1 00:00:00,880 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:18,280 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined by my trusted colleague West Hodkowitz, 3 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:21,040 Speaker 1: were coming to you here from our studios at lambeau 4 00:00:21,079 --> 00:00:23,600 Speaker 1: Field West. I know I ended yesterday's show by saying 5 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 1: we were going to discuss wild Card weekend and all 6 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 1: four of the games coming up here, and we will 7 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:31,240 Speaker 1: certainly do that, but a couple of pieces of Packers 8 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:35,520 Speaker 1: got news to take care of first, and we'll begin 9 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 1: with a hearty congratulations to Packers veteran left tackle David Baktari, who, 10 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:43,519 Speaker 1: for the fourth year in a row, was named to 11 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:46,600 Speaker 1: the Associated Press All Pro Team. He gets a second 12 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:49,680 Speaker 1: team honor, this time the third time in the four 13 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:51,839 Speaker 1: years he's been a second team selection. He was a 14 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: first team selection a year ago, and as we talked 15 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:58,240 Speaker 1: about on yesterday's show, early in the season, some uncharacteristic 16 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 1: performances from him, but second half of the year in particular, 17 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:05,759 Speaker 1: he has been the rock solid left tackle, blindside protector 18 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:07,880 Speaker 1: as well as a heck of a run blocker. This year. 19 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 1: I think too that Matt Lafleur and Aaron Rodgers and 20 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 1: everybody associated with that offense has come to count on well. 21 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:15,759 Speaker 1: I think when you actually break it down and when 22 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 1: this thing is all said and done, you're gonna remember 23 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:19,960 Speaker 1: David Bacteria not only for being one of the best 24 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:21,920 Speaker 1: linemen in Packer's history, but also being one of the 25 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 1: most athletic too. And I think over the last two 26 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 1: three seasons he's been able to show more and more 27 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 1: of that and get comfortable in those different aspects of 28 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 1: the game. So congratulations to him. Ronnie Stanley had a 29 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:35,760 Speaker 1: fantastic year for Baltimore. He was the first team winner, 30 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: and then box Tr Kiman on the second team. You 31 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 1: can't say enough about David what he played through um 32 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 1: second consecutive year He's played in all sixteen games, was 33 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 1: only one snap behind Billy Turner for the most offensive 34 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 1: snaps played in two thousand nineteen, the fifth time and 35 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:52,920 Speaker 1: seven years that he played in every game for Green Bay. 36 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: Has been an important piece of this offense and and 37 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 1: obviously very valued member that locker room. And the first 38 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: time for him that the Pro Bowl and the All 39 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 1: Pro recognition they kind of match up. Finally things are 40 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,359 Speaker 1: things are finally straightening out here for box Tr When 41 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:10,520 Speaker 1: it comes to the awards, and honor. Well, you know, 42 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 1: he was able to get in in sixteen as a 43 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 1: first alter his first year as All Pro. But last 44 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:20,639 Speaker 1: year he gets first team All Pro. Yeah. Not a 45 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 1: Pro Bowler is what it is. But that's the way 46 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:25,680 Speaker 1: the process works. Unfortunately for David obviously getting the accolades 47 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:28,440 Speaker 1: this season. Yeah. Well, another big piece of news that 48 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:32,360 Speaker 1: we found out late in the day on Thursday. And 49 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 1: I know you're very happy about this. I'm happy about 50 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:37,360 Speaker 1: it as well, but I know you have a special 51 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 1: place in your heart for this one. What I'm talking about, 52 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:43,640 Speaker 1: of course, is that former Packers safety Leroy Butler, for 53 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: the first time, has advanced to the finalist stage. After 54 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 1: three cracks at these in the semifinalist arena, so to speak, 55 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:55,800 Speaker 1: he is now finally advanced to the finalist stage for 56 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 1: the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is one of 57 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:02,880 Speaker 1: the fifteen Modern era finalists that will be whittled down 58 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 1: to a maximum sized class of five when the selection 59 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 1: committee meets over Super Bowl weekend. And uh, this is 60 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 1: this is just fantastic. The process is finally starting to 61 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 1: work in Butler's favor and this is good for him. 62 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: Who knows if it will be this year, any other 63 