1 00:00:00,520 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford, joined by my 3 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:15,760 Speaker 1: partner in crime, West Hodkowits for coming to you here 4 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:20,080 Speaker 1: from our studios at lambeau Field to preview Packers Vikings. 5 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:24,239 Speaker 1: It is week seventeen, West and the kickoff will be 6 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:29,479 Speaker 1: at three pm Sunday at lambeau Field. Obviously, the Packers 7 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:33,479 Speaker 1: haven't seen the Vikings since Week one at US Bank Stadium, 8 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:37,200 Speaker 1: and the irony of that game, if that's the right word, 9 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:40,440 Speaker 1: is the Vikings beat the Packers by two touchdowns that day. 10 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: They have not beaten anybody else this season by more 11 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 1: than eight points. Yet they are twelve and three because 12 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: they have won eleven one possession games. This is a 13 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 1: team that wins games late, that plays well in the 14 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 1: fourth quarter. If you're going to beat them, you have 15 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 1: to beat them for all four quarters. Doing it for 16 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:06,320 Speaker 1: three quarters won't be good enough. And no lead is safe. 17 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: I mean, we learned that with the Indianapolis calls. There 18 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,039 Speaker 1: is so many people out there, and I get it. 19 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:14,959 Speaker 1: I saw what the Vegas lines are on this game. 20 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 1: There are so many people that are quick to disrespect 21 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings, and I've stopped short of doing that 22 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:25,280 Speaker 1: because what stands out to me the most, Mike is 23 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:28,160 Speaker 1: you can talk about the one score wins, you can 24 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:30,480 Speaker 1: talk about the comebacks, you can talk about the greatest 25 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 1: comeback in NFL history, But what you need to pay 26 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: homage to with this Minnesota Vikings team is they got 27 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:40,679 Speaker 1: five more wins and the Green Bay Packers, however they 28 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 1: got there, However they did that. The quality of opponents, 29 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:45,320 Speaker 1: the strength of schedule, whatever you want to talk about, 30 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: they did it. They're the NFC North champions. They will 31 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: be playing in the playoffs, and the Green Bay Packers 32 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:56,520 Speaker 1: are trying to make that journey with them. This is 33 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 1: the biggest game of the Green Bay Packers season. And 34 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 1: as much as people want to talk about fun playoffs 35 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 1: scenarios and you know, the running the table two point 36 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 1: oh and all that, all that can end if you 37 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:10,400 Speaker 1: don't take care of business, if you don't take this 38 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:13,640 Speaker 1: team seriously. I go back to Week one, Mike. I 39 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:16,080 Speaker 1: think about that game against Minnesota, the fact that they 40 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 1: did have a multiple score win, what Justin Jefferson did defensively, 41 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:24,920 Speaker 1: what they accomplished, the areas of the game, in which 42 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,640 Speaker 1: Minnesota executed in green Bay did not. So many people 43 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 1: want to talk about the rookie not being able to 44 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: catch that seventy yard touchdown right off the bat. Wasn't 45 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 1: about that. I think so many people use it as 46 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: sort of a sin eating sort of thing of Okay, 47 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:40,040 Speaker 1: well that that's where else. No, the Packers didn't execute 48 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: in so many different other areas of that game too. 49 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 1: You have to get the job done. It sounds like 50 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:47,080 Speaker 1: it's going to be a beautiful day, beautiful night at 51 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:49,200 Speaker 1: lambeau Field. So I don't know if we're gonna have 52 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 1: your traditional January football game. But all that being said, 53 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 1: the Packers are at home and they got to take 54 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 1: care of business. Yeah, they absolutely do. And the games 55 00:02:57,440 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: just keep getting bigger for this Green Bay team, right 56 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 1: we after week, and now you're playing the team your 57 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 1: division rival, the team that has already clinched the division. 