1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:17,320 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined by the one and only 3 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:21,400 Speaker 1: Wes Hodkowitz. Were coming to you here from our studios 4 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field West. It's almost here. The NFC Championship 5 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: Packers forty Niners. It will be Sunday at Levi's Stadium, 6 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:33,760 Speaker 1: five pm Central Time kick off, and this is our 7 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:37,880 Speaker 1: final show of the week, so unless you want to 8 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:41,320 Speaker 1: do it on Saturday, but sure, yeah, but that means 9 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:46,519 Speaker 1: keys to victory. So what's it gonna We have We 10 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:49,840 Speaker 1: have analyzed this matchup up one side and down the other. 11 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 1: So what is it going to take? What is it 12 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 1: going to take for the Packers to emerge victorious and 13 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 1: be on their way to Miami for the Super Bowl. 14 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 1: So the fact of the matter is the Packers are 15 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 1: underdogs heading into this thing. You're not gonna deny it. 16 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:04,640 Speaker 1: I'm not going to deny it. The people in the 17 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 1: locker room are not going to deny it. And honestly, 18 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:09,000 Speaker 1: I think they've kind of relished that role um and 19 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:11,840 Speaker 1: I've appreciated that that mantra that they've taken onto this 20 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 1: thing because they are saying that the pressure is going 21 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 1: to be on this fort to do what they did 22 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 1: the first time, to do it again, show that they 23 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:21,160 Speaker 1: can do it again. The Packers only have to work up. 24 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 1: And I look at where that team was, where that 25 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:27,480 Speaker 1: roster was, for as good as their record at that 26 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:29,760 Speaker 1: point of the season, still was at that you know, 27 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: going into that that matchup. There are so many areas, 28 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: specifically on the offensive side of the ball, where they 29 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 1: are better. Right now, Davante Adams is where I would 30 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 1: like to start. He is back in a groove again. 31 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:44,840 Speaker 1: He had a historic performance a week ago. He's healthy, 32 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:48,000 Speaker 1: He's looking as good as ever with his route running. 33 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 1: If there was ever an injury, and there's a lot 34 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:53,560 Speaker 1: of them, trust me, I get it, it's a difficult game. 35 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: But if there was ever an injury that really is 36 00:01:55,840 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 1: going to take the bite out of Davante Adams game, 37 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 1: it's gonna be that turf toe. I mean so much. 38 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:02,440 Speaker 1: You go back and you look at those plays that 39 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:04,760 Speaker 1: he had the forty yard touchdown, even the thirty two 40 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,200 Speaker 1: yard or on you know, to convert on third down. 41 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 1: So much that is just based on instantaneous footwork and 42 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:15,160 Speaker 1: his ability to separate and then capitalize in those microscopic 43 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 1: gaps and opportunities with Aaron Rodgers when he has when 44 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:21,880 Speaker 1: everything is an aligned for him, and when he's healthy, 45 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 1: this is, in my opinion, one of the top receivers 46 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 1: in the National Football League, and last week he proved 47 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 1: it despite all the attention he got, San Francisco is 48 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:31,080 Speaker 1: going to do the same exact thing in this game. 49 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: And to top it all off, he's back home. He's 50 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 1: playing in front of friends and family. I think he 51 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:39,520 Speaker 1: said he had already was a ten or eighteen tickets 52 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:43,399 Speaker 1: he mentioned at the podium the other day. So being 53 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 1: a kid that was from the Bay Area, grew up, 54 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:49,040 Speaker 1: was friends with James Jones early on, you can tell 55 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 1: how much this game means to him. And on top 56 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:54,080 Speaker 1: of all of that, Adams has played in two NFC 57 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 1: title games before. I'm expecting a big performance out of 58 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:58,360 Speaker 1: him on Sunday. Yeah, I mean, you look at this 59 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: from the forty nine perspective. If I think it's going 60 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 1: to be the same approach the Seattle Seahawks took the targets. 61 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 1: As far as the Packers offense are concerned, are Aaron 62 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 1: Jones and Davante Adams? Can you limit can you put 63 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 1: the clamps on both of them? And the Seattle Seahawks 64 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 1: did a whale of a job against Aaron Jones after 65 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:21,480 Speaker 1: the initial twenty three yard run. It was really tough 66 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:23,960 Speaker 1: for the Packers to run the football but the but 67 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 1: the Seattle Seahawks didn't have an answer for Davante Adams. Conversely, 68 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 1: we talked about how the Minnesota Vikings needed to clamp 69 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: down on San Francisco's running game and on George Kittle. 