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:25,960 Speaker 1: year or whatever. But he's gotten to the next step 64 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 1: and hopefully at some point here he will take that 65 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 1: final step and get into Canna. Well, you can go 66 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:33,960 Speaker 1: back and we we we talked about it. I obviously 67 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 1: was very passionate, emotional about it. And again I wasn't 68 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,080 Speaker 1: sitting here trying to push this down to people's throats, 69 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 1: like Leroy Butler needs to be in the Hall of 70 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 1: Fame right now. This is a travesty, this is injustice 71 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 1: and well, I mean I certainly believe he is will 72 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 1: is capable worthy of the honor. Yeah, I just wanted 73 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 1: to see him in this final fifteen because for people 74 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 1: at home that don't know how this works, all this 75 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: balloting up to this point is just done amongst the 76 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 1: voters wherever they are. Yeah, it's checking out, checking off boxes, 77 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 1: making your picks, and sending him in. Yeah. So it 78 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 1: isn't until this final fifteen where these guys will actually 79 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 1: get to end. Ladies, excuse me, we'll all get together 80 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 1: and debate present cases for why these guys should be 81 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 1: in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Fourteen years now 82 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:18,760 Speaker 1: into his eligibility, Leroy Butler has never had that opportunity 83 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:21,279 Speaker 1: to have Pete Doherty or Cliff Crystal, whoever it is, 84 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 1: kind of state his case for the Hall of Fame. 85 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:25,600 Speaker 1: I just feel like it's a really important message to 86 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 1: hear because if you hear it, I think people are 87 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,520 Speaker 1: gonna understand what this guy meant to Green Bay, what 88 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,039 Speaker 1: he meant to Friz Shermer's defense, and how he was 89 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 1: doing a lot of things before those things were really cool, 90 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 1: when when people still viewed the safety and more of 91 00:04:38,839 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 1: the archaic sense of well, they're just not good enough 92 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 1: to be cornerbacks. No, it's bigger than that, and if 93 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: you know why Leroy Butler ended up going to safety 94 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: and the decisions that played into that, you would understand. 95 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:52,919 Speaker 1: So I just I'm really happy that he gets this 96 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 1: opportunity now for Pete Doherty to stand in front of 97 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:58,679 Speaker 1: the room the day before the Super Bowl and state, Okay, 98 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:00,920 Speaker 1: this is why this guy is year and this is 99 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:03,120 Speaker 1: why he deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall 100 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 1: of Fame, and I hope he gets in. But I'm 101 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 1: just saying, just to be able to have that conversation 102 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:10,320 Speaker 1: is very important. Yeah, I agree. I think for those 103 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:13,600 Speaker 1: who have followed have followed the story and are obviously 104 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:16,760 Speaker 1: hoping for Butler to get in. Regardless of what happens 105 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 1: on Super Bowl weekend. You know, don't be discouraged if 106 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: he doesn't make it, because what he did now this 107 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 1: year getting to the finalist stage is a is a 108 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:28,799 Speaker 1: huge step in the right direction because just as an example, 109 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 1: another safety who's a finalist, John Lynch, this is his 110 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:35,039 Speaker 1: seventh time as a finalist and he has yet to 111 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:37,600 Speaker 1: get in. I'm not saying that Butler is going to 112 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 1: be a finalist that many times. Where it's going to 113 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:42,640 Speaker 1: take that long, I really don't know. But just if 114 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:45,400 Speaker 1: if he doesn't get in this first time being a finalist, 115 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 1: don't think like, oh, all hope is lost. It's never 116 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 1: going to happen. He's He's taken another step in this 117 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:53,480 Speaker 1: process that is very important. And I'll just say, well, 118 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 1: you and I were talking about it yesterday when we 119 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 1: got the news. There are four safeties now that are 120 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 1: finalists in this group of fifteen. John Lynch, Steve Atwater, 121 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 1: Troy Paula Malo is a first ballot. This is his 122 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: first year to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. 