58 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: Vikings are fighting for playoff seeding. There you know, right 59 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 1: in the mix. You know they're they're they're essentially the 60 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 1: front runner for the two seed right now. They would 61 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:19,959 Speaker 1: rather not, uh let that go clearly. Um, But back 62 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 1: to your original point about having to give this team respect, 63 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:26,360 Speaker 1: You absolutely have to twelve and three. You don't you 64 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:28,960 Speaker 1: don't win twelve games in the NFL, twelve out of 65 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:32,840 Speaker 1: fifteen because of some kind of fluke. Yes, an insider 66 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:35,720 Speaker 1: inbox reader sent in a statistic and they weren't disparaging 67 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 1: the Vikings that they were just stating effect, Minnesota has 68 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 1: had the lead at the end of the third quarter 69 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,120 Speaker 1: only six times this season, if they're games. This was 70 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 1: the sort of his comment or hers. I apologize because 71 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 1: I can't remember the name of the individual. If the 72 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:54,680 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings games were forty five minutes long instead of sixty, 73 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 1: they'd be six and nine right now, you know, But 74 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 1: the games are sixty minutes long, these guys, and this 75 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:04,200 Speaker 1: is it's not exactly the same thing, but to me, 76 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: there's a similarity too. The Packers and Matt Lafleur's first 77 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: season in twenty nineteen. Because the Packers won a bunch 78 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 1: of close games that year, there were a lot of 79 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: people that didn't necessarily respect Green Bay. It was like, oh, well, 80 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 1: you had Carolina at home and you only beat them 81 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 1: by eight points, or you had you know whoever, and 82 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 1: you know you had to pull it out in the 83 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 1: last you know, three minutes or five minutes or something 84 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:31,159 Speaker 1: like that. Well, you know, guess what, the Green Bay 85 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 1: Packers were one of the last two teams standing in 86 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:35,919 Speaker 1: the NFC that year, for all the disrespect that was 87 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 1: thrown at them in nineteen, just because they were winning 88 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,279 Speaker 1: close games. And yes, a lot of games in the 89 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: NFL can go either way, but we saw it with 90 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 1: the Packers in nineteen, and I think it's the same 91 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:51,240 Speaker 1: thing that's happening with the Vikings in two. When you 92 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 1: start to win those close games, you learn how to win, 93 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: You learn what it takes that crunch time. A team 94 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 1: develops a belief that somehow, some way, when the game 95 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 1: is close at the end, they're going to find a way. 96 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 1: And just like the Packers in twenty nineteen, not every 97 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 1: single time, but the Minnesota Vikings in two are finding 98 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: a way more often than not. And you have to 99 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 1: give him a ton of credit for that because they've 100 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:20,920 Speaker 1: earned exactly where they are. Yeah, and the fact that 101 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 1: that Kevin O'Connell is a first year head coach has 102 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,719 Speaker 1: been able to keep his team's head in it as 103 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 1: well as he has into those second halfs, into those 104 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:32,040 Speaker 1: fourth quarters. Yeah, I look at that game against Indianapolis. 105 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:36,240 Speaker 1: And I won't say who the representative was of the 106 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 1: Green Bay Packers that said this to me, but it 107 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:41,480 Speaker 1: was thirty three to nothing and half to him like, wow, 108 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: I mean Minnesota has just fallen apart. I mean this 109 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: is a terror. This is gonna be a terrible loss. 110 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: And someone was like, no, I mean it's not over yet. 111 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,560 Speaker 1: There's still thirty minutes left. We've seen enough of this 112 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: with them this year. And then sure enough, low and behold, 113 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 1: look what happened. I Uh, I look at this in 114 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 1: a lot of different dimensions, Mike. The first one being 115 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:03,280 Speaker 1: is that the Vikings in a lot of ways, Uh, 116 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 1: they're just so good at knowing what they are and 117 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,480 Speaker 1: what they need to accomplish to win. And I think 118 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 1: that's a combination of a lot of returning veterans on 119 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 1: both sides of the ball, and also I think an 120 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 1: offensive minded head coach that has sort of instilled a 121 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 1: new kind of swagger with with those veterans. I mean, Minnesota, 122 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:23,600 Speaker 1: when you look at their box score this season, Michael, 123 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:26,720 Speaker 1: it is what it is. Kirk Cousins is the quarterback. 124 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 1: He's gonna have a couple of turnovers, but I still 125 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:30,839 Speaker 1: think he does a tremendous job of taking care of 126 00:06:30,839 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 1: the football. I think he's I mean, I think there's 127 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 1: almost no question he's having the best season of his career, right, 128 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: I mean, And it's not just the wins and losses. 