1 00:00:00,880 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:17,279 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford. He is the one and only 3 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: wes Hodkoits. We're coming to you here from our studios 4 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field and West. I want to start today's 5 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:27,680 Speaker 1: show following up on Matt Lafleur's Monday press conferences usual 6 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:32,600 Speaker 1: day after the game review of the proceedings. And it 7 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:38,239 Speaker 1: was really kind of funny because he had notched his 8 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 1: tenth win, becoming the first Packers head coach in the 9 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: one year history of the Green Bay Packers to reach 10 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 1: double digit wins in his first season in Green Bay. 11 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 1: But big surprise, he didn't do anything to celebrate it whatsoever. 12 00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 1: He was a little frustrated with the way some of 13 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 1: the things had gone on Offen in the game, and 14 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 1: so afterward he went straight up to his desk on 15 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 1: the third floor in the atrium and put on the 16 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 1: game film and started grinding away trying to figure out 17 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: how to get this thing where he wants it to be, 18 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:16,199 Speaker 1: the whole ten wins and all that. You know, it's like, okay, 19 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:19,039 Speaker 1: he'll he'll relish it. However it shakes out in the 20 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: off season. But this guy is. This guy is absolutely 21 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 1: laser focused on getting the Packers to a level that 22 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:29,840 Speaker 1: he hasn't seen yet. Yeah, and I think that's what 23 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:32,039 Speaker 1: when you break it all down and you see a 24 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,560 Speaker 1: team that's ten and three but still has areas to improve, 25 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 1: that's the motivation right now for him in this Packers offense. 26 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 1: It's very interesting because right now, as it stands, the 27 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 1: Packers are ten and three, and we're gonna talk about 28 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:46,040 Speaker 1: playoffs scenarios. That's gonna be a topic moving forward here 29 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 1: until week seventeen. But unlike many other years, you know, 30 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 1: Mike McCarthy always used to like to say, you get 31 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: to ten wins, you can start thinking playoffs. This is 32 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 1: a different type of year because of just how top 33 00:01:57,640 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 1: heavy and you know the NF he has been, and 34 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 1: how basically six teams have really separated themselves. Now with 35 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: the Rams getting that win from the rest of the pack, 36 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 1: and then you have whatever is happening right now in 37 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: the NFC East. I mean just it's like the Hare 38 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 1: and Hall of the NFL right now that you won't 39 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 1: understand that reference, but it's like, does anyone want to 40 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:23,080 Speaker 1: win this thing? Yeah? For a second, there I was 41 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:25,360 Speaker 1: that first half on Monday, and I was like, oh, well, 42 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: maybe Eli Manning wants to come back and win this thing. 43 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 1: Who knows. But that being said, the Packers have to 44 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 1: stay concentrated because there is scenarios here, Mike, where the 45 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 1: Packers could win eleven games and miss the playoffs depending 46 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:38,799 Speaker 1: on how certain things you know, come together. Now, there 47 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 1: are two lynchpin games to this whole thing. It's the 48 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:44,640 Speaker 1: Packers and Vikings next week, and it's the forty Niners 49 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:46,800 Speaker 1: and Rams, which I believe is also a Week sixteen. 50 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:49,640 Speaker 1: A lot of implications based off of both of those, 51 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 1: but for either one of those to have huge implications 52 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 1: for weeks sixteen, you have to get through the Packers 53 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: and the Bears. In the Rams and the Cowboys, the 54 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 1: Packers and Bears, I mean that that matchup right there. 55 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 1: The Packers win that game, in the Rams lose, the 56 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: Packers do technically have a playoff spot clinched. If I 57 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:08,720 Speaker 1: have that math correct, Yes, that is that is correct. 58 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: This week. A Packers win and a Rams loss guarantees 59 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:15,519 Speaker 1: the Packers a playoff spot of one sort or another. 60 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:18,079 Speaker 1: But here's the spoiler alert. If that scenario plays out, 61 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:20,639 Speaker 1: I guarantee you next Monday, Matt Lafleur is not gonna 62 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: want to talk about that. He's gonna want to talk 63 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 1: about the twelve win and winning the division. That's the 64 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: way he's driven, and then that's the way the scenarios 65 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: played out. The Packers have worked so hard. I mean, 66 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:32,080 Speaker 1: you can talk about the ups and the downs of 67 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:34,359 Speaker 1: this season, but they've put themselves in a position, Mike 68 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: on December ten to have ten victories. A team that 69 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 1: had been playing and clawing from behind for the better 70 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 1: part of three years. Well, now suddenly they're the ones 71 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 1: going around that final turn of the track with the 72 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 1: wind in their back and trying to finish this race strong. 