1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, sitting alongside my trusted colleague West 3 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,680 Speaker 1: hod Kuitz. Were coming to you here from our studios 4 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field West. It's almost here. Packers and Bears 5 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 1: will kick it off Sunday noon Central Time at Soldier Field, 6 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:37,559 Speaker 1: just off Lake George Drive on the south side of Chicago. 7 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 1: Our last show of the week, and that means keys 8 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 1: to victory. I've got actually a fairly lengthy list of 9 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 1: keys to victory here. So where do you want to 10 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: see a Santais? Where do you want to start with 11 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 1: this one? Well, I'll start off with the fact that 12 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:54,560 Speaker 1: I need to get a lot of Christmas shopping done 13 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: on Saturday evening down the Miracle Mile. There you go. 14 00:00:58,280 --> 00:01:00,160 Speaker 1: You gotta check off some things in that regard. It's 15 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 1: a good place to do it. A long way to 16 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: go yet, uh No, But I think the biggest key, 17 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 1: and Mike Petton said it flat out when he was 18 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 1: at the podium on Thursday night, was whoever wins the 19 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,319 Speaker 1: turnover differential is going to win this game. And yeah, 20 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: you can flash back to some previous episodes of the 21 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 1: Friday's keys of victory, and a lot of times it 22 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: is the takeaways. But when you look at how prestigious 23 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: so far this season the Bears have been at taking 24 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:29,200 Speaker 1: away the football, proficient I think was the word. I 25 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 1: was trying to go for prodigious, prodigious works too, all 26 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: those works other than what I actually said, But no, 27 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 1: I mean just how efficient they've been and being able 28 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 1: to take away the football and then in some regard 29 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 1: for the most part, protected win that battle. That's what's 30 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 1: allowed them to be nine and four. So if the 31 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 1: Packers are going to be able to stand up to that, 32 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 1: if they're going to be able to challenge the Bears 33 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 1: to to pull off what I think people are considered 34 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 1: to be an upset, even though they do have eight 35 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,800 Speaker 1: consecutive wins at Soldier Field. You need to be able 36 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:00,680 Speaker 1: to win that. So Mike Petton and his dfense they 37 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:03,600 Speaker 1: understand that. And Jaire Alexander was asked about this in 38 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 1: the locker room. Like you know, is so much being 39 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: made about the Packers offense against the Bears defense, But 40 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:11,680 Speaker 1: there's a Packers defense too that's very hungry to take 41 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 1: the football away and kind of build on some of 42 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 1: that momentum that they started against the Falcons. Well, and 43 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 1: it's funny because when you look back at the recent 44 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 1: history here of the Packers and Bears, I'm talking the 45 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 1: last decade or so, every game, and there have been 46 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 1: plenty of highly competitive games, but you can almost point 47 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: to a turnover play or turnover like play as a 48 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: turning point in the game. I mean, I'm thinking obviously 49 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 1: the NFC Championship. B J Rodgie gets the pick six, 50 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers makes the tackle on Brian Urlacker when he 51 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 1: throws the interception in Urlacher looks like he might be 52 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 1: going ninety plus yards for a touchdown. Two thousand thirteen, 53 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: remember the ball came out and everybody stood there looking 54 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: at it, and Jared Boykin picked it up and ran 55 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:57,800 Speaker 1: it in for a touchdown for the Packers. Um the 56 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 1: opener this year, Kyle Boller has uh the ball an 57 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: interception basically hit him right in the chest. He doesn't 58 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,800 Speaker 1: hold onto it. The Packers drive for the winning touchdown 59 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:11,799 Speaker 1: with Randall Cobbs. So this game, it's gonna have one 60 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: of those type of plays you just know what, you 61 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: sense it, you feel it, you hope it goes the 62 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 1: Packers way. Yeah, that's why I put on, you know, 63 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:22,239 Speaker 1: one of my inbox efforts this week, expect the unexpected, 64 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:24,919 Speaker 