123 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 1: He's a finalist as well as Butler, So the fact 124 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 1: that there are four safeties out of the fifteen that 125 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 1: probably doesn't bode well necessarily for Butler's chances this year. 126 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 1: And we're even talking also when you look at next year, 127 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 1: a few first ballot guys across the league, Peyton Manning, 128 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:31,160 Speaker 1: Charles Woodson, Calvin Johnson are all going to be eligible 129 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 1: for the first time in one. That's gonna be a 130 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 1: tough modern era class of five to crack if all 131 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:40,239 Speaker 1: three of those guys get in on the first ballot. 132 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:42,600 Speaker 1: But the fact that Butler has gotten to this stage 133 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 1: now it bodes well for these last Essentially he's got 134 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: about a decade now where he'll still be in this 135 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:52,039 Speaker 1: modern day process before he would have to resort to 136 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:54,359 Speaker 1: the Senior Committee. And the fact that he's got this 137 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 1: ten years now where he's made finalist for the first 138 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: time is is a really good size. Yeah. And for 139 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 1: people that don't really know what this means at home, 140 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 1: you get twenty five years after the time in which 141 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:07,599 Speaker 1: you've played to have a window to be a modern 142 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 1: era candidate, So years from when you're eligible five years 143 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 1: which is five years retirement. Yeah, So there I am 144 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 1: making things even making muddy water hard. It is hard 145 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 1: to keep track of all the numbers though. But this 146 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 1: is why it's kind of important as it relates to Butler, 147 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 1: because this is year fourteen for him. He has eleven 148 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:28,400 Speaker 1: more years to get in as a modern era finalists. 149 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 1: So one goes back to a conversation I've had with 150 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: him several times. He knows he feels like he'll get 151 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 1: into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at some point. 152 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:37,200 Speaker 1: The question was whether it can be in that twenty 153 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 1: five year window, or if it would be as a 154 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 1: senior nominee down the line. This, at least in my mind, 155 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: based on the precedence that the Pro Football Hall of 156 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: Fame voters typically have um this at least I think 157 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 1: puts him in that in this next eleven years he 158 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:52,720 Speaker 1: could he could really make it. I think he could too, 159 00:07:52,840 --> 00:07:55,400 Speaker 1: because I think this is this is fantastic news that 160 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 1: he's that he's gotten this far, and as I say, 161 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 1: he's got that a whole decade to continue in this 162 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 1: modern error process to get a shot, because as you said, 163 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: next year, there's gonna be a lot of first ballot 164 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:08,800 Speaker 1: Hall of Famers. How many exactly will find that out then, 165 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 1: but that will eat into the five this year isn't 166 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 1: like that. I think you're going to see a couple 167 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:14,280 Speaker 1: of these guys that have been in the log jam 168 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 1: get that opportunity to slide through, and every year is 169 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 1: going to be different. So for le Roy to at 170 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: least be in that fifteen now it opens up that window. 171 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:26,120 Speaker 1: I think it makes his visibility a lot better. And again, 172 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 1: if he's on that list once, it makes it a 173 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: lot more likely that he makes it again. He went 174 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 1: ten years without being a semifinalist. Once he made semifinals, 175 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:36,920 Speaker 1: he went three years without being a finalist, and now 176 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 1: he is being able to crack that top fifteen. It's 177 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:42,840 Speaker 1: a it's a ladder, it's a process, and fortunately for 178 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 1: le Roy, it seems like he's one step closer. Yeah, 179 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:48,119 Speaker 1: And to his credit, he's he's showed plenty of confidence, 180 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: plenty of patients. He he really believes his day is coming. 181 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: And I think that's fantastic that he's able to take 182 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 1: that approach and that attitude to something that is that 183 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 1: is so important and really the pinnacle of recogniztion and 184 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: of your career. Yeah, and he's a pitting me a class. 