1 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:09,719 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spafford, joined by my 3 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: partner and everything Packers, Wes Hodkowitz. We're coming to you 4 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:19,720 Speaker 1: Hear from our studios at lambeau Field to preview Wes. 5 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: It is here. It is Packers Bears. It will be 6 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 1: Sunday at three twenty five pm Central Time at Lambeufield. 7 00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: First place in the NFC North on the line Packers 8 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 1: Bears in December, with high stakes for both clubs. It 9 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 1: doesn't get much better than this. 10 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 2: No, it doesn't. And you know, I'm still gonna stay 11 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 2: with my original contention. I'm not a huge fan of 12 00:00:38,760 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 2: the how this laid out. I really wish the Packers 13 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 2: and Bears would have at least played once already. I agree, 14 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 2: it just felt like it was way too delayed. Now, 15 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 2: mind you, the NFL absolutely is in love with this. 16 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:52,520 Speaker 2: We just learned that this game in week sixteen at 17 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 2: Soldier Field will now be at seven to twenty pm 18 00:00:55,280 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 2: Prime Time on December twentieth, Saturday, December twentieth, and they 19 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 2: are just licking their chops at how this thing has 20 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,120 Speaker 2: worked out here towards the end of the season, no doubt. Now, 21 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:07,080 Speaker 2: all that being said, after I have to put down 22 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 2: those conditions. This is extremely exciting and you and I 23 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 2: were kind of spitballing back and forth this past week. 24 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:17,120 Speaker 2: I was trying to find a more consequential game that 25 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:21,000 Speaker 2: has been played between the Packers and Bears at lambeau Field. Certainly, 26 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 2: there was the NFC Championship at Soldier Field. There was 27 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:26,760 Speaker 2: a twenty thirteen finale at Soldier Field. There's been times, 28 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:29,959 Speaker 2: as you outlined, where the Packers clinch big playoff spots, 29 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:33,279 Speaker 2: the Bears clinched big playoff spots, but they both weren't 30 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:37,399 Speaker 2: like quote unquote good. At the same time, the Bears 31 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 2: have taken everybody by surprise to be nine to three 32 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 2: and sitting atop the NFC right now. Green Bay has 33 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 2: clawed itself back into this thing at a three to one, 34 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:51,600 Speaker 2: and most importantly, the stakes could not be higher. If 35 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 2: you win this game, you're kind of in the driver's 36 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 2: seat in not only the NFC North but the entire conference. 37 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 2: If you lose, now you're looking at that six seven 38 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:03,080 Speaker 2: spot in the playoff race. These guys are going to 39 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 2: be rip roaring, ready to go. 40 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:08,079 Speaker 1: Yeah, That's that's the thing with this The Packers are 41 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:10,000 Speaker 1: in a good spot. They've won three in a row. 42 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: Some of those the duldrums from earlier in November when 43 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 1: the offense was sputtering and things weren't going well. Packers 44 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:19,359 Speaker 1: seem to have put that behind them. Obviously, the win 45 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 1: at Detroit huge division win on Thanksgiving Day. But this 46 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:25,519 Speaker 1: Bears team is going to be coming into lambeau Field 47 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 1: as confident as I'll get out, and we're going to 48 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,919 Speaker 1: talk about the secrets to their success. Two of the 49 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: biggest ones being the takeaways on defense and the running 50 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: game on offense. But if you really want to know 51 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 1: the biggest reason the Bears are nine to three, it's 52 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:46,639 Speaker 1: because of the way they've pulled games out late. I mean, 53 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:51,079 Speaker 1: you go through their schedule, the Raiders, the Commanders, the Bengals, 54 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 1: the Giants, and the Vikings. The Bears won all of 55 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:57,920 Speaker 1: those games yep, essentially in the final minute, if not 56 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 1: the final play of the game. All of those games 57 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:04,520 Speaker 1: could have gone the other way. But they won all 58 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:07,839 Speaker 1: five of them, and that is why they are nine 59 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 1: to three. If you are going to beat the Bears, 60 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 1: you can't just beat them for fifty eight minutes for 61 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:17,079 Speaker 1: fifty nine and a half minutes. You have to play 62 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 1: the whole sixty minutes because if there's any time this 63 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 1: season has shown if the Bears have any time left 64 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: on the clock, they might be able to find a 65 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 1: way to beat you. 66 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:27,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I think when you look at Green Bay 67 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 2: and Chicago in this matchup, it's two of the best 68 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 2: teams in terms of how they've finished games this season, 69 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 2: how they've been able to sort of, you know, pull 70 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 2: victory from the jaws of defeat, so to speak. I 71 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 2: think the Bears have done it even in more dramatic 72 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 2: fashion when you look at how some of these games 73 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 2: that the opponents they were facing, they've been kind of 74 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 2: riding the lightning there a little bit, oh yeah, throughout 75 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 2: the course of this thing. But that being said, I 76 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 2: think it's probably speaks to Ben Johnson, and you know, 77 00:03:56,120 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 2: he was a guy that was a huge prospect coaching realm. 