1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody, Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:17,920 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford, joined as always 3 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:21,079 Speaker 1: by my trusted colleague Weston Hadkowitz. Were coming to you 4 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: from socially distant locations at lambeau Field and West You 5 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 1: take a look back at last Sunday. You really couldn't 6 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: draw it up any better as far as the way 7 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:32,879 Speaker 1: the results fell for the Green Bay Packers. In the 8 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: early part of the day, the Minnesota Vikings lost to 9 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which gave the Packers the opportunity 10 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 1: to clinch the NFC North Championship with a victory over 11 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 1: the Lions, which Green Bay did with a thirty one victory. 12 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:50,200 Speaker 1: And as the Packers were kneeling that out, the Philadelphia 13 00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: Eagles were kneeling out an upset victory over the New 14 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:56,600 Speaker 1: Orleans Saints that now has the Packers technically in the 15 00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: number one spot in the NFC. With that tiebreaker over 16 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 1: New Orleans, it was a pretty good Sunday all all 17 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 1: around for Green Bay. Yeah, it was like the opposite 18 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: of my fantasy football team, Mike, where in that particular case, 19 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: nothing went right for me. The last few weeks for 20 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:14,679 Speaker 1: the green Bay Packers. Everything went right for them on Sunday, 21 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 1: but namely their performance against the Detroit Lions. Now, I 22 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:20,319 Speaker 1: warned people, if you go back to Insider in box 23 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,840 Speaker 1: last week, anytime you crossed Lake Michigan, you have to 24 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 1: throw out the records, especially when Matthew Stafford is the quarterback, 25 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 1: and that held true. I mean, this is a matchup 26 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:31,479 Speaker 1: where going into Ford Field, there's just something about it, Mike, 27 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:33,759 Speaker 1: I don't know exactly what it is, but you can 28 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: never just take that game for granted at any juncture 29 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:39,280 Speaker 1: of the season. And even though they have an interim coach, 30 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:40,960 Speaker 1: even though they had a bunch of injuries on both 31 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 1: sides of the ball, Detroit was game in this contest. 32 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:46,080 Speaker 1: But what I like that green Bay did. They started 33 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: off fast, they started out efficient, and that first play, 34 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,200 Speaker 1: third play of the game for green Bay, first series 35 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:55,080 Speaker 1: of the game, being able to hit Davante Adams on 36 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 1: the sixty five yard. They were testing the Lions secondary 37 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 1: that was without Jeff Acuta and all so a Desmond 38 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: Truffont and I are they tested those young cornerbacks early on. 39 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 1: It worked to the Packers benefit and we're able to 40 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:09,799 Speaker 1: kind of control the tempo throughout those four quarters. Yeah, 41 00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 1: and we saw Davantae Adams make that bit of history 42 00:02:12,880 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: that we had talked about last week where he got 43 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:19,239 Speaker 1: a touchdown reception in his eighth consecutive game, which snapped 44 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 1: that franchise record tie with Don Hudson, and also just 45 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 1: a touchdown rushing or receiving an eight consecutive games, broke 46 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:29,239 Speaker 1: a tie with Paul Hornig Anamon Green. So Davante Adams 47 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: sitting alone in the record book there with that streak, 48 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 1: which hopefully for his sake, he'll continue against the Carolina 49 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,800 Speaker 1: Panthers this weekend. But you said it west offensively for 50 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,399 Speaker 1: the Packers. It was a fast start, first two possessions, 51 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:45,960 Speaker 1: two touchdowns, but then the Packers really took control of 52 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,440 Speaker 1: this game at the start of the second half. It 53 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:52,079 Speaker 1: was a fourteen all tie at halftime, but the Packers 54 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:54,800 Speaker 1: got the ball to start the second half, put together 55 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 1: two methodical drives, one that was almost nine minutes on 56 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 1: the clock, the next one almost eight minutes on the clock. 