185 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 1: Talking to NFL Network on Thursday night after they interviewed 186 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 1: him when this was announced, and he said he's up 187 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 1: against three other safeties, and he said, they're not only 188 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:14,440 Speaker 1: amazing players, they're amazing people. I mean, Steve Atwater, you 189 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 1: can talk to anybody in Denver. I mean, he's held 190 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,480 Speaker 1: in such highest steam out there. Certainly John Lynch, you 191 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 1: know his character. And Troy Paulamalo, who's I think one 192 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 1: of the favorites for this year's class. A lot of 193 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 1: Plamalo being a defensive Player of the Year in the 194 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:31,199 Speaker 1: year that Clay Matthews was runner up when those two teams, 195 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:33,319 Speaker 1: Packers and Steelers were playing in the Super Bowl. Yeah, 196 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 1: so there is a competition there, but there's also a 197 00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 1: mutual respect. And you know, as I said the last 198 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:39,480 Speaker 1: time we had this debate on the show, Mike, I 199 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:41,559 Speaker 1: hope they all get in. I hope Atwater and I 200 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:44,440 Speaker 1: do too. I just wanted Butler to be seen on 201 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 1: an equal playing field with them, and this year I 202 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 1: feel like he's getting that chance. Yeah, I think so. Alright, quickly, we' 203 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:54,200 Speaker 1: some sponsored business. Select Cousin Subs locations are now offering delivery. 204 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:56,960 Speaker 1: Whether you're ordering catering or your favorite sub they're delivering 205 00:09:57,040 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 1: right to you when you order online at Cousin subs 206 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:03,600 Speaker 1: dot Calm Cousin subs. We believe in better. Okay, wild 207 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:06,199 Speaker 1: Card weekend is upon us. The two a f C 208 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: games are Saturday, the two NFC games are Sunday. Real quickly, 209 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,480 Speaker 1: just to outline again for Packers fans. If the New 210 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 1: Orleans Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans will be 211 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:19,080 Speaker 1: coming to lambeau Field. If the Minnesota Vikings knock off 212 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:21,720 Speaker 1: the Saints down in the Superdome, the Packers will get 213 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: the winner of the Seahawks Eagles game. But starting with Saturday, 214 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:28,439 Speaker 1: the two a f C games, you have Buffalo traveling 215 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: to Houston and Tennessee traveling to Foxborough to take on 216 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 1: the Patriots. What are your initial thoughts here on these 217 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:38,320 Speaker 1: first two a f C playoff games. My initial thoughts is, 218 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 1: I'm going to be busy on Saturday afternoon. It's my 219 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 1: wife's birthday, So I don't know if I'm actually going 220 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 1: to be a birthday CA. Yeah, I love you. UM, 221 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 1: I don't know if I'm actually gonna be able to 222 00:10:48,160 --> 00:10:51,240 Speaker 1: watch that one. Um, but that second one is actually 223 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 1: my that's my favorite one of this weekend. I I'm 224 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: really interested to see how Tennessee looks in this. You've 225 00:10:56,760 --> 00:10:58,320 Speaker 1: had to read about it and in box this week 226 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:00,439 Speaker 1: when you've been editing me. I just think the way 227 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:03,080 Speaker 1: that Tannehill has performed this year, how consistent he's been. 228 00:11:03,559 --> 00:11:06,319 Speaker 1: Derrick Henry is an absolute beast, and I really since 229 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:09,480 Speaker 1: the very beginning of this season, I like Mike Vrabel's 230 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 1: defensive scheme a lot. I think it's one of the 231 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,720 Speaker 1: best in the NFL right now. And we've we've seen 232 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 1: we've seen these coaches from the Belichick tree at certain 233 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: times get the best of Bill Belichick's Patriots. Matt Patricia's Lions. 234 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: Did it, Brian Florence did it last week? Yeah, exactly. 235 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:29,360 Speaker 1: I mean so that that's that's another intriguing thing here. 236 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:31,560 Speaker 1: But I am totally with you on Derrick Henry because 237 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:35,439 Speaker 1: I looked this up and put this in inbox this morning. 238 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: For all of the top high rankings that the Patriots 239 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 1: defense has, and that unit has a bunch of them, 240 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:48,480 Speaker 1: there's one that sticks out that's not in the top ten, 241 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 1: and it's average yards per carry allowed to opposing running games. 