1: because something always happens, and it isn't necessarily leaving those 65 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: game changing plays. It's Clay Matthews being an inside linebacker 66 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:30,679 Speaker 1: and that being a turning point in the Packers season. Uh, 67 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 1: It's it's being able to utilize some of these weapons 68 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 1: in different ways. I think that's what I'm most interested 69 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 1: to see, and we saw small parts of it against 70 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 1: the Falcons. The fact that they ran back to back 71 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: screenplays with Aaron Jones that you know that they were 72 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:46,040 Speaker 1: willing to do some of the things they did offensively 73 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 1: to build some momentum early on and let those offensive 74 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: linemen get settled. You have to be unpredictable, without question. 75 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: But I do think there's a lot of those things 76 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: that they learned in that matchup against Atlanta that can 77 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 1: carry over into this game against Chicago and what they 78 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:01,360 Speaker 1: like to do in the trenches and and you know, 79 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: they do not pressure. They obviously pressure, but they do 80 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 1: not blitz a lot. Dick Fangio has confidence with Khalil 81 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:09,600 Speaker 1: mac being in that defense that they're going to be 82 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:12,240 Speaker 1: able to get home with four guys. That allows the 83 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 1: secondary to to make plays, to be able to not 84 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:18,440 Speaker 1: sacrifice another one of those bodies. That is, if you 85 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:20,920 Speaker 1: go back to those San Francisco teams, Mike that were 86 00:04:20,960 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 1: really good in the early two thousand tens, That's what 87 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 1: Vic Fangio's group did exceedingly well, and they had tremendous 88 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 1: linebacking helped to do it. And now you can kind 89 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 1: of start seeing the Bears building that with ro Kwan 90 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 1: Smith and with having a veteran there like Danny Trevathan. 91 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 1: So yeah, I think this game really ultimately is going 92 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: to be one in the trenches, both on the Packers 93 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 1: side of things and also you know, with the Bears 94 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:44,800 Speaker 1: being able to you know, hold your spot. Yeah, I 95 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:48,720 Speaker 1: think the the key other than obviously just blocking guys 96 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: and having that communication and everything it takes up front 97 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 1: to protect Aaron Rodgers, I think the other factor that 98 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 1: is going to protect Aaron Rodgers if the Packers can 99 00:04:57,480 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 1: establish some kind of a running game with Aaron Jones, 100 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:02,480 Speaker 1: with Jamal Williams. I know, the Bears are number two 101 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:04,600 Speaker 1: in the league against the run. They're ranked in the 102 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:09,599 Speaker 1: single digits and lots of categories defensively this season. But 103 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 1: when when I look at what I saw of the 104 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 1: Rams against the Bears last Sunday night, and the fact 105 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 1: that that game was close. Chicago's offense was not lighting 106 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 1: anything on fire, but the Rams they never got Todd 107 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:24,160 Speaker 1: Gurley going, and in my opinion, they just they didn't 108 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: stick with him long enough. They put the game in 109 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:30,280 Speaker 1: Jared Goff's hands. He ends up throwing four interceptions and 110 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: and the turnovers were far and away the difference in 111 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,400 Speaker 1: that game. I think the Packers are gonna have to 112 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:38,719 Speaker 1: find a way to run the ball. They're gonna have 113 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 1: to be stubborn about it. That's gonna be the best 114 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:43,160 Speaker 1: way to protect your quarterback and in the long run, 115 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 1: to protect the football from this turnover crazy defense. Yeah, 116 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:50,159 Speaker 1: and all year long, Mike, we talked about Jamal Williams 117 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 1: and Aaron Jones, how they work in tandem with one another. 118 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:54,839 Speaker 1: I think this game is really going to be important 119 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:57,479 Speaker 1: for both of those players. I think early on you 120 00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:59,479 Speaker 1: could I think it wouldn't surprise me at all if 121 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 1: you see Mama Williams get some play early on, help 122 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 1: out those offensive lineman. If you're looking to establish the 123 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 1: quick passing game, we know what he can do both 124 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:10,720 Speaker 1: as past protection and also along with catching the ball. 125 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: I absolutely loved and I know there's probably some fantasy 126 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:16,120 Speaker 1: football owners out there that had some heart attacks in 127 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:18,599 Speaker 1: the first half with Aaron Jones and how he was utilized. 