73 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 1: But you know, there's other teams that were gonna try 74 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:51,640 Speaker 1: to have a good kick too, and are going to 75 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: try to usurp them there on that final you know, 76 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: hundred meters or what have you. That's why the motivation, 77 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: that's why the attention to detail has to be there. Because, 78 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:02,280 Speaker 1: as we've talked about now a little bit, and we'll 79 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 1: preview it more tomorrow, the Chicago Bears are for real. 80 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 1: I mean, they are still a good football team that 81 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 1: has a not so great record. They're making a charge, 82 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: but they're making a charge of the Packers have to 83 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 1: hold them off on Sunday. There's one way to do that, 84 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:18,280 Speaker 1: and that's to be focused on win number eleven. Yeah, 85 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:20,479 Speaker 1: it's it is to be focused on win number eleven. 86 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:22,599 Speaker 1: And just to give everyone the quick rundown as to 87 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 1: where things stand right now, as we just mentioned, the 88 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 1: Packers can clinch a playoff spot this week if they win, 89 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,600 Speaker 1: and if the Rams lose, that would guarantee the Packers 90 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 1: a spot in the postseason. As far as the NFC 91 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:37,040 Speaker 1: North is concerned, right now, the magic number is twelve. 92 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 1: If the Packers get to twelve wins, they win the 93 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 1: NFC North, which means they need to win two of 94 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 1: their last three games to win the division, and it 95 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:46,800 Speaker 1: doesn't matter which too. They can beat the Bears and 96 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:49,800 Speaker 1: the Lions and lose to the Vikings and their division champs, 97 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:51,880 Speaker 1: or they can win one of the other ones and 98 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: beat the Vikings and their division champs. Twelve wins is 99 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:58,039 Speaker 1: the magic number there, and obviously the Packers are still 100 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 1: keeping their eye on what's going on with the Seahawks 101 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 1: the Saints in terms of two of the division champions 102 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 1: in the NFC are going to get first round bys 103 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: and so all of that is still in play as well. 104 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 1: And to point this out as well, I mean it's 105 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 1: not quite run the table. Maybe it's run the coffee 106 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:17,719 Speaker 1: table or run the nightstand. But I mean the Packers 107 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 1: could very well win these last three and then you 108 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:22,520 Speaker 1: get a first round by Yes, they are in. They 109 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:24,440 Speaker 1: are in control of that. If the Packers get to 110 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:27,840 Speaker 1: thirteen wins, they will have a first round by either 111 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 1: the one or the two seed, depending on what else happens. 112 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:35,160 Speaker 1: But obviously getting getting to thirteen wins is a huge 113 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 1: task when your last three opponents are all of your 114 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: division opponents, and two of those after this week are 115 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:43,160 Speaker 1: going to be on the road. Yeah. Absolutely. One of 116 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:45,719 Speaker 1: the things I really did enjoy, though, beyond what Matt 117 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:49,839 Speaker 1: Lafleur said just about that reaching that milestone, was how 118 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:51,560 Speaker 1: he broke down this game. And I think one of 119 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: the things that he's been really good with the media 120 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:55,839 Speaker 1: with this year that he probably doesn't get enough credit 121 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 1: for those Monday breakdowns. A lot of times after the 122 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 1: games he says, you know, we have to look at it, 123 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:01,839 Speaker 1: we have to review it. But once he reviews it, 124 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:05,919 Speaker 1: he's been pretty transparent in what he sees, and he 125 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:07,640 Speaker 1: did it again on Monday. We're looking at some of 126 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,280 Speaker 1: the plays that they were just an eyelash here too 127 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 1: away from breaking a big one. And it's one of 128 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:14,800 Speaker 1: the reasons why he still thinks this offense, he likes 129 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,039 Speaker 1: where it's at. He thinks the potential is there for 130 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:18,920 Speaker 1: them to be really good down the stretch. They just 131 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:21,560 Speaker 1: have to clean some stuff up. In this game, it was, 132 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:24,159 Speaker 1: you know, kind of pretty much amounted to the past. Yeah, 133 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:26,039 Speaker 1: it did. It did amount to the passing game. You 134 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 1: can't argue with a hundred and seventy four rushing yards, 135 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:32,039 Speaker 1: which is a season high for the Packers ind and 136 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:35,160 Speaker 1: thirty four of those from Aaron Jones. But Matt Lafleur, 137 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:37,159 Speaker 1: and this is what I thought was kind of interesting, 138 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 1: is he started that press conference on Monday, he rattled 139 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:44,279 Speaker 1: off like five or six plays showing how top of 140 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:46,360 Speaker 1: mind they were. They're still on his mind as to 141 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: how close the Packers were in the passing game to 142 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: breaking this open. He mentioned the play action throwback to 143 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:55,480 Speaker 1: Jimmy Graham a few times. There was a post play 144 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:58,919 Speaker 1: over the middle where Alan Lazard was open and Packers 145 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 1: didn't connect. There was a potential touchdown past to j 146 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 1: Sternberger Um the rookie tight end didn't quite connect. There. 