242 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:57,400 Speaker 1: They're like fourteenth, which isn't bad, but all of their 243 00:11:57,400 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: other defensive rankings their first in this and fifth. I 244 00:12:00,040 --> 00:12:03,240 Speaker 1: think they're sixth and total rushing yards allowed, but that 245 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:06,960 Speaker 1: fourteen in yards per carry. It just to me, it 246 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:10,880 Speaker 1: seems if if Tennessee can stay in this game, because 247 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:13,679 Speaker 1: the Patriots, they've they put up they put up points, 248 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: they've had their share of blowout wins. They get teams 249 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 1: that aren't going to run the ball that much. So 250 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: but if Tennessee can stay in this game and get 251 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:25,080 Speaker 1: Derrick Henry going, you know, and make it, make it 252 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 1: a four quarter game where they get to feed Derrick 253 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: Henry for four quarters, I think Tennessee has a great 254 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 1: chance to to knock off the Patriots on the road here. Yeah, 255 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 1: and then the Patriots. This is why it's a compelling 256 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 1: matchup for me, is the Patriots. This is a gut 257 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:39,600 Speaker 1: check for them. That is a demoralizing loss. I mean, 258 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 1: you and I were talking earlier this week about the 259 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:43,839 Speaker 1: difference between the Packers playing Detroit down to the wire 260 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:47,240 Speaker 1: and what happened with New England ultimately losing that game. 261 00:12:47,520 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: The Patriots are playing this week. The Packers are resting themselves. 262 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: So this is this is a difficult situation to be in, 263 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:56,520 Speaker 1: right now and seeing how Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and 264 00:12:56,559 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 1: the rest of that team rebounds from it. It's gonna 265 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:00,960 Speaker 1: be interesting because if you look at the statistics since 266 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 1: last year when Matt Lafleur's offensive coordinator turned the keys 267 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 1: to the backfield over to Derrick Henry, the production has 268 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:10,079 Speaker 1: been there for this offense, and now that Tannehill is 269 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:13,520 Speaker 1: the one that's actually behind center, it's been a big difference. Yeah, 270 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:16,680 Speaker 1: do you think this is the year that Buffalo chalks 271 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:19,200 Speaker 1: up a playoff victory? They've had, you know, a couple 272 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 1: of playoff appearances here off and on. Do you think 273 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:25,040 Speaker 1: they think they go into Houston and get and get 274 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: the W? Well, this is the other side of it too, right, 275 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: I Mean the big thing with Houston has been they've 276 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:31,200 Speaker 1: they've been able to make these playoff runs, but they 277 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:33,040 Speaker 1: haven't been able to go very far. So there's a 278 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:35,440 Speaker 1: lot on the line for both of these teams. I 279 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:38,040 Speaker 1: really like Josh Allen. I'm a big fan of his. 280 00:13:38,120 --> 00:13:40,600 Speaker 1: I think the way that he plays the game, Buffalo 281 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:44,240 Speaker 1: understands his strengths and they play to that. I think, 282 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 1: you know, with the emergence this year with that backfield 283 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:49,680 Speaker 1: and and being able to mix things up with Singletary 284 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 1: a little bit. I see him as kind of a 285 00:13:51,040 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 1: building block for the future. I do like it. The 286 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 1: question is, though, is which Texans team are you gonna 287 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:59,600 Speaker 1: get J. J. Watt coming off of injured reserve and 288 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 1: all of that, you know, to to help out with 289 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: their defense. And and I I really I saw Buffalo 290 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:08,560 Speaker 1: essentially two games this year, the Thanksgiving game that they 291 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:10,959 Speaker 1: had at Dallas and then that Sunday night game they 292 00:14:10,960 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: had at Pittsburgh. I thought they were really for row 293 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:16,480 Speaker 1: for you know, road contest. I thought they were really 294 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 1: really impressive and pulling out both of those victories. So 295 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 1: they're not gonna be They're not gonna shy away from 296 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:23,880 Speaker 1: being on the road in a noisy place and all 297 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:25,920 Speaker 1: that in Houston. Yeah, And like I said, I would 298 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 1: watch it if I could. I'm just gonna be a 299 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:29,440 Speaker 1: little busy. But I mean, you know, Micah Hyde, the 300 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:31,640 Speaker 1: defensive players that they have there. It's a good defense 301 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 1: that Sean McDermott has as well, and seeing who pulls 302 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:36,560 Speaker 1: through it, that's gonna be interesting to watch, all right, 303 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 1: Sunday Vikings at Saints and then Seahawks at Eagles. Obviously, 304 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 1: these are the games that will determine Green Bay's opponent. 