70 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:39,560 Speaker 1: They were able to limit George Kittle significantly in that 71 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:42,119 Speaker 1: divisional game last week, but they could not handle San 72 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: Francisco's running game. The Packers are going into this, I 73 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 1: would think with the same mentality. Those are the things 74 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 1: that you focus on. And that's not taking anything away 75 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 1: from Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel. Same thing with regards 76 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: to the Packers, whether you're talking Jamal Williams or Jimmy 77 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 1: Graham or other complimentary parts on offense. But everybody knows 78 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 1: the bread and butter of these teams in the running 79 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:05,280 Speaker 1: game and in the passing game. For San Francisco, obviously 80 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 1: it's multiple running backs. For the Packers, it's Aaron Jones. 81 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:12,040 Speaker 1: It's a matter of can you put some limitations on 82 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 1: both of those at the same time without making too 83 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 1: many sacrifices and uh, and that's just what we have 84 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 1: to see see how it plays out on Sunday. Yeah, 85 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:22,920 Speaker 1: we just have to learn. But you know, these past 86 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:25,919 Speaker 1: six games, I think you've just seen the snowball for 87 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: green Man in a positive way that you know, they've 88 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 1: been able to rely on different facets of this offense 89 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:34,320 Speaker 1: to win. And last week it was Aaron Rodgers. Aaron 90 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:36,479 Speaker 1: Rodgers statistically, if if you look at some of the 91 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:38,480 Speaker 1: performances had in the postseason, you could put that one 92 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: up against any of them, because for the first time 93 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:43,120 Speaker 1: all season, the running game was not able to really 94 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,359 Speaker 1: get going and he was able to just sort of 95 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,400 Speaker 1: carry the load from that point on. Um, whether it 96 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: was just finding Adams, whether it was extending plays, it 97 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 1: just looked a lot like that old Aaron Rodgers and 98 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 1: everybody likes to talk about. And you know, he's a 99 00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 1: guy too that that understands the opportunity before him and 100 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:00,920 Speaker 1: he wants to make the most of it. And San 101 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:05,039 Speaker 1: Francisco is going to be difficult, there's no doubt about it. 102 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 1: I Mean, they are favored for a reason, like I said, 103 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: and I think it's going to be capitalizing on mistakes, 104 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: whether it be a turnover or not, or whether it's 105 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: just an early three and out for San Francisco. You 106 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:18,159 Speaker 1: need to be able to maximize those possessions. The game, 107 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: the first one that Levi Stadium, really couldn't have started 108 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 1: any worse for Green. Look at the fumble in the 109 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: field position. It was kind of all downhill from there. 110 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 1: If my biggest key to victory for that game was 111 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 1: getting off to a fast start. They need to find 112 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: that fast start this time. They need to protect the 113 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:36,400 Speaker 1: football because if you don't get either of those things, 114 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 1: it's just really difficult to be a team that's is 115 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: disciplined and well rounded as San Francisco. Yeah. I mean, 116 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 1: if you want to try to find a path to victory, 117 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:47,159 Speaker 1: here in the statistics for the Packers, I'll lay out 118 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:51,880 Speaker 1: some options for you, because if you look at the 119 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:55,799 Speaker 1: various rankings and offensive and defensive categories and everything across 120 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:58,040 Speaker 1: the board for the regular season. For the six team 121 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 1: games of the regular season, forty Niners have higher rankings 122 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:06,120 Speaker 1: than the Packers in a vast majority of categories. And 123 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:08,280 Speaker 1: that's why they are what they are. They got the 124 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 1: number one seed. They they are favored in this game 125 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,600 Speaker 1: for a reason. But here's a couple of them. West 126 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 1: number one turnover margin, the Packers were plus twelve in 127 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:22,480 Speaker 1: the regular season. The forty Niners were plus four. So 128 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:25,200 Speaker 1: the Packers have been better at taking the ball away 129 