1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:20,639 Speaker 1: M Hi, everybody. Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford. He is the one and only 3 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: West Hodkowitz. We're coming to here from our studios at 4 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: lambeau Field West. It's our Wednesday show, our middle of 5 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: the week show, and that means we start looking ahead 6 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 1: at the Packers next opponent, the San Francisco forty Niners. 7 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:40,599 Speaker 1: It will be a seven pm Central Time kickoff on 8 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 1: Sunday Night Football from Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. This 9 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:49,159 Speaker 1: forty Niners team, they are currently the top team in 10 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 1: the NFC and tied for the best record in all 11 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 1: of football at nine and one. Um, let's take a 12 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: dive here into the offense and defense for the forty Enners. 13 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:05,120 Speaker 1: On offense, Jimmy Garoppolo is the quarterback. Last year was 14 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:08,759 Speaker 1: supposed to be his first year as a starter as 15 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: the guy in the spotlight that got cut short by 16 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 1: a knee injury. So this year he's the guy and 17 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 1: he's had some ups and downs in terms of the 18 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 1: statistics and whatnot. But at the end of the day, 19 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:23,440 Speaker 1: the forty nine are nine and one and they look 20 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:26,120 Speaker 1: to me at the quarterback position. Like they have a 21 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: quarterback whose arrow is pointing out he's a winner. I mean, 22 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 1: that's the biggest thing that stands out to me. He 23 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: was a winner when he had to fill in, and 24 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 1: with the New England Patriots, he's been a winner since 25 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 1: he's gotten to San Francisco. I don't know the exact stats. 26 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: I want to say it's something like nineteen and two 27 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 1: as a starter, and there is something to be said. 28 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,840 Speaker 1: I'm not one of those guys that subscribes the quarterback wins, 29 00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:47,040 Speaker 1: but you can't also deny the fact that this guy's 30 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:48,800 Speaker 1: had a lot of success in a very short window 31 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: of time with what he's being asked to do. And 32 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 1: last week I thought was a very telling performance for him. 33 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 1: As I said on Monday's show, I mean, this is 34 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 1: a situation where that running game, the second ranked run 35 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 1: game in the NFL, it was there for him. Matt 36 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: Breeda did not play in that game with the ankle. 37 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: He needed to be able to carry the forty Niners, 38 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: and as Kyle Shanahan said after the game, he did that. 39 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:11,120 Speaker 1: They won that game because of their quarterback. The thing 40 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:13,640 Speaker 1: that is interesting about him though, for this day and 41 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:15,800 Speaker 1: age and in two thousand one. No one would have 42 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:17,960 Speaker 1: thought anything different to this, but he does, you know, 43 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 1: put the ball in jeopardy at times. He has ten 44 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 1: interceptions in ten games this season. That is a number 45 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 1: that you know, you go back to again twenty years ago, 46 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 1: sixteen interceptions for a season. No one would scoff at that, 47 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:32,240 Speaker 1: but now you know teams are putting such a premium 48 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 1: on protecting the football. That is one slight window that 49 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 1: I think the Packers could potentially take advantage of. But 50 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, this is a guy 51 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 1: that's going to probably end up throwing for well over 52 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 1: four thousand yards. He's proven that he's a starting caliber 53 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: quarterback in this league in credit to John Lynch, and 54 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:49,239 Speaker 1: you know, you look at the job that Kyle Shanahan's 55 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 1: done being able to find him, develop him, and turn 56 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 1: him into the quarterback that I think a lot of 57 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 1: people thought he could be. Well, you mentioned the way 58 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 1: the Fortys won their last game, but for the bulk 59 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: of the season, Kyle Shannon the hand has predicated this 60 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:04,360 Speaker 1: offense on the ground game and they have what a 61 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 1: lot of people have referred to as a three headed 62 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: monster on the ground. When everyone is healthy, Matt Brita, 63 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: Tevin Coleman Raheem Mosterd. Now Brita is the guy who's 64 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:17,560 Speaker 1: been injured of late, and at this point we really 65 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 1: don't know exactly what his status will be for Sunday 66 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,080 Speaker 1: night against the Packers. But these