1 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:07,120 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. 2 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 2: Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 3 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:14,920 Speaker 2: I like Spuffer, joined by my trusted colleague Wes Hodkoitz. 4 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 2: We're coming to you here from our studios at Lambeaufield 5 00:00:18,120 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 2: to discuss unfortunately WESA forty one to twenty four loss 6 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:25,319 Speaker 2: on Saturday night at Lambeaufield to the Baltimore Ravens. A 7 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 2: lot of implications to this one, which we'll get into 8 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 2: a little bit later, but this game was all about 9 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:36,280 Speaker 2: the Packers run defense being a no show against the 10 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 2: Ravens and the power running of Derrick Henry. I'm just 11 00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 2: gonna start by asking you this, and I'm not asking 12 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:48,000 Speaker 2: this from an x's and o's question. What happened and why? 13 00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 1: It's a great question. 14 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 3: As I was walking through a very muddy parking lot 15 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:55,280 Speaker 3: at lambeau Field afterwards. 16 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 2: Trying I needed my galoshes to get to work on 17 00:00:57,120 --> 00:00:58,959 Speaker 2: Saturday night. I left those at home. 18 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 1: Unfortunately, yead my boots. 19 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 3: I was fortunate in that regard, But I was sitting 20 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:05,080 Speaker 3: there trying to think of this it because I don't know, Michael, 21 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 3: if I've covered a game quite like this where we 22 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:14,199 Speaker 3: were one Ravens carry away from like Baltimore tripling green 23 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 3: Bay up not only just in rushing yards, but with 24 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 3: rushing attempts. Yeah, and I'd read some stuff about how 25 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 3: one of the criticisms coming out of the game the 26 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:26,319 Speaker 3: week before for Baltimore was that they didn't dedicate enough 27 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 3: to running the ball with Derrick Henry. 28 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 1: Boy, they turned that. 29 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 3: On its head in this one and for the first 30 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 3: series seven carries, I think it was forty eight rushing yards. 31 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:37,319 Speaker 3: You just had a feeling right from the get go 32 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:39,920 Speaker 3: this guy it was going to be difficult for the 33 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 3: Packers to try stopping him. 34 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:44,119 Speaker 1: But the fact that they. 35 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 3: Were able to stay in third and manageable all afternoon, 36 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 3: every single conversion in the first half, the every single 37 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 3: drive they were able to get points off of it, 38 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:55,080 Speaker 3: that is I think sort of where I put Green 39 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 3: Bay on its heels right away. The run game was 40 00:01:57,320 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 3: never established. Malik Willis played phenomenally well, but it just 41 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:04,280 Speaker 3: felt like if Green Bay wasn't going to match the 42 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 3: Ravens point for point, possession for possession, this was what 43 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 3: it was going to turn into. What I could not 44 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:13,839 Speaker 3: have seen happening was green Bay actually getting it back 45 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 3: to a one possession game, getting it two twenty seven 46 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:19,359 Speaker 3: to twenty four in the third quarter. But then obviously 47 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:22,079 Speaker 3: Willis gets hurt, things kind of go a different direction. 48 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:25,240 Speaker 3: The defense never does rebound, and Derrick Henry walked out 49 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 3: of lambeau Field with a career performance in a career 50 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 3: that is probably one day going to end up finding 51 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 3: him in Canton. 52 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, he was. It was his seventh career two hundred 53 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 2: yard rushing game, his second career four touchdown game. He 54 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 2: is definitely headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame 55 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 2: at some point, There's no doubt about that. I thought, 56 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 2: in some ways the epitome of this game when you 57 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:49,239 Speaker 2: talk about what Malik Willis was doing, which was phenomenal 58 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:51,359 Speaker 2: on the offensive side of the ball, as Jordan Love 59 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 2: had not cleared concussion protocol in order to be able 60 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:56,399 Speaker 2: to play in this game, so the Packers did turn 61 00:02:56,440 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 2: to Willis to run the offense again. As he got 62 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 2: the Packers back to twenty seven to twenty four. The 63 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 2: Ravens were on their own twenty yard line and had 64 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 2: third and five. That was the moment you get a 65 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 2: stop there, you're only down by three. Willis was lightening 66 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 2: it up. But what happens on third and five, Tyler 67 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 2: Huntley is in the shotgun, the Ravens backup quarterback playing 68 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 2: for Lamar Jackson. Huntley's in the shotgun. He starts walking 69 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:28,240 Speaker 2: around and hollering at everybody on the offense that he 70 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 2: is changing the play. And on third and five a 71 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 2: basic handoff to Derrick Henry for nine yards. When the 72 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 2: opponent is that confident that they can just check to 73 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 2: a run on third and five and you know, easily 74 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:46,480 Speaker 2: get it by, you know, with a nine yard run, 75 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 2: that just tells you how much they were in control 76 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 2: of the line of scrimmage in this game, and it 77 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 2: was just it was tough sledding for Green Bay's defense. 