128 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 1: But I just love what they did with him in 129 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 1: that game because when it was Aaron Jones time they 130 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 1: featured him, I think it was twenty touches on forty 131 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 1: two offensive snaps coming out a halftime. They really were 132 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 1: able to change the pace with being able to get 133 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 1: him involved, get him an open space, allow him to 134 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 1: make plays, and yet still being able to get the 135 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 1: best out of Jamal Williams. Jamal Williams is gonna have 136 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 1: to do a lot of chipping in this game, you know. 137 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 1: And the question was asked Brian Angeliqio, the Packers tight 138 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 1: ends coach, about how much his guys are gonna be 139 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 1: involved in the blocking. They very well could be, you know, 140 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 1: mar cites Lewis is a great UH player to have 141 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:55,559 Speaker 1: in your in your toolbox. But at the same time, 142 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 1: I think this is where Jamal Williams is going to 143 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 1: really be important. Being able to pick up the free blitzers, 144 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:04,159 Speaker 1: being able to you know, establish himself there to allow 145 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:06,880 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers to get comfortable. If Aaron Rodgers gets comfortable, 146 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:09,280 Speaker 1: if he has over a hundred passer rating in this game, 147 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 1: I think the Packers win it. Honestly, I truly do, 148 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 1: because when you look at it from Mitchell Trubisky side 149 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 1: of things, every time there's been a few examples of it, 150 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 1: but most times when they've had to get into a 151 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 1: shootout type situation, that's where the Bears have been vulnerable. Well, 152 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 1: you mentioned you looked up the stat on a show 153 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,280 Speaker 1: earlier this week that the Bears defense is allowing an 154 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: average of opposer passer rating in the low seventy four. 155 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:35,200 Speaker 1: So I mean, if Aaron Rodgers can actually hit triple 156 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 1: digits in in passer rating, I'm with you. I like 157 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: the Packers chances here. And um, I'll just say I 158 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 1: think the fantasy owners have to get off this whole 159 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones thing. The guy's had a rushing touchdown in 160 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 1: five consecutive games. He's getting the job done for you 161 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: if if he's if he's on your fantasy team. And 162 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: I just point that out because I posted a story 163 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 1: on our website last night the Packers record all time 164 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 1: record for consecutive games with the rushing touchdown in seven 165 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:04,679 Speaker 1: Paul Horning nineteen sixty. Aaron Jones is at five games 166 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:07,480 Speaker 1: right now. He has six rushing touchdowns in those five games. 167 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 1: The last guy to have a streak of six was 168 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 1: Ryan Grant back in two thousand and seven. So Aaron 169 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 1: Jones is on a nice little run here. And but 170 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 1: that being said, the Bears have only allowed four rushing 171 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: touchdowns all season. They had only allowed two up until 172 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 1: Thanksgiving and Lea Garrett Blunt for the Lions had to 173 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 1: but then the Lions still lost that game. So, um, 174 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 1: a lot of a lot of different things here that 175 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:34,960 Speaker 1: that need to go right for the Packers. And and 176 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: another point I want to make, and I mentioned this 177 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 1: on our Final Thoughts video which we shot just before 178 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 1: we sat down here to turn on the cameras, I 179 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 1: don't think the Packers can afford even though they came 180 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:49,520 Speaker 1: back from twenty to nothing in Week one against this 181 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 1: Bears defense, I don't think you can go to that 182 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 1: well again. I think you've got to get off to 183 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 1: a strong start. I think you need to play with 184 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 1: the lead. When I look at when I look at 