1 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford, joined as always 3 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:16,759 Speaker 1: by my partner in Crime West and Hodkoitz. We're coming 4 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:19,600 Speaker 1: to you hear from our studios at lambeau Field West. 5 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:21,479 Speaker 1: Were just a couple of days away from hopping on 6 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: another airplane to head to the Mile High City for 7 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: Sunday afternoon, a three twenty five pm Central Time kickoff 8 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: between the Packers and the Broncos. So let's take a 9 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:37,440 Speaker 1: look at this Denver Broncos squad. One in five is 10 00:00:37,479 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 1: the record. Kind of hard to really make out where 11 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:43,920 Speaker 1: this team is going. They lost their first two games 12 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,040 Speaker 1: of the season by a total of three points, a 13 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: couple of very close losses. Then you have the seventy 14 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: points heard around the world by the Miami Dolphins and 15 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: the game that everybody was talking about for so long, 16 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: but most recently against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas 17 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:06,120 Speaker 1: City Chiefs. The Broncos stayed right in the game, lost 18 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 1: a tough one on a Thursday night. Nineteen to eight 19 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 1: was the final score. Certainly, Mahomes and company did not 20 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:15,479 Speaker 1: light up that Broncos defense. So where do you think 21 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 1: things stand here for Denver heading into this matchup on Sunday, a. 22 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:21,560 Speaker 2: Game opponent, and I think that was one of the 23 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 2: big things that Matt Lafleur drilled home. I'm sure with 24 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 2: the team, but definitely with the media just talking about 25 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:31,200 Speaker 2: how you know, you have to look at what the 26 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 2: Broncos have in terms of their arsenal of playmakers, and 27 00:01:35,920 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 2: they're there on both sides of the ball. It hasn't 28 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:43,200 Speaker 2: equated to wins yet, and certainly that loss to the 29 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:45,839 Speaker 2: Dolphins is one that is going to be hard to escape, 30 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:49,560 Speaker 2: both statistically and narratively the rest of the season. Whoever 31 00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:54,080 Speaker 2: the Broncos play, that's going to be a topic. Certainly. 32 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 2: I think the Packers were tackling that the right way. 33 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 2: But I'll tell you what, Mike, you know, looking specific 34 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 2: at that defense, because the Broncos had some real difficulty 35 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 2: against Kansas City in terms of Denver's offense, but defensively, 36 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:09,839 Speaker 2: that was a really game performance. And I think when 37 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 2: you look at their defense, and we'll talk, we'll break 38 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:15,440 Speaker 2: down everything here in a second, but they were not 39 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 2: intimidated by the threat of Patrick Mahomes. I don't think 40 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:22,679 Speaker 2: Patrick certan junior was intimidated at the perimeter weapons there. 41 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 2: They looked at that like that was a team they 42 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:28,639 Speaker 2: should be competing with, and largely kept their football team 43 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:32,239 Speaker 2: in the game because of that performance. So Broncos, you know, 44 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 2: they're not coming off a full by week like Green Bay, 45 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 2: but they are coming off an extended mini by. Yeah, 46 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 2: and I'm expecting, especially when you look at the injury report, 47 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:43,360 Speaker 2: the Packers are going to get Denver's best effort on Sunday. 48 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 1: Yeah. These are the numbers as it relates to that 49 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 1: Broncos defense. They've allowed over one thousand rushing yards through 50 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 1: six games, eight rushing touchdowns, five point six yards per carry, 51 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:57,480 Speaker 1: which is just a frightening number if you're a Denver 52 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 1: Broncos fan. Against the pass, seven twenty six point four 53 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 1: percent completions by opposing quarterbacks and an opposing passer rating 54 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:11,760 Speaker 1: of one seventeen point eight. Those are some dreadful numbers. 55 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:16,080 Speaker 1: And here's the thing is, I've been trying to figure 56 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 1: out because you know, they had a hard time stopping 57 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:22,679 Speaker 1: the Bears, they had a hard time stopping the Washington Commanders. 58 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: They've given up not just the seventy points, but they've 59 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 1: had they've had other games prior to the game against 60 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: Kansas City, They've had some other games where they've really 61 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:35,480 Speaker 1: struggled against offenses that haven't exactly been lighting things up. 62 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 1: And this is what I've been kind of trying to 63 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:42,600 Speaker 1: figure out. Okay, so was last week the Thursday night game? 64 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 1: You know, it's a short week, it's a divisional opponent, 65 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 1: like familiarity and all that. Those games can get kind 66 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: of weird Thursday night divisional games, right, So how much 67 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 1: do you really how much do you really put into that? 68 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 1: But at the end of the day, I kind of 69 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 1: throw it all out the window because of something that 70 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 1: Matt Lafleur said on