78 00:03:56,760 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 2: These are the questions that I came out with that 79 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 2: game with regard to the Packers on the defensive side 80 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 2: of the ball. Okay, so was losing Micah Parsons and 81 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 2: then losing the game in Chicago the way they did 82 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:14,520 Speaker 2: just a week later, was that just this too big 83 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 2: a pile of adversity to try to plow through in 84 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:23,800 Speaker 2: this game against Baltimore. Was all the injuries that continue 85 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 2: to pile up for the Packers, for a team that 86 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,599 Speaker 2: has not had a bye week since Week five, is 87 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 2: that something that just started to pile up and get 88 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:35,599 Speaker 2: and get to be too much. I think, ultimately the question, 89 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 2: as the Packers are now two weeks away, less than 90 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:42,679 Speaker 2: two weeks away from a playoff game in either Chicago 91 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 2: or Philadelphia, we have seen Green Bay's defense play two 92 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:50,599 Speaker 2: games without Micah Parsons. We saw them hold the Chicago Bears, 93 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 2: who have a shot at the number two seed and 94 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:56,279 Speaker 2: they are now NFC North champs, hold the Chicago Bears 95 00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 2: to three field goals and no touchdowns over fifty eight 96 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 2: minutes without Micah Parsons. But then we saw game number 97 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:06,840 Speaker 2: two without Micah Parsons and the defense look completely different 98 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:12,040 Speaker 2: and in a completely different place. So, which non Micah 99 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:16,280 Speaker 2: Parsons defense is the real one? Which one are the 100 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:20,839 Speaker 2: Packers going to have when the playoffs start and we 101 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:21,920 Speaker 2: get into do or die. 102 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 3: The optimistic side of you would like to say that 103 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:27,359 Speaker 3: the Chicago Bears defense, sure, But the problem is is 104 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 3: the Packers if you look at it from like a 105 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:32,599 Speaker 3: three round UFC fight here, they came off really strong 106 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 3: in that first round and the second round did not 107 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:37,719 Speaker 3: go well. I think the answer questions we're not going 108 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 3: to really know until the right wild Card game. 109 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:41,479 Speaker 2: I think that's I think that is the answer. We 110 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 2: don't we won't know until that wild card game kicks. 111 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:48,480 Speaker 3: Off, but how the bounce back and how they respond 112 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:51,600 Speaker 3: is gonna be very critical the Packers the way that 113 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:56,040 Speaker 3: they're aligned right now, they're missing one of their pivotal 114 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:58,800 Speaker 3: pieces in this equation in Micah Parsons. I think one 115 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:01,839 Speaker 3: thing I learned from this game against the Ravens was 116 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:04,120 Speaker 3: for as much as people wanted to rip on him 117 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:06,479 Speaker 3: for his run defense in Dallas, I think this guy 118 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:08,719 Speaker 3: had and we knew this, he had a much bigger 119 00:06:08,839 --> 00:06:10,839 Speaker 3: role in it than probably I think he got credit 120 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 3: for with as much perseveration as people put on the 121 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 3: fact that he was a really good pass rusher and 122 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:18,599 Speaker 3: he had the sacks and he was a pro bowler. 123 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:24,159 Speaker 3: Micah parsons relentless tenacity was also present in the run defense. 124 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: No doubt. 125 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 3: And when you look at where Green Bay came up 126 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 3: short in this game, and it wasn't on just one 127 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 3: particular player, one particular unit, it was that there were 128 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 3: too many second chances, whether it was Henry, whether it 129 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:36,679 Speaker 3: was Tyler Huntley, and some of the scrambles that he had, 130 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:40,160 Speaker 3: if guys weren't getting players to the turf immediately. They 131 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:42,719 Speaker 3: were dragging piles, they were breaking tackles, and it made 132 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:44,839 Speaker 3: for a very long day. Matt Laflour even said it 133 00:06:44,839 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 3: on Sunday afternoon, he can't remember the last time he'd 134 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 3: seen a game in which a team a massed over 135 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:51,920 Speaker 3: three hundred rushing yards, and Green Bay it bears out 136 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 3: in the statistics. They fell to fifteenth in run defense, 137 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:57,720 Speaker 3: they fell six places or five places in total defense, 138 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 3: just based on the weight of this performance. 139 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:01,040 Speaker 1: It's alone, which is. 140 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,600 Speaker 3: Not easy to do in week seventeen, sixteen games into 141 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 3: a season. So for the Packers, it is going to 142 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 3: be about the bounce back here. What gives me solace, 143 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 3: what gives me some confidence in this is that they 144 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 3: have their linebackers intact, potentially maybe getting We'll see what 145 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 3: happens today. We don't wan announce anything yet, but reports 146 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 3: are out there that Jonathan Ford was claimed. We'll see 147 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 3: what happens with his situation by the time this post. 148 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:25,800 Speaker 3: But he's a guy with experience in this defense. A 149 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 3: monstrous nose tackle because now it looks like, well, we 150 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:30,800 Speaker 3: know they're not gonna have Jordan Riley the rest of 151 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 3: the way because of his achilles injury. So how do 152 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 3: the Packers take what happened to them and put their 153 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 3: best foot forward? Because whether or not at Saquon Barkley 154 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:43,520 Speaker 3: in Philadelphia, whether or not it's you know, DeAndre Swift, 155 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 3: Kyle man Ungui, they are gonna have to deal with 156 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 3: a decent running back couple of them in that first 157 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:53,760 Speaker 3: game of the playoffs. They can't have another performance like 158 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 3: this if they expect there to be a second game. 159 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 2: No, absolutely not. And here's the thing. I am not 160 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 2: a football I don't know Jack Squatt about x's and 161 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 2: o's when it comes to NFL football. But here's here's 162 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,520 Speaker 2: the thing. From a from a leadership standpoint, I think 163 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 2: you try to stand in front of the defensive room 164 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 2: and hammer home the message that the narrative out there 165 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:26,960 Speaker 2: right now is that this defense isn't worth anything without 166 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 2: Micah Parsons because that's what they put on the field 167 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:32,680 Speaker 2: most recently on Saturday night. Now we know that that's 168 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 