1 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,959 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am like Spafford, joined as always 3 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:15,920 Speaker 1: by my trusted colleague Wes Hodkoitz. We're coming to you 4 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:19,319 Speaker 1: Hear from our studios at Lamou Field to discuss Wes. 5 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: Unfortunately a thirty four to twenty six Packers loss at 6 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: Denver on Sunday, But as we know, this game was 7 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: not about the loss in the lost column. This is 8 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 1: about the players that the Packers have lost injury. Topping 9 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 1: the list of course, Micah Parsons just an absolutely devastating 10 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:47,880 Speaker 1: injury for the Packers defense. You feel bad for Parsons, 11 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: everything that he put into this the season he was 12 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:52,839 Speaker 1: having what he meant to the Packers defense, and the 13 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 1: Packers are gonna have to find a way without him. 14 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 2: Yeah. So the most difficult thing what the National Football 15 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 2: League is the Packers have lost Micah Parsons to this 16 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 2: ACL this knee injury. And it's not like it's the 17 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:10,720 Speaker 2: first time I thought about it, right, Like, I think 18 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 2: there's always this worry every single Sunday you go into 19 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,200 Speaker 2: a game of even if it isn't Parsons, you know 20 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:21,240 Speaker 2: potentially what you could lose what injuries could be endured. 21 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 2: And for all the physicality of the sport and for 22 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:30,199 Speaker 2: all the contact, in terms of the actual organizational side 23 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:34,320 Speaker 2: of things, the most devastating, deabilitating injuries are these non 24 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 2: contact variety issues. So the moment he went down, I mean, 25 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 2: everybody knew it was bad. You're watching the play develop downfield, 26 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:44,119 Speaker 2: and then your eye kind of goes back to where 27 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 2: we were in the corner of the end zone and 28 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 2: you see a player down and once you start to say, 29 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 2: oh my goodness, it's Michaeh Parsons, we peer up and 30 00:01:51,880 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 2: you see the replay that you just know it's bad 31 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 2: from that very moment. And then seeing the Denver Bronco players, 32 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 2: Patrick Sartan, all the guys Garrett Bowles that went up 33 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 2: to him and often their condolences to him. It just 34 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 2: took the entire era out of the balloon. And not 35 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 2: to say the Packers were obviously competing to win that game, yeah, 36 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:17,919 Speaker 2: very you know, competitively in the fourth quarter, but everything changed. 37 00:02:17,960 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 2: The press box changed, the vibe in the stadium changed. 38 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 2: I mean, everybody understood that win or lose. The bigger 39 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 2: situation here is the fact that Micael Parson's most likely it, 40 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:30,960 Speaker 2: you know, had a significant knee injury, and what that 41 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:32,799 Speaker 2: could mean for the rest of the season, not only 42 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 2: for the Packers but the National Football League. You're talking 43 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 2: about one of your more markable stars, especially on the 44 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 2: defensive side of the ball. The guy's fifth right now 45 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:42,639 Speaker 2: in fan voting, regardless of position, the number one fan 46 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:45,640 Speaker 2: voted player on the defensive side of the ball period 47 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 2: for the Pro Bowl, and now he's out, So a 48 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 2: lot a lot of time to look forward. Obviously, the 49 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:55,040 Speaker 2: Packers have a lot to play for beginning again this week. 50 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 2: But I mean, you can't help but be stuck in 51 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 2: the moment and kind of have to marinate a little 52 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 2: bit on this because what he did in those thirteen 53 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:06,679 Speaker 2: games with Green Bay, it's one of the more impactful 54 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 2: runs I think I've ever seen from a defensive player. 55 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:10,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, no question about it. I mean, he changed the 56 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:14,079 Speaker 1: complexion of Green Bay's defense entirely, the way he got 57 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:18,680 Speaker 1: after quarterbacks, the way he just disrupted things. I mean, 58 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:21,839 Speaker 1: he begins the game in Denver with a strip of 59 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 1: the running back on a short yardage play, and the 60 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: Packers get the turnover, get a field goal, get an 61 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:29,919 Speaker 1: early lead, I mean just there's so many things you 62 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:32,800 Speaker 1: can point to the closing games in the fourth quarter 63 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:36,680 Speaker 1: with sacks and big plays. You go back to the 64 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 1: sack of Dak Prescott in Dallas when all the pressure 65 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 1: is on Micah Parsons to make something happen in Dallas 66 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 1: because I was his former team and all this stuff, 67 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: And unfortunately his injury wasn't the only one from this game. 68 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: Christian Watson also left the game with a chest injury. 69 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 1: Zach Tom Evan Williams they left the game with knee injuries. Now, 70 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 1: at the time we're taping episode, we have not gotten 71 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 1: an update from head coach Matt Lafleur, But based on 72 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 1: reports that are out there in the media and what's 73 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 1: been circulating, it doesn't sound like any of the injuries 74 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 1: to Watson, Tom or Williams is a significant injury. But 75 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 1: what it means in terms of how long they'll be out, 76 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: how soon they can get back, we really have no 77 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 1: idea at this point, and it's just a it's just 78 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 1: an illustration in some ways of how of how cruel 79 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: this game can be, right, I mean, the Packers, the 80 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 1: Packer in the mid season, the Packers look like they're 81 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:40,840 Speaker 1: hitting their stride, and then you lose one of the 82 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:43,960 