1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: M Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,959 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined as always by my trusted 3 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: colleague Wes Hodkowitz. Were coming to you here from our 4 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: studios at lambeau Field and as you can see, West 5 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: is wearing the throwback apparel this week. The Packers will 6 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:35,280 Speaker 1: be in their third jerseys on Sunday afternoon at lambeau 7 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:38,319 Speaker 1: Field against the Buffalo Bills. But West, before we get 8 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:41,159 Speaker 1: to that, a little bit of a few items to 9 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 1: clean up with regards to last Sunday's game and some 10 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,239 Speaker 1: rough news for the Packers on the defensive line. We 11 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:49,879 Speaker 1: found out on Monday from head coach Mike McCarthy that 12 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 1: veteran d lineman Mohammed Wilkerson ended up having to stay 13 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 1: behind at a hospital in d C for a procedure 14 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: on his injured ankle before he was able to uh 15 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:03,639 Speaker 1: come back to Green Bay. And McCarthy didn't lay out 16 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 1: any timelines, but a lot of media reports out there 17 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:08,679 Speaker 1: that this is a season ending injury and a tough 18 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 1: blow for the Packers defensive line for a guy Mike 19 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:13,680 Speaker 1: Patton had a lot of plans for him, was using 20 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:15,560 Speaker 1: him in a lot of different ways. Now they have 21 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: to make do without him. It's tough, Mike, because when 22 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 1: you heard Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Dean Lawry, they all 23 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 1: talked about it on Monday, just what he meant to 24 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: that room and what I mean when he's back, what 25 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 1: he'll continue to mean to that room. But just the 26 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: presence he brought. Certainly his resume, two time All Pro 27 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:36,800 Speaker 1: defensive lineman, had two seasons with more than ten sacks, 28 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 1: which is not easy to do at his position. The 29 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: Packers had, they had big hopes for him. I mean, 30 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:44,479 Speaker 1: you look at the way that Mike Patton, who worked 31 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: with him his first two years with the Jets, he 32 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 1: had packages designed for him. He was playing like that 33 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 1: hybrid defensive end outside linebacker role, almost as a five 34 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 1: technique rusher in that sub base package. They used that 35 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 1: quite a bit against the Minnesota Vikings to a lot 36 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: of success in the first three quarters. And certainly he 37 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 1: can also push inside and get pressure as a three 38 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 1: technique interior rusher. So to lose him at this juncture 39 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 1: the season, and listen to Mike Daniels, you know he 40 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: mentioned he sits next to him on the team flight 41 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:15,359 Speaker 1: that was a tough blow for them, and it's something 42 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:17,240 Speaker 1: they're really gonna have to, you know, kind of rally 43 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:20,000 Speaker 1: around now and try to rebound from. Yeah. Well, a 44 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:22,680 Speaker 1: couple of guys whose roles are certainly going to increase, 45 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 1: Guys who fall into that draft and developed category for 46 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 1: the Packers. Dean Lowry, of fourth round pick in the 47 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 1: draft out of Northwestern Montrevius Adams, a third round pick 48 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:38,240 Speaker 1: in the draft out of Auburn UM Large Conference guys. 49 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 1: Lowry certainly has more experience thus far in his NFL career. 50 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,800 Speaker 1: We've seen him get a little more comfortable over his 51 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:48,359 Speaker 1: first couple of seasons with lining up in some different 52 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: spots across the defensive line and some of those run 53 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:54,760 Speaker 1: defense base more base packages. He's at the five technique 54 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:58,519 Speaker 1: on across from the offensive tackle sub you know, nickel 55 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 1: and dime. He's more of an in here your pass rusher. Um. 56 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 1: He's been effective, but now we're going to see potentially 57 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 1: an increased snapload for him with Wilkerson being on the show. Yeah, 58 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 1: I mean, you look at how this goes. Lowry in 59 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 1: a lot of ways is a lot like Wilkerson. I mean, 60 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 1: they're two completely different players, But I mean the way 61 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 1: that they play the game and what they're asked to 62 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 1: do in this defense is very similar. So in that way, 63 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:26,280 Speaker 1: it shouldn't be too far of a fall. He's six 64 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:29,359 Speaker 1: ft six two pounds. He can play that five technique 65 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 1: defensive end when they need it, and they've actually played 66 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 1: bass quite a bit the first three weeks of the season. 