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 1: and at winning the turnover battle. So that's one thing 130 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:30,359 Speaker 1: that could be on your path to victory here. The 131 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:34,160 Speaker 1: other is in the red zone. On offense and defense, 132 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: the Packers as far as touchdown percentages, the Packers were 133 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,479 Speaker 1: sixth in the league in red zone offense, eighth in 134 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: the league in red zone defense, or it might have 135 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:46,040 Speaker 1: been vice versa, but anyway, one was six and one 136 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 1: was eight. The forty Niners red zone offense red zone 137 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:53,480 Speaker 1: defense twenty one and two in the league. So, as 138 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 1: I say, if you're looking for a path to victory, 139 00:06:56,520 --> 00:07:00,280 Speaker 1: it's win the turnover battle and be the at our 140 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 1: team in the red zone on both sides of the ball. 141 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 1: And maybe that's maybe that's how the Packers can do this. 142 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:11,440 Speaker 1: As good as San Francisco is, and they're great, don't 143 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 1: get me wrong about that. I think Green Bay has 144 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 1: more ways to win in the red zone when you 145 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 1: look at not only just the run game, and they've 146 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 1: been exemplary in that category in terms of being able 147 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 1: to punch the ball in once they are in that 148 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 1: gold areas they like to call it. But Aaron Rodgers 149 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:28,160 Speaker 1: can pass it. I mean, he can scramble with it. 150 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 1: We even saw he could sneak it. I mean, there 151 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: are just so many different ways that I think this 152 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: offense can function inside that area. And it's not easy. Mike. 153 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 1: Remember there was a lot of years you and I 154 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 1: would cover this team and drives with stall inside the 155 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 1: twenty the NFC Championship game in two thousand fourteen. Drives 156 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 1: stalled inside, those are four points off the board. Those 157 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 1: are missed opportunities and things that can come back to 158 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 1: haunt you. They have been able to finish drives and 159 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 1: defensively keep teams from getting inside their end zone without 160 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 1: you know, in the second half of the season now 161 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:03,720 Speaker 1: allowing the explosive play. All those things factor into this 162 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:07,520 Speaker 1: and for Green Bay right now, I think it's led 163 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:10,640 Speaker 1: them to have this feeling of confidence that you know, 164 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:12,600 Speaker 1: if if the chips are down, we're gonna be able 165 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 1: to respond to it. Yeah, well, most likely if you're 166 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:17,440 Speaker 1: the Packers. If you're going to win this game, you're 167 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:19,640 Speaker 1: going to win it the way that you've won a 168 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 1: lot of other games. Now that being said, the Packers 169 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 1: of one games in a lot of different ways. But 170 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 1: turnovers and red zone play have been a big part 171 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 1: of it. And then the other part that I've continued 172 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:32,680 Speaker 1: to stress. I think, even going back to September, Marvin 173 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:35,319 Speaker 1: could pull out the tapes of the of our shows. 174 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:39,079 Speaker 1: It's what the Packers have done in the fourth quarters 175 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:42,680 Speaker 1: of games to pull things out. Now, the Fortys have 176 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 1: their share of fourth quarter wins this year's as well, 177 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:47,880 Speaker 1: down to the wire battles, but the forty and Iers 178 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:50,560 Speaker 1: also have lost more games in the fourth quarter. You 179 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: you look at the Packers thirteen and three of the 180 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:56,680 Speaker 1: three losses, two of them the Packers were out of it. 181 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: The fourth quarter didn't matter. The two West Coast trips, Okay, yes, 182 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:01,559 Speaker 1: one of them was against the forty Inns, the same 183 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:03,560 Speaker 1: team they're going to play, but set that aside for 184 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 1: a moment. Ers have lost three games this year right 185 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 1: at the wire, so they've had what my point is, 186 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: they've had more ups and downs at crunch time. The Packers, 187 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 1: I think have have been one of the best crunch 188 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 1: time teams in all of football. So if you get 189 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:23,080 Speaker 1: there and give yourself a shot, that's how you've won. 190 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:25,320 Speaker 1: So maybe you can win another one. Yeah. My favorite 191 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 1: thing about this week is I think I'm actually starting 192 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 1: to lose my voice now. I mean that's what us talking. Yeah, 193 