1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:20,439 Speaker 1: Yeah, Hi, everybody, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:24,360 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined alongside my trusted colleague West 3 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:26,799 Speaker 1: Hodkoits were coming to you here from our studios at 4 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: lambeau Field and West Week two Packers Vikings noon Sunday 5 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:33,880 Speaker 1: kickoff at lambeau Field. It is almost here our final 6 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:37,480 Speaker 1: show of the week in which we focus on Keys 7 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: to Victory for Green Bay. Where do you want to 8 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:44,159 Speaker 1: start with this one? Well, there's a quarterback that we 9 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 1: don't really have an update on right now. I mean, 10 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 1: just to get out of the way, you know, Mike 11 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:52,520 Speaker 1: McCarthy mentioned Friday morning, did not have an update on him. 12 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:54,800 Speaker 1: As you wrote on Packers dot Com. Looks like he'll 13 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 1: be taking this thing all the way up until game 14 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: time on Sunday. He sounds like he continues to make 15 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 1: progress us and trying to come back from that knee. 16 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 1: I actually thought the biggest thing that probably came out 17 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 1: of that was McCarthy's believing that if there are no setbacks, 18 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 1: this could be something that clears itself up that he 19 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:11,600 Speaker 1: wouldn't necessarily have to play through the rest of the season. 20 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:14,840 Speaker 1: Um be that as it may, everything's about Sunday right now. 21 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 1: You and I talked about it so many times. Mike 22 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 1: Packers Vikings, especially the recency between that rivalry with Mike 23 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 1: Zimmer and that defense. Aaron Rodgers a big piece of 24 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 1: the puzzle. Depending on how it all shakes out. Yeah, 25 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 1: I think it all starts, and I personally believe Rogers 26 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,039 Speaker 1: is going to play. But even if he doesn't, and 27 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: if it is Deshaun Kaiser, I think it all starts 28 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 1: with protecting the quarterback. But this this Minnesota Vikings defense, 29 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: this defensive front, and I'm talking about not only the 30 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 1: front four but also the linebackers, Bar and Kendricks and 31 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 1: all of that. These guys can get after quarterbacks. They've 32 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 1: done it time and time again. Harrison Smith will come 33 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 1: blitzing from the safety position and you know a lot 34 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 1: of times finds his way to the quarterback a clear 35 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: path as well. We saw what was happening last week 36 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 1: when Khalil Mack was kind of a one man wrecking girl, 37 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 1: though Achiem Hicks was also doing his share of wrecking 38 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 1: things in the first half for the Packers. But once 39 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 1: the past protection settled down, Rogers lack of mobility or 40 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:14,360 Speaker 1: not when the past protection settled down, the Packers offense 41 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 1: found its rhythm founded screw to score twenty four points 42 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 1: in a second half in the NFL. That's a lot. 43 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 1: That's that that's that's big time production. So the Packers 44 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:27,400 Speaker 1: know that whichever quarterback is back there, he needs to 45 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 1: he needs to have room to operate. And I think 46 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 1: that's where the scheme starts. Yeah, and and you look historically, 47 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 1: Vic Fangio's defense isn't one that gives up a lot 48 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 1: of those opportunities, either whether he was in San Francisco 49 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 1: or during his time in Chicago. For him to give 50 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:41,679 Speaker 1: up that much production, I think shows you just how 51 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 1: in the zone Rogers was in that contest. And the 52 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:46,359 Speaker 1: other thing I'm gonna add to that again, depending on 53 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 1: who the quarterback is and and how this all you 54 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,760 Speaker 1: Know lays out on Sunday. But I mentioned our final 55 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 1: thoughts video to this week, Mike. Really, if they can 56 00:02:56,040 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 1: have that similar production, I'm not saying they need to 57 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:00,960 Speaker 1: have two and fifty two receiving yards out of Davante Adams, 58 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison, but just being able to 59 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:06,520 Speaker 1: spread out the passing game like that. It's the mismatch 60 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 1: we talked about throughout the off season and being able 61 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 1: to also have Jimmy Graham involved their Lance Kendricks as 62 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 1: an h back type tight end and having a multitude 63 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: of different ways that the quarterback can go with the 64 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 1: football in addition to however you want to