57 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 1: Both of those resulted in touchdowns, and sandwiched in between 58 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: was a three and out by the defense, So suddenly 59 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 1: twelve minutes remained in the ballgame. The Lions had run 60 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: only three plays on offense and the Packers had a 61 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 1: fourteen point lead. That was that worked out absolutely as 62 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 1: perfectly as the Packers could have asked for to get 63 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:25,919 Speaker 1: command of that football game. Eight minutes and forty nine 64 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 1: seconds to drive that far and as Rogers even said afterwards, 65 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 1: a real grinding out kind of series for green Bay, 66 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 1: And it was at an important time, Mike, because it 67 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 1: sort of flipped the Packers typical game plan on its access, 68 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: where they've had some really strong second quarters and then 69 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 1: the third quarters have been times when they just haven't 70 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 1: really gotten the start they wanted. In this particular case, 71 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 1: the Lions kind of, you know, grab some momentum at 72 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:50,640 Speaker 1: the end of the first half. Green Bay needs a 73 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:53,440 Speaker 1: response after a three and out to close the second quarter, 74 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 1: and they get it that series in particular, trying to 75 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 1: remember if it was three or four third down conversions 76 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 1: they were able to make. The biggest one, of course, 77 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 1: being probably one of the prettiest plays of green Bay season. 78 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: Marci was abled is scantling yards on third and fourteen, 79 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 1: a play that started, mind you, Mike, with Robert Tunyan 80 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 1: on the right side coming off the quick chip block 81 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 1: ends up bowling over three Lions defenders. Aaron Rodgers could 82 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 1: have had all week to throw that ball, and with 83 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: that type of protection, with that type of time, Marquis 84 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:29,279 Speaker 1: Valdes Scantling making a big play. Six targets for Scantling 85 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:33,159 Speaker 1: in this game, six receptions, eight five yards. Rogers was 86 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:37,159 Speaker 1: just emphatic in his praise of the third year receiver afterwards, 87 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:40,279 Speaker 1: talking about not only the strong hands, not only the 88 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: way he stepped up when he was called upon, but 89 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 1: the way in which he responded the last two weeks. 90 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,880 Speaker 1: You gotta remember, before that game against the Lions, his 91 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 1: last catch was the fumble in Indianapolis. At the end 92 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 1: of that game, he kept his shoulder, his head on 93 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:57,000 Speaker 1: his shoulders and was able to bounce back, and he said, 94 00:04:57,040 --> 00:04:59,320 Speaker 1: that's the reason. Rogers said, that's the reason why he's 95 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:02,840 Speaker 1: learning the respect this locker room and more importantly, earned 96 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:05,600 Speaker 1: his trust in this offense. But what was interesting with 97 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:08,240 Speaker 1: regard to the way the game developed for MVS is 98 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 1: afterwards everybody was wondering, well, where were the deep balls 99 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:15,360 Speaker 1: to MVS. What's forgotten is that that third quarter drive 100 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: started with a third down and a deep shot to 101 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,839 Speaker 1: mvs but he draws a defensive holding penalty who's actually 102 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 1: held up about ten yards from the line of scrimmage. 103 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 1: The flag was thrown very early. Then the deep shot 104 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:31,400 Speaker 1: was overthrown as a result of that holding, so they 105 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 1: did still try to go deep to him, but it 106 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: was it was the way he was incorporated into the 107 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:37,840 Speaker 1: offense and all the other ways, the back shoulder throw 108 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:40,479 Speaker 1: for the touchdown with the strong hands. You mentioned the 109 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:45,039 Speaker 1: comeback round on third and fourteen. Really interesting on that 110 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: that drive for the Packers to open the third quarter. 111 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: They had to overcome two holding penalties on that drive 112 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:53,000 Speaker 1: in order to get that touch and one of those 113 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 1: was by Velde Scantling and then he makes up for 114 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 1: it by converting on the third and fourteen to keep 115 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:01,520 Speaker 1: that drive going. So a lot of things the Packers 116 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 1: were able to work through and and really get things 117 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:07,720 Speaker 1: going there at the start of the second half. And 118 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: I'll say this too, I think we saw and we'll 119 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:13,159 Speaker 1: be talking about this, I think in the coming weeks here, 120 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:15,839 Speaker 1: but I think we saw Aaron Rodgers make a legitimate 121 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 1: move here toward a potential third m v P with 122 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 1: him putting up another hundred and thirty plus passer rating game, 123 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 1: three touchdowns, no interceptions. He's done that now, I believe 124 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: is it nine or ten times in his career where 125 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 1: he's had a three touchdown game without any interceptions. He 126 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:38,719 Speaker 1: extended his lead in the passer rating category over Patrick Mahomes. 