1 00:00:01,520 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, Welcome to Packers unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford sitting next to my trusted colleague 3 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 1: West Hodkowitz. Were coming to you here from our studios 4 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:24,120 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field and West It is almost here. Packers 5 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: forty Niners will be Sunday night, seven pm Central Time 6 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: kickoff from Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California, our final 7 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: show of the week on Friday, and that means keys 8 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 1: to victory for the Green Bay Packers. Where do you 9 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:41,560 Speaker 1: want to start with this one? Well, okay, so Matt 10 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 1: Mike Patton had a great line when he was talking 11 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: to reporters on Thursday evening asked about all these injuries 12 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 1: that the San Francisco forty Niners have and basically how 13 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:51,159 Speaker 1: you game plan for it? He said, you have to 14 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: game plan for everything. You can't like allow yourself to 15 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:56,640 Speaker 1: not think that certain players is going to be there 16 00:00:56,640 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 1: and then you're playing catch up. You gotta be able 17 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: to scheme for everything. Oh, George Kittle is probably the 18 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:06,120 Speaker 1: ultimate part of that, right. Kittle had not practiced for 19 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 1: two weeks. Over two weeks and then actually returned to 20 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 1: practice on Thursday when they went into pads in a 21 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 1: limited capacity. This guy is probably the best in the 22 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 1: game right now. Matt la Floor touched on it as 23 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: well this week. You have to find a way to 24 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 1: stop him. So I look at the San Francisco offense 25 00:01:23,920 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 1: and and certainly Jimmy Garoppolo is a force to be feared. 26 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,039 Speaker 1: He showed he could win a football game what he 27 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:32,319 Speaker 1: needs to when the auxiliary parts are not there for him. 28 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 1: But San Francisco, what they do well in these condensed 29 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: formations is running the football and getting the ball to 30 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 1: Kittle and the guys in the middle of the field. 31 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:41,560 Speaker 1: Those are the two outlets this defense has to shut down. 32 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: And there's a lot of work to do for Green Bay. 33 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 1: It's one thing to say that, it's another thing to 34 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:49,559 Speaker 1: put that into practicality. They had some issues. They sat back, 35 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 1: they looked at the explosive plays that they allowed during 36 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: the bye week, and now they're trying to find some 37 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 1: answers for it. This is as tough as a test 38 00:01:57,320 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: as the Packers are going to get in terms of 39 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 1: the offense to tacks the middle of the field, and 40 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: they have to be ready for Yeah, I mean, it 41 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 1: sounds kind of crazy with Jimmy Garoppolo coming off of 42 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: a four hundred yard four touchdown game. To sit here 43 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:13,519 Speaker 1: and say the Packers need to put the ball in 44 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 1: Jimmy Garoppolo's hands, but I really think that's what they 45 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 1: have to do, because if if you don't slow down 46 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 1: this running game, and we'll see if Matt Brita is 47 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 1: going to play or not. But even if he doesn't, 48 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 1: you still got Tevin Coleman and or he Moster to 49 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 1: deal with in the backfield. They've They've got multiple guys 50 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,239 Speaker 1: that they will go to regardless. I just think if 51 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 1: if the Packers cannot slow down the running game, it's 52 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: not gonna matter that much the whole Garoppolo and Kittle 53 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: and everything. And like I say, it sounds kind of 54 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: crazy to say that, because if George Kittle is back, 55 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:44,919 Speaker 1: Jimmy Garoppolo coming off of a four d yard four 56 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 1: touchdown game without a weapon like that, um, he obviously 57 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:52,639 Speaker 1: can be extremely dangerous in the passing game. But I 58 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:54,519 Speaker 1: think the Packers have to try to turn this into 59 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:56,920 Speaker 1: a passing game for the Fortys in order to beat them, 60 00:02:56,960 --> 00:03:00,160 Speaker 1: because if they pound away on the ground, I think 61 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 1: it becomes a really, really long day for the Packers defense, 62 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:04,799 Speaker 1: it's like a boxing match, right. I mean, a guy 63 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 1: might have a good uppercut, but if you got to 64 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:09,800 Speaker 1: watch out for their their left hook, that's where you 65 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:12,000 Speaker 1: have to you