utilize time 65 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 1: Montgomery potentially splitting him out the second half. I thought 66 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 1: the big key to what the Packers were able to 67 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:27,639 Speaker 1: do was the fact that one drive belonged to Gerontom 68 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,360 Speaker 1: Wills and one drive happened to belong to Davantae Addams, 69 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 1: and then obviously Randall Cobb doing what Randall Cobb does 70 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 1: in the final you know moments of that game to 71 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 1: to pull out the victory. There's only so many guys 72 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:41,120 Speaker 1: you can cover, and if you decide to go to 73 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: shell against it, well then that's going to leave you 74 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 1: some opportunities underneath with the run and and whatnot. So 75 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 1: that chess match between what Mike Zimmer wants to do 76 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 1: and how he believes he wants to dictate the game 77 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 1: versus what the Packers are going to do to build 78 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 1: off of how they finished last week, to me, is 79 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: the biggest storyline in this game. Absent the quarterback. Yeah. 80 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 1: And the other thing I'm going to keep an eye 81 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 1: on two is the penalties. And I want to mention 82 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 1: a couple of things on both sides of the ball here, 83 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 1: because in continuing with the theme of protecting the quarterback 84 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 1: and establishing the pocket, there was an intentional grounding penalty 85 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 1: against Rogers in the second half that could have been 86 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:20,719 Speaker 1: really really debilitating for that comeback. Packers were able to 87 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 1: overcome that penalty. But if he's not able to get 88 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:26,159 Speaker 1: completely outside of the pocket in order to throw the 89 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 1: ball away, he needs to have enough time, you know, 90 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: even if somebody's not open, to find a receiver to 91 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 1: get rid of the ball to avoid the sack and 92 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,280 Speaker 1: avoid the intentional grounding. And then on the other side, 93 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:40,599 Speaker 1: the roughing the passer penalties, three of them against the Packers. 94 00:04:41,080 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 1: I don't know. Usually a team that would have that 95 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:46,920 Speaker 1: many personal fouls in a game does not come out 96 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 1: on top. I mean, those those penalties are are really punitive. 97 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:53,719 Speaker 1: And two of them, as we talked about earlier in 98 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 1: the week, I thought were really dubious calls. The one 99 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:57,599 Speaker 1: on Clay Matthews at the end of the game I 100 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:02,160 Speaker 1: thought was legitimate but the Packers can't. You can't continue that. 101 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 1: You're the pass rushers have to be on notice here 102 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 1: because you can't be giving free fifteen yards and free 103 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:11,240 Speaker 1: first downs, especially on third and fourth down plays as 104 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 1: what happened at the end of the ball game. Absolutely, 105 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: And I think that's one thing too, is Clay Matthews 106 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: has kind of gone on throughout the week, you know, 107 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:21,039 Speaker 1: and admitting and atoning for what he'd done and understanding 108 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: that you in this day and age, you can't have 109 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 1: those type of those type of hits with the quarterback. 110 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:27,480 Speaker 1: He steps in front of that. But I thought he 111 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:30,359 Speaker 1: made an important message and in talking about that to 112 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: also bring up how you know him personally. He didn't 113 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: believe the unnecessary roughness penalties on Mohamed Wilkerson and Nick 114 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:40,719 Speaker 1: mcperry were maybe warranted. Um, I don't think they worried. 115 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 1: It's really it's a tough problem. We talked about it 116 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 1: earlier this week. These guys having to try to understand 117 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 1: how they're going to take their pass rushing skills, go 118 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 1: after the quarterback and do what they're paying to do, 119 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 1: but also not have a bad effect to it, because honestly, Mike, 120 00:05:57,640 --> 00:05:59,600 Speaker 1: that might as well just be a fifteen yard completion. 