147 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:08,720 Speaker 1: There was a screen pass to Jamal Williams where one 148 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 1: block was missed and that could have broken for a 149 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 1: big one. There was a third down past Aaron Jones 150 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 1: down the sideline that didn't quite connect. Jones actually released 151 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: to the inside, which was unexpected, but it's because the 152 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 1: cornerback slipped and Rogers, because he was lofting a deep ball, 153 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 1: he still through it as though it was an outside release, 154 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 1: and so then Jones couldn't catch up with it. So 155 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:35,400 Speaker 1: just all these things with the little circumstances. Something's off 156 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 1: here there. The timing is a little bit off, so 157 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: things weren't connecting. This was the message I got form 158 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 1: though Matt Lafleur wasn't standing at the podium saying saying, Okay, 159 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: we're really close, everything's gonna be all right. He's like no, 160 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 1: he's saying we're really close and we have to get there. 161 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 1: That that was That was his message. He is going 162 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,160 Speaker 1: to be pushing these guys. And he talked about the 163 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: details of the place, and that comes down to things 164 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,560 Speaker 1: like the leases and the timing and and a block 165 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,280 Speaker 1: here there the details of the place. He's going to 166 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 1: be pushing these guys to really lock down on those details, 167 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:12,520 Speaker 1: because for the Packers to get to where they want 168 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 1: to go the rest of this season and hopefully into January, 169 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:19,520 Speaker 1: that's what it's going to take. It's going it's going 170 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 1: to take the execution of all of the finer points 171 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 1: so that you're not standing there on a Monday and 172 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:27,520 Speaker 1: and saying like, oh, yeah, we're just three or four 173 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 1: plays away that we needed to connect. You know, that's 174 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 1: obviously that's not going to cut it in January. Well, 175 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 1: I think the big line I think it was Linda 176 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: and Fonte who once said, you know, we're five plays 177 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:38,440 Speaker 1: away from being twelve and four when they were seven 178 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: and nine or something like that. I mean, it happens, right, 179 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:42,760 Speaker 1: I mean, those those are the kind of things. But 180 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:45,400 Speaker 1: it's also hindsight. And if you flip a coin, however 181 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:48,079 Speaker 1: many times it's gonna vary depending on what's going to 182 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:51,080 Speaker 1: happen in that given scenario. I mean, it's just you 183 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 1: can't have all the stars line every time. You have 184 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:56,719 Speaker 1: to make sure that you correct what's correctable and then 185 00:08:56,800 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 1: live with the mistakes because it is a it's a 186 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 1: human game. There our mistakes. There's just the fundamental issues 187 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 1: that I think the Packers want to hone up here, 188 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 1: and you saw and it's not just with the offense. 189 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: It's all three phases. I thought the special teams, as 190 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:11,320 Speaker 1: we talked about yesterday, took a big step forward and 191 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 1: in the Fleur was very effusive in his praise for 192 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:16,800 Speaker 1: their blocking on their punt returns and how they cleaned 193 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 1: some stuff up there. Tyler Irvin staks north and south 194 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:22,720 Speaker 1: and you know, catching a clean ball the defense and 195 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:25,800 Speaker 1: in you know, being able to can dictate the temple 196 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:27,440 Speaker 1: a little bit. Yeah, there were a couple of breaks 197 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:29,000 Speaker 1: there in the middle of the field that they want 198 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 1: to be able to, you know, eliminate. But for the 199 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 1: most part, the Packers won this game because of how 200 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 1: the defense responded offensively. The step forward that we saw 201 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:41,079 Speaker 1: was with the run game, the re emergence of Aaron 202 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 1: Jones and in seeing exactly how dynamic he can be, 203 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 1: because the one thing we hadn't really seen Mike to 204 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:49,120 Speaker 1: this point was him break that big game is largest 205 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:52,160 Speaker 1: Kerry before Yester or before Sunday was twenty yards. He 206 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 1: brought up forty two yards and a credit on that 207 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: a three tight end package. It was the receiver Jake 208 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,959 Speaker 1: Kumro that was busting him free there on the left 209 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 1: side of the line. So I got the big block 210 00:10:01,640 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: on the safety. Yeah. So there are uh, you know, 211 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:07,119 