305 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:47,680 Speaker 1: What do you think of Minnesota going into the Super 306 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:50,240 Speaker 1: an interesting playoff rivalry Here we go back to the 307 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:53,640 Speaker 1: two thousand nine NFC title game at the Superdome and 308 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 1: then that divisional round game a couple of years ago 309 00:14:56,480 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 1: at US Bank Stadium. UM one going to over time, 310 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: the other one coming down to the miracle play on 311 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,080 Speaker 1: the on the last play of the fourth quarter. So 312 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:07,840 Speaker 1: these two teams meet again in January. Here we go. 313 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: It's like honorary division rivals almost the way that this 314 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 1: has worked out with those two. The angle I love 315 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 1: about this game is that Mike Zimmer said it earlier 316 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:20,600 Speaker 1: this week. Everybody's just giving the Vikings no chance to 317 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 1: win this game. Yeah, the narrative is the same. There's 318 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: no there's no way they can go into New Orleans 319 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 1: and beat the Saints. But teams have this year, and 320 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:32,000 Speaker 1: some pretty average teams have done it. So and Minnesota 321 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: is a team that they rested their guys, they took 322 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: Week seventeen as a bye week. They're trying to get healthy, 323 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: obviously with some key guys Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, all 324 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 1: of that. UM, I think This is going to be 325 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 1: a really really interesting football game. Yeah, And I just 326 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:49,120 Speaker 1: the one chance I think Minnesota really has in this 327 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:51,920 Speaker 1: thing is if their defense plays well, they limit the 328 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 1: underneath passing game and and don't allow Elvin Kamar to 329 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:58,880 Speaker 1: get going early. And then defensively, you know, all right, 330 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 1: say offensively on their set of things, how does Kirk 331 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,160 Speaker 1: Cousins look against the Saints defense? Because you know, I 332 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:06,760 Speaker 1: think Delvin Cook is good enough even against a good 333 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:09,480 Speaker 1: run front, He's going to be able to get his yards. 334 00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:11,920 Speaker 1: What do they do off of that? Can they get 335 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:13,880 Speaker 1: the play action going? Can they do that inside the 336 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 1: super Dome? There's a lot to like about that matchup. Yeah. 337 00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 1: When I think about the Minnesota defense, we saw them 338 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: get worn down in the second half against the Packers 339 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:24,040 Speaker 1: in that Monday night game in Week sixteen. They do 340 00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 1: have a lot of guys on that defense who have 341 00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:28,560 Speaker 1: been around a while. They're not young players anymore. But 342 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:30,320 Speaker 1: they were able to kind of take the week off 343 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:33,280 Speaker 1: in Week seventeen, you know, rest up, recharge. I think 344 00:16:33,320 --> 00:16:37,600 Speaker 1: Minnesota's defense will, Uh, they're counting on looking like the 345 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:42,320 Speaker 1: defense they planned on being all along Seattle at Philadelphia. 346 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:45,280 Speaker 1: This is actually a regular season rematch Seattle one at 347 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:50,200 Speaker 1: Lincoln Financial Field earlier this season. I think both teams 348 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 1: in a way, kind of in a different place right now, 349 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 1: though certainly the Eagles are with the way they finished 350 00:16:55,520 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 1: the regular season knocking off the Cowboys than getting the 351 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 1: Week seventeen victory they needed to it into the postseason, 352 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 1: and the Eagles at nine and seven, they're that team. 353 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:06,359 Speaker 1: We're saying, hey, it is a brand new slate. Here 354 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 1: we go. Let's see if we can make another run 355 00:17:08,640 --> 00:17:10,199 Speaker 1: like they did a couple of years ago. And it 356 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:13,400 Speaker 1: has to be on Russell Russell Wilson's shoulders. It really does. 357 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:15,879 Speaker 1: Watching all of that San Francisco game and seeing what 358 00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 1: they're dealing with right now in their backfield, I think 359 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:22,160 Speaker 1: Homer has a little bit explosiveness that can help them. Certainly, 360 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:24,159 Speaker 1: Marshawn Lynch showed he still had some hops on the 361 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,439 Speaker 1: goal line. But let's be honest, Mike, this is going 362 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:28,320 Speaker 1: to be up to Russell Wilson, a guy this team, 363 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 1: as long as they can go with the injuries that 364 00:17:29,800 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 1: they've had a weather and how this season has played 365 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:33,720 Speaker 1: out for them, it has to be him. He has 366 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:35,959 Speaker 1: to play well for them to go far in this postseason. 