know, neutralize that and then you know, 66 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:14,519 Speaker 1: hope you defend the rest of it well enough. That's 67 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:18,840 Speaker 1: what the present. They have a multiple different variations of 68 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 1: how they can hurt you offensively. Garoppolo is a part 69 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:23,200 Speaker 1: of that and Kindles a part of that, but they 70 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 1: can really do damage if they get that second rank 71 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 1: run defense going early and often. They had to make 72 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: some modifications here. Brita is a big part of their 73 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 1: home run potential of that offense. Most Dirt has been 74 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: a guy that's filled in there the last two years 75 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:40,200 Speaker 1: and done a nice job and kept himself in that rotation. 76 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:42,839 Speaker 1: Tevin Coleman is the guy that between the tackles will 77 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 1: continue to punch you in the mouth every single play 78 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 1: if you let him. Arizona sold out to a certain extent. 79 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 1: They were fundamentally sound and how they were able to 80 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:54,160 Speaker 1: defend that running game the last two weeks. I think 81 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 1: what green they has to do is keep a similar 82 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 1: mentality with that and even if Garoppolo gets some yards. 83 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:01,440 Speaker 1: And I understand people want to give up a hundred 84 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 1: passing yards a game. I get it. But if you 85 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 1: put the ball out there, that puts the ball in jeopardy. 86 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 1: It allows your playmakers and your ball ball hawks to 87 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 1: potentially get a takeaway, a game changing turnover. That's the 88 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 1: area for success here, because if they're looking at a 89 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:21,360 Speaker 1: bunch of second and favorable third and favorables, that's when 90 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 1: the teeth really start to show. With Kittle and with Deebo, 91 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 1: Samuel Emmanuel Sanders in that passing game, that's what they 92 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 1: can really hurt you. Yeah, well, turnovers we will certainly 93 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: be a factor here in this game as well. And 94 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 1: as I said in Insider Inbox, I don't know if 95 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 1: the Packers necessarily have to win the turnover battle in 96 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 1: order to win the game, but I don't think they 97 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:42,920 Speaker 1: can lose the turnover battle. You at least have to 98 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 1: be able to break even here and not give that 99 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 1: forty nine or defense with the twenty two takeaways a 100 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:50,599 Speaker 1: big edge, any kind of an edge really in the 101 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 1: takeaway battle. Garoppolos thrown ten interceptions. As I say, if 102 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 1: the Packers can put the ball in his hands, maybe 103 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:59,840 Speaker 1: you do get a pick a deflected pass, I means 104 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,600 Speaker 1: something that can turn the tide there. What what are 105 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:06,840 Speaker 1: your thoughts on the whole turner turnover equation heading into 106 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: this one. You gotta take care of business, and you're right, 107 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 1: I don't know if it comes down to is it's 108 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 1: as simple as okay. If the Packers win the turnover 109 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 1: margin or they lose the turnover margin, that's gonna be 110 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: the difference in the ball game. These are two really 111 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 1: good football teams. There's gonna be a lot of things 112 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 1: in play, time of possession, red zone offense, third down efficiency, 113 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:26,480 Speaker 1: all those things are going to weigh out of ultimately 114 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:29,599 Speaker 1: determined a victor in this game. But turnovers are huge 115 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:32,599 Speaker 1: and San Francisco knows how to play through them. But 116 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:35,920 Speaker 1: they also generate a lot too. They get a lot 117 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,360 Speaker 1: of pressure on the quarterback and that allows those guys 118 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: in the secondary to be able to take advantage of it. 119 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:44,119 Speaker 1: Richard Sherman three interceptions this year, returning to form after 120 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 1: some you know, nasty and early injuries the last few seasons. 121 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:50,560 Speaker 1: That's gonna be a big battle against Davante Adams. But 122 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:53,599 Speaker 1: for the Green Bay Packers, they do protect the ball 123 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:55,840 Speaker 1: pretty well and they take it away. And if you can, 124 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:57,919 Speaker 1: you and I can discuss this, we can have a 125 00:05:57,920 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 1: three hour show where we talk about what the Packers 126 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: have done right and what they've done wrong this season. 