2: not true because of how they played against Chicago, but everybody, always, 169 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 2: the most recent thing that you've done is where the 170 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:44,480 Speaker 2: narrative is headed. And you know this meaningless week eighteen 171 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 2: game against Minnesota is not going to change anything one 172 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:51,840 Speaker 2: way or another. But this defense has the guys in 173 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 2: that defensive room are gonna have one more chance to 174 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:58,959 Speaker 2: change that narrative, that the narrative that's out there now 175 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:02,079 Speaker 2: that they aren't they aren't good enough without Micah Parsons, 176 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:06,600 Speaker 2: I think there's gonna be a level of pride. I 177 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 2: think there's going to be uh, there's going to be 178 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 2: some determination to say that is that is not how 179 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:17,200 Speaker 2: this defense is going to be remembered. Just just my 180 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:20,680 Speaker 2: thought in terms of whatever motivation there might be, how 181 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 2: you how you bounce back from this? And and I 182 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 2: and I will say this. I mean you and I 183 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 2: were both thinking I know you were as well as I. 184 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 2: With two minutes left at Soldier Field, we were thinking 185 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 2: this was a Packers team that had a realistic shot 186 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:37,840 Speaker 2: at the number two seed in the NFC. And suddenly, 187 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:41,720 Speaker 2: very quickly, as often happens in this league, everything changed. 188 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:45,480 Speaker 2: And now with one game left to go in the 189 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 2: regular season, the Packers are locked into the seven seed, 190 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 2: the bottom seed in the NFC. They can't do anything 191 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:53,520 Speaker 2: about that. That's where they are. If there is any 192 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:57,960 Speaker 2: silver lining to this, it is that Unlike last year 193 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 2: when Christian and Watson blows out his knee in the 194 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:05,440 Speaker 2: regular season finale and Jordan love injures his hand and 195 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 2: has to leave that game against the Bears to end 196 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:11,000 Speaker 2: the regular season before you go to Philly for the 197 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 2: wildcard round, this Packers team now actually has a chance 198 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:21,240 Speaker 2: to reset and to regroup both mentally and physically, as 199 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 2: banged up as they are before you head out into 200 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:29,559 Speaker 2: the postseason. Maybe that is going to help this team, especially, 201 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:32,199 Speaker 2: as I mentioned before, a team that had its bye 202 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:35,679 Speaker 2: week way back in Week five. So just maybe, just 203 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 2: maybe that's a silver lining here. As much as yeah, 204 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 2: you would love to be either the two or the 205 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 2: three seed, which if you had won the game in Chicago, 206 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 2: you would have put yourself in position to potentially get there. 207 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:51,200 Speaker 2: That's not happening. You're the number seven seed. But maybe 208 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 2: you can use this to your advantage in some way. 209 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 3: You took away I think one of my big points 210 00:10:56,640 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 3: I was going to make on Thursday show, but let's 211 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 3: get to it now. I mean, this is the week. Well, 212 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 3: it's an excellent point. Not that I would have said 213 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:05,720 Speaker 3: it as clearly as you did, but this is what 214 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 3: I was gonna say, I think when you look at 215 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 3: the motivations for this finale against Minnesota, it's twofold. I 216 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 3: think offensively, it's keeping that what you have as healthy 217 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:17,200 Speaker 3: as possible. And if that means sitting guys, if that 218 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 3: means resting guys, if that means guys working a limited 219 00:11:19,880 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 3: count against Minnesota. 220 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:21,640 Speaker 1: Fine yeap. 221 00:11:21,920 --> 00:11:24,679 Speaker 3: Defensively, I do look at it as a get right 222 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:29,200 Speaker 3: opportunity for numerous reasons. One, somebody's got to play. You 223 00:11:29,280 --> 00:11:31,199 Speaker 3: only have fifty three guys on a roster. You can 224 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,800 Speaker 3: only activate elevate two extras from the pres. 225 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,040 Speaker 2: You don't have thirty five guys like you do in 226 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:38,280 Speaker 2: the preseason on the roster who are not going to 227 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 2: make it that you can just you know, throw out there. 228 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:41,520 Speaker 2: You don't have those options. 229 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 3: So as dangerous as the Vikings defense is, and it 230 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:46,920 Speaker 3: is a good one, I mean that was my takeaway 231 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:49,559 Speaker 3: from that game against that they played against Detroit. It 232 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:53,120 Speaker 3: won them the game offensively, regardless of whether or not 233 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:56,680 Speaker 3: JJ McCarthy fights through it to Brosmer plays, the Packers 234 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:58,960 Speaker 3: are going to face a much different offense than what 235 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 3: they saw against baltim More into some extent, what they 236 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:04,440 Speaker 3: saw against Chicago. I think there's gonna be some a 237 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 3: need almost to build some positib momentum up. Also, why, 238 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:12,400 Speaker 3: while identifying who are we gonna play in the playoffs, 239 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 3: which defensive tackles are you gonna have out there? What 240 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:17,319 Speaker 3: is the edge rush rotation going to? 241 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 1: Look like? 242 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:21,680 Speaker 3: My heart sinks? It goes out to Kamal Hadden, who 243 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 3: unfortunately suffered what appears to be a season ending injury 244 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 3: at the same moment he was finally gonna get his 245 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:30,200 Speaker 3: shot on defense after we had heard Jeff Haffley talking 246 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:31,719 Speaker 3: about how we got to find a way to get 247 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 3: this guy on the field the way he's been practicing. 