67 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:36,160 Speaker 1: But then he can also push inside. As we saw 68 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: during training camp, Mike, how many times you and I 69 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 1: were standing out there and watching some of the one 70 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 1: on one work and some of the half line drills. 71 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:44,400 Speaker 1: He was getting a lot of push. I mean, he's 72 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: put a lot of strength on to his body and 73 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 1: it's allowed him to be able to I think, kind 74 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:53,400 Speaker 1: of complete his versatility. The other aspect of it, though, too, 75 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 1: is that you know, he only played thirty three defensive 76 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 1: snaps in the first three games, just all right, first 77 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 1: two games, and got twenty four last weekend in Washington. 78 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: There's an opportunity now with him being fresh and being 79 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 1: ready to potentially be able to give a spark to 80 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 1: that defensive front. The Packers felt good about this defensive 81 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 1: line going back to February befine, before Mohamed Wilkerson was 82 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:17,280 Speaker 1: signed in Montrevias Adams coming back from his injury. They 83 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 1: felt good about it from day one. Yeah, Wilkerson added 84 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 1: to it. But it is about getting back to the 85 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: realization that, Okay, if it's on us four again, you 86 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:27,359 Speaker 1: know we can handle this. Yeah. And we saw the 87 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 1: Packers certainly in the second half in Washington. They didn't 88 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:32,800 Speaker 1: have Wilkerson, he was he was out of the game 89 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: by that point, and and the defensive front seemed to 90 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 1: adjust pretty well. Now, obviously it took a while. If 91 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 1: you look at the fourth quarter Minnesota over time in 92 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 1: the first half against Washington, seemed like it took a 93 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:47,359 Speaker 1: while for the Packers secondary to deal with the loss 94 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 1: of Kevin king and and make adjustments there. So hopefully 95 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:54,359 Speaker 1: whatever adjustments need to be made upfront, maybe not quite 96 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: so many growing pains. But again, we'll have to see 97 00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 1: things are things are week to week. It's it's a 98 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 1: match bas league and uh. And we'll see what Buffalo 99 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 1: brings to the table on Sunday. Absolutely, and it's gonna 100 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,679 Speaker 1: be a stiff test for them, especially with the Buffalo 101 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: coming off of that win against the Vikings. There's gonna 102 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: be a lot of momentum built into that. But no doubt, 103 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:13,160 Speaker 1: one other thing I want to mention in the defensive 104 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 1: line is Kenny Clark, and for my money, he's the best. 105 00:05:16,279 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 1: He's played as well as anybody on that side of 106 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:21,239 Speaker 1: the ball. Uh these first three games, I would agree 107 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:24,160 Speaker 1: he's playing a lot. I mean, one of the defensive 108 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,920 Speaker 1: snaps for the season, played fifty six out of sixty 109 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 1: one snaps in Washington. He's twenty two years old. He 110 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 1: feels like he's fresh and ready for it. I'd have 111 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:35,839 Speaker 1: to imagine as the season wears on that Jerry Montgomery 112 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:37,760 Speaker 1: and Mike mccarthur are gonna want to be smart with that. 113 00:05:37,839 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 1: But he said on Monday, if he's needed right now, 114 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 1: he's up for the challenge. Sixteen tackles, a sack in 115 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:46,040 Speaker 1: two pass deflections. He's looked good early on. Yeah, you 116 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 1: take a look at what Kenny Clark has done against 117 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 1: the run, in particular my what