127 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:42,480 Speaker 1: He's Rogers now at one nineteen plus as far as 128 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 1: his passer rating, and with Mahomes throwing three interceptions, Rogers 129 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: has four. Mahomes has five on the year. So Rogers 130 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: is and isn't gonna catch Mahomes In terms of the 131 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,159 Speaker 1: passing yards, Mahomes is already well over four thousand yards. 132 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 1: Rogers is more than five hundred yards behind him with 133 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:00,920 Speaker 1: three games to go. But all those other major categories 134 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:03,720 Speaker 1: for quarterbacks, Rodgers is in the lead right now, and 135 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:05,839 Speaker 1: I think he's got a legitimate shot at that third 136 00:07:05,960 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: m v P. He really does. And I thought a 137 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 1: performance like this, the fact that Mike the Packers have 138 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 1: played now thirteen games this season. In one of those 139 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 1: games Tampa Bay, Aaron Rodgers pass raining has been under 140 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 1: a hundred and eight. Uh. He's been north of that 141 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 1: in twelve different games. That is a remarkable stat. Tom 142 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 1: Fanning Packers Communications rep that they have here was just 143 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 1: churning out the stats. Uh in in the career milestones 144 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 1: that Rodgers has reached. Heck, he even surpassed the incomparable 145 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:40,640 Speaker 1: Tobin wrote for the all time franchise record for rushing 146 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 1: touchdowns by a quarterback. When this thing is all said 147 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 1: and done, maybe absent, you know, the iron Man record 148 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:48,400 Speaker 1: that Brett five has, Rogers is gonna make a run 149 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,400 Speaker 1: at all these here in Green Bay. But more importantly, Mike, 150 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 1: I think this thing that stands out to me when 151 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 1: I was looking at his stats and sort of digesting 152 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: everything after the game on Sunday two thousand and fourteen, 153 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 1: He's exceeding those numbers right now. He's he's kind of 154 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 1: outpacing that. While the yardage isn't what it was in 155 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 1: two thousand eleven, he's kind of closing in on a 156 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:12,800 Speaker 1: lot of those different stats as well. Thirty nine touchdown 157 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: passes through thirteen games. Just a remarkable season that he's 158 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: put together. You can see the comfort in the offense. 159 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 1: He's utilizing all of his perimeter weapons, He's getting Robert 160 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 1: Tounyon involved the way he has with nine touchdown passes. 161 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: He's making those running backs better Mike for a guy 162 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:33,080 Speaker 1: that allegedly didn't have any weapons to begin the season. 163 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:34,840 Speaker 1: I think the people that are going to be voting 164 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 1: the national narrative that has been construed, they have to 165 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 1: make a decision here. Okay, was it that Aaron Rodgers 166 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 1: didn't have any weapons like a lot of them said, 167 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:44,960 Speaker 1: he didn't at the beginning of the season, so naturally, 168 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:46,679 Speaker 1: I mean, my goodness, he should be the m v P. 169 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: Right he's doing this with a bunch of guys from 170 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: down the block at Bayport High School. Or is it 171 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:54,720 Speaker 1: the fact that maybe they underrated what the Packers had 172 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 1: offensively and maybe Aaron Rodgers has just taking those different 173 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:01,679 Speaker 1: levels to the next step. Uh, that's what's gonna be 174 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 1: the big decisions they're gonna have to make. Because we 175 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 1: all knew what Patrick Mahomes had coming back coming off 176 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:08,880 Speaker 1: a Super Bowl Aaron Rodgers, everybody's questioning thirteen and three? 177 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:11,280 Speaker 1: Is that a legitimate thirteen and three? Is it a 178 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:13,080 Speaker 1: fake thirteen and three? Because you know, it's just so 179 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 1: easy to win thirteen regular season games in the NFL. No, 180 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 1: this is a guy that is very much in the 181 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:20,360 Speaker 1: thick of this thing. And if this pace holds Mike 182 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 1: with three regular season games to go, I don't know 183 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:25,080 Speaker 1: how you can deny Aaron Rodgers a third m v P. Yeah, 184 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 1: I think it's I think it's going to be difficult 185 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 1: to do that. But there are still three regular season 186 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:31,840 Speaker 1: games left that is a legitimate chunk of the season, 187 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:35,320 Speaker 1: and both Mahomes and Rogers with some big games here 188 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:39,200 Speaker 1: left to play. But since I was absent minded last 189 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: week with regard to the sponsor business, I'm going to 190 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 1: get to it a little bit earlier and my son 191 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 1: gets to eat this week. It's awesome, Thank you, So 192 