248 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 3: So there's opportunities still in this defense for guys to 249 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 3: show that they can be a part of this thing 250 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 3: and can help this team win a championship or make 251 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:46,439 Speaker 3: a run in the playoffs. I think this Minnesota game 252 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 3: could go a long way in determining, Okay, when we 253 00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 3: get out on the field, whether it's Soldier field or 254 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 3: whether they're at the link, what that defense, the starting 255 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,040 Speaker 3: eleven and the rotations that come after it look like. 256 00:12:56,480 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that's a that's definitely a good way 257 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 2: to look at it. The injuries. The injuries haven't stopped 258 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 2: for this team. You already mentioned Riley and hadden't two 259 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 2: guys that look like they were going to be able 260 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 2: to help this team down the stretch. I thought Jordan 261 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:14,319 Speaker 2: Riley was a big part of the run defense in 262 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 2: Chicago in trying to put the clamps on that that 263 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,200 Speaker 2: one two running back punch of the Bears. Those two 264 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:24,320 Speaker 2: guys now lost for the season. Zan Anderson Nate Hobbs 265 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 2: also go down with injuries. Devant Dontavian excuse me, Wicks 266 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:34,080 Speaker 2: also exits the game with a concussion. So it just 267 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:37,319 Speaker 2: it just feels like the injuries haven't stopped for this team. 268 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 2: And at the time that we're taping this, we're not 269 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:42,840 Speaker 2: exactly sure what the Packers approach is going to be 270 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:46,400 Speaker 2: against Minnesota in terms of who's going to play, who's 271 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:48,440 Speaker 2: going to rest. Are guys going to be on limited 272 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,440 Speaker 2: snap counts? As you said, we'll find out more information 273 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 2: about that as the week goes along. But hopefully you know, 274 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 2: whether you're talking you know Zach tom who's missed a 275 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:04,960 Speaker 2: couple of games now with his knee injury. Evan Williams 276 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 2: had come back from the knee injury, but maybe he 277 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,520 Speaker 2: gets a chance to get a little bit healthier for 278 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 2: the playoffs. There are some there are There are a 279 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:16,959 Speaker 2: lot of things, a lot of considerations here looking at 280 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 2: this finale against against Minnesota and a Vikings team that 281 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 2: quite frankly, whether it's JJ McCarthy or Max Brosmer, it's 282 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 2: a Vikings team that's gonna come out pretty fired up. 283 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 2: They have a chance to end their season on a 284 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 2: five game winning streak and finish above five hundred. When 285 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:35,280 Speaker 2: you know a month and a half ago there you 286 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:36,920 Speaker 2: know they were going nowhere. 287 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 3: That's what Kevin O'Connell does. He's done this numerous times. 288 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 3: He finds a way. They got that defensive coordinator hier 289 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 3: right a couple of years ago. Now there's talks now 290 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:47,160 Speaker 3: about how they want to make sure they extend him 291 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:49,520 Speaker 3: if he's not getting a head coaching opportunity elsewhere. They 292 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 3: want to be able to keep Brian Flores in the 293 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 3: In the fold, I think they should Again. 294 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 1: Why why wouldn't Why wouldn't you? 295 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, and we'll we'll look at the previous week here 296 00:14:57,720 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 3: at the end of the show. But before I get 297 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 3: too far down the loa, let's just really quickly point 298 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 3: out why this Packers game against the Ravens was even close, 299 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 3: and that was Malik Willis. Yeah, and the fact that 300 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:12,040 Speaker 3: so if you're looking for silver linings, you're looking for 301 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,400 Speaker 3: things to hang your hat on. Malik Willis does not 302 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 3: get any practice reps right, very few first team reps 303 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:22,400 Speaker 3: because Jordan Love going through the protocol for the first 304 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,720 Speaker 3: two practices preparing for a game in which the Packers 305 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 3: need to win to get in until actually they learned that, 306 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 3: you know, the Lions had been knocked out. That whole 307 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:33,360 Speaker 3: process was geared up for number ten. He does not 308 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 3: get cleared in time for the game. So Malik Willis 309 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:38,560 Speaker 3: goes in there in the Packers. How many teams in 310 00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 3: the National Football League, Michael, with their backup quarterback are 311 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 3: going to call for a go ball to Romeo Dobbs 312 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 3: on the first play, in a deep crosser on the 313 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:49,440 Speaker 3: second play, or you know, kind of a steam route 314 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 3: down the middle to Christian Watson the second play. Two 315 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:56,720 Speaker 3: plays seventy nine yards, forty minutes of time of possession 316 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 3: for Baltimore in this game. But the explosive plays on 317 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 3: Green Bay side. In addition to the fact that inability 318 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 3: to stop. Derrick Henry contributed to that. 319 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, it is. It is remarkable what Malik Willis has 320 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:11,080 Speaker 2: done the last couple of weeks on essentially limited or 321 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 2: no practice reps. Obviously, heading into Chicago, he was just 322 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 2: doing the usual backup quarterback thing, and Jordan Love is 323 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 2: taking all the practice reps leading into that game. And 324 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:23,160 Speaker 2: then with this one, as you said, the Packers are 325 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 2: trying to get Love through, trying to get Love through 326 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 2: the concussion protocol, and Willis not only is dealing with 327 00:16:33,320 --> 00:16:36,480 Speaker 2: an injury to his throwing shoulder, so he's already going 328 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:38,800 Speaker 2: to be limited in that respect. He ends up missing 329 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:41,880 Speaker 2: an entire day because of the illness whatever this bug 330 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,160 Speaker 2: was that was going through the locker room, and guys 331 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:47,840 Speaker 2: kept cropping up on the injury report. With with this 332 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:53,479 Speaker 2: illness thing, he essentially misses an entire day of preparation 333 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:55,600 Speaker 2: for the game. And then, as you said, he goes 334 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 2: out there and with the Packers down seven to nothing, 335 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 2: two plays, bing boom, they go the length of the field. 