185 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: this Bears defense. They're not going to give up another 186 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 1: twenty point lead to the Green Bay Packers. I don't 187 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:07,959 Speaker 1: see that happening twice in one season. And the flip 188 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:11,600 Speaker 1: side of it is, we've had our skepticism, if if 189 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: you will, with regards to Mitch Dubinsky and this offense, 190 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 1: I don't think this Bears offense is necessarily built to 191 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 1: come from behind. Now. The Packers have had their struggles 192 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 1: on the road. They had a lead in the second 193 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 1: half at Los Angeles, but that was the Rams. They 194 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 1: had a lead in the second half at Seattle, well, 195 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: that was the Seahawks and Russell Wilson. If you can 196 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: have a lead in the second half here a soldier 197 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: field and really put the game in Mr. Rubinsky's hands 198 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:38,960 Speaker 1: the way the Packers are covering on the back end, 199 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:42,440 Speaker 1: even without Kevin, even with Kevin king On injured reserve 200 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:44,920 Speaker 1: and and not able to play, I like Green based 201 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 1: chances here, but you've got to have a lead because 202 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 1: I don't like being on the road and trying to 203 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 1: come from behind against a defense like this, well, and 204 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 1: against the defense like this that's already had that hand 205 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 1: played against them. And in mind you it was at 206 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 1: lambeau Field, but they are very theme, Mike. I think 207 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:03,960 Speaker 1: it was James Camping who mentioned I think Sam Acco 208 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:06,640 Speaker 1: is the only one that isn't actually in this lineup 209 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 1: right now that's out with injury. And then now obviously 210 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 1: Bryce Callahan too, you can add him to that. But 211 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 1: for the most part, all those guys that were on 212 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:19,320 Speaker 1: the field and they're still there. So yeah, they it's 213 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 1: the you know, fool me once kind of deal here. 214 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 1: So I think for the Packers, if you're able to 215 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 1: come out early, get that just like they did against 216 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:28,680 Speaker 1: the Falcons, you know, put some points on the board 217 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 1: with that first series, get a touchdown early on in 218 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 1: you know, show that you're gonna hold your ground. I 219 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 1: think one of the things, and I don't have all 220 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 1: the stats in front of me, Mike, but if you 221 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:38,840 Speaker 1: look at this eight game winning streak the Packers have 222 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: been on in Chicago a lot of times, it has 223 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:44,080 Speaker 1: been a product of getting off two super fast starts 224 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:45,679 Speaker 1: that when I think they had I want to say 225 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 1: it was two thousand sixteen, We're yeah, Kristin Michael had 226 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:51,960 Speaker 1: the forty two yard touchdown run one of the reasons 227 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:53,640 Speaker 1: the Packers won that game, and We're able to hold 228 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:56,000 Speaker 1: off the Bears was because of how fast they started 229 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:58,520 Speaker 1: and being able to you know, get points early on 230 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 1: and then kind of stem the tide. Yeah, the Packers 231 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: were up I believe seventeen in that game. The Bears 232 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:05,200 Speaker 1: had a big rally and got it tied, but then 233 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 1: Rogers had the ball last hit the big play and 234 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:09,840 Speaker 1: got the win. And that's what you expect. Though, when 235 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 1: the team's playing at home, much like the Packers did 236 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:14,600 Speaker 1: when they rallied in Week one, they're gonna have the 237 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 1: wind in their sales. They're going to be able to 238 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 1: mount a comeback. So that's why you want to have 239 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 1: everything tilting your way in those first thirty minutes. The Packers, though, 240 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 1: the thing that's been really interesting is that if they 241 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 1: do find themselves in that situation. Again, I'm not saying 242 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 1: necessarily four point comeback, but the one thing that this 243 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:32,400 Speaker 1: season has taught them at seven five, seven and one 244 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 1: is the ability to play down the stretch and the 245 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: ability to have the two minute offense