you might have missed 118 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: piece that is on our website. There's a handful of 119 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: plays that just his his technique in run defense, the 120 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: two gapping being you know, being able to shed the 121 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 1: block to one side or the other, just been outstanding 122 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 1: and against Washington. He was doing it, lining up on 123 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 1: the nose, lining up at three tech, lining up, shading 124 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 1: the center, you know, in some different spots there and 125 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 1: being effective. And in fact it's not in my piece, 126 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 1: but on the long forty one yard run by Adrian Peterson, 127 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 1: the guy who got in the backfield was Kenny Clark 128 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 1: slowed that play down initially, but then Peterson was still 129 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: able to bust it through when when other guys couldn't 130 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:27,160 Speaker 1: make the play. He he's been really really impressive back 131 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: to back weeks. I think he's been right up there 132 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 1: at the team high and tackles. I mean, he's just 133 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:32,800 Speaker 1: he's been a maller so far, and the Packers are 134 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: going to need more of that if they got to 135 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 1: go with Wilkerson. Yeah, well, we'll also have to see 136 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 1: what happens on the Packers offensive line. McCarthy did not 137 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 1: have any updates on the back injury to Brian Blog 138 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:45,360 Speaker 1: at right tackle the shoulder injury to Justin McCrae at 139 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:49,920 Speaker 1: right guard. So we'll see if one or both or none, 140 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:53,640 Speaker 1: you know, will be uh be playing on Sunday against Buffalo. 141 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 1: The Packers essentially have three potential replacements for those two 142 00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:02,360 Speaker 1: spots Jason Spriggs Byron Bell lous Patrick Spriggs pretty much 143 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:05,839 Speaker 1: just a tackle now, Patrick a guard, and Bell a 144 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 1: guy who has played both guard and tackle. So we'll 145 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 1: see how that shakes out. But obviously, with Aaron Rodgers 146 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 1: still not fully mobile, dealing with the knee injury and 147 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 1: he changes on the offensive line, and with Rogers potentially 148 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,680 Speaker 1: not practicing, and the way things have been going, there's 149 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 1: a lot for the Packers to sort out on offense. 150 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 1: And and as we've talked about, try to start these 151 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 1: games a little faster because against both Chicago and Washington, 152 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 1: the offense just got off to a really really slow start. Yeah, 153 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 1: and protecting the football is going to be paramount to 154 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: in this game against Buffalo. Ultimately, when you go back 155 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 1: and look at what they did against Minnesota, I think 156 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:40,640 Speaker 1: that was the difference. That's how they won the game. Yeah, 157 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: they won the game with early turnovers, field position, they 158 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 1: built a lead and then they just hung on from there. 159 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: For the Packers, that will be important to start fast, 160 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: and yeah, we'll have to see what formed the offensive 161 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,600 Speaker 1: line takes. Again, I mentioned this and I think yesterday 162 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:55,160 Speaker 1: so I thought Jason Spriggs had really settled in by 163 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 1: the end of training camp at left tackle. Now he's 164 00:07:57,680 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 1: going back to right tackle again. He's talked about the 165 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: channel just that in the past, so if he's needed 166 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:05,200 Speaker 1: there Byron Bell is a pro. I mean, he's played guard, 167 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: he's played tackle on this league for a long time. 168 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 1: He can handle that. And certainly Lucas Patrick gives you 169 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,560 Speaker 1: that guard to center flexibility. So the Packers were really 170 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 1: smart and the three guys that they kept behind that 171 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 1: starting offensive line was really good to be able to 172 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 1: get the starting five out there together and playing together 173 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 1: for you know, the first Uh, I guess it would 174 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: end up being what ten quarters who had two and 175 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:27,840 Speaker 1: a half games, But well, we'll we'll have to see 176 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 1: what form the week takes with the rest of those guys. Well. 177 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:32,840 Speaker 1: The other change going on offensively for the Packers is 178 00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 1: the return of Aaron Jones, sat out the first two 179 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 1: games due to a suspension. Got in the game on 180 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:41,839 Speaker 1: Sunday forty two yards I believe on six carries. His 181 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,200 Speaker 1: first two carries went for ten and for eight yards. 