78 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 2: Probably could have had a job two years ago if 79 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 2: he wanted one, decided to stick around one more year 80 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 2: in Detroit and really sort of saw the landscape for 81 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 2: what it was before deciding that the Chicago Bears were 82 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 2: the team that he wanted to take charge of and 83 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 2: everybody knows the offensive innovation and ingenuity that he displayed 84 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:20,279 Speaker 2: with the Lions, he's done that with the Bears. But 85 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 2: I think he's also proven to be the head coach 86 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 2: that this particular Chicago team required, and for the first time, 87 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 2: I don't want to get too hyperbolic about it, but 88 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 2: I mean the first time really since I think Mike Ditka. 89 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:46,000 Speaker 2: They have a head coach who has a swagger, a character, 90 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:49,720 Speaker 2: almost like a gimmick to him and Ben Johnson, the 91 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:51,600 Speaker 2: guy's ripping his shirt off in the locker room, and 92 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 2: how his players are responding to that. Bears of one, 93 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 2: nine to ten going into this thing, they're feeling really 94 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:57,480 Speaker 2: good about themselves. 95 00:04:57,560 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, they won nine out of ten after the zero 96 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,839 Speaker 1: to two star It's interesting that you go back to 97 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:05,720 Speaker 1: Ditka in terms of that character thing, because Bears had 98 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 1: a lot of success under Lovey Smith. But Lovey Smith 99 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 1: was not some sort of charismatic head coach. He was 100 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:13,719 Speaker 1: just a very even keeled from that, you know, Tony Dungee, 101 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: you know, type of approach to coaching in the NFL. 102 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 1: With Johnson, it's been I mean, quite frankly, it's been 103 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 1: a culture change completely you don't win as many close 104 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 1: games as the Bears have won without changing the culture. 105 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 1: They were in a ton of close games with Matt 106 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 1: Eberflus as the head coach and they couldn't win them. 107 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 1: And Johnson is the guy who has changed the culture. 108 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 1: One thing that hasn't really changed about the Bears, though, 109 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:42,240 Speaker 1: is that they have a defense that is predicated on 110 00:05:42,279 --> 00:05:45,039 Speaker 1: taking the football away. That seems to be the case regardless, 111 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: and Dennis Allen has come in as Ben Johnson's defensive 112 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 1: coordinator and he's coordinating a Dennis Allen type defense that 113 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 1: goes after the ball. They lead the league with twenty 114 00:05:55,160 --> 00:06:00,360 Speaker 1: six takeaways, including a league leading seventeen interceptions, so there's 115 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 1: nine fumble recoveries to go with that. They have forced 116 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 1: fourteen fumbles, so there have been even more takeaway opportunities 117 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:09,320 Speaker 1: out there. And here's the thing, Wes twenty five of 118 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:11,920 Speaker 1: their twenty six takeaways have come in their nine wins. 119 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 1: In their three losses, they have only one takeaway. If 120 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:17,279 Speaker 1: there's a game to protect the football, if there's an 121 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,840 Speaker 1: opponent to from whom to protect the football, it's this. 122 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:23,720 Speaker 2: It is, Mike. But it's so much easier said than done, 123 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 2: no doubts I was watching. I've watched a lot of 124 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 2: Bears football the last few weeks, you know, just based 125 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:30,720 Speaker 2: on how the schedule is sort of aligned, and having 126 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 2: some opportunities to see some Sunday action. Obviously the Black 127 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 2: Friday game against Philadelphia. And it's one thing to like 128 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 2: look at a stat sheet and be like, wow, that's 129 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:41,200 Speaker 2: a lot of takeaways. And then you see the way 130 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:43,280 Speaker 2: that a guy like you know, Kevin Byer, the way 131 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 2: he flies in that secondary, the interception he had of 132 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 2: Jalen Hurts, who in most cases protects the ball very well. 133 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:55,239 Speaker 2: It is about not just being opportunistic, but finding those 134 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 2: moments and seizing them. And I even comment to an 135 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:02,239 Speaker 2: insider inbox which you had to edit. You know, Byard 136 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:06,320 Speaker 2: I think is really one of the most underrated safeties 137 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,680 Speaker 2: in this league. And as much as gets made out 138 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,760 Speaker 2: of Mike Vrabel left Tennessee and you know, they let 139 00:07:12,840 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 2: Derek Henry walk, nobody talks about the fact that they let. 140 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 1: Byard out the door two years ago, yep. 141 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 2: And that Tennessee defense hasn't been the same since he left. 142 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 2: And right you know, they you look at you know, 143 00:07:24,760 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 2: Ryan Pace and what he's been building in Chicago and 144 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 2: some of the acquisitions. You know, it's been hit or 145 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 2: miss on some of the draft picks, but some of 146 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 2: the signings that he's had, uh have been really savvy. 147 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 2: It reminds me a lot of what Brian Goodekuins did 148 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:39,559 Speaker 2: in those early years where you only have so many picks, 149 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:41,160 Speaker 2: you have to find guys that are going to fit 150 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 2: the rest of your team. Byard's done that, and I 151 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 2: mean obviously the trade for Montes sweat, he's leading them 152 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 2: in sacks this season. The one thing I'll say, and 153 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:51,880 Speaker 2: we'll get more into it with the Keys to victory, 154 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 2: but like they've given up a lot of production too. 155 00:07:54,920 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 1: Yep. 156 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 2: That's the other side of this. Both against the run 157 00:07:57,400 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 2: and the pass, teams have been able to move the 158 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 2: ball against him. I've been nervous about using the analogy 159 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:05,240 Speaker 2: of the twenty eleven Packers because the Packers finished dead 160 00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 2: last in total yards that year, but Green Bay by 161 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 2: and large was one of the biggest takeaway teams that season. 