121 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 1: It might as well be just as much of a 122 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 1: momentum change and kind of play. So that I agree 123 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 1: with you, It's gonna be interesting to watch. And I'll 124 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:11,160 Speaker 1: be honest with you too, I'm gonna be following Anthony Barr. Still, 125 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,280 Speaker 1: I don't want to just keep beating that horse. But seriously, 126 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:17,359 Speaker 1: that to me, that's one of the reasons why we 127 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:20,479 Speaker 1: have this role. So, I mean, it's seeing how those 128 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:23,480 Speaker 1: type of players react to it as well. It's it's 129 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 1: gonna be Uh, it's gonna be a major storyline, not 130 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:28,040 Speaker 1: only this week but this whole season. Yeah. The other 131 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:30,160 Speaker 1: thing I see from the defensive side, and I know 132 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:32,800 Speaker 1: this is something we could say every single week, but 133 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 1: particularly in this game with the potential limitations of Rogers, 134 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 1: with what's at stake here against the Minnesota Vikings and everything, 135 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:44,239 Speaker 1: and how last week's game unfolded, I think the Packers 136 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:47,160 Speaker 1: defense needs to get a turnover too for the Packers 137 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:48,720 Speaker 1: to be able to win this game. And when the 138 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 1: Packers were down twenty to nothing against the Bears, I 139 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:54,880 Speaker 1: kept every time the Bears got the ball, I would tweet, Okay, 140 00:06:54,920 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: it's time for a turnover. I I just didn't think, 141 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 1: honestly that the Packers could win that game, would complete 142 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 1: that comeback without the defense make getting a turnover and 143 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 1: making one of those game changing type of plays. Now, 144 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:08,159 Speaker 1: they ended up getting one on the final play on 145 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 1: the fourth down, but they actually did complete the comeback. 146 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: We're ahead or twenty three without the defense getting the turnover. 147 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 1: I'm not sure you're gonna be able to beat the 148 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings unless you unless you force a mistake from 149 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 1: Kirk Cousins, or maybe you strip the ball from Dalvin Cook. 150 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 1: He did cough one up last week against the San 151 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 1: Francisco forty Niners. But um, this is uh, this is 152 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:31,880 Speaker 1: the type of This is the type of game where 153 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 1: the defense needs to create a big momentum swing at 154 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:37,760 Speaker 1: some point in the game. I think in order for 155 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 1: the Packers to win and to get to two and 156 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 1: oh and uh. And you know, I guess the timing 157 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: of the turnover obviously could be crucial, but I think 158 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:47,120 Speaker 1: the Packers need one or two. I give you a 159 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:51,280 Speaker 1: hundred credit. I'm not saying you're wrong. I will say 160 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 1: there is a great equalizer though that people don't often 161 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 1: talk about. It's the reason why the Packers won that 162 00:07:56,960 --> 00:08:00,280 Speaker 1: game against the Bears. They got off the field, they 163 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 1: got stops on third down, they got stops on fourth down. 164 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 1: The Packers don't do that, they don't win because you're 165 00:08:05,640 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 1: not getting the ball back here and Rodgers fast enough, 166 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: you're gonna run out of time at some point. There 167 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: were what was that I believe it was five possessions 168 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 1: against the Bears where they did not have a first 169 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 1: doubt in the span of six possessions. And you if 170 00:08:19,360 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 1: you're not gonna have turnovers, if you're gonna lose the 171 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 1: turnover margin, and you're also gonna, you know, have some 172 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 1: issues with some personal follows there, you have to do something. 173 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 1: And Mike Patton's defense in those instances didn't give an inch. 174 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 1: Long term, You're absolutely right, though, you have to be 175 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:38,200 Speaker 1: able to get turn over the football. You have to 176 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:41,200 Speaker 1: be able to get those type of plays. I'm really 177 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 1: eager to see all of this start to play out 178 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 1: on a week to week basis. I don't think, and 179 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 1: I've said this earlier this week, I don't think we're 180 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 1: just going to see a carbon copy of the game 181 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:52,840 Speaker 1: plan that we saw against the Bears now be implemented 182 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 1: against the Vikings. I think you're gonna shifting off of that. 183 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:58,120 Speaker 1: I think you're gonna see a lot of different things. 