182 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 1: Mike McCarthy had cautioned he was going to have a 183 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:50,200 Speaker 1: limited role first coming back after the time that he missed, 184 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, Packers are in a good situation 185 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 1: now at running back. You have all three of your 186 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 1: options healthy. They all bring a little something different to 187 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:01,960 Speaker 1: the table. As I said in my postgame editorial, and 188 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 1: I've repeated, you know, a couple of times in other places. 189 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:07,440 Speaker 1: I think the key now here for the Packers is 190 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:12,320 Speaker 1: to figure out what is the right productive mix in 191 00:09:12,440 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 1: terms of having an effective and productive rotation, but not 192 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:19,959 Speaker 1: crossing that line to where everything's everything becomes disjointed on 193 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 1: offense because you're changing things around all the time. That's 194 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:25,679 Speaker 1: a that's a fine line to walk. The Packers coaches 195 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:28,680 Speaker 1: will figure that out as as as we go along here. 196 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,080 Speaker 1: But you know, I like the fact that all three 197 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:33,840 Speaker 1: of the backfield options are healthy and the coaching staff 198 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:36,960 Speaker 1: can you know, has in a way a problem to 199 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:39,040 Speaker 1: figure Yeah, And it's weird, Mike, It's just it just 200 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 1: hasn't really been the case so far. They're just out 201 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 1: of those three. Just seems like somebody's been nicked up 202 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 1: or somebody's always sitting out. Yeah, Aaron Jones obviously being 203 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:49,680 Speaker 1: out with the suspension. So for the first time here, 204 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 1: it probably since the beginning when when Williams and Jones 205 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 1: were unproven, but Packers have three legitimate options at that position. 206 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 1: And breaking down what happened in this game against watched 207 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:03,480 Speaker 1: in Jamal Williams started the game, got thirty snaps, Time 208 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 1: Montgomery twenty, and then Aaron Jones got seventeen. McCarthy has 209 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: said in the past he'll ride the hot hand if 210 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:13,080 Speaker 1: it presents itself, but he's not averse to committee approaches. 211 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 1: I know that doesn't make fantasy football owners out there 212 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:17,840 Speaker 1: very happy, but it's true. And I thought this game, 213 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:19,720 Speaker 1: there's a lot of things didn't go well for the Packers. 214 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 1: In this game, I had no problem whatsoever with what 215 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 1: how the backfield was handled hundred and fifty six total yards, 216 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:28,360 Speaker 1: And I thought, when you look at the production of Williams, 217 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 1: Montgomery and Jones altogether in a vacuum, the three guys 218 00:10:32,640 --> 00:10:35,080 Speaker 1: did everything that they do well and the Packers were 219 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: able to capitalize on that. As you said, it's gonna 220 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:39,839 Speaker 1: be a balancing act, it's gonna be a juggling act 221 00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 1: these next games coming up. To figure out, Okay, you 222 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:45,400 Speaker 1: got Time Montgomery, here's what you can do with him, 223 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 1: Here's the ways he can threaten and stress a defense. 224 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 1: You know what Jamal Williams does in his consistency as 225 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 1: a pass protector between the tackles runner, and obviously the 226 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:57,440 Speaker 1: explosiveness of Aaron Jones. That is a lot of options 227 00:10:57,480 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 1: to handle. But it's a good problem to have. And 228 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 1: as I've said all along, since the very beginning, I 229 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,240 Speaker 1: think that this offense can be at its best when 230 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 1: all three of those guys are available and healthy and 231 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:09,200 Speaker 1: ready to contribute. Right and it's about the long game. 232 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 1: Right now, you have thirteen regular season games to go, 233 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 1: You have all three of these guys healthy and playing. 