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: that we've done at this point of the season. I mean, 194 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: my goodness, I'm sorry we have done something. We have 195 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 1: done some longer shows this week. I actually saw this 196 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 1: like two days ago. It was with my son, and 197 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:43,400 Speaker 1: like my voice was starting to come out on me 198 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:46,439 Speaker 1: when I was actually talking to We might actually get 199 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 1: to the periscope on Sunday morning and I might not 200 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: have anything left to give you, but your points are 201 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 1: valid and they're true. And the thing I saw the 202 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 1: most over this time. You can talk about Green Bay 203 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: and where they need to get better, But since that 204 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:03,160 Speaker 1: game I've seen I don't want to call them holes 205 00:10:03,160 --> 00:10:04,959 Speaker 1: because I still believed and you know this from the 206 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:08,479 Speaker 1: very beginning, Mike. I remember Wayne Laervy asking me in September, 207 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:10,360 Speaker 1: who I thought, you know, was the best team was 208 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: gonna be the biggest opponent here for Green Bay? And 209 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 1: I've said since the beginning since that first month of 210 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:16,680 Speaker 1: the year. I felt like it was San Francisco because 211 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:19,680 Speaker 1: how well they play in all three phases. And it 212 00:10:19,720 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 1: seems like Robbie Gold has kind of figured out some 213 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:23,439 Speaker 1: of the kicking issues that was, you know, kind of 214 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:27,079 Speaker 1: hurting him early in the season. But San Francisco, I thought, 215 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 1: in those games against the Rams, and the game against 216 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 1: the Falcons, and and even some of these contests that 217 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:35,240 Speaker 1: they've had with the Seattle I I've seen a team 218 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 1: that I believe is beatable. There are ways to do it, 219 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:41,720 Speaker 1: but you have to play a full sixty minute game 220 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:45,280 Speaker 1: with as many mistakes, you know, a few mistakes as possible. 221 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 1: And Aaron Rodgers talked about that. You you talked about 222 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:53,199 Speaker 1: over communicating on defense offensively, Rogers feels like the gut check, 223 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 1: the reality check that they got out of that San 224 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 1: Francisco game is something that has pushed them to this 225 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: point that they were able to sort of iron out 226 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:03,560 Speaker 1: some things because of things that went wrong in San 227 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:06,680 Speaker 1: Francisco that first time, in Santa Clara that first time, 228 00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:10,360 Speaker 1: So for them being in this matchup at this point 229 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: in time, and Roger stepped to the podium, the first 230 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:15,440 Speaker 1: thing he said was, we're one of four teams left 231 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 1: there twenty eight other teams right now that have started 232 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 1: their vacations, started their off season. I really truly believe 233 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:25,080 Speaker 1: that there is this why not us mentality in that 234 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:27,720 Speaker 1: locker room. And when you listen to the Smith's talk 235 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 1: at the podium and Davante Adams, as I mentioned it 236 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:33,160 Speaker 1: from the get go, there are so many players right 237 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 1: now in this locker room that have been through all 238 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 1: these highs and lows, and they feel like they're reaching 239 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 1: their peak, and more so than any other team probably 240 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: going back to two thousand and ten, I just feel 241 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 1: like this is a team that has gotten better every 242 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:48,440 Speaker 1: single week. The score might not have always reflected it, 243 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 1: but I think they found answers two things that had 244 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:56,319 Speaker 1: been plaguing them previously. Yeah, well, here's here's one question 245 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 1: I'm gonna throw at you, and then we will move 246 00:11:58,240 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 1: on and give a few thoughts about the a f 247 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: SE Championship game. What is one thing that has to 248 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 1: happen in this game for the Packers to win? The 249 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:08,760 Speaker 1: obvious answer is they need to get a turnover off 250 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 1: Jimmy Garoppolo because they play such high percentage and if 251 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 1: you are the only time. I think he does have 252 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 1: quite a few turnovers this year, but those can be 253 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:20,720 Speaker 1: brought out of him when they have to play from behind, 254 00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 1: when they have to make a big play. If they 255 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 1: want the style of football San Francisco wants to do, 256 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 1: they're gonna want to use all the