Speaker 1: most important players on offense in Tucker Craft. Suddenly boom, 83 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:46,480 Speaker 1: he's out for the season. You have to go through 84 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 1: this adjustment with the offense without him. There's some struggles 85 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 1: and then things start picking up again, right But in 86 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:56,040 Speaker 1: the meantime, you know, you lose Elton Jenkins, you lose 87 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 1: DeVante Wyatt, and now with a four game winning streak 88 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,719 Speaker 1: on the line, and you're competing for playoff positioning and 89 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 1: possible NFC nor title and all that kind of stuff, 90 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 1: and now you lose, You lose Micah Parsons, and and 91 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:12,520 Speaker 1: you know, I hope at the end of the season 92 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 1: we're not talking about this one particular moment as the 93 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 1: as the season changing or the season defining moment. But 94 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,880 Speaker 1: you could feel it even before the Parsons injury. You 95 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 1: could feel the game change when Christian Watson went down 96 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: on the deep ball. The Packers are up by nine points, 97 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 1: Matt Lafleur staying aggressive, trying to kind of put the 98 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 1: you know, foot on the throat of the number one 99 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:41,279 Speaker 1: team in the AFC. The ball is underthrown by maybe 100 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:44,039 Speaker 1: a yard on a fifty yard pass. It's if the 101 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:48,480 Speaker 1: ball is one, you know, one yard farther, there's probably 102 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 1: a different result here. But Pat Sertan, the reigning Defensive 103 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,039 Speaker 1: Player of the Year, makes an incredible play for an interception, 104 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:59,160 Speaker 1: lands on Christian Watson, which injures Watson and takes him 105 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:02,320 Speaker 1: out of the game, and the game completely changes. And suddenly, 106 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 1: you know, the Broncos turn the turnover into points and 107 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:11,359 Speaker 1: start building on that, and and the Packers are struggling 108 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:14,080 Speaker 1: to get really get anything right on either side of 109 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 1: the ball for a while there, and you walk out 110 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: of Denver with a loss that now has the Packers 111 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 1: once again looking up at the Chicago Bears in the 112 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:23,720 Speaker 1: NFC North. 113 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:26,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it was wild man Patrick Sutan. The fact 114 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 2: that that's his first interception of the season, I mean, 115 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:32,119 Speaker 2: that isn't his game. He's a shutdown corner Daryl Darrell 116 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 2: Reeves sort of you know, set up in terms of 117 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,679 Speaker 2: how he just shuts guys down. Isn't necessarily always getting 118 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 2: all the picks. Still crazy that that was his first 119 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 2: interception and a magnificent play he made on that ball. 120 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,040 Speaker 2: But yeah, we were talking about in the locker room 121 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:48,719 Speaker 2: and everybody agreed to you know, even We're chatting with 122 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:51,600 Speaker 2: Josh Shacobs afterwards. Who I mean, my gosh, the guy 123 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:53,800 Speaker 2: completely went out on his shield with what he was 124 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:55,920 Speaker 2: dealing with with the knee, the reps that he gave. 125 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:58,599 Speaker 2: Green Bay was feeling it afterwards, but you know, he 126 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 2: said it was a weird game all around. It was 127 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 2: weird with the injuries. It was weird with the fact 128 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,760 Speaker 2: that the Packers struggled inside the red zone the way 129 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,720 Speaker 2: that they did. Know they score on their first five possessions, 130 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 2: which was the first time they've done that, I believe 131 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 2: since it was twenty sixteen that they scored on each 132 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:15,200 Speaker 2: of their first five possessions, but they only got twenty 133 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 2: three points. Three of those were field goals. It just 134 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 2: there was just something off about the whole night. And 135 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 2: before we completely pivot over the game, I just want 136 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 2: to say, you know, I've had a long standing opinion 137 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 2: on this, and I'm sure the National Football League isn't 138 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 2: then thrilled with this side of it, but you know, 139 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:33,240 Speaker 2: I think that this week in the NFL in general 140 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 2: was another indication for why I think the conversation about 141 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 2: regular season needs to shift back to sixteen games more 142 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 2: so than eighteen games. Yeah, that's gonna be something the 143 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 2: lead's going to push for here shortly. I think seventeen 144 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 2: was a bad idea. I think eighteen's even worse. And 145 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 2: it's not just because the Packers lost Micah Parsons and 146 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 2: potentially superstar players. Patrick Mahomes also gets injured, right, But 147 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 2: think about it also from the standpoint that zach Ertz 148 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 2: towards ACL in a complete meaningless game for the Washington Commanders, 149 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 2: there's going to be a lot of teams sitting on 150 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:07,560 Speaker 2: two to five losses two to five wins that are 151 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 2: going to be asked to play in meaningless football games, 152 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 2: especially in an eighteen game regular season. The injuries that 153 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 2: could potentially happen with players really gives me a lot 154 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 2: of pause. In addition to the fact that the more 155 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 2: regular season games you play, the more risk there is. 156 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 2: The more times you roll that dice, the higher percentage 157 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 2: chance you're not going to have your superstars for playoffs. 