Speaker 1: positives that you draw from and things that it's like, Okay, 212 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 1: that's something you can hang your hat on. This is 213 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:12,199 Speaker 1: what we could be down the line. But you also 214 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 1: need to have the passing element honed up. And you've 215 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 1: seen it. You've seen Davante Adams, You've seen Alan Lazard, 216 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: You've seen these receivers have big games. Can you do 217 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,679 Speaker 1: it more consistently now? Because these next two games, Mike I, 218 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,280 Speaker 1: as I said, I mean New York in Washington, those 219 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:29,080 Speaker 1: were the two where it's like, okay, you get the winds, 220 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:32,959 Speaker 1: you feel good about yourself. Chicago and Minnesota are two 221 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,520 Speaker 1: of the tougher defenses the Packers are gonna play all season, 222 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 1: especially if a Cheam Hicks comes back this week, which 223 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 1: is what all signs are pointing towards. The front is 224 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 1: going to be short up. Yes, they don't have Roal 225 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:45,280 Speaker 1: Kwan Smith, but they have a good scheme and Chuck 226 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 1: Pagano has been really intelligent with how he's used that personnel. 227 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 1: And then Minnesota, you always know what you're getting with 228 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:53,719 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmers. So this is where they got to rise up, 229 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:57,160 Speaker 1: because if you take care of business against Chicago and Minnesota, 230 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 1: then people expect you to be able to go in 231 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:01,480 Speaker 1: Detroit and win that one in the season finale, especially 232 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:04,080 Speaker 1: if Matthew Stafford doesn't come back. Can you rise to 233 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 1: that occasion? This is what this week is about. This 234 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:09,080 Speaker 1: is the first part of that test. Yeah, and I 235 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:11,280 Speaker 1: know we'll talk about it more tomorrow with regards to 236 00:11:11,280 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 1: the Bears, but I made this comment in Monday's Insider Inbox, 237 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,480 Speaker 1: writing late Sunday night after the rest of our postgame 238 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 1: coverage was was up on the website. The Chicago Bears 239 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 1: are playing for their season. I mean, there's uh, there's 240 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 1: just there's no two ways about it. They they they 241 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:33,240 Speaker 1: are going to come into lambeau Field and absolutely lay 242 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 1: it all on the line, because, um, this is it. 243 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 1: I mean, and as we talked about yesterday, the Bears 244 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 1: could run it here and get to ten and six 245 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: and it still might not be enough to get into 246 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 1: the postseason, but they know they cannot afford a seventh loss. 247 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: I mean if if the Packers beat the Bears on Sunday, 248 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: I don't know if the Bears are necessarily fully mathematically eliminated. 249 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 1: That might depend on some other things, but they are 250 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 1: eliminated with regard to the Packers. I mean, the Packers 251 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:05,319 Speaker 1: will essentially have eliminated them. That that Chicago cannot catch 252 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: Green Bay in any way, shape or form. And uh, 253 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:11,040 Speaker 1: And this is a Bears team that, yes, there were 254 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:14,599 Speaker 1: some there were some low moments. They've they've underachieved to 255 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,920 Speaker 1: a certain extent, but they were twelve and four. They 256 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:20,199 Speaker 1: were twelve and four last year for a reason. They 257 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 1: were a field goal away from getting to the Divisional 258 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: round of the playoffs. And they're starting to play like 259 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:29,559 Speaker 1: that Chicago Bears team again. A couple of things. You're one, 260 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 1: You're right, they'll still even if they lose to the 261 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:35,040 Speaker 1: Packers on Sunday, they still could have that potential playoff 262 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 1: door open. But they need Minnesota to lose out, They 263 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:39,959 Speaker 1: need the Rams to lose out, and and certainly that 264 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 1: would include them beating the Vikings in their regular season finale. 265 00:12:43,960 --> 00:12:46,400 Speaker 1: But the part that you raised, I think is a 266 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 1: good point because it's something I talked with Mercedes Lewis 267 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:50,679 Speaker 1: about last week. That's a guy that's been around now 268 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 1: for thirteen fourteen years in the NFL, and he mentions 269 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:56,200 Speaker 1: how the parody of the league in the margin for 270 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 1: error is so small with how much parody that there is, 271 00:12:59,240 --> 00:13:02,200 Speaker 1: and in there really isn't that much that separates a 272 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: team like the Bears from being a legitimate playoff contender. 