go. It's been 246 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:40,320 Speaker 1: the most consistent phase of this team. So if you're 247 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:42,400 Speaker 1: able to stay within earshot, if you were able to 248 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:44,719 Speaker 1: get up by a touchdown, the Packers have shown an 249 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 1: ability to win these close games in spite of some 250 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:49,640 Speaker 1: of the things that have happened recently on the road. 251 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:52,040 Speaker 1: Their conditioned for it. So I think that's the number 252 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: one thing I'm looking for in this matchup, particularly with 253 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:56,200 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers appearing to be in more of a rhythm 254 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 1: last week, is if you can carry some of that 255 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 1: over now against the Bears and maybe get off to 256 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: the fast start that you finished with in Week one. Yeah. Well, 257 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:06,560 Speaker 1: the bottom line is the Packers need to put together 258 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:09,319 Speaker 1: that four quarter game on the road, which hasn't happened 259 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:12,040 Speaker 1: so far. You look, you look back at every road game. 260 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: Washington bad first half, Detroit bad first half, you know, 261 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: Minnesota bad second half, Seattle bad second half. Really, the 262 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 1: Rams game was just the unfortunate turnover with two minutes 263 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: to go, or the Packers are in the exact position 264 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: they wanted to be in with Aaron Rodgers with the 265 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:31,320 Speaker 1: ball in his hands, two minutes left and a chance 266 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 1: to win. So these, uh, these road games, it comes down. 267 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 1: It comes down to having to play a full sixty minutes. 268 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,120 Speaker 1: The Packers haven't done it yet, but we know that 269 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 1: they're capable of it, and we all know the whole 270 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:49,840 Speaker 1: outlook on this season, hinges on this game. I mean, 271 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 1: you win it, you stay alive, you have a chance. 272 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:56,120 Speaker 1: If you lose it, you're done. Yeah, and it's great. 273 00:12:56,160 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 1: It's you're right. It's as simple as that. The one 274 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:00,080 Speaker 1: thing I think the Packers have to feel pret be 275 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 1: good about going into this game, though, is you can 276 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 1: look at it, Mike, pound for pound, this might have 277 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 1: been their best performance of the year against the Falcons 278 00:13:07,040 --> 00:13:09,080 Speaker 1: because you look at that game against Buffalo. Yes, they 279 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,920 Speaker 1: shut out the Bills. We know what Aaron Rodgers said afterwards, 280 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:14,280 Speaker 1: how he felt about you know, where things were at 281 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 1: and where they still needed to improve. Offensively, they weren't perfect. 282 00:13:17,960 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: Rogers only through for d ninety six yards. It's not 283 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:22,080 Speaker 1: like they just lit up the Falcons and you know, 284 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:26,079 Speaker 1: dominated from the word go. But they were able to 285 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:28,800 Speaker 1: really dictate the tempo of that game. The Falcons scored late, 286 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 1: but it didn't really matter second half. So I mean, 287 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: if I'm Green Bay, if I'm Joe Philban and I'm 288 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:38,719 Speaker 1: sitting down with these guys this week, I'm reminding them 289 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 1: not to get complacent, but also understand. And I wrote 290 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: about it earlier this week and inside her inbox too. 291 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 1: This is what you're capable of. This is the team 292 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:50,200 Speaker 1: we built and what we feel like can be in 293 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:53,440 Speaker 1: control of its own destiny. Now, a lot of things 294 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:55,760 Speaker 1: now need to go right for them. But I think 295 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 1: when you go back to week one of the Packers 296 00:13:57,559 --> 00:14:00,199 Speaker 1: being Super Bowl contenders, you thought about Davante at Is 297 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:03,240 Speaker 1: having a breakout season. You thought about Aaron Jones and 298 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 1: what he can do with the run game. You know, 299 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: jyr Alexander being a promising first round draft pick. Aaron 300 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:09,959 Speaker 1: Rodgers said it as a locker room this week, Mike. 301 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:12,360 Speaker 1: There are so many pieces in place that he feels 302 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:14,720 Speaker 1: confident about the future of this team. But it's also 303 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:17,079 Speaker 1: the reason why they feel like going up against a 304 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 1: team against like Chicago, they should have