184 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:00,439 Speaker 1: But I thought the three main message as we got 185 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 1: out of the first game, where one they have full 186 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 1: confidence in Blake Martinez to run the defense. And if 187 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 1: they need to go soul inside linebacker for half the game, 188 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 1: three courters the game, they're gonna do that. The defensive front, 189 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: as we said all offseason, the defensive line is going 190 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:16,320 Speaker 1: to have a huge impact in this thing. They're gonna 191 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:19,120 Speaker 1: run three defensive linemen and sub packages. They're gonna run 192 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 1: them in base packages. They're gonna have base packages where 193 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 1: there's one defensive lineman. They're gonna have dime packages where 194 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:28,079 Speaker 1: there's one defensive lineman. There's it's indiscriminate there. Mike Patton 195 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:29,680 Speaker 1: is gonna go with whatever he feels the flow of 196 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 1: the game is like. And lastly, I wrote about it 197 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 1: earlier week. We talked about it. Defensive back secondary is 198 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 1: going to be a hallmark of this team. They will 199 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 1: go as far as they take them this season. Josh 200 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:43,480 Speaker 1: Jackson Jr. Alexander Mike McCarthy said it. Both of those 201 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 1: guys earned the reps there on the field. Kevin King 202 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: played every single snap last week. I don't think that's 203 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 1: a big enough storyline, given the fact that he had 204 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:53,720 Speaker 1: missed the amount of time he did with the shoulder, 205 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:55,560 Speaker 1: given the fact that he had sat on the off 206 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 1: season with the other shoulder surgery. The fact that he 207 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 1: played all seventy defensive snaps and was a full participate 208 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:02,920 Speaker 1: in practice this week A very good thing for a 209 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 1: guy that didn't actually play into preseason game until the finale, 210 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 1: no question. And lastly, Trumont Williams, what else can you 211 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: say about him? Seventy defensive snaps. He's gonna be a 212 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: pig part of this thing. He's another one of those 213 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:17,079 Speaker 1: orchestrators in the defense. The Packers secondary as a whole, Mike, 214 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 1: and there's gonna be guys that get Nixon bruises over 215 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 1: the course of this season. But that group right now 216 00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: appears to have the potential to be special this year. Yeah, 217 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:29,440 Speaker 1: you mentioned a different type of game plan here against 218 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:32,480 Speaker 1: the Vikings, and I agree with you because I was surprised. 219 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:35,440 Speaker 1: As I had mentioned earlier in the week, I was 220 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:39,199 Speaker 1: surprised at how the Packers really, in essence, they dared 221 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: the Bears to run the ball with Howard and Cohen, 222 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 1: they did not really counter the Bears run personnel on 223 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:49,200 Speaker 1: offense with run personnel on defense. Now, at the end 224 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 1: of the day, Cohen and Howard collectively they averaged better 225 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 1: than five yards per carry, but yet the Bears running 226 00:10:56,559 --> 00:11:00,839 Speaker 1: game did not control the football game. Now, Dalvin Cook, 227 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:04,160 Speaker 1: that could that could change. I think. I think this 228 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:08,199 Speaker 1: guy is a really potentially a really really special player, 229 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:11,199 Speaker 1: both in how he runs the ball and and how 230 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 1: they use him as a receiver out of the backfield. 231 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:17,080 Speaker 1: He's a guy that could change how Petton, you know, 232 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 1: puts the defensive fronts out there, because you can't let 233 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 1: the Vikings, especially with as as accomplished a quarterback as 234 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 1: Kirk Cousins is, with all the four thousand yards seasons 235 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:29,599 Speaker 1: and all that kind of stuff, you can't let the 236 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:31,960 Speaker 1: Vikings control the game on the ground because then that 237 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:35,480 Speaker 1: just changes all those matchups in the secondary that Kirk 238 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:38,560 Speaker 1: Cousins has the experience then to take advantage of that. 239 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 1: Perhaps Mitch Robinsky not quite there yet. Yeah, you're you're right. 240 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: There's a reason why the Packers traded for Antonio Morrison. 241 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:47,520 Speaker 1: They wanted to have that Jake Ryan type run stuff 242 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:49,719 Speaker 1: for next to Blake Martinez. They wanted to have him 243 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:52,080 Speaker 1: in the pipeline. I think the big thing for this 244 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 1: game too, and at the time in which we're taping, 245 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:56,439 Speaker 1: as we haven't had the injury report yet, but seeing 246 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 1: where n Burke's is at the fact that he was 247 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 1: actually able to appear to He's still limited, but appeared 248 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 1: to be able to do more in practice this week. 249 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:06,200 Speaker 1: Looks like he's putting that shoulder injury behind him. Burke's 250 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:09,200 Speaker 1: is an important piece to this equation because he seems 251 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 1: to be the merger there between going lighter in the 252 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 1: secondary but still having a guy that can stand up 253 