158 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 1: And when did Christian Watson get injured last year? The 159 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 1: seventeenth game of the regular season, right, and then the 160 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 1: Packers didn't get him back until late October. We don't 161 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 1: know when Micah Parsons is going to be back. He's obviously, 162 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 1: based on his social media posts, he's determined to be 163 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: back in September for Week one. That would be an 164 00:08:43,480 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: extremely accelerated timeline. That would be the superhuman Adrian Peterson 165 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: recovery from ACL timeline, which this guy could do, right, 166 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 1: which I don't put and I don't put it past him. 167 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 1: I'm just saying, I think Adrian Peterson is the only 168 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:59,160 Speaker 1: one we've seen who who could be on that type 169 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 1: of timeline. But I'm I'm totally with you. This this 170 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:06,120 Speaker 1: game is brutal. I mean, what these players put themselves through. 171 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:10,840 Speaker 1: You you mentioned Josh Jacobs, and and I think we 172 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 1: we both agree that a tip of the hat to 173 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 1: Jacobs for what he was able to give the Packers 174 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:26,079 Speaker 1: in this game. Touchdown reception, ye, touchdown rushing at least 175 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:27,960 Speaker 1: I think he had a touchdown rushing in this game. 176 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:28,440 Speaker 2: Did not? 177 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, okay, fourteen yards, Yeah, that's forty yards forty rush, 178 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 1: touchdown four four reception for a touchdown, yeah. I mean 179 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:40,320 Speaker 1: and and uh. And this is a guy that you know, 180 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 1: didn't practice two days last week, got into practice on 181 00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:47,439 Speaker 1: a limited basis at the very end of the week, 182 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 1: and then he's putting everything. He's putting everything on the 183 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 1: line for his ball club. And uh, and yet here 184 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:58,160 Speaker 1: we are, and there are still three regular season games 185 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 1: left here that the Packers have to navigate and try 186 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 1: to get themselves in position and all that. So anyway, 187 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 1: I'll let you finish, but I am totally with you 188 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:10,000 Speaker 1: on this because if the NFL is going to keep 189 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: expanding the regular season, we're just going to see more 190 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 1: and more players, and particularly marquee players go down. It's 191 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:21,560 Speaker 1: going to happen. You're not going to be able to 192 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: avoid it. 193 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:23,079 Speaker 2: And if you don't want to do it from the 194 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:26,320 Speaker 2: player safety aspect, and you want to be selfish, you 195 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:29,280 Speaker 2: want those players in the playoffs, you want them available, 196 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 2: you want to be able to put them on your marquees. 197 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 2: Michael Parsons is not able to do that now. And 198 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:36,320 Speaker 2: again I get it. We're talking about what was a 199 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 2: week fifteen game. Even if there was this could have 200 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:42,559 Speaker 2: been what nineteen ninety two. They still be playing games 201 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:45,800 Speaker 2: right now. But it's just I think there is something 202 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:48,720 Speaker 2: to be said about again rolling those dice every week 203 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 2: and hoping that you guys get out of these games 204 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 2: healthy and not just with Nixon bumps and bruises with 205 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 2: significant career altering injuries. And then also from the standpoint 206 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,840 Speaker 2: of you know, are football teams that are competing for 207 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 2: these championships that are completing, you know, for this notoriety 208 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 2: not being out there on Sundays. So yeah, there's just 209 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 2: even writing afterwards. I'm sure you felt the same way 210 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 2: as We're on the bus and everything. And I got 211 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:16,640 Speaker 2: done transcribing all these quotes from the locker room, I 212 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:18,680 Speaker 2: kind of sat there for like maybe two or three minutes, 213 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 2: and I was just kind of thinking over everything, and 214 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:24,760 Speaker 2: I'm like, it all seems so meaningless, you know, when 215 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:26,959 Speaker 2: you're when you're talking about the context of a game. 216 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:30,040 Speaker 2: This was like last week you and I were discussing 217 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:32,840 Speaker 2: this was a statement making opportunity for Green Bay, and 218 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:35,560 Speaker 2: early on in that game, they made a pretty good statement. 219 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 2: They had some explosive plays. There were some big coverage 220 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:40,320 Speaker 2: breakdowns from Denver that the Packers took advantage of, and 221 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:42,880 Speaker 2: I think Josh Jacobs ran the ball as well as 222 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:45,600 Speaker 2: you could have expected against that number two ranked run defense. 223 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 2: But you know, you look at the numbers here, Mike, 224 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:49,400 Speaker 2: because some people have been asking you and I in 225 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 2: the column, you know, why didn't they run Josh Shacobs more. 226 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:54,440 Speaker 2: Josh Jacobs had thirty six snaps that was fifty five percent. 227 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,520 Speaker 2: Emmanuel Wilson, who we found out on Saturday, ended up 228 00:11:57,520 --> 00:12:01,000 Speaker 2: falling ill and was questionable. He did play in the game, 229 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:03,440 Speaker 2: but was only available for thirteen offensive snaps and still 230 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:06,079 Speaker 2: had a kickoff return duties. And then they sprinkled in 231 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 2: Chris Brooks too. It's difficult to build a game plan 232 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:11,240 Speaker 2: heavily based on the run game when you don't know 233 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:13,760 Speaker 2: exactly who's going to be available. Oh, in addition to 234 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:17,200 Speaker 2: the fact that Marshaon Lloyd didn't practice on Friday as 235 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:19,679 Speaker 2: he's dealing with these CAF and hamstring issues. 236 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:22,000 Speaker 1: And there was the potential we don't know, but there 237 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: was the potential if Marshaon Lloyd is healthy, he could 238 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 1: have been activated and maybe been an option, you know, 239 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:29,760 Speaker 1: for the Packers in this game. But then at the 240 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 1: end of the week suddenly you find out he's not 241 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:31,839 Speaker 1: an option. 