Wednesday after practice, which is that 71 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: this game is not about the Denver Broncos. This game 72 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 1: is about the Green Bay Packers in them getting their 73 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: own house in order. This is with where the Packers 74 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 1: have been offensively, only scoring one field goal in the 75 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 1: first half total I'm sorry, two field goals in the 76 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:24,560 Speaker 1: first half total of the last three games. It does 77 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 1: not matter one with the opponent on the other side 78 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,720 Speaker 1: here after the Packers are coming off of this bye week, 79 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 1: it's about It's about this offense figuring itself out and 80 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 1: getting things going earlier in games like we talked about, 81 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:40,560 Speaker 1: and yes, the Broncos have some ugly numbers and all that, 82 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 1: but quite frankly, just that just doesn't matter because the 83 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 1: Packers have to get it figured out. 84 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 2: The whole of Denver's defense I think has been the 85 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:52,839 Speaker 2: weak link there. I know that's a weird way to 86 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:55,120 Speaker 2: go about saying it, but I think it's the collective. 87 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 2: I think they have just had too many holes in 88 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 2: different areas that have allowed teams to have success. But 89 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:04,279 Speaker 2: Nick Benito is right up there in sacks in the 90 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 2: NFL right now. He's really come on for them season. 91 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 2: Justin Simmons is an All Pro Kareem Jackson has been 92 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 2: doing this forever. Patrick stan Junior has been doing this 93 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 2: at a high level now for three seasons. Also in 94 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,679 Speaker 2: All Pro, they have people who are more than willing 95 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:23,039 Speaker 2: to take the football away and pressure your quarterback. For 96 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:26,080 Speaker 2: the green Bay Packers. In addition to everything you said 97 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 2: about how it is about what Green Bay is doing 98 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 2: and about being efficient and about approving in the areas 99 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 2: that they've struggled with in the first half of the season, 100 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 2: first quarter of the season. But for me, it goes 101 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 2: back to the little things that they started to do 102 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 2: well against Vegas, running the football, committing themselves to the run. 103 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:46,680 Speaker 2: Whether or not Aaron Jones is out there on Sunday, 104 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:50,560 Speaker 2: the Packers are optimistic, hopeful that potentially he could be back. 105 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 2: He was practicing this week again in a limited capacity. 106 00:05:53,839 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 2: But as you said, Mike, five point six yards per carry, 107 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:01,279 Speaker 2: the boilerplate, the blueprint, the proto type is there for 108 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:04,160 Speaker 2: teams beating the Denver Broncos this season. It's being able 109 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 2: to run the football. What did Kansas City largely struggle 110 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 2: with in that game against the Broncos. They didn't really 111 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 2: establish the run very well, and that created opportunities for 112 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 2: the secondary to take the ball away from Patrick Mahomes. 113 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:18,240 Speaker 2: Even though he threw for three hundred yards, there were 114 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 2: some interceptions there that kept the game closer than probably 115 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:24,599 Speaker 2: a lot of people thought it should have been. So yeah, 116 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 2: I agree. I think it comes out with Green Bay 117 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 2: being able to finally set the tone, being able to 118 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 2: establish the run early, regardless of who's available in the background, 119 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 2: and then ultimately protecting the football because if the Denver 120 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,440 Speaker 2: Broncos take the football away, you know, you've seen it 121 00:06:38,520 --> 00:06:41,719 Speaker 2: so many times. What Russell Wilson. A very opportunistic bunch 122 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:43,280 Speaker 2: on that side of the ball are willing to do 123 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 2: and they didn't give up last week. I mean they 124 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 2: stayed with it right up until the very end, and 125 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 2: ultimately we're finally able to find the touchdown, just not 126 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:51,120 Speaker 2: enough points to win. Yeah. 127 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 1: Well, speaking of Russell Wilson, he of course is the 128 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:56,919 Speaker 1: leader at quarterback. The Packers have seen him many a 129 00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: time as the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks. Now it's 130 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 1: for a different West Coast team. A couple of interesting 131 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 1: statistics with regard to Wilson. For one, he's been sacked 132 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 1: nineteen times in six games, which is a pretty high number. 133 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: But on the flip side of it, in six games, 134 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 1: he has one hundred and fifty rushing yards, And as 135 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,400 Speaker 1: I mentioned in our three Things video that we shot 136 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 1: after practice on Wednesday, you look at Russell Wilson having 137 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 1: one hundred and fifty rushing yards through six games is 138 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:31,560 Speaker 1: sort of is a hearkening back to the past almost. 