1 00:00:06,920 --> 00:00:10,239 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:14,080 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford, joined as always 3 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:16,840 Speaker 1: by my partner in crime, Weston Hadkowitz. We are coming 4 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:20,160 Speaker 1: to you here from our studios at Lambeufield to preview 5 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: Sunday's win to get in game for the Green Bay Packers. 6 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:26,279 Speaker 1: It will be against the Chicago Bears. It will be 7 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: a three to twenty five pm Central Time kickoff televised 8 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 1: on CBS. Jim Nantz, Tony Romo. I think this will 9 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: be the first time those two will be doing a 10 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:40,600 Speaker 1: Packers Bears games. I think so interesting the way that 11 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:43,479 Speaker 1: sets up, and very interesting the way this season for 12 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:46,559 Speaker 1: the Chicago Bears has gone. We will preview this opponent 13 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 1: thoroughly here on today's episode, Wes. The Chicago Bears started 14 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 1: out the season zero to four and looked like they 15 00:00:55,080 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 1: were going absolutely nowhere, and suddenly they are surging at 16 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 1: the end of the season. Not only are they four 17 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: and two in their last six games to get to 18 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 1: seven and nine at this point, but those two losses 19 00:01:09,319 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: in their last six games, they had double digit leads 20 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 1: in the fourth quarter over two playoff teams in the 21 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 1: Lions and the Browns and they let those games get away, 22 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: or the Bears are this close to being on a 23 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: six or a seven game winning streak here. I said 24 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 1: it in Monday's Insider Inbox. I may have even said 25 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 1: it on our last show. I think the Chicago Bears, 26 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 1: based on how they're playing right now, is the best 27 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:40,720 Speaker 1: team that the Packers have faced since the Kansas City game. 28 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:42,560 Speaker 2: And I would agree with that in a lot of 29 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 2: regards because they're the most well balanced and when you 30 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 2: look at where this offense has been and I can't 31 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 2: give you the exact breakdowns of what Justin Field's stats are, 32 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:56,240 Speaker 2: what this Offensi's output was in the first half of 33 00:01:56,280 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 2: season when they had him and then when they finally 34 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 2: got him back. But they're just to be more swagger 35 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 2: with the Bears offense right now. Juice Herbert is coming 36 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 2: off his first I think one hundred yard games of 37 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 2: the season back to back weeks, if at the very 38 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 2: least the first time he's had him back to back 39 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 2: weeks here this year, and then DJ Moore has come alive. 40 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 2: I mean, this isn't the same situation as the first 41 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 2: month of the season, where there were these demonstrative actions 42 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:25,600 Speaker 2: after plays and visible frustration. The guy's a thirteen hundred 43 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:28,040 Speaker 2: yard receiver. He had a two hundred yard game this season, 44 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 2: and you know, the Bears offense is really flowing. But 45 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 2: I'll tell you what, Mike and we will previewed both 46 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 2: sides of these, you know, the football here. But Montes 47 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:40,960 Speaker 2: Sweat in that trade, Ryan Poles took some flak there 48 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 2: at the trading deadline for acquiring him because it's like, 49 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:45,360 Speaker 2: what are you doing? Where's the season going? Why do 50 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 2: we need another defensive player? And Sweat has been exceptional 51 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:50,240 Speaker 2: and I think and. 52 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 1: The assignment to a big contract extension right after they 53 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 1: acquired him, that was the whole point of getting him. 54 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 1: It wasn't necessarily for this year. It was they saw 55 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:00,959 Speaker 1: Montes Sweat as a as a bill block for their 56 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:03,119 Speaker 1: defense for the future, and he's in the fold long 57 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: term for them. 58 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 2: And watching how Washington's defense is completely folded after oh 59 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:07,799 Speaker 2: my gosh. 60 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, and they traded Chase Young as well from Washington's. 61 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 2: But I mean, man, sweat is Sweat ended up being 62 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:15,880 Speaker 2: the guy, yeah, you know, for Young being the second 63 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 2: overall pick. So, but all that stuff together, Chicago's feeling 64 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 2: really good about itself right now and Justin Fields. And 65 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 2: you heard the cries out at Soldier Field last week, 66 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 2: people saying we want Justin. This is a huge dress 67 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:31,960 Speaker 2: rehearsal to see if Justin Fields is going to be 68 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,679 Speaker 2: the Chicago Bears quarterback in twenty twenty four. 69 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, there's certainly a lot of noise in that direction. 70 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 1: I personally think it would be foolish for the Bears 71 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: to hinge a decision like that on this one game, 72 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 1: like win or loss, or how he performs in this 73 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:48,119 Speaker 1: particular game. 74 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:50,680 Speaker 2: Four interceptions could make you change that idea. 75 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, or you know, I mean, I just I 76 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: don't think you ever hinge anything on one game when 77 00:03:57,240 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 1: it's a decision of that magnitude. That being said, Justin Fields, 78 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:03,400 Speaker 1: he's the leading rusher on this team six hundred and 79 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 1: thirty rushing yards, and you know, obviously part of the 80 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 1: game plan will be to contain him. I think you 81 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 1: have to try to make Justin Fields beat you from 82 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 1: the pocket. That being said, you brought up Dj Moore 83 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 1: ninety two catches, thirteen hundred yards, eight touchdowns, Cole Kamet 84 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:22,479 Speaker 1: seventy catches, six hundred and seventy eight yards six touchdowns. 