162 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 2: That's what allowed them to get to fifteen and one. Yep. 163 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 2: That's sort of where Chicago's been at, mixed with the 164 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 2: fact that Caleb Williams. Those running backs have protected the 165 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 2: ball very well as well. 166 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, and that's the other side of the turnover equation 167 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 1: is the Bears have done a really good job protecting 168 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 1: the ball, particularly Caleb Williams as a second year quarterback, 169 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:30,320 Speaker 1: as a guy who took a lot of sacks as 170 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:32,480 Speaker 1: a rookie, put the ball in harm's way, you know, 171 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:36,880 Speaker 1: too much, but yet somewhat understandable as a rookie. But 172 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 1: now in his second year, he is protecting the ball 173 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:42,080 Speaker 1: a lot better and he's he's got the greatest protection 174 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 1: any quarterback could ask for in this running game. I 175 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 1: mean DeAndre Swift, Kama nung Guy. Now Manungai did pop 176 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 1: up on Chicago's injury report this week, so that will 177 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:54,840 Speaker 1: be something to watch. But that running back duo they've 178 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:57,439 Speaker 1: combined so far this year now West for thirteen hundred 179 00:08:57,440 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: and sixty five yards and ten touchdowns on the ground, 180 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 1: and we all know they both topped one hundred yards 181 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 1: against the Eagles on Black Friday. When the Bears rushed 182 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 1: for two eighty one against Philadelphia, they just they came 183 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 1: out and just punched the Eagles in the mouth with 184 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 1: that ground game. Right at the beginning and the Eagles 185 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:19,320 Speaker 1: just never had a response for slowing down those running backs, 186 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 1: and they they just kept going back and forth from 187 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:26,400 Speaker 1: one guy to the other and pounding away. But it 188 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:29,920 Speaker 1: has been but it's been impressive to me to watch 189 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:32,439 Speaker 1: and sometimes you know, it's culture, it can be coaching 190 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:35,800 Speaker 1: all those things. Caleb Williams from year one to year two, 191 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:40,439 Speaker 1: he just looks like he's in so much more command 192 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: out there, just in his second year as a quarterback 193 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:43,719 Speaker 1: for me. 194 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:45,760 Speaker 2: And I want to start with the running backs here 195 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:50,720 Speaker 2: because it was interesting when Johnson goes to Chicago, he 196 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:54,720 Speaker 2: built the same thing that Detroit built, right which coincidentally 197 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 2: happened to be one of the former Bears running backs, 198 00:09:57,120 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 2: you know, and David Montgomery. Right now you have a 199 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 2: former Lions running back that had a little bit of 200 00:10:01,640 --> 00:10:04,880 Speaker 2: a pit stop in Philadelphia, and DeAndre Swift. That Swift 201 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 2: has been a guy Mike since day one. I've always said, 202 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:11,440 Speaker 2: I mean, this guy, if he stays healthy, he's a 203 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:14,560 Speaker 2: difference maker. Keeping him healthy has been the issue. But 204 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 2: the fact that when he was down, Manungai, the twenty 205 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,439 Speaker 2: second running back taken in the draft, stepped up the 206 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:25,480 Speaker 2: way he did with a vastly improved offensive line this season, 207 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 2: particularly on the interior. They've built their offense around those 208 00:10:30,040 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 2: two guys, and that, in my opinion, has been what's 209 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 2: allowed Caleb Williams to make that next step because he 210 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 2: sees the field the way he sees it, he plays 211 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:39,839 Speaker 2: the quarterback position the way he plays it. There's certainly 212 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 2: refinements that are going to happen there, but Caleb Williams 213 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:45,760 Speaker 2: that you're not going to change his DNA, and it 214 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 2: just seems like the complimentary pieces are more intact this 215 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 2: season with the Bears. Now, all that being said, Williams 216 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:56,560 Speaker 2: does have the lowest completed passing percentage of any NFL 217 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 2: starting quarterback right now, meeting that metric for amount of 218 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:02,880 Speaker 2: passes at ten. Right. I look at Romadunze, who got 219 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 2: off to just this incredible start of the season that's 220 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 2: kind of slowed down here in the second half. My 221 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 2: fantasy football team can speak to that. But they have 222 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:13,680 Speaker 2: weapons that can hit you and beat you in different ways. 223 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:16,000 Speaker 2: But when they need to get back to their bread 224 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 2: and butter, it is those two backs running, pass catching everything, 225 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 2: and I feel like Green Bay in this matchup, that's 226 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:22,959 Speaker 2: where they got to get to. 227 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:25,680 Speaker 1: Well and Ben Johnson put his stamp on this offense 228 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:28,959 Speaker 1: right away in the off season with the way they 229 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:33,319 Speaker 1: went about rebuilding their offensive line. They used trades and 230 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 1: free agency to essentially rebuild both guard the whole interior. 