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 1: in the run. Uh. And you saw what he did 254 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:21,880 Speaker 1: during preseason throughout training camp. He's a young guy, but 255 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 1: he's a bright guy, and I think with him and 256 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 1: Blake Martinez working against each other, that's a really good 257 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:29,040 Speaker 1: battery there for the Packers and in that in that 258 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 1: part of the fame, that that facet of the defense 259 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:34,319 Speaker 1: um and the sooner they get him on the field, obviously, 260 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:35,599 Speaker 1: the better it's going to be for that group in 261 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:37,720 Speaker 1: the long run. Yeah. Well, just to touch on special 262 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 1: teams briefly, we know we've been told Randall Cobb will 263 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: remain the punt returner for the Packers. How long before 264 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:46,200 Speaker 1: you think he breaks one? I think it might not 265 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:47,599 Speaker 1: take too long. I thought he was gonna do it 266 00:12:47,679 --> 00:12:49,520 Speaker 1: last week, to be honest with you, on that seventeen 267 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:51,200 Speaker 1: yard And this is a guy that did not return 268 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 1: a punt in the two thousand seventeen seasoned wasn't asked 269 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:56,320 Speaker 1: to do that at all. I I wrote about this 270 00:12:56,360 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: for the website on Friday, Mike, I just he's missed 271 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:02,760 Speaker 1: or consistency. He's always been that way. He doesn't get 272 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 1: too high or too low in the locker room and 273 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 1: on the field very quietly. I mean, you look at 274 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:09,480 Speaker 1: his sixty yard seasons and how he's kind of put 275 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 1: these together and what he's fought through to do that. Yeah, 276 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:13,800 Speaker 1: I thought that was a very fitting way for the 277 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:16,520 Speaker 1: Packers to open the season a hundred forty two yards 278 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 1: from Randall Cobb when we've all we've talked about is 279 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: Jimmy Graham and rookie receivers and new offenses for him 280 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 1: to play the way he did offensively. And then, oh, 281 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:27,559 Speaker 1: by the way, Trevor Davis's hamstring flares up. We need 282 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:30,320 Speaker 1: you on special teams as well, he said it. I'm 283 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 1: sure you remember these these interviews Mike, going back to 284 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 1: two thousand, twelve and thirt team when he was starting 285 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:36,480 Speaker 1: to break out, looked like he was just gonna need 286 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 1: to be an offensive only player. He said, He's always 287 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 1: open to doing special teams if he needs that. He 288 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 1: he embraces that role. Yeah, He's never batted an eyelash 289 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:46,680 Speaker 1: at getting extra duty thrown at him. Yeah, and the 290 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:48,319 Speaker 1: Packers want to get the ball in his hands. It's 291 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:50,080 Speaker 1: one more way to do that, especially if they're going 292 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:52,120 Speaker 1: to be without Davis for half for you know, the 293 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 1: whole season. We'll see how that works out. Yeah, all right. Well, 294 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:56,199 Speaker 1: one other thing we always like to do on our 295 00:13:56,240 --> 00:13:58,200 Speaker 1: final show that week, take a look at some other 296 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: games going on around the league that have some significant implications. Obviously, 297 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 1: in the NFC North, this Packers Vikings game is where 298 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:06,439 Speaker 1: it's at. One team is going to be too and 299 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 1: oh and will be on top of the division all 300 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:11,559 Speaker 1: by its lonesome after two weeks. So there are a 301 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 1: couple other games in the NFC that I think are 302 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 1: really interesting. One is Carolina at Atlanta the first of 303 00:14:18,559 --> 00:14:22,320 Speaker 1: two NFC South showdowns between those two teams. The other 304 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:25,880 Speaker 1: one that I don't think before Week one we would 305 00:14:25,880 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 1: have thought would be an intriguing game, but it is now, 306 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 1: and that's Philadelphia, the defending Super Bowl champions going to 307 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:35,080 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay with Ryan Fitzpatrick coming off of the four 308 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 1: hundred and seventeen yards and four touchdowns against the New 309 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:43,520 Speaker 1: Orleans Saints in the Buccaneers upset in their opening NFC 310 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 1: South matchup. This one cross divisions the South versus the East. 311 00:14:48,680 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: Which one of these do you think is more intriguing? 312 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:54,120 Speaker 1: The Carolina Atlanta or Philly Tampa. I love Philly Tampa 313 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 1: because you know, we see the NFC South against each 314 00:14:56,920 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 1: other and that there's so much parody in that division. 