139 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 1: I mean that one hundred and fifty yards is more 140 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:37,040 Speaker 1: than half of his total from all of last season, 141 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 1: and it's more than the total of rushing yards that 142 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:43,520 Speaker 1: he had two years ago. So Russell Wilson in terms 143 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:46,560 Speaker 1: of in terms of his mobility and getting out of 144 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:50,200 Speaker 1: the pocket and trying to provide that dual threat is 145 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 1: looking a little bit more like the Russell Wilson of 146 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 1: a few years ago, of a handful of years ago, 147 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: rather than maybe the one whose first season in Denver 148 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:00,200 Speaker 1: didn't go so well. 149 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 2: And I don't even think so much about that number 150 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 2: in terms of the rushing yards. I think about the 151 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 2: number he talked about back in August, which was fifteen 152 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 2: fifteen pounds that he lost this offseason. I think you 153 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 2: see it in his play style. I mean, I don't 154 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 2: think it was him getting out of shape or anything. 155 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 2: I think it was more about what he was trying 156 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:18,280 Speaker 2: to build himself into last year and realizing that, Okay, 157 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:19,840 Speaker 2: I probably need to get back to more of the 158 00:08:19,880 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 2: fundamentals of the position, what I do well in order 159 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 2: to thrive. And you mentioned the sack numbers. I think 160 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:27,600 Speaker 2: that probably goes along with that too. He's trying to 161 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:30,080 Speaker 2: extend plays more, He's trying to get outside of the pocket. 162 00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:33,559 Speaker 2: The problem for Wilson has been the inadvert the inadvice 163 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 2: throws in some of these interceptions, and I think it's 164 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 2: it's been. When you are struggling the way that the 165 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:42,440 Speaker 2: Broncos are struggling right now, there is no margin for error. 166 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 2: If you have an interception, it tends to bleed. If 167 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 2: you give up seven hundred and seventy yards or whatever 168 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 2: it was against the Miami Dolphins, it tends to bleed 169 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:53,360 Speaker 2: when you're giving up the explosive plays. Denver's trying to 170 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 2: hang its hat on something right now, and I think 171 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 2: the basic idea of what Sean Payton's trying to do 172 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 2: with this offense is that the problem is they just 173 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 2: haven't been consistent enough with the run. I mean, Wilson 174 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 2: is like forty yards off of being their leading rusher 175 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 2: right now. And then you know, Jerry Judy's been quiet 176 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 2: so far this season. I think Courtland Sutton's had some 177 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 2: pretty solid performances. But they're trying to bridge the gap 178 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:18,640 Speaker 2: between being a team that is in a rebuild mode 179 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:21,960 Speaker 2: but yet still having a franchise quarterback that they invested 180 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:26,199 Speaker 2: heavily into less than two years ago. But Green Bay 181 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 2: seen it. They've seen Russell Wilson at his best, and 182 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 2: they've also seen Russell Wilson at his worst. And I 183 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:32,720 Speaker 2: think for the Green Bay Packers, a team that desperately 184 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:34,839 Speaker 2: needs to get a victory here on the road in 185 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 2: what is going to be a very passionate road environment 186 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 2: from our experiences at Mile High. They have to find 187 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 2: a way to contain Wilson. They have to find a 188 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 2: way to turn the ball over. 189 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, I want to get a little bit more 190 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 1: into the keys to victory, but I'll take care of 191 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:52,080 Speaker 1: some sponsor business here. First West at Cousins Oh wait, sorry, 192 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 1: I forgot serious XM NFL Radius one first delivers hard 193 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:59,680 Speaker 1: hitting analysis and up to the minute NFL news that 194 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:03,600 Speaker 1: true football fanatics need twenty four to seven, three sixty five. 195 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: And at Cousin Subs, we have something for everyone like 196 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 1: our Wisconsin cheese curds, mac and cheese, golden fries, and 197 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: creamy shakes, all paired with your favorite sub or sub 198 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 1: in a bowl. Cousin Subs fifty years of better. 199 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:18,199 Speaker 2: Can I say one last thing, yeah, before I get going, 200 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 2: one thing to keep in mind. Russell Wilson right now 201 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 2: fourth in the NFL and touchdown passes ninety nine passer rating, 202 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:27,920 Speaker 2: Like people want to kind of make a joke about 203 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 2: the Broncos being at one and five right now. But 204 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 2: they have been doing some things well. And that's one thing. 