336 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:02,760 Speaker 2: They're in the end zone, and I was like, Okay, 337 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:05,600 Speaker 2: here's the big contrast. The Ravens are going to try 338 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 2: to grind this thing out and the Packers are going 339 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:11,960 Speaker 2: to try to, you know, explode offensively whenever they can. 340 00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 2: And I mean Malik Willis. I hate to use the joke, 341 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:19,440 Speaker 2: but it was almost like when he did have to 342 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 2: leave the game at the end, you would have thought 343 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:23,480 Speaker 2: it was a back injury because in some ways he 344 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:26,080 Speaker 2: was putting the whole dang team on his back to 345 00:17:26,119 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 2: try to win this game on Saturday. 346 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I felt bad for him too, because, like, 347 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 3: for a second there, I'm like, oh, shoot, please don't 348 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:35,439 Speaker 3: tell me, you know, towards laborhm or something like that. 349 00:17:35,480 --> 00:17:37,800 Speaker 3: But the way he went down, he wasn't a hit. 350 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:41,960 Speaker 3: It was after a really you know, laser throw he 351 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 3: had on Christian Watson on the out route. He just 352 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:47,879 Speaker 3: the guy's going to make money this offseason. He's going 353 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:50,520 Speaker 3: to get an opportunity to start somewhere at least compete 354 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:53,719 Speaker 3: for that job. You can't be happier for him. I'm 355 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:55,879 Speaker 3: blown away by the fact that the Packers got him 356 00:17:55,880 --> 00:17:57,400 Speaker 3: for the two under at thirty ninth pick in last 357 00:17:57,480 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 3: year's draft. The Packers had been struggling to kind of 358 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 3: identify that QB two for a while. Other than the 359 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:05,359 Speaker 3: fact that they drafted Jordan Love in the first round 360 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:07,919 Speaker 3: back in twenty twenty. Then he filled that role for 361 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:10,359 Speaker 3: two years. They'd really there's been a multiple years there 362 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:13,120 Speaker 3: were Green Bay probably a dance with Fire, a little 363 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:17,679 Speaker 3: bit behind Aaron Rodgers, and here he is and Malik Willis, 364 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:20,119 Speaker 3: who has not only just been a great compliment to 365 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 3: Jordan Love, but the Packers don't make the playoffs probably 366 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 3: last year without him, and in this year again showing 367 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:27,040 Speaker 3: how competitive he was when he had to go in 368 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 3: against the Giants would end up being a one score game. 369 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:31,680 Speaker 3: He held the four together, he let his scoring drive. 370 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 3: The guy just checks every box. And I don't know 371 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 3: what his long term forecast is going to be. I 372 00:18:36,840 --> 00:18:39,639 Speaker 3: don't make any predictions on what his career numbers are 373 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:41,480 Speaker 3: going to be, but for what the Packers have asked 374 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:43,320 Speaker 3: him to do the last two years, I've been blown 375 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:46,440 Speaker 3: away by it. And when you don't, you don't, you're 376 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 3: not on Instagram at all. But there was this graphic 377 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 3: from the NFL network or it was actually the NFL 378 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 3: League the league account where it was his numbers, which 379 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,840 Speaker 3: was two hundred and eighty eight yards passing career high 380 00:18:56,920 --> 00:18:59,879 Speaker 3: over three hundred yards total yards when you add in 381 00:18:59,920 --> 00:19:04,280 Speaker 3: the sixty rushing three touchdowns, and the amount of players 382 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 3: on the Packers roster that post that reposted that to 383 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:10,359 Speaker 3: their story Offensive defense. If there must have been thirty 384 00:19:10,359 --> 00:19:12,919 Speaker 3: guys that did that. The amount of respect that they 385 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 3: have for Willis in addition to Jordan Love, but the 386 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:16,640 Speaker 3: mount of respect they have for Willis and what he's 387 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:18,960 Speaker 3: done and the way he carries himself in the professionalism 388 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 3: he's shown over the last two years, I think goes 389 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 3: a long way in addition to the fact that he 390 00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:26,320 Speaker 3: was running out there with Christian Watson and Romeo Dobbs, 391 00:19:26,359 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 3: and I mean, you have any questions about whether or 392 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:30,439 Speaker 3: not this guy can be someone you can build a 393 00:19:30,440 --> 00:19:32,600 Speaker 3: team around, or he can compliment what you already have. 394 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:36,639 Speaker 3: In a league starve for quarterbacks, the Packers happen to 395 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:37,720 Speaker 3: have two very good ones. 396 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:41,439 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's just too bad. If his shoulder hadn't started 397 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 2: to bother him and he hadn't had to come out, 398 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:44,680 Speaker 2: if you were able to stay in at that point, 399 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:47,240 Speaker 2: it was a ten point game. The Packers were kind 400 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 2: of on the fringe of field goal range there where 401 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 2: you're looking at And he even said after the game 402 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:54,440 Speaker 2: he was so disappointed he had to come out because 403 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 2: he knew the situation. He's like, hey, we're either going 404 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,480 Speaker 2: to get three or get seven. There, you're going to 405 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 2: be back within one score. Maybe the defense can get 406 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 2: a stop, you know, and give you that opportunity, and 407 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:05,199 Speaker 2: all that kind of went out to. 408 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:06,919 Speaker 3: Win the way he ran to the locker room and 409 00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:09,800 Speaker 3: then ran out of the locker room too. The people 410 00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 3: there was a like a huge disappointing hush when he 411 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:15,520 Speaker 3: went running off the field after the trainers looked at him, 412 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:17,479 Speaker 3: and then when he came out. Unfortunately for the Packers 413 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 3: their defense. You know, Baltimore was moving the ball, but 414 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:23,240 Speaker 3: the evation that there was when Number two came out 415 00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:27,119 Speaker 3: of the Packers tunnel potentially being back in the game remarkable. 