three guys, if you 67 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 1: if you take their numbers and combine them in terms 68 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:29,919 Speaker 1: of looking at it as though this running game had 69 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,080 Speaker 1: one feature running back. The production they've had on the 70 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 1: ground is considerable. As you said, they were ranked number 71 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 1: two in the league in rushing offense going into the 72 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 1: Arizona game, and really that their last two games the 73 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 1: Seattle Seahawks, which they lost in overtime and then the 74 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 1: comeback victory over Arizona, those are the only two games 75 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: this year where they've really struggled from the football, struggled 76 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 1: to get it going and had to put the game 77 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 1: on garoppolo shoulders. And you know, with where the Packers 78 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 1: are with their run defense and some of the struggles 79 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 1: they've had, especially over the last month against the run, 80 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 1: you know Kyle Shanahan is coming into this game looking 81 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 1: at getting that ground game cranked up again. Yeah, and 82 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:12,400 Speaker 1: it's funny you mentioned the three at a monster I'd 83 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 1: even throw the fourth head in there too with Kyle 84 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:16,960 Speaker 1: us Check. He doesn't carry the ball like those guys do, 85 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 1: but he's a valid point out of the backfield. So 86 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: it is kind of a happy accident how this all 87 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:24,720 Speaker 1: came together for San Francisco, though Jerick McKinnon was supposed 88 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:26,800 Speaker 1: to be the guy for them two years ago, and 89 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:28,599 Speaker 1: he's had a series of injuries that he's had to 90 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:30,799 Speaker 1: work through. Yeah, they paid him some pretty big money 91 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:34,040 Speaker 1: to come over from Minnesota as a as a free 92 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 1: agent and and to be a key guy in the 93 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: running game, but injuries have prevented him from really stepping 94 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 1: into the spotlight. Yeah, So Brita and most they became 95 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 1: sort of the one two combo, and then you add 96 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:46,480 Speaker 1: Tevin Coleman into the mix, and and here you are 97 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 1: with three different backs that all present different challenges. That's 98 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:52,800 Speaker 1: what stands out to me. It's really interesting though, because 99 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 1: it seems like out of the three, none of them 100 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 1: have really been playing their best ball at the same time. 101 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,599 Speaker 1: Maybe one guy breaks out and then somebody else does, 102 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 1: but it's not like it's just been one continual circle 103 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 1: of guys just going in there and getting ten twenty 104 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 1: yards of pop. I mean, they they just kind of 105 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: wear you down. That's the way they approached this thing. 106 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 1: They felt like they need to make a big move 107 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:15,160 Speaker 1: at the debt trading deadline. They went and got you know, 108 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,720 Speaker 1: Emmanuel Sanders. I mean, you've seen Deebo Samuel step up 109 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 1: for them at receiver. George Kittle has missed a couple 110 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: of games here with knee and ankle injuries. But you know, 111 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:27,440 Speaker 1: if this team is going to be as successful as 112 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:29,840 Speaker 1: I think they feel they can be with the start 113 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 1: that they're off to and and you know the identity 114 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:34,880 Speaker 1: they've established, it has to start on the ground and 115 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: from the Packers perspective, that's where you have to stop them. 116 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 1: You have to be able to do that. Now, that's 117 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,480 Speaker 1: not an automatic keat to victory. Just ask the Arizona Cardinals. 118 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 1: You also need to keep tabs on Garoppolo. But that's 119 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 1: what is the most dangerous about the fort They can 120 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 1: just beat you in so many different ways, and over 121 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:54,560 Speaker 1: the course of season they've proven that and that is 122 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:56,560 Speaker 1: ultimately what has gotten them to nine and one. Well, 123 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 1: you mentioned George Kittle, the tight end. He is the 124 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:01,840 Speaker 1: leading received or on this team with I believe it's 125 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: five forty one receiving yards and he is still the 126 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:07,880 Speaker 1: leading receiver on this team, despite the fact that he 127 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:10,479 Speaker 1: has missed the last two games. Now he's another guy 128 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 1: that we aren't sure what his injury status will be 129 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: come Sunday night. But when you look at this game 130 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 1: from a