129 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 1: It's like when you watch him, like Kirk Kirk Cousins 130 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:45,120 Speaker 1: absolutely fully passes the eye test this year as a 131 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 1: winning quarterback, and the numbers back it up. And obviously 132 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:50,360 Speaker 1: the wins and losses are there to prove it, yea. 133 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:52,720 Speaker 1: And I think you look what happened when Washington let 134 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: him walk and what happened in Minnesota. Minnesota has won 135 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 1: a lot of games during the Kirk Cousins era, for 136 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 1: as much pressure as he's been under. Dustin Jefferson is 137 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 1: the pre eminent young receiver in this league receiving yards. 138 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook has kind of shifted Mike in my mind. 139 00:07:07,839 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 1: He went from this guy that when his first couple 140 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:12,240 Speaker 1: of seasons he always struck me as like this big 141 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 1: home run threat and a guy that you know is 142 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 1: explosive and everything. And you can see over the years 143 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 1: he's just turned himself into a smarter running back, a 144 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:22,760 Speaker 1: more complete running back, and that he's been the face 145 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 1: of it for them this year. They go as he 146 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 1: goes um, the offensive line will see what happens. Defensively, 147 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 1: they've been going through some struggles as of late, but 148 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:33,440 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, with what Cousins and 149 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 1: Jefferson and Cook have done offensively, along with throwing in t. J. 150 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:40,559 Speaker 1: Hackinson into the equation, Minnesota has a plenty of ways 151 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 1: in which they can beat you, and honestly, in these 152 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:45,440 Speaker 1: twelve victories this season, they've used basically all of them 153 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: in order to do it. Yeah, the Vikings, I mean 154 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 1: right away, starting in Week one against the Packers, they 155 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 1: showed Kevin O'Connell with this offense and Cousins, they showed 156 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: they're going to be very creative with how they're going 157 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 1: to use Justin Jefferson. They were gonna devise ways for 158 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 1: him to get open, for him to eat coverages to uh, 159 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 1: they were always going to have a counter for what 160 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 1: you're doing coverage wise in order to get Justin Jefferson open. 161 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: And as you said, he's got over sure receiving yards. 162 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: With two games to go, he's had a hundred and 163 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 1: twenty three catches. You know, just if he sticks sort 164 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: of with his his average numbers, so to speak. He's 165 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: gonna have, you know, a hundred and forty catches in 166 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:24,240 Speaker 1: two thousand yards. When when this thing is all said 167 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 1: and done, Dalvin Cook, He's he's over even yards rushing. 168 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:32,000 Speaker 1: He strikes me. You you said complete running back, and 169 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 1: and I agree. He can. He can catch the ball 170 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 1: out of the backfield. But he can he can also 171 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 1: be either the pounder or the game breaker, right, I 172 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:43,079 Speaker 1: mean he can. He can grind out the yards between 173 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 1: the tackles. But then part of their big comeback in Buffalo, 174 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 1: he rips off an eight yard touchdown run right to 175 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 1: get them right back into into that game. And when 176 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:55,199 Speaker 1: he's in the open field, he's not He's not easy 177 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 1: to bring down. They pick up t J. Hockenson from 178 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:00,199 Speaker 1: the Lions at the trading deadline. Mid Sea is in. 179 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,280 Speaker 1: His production is continuing to grow to the point that 180 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:08,760 Speaker 1: he had two touchdown catches last week UM against the 181 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,160 Speaker 1: New York Giants. Kirk Cousins is the one who's uh, 182 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 1: who's calling all of it. Packers had a rough time 183 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:18,199 Speaker 1: with Justin Jefferson in Week one. He had the hundred 184 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:22,680 Speaker 1: and eighty some yards whatever it was. The uh, the 185 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 1: coverage is broke down quite frankly, I thought the Packers 186 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:28,199 Speaker 1: secondary looked lost in terms of what they were trying 187 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:31,720 Speaker 1: to do. There's a combination here where I think I 188 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,079 Speaker 1: think the Packers will come up with some different plans, 189 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:39,839 Speaker 1: but regardless of whatever plan they devise for Justin Jefferson, 190 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:42,679 Speaker 1: the players have to execute it. And there there was 191 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 1: a complete lack of execution in Week one at Minnesota. 