242 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:34,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, so I know, I'm kind of all over the place, 243 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:35,839 Speaker 2: but I mean, this is sort of where my mind 244 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:38,400 Speaker 2: was at after this game, trying to contextualize all this stuff. 245 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:41,000 Speaker 2: But the understanding is the Packers did lose a football game. 246 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 2: They're nine to four and one, and now they're going 247 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:46,560 Speaker 2: to take on the Chicago Bears this week. But in 248 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 2: that night and even in the days after from leaving 249 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 2: Mile High Stadium, it just I think more than I 250 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:54,680 Speaker 2: think the only thing that's probably comparable to it is 251 00:12:54,679 --> 00:13:01,319 Speaker 2: when Rogers broke his collarbone in Miami or Miamia. 252 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 1: Minnesota twenty seventeen, you know, because. 253 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:05,120 Speaker 2: The first one in thirteen happened here area in Chicago. 254 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 2: I remember just that seventeen one just being like the 255 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:12,200 Speaker 2: Packers announced during the game that Rogers had broken the collarbone, 256 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:14,920 Speaker 2: and it just was like, this doesn't matter. 257 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 1: Yeah. 258 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 2: So yeah, that's kind of where I've been out on 259 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:18,680 Speaker 2: everything the last couple of days. 260 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, and the Packers, certainly, you know, it's time to regroup, 261 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:24,640 Speaker 1: it's time to Readjust it's a short week. You've got 262 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:27,840 Speaker 1: another showdown for first place in the division coming up, 263 00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: and we'll talk more about that game, you know, on 264 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:35,040 Speaker 1: our next episode later this week. But setting aside the 265 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 1: injury part of it right now, what I would say 266 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:43,600 Speaker 1: what bothered me the most. Two things that bothered me 267 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 1: the most about this loss by the Packers. One is 268 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 1: that we saw sort of this ugly return of the 269 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:53,840 Speaker 1: penalties that the Packers were plagued with early in the season. 270 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 1: Seemed they had gone about a month or so without, 271 00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: you know, a whole lot of issues with the flags, 272 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: and now in this game in Denver, it was presnat penalties, 273 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 1: it was personal fouls, it was you know, and you 274 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: can say what you want about the officials and and 275 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:12,400 Speaker 1: and this and that, but the Packers seeming seemingly had 276 00:14:12,679 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 1: had put their penalty problem in twenty twenty five behind them, 277 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:18,040 Speaker 1: and now it kind of reared its ugly head again. 278 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 1: So that's something that with three games left in the 279 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:24,040 Speaker 1: regular season and a lot on the line here, the 280 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 1: Packers need to square that around. And then the other 281 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:33,200 Speaker 1: thing is this game defensively in some ways, not entirely 282 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:37,120 Speaker 1: because bo Nicks played a fantastic game. This Denver Broncos 283 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 1: team is for real, especially when they're playing at home 284 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 1: and they have that crowd behind them. But the game 285 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 1: sort of felt like the the Giants game on the road, 286 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 1: where the Packers defense had opportunities to make plays to 287 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 1: turn the game around, like pats Ertan did with the 288 00:14:55,960 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: play he made, and the Packers didn't make them, and 289 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 1: it was and it wasn't just one guy, it was 290 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:04,640 Speaker 1: multiple guys with the opportunity. They Green Bay got the 291 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:07,320 Speaker 1: turnover early as I mentioned on the strip by Parsons, 292 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 1: the recovery by Cooper. You get a field goal out 293 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:12,920 Speaker 1: of that, and you take the early lead. But whether 294 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:15,360 Speaker 1: it was a ball off of Xavier McKinney's hands, or 295 00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: one off of Carrington Valentine's or a deflected ball that 296 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 1: a couple of guys maybe had a chance to grab 297 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 1: and then it didn't happen. You know how it is 298 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:26,840 Speaker 1: in this league, Wes. The margins in this league are 299 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 1: so small. And yes, at the end of the game 300 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:31,240 Speaker 1: it's an eight point victory for the Broncos, and you 301 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 1: know it looks somewhat significant in that regard, But these, 302 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:40,320 Speaker 1: you know, one or two plays, if when the Packers 303 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: get their hands on the ball defensively, if they make it, 304 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: does that rattle bow Nicks a little bit? Does that 305 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:46,920 Speaker 1: get him off his stride? 306 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 2: You know? 307 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 1: I mean, you just never know. And when those opportunities 308 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 1: get away, those those are the things you regret. Again, 309 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 1: aside from all of the injury concerns, the Packers now have. 310 00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, a tremendous summation. There might and it'll be difficult 311 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 2: for me to top that point. But what I will 312 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 2: say is the keys to victory that you and I 313 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 2: outline going into this, for the most part, a lot 314 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 2: of them did come true. I thought the Packers won 315 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 2: the third down battle when we talked about the first 316 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 2: number one ranked third down offense versus the top rank 317 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:17,960 Speaker 2: third round defense. Packers when the game was in hand, 318 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 2: when there was a situation where they're trying to win 319 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,520 Speaker 2: it and wasn't just trying to catch up, they did 320 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:25,160 Speaker 2: a really good job in that area. When you look 321 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:29,360 Speaker 2: at the running offense, the opportunities that Josh Jacobs did have, 322 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 2: Packers moved the ball on the ground pretty well. Jordan 323 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:35,480 Speaker 2: Love completed seventeen passes in the first half, threw for 324 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:37,520 Speaker 2: over two hundred yards. Think it was two hundred seventeen yards. 