273 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 1: I mean, look at it, Mike. I mean, they beat 274 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 1: the team that could very well end up winning the 275 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:12,440 Speaker 1: NFC East still in Dallas last week, and it was 276 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 1: a convincing victory that But you played by the rules, 277 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:18,319 Speaker 1: and the rules are as the divisions get a win. 278 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:20,679 Speaker 1: You know, whoever wins the division gets a buy or 279 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,240 Speaker 1: it gets a seating and gets a home game, and 280 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 1: two of them get buys. But you know, for for 281 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 1: the Packers here, I think the important thing is going 282 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 1: to be at ten and three to show that this 283 00:13:29,960 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 1: is what we present, this is what we offer, and 284 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:35,880 Speaker 1: this is who we are. We've been more consistent than 285 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:38,600 Speaker 1: the Bears have been this season, and it's put us 286 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 1: in a position now to potentially control our own destiny 287 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 1: going into the playoffs. But to the original point, the 288 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: Bears are dangerous because there is nothing to lose in 289 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,960 Speaker 1: this case, and unlike there's nothing to lose, but yet 290 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 1: everything to lose at the same time. And that's right 291 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:54,720 Speaker 1: because unlike New York and Washington, who at least you know, 292 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 1: depending on what they do with their coaching staffs, you 293 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:59,440 Speaker 1: know that personnel is built beyond this year. They're not 294 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:02,199 Speaker 1: looking at us here. The Bears were looking at this year. 295 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: They were staring this season in the eye, and they 296 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:05,960 Speaker 1: wanted to be able to make a run and they 297 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 1: wanted to show that they could be a team that 298 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 1: goes from the division champion to a conference champion to 299 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:12,440 Speaker 1: a Super Bowl contender. They weren't able to do that 300 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:15,680 Speaker 1: to this point. So, yeah, you have a GM, you 301 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:17,719 Speaker 1: have a head coach, you have personnel there that they 302 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: were very forward thinking with that. They put a lot 303 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 1: of eggs in this basket that's right in front of us. 304 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 1: And it's that that's what makes the Bears dangerous. And 305 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 1: it makes it so that La Fleur and his coaching 306 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 1: staff and once these players come back into the building 307 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:32,560 Speaker 1: on Wednesday, they have to be up on it because 308 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:34,720 Speaker 1: in order for this to be relevant, in order for 309 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,880 Speaker 1: the Packers to consider themselves to be legitimate playoff contenders. 310 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 1: They needed to get through these three weeks. They've gotten 311 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: through two of them. You need to beat the Bears, 312 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 1: and then you need to be able to do the 313 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: what they haven't been able to do, which is when 314 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 1: in the US, which is to win in Minneapolis. And 315 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 1: that will be a certainly coming up soon enough. Well, 316 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: with regard to the Bears, we know that they're coming 317 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:56,120 Speaker 1: off of a mini by having played on the previous 318 00:14:56,160 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 1: two Thursdays. As a matter of fact, um and but 319 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 1: I also want to get to some of the other 320 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: results from this past Sunday in the NFL, because, boy, 321 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: that game in New Orleans West San Francisco, forty Niners 322 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 1: against the Saints, back and forth, back and forth. It 323 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 1: was um, it was like watching the you know, watching 324 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 1: the score on like a pinball machine or something. The 325 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 1: way the way the numbers just kept rising and rising. 326 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:26,880 Speaker 1: And it comes down to the Saints coming back from 327 00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 1: nine points down in the fourth quarter. They take the lead. 328 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 1: The forty Niners get the ball last and a big 329 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 1: fourth down conversion to George Kittle coupled with a face 330 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: mask penalty that takes what would have been a fairly 331 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:44,280 Speaker 1: lengthy field goal into more of chip shot range for 332 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 1: Robbie Gold and the San Francisco fourty Entners reclaim the 333 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 1: number one spot in the NFC with a forty eight 334 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:55,760 Speaker 1: to forty six shootout victory. San Francisco eleven and two. 335 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,720 Speaker 1: New Orleans is ten and three. How freaking good is 336 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 1: Drew Brees, though forty years old, to put three in 337 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 1: passing yards? I believe that was a season high against 338 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: Robert Salis past defense against that, against that, I mean, 339 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:10,320 Speaker 1: those are those are two teams that have played some 340 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 1: pretty good defense for the bulk of the season, and 341 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: it's just it's just an example of how you absolutely 342 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 1: never know in this league how games are going to 343 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:23,080 Speaker 1: I mean, who would have thought, yes, I mean, the 344 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:25,520 Speaker 1: forty enters have a really good offense. Drew Brees is 345 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: a Hall of Fame quarterback. The Saints have been really 346 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: good on offense for a number of years. But nobody 347 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:32,880 Speaker 1: thought with those two defenses going head to head in 348 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 1: December that there'd be ninety four points on the board 349 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 1: in regulation. Mind, you didn't even didn't even go to overtime. Well, 350 