205 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 1: Ye yeah, And I was I was gonna say as too. 206 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 1: As much as we've talked about, you know, Packers need 207 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 1: to start games better. You need to reduce that margin 208 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 1: for air. You'd like to obviously be playing with a 209 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:45,200 Speaker 1: lead as opposed to playing from behind the way the 210 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: Packers have been on a regular basis lately. You're not 211 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,319 Speaker 1: going to. All you have to do is look at 212 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:55,880 Speaker 1: that game a few weeks ago at Soldier Field, as 213 00:10:55,960 --> 00:10:58,319 Speaker 1: down as the Broncos may be at one in five, 214 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: and they didn't have a victory at all when they 215 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 1: were in Chicago and they were down two touchdowns in 216 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:06,840 Speaker 1: the second half, and they came roaring back in the 217 00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 1: fourth quarter and took it to the Bears and stole 218 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 1: one there from Chicago. So Packers are going to have 219 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:15,840 Speaker 1: to be prepared for a sixty minute fight here, regardless 220 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 1: of regardless of the record, regardless of how the first 221 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:21,400 Speaker 1: fifty two and a half minutes of this game go. 222 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 1: So that being said, anything else with regard to the 223 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:28,560 Speaker 1: keys to victory for the Packers that stands out to you. 224 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:30,680 Speaker 2: Winning the ground game is going to be the biggest 225 00:11:30,720 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 2: thing here because as I talked about, you know, you 226 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 2: look at what Green Bay has done, and again, I 227 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 2: know there wasn't a big explosive run against the Las 228 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:40,959 Speaker 2: Vegas Raiders, but even John Runny and listen to some 229 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,240 Speaker 2: of these guys talk about in the locker room, the 230 00:11:43,280 --> 00:11:46,600 Speaker 2: basic idea was there in terms of what they look 231 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:49,559 Speaker 2: to achieve. And you know, again it is more than 232 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:53,760 Speaker 2: just one player. But I think about you know, Rob 233 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 2: Demovski wrote a lot of stories about, hey, we haven't 234 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:59,199 Speaker 2: seen Christian Watson and we haven't seen Romeo Dobbs together 235 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:02,440 Speaker 2: too much. We still have really not seen Christian Watson 236 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:05,200 Speaker 2: and Aaron Jones together too much. Too. A guy that 237 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:09,280 Speaker 2: can stretch a team horizontally and vertically right, and in 238 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 2: those are the aspects that I think can really be 239 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:13,960 Speaker 2: successful for a game like this for Green Bay. Because 240 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 2: one of the stories I wrote this week and was 241 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 2: one of the big topics in the locker room on Wednesday, 242 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:21,679 Speaker 2: was you know, green Bay, it's funny the big narrative 243 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 2: with Matt Lafleur and with Jordan Love, everybody's talking about 244 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 2: third downs. They have to get better on third downs 245 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:28,599 Speaker 2: green Bay right now, is middle of the road. I 246 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:30,840 Speaker 2: think they're like twelve right now on third down offense. 247 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:33,720 Speaker 2: But the problem is the amount of third and long 248 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 2: conversions they've had to make in order to achieve that, 249 00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:39,600 Speaker 2: and there's been turnovers that have fallen into that as well. 250 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:43,079 Speaker 2: But when Green Bay can get themselves in third and short, 251 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:47,319 Speaker 2: they're winning. They're sustaining drives, and that's where I really 252 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:49,040 Speaker 2: think this game is going to be won and lost. 253 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 2: How do you contain Williams and McLaughlin and Wilson in 254 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 2: the run game that Denver presents, and how do you 255 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:59,120 Speaker 2: find a way to control the game on your side 256 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 2: of things, whether it is Jones, Dylan, whoever carrying the football. 257 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 2: That's really my biggest area for this one. 258 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, what sticks out to me, And I'll say it 259 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 1: here on the show, I'm gonna say it probably when 260 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:13,599 Speaker 1: we shoot final thoughts tomorrow. I'll say it at the 261 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 1: Pepperelli in Denver. And it goes back to Lafleur's comment 262 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 1: about this game being about the Packers and not so 263 00:13:20,920 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: much about the opponent, about the Broncos, and it comes 264 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:27,959 Speaker 1: down to the Packers offensively. I think playing clean football, 265 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 1: they've reduced the penalties. The penalties were a big issue 266 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:33,920 Speaker 1: when they fell behind seventeen to nothing to the New 267 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 1: Orleans Saints through three quarters. Over the last couple of games, 268 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:40,359 Speaker 1: the penalties have cleaned up a little bit, at least offensively. 269 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 1: It'd be nice to see the penalties cleaned up on 270 00:13:42,360 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 1: special teams as well. But clean football is also about 271 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:51,960 Speaker 1: avoiding the negative plays, you know, the sacks that have 272 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,880 Speaker 1: put them in some tough down and distant situations. We 273 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:58,600 Speaker 1: saw what happened a sack preseeds an interception in Vegas 274 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 1: because you're in second and seven. The running plays that 275 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:07,679 Speaker 1: are called not every running play is going to work magnificently, 276 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 1: but if a running play is called into a bad look, 277 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:13,960 Speaker 1: say can you get out of that with just a 278 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:16,120 Speaker 1: zero or a one yard gain as opposed to a 279 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: three or four yard loss. Because second and nine doesn't 280 