192 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 1: So this is this is this is a two way 193 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:50,840 Speaker 1: street here. This is this is about coming up with 194 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:53,719 Speaker 1: some coming up with some variety, coming up some with 195 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:56,240 Speaker 1: some better plans, but also the players executing it to 196 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:59,319 Speaker 1: not let Justin Jefferson completely take over this football game. 197 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 1: And I think some humility to write. I think the 198 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 1: Packers defensively went into the season really hard, charging and 199 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:08,199 Speaker 1: just thinking we're gonna roll the ball out there and dominate. Uh. 200 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 1: They were humbled the middle of this season through injuries, 201 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 1: through inconsistency, through miscommunications, and honestly, I feel like where 202 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 1: they're at and how they've kind of peaked here at 203 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:21,959 Speaker 1: the end of the season and especially in that second ay, 204 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:24,679 Speaker 1: I just feel like there's a lot more awareness. I 205 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:27,320 Speaker 1: don't know what Joe Berry is going to devise for 206 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 1: going up against Jefferson. But I will say I will 207 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 1: say this seasons on the line here. If it's me, 208 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,800 Speaker 1: I want to see as much Jaire Alexander over Jefferson 209 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 1: as possible. I just again, I understand you're gonna mix coverages. 210 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 1: You can't just be trailing guys when you're doing zone concepts. 211 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:49,559 Speaker 1: But I want their best to beat our best if 212 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 1: that's what it's going to come down to. And I 213 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:53,839 Speaker 1: just felt like when we got out of that game 214 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 1: in Minnesota, They're just you just didn't feel like you 215 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: saw the best effort against what certainly was a fantastic 216 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 1: performance from the Vikings offense. So I'm very curious to 217 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 1: see how they handle that. And then conversely, I know 218 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 1: this will be your next transition point here, but how 219 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:12,079 Speaker 1: the Packers perform in the other phases of this thing, 220 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 1: how they attack this defense at Donnitell's defense that's been 221 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 1: struggling as of late special teams. I mean ken A Wongu, 222 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 1: I mean he is. It's right there with Keishaw Nixon 223 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 1: as far as the most dynamic kickoff returners in the league. 224 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:27,559 Speaker 1: As much as we're gonna talk about Cousins in the 225 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 1: headlines are gonna be about Cousins and the Packers defense 226 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:33,560 Speaker 1: and Jefferson. A three phase football game, and the Packers 227 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:34,800 Speaker 1: are gonna have to win each one of them in 228 00:11:34,880 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 1: order to come out there with the w. Yeah. Absolutely. 229 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 1: I mean on the on the injury side of things, 230 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:41,680 Speaker 1: we're still waiting to see, you know, with regard to 231 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:45,400 Speaker 1: Keishan Nixon, he did not practice on Wednesday. Christian Watson 232 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:48,200 Speaker 1: with the hip injury, did not practice Wednesday. Aaron Rodgers 233 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:52,080 Speaker 1: miss practice with a knee injury from uh from a 234 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 1: sack in the Miami game, but he said, you know, 235 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:57,320 Speaker 1: he expects to be practicing Thursday. Good to go for 236 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:00,199 Speaker 1: the week. It's not gonna going to affect his availability. 237 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 1: We did see David bak Try returned to practice at 238 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:06,320 Speaker 1: left tackle on a limited basis for the first time 239 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:10,199 Speaker 1: since his appendectomy. And josh Naiman, who left the Dolphins 240 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: game with a shoulder injury. Sounds like that was just 241 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:16,680 Speaker 1: a shoulder stinger, not so much a you know, like 242 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:19,960 Speaker 1: some sort of structural shoulder injury. He was back at 243 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:22,959 Speaker 1: practice on Wednesday, so um so a good sign there. 244 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:27,200 Speaker 1: We'll see exactly what the Packers lineup is going to 245 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 1: be from a health perspective, but um, this this Vikings defense, 246 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 1: it it, it just it just strikes me as so curious. 