shot clocks, so 257 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 1: to speak. They're gonna want to run the football. They're 258 00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:32,960 Speaker 1: gonna want to You're gonna see every once in a 259 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:35,959 Speaker 1: while a direct snap or not a direct snap, but 260 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 1: like an end around it, like George Kittle. I mean, 261 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:40,600 Speaker 1: they'll do all of it. They want to play small, 262 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 1: they want to put the ball in guy's hands in space, 263 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 1: and they want to let them create after that. The 264 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 1: more you're forcing them to play down field, to play 265 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,840 Speaker 1: from behind, that's what gets them out of their comfort zone. 266 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:53,360 Speaker 1: A takeaway here or there, and you know, getting ten 267 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 1: fourteen points off of that, that's essential. I feel in 268 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:58,560 Speaker 1: this game they didn't get it the first time. In 269 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 1: the real answer, Mike, the most obvious answer is the 270 00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 1: offense can't go over thirteen on third down again. When 271 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: they have the starters out there, they have to convert. 272 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: They have to. Matt Lafleur said, he doesn't believe that 273 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:12,079 Speaker 1: you're gonna be able to just take what they did 274 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 1: last week against Seattle and just throw it right into 275 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:17,120 Speaker 1: this game plan and everything works perfect. You're gonna have 276 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:19,280 Speaker 1: to feel it out. But you have to be more 277 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: successful on third down in order to preserve this. Yeah, 278 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 1: And I will say on the defensive side of the 279 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 1: ball as far as what needs to happen for the 280 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: Packers to win this game, as I say, the defense 281 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:32,000 Speaker 1: has to limit the explosive plays. And I'm gonna put 282 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: a number on it. When I say explosive, I'm talking 283 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:37,360 Speaker 1: twenty plus yard plays. I say the defense has to 284 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:40,080 Speaker 1: limit the explosive plays to four or fewer to win 285 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:43,200 Speaker 1: this game. Because I posted a story on our website 286 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:47,120 Speaker 1: last night looking at you know what the Packers defense did, 287 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 1: talking about that meeting that they had after the first 288 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 1: San Francisco game, And when you look at the numbers, 289 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:56,479 Speaker 1: statistically through October and November, the Packers defense was allowing 290 00:13:57,360 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 1: about five explosive plays, five twenty plus yard plays per 291 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:05,840 Speaker 1: game on average, and one of those on average was 292 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:08,679 Speaker 1: finding the end zone. It was an explosive play touchdown 293 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 1: about one per game over a seven game span. Then 294 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 1: you look at the last five games of the regular season, 295 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:18,800 Speaker 1: they reduced the number of explosive plays allowed the twenty 296 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:22,040 Speaker 1: plus plays to about three per game, and only one 297 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 1: over that entire five game stretch to end the regular 298 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 1: season found the end zone. Last week against Seattle, the 299 00:14:28,560 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 1: Seahawks had four twenty plus explosives. One of those was 300 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 1: a scrambled by Russell Wilson. So I don't know if 301 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: you necessarily have to worry about that as much with 302 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:40,840 Speaker 1: Jimmy Garoppolo, but none of those twenty plus explosives found 303 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 1: the end zone. So to me, it's kind of if 304 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 1: you keep those explosives at four lesson if none of 305 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 1: those big plays find the end zone. Going back to 306 00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 1: what I said about the red zone and the way 307 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 1: the Packers have defended in the red zone this year, 308 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: I think that's kind of a statistic that could be 309 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 1: a telltale sign of how this game unfold. Yeah, and 310 00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 1: as I wrote last to uh, when you look at 311 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:04,320 Speaker 1: the secondary, in these cornerbacks that have played together for 312 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:07,680 Speaker 1: an entire season, you're seeing the maturation of so many 313 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:10,000 Speaker 1: of them. That Gyre Alexander play, I think that was 314 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 1: that Minnesota Detroit where you ended up tripped the receiver 315 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:15,160 Speaker 1: got past, somebody tripped him up to cause the defensive 316 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 1: pastor that was Detroit. If you're much receiver, that was 317 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 1: uh Lacy. I believe Nick Lacey. But be that as 318 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:24,000 Speaker 1: it may, that would have been a that would have 319 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: been six right there, because it's just the