127 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:04,719 Speaker 1: The biggest area, number one, right at the top of 128 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,120 Speaker 1: the pyramid is the fact that they've won those turnovers 129 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 1: and they've been able to maintain momentum and capitalize when 130 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: they've gotten those takeaways. There has to be that element 131 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 1: of this game. I don't care if it's five, I 132 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 1: don't care if it's one, but you probably got to 133 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: generate a touchdown off a takeaway here to be able 134 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:23,040 Speaker 1: to keep pace with what San Francisco offers. Yeah, because 135 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,360 Speaker 1: they're not going to give you a lot opportunities defensively. Yeah, No, 136 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:28,599 Speaker 1: I agree with you there. I agree entirely offensively for 137 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:31,600 Speaker 1: the Packers to when you talk about a game, you're 138 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 1: going into thinking that against this defense, you're only going 139 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 1: to get so many shots. You're only going to get 140 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: so many bites at the apple, so to speak. If 141 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 1: the Packers are going to clean up the penalties, the 142 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,919 Speaker 1: false starts, the delayed games, the holding penalties, the things 143 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:48,720 Speaker 1: that have that have set them back and prevented them 144 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:52,159 Speaker 1: from being as efficient offensively as I think we've seen 145 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 1: that they can be. This is the game to do that, 146 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: because um it will opportunities will be difficult to come 147 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:03,159 Speaker 1: and if you get behind the chains against this defense, 148 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,160 Speaker 1: this pass rush, I mean a pass rush that gets 149 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:08,880 Speaker 1: the job done with four that doesn't have to send 150 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: a whole lot of blitzes and whatnot. They can rush 151 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,880 Speaker 1: for and cover seven all night long against Aaron Rodgers, 152 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 1: they can make things difficult. So you don't want to. 153 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 1: You can't turn your second and fours into second and 154 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 1: nines with a false start, is what I'm saying, because 155 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 1: that will really really cost you against this defense. Yeah, 156 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 1: and and that's what really sticks out to me in 157 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 1: this game is that the areas where Green Bay has 158 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,600 Speaker 1: wanted to make improvements and where they need to make 159 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 1: improvements in the second half of the season, all of 160 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 1: them are going to be tested against San Francisco. When 161 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 1: you look at how they can attack the middle of 162 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 1: the field, When you look at how defensively they are 163 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 1: able to get home with pressure and not having to 164 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 1: send that extra man, even being able to keep guys 165 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 1: back play solid coverage, be up on their fundamentals. That's 166 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 1: why San Francisco is where they is where they are. 167 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: Excuse me there, you guys, what is either way? Uh? 168 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:58,560 Speaker 1: And Matt Lafleur discussed it this week too. They are 169 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 1: a couple of plays away from me an a tenant 170 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 1: old football team going into this thing. They are dangerous, volatile, 171 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:08,800 Speaker 1: and they can find different ways to make you submit 172 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 1: in certain ways. And I think that's why they've been 173 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: able to win, you know, the games that they have 174 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 1: in these recent weeks when maybe they're giving up a 175 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: few more points, is because they're resilient enough to be 176 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 1: able to find ways to do that. And that's actually 177 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: real testament to them because when you just are holding 178 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 1: teams to load mount of points, few amount of yards, 179 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: it's difficult when you start to give those up to 180 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 1: be able to just find that calling card again and 181 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: revert back to it. San Francisco has done that. And 182 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:39,680 Speaker 1: the other area that I'm very fascinated to watch how 183 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 1: this thing plays out is that they just don't give 184 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 1: the opposition a lot of free passes. Whether it is 185 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:49,319 Speaker 1: the takeaways, whether it is the penalties. They played pretty 186 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: clean football for how many weeks did you hear me? 187 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:52,640 Speaker 1: Come on the show, I can talk about them being 188 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 1: the big fundamental And there were a lot of pundits 189 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:58,120 Speaker 1: out there, I'm not going to name names that wanted 190 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 1: to talk about the Saints. They want to talk about Seattle, 191 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: they wanted to talk about these Everybody kind of just 192 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: overlooks San Francisco for some reason. And I was sitting there, going, Guys, 193 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:10,199 Speaker 1: this team right now now. They might not have Drew Brees, 194 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 1: they might not have these superstars that jump off the pageio, 195 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 1: but kind of like those early two thousand tens forty 196 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:19,800 Speaker 1: Niners teams, they just got a bunch of guys that 197 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:23,080 Speaker 1: do their jobs really well and that is what has 198 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:24,679 Speaker 1: put them in a position right now to be at 199 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:26,959 Speaker 1: the top spot in the NFC. Yeah, there are a 200 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 1: lot of interesting matchups in this game as we look 201 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 1: ahead to You already mentioned Davante Adams against Richard Sherman. 202 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 1: We're certainly going to see that affair amount. David Baktiari 203 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:41,400 Speaker 1: will be against Nick Bosa um the second go round 204 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:45,960 Speaker 1: with with Abosa brother for the Packers this season, Um 205 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,440 Speaker 1: Joe Staley if he plays for the forty owners, he 206 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:51,719 Speaker 1: is on the injury report, and also Mike McGlinchey, their 207 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 1: other offensive tackle. Those two guys against the Smiths. Uh, 208 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:57,720 Speaker 1: you know for the Packers on the edge, Um, is 209 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 1: there one of those types of matchups in this game 210 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 1: that jumps off the page at you the most. Well, 211 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 1: first off, it's definitely the left tackle situation for the 212 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 1: forty niners. If you know you're in a position where 213 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:09,719 Speaker 1: Staley still not able to come back and he has 214 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 1: not yet returned to practice here, well, then that becomes 215 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: an area that you think, you know, Mike Patton is 216 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 1: gonna look towards to potentially generate some pressure and opportunities. 217 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 1: Eighteen and a half sacks for the Smiths coming into 218 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 1: this game, and I'm sure you know, not even just 219 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:25,120 Speaker 1: lining them up across from left tackle, but just being 220 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 1: able to move those guys around and be unpredictable. That 221 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: could be a big key for them. I also think 222 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 1: it really does come down if George Kittle is playing 223 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:34,200 Speaker 1: this game, how you defend him? Is that Ibraheim Campbell 224 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 1: who played forty two snaps against Carolina? Is he your 225 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:40,560 Speaker 1: best option? There? Is it having Adrian Amos trail him 226 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:42,960 Speaker 1: a little bit? Is it a guy like Tremont Williams 227 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:46,199 Speaker 1: and in certain situations, it's going to be the inside linebackers, 228 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 1: or or are you flat out doubling George Kittle every 229 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: time he's on the field, and you're counting on Alexander 230 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:56,040 Speaker 1: and King and Tremont Williams for that matter, to match 231 00:10:56,120 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 1: up one on one with Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel 232 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 1: and whoever else is out there. Maybe that's the approach, 233 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:05,520 Speaker 1: because because Kittle is just that dynamic, he changes, he 234 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 1: changes games so much. When he gets gone, well, he 235 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:10,200 Speaker 1: loves you, right, I mean, the reason why he had 236 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:12,079 Speaker 1: as many yards as he did last year is because 237 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,640 Speaker 1: he's so darn effective and first in ten and being 238 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 1: able to to get the yardage and keep the chains moving. 239 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:19,440 Speaker 1: But then every once in a while he breaks that 240 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 1: big play that can be such a big difference. And 241 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:24,680 Speaker 1: that's what stands out to me about this. Kyle Shanahan 242 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:29,840 Speaker 1: offense bunch formations, condense formations, motions, misdirections, things that challenge 243 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 1: the communication of a defense. And then, oh, by the way, 244 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 1: once the ball is actually snapped. They have so many 245 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 1: different guys with so many different skill sets that are 246 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 1: going to stress you in split second decision situations where 247 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: if you fall behind, They're going to be able to 248 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:46,320 Speaker 1: get the necessary timing for Jimmy Garoppolo to get the 249 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 1: ball out. So that that's the area that I think 250 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:52,320 Speaker 1: Kittle has just been exceptional. And it doesn't even really 251 00:11:52,320 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 1: matter who the quarterback has been for San Francisco, he 252 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:59,200 Speaker 1: still is just always accountable, always available, and the best friend, Mike. 253 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: I don't care how good your receivers are. I don't 254 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 1: care how good your running backs are. The best friend 255 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: for a quarterback is a dynamic tight end that makes 256 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 1: himself available in the middle of the field. You've seen 257 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:12,679 Speaker 1: it since the beginning of time with this league, ever 258 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 1: since that that position was created. You've seen it with 259 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:18,320 Speaker 1: this offense. In particular, when the tight ends get going. 