325 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 2: Those were both career highs in the first half for him. 326 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 2: But they didn't sustain it for one reason or another. 327 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:51,480 Speaker 2: They faltered in the red zone. There was this conversation 328 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 2: about the aggressiveness with decidning to go for another deep 329 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 2: shot with Christian Watson, and it's neither here nor there. 330 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 2: I'm not going to debate that. What I will say 331 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:04,240 Speaker 2: is when you're talking about, you know, putting the foot 332 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:06,720 Speaker 2: on the you know, the throat a little better or whatnot, 333 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:09,359 Speaker 2: the time to do that is when you are in 334 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 2: the red zone. The time to do that when you 335 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 2: want to finish those drives and get those six seven points. 336 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 2: Penalties hurt them. 337 00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 1: That's what I was going to say is that's really 338 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:22,000 Speaker 1: where the penalties hurt the Packers the most is those 339 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 1: were occurring when they were in scoring territory, and then 340 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 1: it left you in these positions where you weren't really 341 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:30,119 Speaker 1: in any kind of a great spot to go for 342 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: it on fourth down to try to get a touchdown. 343 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:34,960 Speaker 1: It was like you're in a down and distant situation 344 00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:36,640 Speaker 1: where it's like, yeah, you just you got to take 345 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 1: the three points and keep playing. And it put them 346 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:42,119 Speaker 1: in a good spot, you know, at twenty three to 347 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:44,920 Speaker 1: fourteen early in the third quarter, there's still most of 348 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:46,639 Speaker 1: the second half left to go. But yeah, at the 349 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 1: end of the day, you certainly regret those chances for 350 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:51,359 Speaker 1: touchdowns that got away. 351 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:56,520 Speaker 2: Because even the unbelievable catch that Josh Shacobs had that 352 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 2: came after a holding penalty that was declined, I believe 353 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 2: on rash Rashid Walker. 354 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 1: Yeah. Sean Payton decided instead of second because the Packers 355 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:08,760 Speaker 1: had already had a penalty on that drive, so instead 356 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 1: of putting the Packers in second and goal from the 357 00:18:11,359 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: twenty five with a holding penalty, he declined it to 358 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:17,480 Speaker 1: make it third and goal from the fifteen. And then 359 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 1: the wheel route turns into a touchdown and the Packers 360 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 1: did get the big score. 361 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 2: And oh, I can be a reporter man here for 362 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:26,960 Speaker 2: a second. Josh Jacobs told me afterwards that that's a 363 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:29,359 Speaker 2: play that they've had dialed up for a while and 364 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:32,200 Speaker 2: he's been trying to convince and trying to telling Jordan 365 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:34,159 Speaker 2: Love and mattin Floyd, let's call it, let's call it. 366 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:36,520 Speaker 2: I trust me, trust me, And he makes a tremendous 367 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:40,280 Speaker 2: play his only second career receiving touchdown. But my goodness, 368 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 2: what a catch that was. 369 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:44,119 Speaker 1: Against a heck of a defender to Drake Greenlaw's no 370 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:47,280 Speaker 1: slouch out there, and it was actually in really really 371 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:50,119 Speaker 1: good position and Jacobs just made the play on a 372 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:50,840 Speaker 1: well thrown ball. 373 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, and then Jacob's obviously breaks that forty yard run 374 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 2: that was his longest touchdown run since a sixty three 375 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:59,360 Speaker 2: yarder back during his time with the Raiders in twenty 376 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 2: twenty three. It's his longest run for the Packers. So, 377 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:05,680 Speaker 2: I mean they got some big time performances in this game. 378 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:09,600 Speaker 2: Where Green Bay I felt lost the game was in 379 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 2: two areas. I thought the adversity defense was not there, 380 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:15,240 Speaker 2: and certainly the biggest one of all was the Micah 381 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:19,119 Speaker 2: Parsons you know, injury, but it was even the sudden 382 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:23,600 Speaker 2: change they didn't have that. And then turning it back 383 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:27,719 Speaker 2: all the way to what you were saying, the Broncos 384 00:19:27,760 --> 00:19:32,320 Speaker 2: secondary made plays and had some key interceptions of Jordan Love. 385 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 2: I mean the Riley Moss one too, kind of put 386 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:37,159 Speaker 2: a stamp on it, falls a little bit behind, Dontavian 387 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:39,440 Speaker 2: Wicks gets knocked up in the air, Moss comes down 388 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:41,160 Speaker 2: with it. It is a bang bang play, but it's 389 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 2: one you gotta get bow Nicks. As you and I forecast. 390 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:46,800 Speaker 2: It gave the Packers some opportunities, Yes he did, they 391 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 2: didn't execute on them. And when you look at where 392 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:51,600 Speaker 2: the defense and it's been a really strong defense this year, 393 00:19:51,760 --> 00:19:53,840 Speaker 2: top five, top ten defense in a lot of categories. 