247 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 1: Was because you look at things. You've got Zadarius Smith 248 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 1: and Danil Hunter both in double digits and sacks. You 249 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 1: still have Harrison Smith patrolling in the back end. You've 250 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:47,839 Speaker 1: got Patrick Peterson on one of the corners. You've got 251 00:12:47,920 --> 00:12:50,480 Speaker 1: Eric Kendricks in the middle of all this thing. Those 252 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:52,960 Speaker 1: are some awfully big names on the defensive side of 253 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 1: the ball, yet six of Minnesota's last seven opponents have 254 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 1: put up four hundred plus yards on these guys. Their defense, 255 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:03,719 Speaker 1: their defense is struggling. They haven't been able to put 256 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:07,440 Speaker 1: it together yet. They haven't figured it out, I think 257 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:09,920 Speaker 1: for the Packers. And we'll get into more specifics as 258 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 1: far as some keys to victory here in a minute, 259 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 1: but it just feels like, especially with the Packers coming 260 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: off of the Miami game where they were just two 261 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 1: for five in the red zone, only two for four 262 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 1: in goal to go situations. Now you're facing a defense 263 00:13:23,559 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: that has given up yards and let people drive up 264 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 1: and down the field on them for the last two months. 265 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:32,320 Speaker 1: This game might come down to can the Packers finished drives, 266 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:34,440 Speaker 1: you get inside the twenty, you get in goal to go. 267 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:37,960 Speaker 1: For the season, the Packers have only been about fifty 268 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:42,440 Speaker 1: red zone goal to go. Both of those not where 269 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:45,959 Speaker 1: the Packers have been under Matt Lafleur and and historically 270 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 1: really not where the Packers have been. If if Green 271 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 1: Bay can finish drives in this game and not play 272 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:57,680 Speaker 1: to that fifty percent in close profile, um, I think 273 00:13:57,679 --> 00:13:59,520 Speaker 1: the Packers can put up enough points to win this 274 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 1: I think that's the biggest difference from Week one. I 275 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:04,559 Speaker 1: just think the way that this offense has matured and 276 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:07,320 Speaker 1: and the getting stuffed at the goal line in Week 277 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:09,680 Speaker 1: one was sort of the start of you know, all 278 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:13,440 Speaker 1: the start of what is now fifteen games in and 279 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:16,080 Speaker 1: you're sitting at and goal to go and red zone. 280 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:18,839 Speaker 1: It all started against the Vikings back in Week one. Yeah, 281 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 1: and now certainly you look at last week and there 282 00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 1: was points left out there. They had to rely on, 283 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 1: you know, Mason's Crosby's foot, probably a little bit more 284 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 1: than they wanted to to win that game. But all 285 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 1: that being said, I just feel like the identity of 286 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 1: this team is so much more cemented than it was 287 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,920 Speaker 1: in Week one, and Week one when you look at 288 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:38,240 Speaker 1: that pass to Watson, I just felt like that was 289 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:41,960 Speaker 1: an offense trying to find something to to sort of 290 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 1: build on earlier in the season, and the Green Bay 291 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:48,160 Speaker 1: really struggled with that through injuries, through some of the inconsistency, 292 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 1: and obviously the if you look at the structurally, there's 293 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 1: a lot of changes right now with this unit then 294 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: there was sixteen weeks ago. The other aspect of this 295 00:14:56,320 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 1: too that's gonna be very fascinating to watch is to see, Okay, 296 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: first and for most Christian Watson, how's he doing with 297 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 1: the hip? Can he be out there? If he is 298 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,160 Speaker 1: out there, how much is he gonna be available? Those 299 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 1: are things Green Bay is gonna have to figure out. 300 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 1: But you know, Romeo Dobbs getting back involved in this thing. 301 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 1: I thought Romeo, the way he's bounced back from that 302 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 1: ankle injury, he looks strong, he looks confident, he looks 303 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: like a guy that has really began to find his 304 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 1: niche in this offense and kind of what his jigsaw 305 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:29,160 Speaker 1: pieces to this whole puzzle right there. He hasn't had 306 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 1: these numbers, He hasn't had a you know, a hundred 307 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 1: fifty yard games since he came back, but it's just 308 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 1: his accountability. Both of these last two games, he's he's 309 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:38,440 Speaker 1: made some of the biggest plays that Green Bay has 310 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:42,720 Speaker 1: needed to win. UM that impresses me. Alan Lazar doing 311 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:45,080 Speaker 1: all the little things once again, so much of the 312 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 1: wide receiver one is hung on. Okay, what are the stats. Well, 313 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 