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 1: take you out of the running game, second and thirteen 281 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 1: or second and fourteen often does, and the defense is 282 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:30,160 Speaker 1: then dictating what you're going to do. So it's avoiding 283 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 1: those it's avoiding those negative plays making the best out 284 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 1: of some bad situations. As you said, then to get 285 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 1: into the third down situations where the percentage of conversion 286 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: goes up because because you know, when you're at third 287 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:48,840 Speaker 1: and three or less, the whole playbook is open. When 288 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 1: you're at third and seven or more, the defense pretty 289 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: much knows what you're going to do, unless you're in 290 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:56,240 Speaker 1: you know, sort of that four down territory area where 291 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 1: they might have to play you a little more honestly, 292 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 1: but but yeah, it's down in distance. Is what is 293 00:15:03,160 --> 00:15:06,520 Speaker 1: something that Matt LeFleur focused on a lot on Wednesday 294 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 1: that that has really been more than anything in the 295 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: biggest downfall. And there are a lot of factors. Sometimes 296 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 1: it's been the penalties, other times it's been negative runs, 297 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: or it's been sacks. The Packers just have to clean 298 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:19,960 Speaker 1: up their game. They have to play clean football against 299 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 1: a defense that for the most part, has struggled this year. 300 00:15:22,720 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 1: And if they do that, I think they'll be in 301 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 1: a position to win the ballgame. 302 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 2: Two things. One that you can't allow the Broncos to 303 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 2: pin their ears back because that's where Benito has been 304 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 2: very successful and that's where justin Simmons is how many 305 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 2: interceptions over the last five years, you know, just being 306 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:39,280 Speaker 2: an opportunistic on the back end and sure being that 307 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 2: ballhawk over the top if you are. And I think 308 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 2: that's one of the reasons why Kansas City got into 309 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 2: a little bit of a problem there is that Mahomes 310 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 2: was making some great throws in that game, but he 311 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:50,360 Speaker 2: was asking a receiving cord that I don't think would 312 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 2: be confused with being the best in the National Football 313 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:54,680 Speaker 2: League right now, to make some big catches on third 314 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 2: and long. So that's going to be a big piece 315 00:15:57,520 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 2: of this thing. But the other aspect of it, because 316 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 2: there's so much coaching that I've been doing so far, 317 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 2: but the Packers do need to feel confident. They need 318 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 2: to feel like, hey, we are a team that has 319 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:08,760 Speaker 2: given it. You know, we gave it right too the 320 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:11,480 Speaker 2: Chicago Bears in their stadium. We came back in some 321 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 2: inadverse situations against the Saints to win there, and the 322 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:16,840 Speaker 2: Saints are now up to three and three. We've had 323 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 2: moments where we've looked like a really good football team. 324 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 2: Denver hasn't had as many of those moments. Denver is 325 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:25,160 Speaker 2: one in five. They are going to be, you know, 326 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 2: dealing with, you know, some guys that are talented but 327 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 2: are kind of banged up. The week after this, you 328 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 2: have the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers need to be confident 329 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 2: about where they're at right now, because three of the 330 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 2: next four are at home. They have to travel again here. 331 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 2: But you want to feel like you're a team that 332 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 2: can go out there and expect to win a football game. 333 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 2: And I think having that mentality is also going to 334 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 2: be very important, understanding that, yeah, we have lost back 335 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:51,080 Speaker 2: to back games, but we still can be a team 336 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 2: that can be messed with and feared in the National 337 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 2: Football League. 338 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 1: I think when you look at when you look at 339 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 1: what's gone on with the Packers the last few weeks, 340 00:16:58,960 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 1: I think one of the things that that's been so 341 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:04,359 Speaker 1: frustrating is you see how this team looks in the 342 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:07,120 Speaker 1: fourth quarter against New Orleans. You see how this team 343 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 1: looks in the third quarter against Detroit when everything had 344 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:13,440 Speaker 1: gone against them the entire first half. It's twenty seven 345 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 1: to three, and all of a sudden, you get to 346 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:17,920 Speaker 1: the fourth quarter and it's twenty seven to seventeen. You've 347 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:21,720 Speaker 1: given yourself a shot. The first half against Vegas on 348 00:17:21,760 --> 00:17:24,879 Speaker 1: Monday night football was pretty ugly, but then the third 349 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:27,640 Speaker 1: quarter was some pretty darn good football. And you get 350 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:30,520 Speaker 1: into when you talk about what we've been talking about 351 