394 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:56,680 Speaker 2: The takeaways in the red zone defense, or two areas 395 00:19:56,680 --> 00:19:58,760 Speaker 2: where green Bay has come up short this year. They're 396 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 2: pretty much in the bottom third of the those two 397 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:03,000 Speaker 2: areas in the league. And that kind of was the 398 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:04,160 Speaker 2: difference in this football game. 399 00:20:04,240 --> 00:20:06,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, it was. And the other thing I will say 400 00:20:07,960 --> 00:20:11,240 Speaker 1: as well is that I thought, I thought for a 401 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:15,440 Speaker 1: good portion of the game, and even even when Zach 402 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:17,879 Speaker 1: Tom exited in the first half with a knee injury, 403 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:20,760 Speaker 1: I thought, for a good portion of the game, the 404 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:25,480 Speaker 1: Packers pass protection held up pretty well against this pass 405 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 1: rush of the Broncos that came in with a league 406 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:30,359 Speaker 1: leading fifty five sacks. But you could see as the 407 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:33,040 Speaker 1: game war on, as it got later in the fourth quarter, 408 00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:36,000 Speaker 1: when the Packers were behind, the Broncos kind of knew 409 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: that Green Bay had to throw the ball. Credit the 410 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:44,480 Speaker 1: Broncos pass rush, because for as frustrated as they might 411 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 1: have been throughout a good portion of the game, they 412 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:52,640 Speaker 1: kept coming after Jordan Love, and eventually you could see 413 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:54,800 Speaker 1: the protection just didn't hold up late in the game. 414 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:57,360 Speaker 1: And when when Jordan Love kind of got into the 415 00:20:57,800 --> 00:20:59,840 Speaker 1: you know, okay, you know, got a habit mode there 416 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: the last couple drives in the fourth quarter, he just 417 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:06,000 Speaker 1: he didn't have any kind of a clean pocket to 418 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:08,119 Speaker 1: sit in. You know, he was constantly on the on 419 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:11,879 Speaker 1: the move, and the coverage downfield, you know, obviously played 420 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:15,920 Speaker 1: into the pass rush and everything. And Denver's defense, Denver's 421 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 1: defense in the fourth quarter looked like, you know, the 422 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:22,440 Speaker 1: defense that that they've looked like for most of the season, 423 00:21:22,560 --> 00:21:25,200 Speaker 1: and that's why Denver has won as many close games 424 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:25,560 Speaker 1: as they have. 425 00:21:26,040 --> 00:21:31,080 Speaker 2: And I thought Vance Joseph's plan was brilliant. I really 426 00:21:31,160 --> 00:21:33,760 Speaker 2: liked there were some great stunts they had too that 427 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 2: Josh Jacobs and Chris Brooks picked up on that could 428 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 2: have been potential sacks. I mean they hit Jordan Love 429 00:21:39,359 --> 00:21:42,440 Speaker 2: fifteen times, Packers hit bo Nicks three. Yeah, I mean 430 00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 2: that that that's that's a sizable five x difference, right, 431 00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:49,800 Speaker 2: So yeah, I mean for the Packers. Okay, So if 432 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:51,600 Speaker 2: you could put the whole thing out of your mind 433 00:21:51,640 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 2: with Micah Parsons, and I know that's a big if, 434 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:55,520 Speaker 2: but if you could put that all in your mind, 435 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:59,400 Speaker 2: this was exactly the playoff game it was advertised as being, yep, 436 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:01,840 Speaker 2: and I think the viewers obviously got their money's worth 437 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 2: and in the way it all went and the drama 438 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:06,119 Speaker 2: and back and forth and Packers getting up twenty three 439 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 2: to fourteen and then losing that advantage Denver outscoring them 440 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:11,680 Speaker 2: twenty to three down the stretch. This shows the Packers 441 00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 2: where the measuring stick is. It's not gonna get easier 442 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,920 Speaker 2: this week against Chicago. Chicago did what they were supposed 443 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 2: to do against the Bears, just completely walloped the Browns, 444 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:22,639 Speaker 2: which we'll talk about in a second. But now for 445 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:25,600 Speaker 2: Green Bay, the key is remembering, Okay, we did lose 446 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:28,400 Speaker 2: to this Denver Broncos team by eight points. We were 447 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 2: up on them by nine points. You know early in 448 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:35,119 Speaker 2: the third quarter. We can play with this type of competition. 449 00:22:35,400 --> 00:22:37,800 Speaker 2: The Packers have to keep that mindset. In addition to 450 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:40,680 Speaker 2: the fact, as Xavier McKinney talked about, as Rashaun Gary 451 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:43,120 Speaker 2: talked about the locker room afterwards, Packers had Super Bowl 452 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:48,080 Speaker 2: aspirations before Micah Parsons was in the building. They're playing 453 00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:50,879 Speaker 2: good football. They need to maintain those Super Bowl aspirations now. 454 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:52,600 Speaker 2: And if you want to make those thirteen games you 455 00:22:52,600 --> 00:22:56,080 Speaker 2: had Micah Parsons count, this is where you have to 456 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:58,640 Speaker 2: be able to cash in. You got three left. It's 457 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:00,719 Speaker 2: about making the playoffs. It's about winning the division. It's 458 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:03,280 Speaker 2: about getting the highest seed you possibly can and give 459 00:23:03,280 --> 00:23:04,920 Speaker 2: them yourself the best chance in January. 460 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, and we'll take a look at that landscape in 461 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:09,200 Speaker 1: just a moment. But we do need to pay some bills, 462 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:12,840 Speaker 1: so let's hear a word from our sponsors. Serious XMNFL 463 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:15,880 Speaker 1: Radio delivers hard hitting analysis and up to the minute 464 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:19,560 Speaker 1: NFL news that true football fanatics need twenty four to seven, 465 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:23,320 Speaker 1: three sixty five. 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Hey Packers fans, we 473 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:52,720 Speaker 1: always knew Lambeofield was a wonder but now it's official. 474 00:23:53,119 --> 00:23:56,119 Speaker 1: Learn more about all the wonders of Wisconsin at travel 475 00:23:56,160 --> 00:24:01,840 Speaker 1: Wisconsin dot com slash Wonders. Welcome to Packers Unscripted All 476 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:05,760 Speaker 1: right Wes. The Packers are now back in that spot 477 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:09,200 Speaker 1: where they are a half game behind the Chicago Bears 478 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:12,360 Speaker 1: in the NFC North standings. The rematch is at Soldier 479 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:18,800 Speaker 1: Field on Saturday night, so the winner obviously puts themselves 480 00:24:18,840 --> 00:24:22,360 Speaker 1: in the driver's seat for the division title with two 481 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:26,280 Speaker 1: games to go. The loser is most likely going to 482 00:24:26,359 --> 00:24:29,000 Speaker 1: be well, I guess I shouldn't say that, because if 483 00:24:29,040 --> 00:24:31,080 Speaker 1: the Packers lose, they fall a game and a half back, 484 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:33,320 Speaker 1: whereas if the Bears lose, they'll only be a half 485 00:24:33,359 --> 00:24:37,960 Speaker 1: game back. But as far as the playoff picture in general, 486 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:44,439 Speaker 1: the Packers scenario to clinch a playoff spot is very simple. 