367 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:40,080 Speaker 1: As far as the Eagles are concerned, it's funny. I 368 00:17:40,119 --> 00:17:42,720 Speaker 1: think Carson Wentz is about as underrated as you can 369 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:45,200 Speaker 1: get for a guy that was a top pick. Yeah, 370 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 1: I just feel like he doesn't quite get the respect 371 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 1: he deserves for how he's really pulled Philadelphia through this season. 372 00:17:51,119 --> 00:17:54,680 Speaker 1: And and this is interesting because he wasn't a part 373 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 1: of the playoff run from a couple of years ago. 374 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:59,719 Speaker 1: Obviously this is all so this is this is Carson 375 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:02,919 Speaker 1: went introducing himself to the playoff world, so to speak. 376 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:04,880 Speaker 1: And it's and that, like I said, with Wilson having 377 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 1: a kind of guide Seattle through the injuries they've had 378 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:09,840 Speaker 1: Carson Wentz. I mean, the Eagles offense has had as 379 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:12,119 Speaker 1: bad a luck as any team in the NFL this season, 380 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:15,680 Speaker 1: specifically at the receiver position. Jordan Howard sounds like he's 381 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,920 Speaker 1: getting healthy again. Thought could be potentially in the cards 382 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:21,080 Speaker 1: for them. I thought before his injury he was playing 383 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 1: really well, was getting into a groove, had sort of 384 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 1: solidified himself as the number one back. Certainly Miles Sanders 385 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:28,919 Speaker 1: is there as well. It's gonna be a good matchup 386 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:31,000 Speaker 1: because I think it's gonna be tough for both of 387 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 1: these teams to mount a big run because of just 388 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:35,880 Speaker 1: how banged up they've been. But I think they both 389 00:18:35,880 --> 00:18:37,679 Speaker 1: showed a lot of grit these last weeks of the 390 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:40,320 Speaker 1: season to put themselves in a position right now to 391 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:43,160 Speaker 1: have this opportunity. Well, I will be sitting there at 392 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 1: my house on Sunday with my computer open, because if 393 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:48,680 Speaker 1: New Orleans wins, I'll be quickly writing something to put 394 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:50,439 Speaker 1: up on our site that the Saints are coming to 395 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,280 Speaker 1: lambeau Field. And if the Vikings win, then I'll be 396 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 1: ready for when the Seahawks Eagles game ends to get 397 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 1: that story up on the website as to h the 398 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:00,840 Speaker 1: Packers next opponent it but it should be a fun 399 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:02,440 Speaker 1: weekend of football. Hey, what's up with the a f 400 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:04,719 Speaker 1: C on Saturday and NFC on Sunday? People have been 401 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 1: asking me about that. Yeah, I I answered. I answered 402 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:09,359 Speaker 1: a question. I answered a question in inbox about this. 403 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:11,760 Speaker 1: I think it started. I think it kind of started 404 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:15,560 Speaker 1: with the fact that because the league knew the NFC 405 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:18,920 Speaker 1: West loser from that Sunday night game in week seventeen 406 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:22,119 Speaker 1: was going to have to travel cross country essentially to Philadelphia, 407 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:25,680 Speaker 1: they gave Philadelphia the late Sunday afternoon slot. They gave 408 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:30,000 Speaker 1: him the latest possible slot to be fair to those 409 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 1: two NFC West teams that got flexed into that Sunday 410 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:35,760 Speaker 1: night game. So from you know, but then from there, 411 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,919 Speaker 1: I think it's kind of I think a lot of 412 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:41,439 Speaker 1: it just has to do with with aiming for the 413 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:44,679 Speaker 1: ratings and whatnot, and so they wanted the way the 414 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:49,840 Speaker 1: way things fell with the Saints, the Saints not getting 415 00:19:49,880 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: the first round by and playing in the opening round 416 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 1: that then they wanted the Patriots in the Saturday night 417 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 1: slot for for the ratings and whatnot. I think that's 418 00:19:57,840 --> 00:19:59,320 Speaker 1: I think that's just kind of how it happened, but 419 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:01,280 Speaker 1: it is. It is a little odd to do to 420 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:04,320 Speaker 1: have the conferences on separate days instead of kind of 421 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:06,920 Speaker 1: the mix and match deal. Keep it fun, Yeah, it'll 422 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:08,719 Speaker 1: be a fun weekend, ye all right. Well, with that, 423 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:10,520 Speaker 1: we will call it a wrap on this edition of 424 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 1: Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of our coverage 425 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 1: of the team on Packers dot com. You can subscribe 426 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 1: to us like us on iTunes and other podcast services, 427 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:21,840 Speaker 1: and there's all kinds of great video content out there 428 00:20:21,840 --> 00:20:25,600 Speaker 1: on the Packers YouTube channel. For wes I am Mike, 429 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:28,120 Speaker 1: Thanks for tuning in everybody, We'll see you next time.