416 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:30,920 Speaker 2: Yeah. All right, well, I want to take a look 417 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:33,240 Speaker 2: at the NFC playoff picture in general, kind of a 418 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:35,359 Speaker 2: big picture look. But we'll pay some bills first and 419 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:39,439 Speaker 2: hear a word from our sponsors. Serious XM NFL Radio 420 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 2: delivers hard hitting analysis and up to the minute NFL 421 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 2: news that true football fanatics need. Twenty four to seven, 422 00:20:45,880 --> 00:20:50,040 Speaker 2: three sixty five. 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Hey Packers fans, we 430 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:18,880 Speaker 2: always knew Lambeofield was a wonder, but now it's official. 431 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:22,280 Speaker 2: Learn more about all the wonders of Wisconsin at travel 432 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:27,480 Speaker 2: Wisconsin dot com slash Wonders. Welcome back to Packers unscripted 433 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:29,760 Speaker 2: All right, Wes. The scenarios for the Packers are really 434 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:32,439 Speaker 2: pretty simple because Green Bay is either going to be 435 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:36,760 Speaker 2: traveling to Chicago or to Philadelphia. Either the Bears or 436 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:39,440 Speaker 2: the Eagles will be the number two seed. The Packers 437 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:42,200 Speaker 2: are the seven, the Bears are the ones in control 438 00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:45,639 Speaker 2: of it. If they win against the Lions, they are 439 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:48,280 Speaker 2: the two seed and Green Bay will go to Chicago. 440 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:51,440 Speaker 2: If the Bears lose, and if the Eagles win their 441 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:54,720 Speaker 2: game against the Commanders, then the Eagles would leapfrog them 442 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 2: for the two seed and the Packers would go to Philadelphia, 443 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:01,639 Speaker 2: and I know people are to ask us all week long, Okay, 444 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:03,760 Speaker 2: you know which one would you rather have? And whatever. 445 00:22:04,880 --> 00:22:06,840 Speaker 2: I don't really look at it like that. I don't. 446 00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:09,240 Speaker 2: I'm not. I don't think it's worth trying to spend 447 00:22:09,240 --> 00:22:12,359 Speaker 2: any time, you know, which one would you prefer. The 448 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:15,920 Speaker 2: thing that I think is interesting is that there's sort 449 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:20,720 Speaker 2: of that there's there's an element of revenge or payback 450 00:22:21,320 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 2: to both of these potential opponents because a of what 451 00:22:24,160 --> 00:22:26,760 Speaker 2: happened at Soldier Field a couple of weeks ago, and 452 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:30,120 Speaker 2: b the fact that the Packers season last year ended 453 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 2: in Philadelphia and the Eagles came into lambeau Field this 454 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:36,320 Speaker 2: year on a Monday night and beat Green Bay. So 455 00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:41,480 Speaker 2: you kind of have the revenge payback angle whichever way 456 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:42,160 Speaker 2: this falls. 457 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 3: Last year, I was really into this if for the 458 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:48,400 Speaker 3: Packer's sake, I wanted the sixth seed, and I think 459 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:51,600 Speaker 3: the statistics and the history bears that out. Washington got 460 00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:54,600 Speaker 3: the sixth seed, they went to Tampa, beat Tampa, and next. 461 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:57,119 Speaker 1: Thing you know, they're in the NFC Championship. Right they 462 00:22:57,160 --> 00:22:58,040 Speaker 1: went on a huge run. 463 00:22:58,119 --> 00:23:00,439 Speaker 3: I think Green Bay could have had that if they 464 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:02,080 Speaker 3: would have been able to get that six seat because 465 00:23:02,119 --> 00:23:03,960 Speaker 3: the way Philly was playing at the end of last year. 466 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:06,040 Speaker 3: A lot of stuff happened in that first quarter in 467 00:23:06,040 --> 00:23:09,000 Speaker 3: that game, the wildcard game with the Packers, but Philly 468 00:23:09,160 --> 00:23:10,960 Speaker 3: was a team that was hitting its peak at the 469 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 3: right time. Last year. I was a little bit more 470 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 3: fearsome there. This year, I wrote an insider inbox say 471 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:18,640 Speaker 3: it's a horse apiece to me, I don't really care. 472 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:21,000 Speaker 3: Whatever happens happens, the narratives will be what they are. 473 00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:24,359 Speaker 3: The difficult thing that the tough part of that Green 474 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:27,000 Speaker 3: Bay that me, if I was a professional athlete, which 475 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 3: I'm very much not, I would have a hard time 476 00:23:29,119 --> 00:23:31,440 Speaker 3: putting the back of my mind is it was the 477 00:23:31,520 --> 00:23:33,880 Speaker 3: number two seed really was right there for green Bay. 478 00:23:33,960 --> 00:23:34,680 Speaker 2: Yep. It was. 479 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:35,840 Speaker 1: In addition to the fact. 480 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:37,280 Speaker 3: To what happened at the end of the Bears game 481 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:40,639 Speaker 3: with the Bears losing in pretty heartbreaking fashion to the 482 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:43,840 Speaker 3: forty nine Ers. The Packers win that game, you'd be 483 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:45,720 Speaker 3: looking at this week now. Maybe green Bay it would 484 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:47,639 Speaker 3: change their strategy. I don't know how they would have 485 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:50,320 Speaker 3: handled it, But if the Packers would be in a 486 00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:53,040 Speaker 3: position right now with a win over the Vikings and 487 00:23:53,359 --> 00:23:55,280 Speaker 3: of what could very easily be a loss for the 488 00:23:55,320 --> 00:23:56,520 Speaker 3: Bears to the Lions. 489 00:23:56,840 --> 00:23:57,920 Speaker 1: Bears will be favored, but. 490 00:23:57,880 --> 00:24:05,120 Speaker 3: I mean, anything can happen, Dan, and it's a talented team. 491 00:24:05,240 --> 00:24:07,800 Speaker 3: Jared Goff's had a really good season. It's been some 492 00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:09,560 Speaker 3: of the things around him defensively that I think have 493 00:24:09,680 --> 00:24:12,879 Speaker 3: fallen apart somewhat in the second half, But it all 494 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:14,119 Speaker 3: could have been there for Green Bay to be in 495 00:24:14,119 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 3: the two. That being said, wash that out, throw it away. 496 00:24:18,560 --> 00:24:20,800 Speaker 3: The Packers are in a position now where, out of 497 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 3: everything that's happened, three game losing streak right now, losing 498 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:27,399 Speaker 3: that chance at the division title. Realistically, if you can 499 00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:29,440 Speaker 3: put that out of your mind, the only thing you've 500 00:24:29,480 --> 00:24:33,480 Speaker 3: lost is the opportunity to host that first playoff game 501 00:24:33,840 --> 00:24:36,240 Speaker 3: and maybe more after that. But you gave that away 502 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:38,920 Speaker 3: because now Seattle San Francisco, one of those two teams, 503 00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:40,960 Speaker 3: is going to take this to the conference and it's 504 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:42,720 Speaker 3: going to take that number one scene in the bye. 505 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:47,400 Speaker 3: You gotta find a way to push yourself forward. But yeah, 506 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:49,600 Speaker 3: I mean to have it go the way that it 507 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:51,679 Speaker 3: went on Saturday night. It leaves a bad taste in 508 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:53,440 Speaker 3: your mouth. But if you can just in some way 509 00:24:53,680 --> 00:24:58,880 Speaker 3: compartmentalize that, realize that you didn't lose that much. It's 510 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:00,720 Speaker 3: just that you gave up an opportunity to gain something. 