260 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,680 Speaker 1: George Kittle is the guy. He has been the guy 261 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,839 Speaker 1: for the last few seasons. And along with stopping the 262 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 1: run and not allowing them to leak and get those 263 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:30,160 Speaker 1: extra yards and have the favorable down and distance, you 264 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 1: have to find a way, regardless of who the player 265 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:35,120 Speaker 1: is or what number it gets, you know, called upon, 266 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: to be able to find a way to stop him. Yeah. Well, 267 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 1: as we've been talking about all week, this is a 268 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 1: big one. Forty are nine and one. The Packers are 269 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,520 Speaker 1: eight and two. You look at what else is going 270 00:12:45,559 --> 00:12:49,960 Speaker 1: on around the NFL in Week twelve. If I've got 271 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 1: that bio always messes you, Yeah, well it messes me 272 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:59,080 Speaker 1: up to I'm getting older. But the New Orleans Saints 273 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:01,920 Speaker 1: also eight and two. The Seattle Seahawks also eight into. 274 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 1: The Minnesota Vikings are eight and three. They are on 275 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:08,040 Speaker 1: their bye week, and the Vikings and the Viking fans 276 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 1: will be sitting on their couches on Sunday night hoping 277 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 1: that they'll be going back to work on Monday in 278 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 1: a tie for first place in the NFC North if 279 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:18,640 Speaker 1: the forty Niners beat the Packers. The Packers, of course 280 00:13:18,720 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 1: trying to maintain that one game lead on Minnesota in 281 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:29,800 Speaker 1: the division. The game that was flexed out of the 282 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:33,600 Speaker 1: Sunday night game, which as the Packers and Forday Nights 283 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:38,359 Speaker 1: took this slot, was Seattle on the road at Philadelphia. 284 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,240 Speaker 1: Now the Philadelphia Eagles, you talk about a talented team 285 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 1: that has had injuries and ups and downs and everything else. 286 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:48,440 Speaker 1: They they are five and five. They have looked like 287 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: a five and five team. They've just say they've ridden 288 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 1: the roller coaster all season long. But they're playing at home. 289 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 1: We all know, you know, there are some strange statistics 290 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 1: about West Coast teams playing in the Eastern time zone 291 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 1: at that one o'clock Eastern because that's you know, ten 292 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: am Pacific for a kickoff for those teams. So that'll 293 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:09,760 Speaker 1: be interesting here. And the Seahawks are coming off of 294 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 1: their by, but they were in some dog fights the 295 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 1: last couple of games before there by. They had to 296 00:14:15,440 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 1: go to overtime to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they 297 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 1: went to overtime to beat the San Francisco forty Niners. 298 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: This is a really interesting game to me. Philadelphia wanting 299 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: to try to keep pace with Dallas in the NFC 300 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: East in a division race that's still very much up 301 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 1: for grabs, and the Seahawks, much like the Vikings, they're 302 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 1: going to be hoping that if they can get a 303 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 1: win and the Packers get a win, then the Seahawks 304 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 1: will would be in first place with the Niners in 305 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:43,040 Speaker 1: the NFC West, kind of like with the Cardinals and 306 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 1: what I was talking about this week. I mentioned it 307 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 1: more in inbox than I did on the show, where 308 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:48,080 Speaker 1: the Cardinals are probably gonn end up being a seven 309 00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 1: and nine, eight and eight team that I want nothing 310 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 1: to do with. The Philadelphia Eagles are one of those 311 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:55,800 Speaker 1: teams too, because they can play with anybody in this league. 312 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 1: And the tough thing is, I think sometimes people have 313 00:14:58,960 --> 00:15:01,160 Speaker 1: a hard time rationalized in this because there is only 314 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 1: six playoff spots needs conference. Good teams can be eight 315 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 1: and eight, like you can actually be a good team 316 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:09,480 Speaker 1: that is eight and eight. Heck, maybe even seven and 317 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:11,680 Speaker 1: nine on occasion, just when the ball doesn't bounce a 318 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 1: certain way where you just don't get up for certain games. 