past look 320 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 1: like it was online. It looked like he had the 321 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 1: separation after or started to stumble, what are you gonna do? 322 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:33,600 Speaker 1: You're gonna snatch the guy up? You live to play 323 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 1: another down and end up being what a fifty six 324 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 1: yard Matt Prator field goal. Prador had to hit a 325 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:40,520 Speaker 1: bomb on that one. So there's an understanding there that 326 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 1: if you don't give up those seventy five or eight 327 00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: yard touchdowns that sometimes haunted them last season, that you're 328 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 1: making yourself. You know, you're making your job a lot easier, 329 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 1: making them work harder. And this game, I think is 330 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:55,000 Speaker 1: really going to come down to protecting the football, the 331 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 1: explosive plays and just overall offensive efficiency. Packers know what 332 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 1: they're dealing with, They know what the crowd is gonna 333 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 1: be like, They understand that the forty nine there's there's 334 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 1: an insatiable hunger here for this team to get back 335 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:09,560 Speaker 1: to a super Bowl after everything, how it ended, you know, 336 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 1: six seven years ago, the last time they had that opportunity. 337 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:16,480 Speaker 1: Everything's on the line for them, and it's just exciting. 338 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 1: And I think you can feel the energy in that 339 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 1: locker room. And now I was just spending time down 340 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:23,080 Speaker 1: there yesterday, how loose this team is, how geared up 341 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:26,760 Speaker 1: these guys are, because these opportunities, as Davante Adams said 342 00:16:26,760 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: at the podium, they're they're rare and you have to 343 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: appreciate them. And you know, there's gonna be a guy 344 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:33,920 Speaker 1: or two. You ask me that original question, what has 345 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 1: to happen. The other thing needs to happen is there 346 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 1: needs to be an Allen Lazard stepping up. There needs 347 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: to be, you know, a Tyler Irvin explosive play. There 348 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 1: needs to be a Tyler Lancaster fumble recovery. It's gonna 349 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: take not just sa Darius Smith and Preston Smith and 350 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 1: all the name players that you put up on the 351 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,920 Speaker 1: billboards and the programs. It's gonna take the joes and 352 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 1: the bills on this roster to to be able to 353 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:57,640 Speaker 1: finish this thing out. It's gonna be an exciting football game. 354 00:16:57,680 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 1: I can't wait to watch it. Yeah, I mean, I 355 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 1: agree with you with ares the vibe in the Packers 356 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:03,320 Speaker 1: locker room. There's a looseness to it. I said from 357 00:17:03,320 --> 00:17:05,280 Speaker 1: the beginning of the week. I feel like the Packers 358 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:08,359 Speaker 1: just have the right perspective on this going into it. 359 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:10,479 Speaker 1: As far as what happened in Week twelve, where they 360 00:17:10,480 --> 00:17:12,720 Speaker 1: are now as a team, I think they're in a 361 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 1: good place here going into it, and that's a that's 362 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:17,160 Speaker 1: at least a good place to start before we go 363 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:22,360 Speaker 1: a f C Championship. Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs. Interestingly, here, 364 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 1: the Tennessee Titans have been to one Super Bowl in 365 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:29,240 Speaker 1: their history. It was exactly twenty years ago season. That's 366 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:32,800 Speaker 1: crazy that that moment was years ago. But Kevin Dice 367 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:36,480 Speaker 1: Ken Dyson right, the Mike Jones I believe was the 368 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 1: linebacker for the Rams who made the tackle. The Kansas 369 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:42,840 Speaker 1: City Chiefs have not been to a Super Bowl West 370 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 1: in fifty years. Super Bowl four when they beat the 371 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:49,640 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings, and obviously everyone knows they lost in Super 372 00:17:49,680 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 1: Bowl One to the Green Bay Packers. Those are Kansas 373 00:17:52,040 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 1: City's two Super Bowl appearances. Andy Reid trying to get 374 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 1: the Kansas City Chiefs back to the Super Bowl for 375 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:01,959 Speaker 1: the first time in half a century. So the Titans 376 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: have been the road warriors, the six seed. They want 377 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 1: at New England, they want at Baltimore. Now they're going 378 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:11,119 Speaker 1: to Kansas City. The Chiefs the team that was in 379 00:18:11,119 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 1: this exact position a year ago, hosting the a f 380 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 1: C Championship Game and lost a very difficult overtime game 381 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 1: to the New England Patriots. So what are your thoughts 382 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 1: on how this one plays out? I I don't know 383 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:24,080 Speaker 1: who wins the Super Bowl right now, whether it's Green 384 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 1: Bay San Francisco advancing, but this is Kansas City's time, 385 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:30,800 Speaker 1: I feel like in the a f C. Yeah, it 386 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:33,160 Speaker 1: does feel like that, doesn't it. Tennessee is a great 387 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 1: story and and they certainly can win this football game. 388 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 1: Yeah you yeah. I personally picked them to beat the Patriots. 