85 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:25,720 Speaker 1: Nobody else for the Bears has really done much of 86 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:27,920 Speaker 1: anything in the passing game this year. It has been 87 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:31,040 Speaker 1: those two guys and certainly DJ Moore being the clear 88 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 1: number one target for Fields and the other thing. I 89 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: give credit to Fields, and we'll talk more about the 90 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 1: defense because I think that is really what is fueled 91 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:45,040 Speaker 1: this turnaround for the Bears, but Fields has also protected 92 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 1: the ball much better. The Bears over their last seven 93 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:51,080 Speaker 1: games are plus eleven in turnover margin. They've gone from 94 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: minus two I'm sorry, minus nine on the season to 95 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 1: plus two in basically the last two months. That's hard 96 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: to do. And yes, the Bears defense is certainly taking 97 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:06,360 Speaker 1: the ball away, but justin Fields and that offense, they're 98 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 1: protecting it as well. And I think I think it'll 99 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: be very interesting to see what the Packers do here 100 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:15,240 Speaker 1: because you have jay R Alexander coming back from suspension. 101 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 1: Do you line him up on Dj Moore and say, 102 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: all right, twenty three, that's your guy, you know, or 103 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,159 Speaker 1: do the Packers take a different approach with it. I'm 104 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 1: not sure what Green Bay is going to do, but 105 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:28,160 Speaker 1: it is but it is very clear that you can't 106 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 1: let justin fields run around back there and you can't 107 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:32,920 Speaker 1: let Dj Moore get loose. 108 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's almost I joked about this an insider inbox. 109 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 2: If you could just recreate what they did in Week one, 110 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 2: everything would be great. Yeah, But obviously we're in a 111 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 2: different part of the season. Both of these teams have 112 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 2: grown in our different units going into this one. But 113 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 2: you look at that opener, Mike, in addition to them 114 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 2: getting an early turnover on downs, in addition to them 115 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 2: turning over the football Kuaywalkers intercept your return for a touchdown. 116 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 2: R DJ Moore had twenty five receiving yards on two catches. 117 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 2: Juce Herbert had twenty seven rushing yards nine carries. The 118 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:04,200 Speaker 2: Bears weren't able to get much going until like garbage 119 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 2: time in that game. It was like sixty thousand people 120 00:06:07,279 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 2: down to like three thousand by the time that game ended. Now, 121 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 2: the one thing I will say, because you want to 122 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:15,680 Speaker 2: give Chicago its props, but at the same time, also 123 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,360 Speaker 2: not act like you're facing the seventy two Dolphins here. 124 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 2: When you do look at their wins. It was Carolina, 125 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 2: it was the Miami or Minnesota Vikings, an impressive win 126 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 2: over Detroit, at home after they almost beat them on 127 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 2: the road, and then it was Arizona and then it 128 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:35,360 Speaker 2: was Atlanta. They haven't really beaten any big time playoff 129 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:36,080 Speaker 2: teams during this. 130 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:37,599 Speaker 1: Stretch, Yeah, except for the Lions. 131 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:38,360 Speaker 2: Except for the Lions. 132 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 1: They knocked off the Lions, and frankly should have swept 133 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 1: the Lions should have beaten them both times. 134 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:45,039 Speaker 2: But what's funny to me, and what is very interesting 135 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,359 Speaker 2: for this matchup is this is an opportunity for the 136 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 2: Green Bay Packers to show we are a playoff team. 137 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 2: We aren't like these other squads. We're going to be 138 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 2: able to get to that ninth win and that's where 139 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:59,039 Speaker 2: the real challenge lies. But as you said, Michael, more 140 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:01,240 Speaker 2: than anything, it starts with justin Fields. You want to 141 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 2: make him a pass or you don't want to allow 142 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 2: him to beat you with his legs and trying to 143 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 2: keep as many bodies as possible on DJ Moore. That's 144 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 2: the one aspect of this, especially if Darnell Mooney is 145 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 2: not back from the concussion yet, you can devote resources 146 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 2: to DJ Moore and play your hand with a lot 147 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 2: of these other guys. It's not what the situation was 148 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 2: last week against Minnesota. 149 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, Well, I think, honestly, what becomes an even bigger 150 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 1: challenge for the Packers, and what I think is really 151 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 1: the more intriguing matchup in this game is a Packers 152 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 1: offense that is very much on the rise. We've seen 153 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: Green Bay against a couple of pretty good defenses in 154 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 1: Carolina and Minnesota, put up thirty plus points back to 155 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 1: back weeks after not hitting the thirty point mark since 156 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 1: Week one, all the way back in Chicago at the 157 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 1: beginning of the year. But this Bear's defense. Wes I 158 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 1: brought up these statistics in our three Things video. When 159 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: the Bear started the season zero to four, they were 160 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: allowing thirty four point three points per game. Their last 161 00:07:55,320 --> 00:07:58,000 Speaker 1: five games, in which they've gone four and one, they've 162 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 1: allowed fifteen point two points per game. Nineteen points per game. 163 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 1: Difference from the stretch at the beginning of the year 164 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 1: to now this stretch at the end of the year. 165 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:08,440 Speaker 1: I