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:34,520 Speaker 1: with offense. You see AJ Dillon carry five consecutive times 352 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 1: from the twenty nine yard line all the way in 353 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 1: and power the ball in there for a touchdown. And 354 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:42,040 Speaker 1: then what do they do on their first offensive play 355 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:45,560 Speaker 1: of the next series, play action rollout. It's a coverage 356 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 1: bus because the Raiders are all worried about just getting 357 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 1: the ball rammed down their throat by AJ Dillon and 358 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 1: Christian Watson's wide opening gets a seventy seven yard game. 359 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:58,159 Speaker 1: That third quarter in Vegas was what you want to 360 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:01,280 Speaker 1: see from the Packers. But one or every game doesn't 361 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 1: do it. It's gonna give you a chance to win. 362 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 1: And they've had a chance to win all these last 363 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:08,919 Speaker 1: three games. Fortunately they were able to win one of them. 364 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:11,800 Speaker 1: But playing only one quarter like that every week is 365 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:14,159 Speaker 1: not gonna cut it. It's only gonna give you that chance. 366 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 1: And then, and then can you squeeze through that thin 367 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:19,639 Speaker 1: margin for air to pull it out. You start playing 368 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:22,680 Speaker 1: two or two and a half quarters of that level 369 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:25,000 Speaker 1: of dominant football, which is not easy to do in 370 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:28,439 Speaker 1: this league. But if you start doing that, you start 371 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:31,160 Speaker 1: opening up that margin for air and giving yourselves more 372 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:34,880 Speaker 1: opportunities to win. And the Packers have seen it. They've done. 373 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 1: They've had a good stretch of football in every game. 374 00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: They just have to expand that now. 375 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:41,400 Speaker 2: And I don't know if we'll end up coming back 376 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:43,480 Speaker 2: to this next Tuesday. If we do, feel free to 377 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 2: remind me of this. But what happens in this game? 378 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:49,920 Speaker 2: Do the Packers start fast in the first quarter or 379 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 2: the third? If they can start fast in the first quarter, 380 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 2: I really like their chances in this game because Denver, 381 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:57,600 Speaker 2: for whatever reasons, has a really hard time getting out 382 00:18:57,600 --> 00:18:59,919 Speaker 2: of the locker room after halftime this season. Yeah, they have, 383 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:02,639 Speaker 2: So that's going to be a big area here for 384 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:05,359 Speaker 2: Green Bay. Again. I don't want to keep hammering it, 385 00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:07,439 Speaker 2: but when you think about some of those drives and 386 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:09,600 Speaker 2: the times they've been really successful, and Matt Lafleur as 387 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 2: their head coach, it's been going out there, driving the 388 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,439 Speaker 2: ball downfield and putting up points right off the bat. 389 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:16,520 Speaker 2: That has to be a big staple for them in 390 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:16,880 Speaker 2: this one. 391 00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:20,000 Speaker 1: Yeah. Absolutely, Well, Before we go, I want to take 392 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 1: a look at some other games around the NFL that 393 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:27,359 Speaker 1: Packers fans may be interested in with regard to Week seven. 394 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 1: The first one is the NFC North leader the Detroit 395 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:33,640 Speaker 1: Lions an interesting challenge here. They go on the road 396 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 1: with their five to one record to face the Baltimore Ravens. 397 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:40,639 Speaker 1: And of course, what makes this interesting is because the 398 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:44,880 Speaker 1: Lions defense is playing really, really, really well. But anytime 399 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 1: you go up against Lamar Jackson and a Baltimore Ravens offense, 400 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:53,120 Speaker 1: that's a different kind of ballgame. It's a different kind 401 00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:55,600 Speaker 1: of defense you have to play. Will the Lions be 402 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:58,160 Speaker 1: up to that challenge. I think that's a very intriguing 403 00:19:58,200 --> 00:19:59,920 Speaker 1: matchup with Baltimore playing at home. 404 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:02,359 Speaker 2: I love the way that Baltimore has built out this 405 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:05,440 Speaker 2: team this season too, because obviously they lost Dobbins there 406 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:07,400 Speaker 2: that that was a big hit right off the bat, 407 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 2: but they seem to have found weapons that compliment Jackson 408 00:20:16,440 --> 00:20:19,159 Speaker 2: on the perimeter, and that has been a big issue 409 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:21,320 Speaker 2: for them the last few years. Yeah, you have Mark Andrews, 410 00:20:21,680 --> 00:20:24,399 Speaker 2: but I mean Zay Flowers has had some really strong 411 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:27,399 Speaker 2: performances for them so far this season, and he's a 412 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:30,280 Speaker 2: guy that has been there when he has yet been needed. 413 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:33,240 Speaker 2: And I think it's gonna be really interesting to see 414 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:37,840 Speaker 2: how Detroit handles a quarterback like Lamar who's going to 415 00:20:38,119 --> 00:20:42,359 Speaker 2: not only threaten them downfield, but what he can do 416 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 2: with his legs, and sometimes it will result in a 417 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:47,679 Speaker 2: scramble for yards. Sometimes it results in a scramble for 418 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:51,199 Speaker 2: a downfield opportunity. The integrity of the defense is going 419 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:53,520 Speaker 2: to be challenged in this one, and certainly for Detroit. 