231 00:11:37,559 --> 00:11:40,160 Speaker 1: The two guards in the center spot all new guys. 232 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: They're monster at right tackle, Darnell Wright, who was a 233 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: first round pick a few years back, as a guy 234 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:48,640 Speaker 1: who seems to be coming into his own. That offensive 235 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:52,160 Speaker 1: line is I mean, that was the foundation of Ben 236 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:54,920 Speaker 1: Johnson's success, getting the running game going, the play action 237 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:57,880 Speaker 1: pass to help your quarterback. He's doing the same thing 238 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:02,240 Speaker 1: in Chicago that he did in Detroit. The one thing 239 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 1: I will say about Chicago's offensive line, as much improved 240 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 1: as it is, Caleb Williams is under duress a lot. 241 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: He's been sacked only nineteen times, which is not a 242 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 1: bad number, but he scrambles around back there. He gets 243 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 1: out of difficult spots. I mean, he is under pressure 244 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 1: a lot, and that sack number is only nineteen. I 245 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:25,800 Speaker 1: think more because of Caleb Williams than the guys in 246 00:12:25,840 --> 00:12:29,439 Speaker 1: front of him. That being said it, you know, he 247 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 1: is a tough guy to catch. He's a tough guy 248 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:33,680 Speaker 1: to bring down the Packers are going to have to 249 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:38,480 Speaker 1: be very disciplined in terms of in terms of their rush. 250 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 1: But at the same time, this is one of those games, 251 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:44,040 Speaker 1: like I've talked about in other instances, you have to 252 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:47,440 Speaker 1: earn the right to rush the passer because the Bears 253 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:49,360 Speaker 1: will be content to live in third and two and 254 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 1: third and three all day long with their running game. 255 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:53,800 Speaker 1: You have to get them into the third and five 256 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: and third and six where they're going to have to 257 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 1: turn to the pass. 258 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:59,679 Speaker 2: And you can't overextend yourself. You can't rush pass Williams 259 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:01,560 Speaker 2: because he's gonna hurt you. I mean, this is a guy. 260 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:05,440 Speaker 2: What I love about Williams as a quarterback is he's 261 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 2: he runs more than Jordan Love does, but I think 262 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 2: their speed is somewhat comparable. But he doesn't look to run. 263 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:15,199 Speaker 2: It is that last ditch sort of Aaron Rodgers create 264 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 2: your own play sort of mindset. Yeah. And then also 265 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:23,319 Speaker 2: his escapability when he is under duress is potentially the 266 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:25,800 Speaker 2: best in the National Football League. I mean, he is 267 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 2: smooth in terms of how he's able to get past 268 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:31,960 Speaker 2: these guys that are bearing down on him. Now that 269 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:36,040 Speaker 2: being said, if you can rush to contain and keep 270 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 2: your integrity and your discipline, which is sometimes easier heart, 271 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 2: you know said than done. Yeah, I feel like there 272 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 2: is a winning path there for teams. And one thing 273 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 2: I noticed in that game against Philadelphia was he gave 274 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 2: the Eagles secondary a lot of chances. They did not 275 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 2: capitalize on it. There was a couple, but for the 276 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:59,200 Speaker 2: most part, there was guys not pulling down passes at 277 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:01,439 Speaker 2: the right time there, you know. Yet I think there 278 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 2: was one where a Dunes ended up slipping on the 279 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 2: turf and it was right there for the safety, but 280 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 2: he couldn't catch it. Yeah, I'm seeing him attack the 281 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 2: field a little bit more. And I'm curious to see 282 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 2: this Packers defense that has been taking the ball away 283 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 2: at a better clip here in the second half of 284 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 2: the season, what they could possibly do with that, because 285 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 2: when you look at the five interceptions of the year, 286 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 2: he is protecting the ball. Well, they've only lost four 287 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:25,480 Speaker 2: fumbles as a team. But is there an opportunity there 288 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 2: to maybe get some momentum because, as you said, getting 289 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:30,120 Speaker 2: back to the crux of your argument, there as much 290 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 2: improvement as they've made with their offensive line, it seems 291 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 2: to be more affecting their stretch, run game and things 292 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:39,520 Speaker 2: of that nature than necessarily just the pass protection. 293 00:14:39,680 --> 00:14:42,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, totally. I totally agree there. I do want 294 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:44,920 Speaker 1: to get into our Keys to Victory, but we'll pay 295 00:14:44,920 --> 00:14:47,359 Speaker 1: some bills first and hear a word from our sponsors. 296 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: Serious XM NFL Radio delivers hard hitting analysis and up 297 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:55,040 Speaker 1: to the minute NFL news that true football fanatics need 298 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 1: twenty four to seven, three sixty five. At Cousin Subbs, 299 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:02,160 Speaker 1: we have something for everyone, like our Wisconsin cheese curds, 300 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:05,640 Speaker 1: mac and cheese, golden fries, and creamy shakes, all paired 301 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:08,120 Speaker 1: with your favorite sub or sub and a bowl. Cousin 302 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 1: Subs fifty plus years of better. Pit Boss Grills the 303 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:17,120 Speaker 1: official grill of Packers tailgating at Lambeau or at your house. 304 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 1: Take your game day to the next level with a 305 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:24,160 Speaker 1: pit Boss wood pellet grill. Pit Boss Grills available at minards. 306 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: Hey Packers fans, we always knew Lambeufield was a wonder, 307 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 1: but now it's official. Learn more about all the wonders 308 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 1: of Wisconsin at travel Wisconsin dot com Slash Wonders. Welcome 309 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 1: back to Packers Unscripted, All right, Wes Keys to Victory 310 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 1: over the Bears. I'm gonna start with this because it's 311 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:45,880 Speaker 1: the obvious one. It's protect the football. Because, as you 312 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:49,800 Speaker 1: alluded to with regard to the Bears defense, they are 313 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 1: twenty fifth in the league in points allowed. They are 314 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:55,520 Speaker 1: twenty sixth in the league in yards allowed. This is 315 00:15:56,080 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 1: not a stout defense that makes it difficult for you 316 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 1: to move the ball. It's a defense that hunts the 317 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 1: football and hunts for turnovers, and that is how they've 318 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:10,320 Speaker 1: been effective this year and helping their team win games. 