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: here we go serious x M NFL Radio Channel eight 193 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 1: is the only radio outlet dedicated to the National Football 194 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 1: League seven days a week, three hundred sixty five days 195 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,559 Speaker 1: a year, and Packers fans score up to five hundred 196 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 1: dollars for your devotion to the pack when you open 197 00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:05,680 Speaker 1: a Packers checking account from Associated Bank. Learn more at 198 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:09,960 Speaker 1: Associated bank dot com. Backslash Packers all right west on 199 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 1: the defensive side of the ball for the Packers in 200 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:16,240 Speaker 1: this game against the Lions, I think it was and 201 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 1: I wrote about this Monday night after Matt Lafleur addressed 202 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: the media. It just seemed to be another one of 203 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 1: those games with with a lot of ups and downs 204 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:26,839 Speaker 1: on on the defensive side of the ball. There were 205 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 1: some really good moments after you know, the Lions had 206 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 1: had scored a touchdown early, then the Packers defense got 207 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: a couple of stops and the Packers took a fourteen 208 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 1: to seven lead. The three and out at the start 209 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 1: of the second half that we talked about that was 210 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 1: also big. But then you look at the negatives and 211 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:45,400 Speaker 1: you know that drive in the fourth quarter when the 212 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 1: Packers are up by two touchdowns and the penalty flags 213 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:51,240 Speaker 1: are just flying all over the place, you're giving the Lions. 214 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 1: I believe it was four free first downs on that 215 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 1: drive alone, five and all in the game. Because the 216 00:10:56,960 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 1: defensive penalties, those kinds of things are frustrating. And if 217 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 1: there's a trend on the defensive side of the ball 218 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:05,680 Speaker 1: that you get concerned about here, it is that the 219 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:08,200 Speaker 1: Lions took the opening kickoff and went right down and 220 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,440 Speaker 1: scored a touchdown. The Packers have now allowed points on 221 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 1: the opponent's opening drive in four of the last five 222 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:17,200 Speaker 1: games now, the Lions getting a touchdown, that's the only 223 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:19,080 Speaker 1: time that that opponent has put it in the end 224 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 1: zone in this current street. The other ones were all 225 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 1: field goals. But the Packers defense is not coming out 226 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 1: of the box, out of the gate, you know, right 227 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:29,760 Speaker 1: away in the first quarter, playing the kind of defense 228 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 1: that they want to play. It's it's it's been this 229 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:35,840 Speaker 1: kind of roller coaster thing game to game series two series. 230 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:39,080 Speaker 1: That's just kind of what the Packers defense is right now. 231 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:43,360 Speaker 1: And and uh, hopefully you know you can get the 232 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:45,960 Speaker 1: key turnover, get the key stop. That's the kind of 233 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:48,839 Speaker 1: thing that this this Packers team is going to is 234 00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 1: going to count on from the defense. But quite honestly, 235 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:54,839 Speaker 1: this Packers offense is going to have to continue its 236 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 1: trend of of putting up thirty plus points, which it 237 00:11:57,400 --> 00:12:00,199 Speaker 1: has done the vast majority of the season, to give 238 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: themselves the best chance to win. Right now. Let's let's 239 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 1: start this by quoting one of my all time favorite 240 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 1: coaches in the nashvill Football League, Dom Capers. Let's start 241 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:15,000 Speaker 1: with the positives the Green Bay Packers defensively, there are 242 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 1: there have been a lot of upticks here. I think 243 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:19,960 Speaker 1: Dean Lowry is playing his best football the season right now. 244 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 1: Kenny Clark looks healthy again, but unfortunately they lost mon 245 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 1: Trevias Adams, so they got to figure out a rotation 246 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 1: here and how they want to go about handling this 247 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:31,720 Speaker 1: thing moving forward. But Lowry and Clark have really impressed 248 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 1: me as of late. Kenny Clark also getting his second 249 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:36,560 Speaker 1: sack of the season at the end of the first half, 250 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: an important time for green Bay after a jumping off 251 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:43,440 Speaker 1: sides penalty had just given the lines and on timed 252 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 1: down uh Jaire Alexander playing an elite level the thing, 253 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 1: and also with Shawn Gary, we have to see exactly 254 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 1: where he's at health wise, but he got his fifth 255 00:12:51,679 --> 00:12:54,319 Speaker 1: sack as well. The thing that that is the most 256 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:56,959 