a chance to win. 305 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:22,440 Speaker 1: All right, one other question before we move on to 306 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 1: some of those other things that need to go Green 307 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:27,560 Speaker 1: Bay's way. Randall Cobb. Does he make a big play 308 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: in this game? I think so. And the one reason why, 309 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 1: certainly out of all these performances he's had and get 310 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 1: Soldier Field, and he has had some tremendous ones, including 311 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 1: two thousand thirteen, his biggest game of the season was 312 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: that opener against the Bears. That was the most careery 313 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 1: Artidge I think he's ever had in a contest. He 314 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 1: looked like everything that Randall Cobb has ever been for 315 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 1: this offense, and being able to create after the catch 316 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 1: and just having that explosiveness to his game. Now he's 317 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 1: had to weather some of these hamstring injuries, but the 318 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 1: fact that he was a full participant for the first 319 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 1: time since he's been dealing with this on Thursday, I 320 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: think speaks to potentially what he could bring to this 321 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:05,680 Speaker 1: ball game, especially without Bryce Callahan being available. I don't 322 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:08,200 Speaker 1: know exactly how the Bears are going to shuffle the 323 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: cards there and what Vic Fianjo is gonna want to do, 324 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 1: but Callahan had been a big consistent role is that 325 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:16,320 Speaker 1: nickel cornerback, So you know, whether it's McManus or one 326 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 1: of these other guys that step into that. I'm really 327 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 1: looking for Randall Cob in this game to have a big, 328 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 1: big performance. I'm not saying he needs to have two 329 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 1: receiving yards again, but if he can be effective and 330 00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 1: draw that attention, that's when everything starts to open up 331 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:30,520 Speaker 1: for air, and he could be a key piece on 332 00:15:30,640 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 1: third down as the Packers try to try to build 333 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: on a seven out of thirteen third down performance against 334 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 1: the Falcons, which was something that had been a long 335 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:44,000 Speaker 1: time coming. Okay, we we haven't dwelt dwelt dwell like hey, 336 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:46,800 Speaker 1: I said privilegious or something earlier, So you're good. We 337 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: haven't spent a lot of time on all these other 338 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:51,560 Speaker 1: things that need to go green Bay's way and that 339 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:54,480 Speaker 1: already have gone green Bay's way to to stay alive 340 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:57,440 Speaker 1: even to this point. But to recap it quickly, how 341 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:00,520 Speaker 1: do you get this all out? I have so Packers, 342 00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 1: all right, the Packers need to beat the Bears. We 343 00:16:03,280 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: know that you're looking for Washington, Philadelphia, and Carolina each 344 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:11,680 Speaker 1: to lose one more game. Now Washington has quarterback injuries 345 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 1: like crazy, Philadelphia now dealing with a quarterback injury, and 346 00:16:15,320 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 1: Carolina has to play the Saints twice in the last 347 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 1: three weeks. So each of those teams losing one more 348 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:24,120 Speaker 1: game looks pretty realistic for the Packers. The other thing, 349 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 1: if the Packers beat the Bears and win out and 350 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 1: can get to eight seven and one, you need the 351 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings to lose twice and their first one now 352 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:35,840 Speaker 1: out of these last three weeks is at home against Miami. 353 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 1: But the Vikings they fired their offensive coordinator. They're coming 354 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 1: off of some really rough offensive outings. The Miami Dolphins 355 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 1: are coming in at seven and six with their playoff 356 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 1: hopes in the a f C very much alive, having 357 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 1: just beaten the New England Patriots with the miracle final 358 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 1: play double lateral whatever you wanna call it with Kenyan Drake. 