315 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 1: It always seems like they're they're going to be important 316 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:02,960 Speaker 1: games down the stretch. But I mean, you want to 317 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:05,760 Speaker 1: talk about the Buccaneers, I mean Dirk Cutters, I mean, 318 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 1: this is where they got to make hay this season. 319 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:11,800 Speaker 1: Regardless of where Jamis Winston is at and Ryan Fitzpatrick, 320 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,560 Speaker 1: they've expressed a lot of confidence in him going back 321 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:16,400 Speaker 1: to last year. If you watched Hard Knocks at all, 322 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:19,760 Speaker 1: and you know everyone talks so much about Aaron Rodgers 323 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:22,920 Speaker 1: and him falling to the two thousand five draft. What 324 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:25,280 Speaker 1: about Ryan Fitzpatrick falling to the seventh round in that 325 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:27,560 Speaker 1: same draft. In the career that he's made for himself, 326 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 1: it just seems like every time this league wants to 327 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 1: kind of, you know, spit him out and move on, 328 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:35,280 Speaker 1: he finds another way to hang on. And this is 329 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:37,760 Speaker 1: gonna be a supreme challenge for him though against the Eagles. 330 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 1: To me, that that's a matchup I'm looking forward to. 331 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 1: And then yeah, every time Atlanta and Carolina play, it's 332 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 1: always gonna fireworks. Yeah. Well, it's interesting because I was 333 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: really high on Dirt Cutter's Buccaneers team last year. I 334 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 1: thought they were a team on the rise in the NFC, 335 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 1: and then things didn't work out, they didn't come together. 336 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:58,320 Speaker 1: And now this year you're dealing with Jamis Winston being 337 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:00,520 Speaker 1: suspended at the beginning of the year, and all of 338 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:02,920 Speaker 1: a sudden, they go out there with Ryan Fitzpatrick and 339 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: light up New Orleans the way they did, get a 340 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 1: big win. Now they're hosting the defending Super Bowl champs. Maybe, 341 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: just maybe I was a year too early on Cutter 342 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 1: and his Buccaneers, But and we don't talk often a 343 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:18,160 Speaker 1: lot about a f C games because we're always looking 344 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 1: at the NFC North and the NFC and how that 345 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 1: shakes out. But you do have the rematch of the 346 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: a f C Championship this week with New England, this 347 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:31,160 Speaker 1: one being at Jacksonville, believe correct. So what do you 348 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 1: what do you think of this matchup? Obviously a lot 349 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: of people are pointing to Jacksonville, this is their opportunity 350 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:38,760 Speaker 1: to beat the Patriots. They get him at home, they're 351 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: getting him early in the season, all that kind of stuff. 352 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:44,600 Speaker 1: How do you see this one playing out? I my 353 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 1: every time I watched the Patriots now is my eyes 354 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 1: are always glued on Tom Brady because he's forty one 355 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 1: years old now, uh, and you're always kind of looking 356 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 1: to see win. Not necessarily you're going to see the 357 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:56,920 Speaker 1: athletic dip because it's not like he's ever been like 358 00:16:56,960 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 1: this huge, scrambling quarterback, but the arm strength and by 359 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 1: all accounts, I mean, he's still Tom Brady. But you know, 360 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:06,200 Speaker 1: when you look on the other side of it, can Jacksonville, 361 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 1: after appearing like they were trying and clawing and getting 362 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,239 Speaker 1: closer to closing that gap, can they finally do it 363 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:16,880 Speaker 1: this year. So many resources have gone into that side 364 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:19,800 Speaker 1: of the ball. I think these are probably what the 365 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:22,280 Speaker 1: I would say is the highest expectations they've probably had 366 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,120 Speaker 1: for one of their teams since what maybe the Mark 367 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:27,399 Speaker 1: Brunel era. Yeah, I mean, I'm talking about, like, you know, 368 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 1: more than just division titles, more than playoffs, and this 369 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:31,440 Speaker 1: is a team that wants to contend for a Super Bowl. 370 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:33,639 Speaker 1: They they felt they should have beaten the Patriots in 371 00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 1: New England for that a f C title last year. 372 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:38,119 Speaker 1: They had the lead, they were they were in, but 373 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:40,119 Speaker 1: they were in control of the game for a large 374 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:41,720 Speaker 1: portion of it, and they let it get away at 375 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:44,720 Speaker 1: the end, and they got it Round two here for them, 376 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 1: And you can pick up a win here against New 377 00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 1: England that propels you to the season that changes the narrative. 