319 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 1: If you do not turn the ball over against this defense, 320 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:17,400 Speaker 1: you will have opportunities to score a lot of points. 321 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:19,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, you will. And I think a lot of this 322 00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 2: is gonna come down to Jordan Love. I mean, something's 323 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:24,320 Speaker 2: probably gonna have to break in this one, right either 324 00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 2: it's gonna be the Packers have been on the streak 325 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:31,000 Speaker 2: here of not having a turnover the last three games, Uh, Chicago. 326 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:32,960 Speaker 2: I'd be interested to even see how many times I 327 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 2: know you said that, the differential with the games in 328 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 2: which they won where they've had to take away, how 329 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 2: many times they just haven't even had one this season. 330 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 2: I can't imagine it was very many. I believe it's 331 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 2: only twice yeah, So for one of those two things, 332 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:46,560 Speaker 2: somebody's gonna have to win that out the unstoppable forree 333 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 2: movable object. We'll see what prevails there. But I think 334 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 2: this is really gonna come down to Jordan love And 335 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 2: I hate using this term because fans run away with 336 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 2: it and they let their mind do crazy things with it. 337 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 2: But managing the football game, it is going to be 338 00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 2: hecka cold outside on Sunday. I don't know if it's 339 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:06,679 Speaker 2: gonna be as cold as it is right now in 340 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 2: green Bay. Nice four degrees, you know, sell or fahrenheit Gosh, 341 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:12,880 Speaker 2: I won't even want to guess what it is Celsius 342 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 2: neg twelve. But the fact is is that Green Bay 343 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:20,480 Speaker 2: has to be able to manage this game. They have 344 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 2: to be able to move the chains, protect the football, 345 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:25,760 Speaker 2: and allow your running game to be the better unit. 346 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 2: If there's big plays to be had, absolutely you have 347 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:31,119 Speaker 2: to take them through the air. And hopefully the Packers 348 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 2: will have some reinforcements with some of their receivers here 349 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:36,400 Speaker 2: going into this one. But all that being said, I mean, 350 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:40,080 Speaker 2: if you allow, if you play into what the Bears 351 00:17:40,119 --> 00:17:43,720 Speaker 2: want to do, which is take the football away and 352 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 2: execute and generate offense and points off of your mistakes. 353 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:51,040 Speaker 2: It is going to be a long late afternoon early 354 00:17:51,119 --> 00:17:52,199 Speaker 2: evening at Lambeaufield. 355 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:54,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean the Bears. I wrote this an Insider 356 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: inbox earlier in the week. The Bears want you to 357 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 1: force the ball. They want you to to take a chance. 358 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 1: That is how this opportunistic defense gets its hands on 359 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 1: the football and makes those momentum changing type of plays. 360 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 1: This is for all the talk about Chicago's running game, 361 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 1: and it's been dynamite. The Bears run defense is twenty 362 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 1: eighth in the league. You can, as you talk about 363 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:23,640 Speaker 1: managing the game, you have some control in this game 364 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:26,360 Speaker 1: against the Bears defense. If you can run the football, 365 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 1: put yourself in good situations, don't fall into their trap 366 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 1: of trying to force it, of trying to make something 367 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 1: happen that's not there. And I agree with you a 368 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:37,360 Speaker 1: lot of this comes down to Jordan Love, not only 369 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 1: in terms of taking care of the ball, but in 370 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:41,359 Speaker 1: terms of, you know, the checks he makes at the 371 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:43,760 Speaker 1: line of scrimmage and how you know, how he sees 372 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:47,399 Speaker 1: what the Bears are doing and trying to get the 373 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:53,119 Speaker 1: Packers into the best possible play offensively. My whole point 374 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:56,320 Speaker 1: in Insider inbox is this game. This is a game 375 00:18:56,359 --> 00:18:59,600 Speaker 1: that will test the Packers discipline in so many ways, 376 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 1: and it comes down to the offensive discipline of not 377 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:06,080 Speaker 1: forcing it, but then also the defensive discipline of staying 378 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:09,520 Speaker 1: in your gaps against the run, of keeping the pass, 379 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:12,200 Speaker 1: rush lane, integrity on Caleb Williams so he doesn't get 380 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:14,919 Speaker 1: out and run on you. Every aspect you look at 381 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:17,480 Speaker 1: this game of how to beat the Chicago Bears comes 382 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 1: down to the word discipline. 383 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 2: And I love this. You's brought up the discipline piece 384 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 2: because here's the thing. Let's be honest, Mike ben Johnson 385 00:19:24,359 --> 00:19:26,480 Speaker 2: probably has a game plan that he devised for this 386 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:28,840 Speaker 2: first matchup against Green Bay. He is gonna look to He. 387 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:30,800 Speaker 1: Probably devised it back in May exactly. 388 00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 2: This is a guy with the way that he's wired. 