234 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 1: You want to keep it that way for as long 235 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:18,839 Speaker 1: as you can. You want to keep Aaron Jones healthy 236 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:21,560 Speaker 1: from the start. People are like, what it was, seventeen snaps. 237 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: He hadn't played in two weeks, and before that he 238 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:25,839 Speaker 1: was dealing with a hamstring injury. I mean, I get it. 239 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: If you're playing Madden and it says, Okay, this guy 240 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 1: no longer has a hamstring and he's clear to play, 241 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 1: You're just gonna use him every single down. It just 242 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 1: doesn't work that way in the NFL, though, So I 243 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:38,000 Speaker 1: would imagine if assuming everything checks out this well well 244 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:39,960 Speaker 1: with him this week, that could be a line for 245 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,080 Speaker 1: more opportunities. You just have to wait and see. Yeah, 246 00:11:42,120 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 1: I would agree. Um some sponsor business though, West, It's 247 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:47,440 Speaker 1: time to enter the Cousins Subs Best Seats in the 248 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 1: House promotion. 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On yesterday's show, we promised we 256 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:11,520 Speaker 1: would get to looking around the league a little bit 257 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:15,720 Speaker 1: at where things stand after three weeks in this topsy 258 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 1: turvy NFL, and the long and the short of it is, 259 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 1: out of thirty two teams, three teams are three and 260 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,840 Speaker 1: oh three teams are oh and three and twenty six 261 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: teams are somewhere in between. So you figure it out, Okay, go, Hey, 262 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:31,440 Speaker 1: you know what I'm gonna start on the Bears. How 263 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 1: about that? I said a week ago that that game 264 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 1: against Seattle was going to be really important, and lo 265 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:39,600 Speaker 1: and behold, you see Seattle actually is able to get 266 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 1: a win this week, so they got off the schneid. 267 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 1: But the Bears they get that win again Seattle, and 268 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:45,520 Speaker 1: then they go and Squeak went out against the Cardinals, 269 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 1: coming back from down fourteen nothing on the road. By 270 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:51,320 Speaker 1: the way, suddenly number one in your division. And that's 271 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 1: just how the NFL works. Sometimes some people ask me 272 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:56,240 Speaker 1: this question was asked I think two days ago in inbox, 273 00:12:56,280 --> 00:12:58,679 Speaker 1: is this the the tightest the the NFC North Race 274 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:00,680 Speaker 1: has ever been? It was tighter, Lie Steer, But I 275 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,840 Speaker 1: mean it's three it's three games in there, so there's 276 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 1: so much to get There's so much to get sorted out. 277 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 1: And for all the all the Packers fans who are 278 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:10,440 Speaker 1: who are like, jeez, you know the Packers are so 279 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 1: close to you know, to be in three and o 280 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:15,040 Speaker 1: or having an extra win. Look at what the Chicago 281 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 1: Bears are thinking. The Bears are like, if we don't 282 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 1: blow a twenty to nothing lead at lambeau Field, we're 283 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:20,959 Speaker 1: three and o and sitting pretty on top of the 284 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 1: division right now. So there's it's it's early. There's so 285 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: much that there's so much that has to get sorted out. 286 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:29,720 Speaker 1: But it looks like it's gonna be a fun year. Yeah, 287 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 1: I think so. And then you look at the NFC 288 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 1: North or the NFC at conference in general. You know, 289 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:35,720 Speaker 1: the Tampa Bay finally came back down to earth a 290 00:13:35,720 --> 00:13:38,880 Speaker 1: little bit there. Not saying Ryan's fits magic ran out, 291 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 1: but I mean you started to see some of the 292 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:43,520 Speaker 1: takeaways and turnovers that that have been kind of staples 293 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:45,839 Speaker 1: of of his game in the past. When you live 294 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 1: by the sword, sometimes you die by the sword. They 295 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 1: still kept in it with Pittsburgh, who got a very 296 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:53,200 Speaker 1: big win for themselves, but certainly from that