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:42,680 Speaker 1: there's a certain fore Ride beat writer sitting near left 351 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 1: right now that decided not to start Drew Brees in 352 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:50,120 Speaker 1: a fantasy league, went with Russell Wilson instead, and that 353 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 1: I'll be looking forward to playing in the consolation bracket 354 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 1: this week in the Green Bay Ballers, but have fun 355 00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 1: with that. But no turning the focus back. A couple 356 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:03,840 Speaker 1: of things we learned here. One, Kyle Shanahan can coach 357 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:06,159 Speaker 1: man because it's not even about the schemes. It's about 358 00:17:06,840 --> 00:17:09,920 Speaker 1: the fact that the Saints came back um and they 359 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,280 Speaker 1: put those points on the board. There's fifty some seconds left, 360 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:15,399 Speaker 1: forty some seconds left, and for Shanahan to rally the 361 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:18,000 Speaker 1: troops and for Jimmy Garoppolo to manage that situation. This 362 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:20,240 Speaker 1: was another one of those games like we saw last month, 363 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: where the running game did get going, but it didn't 364 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:25,720 Speaker 1: dictate the temple like it has in the past. For 365 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:28,439 Speaker 1: the forty, Jimmy Garoppolo needed to win that game. And 366 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 1: George Kittle, who did diddally squat in the first half, 367 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:34,639 Speaker 1: believe even he had a fumble at one point, he 368 00:17:34,760 --> 00:17:37,399 Speaker 1: comes back in is their big playmaker down the stretch. 369 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:41,159 Speaker 1: That's what you anticipate from those players. And credit to 370 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:43,000 Speaker 1: the forty Niners to be able to come back and 371 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,360 Speaker 1: pull that out because the storyline until Week seventeen, now 372 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:49,439 Speaker 1: unless the forty Niners actually claimed this number one seed, 373 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 1: is the fact that they ended up losing to Seattle 374 00:17:52,119 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 1: in a game in which they could have tied and 375 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 1: really controlled their destiny down the stretch. They needed this win, 376 00:17:57,119 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 1: they needed to claw their way back because there's gonna 377 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:01,680 Speaker 1: be a really good team from the NFC West that's 378 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: gonna be a five seed and that's just the reality. 379 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:06,359 Speaker 1: And want to make sure it's not them. Yeah, well, 380 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:09,000 Speaker 1: I give the I give the forty Niners. I give 381 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: the forty Niners a heck of a lot of credit 382 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:14,880 Speaker 1: because everybody talked about, you know, this gauntlet that they 383 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 1: were facing, where they were going to where they're gonna 384 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:20,640 Speaker 1: have to face Green Bay and then the Baltimore Ravens 385 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:23,040 Speaker 1: and then the New Orleans Saints back to back to back. 386 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 1: And what did they do. They ended up winning two 387 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:28,000 Speaker 1: out of those three, and the one that they lost 388 00:18:28,119 --> 00:18:30,280 Speaker 1: was on essentially on a walk off field goal the 389 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:32,920 Speaker 1: same way that they beat that they beat the Saints 390 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:36,199 Speaker 1: in New Orleans. And I'm telling you, West, you know, 391 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 1: I realized, I'm I'm biased in this sense because in 392 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 1: my years covering the Packers, I've only been to the 393 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 1: New Orleans Superdome twice, and the Packers pretty much got 394 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:49,240 Speaker 1: it handed to them both times, and I left both 395 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:52,280 Speaker 1: of those games with an absolute ear splitting headache from 396 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:54,919 Speaker 1: all of the noise. I think that Superdome is one 397 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:58,639 Speaker 1: of the toughest places in the NFL to play. I 398 00:18:58,720 --> 00:19:01,080 Speaker 1: certainly would not like the Packers to have to go 399 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:05,520 Speaker 1: there in January if it comes down to that, exactly, 400 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 1: I'm gonna bring a whole bottle. But for the Fortys 401 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:12,359 Speaker 1: to go in there in December, in that big of 402 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:14,760 Speaker 1: a matchup and to perform the way they did and 403 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:16,399 Speaker 1: to pull and to pull out of victory. I mean, 404 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:19,640 Speaker 1: I know if you and I were sitting here at 405 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,160 Speaker 1: Packers fans, if the Packers were involved in a game 406 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:24,840 Speaker 1: like that, Packers fans would be going crazy, saying the 407 00:19:24,920 --> 00:19:27,199 Speaker 1: defense isn't ready for the playoffs, you know, all this 408 00:19:27,320 --> 00:19:30,080 Speaker 1: kind of stuff. Nobody's saying that with New Orleans and 409 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 1: San Francisco because their their defenses. Their defenses have done 410 00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:38,159 Speaker 1: a really good job throughout the bulk of the season, 411 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:40,879 Speaker 1: and this was just one of those games that just 412 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:43,600 Speaker 1: took on a certain path, and that's how this lead 413 00:19:43,680 --> 00:19:45,879 Speaker 1: can go exactly, and so much it is based on 414 00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:48,199 Speaker 1: who you're playing too. I mean, with all due respect 415 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:50,600 Speaker 1: to Washington, there's a reason why the Packers defense, you know, 416 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 1: two or sixty two yards compared to you know, some 417 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:55,120 Speaker 1: of these other weeks where they've had four hundred. I mean, 418 00:19:55,560 --> 00:19:58,360 Speaker 1: you expect to give up the yards when you face 419 