389 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:35,920 Speaker 2: You have to be prepared for everything, because as we've 390 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 2: seen from him time and time again. They saw it 391 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:39,919 Speaker 2: for years in the with the Lions, against the Packers 392 00:19:39,920 --> 00:19:42,520 Speaker 2: and against other teams within the division. He is always 393 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:45,600 Speaker 2: looking to stunt on the opposition. Heck, it's probably partially 394 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:47,240 Speaker 2: why he got the job with the Bears, right the 395 00:19:47,880 --> 00:19:50,639 Speaker 2: fake fumble play that he ran against Chicago. Right, Yeah, 396 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 2: so you have to be prepared for everything, and that 397 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:55,439 Speaker 2: goes back to your rules, your fundamentals, your technique and 398 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 2: being sound. What I love about that from green Bay's 399 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:01,680 Speaker 2: perspective is particular on the defensive side of the ball. 400 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:05,200 Speaker 2: This is a unit that is not only just dominating 401 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 2: at times, and certainly we saw that stat from Elia 402 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 2: Sportsbeer the four yards that they allowed in the second 403 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:14,119 Speaker 2: half against Minnesota the fewest that Green Bay's defense has 404 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:15,879 Speaker 2: allowed in any half a football dating back to I 405 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,320 Speaker 2: think nineteen seventy eight. Right. I mean it was a 406 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:23,040 Speaker 2: stingy performance. It wasn't as stingy against Detroit, but they 407 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 2: found their win condition. They found out, Okay, what do 408 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:28,440 Speaker 2: we have to do to win this game. There was 409 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:30,919 Speaker 2: a couple drives I'm sure they wanted back against the Lions, 410 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:32,240 Speaker 2: that one where I think they got down to like 411 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:34,159 Speaker 2: four or five plays and basically drove the field in 412 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:37,399 Speaker 2: the second half. Yeah, but then they responded, Yeah, Micah 413 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:40,640 Speaker 2: Parsons finished strong. I mean, you have guys that are 414 00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:44,240 Speaker 2: that have played and have so much experience. Offensively, it's 415 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 2: been a work in progress a lot because of how 416 00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:49,479 Speaker 2: the main skill position players they've had have been banged 417 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:53,240 Speaker 2: up or in Tucker Craft's case, out for the season. Defensively, 418 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:56,080 Speaker 2: that unit has been growing throughout the course of the year. 419 00:20:56,520 --> 00:20:59,199 Speaker 2: I'm really excited to watch that chess match play out 420 00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:01,720 Speaker 2: between Jeff half in Ben Johnson. I think those are 421 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:03,920 Speaker 2: two of the brightest minds at their respective side of 422 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:06,200 Speaker 2: the football, and they're gonna be throwing a lot of 423 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:08,119 Speaker 2: different stuff at each other. I think that game we 424 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:10,159 Speaker 2: see in two weeks at Soldier Field are probably more 425 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:15,199 Speaker 2: of the traditional Packers Bears football game. This one, to 426 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:17,600 Speaker 2: me almost seems like a little bit of a like 427 00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:19,880 Speaker 2: it's like a regular season opener in some ways. These 428 00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:21,480 Speaker 2: teams have seen a lot of film of each other. 429 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:23,359 Speaker 2: But how's it all gonna come together? 430 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:25,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree, this is the one, not so much 431 00:21:25,480 --> 00:21:27,159 Speaker 1: the rematch in a couple of weeks. This is the 432 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:29,800 Speaker 1: one where you might see the wrinkles and the surprises. Yeah, 433 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:32,919 Speaker 1: because when you look at the one coming up in 434 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:34,840 Speaker 1: two weeks, it's gonna be on a shorter week, you know, 435 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:37,840 Speaker 1: less preparation and all that, and both teams obviously have 436 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:40,520 Speaker 1: a big game in between. Well, I mean, let's let's 437 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:42,320 Speaker 1: take a look at the standings and where things are. 438 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:44,120 Speaker 1: The Bears are nine to three the Packers are eight 439 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 1: three and one. So if Chicago wins this game, the 440 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:50,200 Speaker 1: Bears are absolutely in the cat bird seed in the division. 441 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:54,359 Speaker 1: They'll be They'll be sitting pretty with four games to 442 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:57,479 Speaker 1: go and incomplete command. If the Packers win, the Packers 443 00:21:57,480 --> 00:22:00,320 Speaker 1: will vault into first place in the division, and then 444 00:22:00,359 --> 00:22:03,399 Speaker 1: it will be interesting to see Detroit coming off of 445 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:05,919 Speaker 1: the Thanksgiving loss. They are now seven and five in 446 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:09,000 Speaker 1: third place, but still fighting and not out of this 447 00:22:09,040 --> 00:22:10,720 Speaker 1: thing by any means. And they have a big game 448 00:22:10,760 --> 00:22:15,440 Speaker 1: tonight wes Thursday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys, two 449 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:18,440 Speaker 1: teams that played on Thanksgiving now they're playing the following Thursday, 450 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:21,200 Speaker 1: which is just what the Packers and Lions did last 451 00:22:21,280 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: year as well. But a hot Dallas Cowboys team that 452 00:22:26,280 --> 00:22:28,720 Speaker 1: had kind of been written off a few weeks ago 453 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:30,879 Speaker 1: when they were below five hundred and everybody looked at 454 00:22:30,920 --> 00:22:32,960 Speaker 1: their schedule saying, oh, they got to play the Eagles 455 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:35,000 Speaker 1: and then the Chiefs, and well, look what they did 456 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:36,920 Speaker 1: in the span of five days. They beat both Super 457 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:39,560 Speaker 1: Bowl teams from a year ago. The Cowboys are suddenly 458 00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:42,399 Speaker 1: six five and one. They're trying to chase down the Eagles, 459 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 1: who have hit the skids a little bit. This Thursday 460 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 1: night game is monster for two teams with five losses. 