matchup standpoint, the two things that have, you know, 131 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 1: really bugged the Packers over the last four to six 132 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 1: weeks have been the running game and have been handling 133 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:29,039 Speaker 1: big time tight ends. And uh, this is exactly what 134 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 1: the forty Niners build their offense on if they can 135 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 1: get George Kittle back. And that's taking nothing away from 136 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 1: um Raw. I believe it's Ross Dwelly. I was trying 137 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 1: to remember the first name. Um He's obviously stepped in 138 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 1: as the number two tight end in Kittle's absence, but 139 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:48,840 Speaker 1: George Kittle is a premier player in this league. You've 140 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 1: been able to watch Kiddle much this year, only only 141 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 1: a little. So I've watched I've watched San Francisco quite 142 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:57,400 Speaker 1: a bit because spoil alert checks notes he's on my 143 00:06:57,440 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 1: fantasy team. But here's here's the thing is that you 144 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:04,040 Speaker 1: can't replicate him. Either he plays or he doesn't and Dwell, 145 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 1: he's made a couple of catches here, he has a 146 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:08,599 Speaker 1: couple of touchdowns. But kit will just add such a 147 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 1: different to mention to this game. And it's not even 148 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 1: the fact that I mean, as long as catch this 149 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: here's forty five yards. It's the way he moves the chains. 150 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 1: I mean, you want to look at a running game 151 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 1: that wins down in distance and then you've got a 152 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 1: guy like Kittle that can win third downs, third and manageables. 153 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: That's how they moved the football, That's how they've been 154 00:07:24,760 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 1: a difference maker. He didn't really set the world on 155 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: fire this year like he did last season when he 156 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 1: sort of was just their go to for their entire offense. Yeah, 157 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 1: his numbers were off the charts for a tight end, 158 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: completely ridiculous, credible. So it's come down to earth. But 159 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 1: it's funny when you have forty six catches for five 160 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 1: and forty one yards and two touchdowns and you've missed 161 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 1: two games and that's coming back down to earth in 162 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: Week twelve in the NFL. I mean, he's just he 163 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 1: is a difference maker. He is a monster. If he plays, 164 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:51,720 Speaker 1: that is the number one focus. You have to shut 165 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 1: him down. You cannot let him get loose, especially with 166 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 1: some of these issues the Packers have had against tight 167 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 1: ends as of late. If he doesn't play, though I'm 168 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 1: not saying that's a position you can overlook dwell, he 169 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 1: could step up. There's different guys that could become targets 170 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 1: for Garoppolo in this offense, but there is no one 171 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 1: like George Kittle. And you can ask Robert Tyne and 172 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:12,120 Speaker 1: he trained with them during the offseason. They're good friends, 173 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 1: they share an agent. This guy is just different. He 174 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: is arguably the best tight end in the game right now, 175 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 1: him and Travis Kelsey probably going back and forth for 176 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 1: that distinction. And if he's out there, he's problems. Yeah, yeah, 177 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 1: And that's certainly an injury situation. We'll be watching all 178 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 1: week long and it could be one of those things 179 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 1: that we may not find out until ninety minutes before 180 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:37,599 Speaker 1: kickoff whether he's suiting up or not. Because, uh, the 181 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: forty Niners, they understand how big this game is just 182 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 1: as much as the Packers do. When you have nine 183 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: and one versus eight and two going at it in 184 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,480 Speaker 1: the NFC in Week twelve, and the forty Niners are 185 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:52,840 Speaker 1: going to give all these injured guys as much opportunity 186 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:55,360 Speaker 1: as possible to to get ready to take the field 187 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:57,319 Speaker 1: Sunday night. Yeah, I mean this is one thing too. 188 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:00,079 Speaker 1: They are so banged up right now, the four d 189 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 1: Niners are. And Kyle Shanahan, to his credit, he went 190 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:04,839 Speaker 1: to the podium on Monday and he went through kind 191 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 1: of where they are with everything, and he admitted that 192 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 1: as we talked about, there's a guy coming back from 193 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 1: a concussion, one of their linebackers are open it back. 194 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:13,160 Speaker 1: The rest of it is kind of up in the