Speaker 1: concerning to me at this point um on the other 257 00:12:56,960 --> 00:13:00,160 Speaker 1: side of the spectrum for green Bay's defense is one 258 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:04,320 Speaker 1: they're making teams go the distance, especially on those opening 259 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:07,080 Speaker 1: series where it hasn't been one big breakdown. It's not 260 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: a seventy yard catch that they're getting down the field 261 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:11,320 Speaker 1: and and then you know, putting points on the board, 262 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:17,240 Speaker 1: but there hasn't been a lot of I keep trying 263 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: to think the right word in terms of like it's 264 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 1: it's too easy. Matthew Stafford completes six and seven on 265 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 1: that opening drive. The only incompletion was a pretty obvious T. J. 266 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 1: Hockinson drop. Uh, they aren't able to get the stops 267 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:34,840 Speaker 1: on third and long, which typically Green Bay actually has 268 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 1: done a pretty good job of this year. That hurt 269 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 1: them in this game. They they've stopped the run the 270 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: last two weeks money, I mean, they only have a 271 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 1: given up a hundred and fifteen rushing yards to running 272 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 1: backs in the last two games. But it also in 273 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 1: those third and short situations. They just haven't been able 274 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 1: to really hold their line and stop teams there. You've 275 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:54,200 Speaker 1: got to have one of these things sort of happened 276 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:56,800 Speaker 1: in order to win consistently on the defensive side of 277 00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 1: the ball. This team is talented enough, they're going to 278 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:01,560 Speaker 1: get takeaways. Those things are going to happen. But you 279 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:03,400 Speaker 1: also don't want to be like that eleven team that 280 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:05,360 Speaker 1: just had to live and die off the takeaways and 281 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:08,280 Speaker 1: then sort of hold on for dear life when those 282 00:14:08,320 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: things don't happen. They're deep enough, they're talented enough to 283 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 1: do it. Unfortunately, they had lost Raven Green that caused 284 00:14:14,600 --> 00:14:17,520 Speaker 1: a domino effect and they lose Channon Sullivan. But honestly, 285 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 1: I thought, you know, Vernon Scott played well in a 286 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:23,280 Speaker 1: small basis. So it's just figuring out the right rhythm 287 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 1: and tempo for this defense and being able to maintain it, because, Mike, 288 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 1: the reality is we're gonna be talking about a lot 289 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: on Thursday. But if Christian McCaffrey plays this week and 290 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:34,360 Speaker 1: Derrick Henry plays next week, the Green Bay Packers are 291 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: entering a very very difficult part of their schedule defensively 292 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 1: making sure that they stopped two of the NFL's elite 293 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:42,280 Speaker 1: running backs. Yeah, and that's what I wanted to get 294 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 1: to next, is that you mentioned the Packers run defense 295 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:48,160 Speaker 1: has been on the upswing here and I actually looked 296 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:52,120 Speaker 1: at it statistically. You go back these last three games. 297 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:54,120 Speaker 1: The start of the Bears game, the very first hand 298 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: off David Montgomery goes fifty seven yards. Since that opening 299 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 1: handoff of the Chica Ago Bears game, in the last 300 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:05,240 Speaker 1: three games, the Packers run defense has allowed only three 301 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:08,440 Speaker 1: point nine yards per carry to the running backs of 302 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:11,160 Speaker 1: the opponents. So that's taking out the quarterback scrambles and 303 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 1: these other things that get thrown into rushing yards. That 304 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 1: really isn't a reflection of your run defense. Running backs. 305 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 1: After the fifty seven yard run by Montgomery. Running backs 306 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 1: only have about a hundred and forty rushing yards over 307 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:28,160 Speaker 1: the last three games. But here comes potentially Christian McCaffrey 308 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:31,240 Speaker 1: on Saturday night at lambeau Field. Then the following week 309 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 1: the NFL's not only reigning rushing king from twenty nineteen, 310 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 1: but league leading rusher in trying to go back to 311 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:42,120 Speaker 1: back in that category in Derrick Henry. So this uptick 312 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 1: in the Packers run defense is going to get tested. 313 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 1: They're going to it's you know here it is prove 314 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:51,720 Speaker 1: that your run defense really is, you know, making the 315 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:54,320 Speaker 1: strides that you wanted to make heading into the playoffs. 