287 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:03,559 Speaker 1: Super Bowl and won the darn thing. So there is 288 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 1: a lot to be said. I don't care what the 289 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:07,080 Speaker 1: opponent is, I don't care what the record is. If 290 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:08,640 Speaker 1: you find a way to get yourself on a four 291 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 1: or five game winning streak to end the regular season, 292 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 1: I can think of no better way to propel yourself 293 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:16,680 Speaker 1: into a postseason run. Yeah. Absolutely, Well, looking at some 294 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: of the other games here that impact the NFC playoff 295 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,440 Speaker 1: picture already mentioned, the Rams and the forty Niners are 296 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 1: playing on Saturday night. Packers fans Vikings fans will be 297 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:29,800 Speaker 1: on opposite sides there because the Vikings will be hoping 298 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 1: that the Rams lose because that gets them into the playoffs. 299 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: The Packers hoping that the Rams can win and stay 300 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 1: alive and hand the forty Niners another loss, which will 301 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:42,520 Speaker 1: which would help the Packers in their quest potentially for 302 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 1: a first round. By then, you look at Sunday's games. 303 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 1: The New Orleans Saints are on the road at the 304 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: Tennessee Titans. And then the other one is the Seattle Seahawks. 305 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 1: Are they at home or on the road. They're at 306 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:59,360 Speaker 1: home against the Cardinals. At home, they're at home against 307 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 1: the Cardinals. So Packers fans hoping that the Seahawks potentially 308 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 1: get another loss tagged on them if the Cardinals have 309 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: something left. Um as far as the Saints going to Tennessee, 310 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:12,960 Speaker 1: I've been you know how I've passed through all these 311 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,720 Speaker 1: different playoff things or whatever, I honestly can't really figure 312 00:15:16,760 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 1: out a realistic scenario where the Saints Titans game even 313 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 1: matters because it's against an a f C opponent. What 314 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:26,680 Speaker 1: I mean is, if the Saints were to lose, it 315 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:31,120 Speaker 1: doesn't really afford the Packers the opportunity to lose and 316 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 1: then still win the division against the Lions and get 317 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 1: the first round by. They would because the Saints are 318 00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:39,560 Speaker 1: playing an a f C opponent in this one. If 319 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: they were to lose and the Packers were to lose, 320 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:45,080 Speaker 1: the tiebreaker thing gets all changed around and the Packers 321 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:47,200 Speaker 1: would still need the Saints to lose to the Panthers 322 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 1: the following week in order to get the first round by. 323 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 1: So yeah, sure, cheer for the Titans and and you 324 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 1: know if you don't want the Saints to win, But honestly, 325 00:15:56,360 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 1: I just don't think that game really matters in in 326 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 1: the big picture, just the way the schedule fell. Yeah, 327 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 1: it probably doesn't because the Packers still have to win 328 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:05,520 Speaker 1: their games to be able to keep that laid ahead 329 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 1: of the Saints. But you know who doesn't like to 330 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 1: see a nice little Saints lost your division or your conference. 331 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 1: They are going on they are going on the road, 332 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:15,920 Speaker 1: against a team that's fighting for a lot because Tennessee 333 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:18,000 Speaker 1: is right in the picture in uh in the a 334 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:20,120 Speaker 1: f C. And and the Saints have had some issues 335 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:22,120 Speaker 1: on the road. Yeah, and this is actually really good test. 336 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 1: I love Mike Vrabel's defense. I think that's a really 337 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: good unit. I think that's been the strength, that's been 338 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 1: what they've carried their hat on this season. Is what 339 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 1: exactly they've done so far and being able to, you know, 340 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 1: win these games a lot of times with what they 341 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:35,840 Speaker 1: do on the defensive side of the and the resurrection 342 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 1: of Ryan Tannehill at quarter absolutely and and Tannehill playing 343 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 1: my strake mistake free football and not allowing them to 344 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: win some ballgames. So yeah, you're right though they still 345 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 1: have a lot to play for. Is they try to 346 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 1: make a chase here and Vrabel obviously trying to put 347 00:16:48,080 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 1: his own system in place. So if you can take 348 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,080 Speaker 1: out the Saints, you're feeling pretty good about yourself. But yeah, 349 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 1: that is a tough task and certainly uh challenge there 350 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:58,840 Speaker 1: for for Tennessee. Yeah, before we go one, I want 351 00:16:58,840 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 1: to get your opinion has absolutely nothing to do with 352 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: the Packers, but Buffalo Bills versus New England Patriots. What 353 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:07,199 Speaker 1: do you think? Yeah, interesting, right, I think it's I 354 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:10,760 Speaker 1: think it's really interesting because the Patriots have not exactly 355 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:14,520 Speaker 1: looked like the Patriots, and Buffalo's defense is really good. Yeah, 356 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 1: so Patriots defense is exemplary. That's one of the reasons 357 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 1: that they are where they are. But it's funny how 358 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 1: much the sentiment has changed from the first time these 359 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 1: teams played each other, because if you go back early 360 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 1: in the season, that was the only winning team that 361 00:17:25,359 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 1: the Patriots had played. They handled them fine, uh, and 362 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:30,960 Speaker 1: they just went up out their way. Buffalo starting to 363 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:33,080 Speaker 1: feel a little bit better about itself and the Patriots 364 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 1: have kind of gone through this mid season lull, this 365 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:37,080 Speaker 1: this mid to late season laws, so seeing how they 366 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:39,440 Speaker 1: bounced from back from it is going to be interesting. 