regard, and 297 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:56,760 Speaker 1: then obviously the shootout the Saints and Falcons and put 298 00:13:56,920 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 1: the offensive on slot in the NFC. So it gonna 299 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:02,199 Speaker 1: be a fun here. There's a lot of teams specifically 300 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:04,440 Speaker 1: in this conference that are going to be vying for 301 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 1: playoff spots and every game is meaning. I mean, that's 302 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, if you're an NFL fan, 303 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:12,199 Speaker 1: if you're a football fan, that's what you're cheering for. Yeah. Absolutely, 304 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:13,720 Speaker 1: and you just look at you look at the way 305 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:17,199 Speaker 1: Week three went. Nobody thought Buffalo would go into Minneapolis 306 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: and beat the Minnesota but nobody thought they would win, 307 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:23,479 Speaker 1: let alone win by base three touchdowns. It was seventeen 308 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 1: It's one of the it's it's one of the biggest, 309 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:29,200 Speaker 1: one of the biggest upsets. You know, a seventeen point 310 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 1: underdog on the road. And then there weren't a whole 311 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:34,640 Speaker 1: lot of people that gave Matt Patricia a chance to 312 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:37,600 Speaker 1: beat his old boss on Sunday night football at Ford Field, 313 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: and uh, that was no fluke win either. The Detroit 314 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 1: the Detroit Lions clearly outplayed the New England Patriots. The 315 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 1: Patriots now sitting at one and two, the Lions get 316 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:50,360 Speaker 1: off the schneid. They're they're at one and two, and hey, 317 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 1: with everything else that was going on for them for 318 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 1: two weeks, they sit there and go, well, the Bears 319 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 1: are two and one at the top of the division, 320 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:58,120 Speaker 1: were only one game out of first place. I mean, 321 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 1: how else would you look at it? Quickly turns too, 322 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: because you and I were talking about, Okay, the Packers 323 00:15:02,560 --> 00:15:04,840 Speaker 1: and Buffalo coming up in Detroit and not saying that 324 00:15:04,880 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 1: those still aren't winnable games, but the narrative changes a 325 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:10,440 Speaker 1: little bit absolutely, And also the fact that carry on 326 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:16,520 Speaker 1: Johnson ended the streaks rusher in Detroit, so the last 327 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:20,800 Speaker 1: their last one coming actually against the Packers Reggie but 328 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 1: Reggie Bush Thanksgiving Day. That that awful game for Green 329 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 1: Bay when Matt Flynn was filling in for Aaron Rodgers 330 00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 1: from his first broken collar one I believe the final 331 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 1: score was forty to ten. And uh that was when 332 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:36,240 Speaker 1: obviously it looked like the Lions were on their way 333 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 1: to the division championship, and low and behold by between 334 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 1: Thanksgiving and Week seventeen, it was suddenly the Packers against 335 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:45,960 Speaker 1: the Bears that Soldier Field for the division title and 336 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 1: the Lions had completely fallen out of it. But that 337 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: was their last one yard rusher in a game Thanksgiving 338 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 1: against the Packers until Sunday night against the Patriots, of 339 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 1: all teams. And I think that was the last hundred 340 00:15:57,800 --> 00:16:00,800 Speaker 1: yard rushing performance of Reggie Bush's career or two. So yeah, 341 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:03,760 Speaker 1: it was. It was a wacky game, probably in terms 342 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 1: of just the game in which the Packers lost, not 343 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:08,280 Speaker 1: talking about some insurmountable comeback or anything like that. Is 344 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 1: the craziest game I covered, just because it was just 345 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 1: the whole Anything that could go wrong seemed to go 346 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:15,880 Speaker 1: wrong in the contest. I think the offensive line got 347 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 1: banged up from what I recall, but be that as 348 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 1: it may. Uh In two thousand eighteen, matt Patricia, who 349 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 1: I believe on the first play or the first series 350 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: where they ended up kicking the field goal on fourth 351 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:29,400 Speaker 1: and short, got booed for like the fifth or sixth 352 00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 1: consecutive game or whatever it's been at at Ford Field. 