air. 195 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 1: Brita Kittle, Sanders working through the rib injury, even you know, 196 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 1: Deebo Samuel having a shoulder coming out of that game. Yeah, 197 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:23,320 Speaker 1: Emmanuel Sanders had missed some time and then he was 198 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:26,560 Speaker 1: back for the Arizona game. But it seems that his 199 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 1: his status is not entirely certain moving forward, even though 200 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:32,640 Speaker 1: he came back and played last Sunday. Yeah, I'm actually 201 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:34,080 Speaker 1: I'm gonna look that up. I'm kind of curious how 202 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:35,880 Speaker 1: much he actually has played him in that game. Yeah, 203 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: he only played thirty six snaps, So they were very 204 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:41,839 Speaker 1: smart with him. The hope was is that he's going 205 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 1: to be able to you know, take another step this week. 206 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 1: It didn't sound like there's any setbacks. And if you 207 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:49,560 Speaker 1: follow the forty niners at all, Sanders has been a 208 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:51,720 Speaker 1: great addition for them. They felt like they were a 209 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: veteran receiver away from really being able to fill that 210 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 1: offense out. And in his short time here, the three 211 00:09:57,320 --> 00:09:59,560 Speaker 1: weeks or whatever it's been, he's been a big target 212 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 1: for Jimmy probably yeah, alright. Well, shifting gears to the 213 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: defensive side of the ball, the forty nine ers, their rankings, 214 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 1: their statistics just as impressive on the defensive side as 215 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 1: the offensive side. You don't get to eight no halfway 216 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: through a season and to nine and one after ten games. 217 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 1: About putting up some pretty good numbers this defense. The 218 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 1: biggest thing that sticks out to me the thirty nine 219 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 1: sacks that they have. They actually have a plus twenty 220 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 1: differential in sacks. They have thirty nine sacks as the defense, 221 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 1: they've only allowed nineteen on offense. That's a pretty big split. 222 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 1: This defense also has twenty two takeaways, which is third 223 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:40,840 Speaker 1: in the league. Now, there turnover margin for the season 224 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 1: is only plus five and that's partly due to the 225 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 1: those interceptions of Garoppolos that you mentioned earlier, but twenty 226 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:51,199 Speaker 1: two takeaways is number three in the league. This defense, 227 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:54,960 Speaker 1: this defense gets after it west and the pass rush 228 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,560 Speaker 1: in particular. Four different guys in the defensive front have 229 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: five or more sack in the season. You have Eric 230 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 1: Armstead with eight, Nick Bosa, the rookie number two overall 231 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 1: draft pick with seven, d Ford with six and a half. 232 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 1: Branson is a Brentson Buckner. Sorry, that's going back with yeah, sorry, 233 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:18,600 Speaker 1: DeForest Buckner with five. Now Ford is a guy another 234 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:21,320 Speaker 1: one of these guys on the injury list that they're 235 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: not sure, they're not sure what's going on there. But 236 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:27,440 Speaker 1: still you've got you've got four guys on that defensive 237 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: front with five or more sacks on the year. You 238 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 1: can't just say, okay, well, we need to we need 239 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 1: to shut down Nick Bosa. It doesn't it doesn't work 240 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 1: that way with these guys. Yeah, And it's just incredible 241 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:40,240 Speaker 1: to see how how they've rebuilt that defense. You know, 242 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: from the units that you and I remember from two 243 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 1: thousand eleven through and you know, there's so many talented 244 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 1: players and you had you had that group of Justin 245 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:53,760 Speaker 1: Smith and Navarro, Bowman and and um Um the number 246 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 1: fifty two. Patrick Weller, the guy in the middle. I 247 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 1: was trying to remember I had some pretty good dbs 248 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,439 Speaker 1: to go with the group. Slowly but surely, they've built 249 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:03,560 Speaker 1: this thing back right and made you. Look at Jimmy Ward. 250 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: They drafted him a number of years ago out of 251 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:08,439 Speaker 1: Northern Illinois. Fred Warner, who's leading them in tackles right now. 252 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:11,240 Speaker 1: He was one of those auxiliary pieces when all the 253 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:14,080 Speaker 1: Dominos fell from that trade that they made with the Bears. 254 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:17,160 Speaker 1: They ended up with him on one of those extra trades. 