don't know if I've ever seen a shift that 166 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: big within one season by a given unit. They've risen 167 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:14,960 Speaker 1: all the way to first in the league against the run. 168 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: They are twelfth overall in yards allowed, still twentieth in 169 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 1: points allowed. But I think a lot of that has 170 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: to do with what was going on at the beginning 171 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 1: of the year. Montes Sweat has six sacks for the 172 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 1: Bears since he joined them at the trading deadline at 173 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 1: the end of October. He has twelve and a half 174 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:35,439 Speaker 1: on the season, six of them with Chicago. A couple 175 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:37,679 Speaker 1: other statistics that jump out to me. One is the 176 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: Bears have twenty two interceptions, which is the highest total 177 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 1: in the league. They have three different players with four interceptions. 178 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:51,080 Speaker 1: The cornerback Jalen Johnson, rookie cornerback Tyreek Stevenson, who is 179 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:54,720 Speaker 1: the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week, whereas Jordan 180 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 1: Love is the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week, 181 00:08:57,400 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: and then the third guy with the four interceptions is 182 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:03,440 Speaker 1: Tremaine Edmunds. And I think what we've seen, and I 183 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 1: shouldn't say we've seen, I think what has happened with 184 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 1: this Bears defense is very much what Matt Lafleur said 185 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 1: in his Wednesday press conference after practice when I asked 186 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 1: him about this Bears defense is it's a group that 187 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:19,559 Speaker 1: has just settled in and played together and figured some 188 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 1: things out. You look back at the beginning of the season, 189 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 1: Tremaine Edmunds, TJ. Edwards. Those were brand new guys, free 190 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 1: agents that they brought in to play linebacker. You had 191 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 1: Stevenson was a rookie, a second round pick out of 192 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 1: Miami at cornerback. They were fitting trying to fit in 193 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:39,240 Speaker 1: all of these different pieces. Defensively, this unit has really 194 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 1: really come together. And when I look at the twenty 195 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:44,480 Speaker 1: two interceptions number and as I mentioned, plus eleven for 196 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: the Bears in turnover margin in the last seven games, 197 00:09:47,880 --> 00:09:50,560 Speaker 1: Packers have done a really good job protecting the football 198 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: for the most part this year. It is absolutely paramount 199 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 1: in this game. 200 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 2: Absolutely, And what I find most startling about the Bears 201 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:01,839 Speaker 2: these days is looking specif those inside linebackers, if I may, 202 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 2: for years, the Bears developed incredible Pro Bowl linebackers, Oh yeah, routinely, 203 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:10,040 Speaker 2: even after Brian R. Lacker. 204 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:12,559 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean they traded away Roquan Smith to the 205 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:14,040 Speaker 1: Baltimore Ravens. 206 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 2: And it's just very interesting to me that they it 207 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 2: started right around when Vic Fangio was there. Where then 208 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:22,559 Speaker 2: they started, Okay, now we're gonna start signing inside linebackers. 209 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:24,319 Speaker 2: Maybe we're not developing them the way we used to. 210 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:26,559 Speaker 2: We're gonna start signing them. They obviously did get Roquan 211 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:30,000 Speaker 2: but then they went back to this blueprint of bringing 212 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:33,560 Speaker 2: in inside linebackers veterans and having them at the core 213 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 2: of the defense. Different gms have done it, different defensive 214 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,200 Speaker 2: coordinators have done it, but Chicago's had a lot of 215 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:42,359 Speaker 2: success with it. And with TJ. Edwards and Tremaine Edwins 216 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 2: together building, you know, two guys with over one hundred 217 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 2: tackles each this season, I think it kind of got 218 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 2: back to the roots of this defense. Sweat made a 219 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 2: lot of sense for them because that was the only 220 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 2: thing they were truly lacking. They just didn't have a 221 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:57,800 Speaker 2: pass rusher. They didn't have an edge rusher. And he's 222 00:10:57,880 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 2: more than just a guy that's going to rush off 223 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 2: the edge. I mean, he's a pretty complete defensive end. Yeah, 224 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,079 Speaker 2: but they needed somebody that was gonna be able to 225 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 2: dial out the pressure a little bit. Because Jalen Johnson 226 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,599 Speaker 2: is an incredible cornerback. Yeah, Eddie Jackson has been a 227 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:13,960 Speaker 2: pro bowler in this league before, and as we're learning 228 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 2: now with this young man Stevenson, Tyreik Stevenson, they seem 229 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:20,959 Speaker 2: to have found another guy that can be a perimeter threat. 230 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,560 Speaker 2: For them. So it's a pretty complete unit. And I 231 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 2: tip my hat to Ryan Poles because they've basically done 232 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:28,840 Speaker 2: this in a little over a span of a year 233 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:30,720 Speaker 2: and how they've remade this whole thing. So while you 234 00:11:30,720 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 2: have a lot of veteran presence there, they had to 235 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 2: sort of grow together and I think you're starting to 236 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 2: see that. 237 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, And there are a lot of there are a 238 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 1: lot of statistics with regard to this Bears defense that 239 00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:42,560 Speaker 1: in some respects you throw out the window for the season. 