1: you look at last week he had a forty yard 314 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: catch down the sideline and he also had a block 315 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 1: that level three people. That's this Packers offense, Mike. When 316 00:15:56,560 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 1: you think back to two thousand, nineteen and twenty, that's 317 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:02,760 Speaker 1: how they built this reputation up. Yes, Davante Adams is 318 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:06,000 Speaker 1: an exceptional Hall of Fame caliber player, but he wasn't 319 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 1: the only skill position player out there. It was the 320 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 1: contributions they were getting from the other spots too. That 321 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 1: is what is different right now. I feel than in 322 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: week one, when it was like, Okay, well we got 323 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:18,160 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones and a J. Dillon, who's going to be 324 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: the next guy to step up? I just feel like 325 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,560 Speaker 1: the identity is much more established than this one. Yeah, 326 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:24,440 Speaker 1: I think I think that. I think the place that 327 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 1: they're they're struggling to find their identity is what are 328 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: they going to hang their hat on when they getting close? 329 00:16:29,400 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 1: What is that? What? What are the go to calls 330 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 1: when it's first lewis that's all you gotta do? What? 331 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: What are the go to calls when it's first intent 332 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 1: from the seventeen yard line? What are the go to 333 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:42,000 Speaker 1: calls when it's first and goal from the six yard line? 334 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,720 Speaker 1: Those kinds of things to be able to finish drives 335 00:16:44,760 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 1: because because I mean we talked about how you know, 336 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 1: the Packers took a knee on the one yard line 337 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: against the Rams to close that game out, or they 338 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 1: would have you know, you punched that in for a 339 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: touched on your over thirty points. They scored twenty six 340 00:16:57,040 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 1: in Miami, certainly had plenty of opportunities to get above 341 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:04,040 Speaker 1: thirty points. This team, this team is right there. This 342 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 1: team is right there where you you almost feel like, okay, 343 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: you know, unless they're playing you know, one of the 344 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 1: top defenses in the league, so to speak, this is 345 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 1: a team that should be able to put up thirty points. 346 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:17,520 Speaker 1: You know, if you've got Christian Watson in the game, 347 00:17:17,560 --> 00:17:19,720 Speaker 1: if you've got your guys healthy, and we have to 348 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:22,080 Speaker 1: see how that plays out. But it feels like and 349 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: I get the sense from you know, the way Aaron 350 00:17:24,119 --> 00:17:28,040 Speaker 1: Rodgers talks at his locker. He senses the offense is 351 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:30,680 Speaker 1: playing better, but it's still not quite there. But the 352 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:34,679 Speaker 1: point totals, the point totals are almost there. And and 353 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:36,920 Speaker 1: and this is the game where hey, if, if, if 354 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 1: you can, you can hit that thirty point mark, score 355 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:42,400 Speaker 1: thirty three, thirty five or thirty six, something like that, 356 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:46,040 Speaker 1: you're gonna put yourself in a great position to uh 357 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:48,720 Speaker 1: to potentially make the playoffs. You know, the most bizarre 358 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 1: thing about the red zone issues this year is that 359 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 1: in the past, when Green Bay was really good at it, 360 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:56,360 Speaker 1: they still didn't necessarily run the ball overly well, especially 361 00:17:56,359 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 1: on the goal line. This year, I actually think they 362 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:01,600 Speaker 1: seemly really found more in that area with a J. 363 00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: Dillon feels a lot more confidence, you know, if they're 364 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,160 Speaker 1: inside the five yard line. But now it's been kind 365 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:08,679 Speaker 1: of the passing game where you're trying to catch up again. 366 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,679 Speaker 1: It's a there's only so many wooden pegs you have. 367 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:13,520 Speaker 1: Trying to figure out which holes to put them in 368 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:16,399 Speaker 1: is always the challenge. Um And this is gonna be 369 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:19,520 Speaker 1: an interesting matchup against Minnesota because as much as I 370 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 1: think explosive plays could play a role in this based 371 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:24,760 Speaker 1: on what Minnesota's put on film the last month. A 372 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:26,879 Speaker 1: lot of times it does come down to, okay, first 373 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:30,199 Speaker 1: and fifteen, first and ten from the fifteen, what are 374 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 1: you gonna come up with here to punch that thing in? Yeah, well, 375 00:18:32,840 --> 00:18:36,399 Speaker 1: we've seen as far as the in the keys to 376 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,399 Speaker 1: Victory category, I mentioned the offense needing to finish drives. 