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 1: the New Orleans Saints, especially in their own place. That's 420 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,000 Speaker 1: just the way that you know, the business goes. The 421 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:05,760 Speaker 1: thing that is surprising to me. That's gonna be one 422 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 1: of the interesting storylines to follow, getting back to the 423 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 1: super Dome. The Saints have been beatable at home this year. 424 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:13,920 Speaker 1: They have that is something that has not really been 425 00:20:13,960 --> 00:20:16,159 Speaker 1: a thing in the past with them. I totally agree 426 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:19,240 Speaker 1: with you. So seeing how they perform here into January 427 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:21,000 Speaker 1: is gonna be really instrituing to watch. They're gonna get 428 00:20:21,040 --> 00:20:23,000 Speaker 1: one home game for sure, and we'll see what happens 429 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:26,320 Speaker 1: with obviously that number two seed. But right now as 430 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:28,199 Speaker 1: it stands, I think it's been three times they've been 431 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:30,800 Speaker 1: beating at home, now Atlanta, right in now San Francisco, 432 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:32,199 Speaker 1: and then when there was one more was there not? 433 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 1: I thought, yeah, I thought they got I can't remember 434 00:20:34,520 --> 00:20:36,639 Speaker 1: for sure. You keep talking and sounding smart, and I'm 435 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:39,159 Speaker 1: gonna look, well, that's okay. The the other one, the 436 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:41,239 Speaker 1: other one that there was only two, I'm sorry. Only 437 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:45,199 Speaker 1: they've lost at the Rams. Yeah. Well and obviously they 438 00:20:45,200 --> 00:20:47,239 Speaker 1: granted it was the bad call and everything, but they 439 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:50,040 Speaker 1: did lose the NFC Championship at home last year to 440 00:20:50,119 --> 00:20:53,159 Speaker 1: the Los Angeles Rams. Um. The other one, though, that 441 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:58,320 Speaker 1: is worth talking about two is the Rams because they 442 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:04,119 Speaker 1: hosted Sunday and Football against the Seattle Seahawks. And as 443 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 1: much as we've been talking about the Bears and how 444 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 1: they're starting to look a lot more like ten Bears, 445 00:21:08,560 --> 00:21:10,280 Speaker 1: the Rams are starting to look a lot more like 446 00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:13,320 Speaker 1: the ten Rams that won the NFC and went to 447 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl. They are still on the fringe here, 448 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:21,280 Speaker 1: trying to stay in the race, but they handled a 449 00:21:21,359 --> 00:21:25,560 Speaker 1: contender in pretty impressive fashion, knocking Seattle down a peg. 450 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:27,960 Speaker 1: And the Rams are still right in the mix here 451 00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 1: people want to talk about with the Packers and some 452 00:21:30,040 --> 00:21:32,439 Speaker 1: of the areas that they're struggling with. Seattle is a 453 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:35,119 Speaker 1: real legitimate contender in the NFC, and they are not 454 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:38,800 Speaker 1: averse to having just completely laying it a game. They've 455 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:40,960 Speaker 1: they've done it several times this season. They can play 456 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:43,480 Speaker 1: with anybody, but there's also moments where it just seems 457 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:45,720 Speaker 1: like that offense can't even get going. Yeah, and they 458 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:48,000 Speaker 1: and they've and they've had they've had games where their 459 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:50,359 Speaker 1: defense has let them down as well. They had a 460 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: home game earlier this year West where they had to 461 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 1: go to overtime to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now 462 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:58,480 Speaker 1: Bruce arians is doing some good things in Tampa and 463 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:02,119 Speaker 1: trying to turn things around there, but that game ended up, 464 00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: you know, something like, you know, forty whatever to thirty 465 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:08,240 Speaker 1: whatever in overtime. And that's not the type of defense 466 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:10,800 Speaker 1: you would expect to see Seattle playing at home. So 467 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:13,960 Speaker 1: they have their flaws and their vulnerabilities as well, and 468 00:22:14,119 --> 00:22:17,840 Speaker 1: they you know, they've been they've had their struggles in 469 00:22:17,880 --> 00:22:20,480 Speaker 1: certain games this year. And they're sitting there at ten 470 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 1: and three in the same position as the Packers, And 471 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:24,280 Speaker 1: now you have the Rams who are trying to play 472 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:26,919 Speaker 1: catch up on everyone. I mean, that's why if the 473 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:29,320 Speaker 1: Packers can take care of business this week against the Bears, 474 00:22:29,320 --> 00:22:31,280 Speaker 1: and again, that's a big if you can't look ahead. 475 00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:34,440 Speaker 1: But there there's so many implications with that potential Vikings 476 00:22:34,440 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 1: game because it's not just about you know, where the 477 00:22:36,840 --> 00:22:39,680 Speaker 1: Packers are. The Vikings need to stay in this thing 478 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:41,800 Speaker 1: for the wild card to based on, you know, the 479 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 1: Rams still being in the hunt absolutely the one thing, 480 00:22:44,280 --> 00:22:48,040 Speaker 1: and Sean McVeigh discussed it recently. They're getting back to 481 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:50,600 Speaker 1: Todd Gurley. Now, this wasn't the game that's going to 482 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:53,879 Speaker 1: go on Todd Gurley's highlight reel, but I think l 483 00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:56,119 Speaker 1: A is starting to realize after getting away from it 484 00:22:56,200 --> 00:22:59,040 Speaker 1: late last season, that Girle is one of your top 485 00:22:59,040 --> 00:23:03,000 Speaker 1: playmakers unless there's a legitimate thought that, Okay, something's wrong 486 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 1: with his knee and you just got to be careful. 