420 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 2: It's another one of those litmus tests, one of those 421 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:59,240 Speaker 2: measuring sticks to see. Okay, we've beaten some teams so 422 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:01,240 Speaker 2: far this season, and we've beaten some good teams so 423 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:03,359 Speaker 2: far this season. But when you take on one of 424 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:07,040 Speaker 2: the more consistent veteran Leyden squads in the National Football 425 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:10,480 Speaker 2: League and uncommon opponent at that, yeah, can you rise 426 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:12,320 Speaker 2: to that occasion and meet that challenge? 427 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:14,160 Speaker 1: Yeah? I think that's a I think that's a really 428 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:17,200 Speaker 1: intriguing one. Another one Packers fans might want to keep 429 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:19,719 Speaker 1: an eye on, just because they are two opponents that 430 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 1: the Packers will be playing within the next month. The 431 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:25,840 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh Steelers are at the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams, 432 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:28,760 Speaker 1: I think playing better football than a lot of people 433 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:30,760 Speaker 1: thought they would coming off of a rough season in 434 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:34,920 Speaker 1: twenty twenty two, and the Steelers with a scary defense 435 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:37,600 Speaker 1: quite frankly that you wonder if they can ever find 436 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:42,520 Speaker 1: some sort of consistency and reliability, you know, production wise. 437 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:45,880 Speaker 1: On offense, the Pittsburgh Steelers could become a much more 438 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 1: serious threat with that defense they have. Those are two 439 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 1: teams the Packers are going to see here in the 440 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:52,359 Speaker 1: very near future. 441 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:54,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, I get the thing I love most right now 442 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 2: watching this is the Rams. Doesn't matter what year it is, 443 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:02,480 Speaker 2: the storyline is always the same. They have no running game. No, 444 00:22:02,760 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 2: there's no running thread. Darryl Henderson just got signed again 445 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:08,480 Speaker 2: for I think the third time with the Rams. But 446 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:11,800 Speaker 2: they're just so darn opportunistic and they have a really 447 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:14,800 Speaker 2: good quarterback there is that is good at managing those situations. 448 00:22:14,840 --> 00:22:17,679 Speaker 2: And defensively, maybe they're not the same lockdown unit they 449 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:20,080 Speaker 2: were a few years ago, but they've been able to 450 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:22,159 Speaker 2: keep them in games and win games when it is needed. 451 00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:25,560 Speaker 2: I love what Pittsburgh does. I know it's maddening for 452 00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:28,119 Speaker 2: some of their fans, but this is a transitionary phase 453 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:30,359 Speaker 2: for them still much like what the Packers are going through. 454 00:22:30,520 --> 00:22:33,480 Speaker 2: They're switching to a young quarterback, they have young weapons 455 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:35,880 Speaker 2: around him. But I think George Pickens is a good 456 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:37,840 Speaker 2: I think he's gonna be a really good receiver in 457 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 2: this league. And defensively, yeah, it's probably one of the 458 00:22:41,359 --> 00:22:43,320 Speaker 2: better defense in the league and they have arguably the 459 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:46,800 Speaker 2: best defensive player on their team, and that will be 460 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 2: interesting to see how that Pittsburgh defense handles a Rams 461 00:22:50,560 --> 00:22:53,359 Speaker 2: offense that has kind of been all over the place 462 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 2: this year in terms of catches, big plays, drop passes, 463 00:22:57,400 --> 00:22:59,200 Speaker 2: and seeing what exactly unfolds. 464 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:03,360 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well, the biggest game I think that all NFL 465 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:06,800 Speaker 1: fans will have their eyes on is Miami and that 466 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:12,120 Speaker 1: high flying to a tago Aloa offense against the Philadelphia Eagles, 467 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:16,600 Speaker 1: who now unexpectedly are five and one. I think everybody 468 00:23:16,760 --> 00:23:19,960 Speaker 1: was thinking that the Eagles would still be undefeated coming 469 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:24,480 Speaker 1: into this home matchup with Miami. But really interesting cross 470 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:27,480 Speaker 1: conference game here. You have a team that a lot 471 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:31,160 Speaker 1: of people are pegging in the AFC that is going 472 00:23:31,240 --> 00:23:33,639 Speaker 1: to make a serious run this year, and then the 473 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 1: Eagles of course being the defending NFC champs and a 474 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:37,879 Speaker 1: solid five and one record. 475 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, Miami has taken and Mike McDaniel, they have taken 476 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:43,560 Speaker 2: the Kyle Shanahan offense, I think sort of enhanced it 477 00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:46,800 Speaker 2: even further, and with such unique weapons that they have 478 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:50,080 Speaker 2: right now, I give so much credit to the Dolphins 479 00:23:50,080 --> 00:23:52,360 Speaker 2: for how they've They've maximized that even though they've had 480 00:23:52,359 --> 00:23:57,280 Speaker 2: some injuries, they still much like Shanahan, whether it's Rhem 481 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:00,320 Speaker 2: Moster becoming re established now in this offense, or just 482 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:03,719 Speaker 2: the threat that Tyreek Hill presents, they build game plans 483 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 2: to win. But ultimately, I think this game comes down 484 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:08,639 Speaker 2: to Jalen Hurts versus Big Fangio. And see, you know, 485 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:11,240 Speaker 2: it's been a rough year so far for these Fangio defenses. 