377 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 1: On the defensive side of the ball, this is a 378 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:44,160 Speaker 1: Packers defense that over the last during this three game 379 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 1: winning streak, generated eight takeaways in the three game winning streak. 380 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:52,439 Speaker 1: But we've also seen the defense give up the explosive plays. 381 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:55,399 Speaker 1: Um even in you know, the games in Chicago, the 382 00:18:55,440 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: game in Chicago, the game in Miami. The Packers still 383 00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:02,160 Speaker 1: managed to win those games. So on the defensive side, 384 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:05,720 Speaker 1: what do you see as the biggest key to winning 385 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:08,959 Speaker 1: this football game. You have to do something to disrupt 386 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:13,159 Speaker 1: Kirk cousins rhythm. You know, Kirk Cousins man. Again, as 387 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:14,760 Speaker 1: I talked about earlier, I think there's a lot of 388 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 1: Packers fans out there that don't really give him the 389 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,119 Speaker 1: credit he deserves because they've played him nine times in 390 00:19:19,119 --> 00:19:21,119 Speaker 1: the regular season. They've only beat him three of those. 391 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:25,879 Speaker 1: I mean between Washington and Minnesota, he only has thrown 392 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:29,879 Speaker 1: five picks in nine regular season games, hundred and eleven 393 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:32,879 Speaker 1: passer rating career against Green Bay. And this guy's had 394 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:35,239 Speaker 1: a lot of success. And I'm telling you what I know. 395 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:37,919 Speaker 1: The personnel changes defensively, but all of that is in 396 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 1: the back of his mind as he steps onto the 397 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:42,360 Speaker 1: field on Sunday that I've been here, I've done that, 398 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 1: and I have something to prove with trying to take 399 00:19:45,560 --> 00:19:48,080 Speaker 1: this Minnesota team into the playoffs and actually, you know, 400 00:19:48,119 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 1: get some wins and make a run. So I think 401 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:52,520 Speaker 1: I don't care if it's the pass rush. I don't 402 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:55,640 Speaker 1: care if it's the secondary, I don't care if it's 403 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:59,439 Speaker 1: trying anything possible to get him out of his rhythm 404 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:02,040 Speaker 1: that to be accomplished, because we've seen him, Mike. We've 405 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: seen the Packers shutdown Delvin Cook. But then it's Kirk 406 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:08,360 Speaker 1: Cousins going off for three and fifty passing yards. Whatever 407 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 1: you have to do, whatever you need to dig up. 408 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:16,080 Speaker 1: This starts with making sure that you contain Kirk Cousins. 409 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:20,359 Speaker 1: Because here's a little secret for you, Mike. Passing yards 410 00:20:20,359 --> 00:20:24,600 Speaker 1: this year receiving yards for Justin Jefferson. He doesn't get 411 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:28,720 Speaker 1: that production if it's not Kirk Cousins delivering him the football. Yeah, 412 00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 1: and those those two have, those two have certainly developed 413 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:36,720 Speaker 1: a chemistry that we've we've seen certain receivers in the 414 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 1: Green and Gold developed with their quarterback. As well, a 415 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,240 Speaker 1: little bit of sponsored business here. West Serious x M 416 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:45,080 Speaker 1: NFL Radio delivers hard hitting analysis and up to the 417 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:49,760 Speaker 1: minute NFL news that true football fanatics need seven three 418 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 1: sixty five. And at Cousin Subs, we have something for 419 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:55,440 Speaker 1: everyone like our Wisconsin cheese kurds, mac and cheese, golden fries, 420 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 1: and creamy shakes, all paired with your favorite sub or 421 00:20:58,119 --> 00:21:01,920 Speaker 1: sub in a bowl. Cousin Subs fifty years of better cool, 422 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 1: good show, Buddy, I really appreciate it. This is where 423 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:05,879 Speaker 1: you're just going to do Path to the Playoffs, right, 424 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:09,639 Speaker 1: You don't need me anymore, No I need I need 425 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:12,879 Speaker 1: because I was gonna say, I mean this is ultimately where. Okay, 426 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 1: so Mike talks about the playoff implications and I just 427 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 1: regurgitate everything I read from Path to the Playoffs. Well, 428 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:22,840 Speaker 1: you actually path the Playoffs. For those who aren't aware 429 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:26,960 Speaker 1: it has returned. Path the playoffs was posted Wednesday afternoon 430 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:30,080 Speaker 1: on Packers dot com, so you can certainly read there, 431 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 1: but we will also we will also discuss it here. 432 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:37,000 Speaker 1: The most important games as they relate to the Green 433 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 1: Bay Packers. Indianapolis is at the New York Giants. Cleveland 434 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:45,440 Speaker 1: is at Washington