461 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 1: This is a big one that's gonna have a lot 462 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:51,679 Speaker 1: of eyeballs up. 463 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:54,439 Speaker 2: Well, it's because I think whoever wins is still very 464 00:22:54,520 --> 00:22:56,479 Speaker 2: much in the thick of this thing, and whoever loses 465 00:22:56,520 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 2: is now officially in that run the table. You gotta 466 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:01,320 Speaker 2: just win it out to see a chance at anything, right, 467 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:03,399 Speaker 2: because again, I don't think you can sit here and 468 00:23:03,400 --> 00:23:05,440 Speaker 2: confidently look at a ten and seven record going to 469 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:06,920 Speaker 2: get you into the playoffs right now. 470 00:23:06,920 --> 00:23:07,760 Speaker 1: Not in the NFC. 471 00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:10,320 Speaker 2: There's just too much divergence between the bottom half of 472 00:23:10,359 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 2: the conference and then what's come up at the top. 473 00:23:12,359 --> 00:23:14,280 Speaker 2: And then even amongst those teams at the top, how 474 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:18,080 Speaker 2: a lot of them have traded and shared victories and losses. Detroit, 475 00:23:18,119 --> 00:23:20,159 Speaker 2: this is a pivotal game, There's no question about it. 476 00:23:20,160 --> 00:23:22,199 Speaker 2: Because this is the end of their homes. They have 477 00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:24,760 Speaker 2: three games at home here. You don't want to go 478 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:27,680 Speaker 2: one and two in those matchups, right and then secondly, 479 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:29,840 Speaker 2: now you got the Los Angeles Rams waiting for you 480 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:32,040 Speaker 2: on the other side of this thing. Going out there. 481 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:35,240 Speaker 2: So if you look at how the season has played out, 482 00:23:35,480 --> 00:23:38,320 Speaker 2: it looks like a Lions win. They've basically traded wins 483 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:40,200 Speaker 2: and losses here for the last two and a half months. 484 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:42,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, they haven't. They haven't been a hot team all year, 485 00:23:42,320 --> 00:23:44,159 Speaker 1: but they haven't been a struggling team all ye year. 486 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:45,760 Speaker 2: They got out to that little start of theirs, they 487 00:23:45,840 --> 00:23:47,720 Speaker 2: lost the Packers, but then one what for the first 488 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:49,360 Speaker 2: five and ever since then they've been going win loss, 489 00:23:49,359 --> 00:23:54,360 Speaker 2: win loss. So I think the challenge for the Dallas 490 00:23:54,480 --> 00:23:58,479 Speaker 2: is how far can you get with the league's one 491 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:01,600 Speaker 2: of the league's most potent off says that also is 492 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:04,880 Speaker 2: one of the biggest sieves defensively. They've had some improvements 493 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:08,280 Speaker 2: here since Quinn Williams got in the show, but still 494 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:09,800 Speaker 2: a lot of yards that they're giving up. 495 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:12,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, and thats that Lions offense. As we saw last week. 496 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:15,240 Speaker 1: I mean, they still they gave the Packers defense everything 497 00:24:15,240 --> 00:24:18,879 Speaker 1: they can handle. That Detroit offense is dangerous. Detroit's issues 498 00:24:18,880 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 1: have been on the defensive side of the ball, where 499 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:23,840 Speaker 1: they've had injuries, especially in the secondary, trying to piece 500 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:26,440 Speaker 1: things together the slow down passing attacks. I mean, this 501 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:29,720 Speaker 1: Thursday night game could end up being quite the shootout 502 00:24:29,520 --> 00:24:33,479 Speaker 1: at Ford Field. Take a glance at the other games 503 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:36,640 Speaker 1: on Sunday, there isn't really other than Packers Bears, which 504 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:39,320 Speaker 1: is the game of the week for sure. There isn't 505 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:44,879 Speaker 1: much else all that interesting in the NFC because the 506 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:48,360 Speaker 1: playoff contenders in the NFC are all kind of heavily 507 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 1: favored over teams that are below five hundred. I think 508 00:24:51,359 --> 00:24:53,920 Speaker 1: the more interesting games are actually in the AFC. When 509 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:56,200 Speaker 1: I look at the fact that Pittsburgh is at Baltimore 510 00:24:56,600 --> 00:25:01,399 Speaker 1: and Houston is at Kansas City. The Chiefs are getting 511 00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:03,920 Speaker 1: close to run the table time if they're even gonna 512 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:07,439 Speaker 1: make the postseason here. And the Houston Texans have chased 513 00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:11,200 Speaker 1: down the Indianapolis Colts. I mean were what were the Texans? 514 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:13,960 Speaker 1: They were zero to three to start the year. They've 515 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 1: now chased down the Colts and they're threatening, you know, 516 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:19,280 Speaker 1: for the lead, along with the Jaguars of course too 517 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:24,360 Speaker 1: in that AFC South. So those both the AFC North 518 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:27,000 Speaker 1: and NFC AFC South, there's some interesting matchups. 519 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:29,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, Indianapolis travels to Jacksonville this weekend too, 520 00:25:29,960 --> 00:25:32,639 Speaker 2: so I mean, wow, I mean how that situation is 521 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:34,720 Speaker 2: unfolded where it looked like, Okay, the Colts are just 522 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:37,600 Speaker 2: taking this thing, no question about it. And now they 523 00:25:37,640 --> 00:25:39,000 Speaker 2: kind of got the field coming back up on. 524 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,320 Speaker 1: Their Yeah, not so fast, my friend, As of course, 525 00:25:41,359 --> 00:25:42,080 Speaker 1: I would say. 526 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:44,119 Speaker 2: Right right then. And then certainly you look at the 527 00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:46,960 Speaker 2: Los Angeles Chargers, a huge game with implications on Monday 528 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:49,639 Speaker 2: Night football against Philadelphia, both of those teams sitting at 529 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:51,560 Speaker 2: eight and four. As you just talked about the Eagles 530 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:53,760 Speaker 2: trying to pull themselves back into it. And then what 531 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:56,240 Speaker 2: do you make out of the AFC North right now? 532 00:25:56,800 --> 00:26:02,120 Speaker 2: Aaron Rodgers wrist injury, knows leading six and six, now 533 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:06,560 Speaker 2: Steelers six and six, Ravens who wants that division? Who's 534 00:26:06,600 --> 00:26:07,880 Speaker 2: gonna take that division? Yeah? 535 00:26:07,880 --> 00:26:10,400 Speaker 1: And the raven the Ravens just tripped all over themselves 536 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:12,280 Speaker 1: on Thanksgiving Night against Cincinnati. 537 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:15,640 Speaker 2: So, but Cincinnati is so different when Joe Burrow. 538 00:26:15,359 --> 00:26:17,760 Speaker 1: Is Yeah, well, and here's and here's the thing. This is, 539 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:20,800 Speaker 1: this is the crazy thing. The Cincinnati Bengals were three 540 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:23,240 Speaker 1: and eight. Now they have Joe Burrow back, they are 541 00:26:23,320 --> 00:26:26,400 Speaker 1: four and eight. They play the Buffalo Bills this weekend. 