511 00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:05,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I and I think, having been around professional 512 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:09,119 Speaker 2: football players as long as I have, I think the 513 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:14,000 Speaker 2: players in that locker room are mentally what's going to 514 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:18,520 Speaker 2: be on their mind is more so how they played 515 00:25:18,920 --> 00:25:20,840 Speaker 2: and how they looked and how things went, not so 516 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:24,160 Speaker 2: much the whole seeding and whatever, you know, opportunity that's 517 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:26,560 Speaker 2: for all of us on the outset to parse, to 518 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:32,359 Speaker 2: analyze and whatnot. It's it's very interesting how these last 519 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:35,920 Speaker 2: couple of things are are coming together in the NFC. 520 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:40,080 Speaker 2: As you mentioned, Seattle and San Francisco will be playing 521 00:25:40,119 --> 00:25:45,919 Speaker 2: each other for the one seed, and we're kind of 522 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:50,399 Speaker 2: it's it's almost the exact same, pretty close to the 523 00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:53,280 Speaker 2: exact same scenario as last year when the final game 524 00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:57,320 Speaker 2: was Detroit and Minnesota and the winner was going to 525 00:25:57,359 --> 00:25:59,280 Speaker 2: get the one seed and the first drawn by and 526 00:25:59,320 --> 00:26:01,359 Speaker 2: the loser drive all the way to the five and 527 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:03,040 Speaker 2: is going to have to go on the road as 528 00:26:03,040 --> 00:26:07,040 Speaker 2: a wildcard team. The difference in this case is that 529 00:26:07,560 --> 00:26:10,200 Speaker 2: where that five seed goes, the four seed is going 530 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:12,800 Speaker 2: to be the NFC South champion, which is the division 531 00:26:12,800 --> 00:26:14,280 Speaker 2: that nobody seems to want to win. 532 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:17,360 Speaker 1: Except for the teams that are out of contention right exactly. 533 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:19,560 Speaker 2: The Saints and the Falcons are the two teams playing 534 00:26:19,600 --> 00:26:21,919 Speaker 2: the best football in the NFC South right now, but 535 00:26:22,040 --> 00:26:24,600 Speaker 2: neither one of them can win the division. It's still 536 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:28,480 Speaker 2: between Carolina and Tampa Bay. And what a crazy scenario now, 537 00:26:28,560 --> 00:26:32,320 Speaker 2: right because the NFL put that game on Saturday afternoon, 538 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:35,680 Speaker 2: it was looking like it would be the winner wins 539 00:26:35,680 --> 00:26:39,600 Speaker 2: the division. The loser is out, you know, But now 540 00:26:39,640 --> 00:26:43,000 Speaker 2: because of the Falcons knocking off the Rams on Monday 541 00:26:43,119 --> 00:26:49,400 Speaker 2: Night Football in Week seventeen, the Panthers, it's still they win, 542 00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:52,000 Speaker 2: they win the division, they get in. But the Buccaneers, 543 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:55,040 Speaker 2: if the Buccaneers are able to beat the Panthers on Saturday, 544 00:26:55,440 --> 00:26:57,439 Speaker 2: then they have to sit at home on Sunday and 545 00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:00,600 Speaker 2: hope that the Saints can beat the Falcons to prevent 546 00:27:00,680 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 2: a three way tie atop the NFC. Yeah, it's it's 547 00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:08,920 Speaker 2: it is entirely possible. But if the Buccaneers, the Buccaneers 548 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:11,880 Speaker 2: are no longer in just a win to get in scenario. 549 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:13,600 Speaker 2: They have to win and then they have to get 550 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:17,160 Speaker 2: help on Sunday because if it's a three way tie 551 00:27:17,200 --> 00:27:20,000 Speaker 2: with all of with three teams at eight and nine 552 00:27:20,160 --> 00:27:22,600 Speaker 2: at the top of the division, the Panthers are the 553 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:26,479 Speaker 2: team that has the tie breaker, and they would they 554 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:31,760 Speaker 2: would get in. Whoever does win that division, Buccaneers or Panthers, 555 00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:35,720 Speaker 2: they get the four seed, they get to host the 556 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:39,639 Speaker 2: loser of Seattle and San Francisco, because if I have 557 00:27:39,720 --> 00:27:42,399 Speaker 2: it right, the Rams can no longer get the five 558 00:27:42,560 --> 00:27:45,879 Speaker 2: because they lost on their conference Yeah, they can no 559 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:48,360 Speaker 2: longer get the five because they lost on Monday night. 560 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:51,960 Speaker 2: So the loser of Seahawks and forty nine ers is 561 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:55,960 Speaker 2: going to travel to the winner of the NFC South, 562 00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:58,760 Speaker 2: which is not necessarily a bad spot to be in, 563 00:28:00,119 --> 00:28:02,720 Speaker 2: but we saw how difficult it was for the Vikings 564 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:05,200 Speaker 2: last year with so much on the line in that 565 00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:08,600 Speaker 2: final regular season game, they don't get it done and 566 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:10,639 Speaker 2: then they go on the road as the five seed 567 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 2: and suddenly, boom, you know, one in in a span 568 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:16,440 Speaker 2: of eight days, you go from playing for the one 569 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:17,800 Speaker 2: seed in the conference to your. 570 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:18,600 Speaker 1: Seasons over correct. 571 00:28:18,760 --> 00:28:23,000 Speaker 2: And that's the that's the danger that that the loser 572 00:28:23,359 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 2: of that West Coast game is facing. 573 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:29,119 Speaker 3: Yeah, and Atlanta had Atlanta had a weird year, but 574 00:28:29,720 --> 00:28:31,760 Speaker 3: Kirk Cousins goes back in there. They got a little 575 00:28:31,760 --> 00:28:34,640 Speaker 3: bit healthier. Bjeon Robinson did what he did and that 576 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:37,960 Speaker 3: game on Monday Night football reminds you again and Sean 577 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:39,120 Speaker 3: McVay said it afterwards. 578 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:40,360 Speaker 1: This league will humble you. 579 00:28:40,960 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 3: I know, Packer fans here, Matt Leffleur say it, and 580 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:45,920 Speaker 3: they say, well, that's what every This league will humble you. 581 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:48,920 Speaker 3: And the Rams. You look at Matthew Stafford. He went 582 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:51,160 Speaker 3: from being what some people consider to be an MVP 583 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:56,200 Speaker 3: favorite to maybe that performance itself handed that award to 584 00:28:56,280 --> 00:28:58,120 Speaker 3: Drake may Well. 585 00:28:58,160 --> 00:28:58,960 Speaker 1: We'll have to wait and see. 586 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:02,200 Speaker 3: That's up to the AP voter. But it's been one 587 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:05,080 Speaker 3: of those type of seasons. And for Tampa Bay, they 588 00:29:05,080 --> 00:29:07,520 Speaker 3: have now lost seven of eight since their bye week. 589 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:10,719 Speaker 3: A team we focus a lot on Indianapolis because the 590 00:29:10,760 --> 00:29:13,800 Speaker 3: injuries there, Daniel Jones, Philip Rivers comes back, they start 591 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:16,520 Speaker 3: seven to one, they missed the playoffs. Tampa Bay is 592 00:29:16,520 --> 00:29:19,640 Speaker 3: in the middle of a potential huge collapse and I 593 00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:22,280 Speaker 3: honestly think there could be no bigger slap in the face. 594 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 3: And if they would beat Carolina in the scenario falls 595 00:29:25,360 --> 00:29:26,920 Speaker 3: then when they still don't get. 596 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:29,200 Speaker 2: In, they still don't get in, right, which is very. 597 00:29:29,120 --> 00:29:31,120 Speaker 3: Possible with the way Atlanta's one of the hottest teams 598 00:29:31,160 --> 00:29:33,280 Speaker 3: in the league right now and they have nothing to 599 00:29:33,320 --> 00:29:33,719 Speaker 3: play for. 600 00:29:34,920 --> 00:29:35,320 Speaker 1: Crazy. 