240 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,320 Speaker 1: They are still last in the league in sacks per 241 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:49,280 Speaker 1: pass play. Yeah, And to me, that just tells you 242 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,679 Speaker 1: how much they struggled to get after the quarterback until 243 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: Montes Sweat came on the scene for them and has 244 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:57,600 Speaker 1: been a presence in the pass rush the last couple 245 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:00,239 Speaker 1: of months. They're also twenty ninth in the league still 246 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:04,040 Speaker 1: in third down efficiency on defense. Again, to me, that's 247 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 1: a reflection of just how much they were struggling before 248 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:11,000 Speaker 1: they really before they really got things going here down 249 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:14,199 Speaker 1: the stretch. So you know, when you talk about other 250 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:17,000 Speaker 1: than protecting the football, when you talk about keys, you know, 251 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:20,520 Speaker 1: keys to victory on on offense here for Green Bay, 252 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 1: I think it's you know, as much as you as 253 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 1: much as you have to respect the Bears defense and 254 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 1: where they are and what they're doing. If you're the 255 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: Packers and the way you've been playing lately, you just 256 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:32,599 Speaker 1: you just say, hey, we've got to We've got to 257 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:35,319 Speaker 1: keep doing what we're doing. We just whatever is called, 258 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:37,600 Speaker 1: we have to execute it at the level that we've 259 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 1: been executing it and it shouldn't matter that much what's 260 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:43,559 Speaker 1: going on on the other side. And because that's the 261 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 1: way the Packers have played these last couple of games, frankly, 262 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 1: that's how they've they've looked on offense since the since 263 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:52,160 Speaker 1: the Giants game. I mean, I know, the Buccaneers game 264 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:54,680 Speaker 1: was all about, you know, the all the breakdowns on defense. 265 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: The Packers offense actually did pretty darn well against a 266 00:12:58,280 --> 00:13:01,680 Speaker 1: good Buccaneers defense in that game, but just couldn't keep up. Obviously, 267 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 1: I think since the Giants game, the Packers' offense has 268 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:07,480 Speaker 1: been operating at a really, really high level, and they've 269 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: got to find a way to maintain that against I 270 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:12,959 Speaker 1: think the best defense, the best defense they've faced in 271 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:13,640 Speaker 1: quite a while. 272 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, And it's a great point you raised there, because 273 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 2: I think for Green Bay what's going to be very 274 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:21,559 Speaker 2: interesting this week is seen exactly what this offense is 275 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:23,040 Speaker 2: going to look like and who's going to all be 276 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:26,600 Speaker 2: available in very few instances? Could I say the Packers 277 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 2: having a debt, what an injury report that's nearing twenty 278 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:32,840 Speaker 2: I think somewhere around there. Yeah, that it actually somewhat 279 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:36,640 Speaker 2: benefits them because now you have Christian Watson back at practice, 280 00:13:36,679 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 2: Now you have Jaden Reid back at practice, don Tavian Wicks, 281 00:13:40,800 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 2: There's going to be a multitude of guys that could 282 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 2: potentially be in the cards for Green Bay. I'm envisioning 283 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 2: on Friday afternoon several questionable players going into this matchup. 284 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:49,680 Speaker 1: Yep. 285 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:52,760 Speaker 2: And it's up to Chicago to account for that. So 286 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,319 Speaker 2: in addition to the fact that we have Luke Musgrave 287 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 2: now and what would be his what third week of 288 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:00,200 Speaker 2: being able to practice, So it's a lot of things 289 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 2: for Chicago to consider. And with as much as Green 290 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,439 Speaker 2: Bay has had to grind and fight through injuries, they 291 00:14:06,480 --> 00:14:09,600 Speaker 2: are starting to get relatively healthier in terms of just 292 00:14:09,679 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 2: the body count being on the field. In that way, 293 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:16,160 Speaker 2: you wonder how much Matt Lafleur his coaching staff if 294 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 2: they feel Okay about certain guys what they can build 295 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 2: off of that, because Jalen Johnson super talented, Stevenson super talented. 296 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 2: But the thing Green Bay has really been quietly developing 297 00:14:27,040 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 2: here as an offense that you can't just kind of 298 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,520 Speaker 2: zone in on two guys. It's going to be the 299 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:34,600 Speaker 2: whole entree that you're going to be challenged with. 300 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, and when you look back at the first game 301 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:38,960 Speaker 1: of the season, it's just another example of just how 302 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 1: long ago it was and how different everything is. The 303 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:44,720 Speaker 1: Bears will certainly be the Bears will certainly be prepared 304 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:48,680 Speaker 1: for the two big explosive plays Aaron Jones made against 305 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 1: them at Soldier Field. There was the throwback screen that 306 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: he took down the sideline almost for a touchdown. Then 307 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 1: there was the one on one matchup with the linebacker 308 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 1: that he took the short throw and took the distance 309 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 1: for a touchdown there. But you know, Christian Watson wasn't 310 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,960 Speaker 1: on the field in week one, Dontavian Wicks wasn't getting 311 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:08,760 Speaker 1: a whole lot of snaps. We'll see if he comes 312 00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 1: back this week. Jayden Reid was certainly a part of 313 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:14,760 Speaker 1: things in Week one, but I think we've seen we've 314 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 1: seen him certainly become a bigger part of things. The 315 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 1: Packers tight ends Tucker Craft, you know, he was an 316 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:22,920 Speaker 1: afterthought back in week one, and look what he's doing 317 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:25,040 Speaker 1: for the Packers now. And we'll see you he played 318 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: three I remember three snaps? Is that what it was? Yeah? So, 319 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 1: and we'll see if if Luke Musgrave actually gets cleared 320 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 1: to come back in any kind of a role this week. 321 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 1: He is, he is out on the practice field on 322 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: a limited basis. There's there's just there's so much about 323 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 1: both the Bears defense and the Packers offense that it's 324 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 1: almost like, you know, other than those couple of Aaron 325 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:48,880 Speaker 1: Jones plays, I don't even know if there's anything on 326 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:51,520 Speaker 1: the film from week one that's worth looking at for 327 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 1: either of these teams as far as those two sides 328 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:54,280 Speaker 1: of the ball. 329 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:56,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, because I mean even David Bakti is not out 330 00:15:56,560 --> 00:15:58,600 Speaker 2: there right like he was in Week one when he 331 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 2: had some uh, you know, very funny and photogenic moments. 