316 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 1: You can't ask for too bigger tests back to back 317 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 1: Now again, McCaffrey will see where things are injury why 318 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:02,760 Speaker 1: is But the reports that we're hearing is that he's 319 00:16:03,160 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 1: potentially returning to practice this week. He was held out 320 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 1: last week when some people thought he would play UM 321 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 1: and UH and McCaffrey and Henry back to back. UM. 322 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 1: The challenge doesn't get too much tougher than that. It 323 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:19,360 Speaker 1: really doesn't like And it's funny too, because they're completely 324 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:22,840 Speaker 1: different running backs to UH. Christian McCaffrey is just an 325 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 1: all around weapon. Now, we've got to see exactly where 326 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 1: he's at healthwise. He's only played in what three games 327 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: this season? If he does go or if he's limited, 328 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:33,360 Speaker 1: we're gonna have to see exactly how how much you 329 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 1: know he's going to be available to them. And then 330 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,000 Speaker 1: the other thing the Panthers have to start thinking about 331 00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:39,920 Speaker 1: is not necessarily shutting him down, but do you really 332 00:16:39,920 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 1: want to put more tread or take more tread off 333 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:44,560 Speaker 1: of his tires here in a year that has, you know, 334 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 1: ultimately basically been lost for them now sitting at four 335 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: and nine. But if he does play, he can hurt 336 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:50,680 Speaker 1: you in a number of different ways. The one game 337 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 1: he played on when he came back, I think he 338 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:55,000 Speaker 1: ended up putting up however many total yards and whatnot. 339 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:57,240 Speaker 1: I mean, he's he's a definite playmaker, one of the 340 00:16:57,240 --> 00:17:00,800 Speaker 1: best in this NFL. And Derrick Henry Man. I mean, 341 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 1: the thing about Derrick Henry is he's a monster truck. 342 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 1: And you don't want to just go tackle monster truck 343 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 1: with my Grand Prix out there. You need several automobiles 344 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:11,960 Speaker 1: in order to stop that guy. And that's where this 345 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:14,560 Speaker 1: it's on the defensive front, it's on the outside linebackers 346 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:16,880 Speaker 1: holding their edges. It's on the inside linebackers being able 347 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:18,960 Speaker 1: to be stout, and even the guys when he does 348 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:21,480 Speaker 1: trickle in the secondary with the defensive backs making sure 349 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:24,119 Speaker 1: that they gang tackle. Grimy did an interesting thing in 350 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:27,439 Speaker 1: this game, like looking back at Sunday, they rotated all 351 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 1: three their inside backers. I don't know the last time 352 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 1: I've seen that. Typically you always go with one every 353 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:36,679 Speaker 1: down guy, the the mic that is their first second 354 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:38,720 Speaker 1: and the usually the only inside lane back around the 355 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:42,160 Speaker 1: field on third down, that Blake Martinez type. This game, 356 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:44,639 Speaker 1: they use Kamal Martin, they use Chris Barnes, and they 357 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 1: use Christian uh uh curtsy. I maybe you know this. 358 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 1: I didn't really see a big parallel and where they 359 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:54,400 Speaker 1: use specific personnel. It just seemed like they rolled all 360 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:57,560 Speaker 1: of them. So figuring out what that combination is going 361 00:17:57,600 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 1: to be is gonna be critical, because not only are 362 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: they going to it matched against potentially McCaffrey as a 363 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,120 Speaker 1: pass catcher, but there's gonna be those instances to where 364 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:05,600 Speaker 1: they're gonna have to take that guy on head on, 365 00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 1: and it's gonna have a big impact on whether or 366 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:09,119 Speaker 1: not the defense is going to be able to get 367 00:18:09,119 --> 00:18:11,200 Speaker 1: off the field. Yeah. I mean one way to look 368 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:14,159 Speaker 1: at this is, you know, if McCaffrey does play on 369 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 1: Saturday Night, he's sort of like you're you know, almost 370 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:20,159 Speaker 1: like your rematch with Alvin Kamara and the potential preview 371 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:21,680 Speaker 1: of the playoffs in terms of how you're going to 372 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:24,399 Speaker 1: handle a guy like Kamara if the Packers were to 373 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 1: face the Saints in the postseason. We all know what 374 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:29,119 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook did to the Packers. Well, Derrick Henry and 375 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:32,200 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook. It's not totally apples to apples, but those 376 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:34,680 Speaker 1: guys are pretty you know, similar in a lot of ways. 377 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,040 Speaker 1: And you look at a running back like Cam Akers 378 00:18:37,040 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 1: and what he's doing for Rams, you know, a team 379 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:42,680 Speaker 1: like that that looks like it's headed to the postseason. So, um, 380 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:45,159 Speaker 1: these are you know, the these are the tests