389 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:43,880 Speaker 1: I did not think that that magic would sustain for Baltimore, 390 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:46,879 Speaker 1: just based on how that defense had played this year. 391 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:50,159 Speaker 1: But it did, and they upset them, and here they 392 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 1: are with Derrick Henry is the hottest running back right 393 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 1: now in the NFL, arguably the hottest player right now 394 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 1: in the NFL, the hottest running back. Hottest running back 395 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:03,120 Speaker 1: we've seen in an NFL postseason in a while, James Starks. Yeah, 396 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:06,920 Speaker 1: but you know, yeah, you know, you know what I'm saying. 397 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 1: I mean, somebody that is just getting all the headlines 398 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:13,359 Speaker 1: where everybody is like, can anybody stop? This key is 399 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:16,119 Speaker 1: a mack truck, that is, and all he has in 400 00:19:16,119 --> 00:19:19,440 Speaker 1: front of him is road close signs and crashing through 401 00:19:19,880 --> 00:19:22,760 Speaker 1: and just would flying everywhere. I mean, that's a great 402 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:25,199 Speaker 1: analogy though, because I think I said an inbox earlier 403 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:27,120 Speaker 1: this week. When you look at the Titans, they had 404 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:29,800 Speaker 1: to win in Week seventeen just to get into the playoffs. 405 00:19:29,800 --> 00:19:33,280 Speaker 1: They had the smallest opening possible to get into this 406 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 1: postseason party, and like Derrick Henry has been the guy 407 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:40,600 Speaker 1: who's just blasted that opening wide open. And here they 408 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 1: are as all these other teams are sixty minutes away 409 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 1: from the super Bowl. But on the other side of it, uh, 410 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 1: Kansas City is confident offense. Defensively, that's a huge challenge. 411 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:52,159 Speaker 1: They have to stay up to Derrick Henry, but offensively, 412 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 1: I think last week's showed that this team can hang 413 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:57,920 Speaker 1: fifty on anybody. Things are clicking with Tyreek Hill there, 414 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:01,359 Speaker 1: you know, in him, Travis kill See and all those guys. 415 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:04,359 Speaker 1: He'll mention he doesn't feel like anybody can stop them. 416 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:06,680 Speaker 1: This is their year to do this to get there. 417 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:10,639 Speaker 1: We'll see what happens, should they. But I just feel 418 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:14,240 Speaker 1: like when you talk about Andy Reid, his redemption story, 419 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 1: arc coming to Kansas City, the fact that that organization, 420 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:19,159 Speaker 1: as you pointed out, has not been to a super 421 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:23,720 Speaker 1: Bowl since I was minus eighteen years old. Uh, all 422 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: those things merged together, Mike, and it just gives you 423 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,159 Speaker 1: a feeling that there's something special there with Patrick Mahomes. 424 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 1: Whether or not it equates to a super Bowl title 425 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:34,159 Speaker 1: this year, we don't know. But that guy, should he 426 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:36,639 Speaker 1: stay healthy, is going to be a player for a 427 00:20:36,680 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 1: lot a long long time. Yeah, well, it should be 428 00:20:39,560 --> 00:20:42,000 Speaker 1: one heck of a Sunday of football as it was 429 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 1: last year Championships Sunday was certainly memorable for a lot 430 00:20:46,359 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 1: of reasons. Hopefully we avoid some of the controversy that 431 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:53,840 Speaker 1: happened last year. Good luck, good luck with that. Really 432 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:56,520 Speaker 1: really banking on that one, Mike, But no, you're right. 433 00:20:56,560 --> 00:21:00,080 Speaker 1: I mean you hoped that everything goes cleanly, but it 434 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:03,800 Speaker 1: very rarely ever does. Well, it's going to be entertaining regardless, 435 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:07,680 Speaker 1: and we will be back here on Monday to discuss 436 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 1: the results. So with that, we'll sign off on this 437 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:13,960 Speaker 1: edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of 438 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: our coverage of the Big NFC Championship game on Sunday 439 00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:20,159 Speaker 1: from Santa Clara. You can subscribe to us, like us 440 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:23,439 Speaker 1: on iTunes and other podcast services, and check out all 441 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:26,840 Speaker 1: the great video content on the Packers YouTube channel for 442 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:29,720 Speaker 1: wes I am Mike. Thank you for tuning in everybody. 443 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:30,840 Speaker 1: We will see you next time.