319 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:16,720 Speaker 1: Philadelphia has sort of been one of those teams, and 320 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 1: not just this year, the last couple of seasons. You know, 321 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:20,880 Speaker 1: a team that's just always been hovering right around five 322 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 1: hundred but can play with the best of them. The 323 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:26,520 Speaker 1: two most compelling matchups for me, outside of obviously this 324 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 1: game that did give flex of Sunday Night Football are 325 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 1: Seattle traveling to Philadelphia for the reasons that you outlined, 326 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:33,760 Speaker 1: and then also the Carolina Panthers happy to go to 327 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 1: the Superdome to face New Orleans Saints. Both the Eagles 328 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:38,600 Speaker 1: and the Panthers are five and five. They are on 329 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: the precipice here of trying to stay in the race 330 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:44,280 Speaker 1: for the playoffs there and they're in danger in in 331 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 1: a loaded NFC, they're in danger. You pick up your 332 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:51,280 Speaker 1: sixth loss before Thanksgiving, you're in danger of falling out 333 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 1: of it entirely. And you know, Mike McCarthy always talked 334 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:55,200 Speaker 1: about you need to be ten and six and then 335 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: you can start talking about playoffs. And in order to 336 00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:00,680 Speaker 1: be able to be contend and actually be a legitimate 337 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:03,600 Speaker 1: playoff team, you have to beat teams that are not 338 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:06,360 Speaker 1: only seeming destined for the playoffs, but teams that are 339 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:08,160 Speaker 1: going to contend for a Super Bowl here, They're gonna 340 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:10,640 Speaker 1: contend for an NFC championship. They're going to make that 341 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:13,560 Speaker 1: push once the calendar turns to two thousand twenty. So 342 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:16,360 Speaker 1: for Philadelphia, this is a gut check. It's a gut 343 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 1: check for Carson Wentz. Can he be the quarterback weekend 344 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 1: and week out that they need him to be. You know, 345 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 1: what is their identity running the ball? Is it Jordan Howard? 346 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: Is Jordan Howard going to be available? I mean, like 347 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:29,240 Speaker 1: there's all these different things that they have to check off, 348 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 1: because while they are talented, just always seems like they've 349 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 1: just come up one or two plays short from being 350 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:36,640 Speaker 1: the team that I think everybody expecting to be. I 351 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 1: me personally going into the year, I thought, with Carson 352 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: Wentz back, this is going to be the champion in 353 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 1: that division. I don't care. You know. There was all 354 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:46,560 Speaker 1: the mess and situations and talk and what was going 355 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 1: on in Dallas and Zeke Elliott was even gonna play 356 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 1: when when when we saw the Eagles at lambeau Field 357 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 1: in week four and again this is the Eagles riding 358 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 1: the roller coaster. They look to me like they would 359 00:16:56,760 --> 00:16:59,680 Speaker 1: win the NFC East in week four, I thought, you know, okay, 360 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 1: this this team is going to put it together. They're 361 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:04,920 Speaker 1: gonna get rolling. It hasn't happened. Now, hasn't happened for 362 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:07,440 Speaker 1: the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East either. They are 363 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:09,680 Speaker 1: six and four. They have to go on that they 364 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:11,439 Speaker 1: have to go on the road to New England. So 365 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 1: if you're the Eagles here, you you look at this, 366 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 1: You look at this and go, okay, we're five and 367 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:18,360 Speaker 1: five after ten games. We don't really like where we are, 368 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:20,560 Speaker 1: but hey, you know what if we can win at 369 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:23,760 Speaker 1: home against a playoff contender in Seattle, and if the 370 00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 1: Cowboys go out to Foxboro and get beat You're sitting 371 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:29,760 Speaker 1: there tied six and five with the Dallas Cowboys for 372 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:31,879 Speaker 1: the lead in the NFC East with five games to go, 373 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:33,920 Speaker 1: and they have one more head to head matchup coming 374 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:37,720 Speaker 1: up later this season as well. So um, for all 375 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:40,160 Speaker 1: of the ups and downs that the Eagles have gone through, 376 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:43,239 Speaker 1: they are absolutely right in this thing, especially if they 377 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:46,080 Speaker 1: can get a win over Seattle and another. True, the 378 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 1: reality