487 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:50,080 Speaker 1: Green Bay needs one more victory and a loss by 488 00:24:50,160 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 1: the Detroit Lions. That is how green Bay could clinch 489 00:24:53,359 --> 00:24:56,120 Speaker 1: a playoff spot this week is to beat the Bears 490 00:24:56,800 --> 00:25:00,199 Speaker 1: and then to have to have the Lions lose to 491 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:06,200 Speaker 1: the Steelers. So a reasonable scenario there for green Bay 492 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:09,520 Speaker 1: to clinch a playoff spot. But again, what we're seeing 493 00:25:09,560 --> 00:25:12,439 Speaker 1: in the NFC is just is this constant you know, 494 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:16,040 Speaker 1: topsy turviness. I mean, basically, in the last two weeks, 495 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:18,359 Speaker 1: the Packers have gone from the sixth spot yeah, to 496 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:21,080 Speaker 1: the two spot, now down to the seventh spot. The 497 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:23,480 Speaker 1: Bears have gone from the one spot down to the 498 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:29,240 Speaker 1: seventh spot and now up to the two spot. And yeah, oh, 499 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:33,639 Speaker 1: by the way, the NFC West. First place in the 500 00:25:33,720 --> 00:25:35,679 Speaker 1: NFC West is going to be on the line this 501 00:25:35,760 --> 00:25:38,080 Speaker 1: week because the Seahawks and the Rams are going to 502 00:25:38,119 --> 00:25:41,280 Speaker 1: be playing each other, and the winner of that game 503 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:44,440 Speaker 1: is pretty much in the driver's seat to get the 504 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:46,840 Speaker 1: number one overall seed and get that first dround by 505 00:25:46,920 --> 00:25:50,120 Speaker 1: in the NFC three games to go, still a lot 506 00:25:50,160 --> 00:25:54,439 Speaker 1: to be determined, But the Packers scenario to at least 507 00:25:54,600 --> 00:25:57,840 Speaker 1: assure themselves of getting into the postseason is pretty simple 508 00:25:57,920 --> 00:25:58,240 Speaker 1: right now. 509 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:01,359 Speaker 2: Yeah it is, And I cannot to keep bringing up 510 00:26:01,359 --> 00:26:03,680 Speaker 2: the thing about why I'm against the eighteen gamergo season. 511 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 2: You basically got six teams the NFC. They're already out 512 00:26:05,720 --> 00:26:07,960 Speaker 2: of the playoffs, right There's only ten that are kind 513 00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:11,160 Speaker 2: of really competing for a spot, and two of those 514 00:26:11,160 --> 00:26:13,199 Speaker 2: are because of just the division being as tight as 515 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:15,359 Speaker 2: it is right when you look at for different reasons. 516 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:17,280 Speaker 2: But you look at Tampa and Carolina Bolt sitting at 517 00:26:17,320 --> 00:26:20,000 Speaker 2: seven and seven, and then obviously the NFC North and 518 00:26:20,040 --> 00:26:22,119 Speaker 2: the competitiveness at the top of that, I think the West, 519 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:24,119 Speaker 2: regardless of who ends up winning, that you're probably going 520 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:25,840 Speaker 2: to see three of those teams in the postseason. I 521 00:26:25,840 --> 00:26:29,600 Speaker 2: think I remember, right, Seattle and San Francisco. I think 522 00:26:29,640 --> 00:26:31,880 Speaker 2: can just clinch with wins this week, I believe. 523 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 1: I think so. 524 00:26:34,119 --> 00:26:37,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's and just look at the Bears, right, the 525 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:38,720 Speaker 2: Bears were the number one seed, then they were the 526 00:26:38,720 --> 00:26:40,280 Speaker 2: seven seed. Now they're back to the two seed. This 527 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:42,720 Speaker 2: is what one loss to the Packers and one win 528 00:26:42,800 --> 00:26:45,479 Speaker 2: over a Downtroden Cleveland Browns team does for you. So 529 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:50,320 Speaker 2: and then you look at the Rams. We can go 530 00:26:50,359 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 2: through all the games, but I mean the Rams absolutely 531 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:55,600 Speaker 2: handed it to the Lions. Lions kept it close, but 532 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:59,120 Speaker 2: I mean like they're showing that when you're looking about 533 00:26:59,160 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 2: a team to identify itself as the top seed, as 534 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:05,160 Speaker 2: the top contender from a conference, I think the Rams 535 00:27:05,240 --> 00:27:07,560 Speaker 2: are checking all the boxes. And you and I were 536 00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:09,960 Speaker 2: discussing this on the way home, not that obviously you 537 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:11,919 Speaker 2: wanted the Packers wanted to win this game, but if 538 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 2: they weren't gonna win it, the answer that question that 539 00:27:14,520 --> 00:27:16,479 Speaker 2: you and I had last week about what the outcome 540 00:27:16,520 --> 00:27:19,160 Speaker 2: you wanted the Rams game to be probably is what 541 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:20,520 Speaker 2: it worked out in Green Bay's favor. 542 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:24,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, if the with the Packers losing, it definitely helped 543 00:27:24,080 --> 00:27:27,719 Speaker 1: the Packers that the Lions took another loss because it 544 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:32,119 Speaker 1: puts the Lions closer to elimination in that wild card race, 545 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:36,159 Speaker 1: with the Packers currently sitting in second in the NFC North. 546 00:27:36,840 --> 00:27:41,800 Speaker 1: Here's the crazy thing though, because and I wasn't following 547 00:27:41,880 --> 00:27:44,280 Speaker 1: it this closely, but I was sort of informed about 548 00:27:44,320 --> 00:27:48,720 Speaker 1: this yesterday, and I'm sure there were fans at home 549 00:27:48,760 --> 00:27:52,000 Speaker 1: watching on TV and scoreboard watching and all that. There 550 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:55,960 Speaker 1: was basically a moment late on Sunday afternoon where the 551 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:59,280 Speaker 1: Packers were up by nine in Denver, the Seahawks were 552 00:27:59,320 --> 00:28:03,280 Speaker 1: down by ten, and the Rams were down by ten 553 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:07,760 Speaker 1: to the Lions. It was you sort of look at that, 554 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:10,400 Speaker 1: if you freeze that moment in time, it's sort of like, well, 555 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 1: the number one seed for the Packers looks very much 556 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:17,080 Speaker 1: within reach here, right if if you know and then 557 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:20,480 Speaker 1: not only does the Packers game completely change, but then 558 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:23,440 Speaker 1: those other games also change and the favorites end up 559 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:26,400 Speaker 1: winning at home. I mean, the Seahawks ended up winning 560 00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:32,879 Speaker 1: without even scoring a touchdown, But that sets up the 561 00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:35,480 Speaker 1: big NFC West showdown this week, and then of course 562 00:28:35,520 --> 00:28:39,880 Speaker 1: there's another NFC North showdown with with the winner between 563 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:45,720 Speaker 1: the Packers and Bears retaking first place, and we'll see 564 00:28:45,720 --> 00:28:48,800 Speaker 1: what happens. The Packers have to, as I said before, 565 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:51,800 Speaker 1: it's regroup and readjust time and all that, and there's 566 00:28:51,800 --> 00:28:54,520 Speaker 1: not a whole lot of time to do it on 567 00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:56,880 Speaker 1: a short week with a Saturday night game on the road. 568 00:28:56,880 --> 00:28:59,480 Speaker 1: I mean, here we are, it's already Tuesday, and you 569 00:28:59,560 --> 00:29:01,520 Speaker 1: and I are jumping on a plane on Friday to 570 00:29:01,560 --> 00:29:04,840 Speaker 1: go to Chicago, right, So it's all it's all happening 571 00:29:04,880 --> 00:29:10,320 Speaker 1: pretty fast. But yeah, the games for the Packers just 572 00:29:10,360 --> 00:29:14,600 Speaker 1: have only gotten bigger and bigger ever since they started 573 00:29:14,680 --> 00:29:17,240 Speaker 1: winning and putting themselves in this position. The games keep 