332 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:06,480 Speaker 2: What's your field? But hey, this is what it's all about. 333 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 2: Michael and I wrote in our Insider Inbox column on 334 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:12,520 Speaker 2: Thursday that when the NFL made the switch and they 335 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 2: wanted to end division games on the season. Yeah, that'd 336 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 2: be the finale of these. They wanted hy drop. I 337 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:23,640 Speaker 2: can't speak today, Michael high drama moments. Yeah, and that's 338 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:26,480 Speaker 2: what you're getting in things like this. Yes, Chicago Bears, 339 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 2: I think of like no chance to make the playoffs 340 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 2: now right, I think they've got that. 341 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:32,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, they've been eliminated. 342 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 2: But green Bay, much like last year with Detroit, everything 343 00:16:36,520 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 2: is still out for them and you just need to 344 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 2: win and get in and that's what makes it fun. 345 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 1: In Week eighteen, Yeah, well, we've mentioned containing justin fields. 346 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:51,080 Speaker 1: We've mentioned Dj Moore and trying not to let him 347 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 1: get loose, protecting the football on offense from this secondary 348 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: that likes to get his hands on a lot of football's. 349 00:16:57,680 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 1: Anything else from the keys to victory standpoint that stands 350 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 1: out to you right now. 351 00:17:02,120 --> 00:17:04,879 Speaker 2: Stopping Khalil Herbert. It's the number one thing for me. 352 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:08,119 Speaker 2: As much as this is about fields and more, Herbert 353 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 2: is the guy that if you allow them to continually 354 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,879 Speaker 2: win down in distance, e'g in for a long afternoon 355 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:16,720 Speaker 2: and green Bay did an exceptional job. Other than a 356 00:17:17,320 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 2: a few runs that Fields leaked out for, they largely 357 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,400 Speaker 2: contain the run very well at Soldier Field in Week one. 358 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 2: This run defense has been through some trials and tribulations 359 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 2: this season, no doubt. Isaiah McDuffie currently out with the concussion. 360 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:36,040 Speaker 2: But now you got Devandre Campbell back at practice. You 361 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:38,600 Speaker 2: know you're having to kind of mix and match here 362 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:41,280 Speaker 2: a little bit, but it seems to be you're getting 363 00:17:41,320 --> 00:17:44,160 Speaker 2: closer to what would be your preferred starting lineup. Can 364 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,800 Speaker 2: you take advantage of that against this opponent. I think 365 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:48,840 Speaker 2: that's going to be really critical because the more that 366 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:51,400 Speaker 2: they are able to run with Juice Herbert, the more 367 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:54,399 Speaker 2: it's going to stress the other things. Trying to make 368 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 2: sure you limit the explosive plays with DJ Moore, which 369 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 2: can happen not just on a go route. He could 370 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 2: take anunderneath pass seventy yards if he wants to do. 371 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, and that's where for me. Sorry to interrupt you, 372 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:06,800 Speaker 1: but I but one thing that stands out to me 373 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 1: in this game as a key to victory, because there 374 00:18:09,119 --> 00:18:12,440 Speaker 1: are certain games based on the way teams play and 375 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:15,440 Speaker 1: the way the Bears in particular, they like to throw 376 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 1: a lot of horizontal passes. They like to throw the 377 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 1: bubble screens and and and all that sideways stuff. You 378 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,720 Speaker 1: have to tackle. You cannot let them break tackles. You're 379 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:29,480 Speaker 1: the tackling has to be on point because because as 380 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:31,879 Speaker 1: you just said, Dj Moore, DJ Moore can take a 381 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:33,800 Speaker 1: bubble screen at the twenty five yard line and go 382 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:36,239 Speaker 1: seventy five yards for a touchdown, and suddenly you're in 383 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 1: big trouble. 384 00:18:37,119 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 2: Yeah. Yeah, And so I think the more if you're 385 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 2: able to slow down the run there early generate some 386 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:46,120 Speaker 2: more takeaways. Mike, how much time did I spend last 387 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 2: week talking about how much Green Bay needed to get 388 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 2: some takeaways and you saw the benefit of it in 389 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 2: that first half against Minnesota with absolutely two touchdowns coming 390 00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:59,720 Speaker 2: off of takeaways that were both deep inside Minnesota territory. 391 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 2: That's the key, and you have to make sure that 392 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 2: I think a fast start will go a long way 393 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:09,359 Speaker 2: here as well, because as I was researching and you 394 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 2: and I talked a little bit about on Wednesday, you know, 395 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:14,600 Speaker 2: Chicago hasn't given up a touchdown here and I think 396 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:16,800 Speaker 2: over a month in the first quarter, I don't even 397 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:18,720 Speaker 2: know if they've given up a points going back until 398 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:20,639 Speaker 2: maybe the Carolina game in the first quarter. 399 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:22,399 Speaker 1: So that's pretty amazing. 400 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 2: Being able to set yourself up and get yourself going 401 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:28,080 Speaker 2: with momentum I think is going to be critical. This 402 00:19:28,119 --> 00:19:30,960 Speaker 2: team plays different when they get stuff going early. The 403 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 2: offense does, the defense does, and I think that's really 404 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:34,960 Speaker 2: the path for green Bay into the playoffs. 