378 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 1: You lose that again, and you're gonna be answering that 379 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:55,200 Speaker 1: question for another month or so. Yeah. Another interesting game 380 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 1: I think in the a f C, Kansas City is 381 00:17:57,080 --> 00:18:00,399 Speaker 1: at Pittsburgh. Are we potentially I know pitt Sburg is 382 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:03,440 Speaker 1: always really tough at home, but could Pittsburgh actually start 383 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:05,600 Speaker 1: the season Oh one and one, they could start the 384 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:09,439 Speaker 1: season oh and two that's possible if they want to 385 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:12,920 Speaker 1: go running the table another way, another another overtime tie 386 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:17,879 Speaker 1: Patrick Mahomes. People, we gotta get whatever credit is given 387 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:21,000 Speaker 1: to Andy Reid and that coaching staff for whatever happens 388 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,360 Speaker 1: with him. I'm always going to have the John Dorsey 389 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:26,960 Speaker 1: Astrix next to that because Dorsey made such a gutsy 390 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:28,920 Speaker 1: move going up and getting this guy when I don't 391 00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 1: think many people had him at ten. Now people were 392 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:33,720 Speaker 1: scratching their heads at that move, like like, wait a minute, 393 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:36,000 Speaker 1: the Chiefs are trading up, like who do they want? 394 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:38,640 Speaker 1: And then it's like they traded up for Patrick Mahomes 395 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:41,359 Speaker 1: and then, yeah, you're right that that was That was 396 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:44,080 Speaker 1: a very bold move by John Dorsey, and he may 397 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:46,440 Speaker 1: have set up the Kansas City Chiefs for a lot 398 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:49,679 Speaker 1: of sixty. It's one game. You never know what can happen. 399 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:51,720 Speaker 1: Everybody can look like an m v P in one game, 400 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:54,440 Speaker 1: but the kid looks like he belongs. And in addition 401 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:58,680 Speaker 1: to that, the fact that they had Alex Smith because 402 00:18:58,720 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 1: of John Dorsey and then he goes to Wash I mean, 403 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 1: it's just he set that franch up up really well. 404 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 1: I know there was some things that happened there at 405 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 1: the end of it, but they're in a good place. 406 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 1: Can I throw one more out at you? Yeah, I 407 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:11,120 Speaker 1: actually think the biggest game of the week. You don't 408 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:13,720 Speaker 1: even touch on it. Okay, okay, sorry, No, it's all right. 409 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 1: Seattle Chicago not necessarily from like implications, but Seattle had 410 00:19:19,040 --> 00:19:21,879 Speaker 1: a lot of stuff happened this offseason. They start the 411 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:25,080 Speaker 1: season oh and two, where does your season go from there? 412 00:19:25,119 --> 00:19:28,200 Speaker 1: In Chicago just traded for Khalil Mack. Now you're getting 413 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:30,960 Speaker 1: the Seahawks at home on Monday Night football. You kind 414 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:34,120 Speaker 1: of need to show up. Whatever team ends up being 415 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:36,040 Speaker 1: oh and two out of that one, I think that's 416 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 1: gonna not necessarily be an insurmountable hole to get out of, 417 00:19:38,359 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: but not the start you're looking for. So that's Monday nights. 418 00:19:40,960 --> 00:19:44,400 Speaker 1: It's Monday Night football. Okay, well yeah, I mean weeks 419 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 1: we'll talk about that then. But I'm really no. No. 420 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:49,480 Speaker 1: I hear you though, because because you we're going to 421 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 1: hear the stats with regards to that game about the 422 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 1: percentage of teams that make the playoffs when they start 423 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 1: oh and two and one of those two teams that 424 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 1: they both have some high hopes. One of the two 425 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:02,160 Speaker 1: teams is going to be and too. There's a bunch 426 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:04,760 Speaker 1: of stat people out there, probably some in Bristol, Connecticut 427 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 1: and Los Angeles just waiting to unveil all those wint 428 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 1: We're going to see those on the TV screen Monday night. 429 00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:13,399 Speaker 1: But that's that's a that's a big game. No, you're right. 430 00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:15,600 Speaker 1: That depends on who's going to really be in contention 431 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:17,960 Speaker 1: in those divisions. Yeah, you're right, that is a significant one. 432 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,159 Speaker 1: With that, we will call it a rap on this 433 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:22,639 Speaker 1: edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of 434 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:25,160 Speaker 1: our coverage of the team and of Sunday's big game 435 00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:28,320 Speaker 1: against the Vikings on Packers dot com. On Twitter, He's 436 00:20:28,359 --> 00:20:31,199 Speaker 1: at west Hot I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers for 437 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:33,840 Speaker 1: the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody, See you 438 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:34,320 Speaker 1: next time.