486 00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:12,800 Speaker 2: You know, you've seen some of the stats out there 487 00:24:12,840 --> 00:24:17,320 Speaker 2: that those football syndicates and yeah, you know, analytic departments 488 00:24:17,359 --> 00:24:20,720 Speaker 2: have been putting out and Jalen Hurts is coming off 489 00:24:20,760 --> 00:24:24,399 Speaker 2: the three interception games. So that contrast is gonna be 490 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:27,200 Speaker 2: really interesting to watch because I really feel like Jalen 491 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:30,000 Speaker 2: Hurts is not gonna have another down performance. But then 492 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:32,360 Speaker 2: seeing if this ends up ultimately turning into a shootout 493 00:24:32,359 --> 00:24:33,280 Speaker 2: should be a lot of fun to loll. 494 00:24:33,320 --> 00:24:34,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think it will be a lot of fun. 495 00:24:35,119 --> 00:24:39,160 Speaker 1: One last one to mention quickly, the Packers' next opponent 496 00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:42,480 Speaker 1: will be coming to Lambeufield as the Minnesota Vikings. Everybody 497 00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: can get a look at them on Monday night, they 498 00:24:44,560 --> 00:24:48,000 Speaker 1: will be at home against the San Francisco forty nine ers. 499 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:50,240 Speaker 1: The Niners waiting to see if they're going to get 500 00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:54,399 Speaker 1: Deebo Samuel Christian McCaffrey back from those injuries from a 501 00:24:54,440 --> 00:24:57,359 Speaker 1: week ago, and Minnesota quite frankly west. They've got to 502 00:24:57,359 --> 00:24:59,960 Speaker 1: try to figure out what to do offensively without Justin 503 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:05,000 Speaker 1: Jefferson because the debut of the Justin Jefferson less offense 504 00:25:05,080 --> 00:25:07,919 Speaker 1: in Chicago was not a good one. They only scored 505 00:25:07,960 --> 00:25:11,080 Speaker 1: one touchdown. They probably don't beat the Bears if not 506 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:14,400 Speaker 1: for a defensive score by Jordan Hicks, which got him 507 00:25:14,440 --> 00:25:17,360 Speaker 1: the NFC Defensive Player of the Week. The Vikings only 508 00:25:17,359 --> 00:25:20,240 Speaker 1: put up nineteen points without Justin Jefferson and seven of 509 00:25:20,240 --> 00:25:21,320 Speaker 1: those are by their defense. 510 00:25:21,480 --> 00:25:23,960 Speaker 2: Vikings have a lot of bodies, but just not a 511 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:26,680 Speaker 2: lot of production right now. Now. TJ. Hockinson is probably 512 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 2: gonna have to be the face of that offense moving forward. 513 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:30,680 Speaker 2: They've talked about kJ Osborne taking on more of a 514 00:25:30,760 --> 00:25:33,800 Speaker 2: role in Alexander Madison. Obviously they added Cam Akers as well, 515 00:25:33,840 --> 00:25:37,320 Speaker 2: but it comes down to Hawkinson and if he can 516 00:25:37,359 --> 00:25:39,920 Speaker 2: be a guy that can become a difference making tight 517 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:42,720 Speaker 2: end on him down nine and down out. Basis Kirk 518 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:44,840 Speaker 2: Cousins is a good football player. Man. I was watching 519 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:47,080 Speaker 2: that game against the Bears, and there were some moments 520 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:50,040 Speaker 2: there where receivers weren't exactly picking him up. And you 521 00:25:50,040 --> 00:25:52,640 Speaker 2: know he makes mistakes, but I mean he does he'll 522 00:25:52,720 --> 00:25:54,719 Speaker 2: keep you in a football game. But this is a 523 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:59,119 Speaker 2: mountain of a challenge of that San Francisco defense and 524 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:01,880 Speaker 2: debo if he can. He's day to day right now 525 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:04,720 Speaker 2: with his shoulder. I don't know where things stand with McCaffrey. 526 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:09,040 Speaker 2: But for San Francisco, they're trying to show that they 527 00:26:09,040 --> 00:26:10,800 Speaker 2: can just bounce back from this and keep on rolling. 528 00:26:10,840 --> 00:26:13,120 Speaker 2: But Minnesota, these are the type of games they're ultimately 529 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 2: going to have to win. Seeing these division returning division 530 00:26:16,119 --> 00:26:18,200 Speaker 2: winners from last year. If they're going to be able 531 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:19,400 Speaker 2: to salvage this season. 532 00:26:19,160 --> 00:26:20,959 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think if you're the Packers, and I know 533 00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:23,239 Speaker 1: it's one game at a time, and I know that 534 00:26:23,280 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 1: as well as anybody, but you look at the Packers 535 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:28,320 Speaker 1: are coming off of their bye week, They've had a 536 00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:31,720 Speaker 1: chance to reset and regroup. You're going on the road 537 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:34,239 Speaker 1: to play a team that has been struggling, and then 538 00:26:34,280 --> 00:26:36,120 Speaker 1: you're going to come back home to play a team 539 00:26:36,119 --> 00:26:38,480 Speaker 1: that will be on a short week playing on the 540 00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:42,280 Speaker 1: Monday night, and then that is banged up without Justin Jefferson, 541 00:26:42,320 --> 00:26:46,679 Speaker 1: without Marcus Davenport on their defense. An opportunity here for 542 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:49,640 Speaker 1: the Packers to get things turned around in the other 543 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:52,000 Speaker 1: direction over the next ten days or so, and they 544 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:53,000 Speaker 1: have to take advantage of it. 545 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:55,159 Speaker 2: It's as favorable as it's going to get, yes, because 546 00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:57,760 Speaker 2: Pittsburgh is going to be a knockdown, drag out war. 547 00:26:57,920 --> 00:26:59,760 Speaker 2: I think the two LA teams are both going to 548 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 2: be opponents next month. The Packers have to be able 549 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:06,399 Speaker 2: to take your business here against Denver and then you 550 00:27:06,720 --> 00:27:09,440 Speaker 2: look at what comes after it. But Denver's reeling and 551 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:13,200 Speaker 2: the Packers somewhat reeling too. But this is a great opportunity, 552 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:14,680 Speaker 2: as you said, to kind of get back on track. 553 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:16,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think so. With that, we'll call it a 554 00:27:16,600 --> 00:27:19,399 Speaker 1: wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to 555 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:21,760 Speaker 1: follow all of our coverage of the team and everything 556 00:27:21,840 --> 00:27:24,879 Speaker 1: from Sunday's game in Denver. We'll have it for you 557 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:27,800 Speaker 1: on Packers dot Com. For Wes, I'm Mike. Thank you 558 00:27:27,840 --> 00:27:30,360 Speaker 1: for tuning in everybody. We will see you next time.