255 00:12:17,600 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: But let's you know, Mike Spofford, let's be real here. 256 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 1: Nick Bosa is incredible, much like his brother. Someone asked 257 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:27,000 Speaker 1: us an insider inbox this week, is there any other 258 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 1: team that's had to face both boases this here? Pittsburgh 259 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 1: actually had to do it. But it's not an easy task. 260 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: He's going to be a guy to keep an eye on. 261 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:36,679 Speaker 1: I just I love so many things about it. Eric 262 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 1: Armstead as a really consistent player. You know, you go 263 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 1: back and look at this Mike a number of years ago, 264 00:12:41,559 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 1: Solomon Thomas, he was supposed to be like their big 265 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:46,800 Speaker 1: pass rusher. He's a rotational guy. The third or overall 266 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:50,040 Speaker 1: pick from two years ago, three years ago, they was 267 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: that was the guy that that was the guy they 268 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 1: took at number three when they gave up that pick 269 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:56,800 Speaker 1: to the Bears. When the Bears took Trabisky at two, 270 00:12:57,200 --> 00:13:00,240 Speaker 1: then they took they took the Stanford defensive I'm in 271 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:02,400 Speaker 1: there at number three anyway, I digress, But yeah, I 272 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:05,680 Speaker 1: mean Kwan, Alexander, Richard Sherman. They just they've drafted well, 273 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 1: they've signed well. D Ford was one of the biggest 274 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 1: acquisitions of the off season, and they've found a way 275 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:14,560 Speaker 1: with Robert Sala, who goes back a long way with 276 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:17,680 Speaker 1: Matt Lafleur, and they both were quality control assistants with 277 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 1: the Houston Texans to building this group up. Because Mike, 278 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 1: let's look at this for a second. You were talking 279 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:25,600 Speaker 1: about the turnover differential. Here's a couple other numbers for 280 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:30,520 Speaker 1: you here. Fourteen points per game difference as opposed to 281 00:13:30,559 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 1: their opponents. They're averaging fourteen points more game than their opponents, 282 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:37,640 Speaker 1: a league best fifteen point five points per game, an 283 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,720 Speaker 1: average difference per game, and total yardage of a hundred 284 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 1: and thirty three point six. They are second right now 285 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:46,439 Speaker 1: in total yardage as far as the defense one hundred 286 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 1: and fifty three and they are the best in the 287 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:52,720 Speaker 1: game right now against the past Mike a hundred and 288 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:58,199 Speaker 1: forty two point five passing yards allowed this season incredible. Well, 289 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 1: when you look at this team was absolutely dominant through 290 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 1: the first seven eight games of the season, if you 291 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: want to look at some things are changing though, because 292 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:12,600 Speaker 1: through the first eight, sorry, through the first seven games 293 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:16,280 Speaker 1: of the season, this Forts defense gave up more than 294 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:20,040 Speaker 1: seventeen points only once in seven games. But in the 295 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:23,600 Speaker 1: last three games they've given up twenty five points per game. 296 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 1: They've given up twenty five in a victory, twenty uh 297 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 1: seven in a loss in overtime, and then I'm sorry, 298 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 1: they've given up twenty six per game because it's gone 299 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 1: and twenty six. So and yes, there have been some 300 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: injuries involved Kwon Alexander, who you mentioned, a linebacker in 301 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:43,600 Speaker 1: the middle of everything. He's out for the rest of 302 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:47,120 Speaker 1: the year. He's been placed on injured reserve. So that's 303 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 1: been a big loss for them. They have and we 304 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 1: mentioned d Ford is banged up, so they're dealing with 305 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 1: some things and their statistics are starting to regress at 306 00:14:57,000 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 1: least a little bit towards the mean, because they're early 307 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 1: in the season. Nobody could even do anything against these guys. 308 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 1: And now over the last three games, there have been 309 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 1: some you know, some chinks in the arm or so 310 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 1: to speak, and teams have been able to put up 311 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:15,160 Speaker 1: twenty plus points and give them give themselves a chance. 312 00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 1: And certainly the Arizona Cardinals had opportunities to beat them 313 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:22,280 Speaker 1: twice and uh and the Seattle Seahawks pulled out that 314 00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: overtime game. Well, this is where the real test is 315 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:26,520 Speaker 1: gonna come for San Francisco, because, yeah, you do look 316 00:15:26,520 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 1: at the first half of the season, the Bengals still 317 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 1: have struggled to find themselves. Pittsburgh was working through some stuff. 