405 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:38,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, one one last quick thing before I shift gears 406 00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 1: to sponsor business and the playoff picture. Any thoughts on 407 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:46,400 Speaker 1: the Pro Bowl situation. The Packers didn't get any Pro Bowlers, 408 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:49,160 Speaker 1: five guys as alternates. I'll just start with this. 409 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 2: Yeah. 410 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:52,440 Speaker 1: I don't always like to say, oh, well this guy 411 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:54,159 Speaker 1: should have been a Pro Bowler, because then you have 412 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: to say, like, well, who's not. And there are a 413 00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:57,600 Speaker 1: lot of good players in this league and a lot 414 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:01,000 Speaker 1: of guys having good seasons and all that. What I 415 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:04,119 Speaker 1: think is maybe the most distressing thing to me is 416 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 1: that for the season he's having and that he has 417 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:09,320 Speaker 1: the third most touchdown passes in the entire NFL. Right now, 418 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:12,159 Speaker 1: that Jordan Love didn't even make the alternate list at 419 00:20:12,240 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 1: quarterback in the. 420 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 2: Nf He wasn't in the top ten in fan voting like. 421 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:18,600 Speaker 1: That, that's that's that's a little just And I understand 422 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:21,399 Speaker 1: the first half of the season, nobody was you know, 423 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: nobody out there was really thinking he was a pro bowler, 424 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:26,399 Speaker 1: and and he's come on strong late. And that's a 425 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:29,160 Speaker 1: lot of times, how, you know, guys get overlooked and whatnot. 426 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:30,960 Speaker 1: But I would have thought at least Jordan Love would 427 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:33,960 Speaker 1: be on the alternate list somewhere here, and unfortunately that 428 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 1: didn't happen. 429 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, I know. I there were four teams that didn't 430 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:38,959 Speaker 2: have a didn't have a pro bowler, and I think 431 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:42,080 Speaker 2: it was Washington, New England and maybe Carolina, Yeah, and 432 00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:44,199 Speaker 2: then the Green Bay Packers. One of those things is 433 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:49,639 Speaker 2: not like the other. But uh, I don't know how 434 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 2: much they weigh the fan vote anymore. I don't know 435 00:20:51,800 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 2: what that formula is. I don't feel like it's an 436 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:55,320 Speaker 2: even third third third. 437 00:20:55,560 --> 00:20:57,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, they used to, they used to say that that's 438 00:20:58,000 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 1: what it was, and I'm not sure that. I'm not 439 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 1: sure that anymore. For all we know, the fan voting 440 00:21:03,080 --> 00:21:05,840 Speaker 1: is simply ceremonial at this point, and somebody else is 441 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 1: making all these selections. 442 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:09,359 Speaker 2: I don't know which case. It still doesn't make any sense. 443 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 2: But Aaron Burks overtook Rashan Gary for the tenth spot 444 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 2: at outside linebacker in the final fan vote God bless 445 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 2: you or in a lot of respect for you. He 446 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:23,560 Speaker 2: started four games this season, So it's just like that's 447 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:26,240 Speaker 2: where to me, I think there needs to be a 448 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:29,360 Speaker 2: certain amount of responsibility tied into this thing of hey, 449 00:21:29,359 --> 00:21:31,640 Speaker 2: who exactly is eligible? I mean I can get vote 450 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,439 Speaker 2: for everybody, that's fine, but like, is this gonna end 451 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:37,119 Speaker 2: up being like I don't know, but be that as 452 00:21:37,160 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 2: it made? The Green Bit Packers have five alternates, I 453 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:41,399 Speaker 2: would think unless the Packers, of course, are playing in 454 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:43,399 Speaker 2: the Super Bowl, Rashaun Gary probably does have a good 455 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:46,600 Speaker 2: chance at this thing as a first alternate. But still, no, 456 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:49,280 Speaker 2: it's disappointing. I thought Jordan Love had a really strong season. 457 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:52,040 Speaker 2: I wish, you know, Elton Jenkins would have gotten a 458 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:53,600 Speaker 2: little bit more flowers. I know it was a tough 459 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 2: start for him when he was playing out of position again, 460 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 2: but you know, I think he's settled in slowly and 461 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 2: surely and work through some injuries for this team and 462 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 2: the Keyshawn Nixon being the leading person for the fan 463 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:08,560 Speaker 2: vote under return specialists and then being what a you know, 464 00:22:09,040 --> 00:22:10,720 Speaker 2: an alternate in there somewhere too. 465 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:12,680 Speaker 1: Like yeah, he's he's in the alternate mix. 466 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 2: Which is just disappointing, but it is what it is. 467 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:16,800 Speaker 2: I'm sure no one else really cares about it. 468 00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, I honestly don't care that much about it, but 469 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:22,080 Speaker 1: I do. I do wish that Jordan Love had at 470 00:22:22,200 --> 00:22:23,760 Speaker 1: least been on the alternate. 471 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:26,440 Speaker 2: He was behind Sam Huwell for most of the season too. 472 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:29,639 Speaker 2: Sam Huell was the ten spot, Justin Fields overtook Howell 473 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:31,959 Speaker 2: at the end and the fan vote, which I agree with, 474 00:22:32,280 --> 00:22:34,879 Speaker 2: but it's like, so where's Sam Hull getting all these 475 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:37,440 Speaker 2: votes from? You can't Jordan Love can't get any love? 476 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:38,240 Speaker 2: No pun intented? 