that 381 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:46,840 Speaker 1: are going to that are going to get the Packers 382 00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 1: ready for the postseason. In really, what is in my opinion, 383 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: their most vulnerable defensive area. Um, even though it's been 384 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: trending better of late, but their most vulnerable defensive areas, 385 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 1: certainly considering what happened last January, is the defense against 386 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:02,840 Speaker 1: the run. Yeah, And the other thing to keep in 387 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:04,600 Speaker 1: mind too at this Panthers game, and again we'll talk 388 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:07,880 Speaker 1: more about it on Thursday, But even if McCaffrey is limited, 389 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 1: or even if he doesn't play, we'll see how the 390 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:12,479 Speaker 1: week shuffles out. Mike Davis has had kind of a 391 00:19:12,520 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 1: resurgence this year for Carolina and he actually fits what 392 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:17,960 Speaker 1: Matt role and that offense wants to do pretty dang well. 393 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:20,440 Speaker 1: He's been a good fill in piece. He can catch 394 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:23,399 Speaker 1: the ball, he can run. He's not as dynamic as McCaffrey, 395 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:26,560 Speaker 1: but he's been a definite one B to what McCaffrey 396 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 1: has done. And keep in mind, this is the guy 397 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:31,200 Speaker 1: that barely ever played when McCaffrey was healthy. McCaffrey's in 398 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 1: every down back. They don't they don't have a Jamal 399 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:35,160 Speaker 1: Williams that's coming off the bench to spell him. I mean, 400 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:37,439 Speaker 1: he just goes and for Mike Davis to step up 401 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:40,280 Speaker 1: the way he has, He's actually performed pretty admimably uh 402 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:42,960 Speaker 1: in the last few months when McCaffrey has been down well. 403 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 1: As we mentioned at the top of the show, the 404 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:47,320 Speaker 1: Packers ten and three tied with the New Orleans Saints 405 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:49,680 Speaker 1: now for the top record in the NFC. The Packers 406 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:52,359 Speaker 1: technically in the number one seed with the head to 407 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 1: head victory over New Orleans, so the table is set 408 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:58,000 Speaker 1: for Green Bay. If the Packers can run the table 409 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:00,680 Speaker 1: from here three straight victories, they will be the number 410 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:03,119 Speaker 1: one seed. They will get the first round by in 411 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:07,240 Speaker 1: the NFC um elsewhere. As far as the the NFC 412 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:10,240 Speaker 1: playoff picture, you've got the Rams and the Seahawks are 413 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:12,439 Speaker 1: going toe to toe here. I think they're going to 414 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:15,240 Speaker 1: meet in week sixteen for a head to head matchup 415 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:18,959 Speaker 1: that could decide the NFC West title. Um. The NFC 416 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:22,720 Speaker 1: East is, you know, still a bit of a mess um, 417 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:25,119 Speaker 1: but Washington is the team that is definitely coming on 418 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:29,200 Speaker 1: strong there with with Alex Smith at quarterback and now 419 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:32,959 Speaker 1: it's Dwayne Haskins again. So it's just like it's been 420 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:36,240 Speaker 1: a mess we'll see. I mean, fortunately for Alex Smith, 421 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:38,520 Speaker 1: they're saying it's just a calf injury, so it isn't 422 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:42,879 Speaker 1: anything serious with regard to his his previous leg injury 423 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 1: that had kept him out obviously for a couple of years. 424 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:48,600 Speaker 1: But then this this NFC wild card picture, rus, I mean, 425 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:50,919 Speaker 1: it's like, you know, the Bears and the Vikings are 426 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:53,480 Speaker 1: gonna play each other this week. They're both six and seven. 427 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:55,359 Speaker 1: The winner kind of stays alive in the hunt. The 428 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:59,199 Speaker 1: loser is probably out of it. The Arizona Cardinals they 429 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:01,600 Speaker 1: kind of you know, they they snapped their losing streak. 430 00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:03,919 Speaker 1: They beat the Giants, so they're in the in the 431 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:06,119 Speaker 1: thick of this wild card thing. Obviously, the team that 432 00:21:06,520 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 1: doesn't win the NFC West between the Seahawks and the 433 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:11,840 Speaker 1: Rams is most likely going to get a wild card spot. 434 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,440 Speaker 1: But still a lot of stuff to be determined. And 435 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: certainly the Packers winning all three games here and finishing 436 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 1: thirteen and three to get the number one seed, that's 437 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:22,880 Speaker 1: not a given with the schedule. Uh, with the schedule 438 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:25,879 Speaker 1: the Packers have. If McCaffrey comes back, obviously Derrick Henry, 439 00:21:26,040 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 1: and if the Bears are playing for something in week 440 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:31,920 Speaker 1: seventeen at Soldier Field, that's a that's a lookout type 441 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:34,600 Speaker 