574 00:29:17,280 --> 00:29:20,280 Speaker 1: getting larger, and this game on Saturday night is bigger, 575 00:29:20,360 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 1: is certainly bigger than the one they just played it. 576 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:24,400 Speaker 2: Was, and it's just it's it's a partially you know, 577 00:29:24,520 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 2: kind of laying in the bed that you made for 578 00:29:26,320 --> 00:29:28,880 Speaker 2: yourself a little bit, I mean. And then the other 579 00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:31,840 Speaker 2: aspect is is a double bladed sword, right, a double 580 00:29:31,920 --> 00:29:34,600 Speaker 2: edged sword at a little bit with this last year 581 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:37,520 Speaker 2: the Packers made the playoffs, on the strength of sweeping 582 00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:40,160 Speaker 2: the AFC. It went five and oh against EFC last year. 583 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:42,080 Speaker 2: They're two and two this year, and they haven't gotten 584 00:29:42,080 --> 00:29:44,160 Speaker 2: a whole heck of a lot of help. When the 585 00:29:44,160 --> 00:29:46,720 Speaker 2: AFC has had those crossover games with the division with 586 00:29:46,720 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 2: they've had crossover games with the conference in the NFC 587 00:29:49,720 --> 00:29:53,320 Speaker 2: in general. So this was another example that I mean, 588 00:29:53,640 --> 00:29:56,240 Speaker 2: Cleveland went into Chicago and you know, people can say 589 00:29:56,240 --> 00:29:58,240 Speaker 2: whatever they want about shid Or Sanders and his pass 590 00:29:58,320 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 2: rain in a game, it looked to me like that 591 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:01,600 Speaker 2: was the only I wanted to play out there for 592 00:30:01,680 --> 00:30:06,720 Speaker 2: the Browns. I mean, Judkins had twenty past what do 593 00:30:06,800 --> 00:30:09,200 Speaker 2: you had twenty rushing yards on twelve carries or something 594 00:30:09,240 --> 00:30:12,040 Speaker 2: like that. I mean, like, it's just that weather, those circumstances, 595 00:30:12,040 --> 00:30:14,160 Speaker 2: Cleveland just looked like they wanted nothing to do with it. 596 00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:17,080 Speaker 1: And that's what and that's certainly what can happen this 597 00:30:17,120 --> 00:30:20,800 Speaker 1: time of year when when the weather conditions are bad, yeah, 598 00:30:20,840 --> 00:30:22,840 Speaker 1: and a team is out of it, like you know, 599 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:26,040 Speaker 1: I mean, yeah, if if Cleveland somehow had started that 600 00:30:26,080 --> 00:30:28,240 Speaker 1: game with a quick touchdown or gotten say a ten 601 00:30:28,280 --> 00:30:30,200 Speaker 1: to nothing lead, but as soon as you know, the 602 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 1: Bears had two touchdowns on the board fairly quickly, it 603 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,400 Speaker 1: was fourteen to nothing, and you just kind of figured, 604 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:37,880 Speaker 1: all right, yeap, Cleveland. I mean, it's it's freezing cold 605 00:30:37,880 --> 00:30:40,760 Speaker 1: and windy and crappy weather and all that, and Cleveland's 606 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:42,920 Speaker 1: probably just going to fold up their tents. And as 607 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:45,720 Speaker 1: you said, other than other than Shedar Sanders trying to 608 00:30:45,760 --> 00:30:48,800 Speaker 1: do whatever he can to establish himself for the future, 609 00:30:49,560 --> 00:30:51,440 Speaker 1: Cleveland really didn't put up any kind of a fight. 610 00:30:51,560 --> 00:30:53,640 Speaker 2: And then obviously you tip your cap to Philip Rivers 611 00:30:53,680 --> 00:30:55,880 Speaker 2: and what he did against Seattle. They led that game 612 00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:58,080 Speaker 2: pretty much the entire time up, but you know. 613 00:30:58,240 --> 00:31:00,440 Speaker 1: And then and then took the lead on a sixty 614 00:31:00,520 --> 00:31:03,280 Speaker 1: yard field goal with like forty five seconds left, like 615 00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:05,000 Speaker 1: it was looking like they were going to be able 616 00:31:05,040 --> 00:31:08,400 Speaker 1: to they're gonna be able to win it. But yeah, 617 00:31:08,520 --> 00:31:12,760 Speaker 1: field goal number six for Jason Myers of Seattle wins 618 00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:13,800 Speaker 1: it for the Seahawks. 619 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:16,240 Speaker 2: And then I'll end on this. You want to talk 620 00:31:16,240 --> 00:31:18,560 Speaker 2: about playing some inspired football though, and also just the 621 00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:23,560 Speaker 2: calamity of the NFC South, you know, Tyler Shuck and 622 00:31:23,800 --> 00:31:27,440 Speaker 2: the Saints and then the Atlanta Falcons knocking off Tampa 623 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:30,320 Speaker 2: Bay on Thursday Night football both of those teams. Man, 624 00:31:30,400 --> 00:31:32,600 Speaker 2: don't tell them the season's over. I mean they're playing 625 00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:34,320 Speaker 2: for something. I mean, Kirk Cousins, you could tell what 626 00:31:34,440 --> 00:31:37,120 Speaker 2: that win meant for him, the game winning field goal, 627 00:31:37,200 --> 00:31:41,160 Speaker 2: beating the Buccaneers and then New Orleans. I mean they 628 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:46,720 Speaker 2: are whatever. I think, the talent issues, the depth issues 629 00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:50,600 Speaker 2: that they're working through. You can tell that Kellen Moore's 630 00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:53,720 Speaker 2: messages resonating with that locker room. They are fighting. Yeah, 631 00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:58,400 Speaker 2: and Carolina continues to be this circling around five hundred 632 00:31:58,440 --> 00:32:00,560 Speaker 2: team that has moments of brilliance and then and then 633 00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:03,600 Speaker 2: moments of like they had really on Sunday. 634 00:32:03,720 --> 00:32:06,720 Speaker 1: Yeah. The last two weeks, the New Orleans Saints have 635 00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:10,200 Speaker 1: beaten their two division rivals that they've been looking up 636 00:32:10,520 --> 00:32:13,800 Speaker 1: in the standings all season long, beating Tampa Bay and 637 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:15,880 Speaker 1: then Carolina and back to back games. And you just 638 00:32:15,960 --> 00:32:19,280 Speaker 1: said it. Do not sleep on what Kellen Moore might 639 00:32:19,360 --> 00:32:23,280 Speaker 1: be building in New Orleans, because I give you know 640 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:25,280 Speaker 1: they I mean, what were they two and ten just 641 00:32:25,400 --> 00:32:29,680 Speaker 1: two weeks ago, and they're looking like they're looking like 642 00:32:29,800 --> 00:32:32,840 Speaker 1: a team that is building something for the future with 643 00:32:32,960 --> 00:32:35,800 Speaker 1: a new coach, a young coach, first time a head coach, 644 00:32:36,240 --> 00:32:38,200 Speaker 1: and yeah, they've got a lot of work to do 645 00:32:38,320 --> 00:32:41,120 Speaker 1: in New Orleans, but they're sending a message right now 646 00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:44,280 Speaker 1: to their division that that hey, we're gonna we're gonna 647 00:32:44,280 --> 00:32:46,160 Speaker 1: be in this thing right away next year. 648 00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:48,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, and then you look at the rest of their schedule, Jets, Titans, Falcons, 649 00:32:48,840 --> 00:32:50,440 Speaker 2: they could be a seven and ten team that goes 650 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:53,800 Speaker 2: forward to in their division. Interesting. 651 00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:59,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, for sure. Well, we will preview Packers Bears Saturday night. 652 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:02,280 Speaker 1: We will preview it later this week. The game will 653 00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:05,120 Speaker 1: be on Saturday night from Soldier Field, and we'll do 654 00:33:05,240 --> 00:33:07,400 Speaker 1: that on our next show, but for now, we'll call 655 00:33:07,440 --> 00:33:09,320 Speaker 1: it a rap on this edition of Packers on Script. 656 00:33:09,400 --> 00:33:11,880 Speaker 1: It'd be sure to follow all of our coverage of 657 00:33:11,960 --> 00:33:15,920 Speaker 1: the team continually on Packers dot com for Westsimmike, thank 658 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:18,360 Speaker 1: you for tuning in everybody. We will see you next time.