353 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 1: Just can't make people happy. But hopefully Detroit fans now 354 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: keept him a little slack because I think he said 355 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:40,880 Speaker 1: all the right things. He's done what he's needed to 356 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:43,160 Speaker 1: do in that post. He's kept an even keeled mindset. 357 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 1: Matthew Stafford is one of the best in the business. 358 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 1: I still maintained that. I love his moxie. I think 359 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:51,800 Speaker 1: he's proven himself over the years. And yeah, it's at 360 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:53,960 Speaker 1: the NFC North, for my money, is still I think 361 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 1: the best division division right now in football. I think 362 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 1: it's gonna be them and probably the self that are 363 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 1: gonna be competing for that on it this year. But 364 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a fun year. It really is well 365 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:04,359 Speaker 1: and there there are some things to figure out with 366 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:07,200 Speaker 1: regards to the NFC West. Suddenly, Jimmy Garoppolo and San 367 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:10,040 Speaker 1: Francisco is out for the season. The Rams are three, 368 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:12,640 Speaker 1: you know, on top of that division. The Seahawks get 369 00:17:12,640 --> 00:17:14,680 Speaker 1: off the schneid, they get their first win of the year, 370 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:18,320 Speaker 1: so we'll see what happens with that. But really a 371 00:17:18,359 --> 00:17:22,159 Speaker 1: big game, potentially for NFC implications coming up this Thursday 372 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:25,120 Speaker 1: Night West the Los Angeles Rams against the Minnesota Vikings, 373 00:17:25,400 --> 00:17:30,600 Speaker 1: and both teams banged up. The Rams their two starting cornerbacks, 374 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 1: Marcus Peters a key to leave dealing with injuries. The 375 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:36,120 Speaker 1: Vikings hoping to maybe get Dalvin Cook back at running back, 376 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:38,439 Speaker 1: but then some personal and legal issues going on with 377 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:42,000 Speaker 1: Everson Griffin, so and and and all of a sudden, 378 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:44,439 Speaker 1: Thursday night football, here's a pretty big game in the NFC, 379 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 1: and you don't even know who's going to be out there. Well, 380 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 1: this is what I love. It's like because this is 381 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:50,159 Speaker 1: the whole Fox deal now right right there in Fox. 382 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 1: And suddenly the Minnesota Vikings are playing the l A 383 00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:56,040 Speaker 1: Rams in week four of a Thursday night football game. 384 00:17:56,359 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 1: I'm used to like the being the Browns and the 385 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 1: Jets or something like that, and nothing's really on the line. 386 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:06,240 Speaker 1: This is a huge game. Fox Fox Fox forked out 387 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:08,439 Speaker 1: some big money for this Thursday night package and the 388 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 1: schedule maker delivered for because these Thursday night matchups this 389 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:13,760 Speaker 1: year are not what we're used to know. I know, 390 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:16,040 Speaker 1: I'm like, this is this is Sunday Night football. I mean, 391 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 1: everybody knew what the Vikings and Rams are gonna be. 392 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:20,439 Speaker 1: But that being said, this is a huge test for 393 00:18:20,560 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 1: l A. I saw that stat that they're three and oh, 394 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:25,040 Speaker 1: but the teams in which they've beaten right now other 395 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:27,680 Speaker 1: than the loss, are one in five combined. So this 396 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:29,640 Speaker 1: is I mean, I get the Vikings right now are 397 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 1: one one in one as well, but I still maintain 398 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:33,440 Speaker 1: that they're right up there with the top of the 399 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 1: class in this conference. Seeing how they can bounce back 400 00:18:37,040 --> 00:18:39,440 Speaker 1: and rally back going on the road and seeing if 401 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 1: l you know, l A can hold serve and maybe 402 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 1: try to get some separation in this conference. Big implications 403 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:48,360 Speaker 1: all around. Yeah, definitely. Well, when we get to tomorrow show, 404 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 1: we'll start breaking down the Buffalo Bills a little bit 405 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:52,680 Speaker 1: looking ahead to Sunday, but for now we will call 406 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:55,000 Speaker 1: it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. Be 407 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:57,119 Speaker 1: sure to follow all of our coverage of the team 408 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:00,160 Speaker 1: on Packers dot com. On Twitter, He's at west Odd, 409 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 1: I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers for the team account. 410 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 1: Thanks for tuning in, everybody, See you next time. H