318 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 1: The Browns offense was not a good place. The Rams 319 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 1: have been struggling. Washington's Washington Carolina had a backup quarterback. Well, 320 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 1: now you go and you face Cliff Kingsbury's offense and 321 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:43,960 Speaker 1: what they do in Arizona. You see them twice in 322 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:46,440 Speaker 1: three weeks Seattle, and you play the extra quarter in 323 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: that game. Now you got Green Bay. Now you have Baltimore, 324 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:51,400 Speaker 1: the top ranked offense in the league. That you have 325 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:53,760 Speaker 1: New Orleans, whom I think is three an offense in 326 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 1: the league. They got some real challenges coming up, and 327 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 1: this is the beginning half of it. And I think, 328 00:15:58,280 --> 00:16:01,920 Speaker 1: you know, talking to this week and hearing Matt Lafleur speak, 329 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 1: they understand the challenge that is in front of them 330 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 1: and they embrace it. I think there's a part of 331 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:07,800 Speaker 1: Matt Lafloor, with all the ties that he has to 332 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:10,600 Speaker 1: both Shanahan and Sala, that he's eager to be able 333 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:12,440 Speaker 1: to kind of match wits a little bit, because honestly, 334 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 1: who doesn't like playing chess with their friends every once 335 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:16,360 Speaker 1: in a while, right, I mean, they want to be 336 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 1: able to have that challenge. This this battle though, it's 337 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:22,120 Speaker 1: just incredible, and you and I are going to talk 338 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 1: about it all week long. But the implications of this, 339 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:26,400 Speaker 1: what this is gonna mean, not only for green Bay. 340 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: So much is put on green Bay right now, trying 341 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 1: to be in a tie for the league, for the 342 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:35,760 Speaker 1: number one seed right now in the NFC, trying to 343 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 1: maintain that advantage in the NFC North. But you've got 344 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 1: to look at it from San Francisco's perspective to their 345 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:44,560 Speaker 1: nine and one, and they still don't have that much 346 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:47,280 Speaker 1: breathing room in their own division. I even laid out 347 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:49,680 Speaker 1: the scenario that it's possible that they could be fourteen 348 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:51,640 Speaker 1: and two and still end up being a wild card 349 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:53,640 Speaker 1: if they win out, but then they lose the Seattle again. 350 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: I mean, these are all the different, you know, mastinations 351 00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 1: of this playoff race that has to be taken into 352 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 1: account because while there are six or seven teams that 353 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 1: have kind of removed themselves from the pack, at this point, 354 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:10,160 Speaker 1: those six and seven teams are so tightly knit together 355 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:13,119 Speaker 1: that you know, the stake's going to be higher. And 356 00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:15,600 Speaker 1: that is why they're putting this thing on Sunday Night 357 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 1: football and you and I are flying in at five 358 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:19,560 Speaker 1: in the morning on Monday morning. That's right, well, and 359 00:17:19,600 --> 00:17:22,000 Speaker 1: that you said it. The thing that is really interesting 360 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:24,880 Speaker 1: about this matchup is it's not just eight and two 361 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 1: and nine and one, two of the teams that are 362 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 1: at the top of the NFC, but it's what's going 363 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:32,199 Speaker 1: on in both of the divisions. Because the Niners are 364 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:34,560 Speaker 1: nine and one, but the Seahawks are eight and two 365 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: right behind them, The Packers are eight in two, the 366 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:39,560 Speaker 1: Vikings who are on there by this week, they're eight 367 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:43,640 Speaker 1: and three right behind Green Bay. So and and then 368 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 1: it's not just these four teams involved, but you have 369 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:50,639 Speaker 1: New Orleans there as well, and then you wonder, you wonder, Okay, 370 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 1: you know, are the Rams suddenly going to maybe make 371 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:55,880 Speaker 1: a run because they get another shot at the Forts here? 372 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:58,919 Speaker 1: And uh and who knows what else might happen in 373 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:03,000 Speaker 1: that division. So it's really interesting all the things that 374 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:05,800 Speaker 1: are going on and the impact that this game could 375 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:08,320 Speaker 1: have on the bigger picture. But that being said, even 376 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:10,359 Speaker 1: after this game, there's still five more weeks of the 377 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:13,399 Speaker 1: regular season. As as these top teams are going to 378 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 1: go head to head a bunch, we would be remiss 379 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:17,480 Speaker 1: if we didn't mention when we're talking about all these 380 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 1: injuries with the San Francisco forty Niners. Just to back 381 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:24,040 