is there's a very good chance that that team 379 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:50,320 Speaker 1: that wins that division could very well end up being 380 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:52,880 Speaker 1: nine and seven, eight and eights. So you gotta keep 381 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:54,959 Speaker 1: yourself in that. But if they do, whoever it is, 382 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 1: you get a home game in the playoffs because you're 383 00:17:57,040 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 1: a division champs, right, So I mean in Seattle Seahawks 384 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 1: with the six and ten record or whatever it was, Yes, 385 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 1: they were, they were seven and nine, and they beat 386 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:08,959 Speaker 1: the they beat the New Orleans Saints. Just get in. 387 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 1: You never know. That's what makes this week so interesting though, 388 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 1: because there are a lot of bad football games, but 389 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:18,120 Speaker 1: there's really like five or six that have just these 390 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:20,639 Speaker 1: incredible implications for the rest of the season. When we 391 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:23,400 Speaker 1: talked about the Panthers trying to stay with an arm's reach, 392 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:25,400 Speaker 1: of the Saints as they run away with that division. 393 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:28,240 Speaker 1: You got the Jaguars and the Titans both hovering around five. 394 00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:31,639 Speaker 1: They're trying to, you know, take something with this. The 395 00:18:31,680 --> 00:18:34,880 Speaker 1: Oakland Raiders need to beat the New York Jets here 396 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 1: to be seven and four. The Oakland Raiders could be 397 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 1: seven and four. Can they need to beat the New 398 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:42,159 Speaker 1: York Jets who suddenly started winning some football games. And 399 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:45,159 Speaker 1: then finally again where this thing just keeps getting more 400 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:47,719 Speaker 1: and more difficult for the l A Rams. You know, 401 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 1: you got Seattle, you have San Francisco. In order to 402 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:53,760 Speaker 1: avoid six and four, you have to beat the hottest 403 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:57,440 Speaker 1: team in the NFL, in the Baltimore Ravens. Good luck. Yeah, 404 00:18:57,480 --> 00:19:00,160 Speaker 1: that's uh that that's that's an interesting one. Baltimore are 405 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 1: traveling cross country out to l A to play the Rams. 406 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 1: The Rams coming off of a victory over the Chicago Bears, 407 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:08,399 Speaker 1: but a victory that a lot of people said, you know, 408 00:19:08,480 --> 00:19:10,879 Speaker 1: you didn't really look all that good. You got the win. Yeah, 409 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 1: but you know this Baltimore Ravens team coming in very 410 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:16,640 Speaker 1: different offense than the one that the Rams faced with 411 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:18,919 Speaker 1: the Mitch Drabinsky and the Chicago Bears. So that's an 412 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:22,159 Speaker 1: intriguing one. And for anyone out there in the Nation's Capital, 413 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:24,840 Speaker 1: I hear Lions Redskins you can get tickets on the 414 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:27,920 Speaker 1: secondary market for like five bucks for that. Yeah, that's 415 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:32,200 Speaker 1: what I heard. So that's out there. Not that that's 416 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:34,520 Speaker 1: a great note to close on the thing with Washington 417 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:39,200 Speaker 1: right now. Yeah, Washington. With Detroit having their backup quarterback, 418 00:19:39,280 --> 00:19:42,040 Speaker 1: and I mean it's that that's uh, that's one of 419 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:44,959 Speaker 1: those that's that's down on the list this week. As 420 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,000 Speaker 1: you said, it's sort of a it's a slate of 421 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 1: you got a handful of games that it seems like 422 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:50,959 Speaker 1: nobody's really going to care about, but then you've got 423 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: a handful of games that are really really intriguing on 424 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:55,720 Speaker 1: the schedule. It is funny though. I mean, Pittsburgh is 425 00:19:55,720 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: going to owen ten Cincinnati, Yeah, Dolphins are playing the Browns. Great. 426 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:03,840 Speaker 1: Uh yeah, the Bears thing. The Bear is going to 427 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:05,919 Speaker 1: face the New York Giants. So yeah, it's just a 428 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:07,840 Speaker 1: lot of things that make you just kind of be like, okay, 429 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 1: but then those five other games, man, it's almost playoffs season. Yeah. Absolutely, 430 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,480 Speaker 1: Well with that, we will call it a wrap on 431 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: this edition of Packer's own script, and be sure to 432 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:18,800 Speaker 1: follow all of our coverage of the team and all 433 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:21,639 Speaker 1: of the happenings in the big Sunday Night football matchup 434 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:26,520 Speaker 1: Packers forty on Sunday Night from Santa Clara. Subscribe to us, 435 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:29,719 Speaker 1: like us on iTunes and other podcast services, and please 436 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:33,040 Speaker 1: check out the new Packers YouTube channel. All kinds of 437 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:38,199 Speaker 1: great video content out there on YouTube from Packers dot com. 438 00:20:38,240 --> 00:20:40,600 Speaker 1: Thank you for watching, everybody. We will see you next time.