477 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 1: All right, Well, the Serious XM Radio, Serious XM NFL 478 00:22:42,240 --> 00:22:45,000 Speaker 1: Radio delivers hard hitting analysis and up to the minute 479 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: NFL news that true football fanatics need. Twenty four to seven, 480 00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:50,840 Speaker 1: three sixty five and had cousin subs. We have something 481 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:53,680 Speaker 1: for everyone, like our Wisconsin cheese curds, mac and cheese, 482 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:56,000 Speaker 1: golden fries and creamy shakes, all paired with your favorite 483 00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 1: sub or sub and a bowl cousin subs fifty years 484 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:02,399 Speaker 1: of better. All right, Well, as we said at the 485 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:04,679 Speaker 1: top of the show, as you recently alluded to, it 486 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:06,720 Speaker 1: is a win to get in game for the Green 487 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:09,720 Speaker 1: Bay Packers. If the Packers beat the Bears, they are 488 00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:13,080 Speaker 1: in the playoffs as either the six or seven seed, 489 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 1: whether or not they would be the six or the seven. 490 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 1: If they do indeed get that victory will hinge on 491 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:22,520 Speaker 1: the Rams facing the forty nine Ers. If the Rams win, 492 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:25,879 Speaker 1: the Rams are the sixth seed. If the Rams lose, 493 00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:30,040 Speaker 1: then that's where things could change. The other games that 494 00:23:31,520 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: factor into this whole NFC playoff picture right now, as 495 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:37,760 Speaker 1: far as who's going to get which seed? Dallas is 496 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:41,000 Speaker 1: at Washington, Philadelphia is at the Giants, and Minnesota is 497 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:45,560 Speaker 1: at Detroit. Now, I laid out all of the possibilities 498 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:48,960 Speaker 1: in the Path to the Playoffs article. It was posted 499 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,520 Speaker 1: Wednesday on packers dot com. If you haven't seen it, 500 00:23:51,560 --> 00:23:55,720 Speaker 1: go take a look. Basically, it's all the possibilities as 501 00:23:55,840 --> 00:23:58,440 Speaker 1: to whether the how the Packers would get the sixth 502 00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:02,040 Speaker 1: seed or the seventh seed, and then who their possible 503 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: opponent would be, the three possible opponents being Dallas, Detroit, 504 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:10,280 Speaker 1: and Philadelphia. Dallas can get either the two, the three, 505 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:12,919 Speaker 1: or the five. Detroit can get either the two or 506 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:16,240 Speaker 1: the three seed, Philadelphia can get either the two or 507 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:18,679 Speaker 1: the five seed, and then of course, whoever ends up 508 00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:22,280 Speaker 1: winning the NFC South, which right now the Buccaneers are 509 00:24:22,280 --> 00:24:24,040 Speaker 1: the ones in control, and as long as they can 510 00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:26,960 Speaker 1: beat the last place team in their division, Carolina, the 511 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:31,840 Speaker 1: Buccaneers will be the four seeds as the NFC South champion. 512 00:24:31,960 --> 00:24:37,840 Speaker 1: So a lot of stuff going on here, but the 513 00:24:37,880 --> 00:24:40,359 Speaker 1: way it turned out the way it turned out. With 514 00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:43,800 Speaker 1: regard to the NFC East, you've had Dallas and Philadelphia fighting. 515 00:24:43,880 --> 00:24:48,240 Speaker 1: They currently have the same record, but they're not playing 516 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:50,919 Speaker 1: each other in this final game because they've already played twice. 517 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:53,440 Speaker 1: They're playing, you know, they're split, and both on the road, 518 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:56,880 Speaker 1: playing Washington and the New York Giants. All these games 519 00:24:56,880 --> 00:24:58,760 Speaker 1: will be going on at the same time in the 520 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:03,480 Speaker 1: three twenty five cent time late afternoon window. So we'll 521 00:25:03,520 --> 00:25:05,400 Speaker 1: we'll just we'll have to see how how it all 522 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:09,040 Speaker 1: sorts out. The bottom line is the Packers need to 523 00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:12,160 Speaker 1: win to get in. That's the only thing you can control, 524 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:14,360 Speaker 1: and the rest of it is the rest of it's 525 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:15,840 Speaker 1: out of your hands and you have to just see 526 00:25:15,840 --> 00:25:16,680 Speaker 1: where the chips fall. 527 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:20,400 Speaker 2: I will say this though, again, Packers have to take 528 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:23,200 Speaker 2: care of their business and nothing else matters. But I'll 529 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:26,200 Speaker 2: be interested to see how Seattle does with Arizona going 530 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:28,920 Speaker 2: into whatever that stadium's called out. It used to be 531 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:31,639 Speaker 2: University of Phoenix in Scottsdale. 532 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:36,640 Speaker 1: The Cardinals played really Lendale, actually not Scottsdale, Glendale, Glendale. 533 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:37,840 Speaker 1: It's in Glendale, Arizona. 534 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 2: I like Scottsdale, though I want to retire. 535 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:42,080 Speaker 1: That's okay, Yeah, that's it's It's probably a more. 536 00:25:42,040 --> 00:25:44,840 Speaker 2: Enjoyable plus show for me. Today. Just knocked it out 537 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:49,160 Speaker 2: of the park. But Cardinals played really lively ball there 538 00:25:49,200 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 2: in the second half. They made some mistakes, but Kyler 539 00:25:51,880 --> 00:25:54,640 Speaker 2: Murray had that offense believing in the second half and 540 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:58,280 Speaker 2: seeing you know, Trey McBride. They have some young talented 541 00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:00,960 Speaker 2: players there. I mean didn't didn't result in a lot 542 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:03,159 Speaker 2: of wins this season with Murray missing half the season, 543 00:26:03,240 --> 00:26:06,840 Speaker 2: but that Seattle isn't just going to roll in there 544 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:08,680 Speaker 2: and expect to win that game. I expect that to 545 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 2: be a competitive football game. And then Carson Wentz versus 546 00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 2: Sam Darnold for. 547 00:26:12,720 --> 00:26:13,360 Speaker 1: All the marbles. 548 00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:15,400 Speaker 2: I mean, that's what everybody was looking for. 549 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:18,560 Speaker 1: Right, Yeah, that's what we all That's what we all 550 00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:21,240 Speaker 1: thought in Week eighteen, Rams that that's where that's where 551 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:25,919 Speaker 1: I mean, things got because last week last week, both 552 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:29,640 Speaker 1: of the number one seeds in each conference got decided. Yeah, 553 00:26:29,720 --> 00:26:33,040 Speaker 1: the Niners locked up. The Niners locked up the one 554 00:26:33,040 --> 00:26:35,600 Speaker 1: seed in the NFC because of that Eagles loss to 555 00:26:36,320 --> 00:26:40,720 Speaker 1: the Cardinals, and then the Ravens. The Ravens locked up 556 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:43,919 Speaker 1: the number one seed in the AFC. So now you 557 00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:49,120 Speaker 1: have you have the the Niners are going to play 558 00:26:49,119 --> 00:26:52,120 Speaker 1: their backup quarterback and the Rams, who know they're either 559 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:54,680 Speaker 1: going to be the six or the seven, they've decided 560 00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:57,520 Speaker 1: to rest Matthew Stafford and and give him a chance 561 00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:00,600 Speaker 1: to to heal up. And uh and on the FC side, 562 