487 00:23:05,160 --> 00:23:07,560 Speaker 1: You gotta feed him. And even if it is a 488 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:09,040 Speaker 1: game like this for the only averages three and a 489 00:23:09,040 --> 00:23:12,480 Speaker 1: half yards to carry, that's the identity though, right, Isn't 490 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:15,280 Speaker 1: that the reason why the Rams originally became the contenders 491 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:17,959 Speaker 1: that they were, because they got Girly going and they 492 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:19,560 Speaker 1: were able to kind of pull him out of those dull, 493 00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:22,000 Speaker 1: those dull drums that sort of were during that last 494 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 1: Jeff Fisher season. This game, what did he have seven touches. 495 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:27,920 Speaker 1: I mean, the more he touches the ball, the more 496 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:31,160 Speaker 1: this offenses and sync. And I think you're seeing that 497 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:34,440 Speaker 1: that is really getting back to Jared Goff. I think 498 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:36,520 Speaker 1: he's really talented quarterback. I don't know if he's at 499 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:38,080 Speaker 1: the juncture in his career where he can just put 500 00:23:38,119 --> 00:23:39,600 Speaker 1: the ball in his hands and let him let him 501 00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:42,120 Speaker 1: run the show. Well, I think it's a complimentary run game. Yeah. 502 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:44,960 Speaker 1: I think we're seeing a lot with the Rams offense 503 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:47,639 Speaker 1: right now, much like we're seeing with the Packers offense 504 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:50,160 Speaker 1: in a lot of stages where when you can get 505 00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:52,240 Speaker 1: some things going on the ground and then you are 506 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,000 Speaker 1: working play action off of that, you were you work 507 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:57,320 Speaker 1: play action and suddenly guys are running free in the 508 00:23:57,359 --> 00:24:00,400 Speaker 1: secondary and your quarterbacks got these big throwing lanes and bang, 509 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:03,560 Speaker 1: you're hitting plays. If you're not getting the running game 510 00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:05,440 Speaker 1: going and you're just trying to play a straight drop 511 00:24:05,480 --> 00:24:07,560 Speaker 1: back game or just line up in the shotgun all 512 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:10,480 Speaker 1: the time and and have the quarterback survey the field, 513 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:13,199 Speaker 1: defenses are coming up with a lot more answers for 514 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:15,560 Speaker 1: that when when they don't have to honor the play 515 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:18,320 Speaker 1: action and things aren't working off of that. So the 516 00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:21,120 Speaker 1: Sean McVeigh and Matt Lafleur offenses I think are very 517 00:24:21,160 --> 00:24:24,400 Speaker 1: similar in that respect. And what I saw on Sunday 518 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 1: getting back to the Packers is it just felt like 519 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:31,440 Speaker 1: every time and obviously they had the running game going 520 00:24:31,480 --> 00:24:34,280 Speaker 1: with Aaron Jones, and it felt like every time Aaron 521 00:24:34,359 --> 00:24:37,200 Speaker 1: Rodgers ran a play action there was somebody open. Now, 522 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 1: they didn't connect on all of them, because as we 523 00:24:39,119 --> 00:24:41,040 Speaker 1: talked about at the beginning, there were some plays that 524 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 1: just missed and everything. But other than one time I 525 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:47,000 Speaker 1: remember Washington on one side of the field, they completely 526 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 1: stayed home on the play action and it wasn't there 527 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:50,879 Speaker 1: and Rogers had to throw it away or something like 528 00:24:50,920 --> 00:24:53,840 Speaker 1: that or take a check down. Other than that one play, 529 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:56,200 Speaker 1: it seemed like every time Rogers ran play action there 530 00:24:56,240 --> 00:24:59,879 Speaker 1: was somebody open. The play the play design was exact 531 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:03,119 Speaker 1: what you were looking for. And uh, that's something I 532 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:06,080 Speaker 1: think that the Packers can really make the foundation of 533 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:08,200 Speaker 1: things moving forward. They weren't able to carry it through 534 00:25:08,240 --> 00:25:10,639 Speaker 1: for the last three quarters, but that first quarter what 535 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:12,679 Speaker 1: they were able to do getting Rogers open in space 536 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:15,480 Speaker 1: with some rollouts rolling both sides of the field, and 537 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:19,280 Speaker 1: that people always want to talk about identities, and I 538 00:25:19,320 --> 00:25:21,320 Speaker 1: kind of laugh at that I mentioned an inbox winning 539 00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:24,720 Speaker 1: is an identity. But that is something I think when 540 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:26,440 Speaker 1: you look at this team down the stretch, that it 541 00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:29,080 Speaker 1: can really do well when Rogers is outside the pocket. 542 00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 1: With the way that those guys can block in the 543 00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:34,360 Speaker 1: threat that those running backs present now as pass catchers 544 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:37,480 Speaker 1: in addition to what they do as running backs, that's 545 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:39,399 Speaker 1: gonna be interesting to watch. I think that is definitely 546 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:42,520 Speaker 1: a foundational point of this offense that they can build on. Yeah, 547 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:45,000 Speaker 1: I think that's where I think that's that's if there 548 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:47,320 Speaker 1: is something this offense is going to hang its hat 549 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:50,160 Speaker 1: on moving forward, I think that's where it has to be. So, 550 00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:52,720 Speaker 1: but for now, we do need to sign off on 551 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:54,720 Speaker 1: this edition of Packers on Script. To be sure to 552 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:57,800 Speaker 1: follow all of our coverage of the team on Packers 553 00:25:57,840 --> 00:26:00,359 Speaker 1: dot com, Subscribe to us like us on i Tunes 554 00:26:00,400 --> 00:26:02,960 Speaker 1: and other podcast services, and be sure to check out 555 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:06,480 Speaker 1: the Packers YouTube channel for West. I'm Mike. Thanks for 556 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:17,239 Speaker 1: tuning in, everybody, See you next time. H m hm.