367 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: And certainly with Josh Allen, Buffalo's had. Buffalo's chalked up 368 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 1: some nice road wins this year. I mean everybody saw 369 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 1: obviously on Thanksgiving they won at Dallas, but Buffalo has 370 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:52,639 Speaker 1: also won at Tennessee and they won at Pittsburgh in 371 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 1: a primetime game last week. So, uh, now they go 372 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:58,919 Speaker 1: they go into Foxborough trying to even up that season 373 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 1: series against the Patriots. I also do have to ask 374 00:18:01,040 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 1: the NFC East. I was waiting for the cow Boys 375 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:06,359 Speaker 1: Cowboys almost I almost forgot about it again because it 376 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:09,239 Speaker 1: doesn't it just doesn't affect the Packers. I'm sure when 377 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:12,359 Speaker 1: we get to our hotel Saturday afternoon and Miny or 378 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:15,919 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, will all be turning 379 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 1: on our TVs to watch this or we will. We'll see. 380 00:18:19,320 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 1: I don't know how much I want to put my 381 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 1: eyeballs through that, but well we'll see exactly how come on, 382 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:25,560 Speaker 1: it's it's I think it's going to be an interesting game. 383 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 1: Though it could be very interesting. But it's kind of like, 384 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 1: you know, like you remember all those old wrestling posters 385 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:32,160 Speaker 1: when you were a kid, or maybe boxing where they 386 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:34,320 Speaker 1: have like the big Marquee matchup and they have like 387 00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 1: a big phrase on the bottom makes you want to 388 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:38,920 Speaker 1: buy the pay per viewer for the Tallas Cowboys in 389 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:41,720 Speaker 1: philadelph Eagles. Mine would be who wants It? I'd be 390 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:45,520 Speaker 1: like right on the bottom it like who wants this thing? Hey? 391 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:48,199 Speaker 1: All the jokes aside Dallas. I thought that was a 392 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 1: gut check moment for them last week. Big big win, 393 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:53,800 Speaker 1: Big win for the Cowboys and looked impressive doing it 394 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:57,120 Speaker 1: because kind of like the the New Orleans Saints thing 395 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:59,720 Speaker 1: that you were outlying as far lays of packers. If 396 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:02,160 Speaker 1: the how Boys lose that game to the Rams, doesn't 397 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:04,920 Speaker 1: really matter, Maybe not because you can come right back 398 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:07,880 Speaker 1: and be Philly. But man, good luck beating the Eagles. 399 00:19:08,200 --> 00:19:10,560 Speaker 1: Just no matter how banged up they are, it's gonna 400 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 1: be difficult to beat that team if you don't have 401 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 1: something to feel good about. The Cowboys were able to 402 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:17,360 Speaker 1: do that. They handled it better than average Rams team 403 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:19,879 Speaker 1: at home. And here they are now going into Lincoln 404 00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:22,640 Speaker 1: Financial and seeing if they can hold onto this this division. Yeah, 405 00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 1: the Cowboys can clinch the division with a win. If 406 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:29,080 Speaker 1: they lose, then the division comes down to Week seventeen 407 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 1: and the Cowboys and Eagles are playing the Giants and 408 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 1: the Reds. I'm not sure who has whom but Carson 409 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:37,359 Speaker 1: Wentz though, I gotta give it up to Carson Wentz. 410 00:19:37,400 --> 00:19:39,879 Speaker 1: He's sometimes We talked about two thousand and fifteen with 411 00:19:39,920 --> 00:19:42,359 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers with how banged up everything God, and it 412 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:45,000 Speaker 1: was like, Okay, the offense just had to be Aaron 413 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:47,400 Speaker 1: Rodgers and making it work with all these pieces. That's 414 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:49,640 Speaker 1: where Carson Wentz is at right now. Last week throwing 415 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:51,800 Speaker 1: for three or thirty some yards or whatever it was 416 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:54,880 Speaker 1: without having really any of his starting receivers and being 417 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:58,160 Speaker 1: down all that person way deep in their depth chart 418 00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:01,360 Speaker 1: at the skill position he is holding them in this 419 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 1: playoff run here to try and you know, make something 420 00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 1: out of what has been a really you know season 421 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:07,080 Speaker 1: full of a lot of adverse. Yeah. I think it 422 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:09,760 Speaker 1: could be a really interesting atmosphere at Lincoln Financial and 423 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:12,720 Speaker 1: Philadelphia with the Cowboys coming to town on what's at stake, 424 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:14,840 Speaker 1: But it should be a fun weekend of football heading 425 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:17,359 Speaker 1: into the big show down Monday Night. With that, we 426 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:19,479 Speaker 1: will call it a wrap on this edition and this 427 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:22,679 Speaker 1: week of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of 428 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:24,679 Speaker 1: our coverage of the team and all the coverage of 429 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:28,400 Speaker 1: the big game on Monday Night football for Minneapolis. Subscribe 430 00:20:28,440 --> 00:20:31,080 Speaker 1: to us like us on iTunes and other podcast services, 431 00:20:31,119 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 1: and check out the Packers YouTube channel for all kinds 432 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:38,120 Speaker 1: of video content. Thanks for tuning in, everybody, We'll see 433 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 1: you next time.