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 1: the Pittsburgh Steelers certainly have a path of the playoffs 563 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 1: with a victory if they can if they can beat Baltimore, 564 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:11,000 Speaker 1: but Baltimore on Saturday, I believe it's Saturday afternoon that game. 565 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:14,880 Speaker 1: Baltimore is not playing for anything, and and the Steelers 566 00:27:14,920 --> 00:27:17,560 Speaker 1: might be able to slip in with a win over 567 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:21,639 Speaker 1: the number one seed, but with Baltimore resting some guys. 568 00:27:21,840 --> 00:27:24,119 Speaker 2: Yeah, so it's gonna be fun to see how that 569 00:27:24,160 --> 00:27:26,880 Speaker 2: all works out. I think Buffalo versus Miami is gonna 570 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:28,600 Speaker 2: be a really good game. I do like that they 571 00:27:28,600 --> 00:27:29,720 Speaker 2: threw that one in the prime time. 572 00:27:29,840 --> 00:27:31,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, that made that made all the sense in the 573 00:27:31,560 --> 00:27:34,280 Speaker 1: world that that with that game being for a division 574 00:27:34,320 --> 00:27:37,719 Speaker 1: title and actually in you know, Buffalo could be playing 575 00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:41,120 Speaker 1: for either the division title or no playoff spot at all, 576 00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:43,920 Speaker 1: Like depending on how things go earlier in the day, 577 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 1: Miami knows that it's in the playoffs. Obviously, if you're Miami, 578 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:50,240 Speaker 1: you'd much rather win the division and be playing at 579 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:52,720 Speaker 1: home in the postseason as to going on the road, 580 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:54,879 Speaker 1: where they know they're going to have, you know, the 581 00:27:54,880 --> 00:27:57,159 Speaker 1: good weather and everything they're used to, whereas if they 582 00:27:57,240 --> 00:27:58,800 Speaker 1: go on the road, you know, you never know. 583 00:27:58,920 --> 00:28:01,400 Speaker 2: Well, they just got ran off the East Coast last week. 584 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:04,240 Speaker 2: So when you look at Buffalo Miami, two teams who 585 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:06,000 Speaker 2: have been very up and down through the course of 586 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:08,359 Speaker 2: this season. Obviously the Dolphins not so much, but I 587 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:10,920 Speaker 2: mean the losses and the scale the losses that they've 588 00:28:10,920 --> 00:28:14,639 Speaker 2: had have been somewhat noticeable. Seeing which team is going 589 00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:16,720 Speaker 2: to be able to kind of build some momentum for 590 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:18,920 Speaker 2: a playoff push here or in Buffalo's case, if it 591 00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:21,800 Speaker 2: would all fall apart altogether. And I'll tell you this, 592 00:28:21,840 --> 00:28:25,480 Speaker 2: Michael too. Eleven and five Verses five and eleven, Philadelphia 593 00:28:25,560 --> 00:28:28,280 Speaker 2: versus New York is not a game just to completely 594 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:33,080 Speaker 2: roll out because if Philly loses that, I don't care 595 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:38,800 Speaker 2: who's playing, who's not playing. The Eagles effectively just like 596 00:28:39,160 --> 00:28:40,280 Speaker 2: Dove into the playoffs. 597 00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:41,000 Speaker 1: Yeah. 598 00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:44,840 Speaker 2: Meanwhile, the Giants and Brian Dabble, who was feeling okay 599 00:28:44,840 --> 00:28:47,680 Speaker 2: about themselves after the win against Green Bay, they've been 600 00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:49,640 Speaker 2: trickling down here as well. I mean, they got a 601 00:28:49,640 --> 00:28:50,960 Speaker 2: lot of things to figure out. 602 00:28:50,840 --> 00:28:52,720 Speaker 1: So and then they took the Rams to the wire 603 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:55,000 Speaker 1: last year. Marks, you know, with a big punk return 604 00:28:55,080 --> 00:28:57,600 Speaker 1: and some interceptions, you know, tried to pull off a 605 00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:01,760 Speaker 1: big comeback there. Didn't quite work out. But the Giants 606 00:29:01,800 --> 00:29:04,840 Speaker 1: definitely showed showed a lot of signs of life last 607 00:29:04,840 --> 00:29:07,560 Speaker 1: week against against the Rams and almost got themselves a 608 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:07,960 Speaker 1: big win. 609 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:11,040 Speaker 2: Last question, Pittsburgh can they beat Tyler Huntley? 610 00:29:11,880 --> 00:29:15,520 Speaker 1: I think they can. I mean if Pittsburgh, if Pittsburgh 611 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:18,040 Speaker 1: can cross the country and go in and beat Seattle 612 00:29:18,920 --> 00:29:21,320 Speaker 1: with as much as was at stake in that game 613 00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:23,640 Speaker 1: for both teams, like the Steelers did last week to 614 00:29:23,640 --> 00:29:26,360 Speaker 1: help out the Packers, I think they can definitely beat 615 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:29,560 Speaker 1: the Ravens and put themselves in a position where the 616 00:29:29,680 --> 00:29:32,200 Speaker 1: Steelers and all their fans will be scoreboard watching on 617 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:34,720 Speaker 1: Sunday to see if they get the right results. I 618 00:29:34,720 --> 00:29:37,240 Speaker 1: think a lot of it hinges on Jacksonville's game and 619 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:40,200 Speaker 1: some other things. You know, Steelers are looking to get 620 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:42,400 Speaker 1: that win and then get the right results on Sunday 621 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:43,440 Speaker 1: to get a wild card spot. 622 00:29:43,560 --> 00:29:45,720 Speaker 2: The thing I love about what Pittsburgh has done though, 623 00:29:46,320 --> 00:29:50,000 Speaker 2: Mason Rudolph becoming the quarterback again. It reminds you of 624 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:53,840 Speaker 2: like the Steve Bono, the Doug Peterson era, that the 625 00:29:53,880 --> 00:29:57,240 Speaker 2: places where you just had a backup quarterback somewhere that 626 00:29:57,400 --> 00:30:00,760 Speaker 2: just graduates into a starting role. However that's circumstance might 627 00:30:00,760 --> 00:30:01,160 Speaker 2: play off. 628 00:30:01,240 --> 00:30:03,480 Speaker 1: He's put He's put like sixty some points on the 629 00:30:03,480 --> 00:30:06,239 Speaker 1: board in the last two weeks, when we nobody had 630 00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:08,280 Speaker 1: heard a peep out of him all year long. It's 631 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:11,200 Speaker 1: just it's it is crazy how this league works sometimes. 632 00:30:11,240 --> 00:30:12,800 Speaker 2: Yeah. I mean, you just get these guys that have 633 00:30:12,840 --> 00:30:15,520 Speaker 2: been in a system, had some ups, had some downs, 634 00:30:15,520 --> 00:30:18,680 Speaker 2: but have basically stayed around the program. Yeah, and then 635 00:30:18,720 --> 00:30:21,160 Speaker 2: here here you are on the cusp of a playoff push. 636 00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:25,080 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well it should be a wild and wacky Sunday 637 00:30:25,120 --> 00:30:28,680 Speaker 1: of NFL football. The biggest thing that on the Packers' 638 00:30:28,680 --> 00:30:31,280 Speaker 1: agenda is the Bears and getting a win and getting 639 00:30:31,320 --> 00:30:35,280 Speaker 1: into the postseason. And uh, that's that's job one, and 640 00:30:35,320 --> 00:30:37,000 Speaker 1: we'll see how the rest of it shakes out. So 641 00:30:37,080 --> 00:30:39,360 Speaker 1: with that, we'll call it a rap on this edition 642 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:41,959 Speaker 1: of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of our 643 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:44,800 Speaker 1: coverage of the team and everything from Sunday's game at 644 00:30:44,880 --> 00:30:48,640 Speaker 1: lambeau Field Week eighteen Packers and Bears. In January, we'll 645 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:51,320 Speaker 1: have it for you on packers dot com. For Wes, 646 00:30:51,400 --> 00:30:53,640 Speaker 1: I'm Mike. Thank you for tuning in. Everybody. We will 647 00:30:53,920 --> 00:30:54,800 Speaker 1: see you next time.