359 00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 1: So what are your thoughts on this, my Ami? With 360 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:04,600 Speaker 1: wild card hopes alive going into Minnesota, Minnesota making the 361 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,879 Speaker 1: change at offensive coordinator here in the middle of December, 362 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: what do you think? You know, It's an interesting stat 363 00:17:09,960 --> 00:17:13,880 Speaker 1: I saw from the Dolphins PR team this week when 364 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:16,400 Speaker 1: Ryan Tannellhill has played. Do you know what the Dolphins 365 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:18,600 Speaker 1: record is the last sixteen games? If you over like, 366 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:23,040 Speaker 1: if you simulated a season sixteen games Ryan Tannehill, they're 367 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:26,240 Speaker 1: twelve and four. Kid. Yeah. Now they've had to weather 368 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 1: a lot here, you know, with last year in the 369 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: j Cutler experience, and in this year losing Tannehill again 370 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,119 Speaker 1: to that shoulder injury that held him out of the 371 00:17:34,160 --> 00:17:37,919 Speaker 1: game against Green Bay. But the thing about Tannehill is 372 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:40,399 Speaker 1: it just seems like every time somebody's trying to count 373 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:42,560 Speaker 1: him out or move on to the next chapter. He 374 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:45,159 Speaker 1: always reminds everybody why he was their quarterback of the 375 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: future in two thousand and twelve, even though now he's 376 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 1: still third. You know, now he's thirty years old, he's 377 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:52,040 Speaker 1: in the prime of his career. So I think it's 378 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:56,159 Speaker 1: definitely doable. The biggest thing on this schedule, and this 379 00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 1: is why I think if Joe Philbins talking to his 380 00:17:57,880 --> 00:18:01,240 Speaker 1: team about any possible playoff in patitions is that you 381 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:03,719 Speaker 1: just got to win this game against the Bears. You 382 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:05,840 Speaker 1: win this game against the Bears, and everything opens up 383 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:08,280 Speaker 1: because even if the Vikings do hold off Minnesota or 384 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:10,520 Speaker 1: they do hold off Miami, they have to come back 385 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:13,440 Speaker 1: at the end of the season and beat Chicago. So 386 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:16,200 Speaker 1: I mean, this is for me, for for my money, 387 00:18:16,320 --> 00:18:21,119 Speaker 1: seeing exactly how this plays out. I'm i am glued 388 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 1: to my seat because I think it is fully possible 389 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:25,159 Speaker 1: there's an eight win team that makes the playoffs. The 390 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:27,200 Speaker 1: Green They Packers just hope that they're the one. Yeah, 391 00:18:27,240 --> 00:18:29,520 Speaker 1: it could be the Packers. It it certainly could be. 392 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: My point being, if you're going to scoreboard watch at all, 393 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:36,600 Speaker 1: you don't it's not necessarily that you have to watch 394 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 1: them all, but if you're going to scoreboard, watch the 395 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:41,880 Speaker 1: one to watch is what's going on in Minneapolis, because 396 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:44,160 Speaker 1: that's the one that really, as far as this week goes, 397 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:47,480 Speaker 1: has the biggest effect on the Packers. I believe, not 398 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:50,280 Speaker 1: that we want to think this way, but I believe 399 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:54,600 Speaker 1: the only way the Packers mathematically stay alive if they 400 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:57,119 Speaker 1: were to lose to the Bears is that Minnesota also 401 00:18:57,160 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 1: has to lose. Otherwise otherwise the season and is over 402 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,359 Speaker 1: as far as any postseason. Yeah, in Minnesota at six 403 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:06,200 Speaker 1: six and one right now, um, they do have the 404 00:19:07,280 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 1: tiebreaker with you know, with them both tying earlier this season, 405 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:12,400 Speaker 1: So something to keep in mind. You know, it's gonna 406 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 1: be an interesting week though, because again you you talked 407 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,760 Speaker 1: about the Panthers having the Saints, the Eagles have the Rams. 408 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:20,240 Speaker 1: Uh So I mean in the Rams, you know, obviously 409 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: coming off a tough loss, but I mean there's still 410 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:25,280 Speaker 1: the Rams. And and you know, even though Jacksonville's four 411 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,160 Speaker 1: and nine, Washington's onto Josh Johnson is their fourth quarterback. 412 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:30,919 Speaker 1: So the way that this is pretty amazing what's going on, 413 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 1: and it's been pretty incredible. So Packers just hoping to 414 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 1: keep it interesting for one more week. Yeah, that's a 415 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:38,120 Speaker 1: that's a good way to look at it. With that, 416 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:40,200 Speaker 1: we will call it a wrap on this edition of 417 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:42,880 Speaker 1: Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of our coverage 418 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:45,720 Speaker 1: of the team on Packers dot com on Twitter, He's 419 00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:48,200 Speaker 1: at west Hot I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers for 420 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:50,919 Speaker 1: the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody, See you 421 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:51,440 Speaker 1: next time.