Speaker 1: up a second, their kicker, Robbie Gold has been injured 382 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:27,520 Speaker 1: and their backup kicker whose name is escaping me at 383 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: the moment. He's the young rookie from he McLaughlin. He 384 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:36,719 Speaker 1: he hit the big forty seven yard or whatever it 385 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:39,920 Speaker 1: was to send the Seattle game that Monday night game 386 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:44,119 Speaker 1: into overtime. But then he just completely duck hooked and 387 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: a winning opportunity in overtime that then gave the Seahawks 388 00:18:49,359 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 1: new life and Seattle ended up pulling that game out. 389 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:56,119 Speaker 1: So another key injury there, because Robbie Gold, as we 390 00:18:56,160 --> 00:19:00,400 Speaker 1: all know, veteran guy, extremely reliable, not quite sure actually, 391 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 1: uh where the forts are with McLoughlin and whether Robbie 392 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:06,200 Speaker 1: Gold will be back this week or not. So that's 393 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:08,720 Speaker 1: another injury situation to keep an eye. Yeah, and Gold 394 00:19:08,760 --> 00:19:10,680 Speaker 1: is having a weird year two man. I mean, after 395 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:12,879 Speaker 1: all that conversation in the off season about if he 396 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:14,639 Speaker 1: wanted to go back to San Francisco or not, or 397 00:19:14,680 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: if you want to get back to the Midwest. Well, 398 00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:19,159 Speaker 1: now he's suddenly thirteen of twenty on the year, and 399 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 1: that is coming after making thirty three of thirty four 400 00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:24,159 Speaker 1: last year and thirty forty one the year before that. 401 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:27,359 Speaker 1: So it wasn't really like Gold before this whole soft 402 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:30,480 Speaker 1: tissue injury popped up was really lighting the world on fire. 403 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:33,280 Speaker 1: San Francisco is trying to find some answers for that 404 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 1: position in and above that injury. But yeah, McLoughlin made 405 00:19:37,320 --> 00:19:39,399 Speaker 1: such a clutch kick and then you know, put the 406 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:41,119 Speaker 1: next one in the tunnel. That's just the way it 407 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:44,040 Speaker 1: goes for kickers at times. Kind of just a whole 408 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:46,280 Speaker 1: home game last week made a field goal, made three 409 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:49,840 Speaker 1: three or four extra points and and got out of there. So, um, yeah, 410 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 1: we're as Santahan also included with that, you know, kind 411 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:55,640 Speaker 1: of conversation he had on Monday morning, another guy that's 412 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:57,280 Speaker 1: gonna be going through the process and they'll see if 413 00:19:57,320 --> 00:19:59,640 Speaker 1: he's available comes Sunday. Yeah. Well, as I've been saying, 414 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:02,359 Speaker 1: we will be watching the injury situation on the flip 415 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 1: side of things the Packers right now. We'll see what 416 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 1: happens as the week goes along in practice. But the 417 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:10,680 Speaker 1: Packers coming out of the bye week, all players on 418 00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:14,080 Speaker 1: the fifty three man roster, we're going through practice to 419 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: at least some extent on Monday. We'll see how that 420 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:18,879 Speaker 1: goes through the week. But but it looks like the 421 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:22,160 Speaker 1: Packers from an injury standpoint, are in about as good 422 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 1: a shape as you could hope for for mid November. Yea. 423 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:26,720 Speaker 1: And from a personal perspective, it was really good to 424 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 1: see Trey Smith actually on the field. To now we 425 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:31,240 Speaker 1: don't know for a fact where he stands in the 426 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:34,120 Speaker 1: concussion protocol. Sometimes guys practice and that's part of them 427 00:20:34,160 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 1: passing through that, but it was kind of a scary incident. 428 00:20:37,119 --> 00:20:41,720 Speaker 1: He had with that tackle. That was quite a collision. Obviously, 429 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:43,400 Speaker 1: he's right now the only guy lists on the depth 430 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:45,280 Speaker 1: chart as a kickoff returner and a punt returner for 431 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:47,160 Speaker 1: Green Bay. But you know, just to see him back 432 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:51,600 Speaker 1: out there appearing to be okay was really positive sign. Yeah. Well, 433 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 1: we will follow what goes on in practice and with 434 00:20:54,040 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 1: locker room interviews over the next couple of days, but 435 00:20:56,359 --> 00:20:58,800 Speaker 1: for now we will sign off on this edition of 436 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:01,680 Speaker 1: Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of our coverage 437 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:03,719 Speaker 1: of the team leading up to this big Sunday night 438 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 1: football game on Packers dot com. You can subscribe us, 439 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 1: subscribe to us, like us on iTunes and other podcast services. 440 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:14,040 Speaker 1: You can find him on Twitter at west Hod I'm 441 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:16,480 Speaker 1: at Mike Spofford at Packers for the team account. Thanks 442 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 1: for tuning in, everybody. We'll see you next time, ye