601 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:38,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, And we were even just talking a week or 602 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:41,680 Speaker 2: two ago about what New Orleans is doing with Kellen Moore, 603 00:29:41,760 --> 00:29:44,480 Speaker 2: the new head coach, and they've got, you know, Tyler Schuck, 604 00:29:44,560 --> 00:29:47,520 Speaker 2: the rookie quarterback who's kind of taken the reins there, 605 00:29:47,560 --> 00:29:51,080 Speaker 2: and I mean it's just it's it's really interesting what's 606 00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:53,720 Speaker 2: going on, because they are going to be a couple 607 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:56,880 Speaker 2: of teams in the NFC South that are not going 608 00:29:56,880 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 2: to make the playoffs who are sort of, you know, 609 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:01,680 Speaker 2: they have a lot to look forward, yeah, you know, 610 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:06,080 Speaker 2: moving forward. And as you said, I mean Tampa Bay. 611 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:06,600 Speaker 1: I mean. 612 00:30:08,160 --> 00:30:13,239 Speaker 2: Maybe the ultimate sort of perfect ridiculous scenario in the 613 00:30:13,360 --> 00:30:17,280 Speaker 2: NFC South is for Tampa Bay to finally find itself 614 00:30:17,400 --> 00:30:20,800 Speaker 2: blow out the Carolina Panthers by three touchdowns and then 615 00:30:20,840 --> 00:30:23,880 Speaker 2: still not get in because Falcons end up beating the 616 00:30:23,880 --> 00:30:26,600 Speaker 2: Saints and the Panthers get in. Anyway, it just sort 617 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:29,200 Speaker 2: of feels like the way this season is gone that's 618 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:31,360 Speaker 2: something crazy like that is how this is going to end. 619 00:30:31,600 --> 00:30:33,719 Speaker 3: And then look at what's happening now with Sunday Night football, right, 620 00:30:33,760 --> 00:30:36,400 Speaker 3: I mean the Packers, thank you Aaron Rodgers. He's the 621 00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:38,240 Speaker 3: one that helps set this thing up for the Packers 622 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:40,480 Speaker 3: to clinch the playoff. Green Bay isn't able to pay 623 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:43,080 Speaker 3: back the favor. But at the same time, Pittsburgh EN's 624 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:45,920 Speaker 3: a falling short against Cleveland six points. It's just the 625 00:30:45,960 --> 00:30:48,160 Speaker 3: way these teams get tripped up. And I actually thought 626 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:50,240 Speaker 3: I think it kind of got a little bit viral 627 00:30:50,280 --> 00:30:51,040 Speaker 3: for the wrong reasons. 628 00:30:51,160 --> 00:30:52,120 Speaker 1: I actually thought Miles. 629 00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:54,000 Speaker 3: Garrett made a pretty good point in saying that there 630 00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:56,080 Speaker 3: was so much focus it felt like on stopping him 631 00:30:56,080 --> 00:30:57,920 Speaker 3: watching that game, it felt that way. 632 00:30:58,000 --> 00:31:00,200 Speaker 1: That it was like, give up the sack, get up 633 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:00,440 Speaker 1: the sack. 634 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:02,240 Speaker 3: You got to win the game, And it felt like 635 00:31:02,280 --> 00:31:05,120 Speaker 3: sometimes there was just so much attention devoted to him 636 00:31:05,920 --> 00:31:08,959 Speaker 3: that they didn't. And honestly, the more I watch Pittsburgh too, 637 00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:10,520 Speaker 3: the more you got to get that ball in Kenneth 638 00:31:10,560 --> 00:31:11,320 Speaker 3: Gainwell's hands. 639 00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:12,080 Speaker 1: That is your guy. 640 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:17,000 Speaker 3: He's taken a unique path, but they were forcing balls outside. 641 00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:19,840 Speaker 3: You don't have DK Metcalf and the result is the result. 642 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:22,280 Speaker 2: I saw something really interesting and I'm gonna end with 643 00:31:22,320 --> 00:31:26,680 Speaker 2: this because it's sort of apropos of nothing. Twenty years ago, 644 00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:31,360 Speaker 2: as a rookie, Aaron Rodgers came off the bench on 645 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:34,120 Speaker 2: a Monday night game in Baltimore in a game the 646 00:31:34,120 --> 00:31:37,920 Speaker 2: Packers were getting clobbered. But earlier in that game, Deon 647 00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:41,880 Speaker 2: Sanders had an interception. And then twenty years later, Aaron 648 00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:45,080 Speaker 2: Rodgers is quarterbacking a game where the opposing quarterback is 649 00:31:45,080 --> 00:31:49,080 Speaker 2: Dion Sanders Son crazy Shedur Sanders. That's wild, bro. 650 00:31:49,320 --> 00:31:51,400 Speaker 1: I wait, that is nuts. You know what I call that? 651 00:31:51,520 --> 00:31:53,640 Speaker 3: Right? I have my own theory on this. I always 652 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:56,320 Speaker 3: called that the Disney World theory, which is when you 653 00:31:56,320 --> 00:31:58,160 Speaker 3: go to Disney World, there's people that are there for 654 00:31:58,160 --> 00:31:59,680 Speaker 3: the first hour, there are people that are leaving in 655 00:31:59,680 --> 00:31:59,960 Speaker 3: an hour. 656 00:32:00,040 --> 00:32:01,400 Speaker 1: There's people that have been there for a week, there's 657 00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:02,360 Speaker 1: people that just arrived. 658 00:32:02,680 --> 00:32:05,160 Speaker 3: I love this type of stuff in the NFL because 659 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:08,280 Speaker 3: this is the spaceship that they're on. Yeah, you know, 660 00:32:08,440 --> 00:32:11,680 Speaker 3: Rogers twenty plus seasons in the National Football League. He 661 00:32:11,720 --> 00:32:14,440 Speaker 3: sticks around long enough to be around there where Shador 662 00:32:14,480 --> 00:32:17,800 Speaker 3: Sanders is getting a start after Dion Sanders retires for 663 00:32:17,840 --> 00:32:20,320 Speaker 3: a few years and then returns with the Baltimore Ravens. 664 00:32:20,680 --> 00:32:22,400 Speaker 3: It's just these are the type of things I think 665 00:32:22,440 --> 00:32:26,040 Speaker 3: make the NFL world go round and also an incredible 666 00:32:26,080 --> 00:32:28,680 Speaker 3: testament to the longevity that Rogers has had to still 667 00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:30,160 Speaker 3: be playing the game at forty two years old. 668 00:32:30,280 --> 00:32:33,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. Well, it's going to be an interesting Week 669 00:32:33,960 --> 00:32:36,960 Speaker 2: eighteen in the NFL, even if there isn't so much 670 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:39,800 Speaker 2: interest in the Packers and the Vikings. This week, we 671 00:32:39,840 --> 00:32:40,440 Speaker 2: will talk more. 672 00:32:40,520 --> 00:32:42,640 Speaker 1: We will have it though. You and I will be interesting. 673 00:32:42,680 --> 00:32:43,440 Speaker 1: We will be there. 674 00:32:43,720 --> 00:32:47,040 Speaker 2: We will be there with Bells on right after the 675 00:32:47,080 --> 00:32:48,840 Speaker 2: new year, and we'll talk a little bit more about 676 00:32:48,840 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 2: that matchup on our next show. But for now, we're 677 00:32:51,040 --> 00:32:52,400 Speaker 2: going to call it a rap on this edition of 678 00:32:52,440 --> 00:32:55,080 Speaker 2: Packers Unscript. I'd be sure to continue following all of 679 00:32:55,120 --> 00:32:58,880 Speaker 2: our coverage of the team on Packers dot com for Wes, Iam, Mike, 680 00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:01,960 Speaker 2: thank you for tune and everybody. We will see Hike's time. 681 00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:04,640 Speaker 3: M