1: of game too. Yeah. I made that point an inbox 442 00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:37,080 Speaker 1: to Mike. I know everybody they want to talk about. Okay, 443 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 1: Packers have issues on the defense. They gave up the 444 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:42,520 Speaker 1: seventy one yard return to Jamal egg knew there's things 445 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:45,159 Speaker 1: that they have to shuffle out. No question, everybody has 446 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:47,320 Speaker 1: answers as questions they have to answer though right now, 447 00:21:47,320 --> 00:21:49,680 Speaker 1: and I think this past week was good proof of it, Mike. 448 00:21:49,720 --> 00:21:52,200 Speaker 1: When you look at New Orleans, the fact that they 449 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:55,480 Speaker 1: have the best defense in the NFL statistically, well, that 450 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:57,879 Speaker 1: didn't help him much against Miles Sanders when he's screaming 451 00:21:57,880 --> 00:22:00,119 Speaker 1: down the field from an ad two yard touchdown. It 452 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:02,200 Speaker 1: didn't help him much when Jalen Hurts ends up going 453 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:04,440 Speaker 1: off and being able to use his legs to extend plays. 454 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:07,399 Speaker 1: This is the type of thing where remember when I 455 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:09,680 Speaker 1: was saying in in October and the end of September 456 00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 1: that that last three weeks is probably is going to 457 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:14,680 Speaker 1: be what separates that number one seed from the rest 458 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:16,840 Speaker 1: of the group. The Green Bay Packers are sitting in 459 00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 1: a very nice advantageous position right now. They have good 460 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:21,480 Speaker 1: competition coming up. None of these three games are gonna 461 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:25,320 Speaker 1: be pushovers. But to be here in week fifteen now 462 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:28,760 Speaker 1: and have your schedule in they always use the control 463 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:31,600 Speaker 1: your own destiny thing. But to be able to be 464 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:34,199 Speaker 1: playing in front instead of how many years were you 465 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 1: and I have covered this thing, Mike, and they've been 466 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:38,320 Speaker 1: trying to play catch up, that is an incredible position 467 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:39,760 Speaker 1: for Green Bay to be in and it shows you 468 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 1: that the team that's most consistent, there's gonna be highs 469 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 1: and lows, but the team that's most consistent is the 470 00:22:44,280 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 1: one that's going to be there in the end. Yeah. 471 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:48,160 Speaker 1: And the other one I should mention when we talk 472 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 1: about the NFC playoff picture, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 473 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:53,760 Speaker 1: Tom Brady. They got a big win over the Minnesota Vikings, 474 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:57,080 Speaker 1: which obviously helped the Packers in clinching the NFC North. 475 00:22:57,359 --> 00:23:00,639 Speaker 1: But now suddenly with the Saints taking a loss and 476 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 1: they're not sure if Drew Brees is coming back yet 477 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:05,840 Speaker 1: and they have to play the Chiefs, and the Buccaneers 478 00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:08,000 Speaker 1: are are two games back of the Saints with three 479 00:23:08,040 --> 00:23:11,080 Speaker 1: games to go. Now, the Saints swept them um in 480 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:13,359 Speaker 1: the regular season, so they have the they have the 481 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:17,480 Speaker 1: two oh tiebreaker advantage there. But that division, the NFC South, 482 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,720 Speaker 1: isn't actually decided. No, no, it isn't. And one of 483 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:22,520 Speaker 1: the big reasons for that is again getting back to 484 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:24,800 Speaker 1: the consistency side of things. And I think everybody just 485 00:23:24,880 --> 00:23:27,360 Speaker 1: anticipated and just assumed that New Orleans was just gonna 486 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:30,920 Speaker 1: run through Philadelphia, and the Eagles figured a couple of 487 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:33,120 Speaker 1: things out in that game. Yes there were moments of adversity, 488 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:34,919 Speaker 1: Yes there was times where it looked like the Saints 489 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:39,960 Speaker 1: might in fact pull themselves back into it. But sometimes, Mike, 490 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:42,000 Speaker 1: you know the way the ebbs and flows of a 491 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:44,040 Speaker 1: game go. If you just have enough wind in your 492 00:23:44,040 --> 00:23:46,800 Speaker 1: sales and you can get to that fourth quarter, no 493 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:48,560 Speaker 1: matter what your record is, no matter how good or 494 00:23:48,560 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 1: bad they say you are, you're going to find a 495 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:52,920 Speaker 1: way to pull it out. And and for green Bay 496 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:55,000 Speaker 1: that ended up being a blessing because here they are 497 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:57,879 Speaker 1: now with three to go and sitting atop the NFC 498 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,080 Speaker 1: with that tiebreaker over New Orleans. All right, well, with that, 499 00:24:01,240 --> 00:24:02,919 Speaker 1: we will call it a wrap on this edition of 500 00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:05,480 Speaker 1: Packers on Scripted. Be sure to follow all of our 501 00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:08,440 Speaker 1: coverage of the team all week long on Packers dot 502 00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 1: com for Wes, I am Mike. Thank you for tuning in, everybody. 503 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:12,720 Speaker 1: We'll see you next time.