542 00:26:26,720 --> 00:26:30,160 Speaker 1: If you look at Cincinnati schedule, if they can beat 543 00:26:30,200 --> 00:26:33,800 Speaker 1: Buffalo this weekend. They could run it and get to 544 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:37,359 Speaker 1: nine and eight and potentially win the AFC North with 545 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:39,879 Speaker 1: a nine and eight record. If they lose to the 546 00:26:39,920 --> 00:26:42,000 Speaker 1: Buffalo Bills, it makes it a lot harder for them. 547 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:44,960 Speaker 1: But their schedule after they played Buffalo with Joe Burrow 548 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:47,640 Speaker 1: back at quarterback, it lines up for them to run 549 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:50,800 Speaker 1: the table. This the Cincinnati Buffalo game on Sunday is 550 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:51,760 Speaker 1: an interesting one. 551 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:53,800 Speaker 2: All funny is it too? If they could Let's say 552 00:26:53,800 --> 00:26:55,400 Speaker 2: they don't they run the table, but they don't make 553 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:57,760 Speaker 2: if they end up nine to eight miss the playoffs again. 554 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:00,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, because they finished strong, which is what they did 555 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:02,760 Speaker 1: last year. They were the team nobody wanted to play 556 00:27:02,760 --> 00:27:04,480 Speaker 1: in the playoffs last year and then they didn't quite 557 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:05,440 Speaker 1: get it into the playoffs. 558 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:07,640 Speaker 2: Right, Hey, last thing I want to close on, because 559 00:27:07,680 --> 00:27:10,040 Speaker 2: let's let's talk about really fast the what really does 560 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:12,639 Speaker 2: matter in the NFC. Packers are looking for somebody to 561 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:15,440 Speaker 2: trip up this weekend. Right Seattle is going to Atlanta. 562 00:27:15,520 --> 00:27:17,560 Speaker 2: Nothing is going right for the Falcons right now? Can 563 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:20,960 Speaker 2: can the Falcons have something go their way? The Buccaneers 564 00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:23,399 Speaker 2: are in a position now that if okay, you have 565 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:26,600 Speaker 2: the Saints at home. The Saints are very wayward. But 566 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:29,440 Speaker 2: if you would fall there, you're now suddenly in a 567 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:32,400 Speaker 2: tie with the Carolina Panthers, who are on a bye 568 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:37,080 Speaker 2: this week, So I mean trying to keep pace there. Washington, Minnesota, 569 00:27:37,480 --> 00:27:39,879 Speaker 2: both of those teams trying to make something of their season. 570 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:43,240 Speaker 2: And then certainly the LA Rams going to Arizona. Jacoby 571 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:46,399 Speaker 2: Brissett's playing really well. The Cardinals are not winning games. 572 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:49,640 Speaker 2: What are you going to do against that defense? Out 573 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:52,840 Speaker 2: of all these little matchups, these little top contenders versus 574 00:27:52,880 --> 00:27:55,600 Speaker 2: three to four win teams, if one of those could 575 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:58,320 Speaker 2: potentially trip up, would help Green Bay's efforts as well. 576 00:27:58,400 --> 00:28:00,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, absolutely, And I've got I've got that laid out 577 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:04,240 Speaker 1: in Path to the Playoffs, which we posted on Packers 578 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:07,000 Speaker 1: dot com on Wednesday, So if you haven't seen the 579 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:11,320 Speaker 1: launch of this year's Path to the Playoffs, it's out there. 580 00:28:11,320 --> 00:28:13,159 Speaker 1: But yeah, I talk about all those games. It's just 581 00:28:13,520 --> 00:28:17,160 Speaker 1: but it is where the Packers and the scoreboard watching realm. 582 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:20,040 Speaker 1: You're you're really hoping for upsets in the NFC because 583 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:23,720 Speaker 1: these other NFC contenders other than the toss up game, 584 00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:25,800 Speaker 1: you know that we talked about Thursday night with Dallas 585 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 1: and Detroit. The other NFC contenders are all in these 586 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:31,359 Speaker 1: games where they're heavily favored against teams that are below 587 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:35,800 Speaker 1: five hundred, and you're you're hoping for hoping for some 588 00:28:35,920 --> 00:28:39,600 Speaker 1: upsets there. But the other, the other thing, the San 589 00:28:39,640 --> 00:28:43,960 Speaker 1: Francisco forty nine ers are sitting there at nine and 590 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 1: four on a bye week, and I'm gonna give credit 591 00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:51,240 Speaker 1: and it'll be posted in tomorrow's Insider inbox, and I 592 00:28:51,240 --> 00:28:54,040 Speaker 1: can't remember who exactly sent it in, so I'm sorry 593 00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:58,080 Speaker 1: to not give credit by name. But there is a scenario, 594 00:28:58,640 --> 00:29:03,160 Speaker 1: depending on what happens in the NFC, that on their 595 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:06,280 Speaker 1: bye week, the San Francisco forty nine ers could jump 596 00:29:06,280 --> 00:29:08,400 Speaker 1: from the seventh seed all the way to the two 597 00:29:08,440 --> 00:29:11,960 Speaker 1: seed by not even playing certain if things fall a 598 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:14,720 Speaker 1: certain way with all of these, with all these other games. 599 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:18,760 Speaker 1: That tells you how crazy this thing is right now, 600 00:29:19,040 --> 00:29:22,600 Speaker 1: and how much crazier it might get as we as 601 00:29:22,640 --> 00:29:23,960 Speaker 1: we really hit the stretch round here. 602 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:25,440 Speaker 2: We talk about it every year, but I think this 603 00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:28,520 Speaker 2: is the perfect example of it. Just win, just win, 604 00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:31,400 Speaker 2: and see where everybody if you can just not blink 605 00:29:31,800 --> 00:29:34,520 Speaker 2: in somebody else finally misses that musical chair when the 606 00:29:34,560 --> 00:29:38,479 Speaker 2: music stops yeah, where that could put you right. But 607 00:29:38,760 --> 00:29:40,600 Speaker 2: you have to do it. But to Green Bay. This 608 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:42,760 Speaker 2: is the beautiful thing about where the Packers are at 609 00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:46,840 Speaker 2: and Evan Williams talked about it after the game last week. 610 00:29:47,480 --> 00:29:50,640 Speaker 2: It's just about controlling what you can control. You have 611 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:53,920 Speaker 2: the Chicago Bears twice in thirteen days. There's a tough 612 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:55,880 Speaker 2: one in the middle there with doubt Denver. You'll worry 613 00:29:55,880 --> 00:29:57,959 Speaker 2: about that when it gets there. Yeah, but if you 614 00:29:58,000 --> 00:30:01,200 Speaker 2: can take care of business against the Bears, it sets 615 00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:04,360 Speaker 2: the table for you perfectly. But it's you have to 616 00:30:04,360 --> 00:30:04,800 Speaker 2: be able to do it. 617 00:30:04,840 --> 00:30:06,320 Speaker 1: But you have to be able to do it against 618 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:09,120 Speaker 1: a team that is hot, that is ride and high, 619 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:13,320 Speaker 1: and the NFL's oldest and best rivalry is front and 620 00:30:13,360 --> 00:30:16,440 Speaker 1: center here in the month of December. With that, we'll 621 00:30:16,440 --> 00:30:18,480 Speaker 1: call it a rap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. 622 00:30:18,560 --> 00:30:20,200 Speaker 1: Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the 623 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:23,880 Speaker 1: team and of Sunday's big game from lambeau Field. We 624 00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:26,240 Speaker 1: will have it all for you on Packers dot Com. 625 00:30:26,240 --> 00:30:28,600 Speaker 1: For Wes, I'm Mike. Thank you for tuning in everybody. 626 00:30:28,760 --> 00:30:30,240 Speaker 1: We will see you next time.