because the player the Packers playoffs scenario 435 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:49,760 Speaker 1: is this, two victories over Minnesota Detroit to get to 436 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:53,480 Speaker 1: nine and eight. If that happens, then one of two 437 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:56,359 Speaker 1: things needs to happen. Either Washington needs to lose a 438 00:21:56,520 --> 00:22:00,359 Speaker 1: game or the Giants need to lose two games. Okay, 439 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:04,240 Speaker 1: that's where things sit right now for the Packers in 440 00:22:04,320 --> 00:22:06,560 Speaker 1: terms of making the playoffs. And what's and and what's 441 00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:11,240 Speaker 1: really interesting about this from a timing perspective is the 442 00:22:11,320 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 1: Giants and the Commanders both will be playing on Sunday 443 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 1: in the early window the noon Central time kickoff, so 444 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:20,560 Speaker 1: Packers fans and the Packers themselves are going to know 445 00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:23,280 Speaker 1: the results of those games before they take the field 446 00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:26,560 Speaker 1: against the Vikings. And what's really interesting because of the 447 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:35,240 Speaker 1: situation with Washington is if Washington wins, then the Packers 448 00:22:35,320 --> 00:22:39,440 Speaker 1: are officially eliminated. If they lose to the Vikings. If 449 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:44,399 Speaker 1: Washington loses, then the Packers actually take the field for 450 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: the first time throughout this late season push controlling their 451 00:22:50,520 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 1: own destiny. If Washington loses, the Packers take the field 452 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:57,080 Speaker 1: against Minnesota knowing if they can beat the Vikings and 453 00:22:57,119 --> 00:22:59,480 Speaker 1: beat the Lions, they are in the playoffs. They suddenly 454 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,840 Speaker 1: have that control. So the Washington game and that result 455 00:23:02,960 --> 00:23:06,000 Speaker 1: against Cleveland in the early window on Sunday is really 456 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 1: the key one to pay attention absolutely, And it was 457 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:10,440 Speaker 1: funny listen to a couple of guys in the locker room, 458 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 1: you know. DeVante Wyatt was one that we talked to 459 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,720 Speaker 1: about this, about how much are you gonna pay attention 460 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:17,800 Speaker 1: to that noon game, and he admitted, yeah, you have to. 461 00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:20,840 Speaker 1: I mean, it's just you'd be lying to say you 462 00:23:20,920 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 1: don't care what happens with the Washington game. The part 463 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:26,080 Speaker 1: of it is that no matter what the outcome is, 464 00:23:26,119 --> 00:23:30,960 Speaker 1: the job doesn't change against Minnesota. But if Washing, if Washington, 465 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:33,639 Speaker 1: if Washington wins, as I said, if Washington wins, the 466 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 1: Packers are eliminated with a loss. But if Washington wins 467 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:38,920 Speaker 1: and the Packers win, the Packers are still very much 468 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:41,479 Speaker 1: alive heading into week eight team. Yeah, because I mean, 469 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:43,480 Speaker 1: as much as you want to look at your Powerball numbers, 470 00:23:43,520 --> 00:23:45,480 Speaker 1: you still have to go to work the next day, right, 471 00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:47,920 Speaker 1: I Mean, it's just the way these things go. But 472 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 1: but all that being said, I'm really curious about where 473 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:55,400 Speaker 1: Washington has headed. We saw it this week, Mike, they're 474 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 1: making the switch back to Carson Wentz. Yeah, we were 475 00:23:57,800 --> 00:23:59,639 Speaker 1: talking about that on our last show. Which way were 476 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:02,400 Speaker 1: they going to go? Well, Ron Rivere's decided it's car 477 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:04,640 Speaker 1: It's the Carson Wentz Show now to try to get 478 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:08,680 Speaker 1: the victory or victories that Washington needs to get into 479 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:10,919 Speaker 1: the playoffs. And you know, if you look at it, 480 00:24:10,960 --> 00:24:12,479 Speaker 1: I don't want to dive in all the numbers, but 481 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:15,760 Speaker 1: Terry McLaurin was a much more effective receiver this year 482 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:20,480 Speaker 1: when Taylor Heinike is his quarterback. Absolutely. So you're so 483 00:24:20,520 --> 00:24:22,760 Speaker 1: I get what Rivera is doing because it's like you're 484 00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:26,639 Speaker 1: basically saying, Okay, hey, we're gonna we're gonna do this 485 00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:30,240 Speaker 1: here in this week. We'll see what happens, all right, cool, 486 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:34,240 Speaker 1: and then if we need it, then hopefully Wentz builds 487 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:36,399 Speaker 1: up some momentum for the next game. I think the 488 00:24:36,440 --> 00:24:38,840 Speaker 1: thinking is is that with Cleveland struggling as much as 489 00:24:38,840 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 1: they have, is particularly on the offensive side of the ball, 490 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: this is going to be our our build up some 491 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:47,119 Speaker 1: momentum game if we're gonna make a run here and 492 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:48,880 Speaker 1: Carson Wentz is going to be the guy. Yeah, Ron 493 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:51,920 Speaker 1: Rivera is counting on his defense to hold Cleveland to 494 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:54,800 Speaker 1: like ten or thirteen points, and he's not. And he's 495 00:24:54,800 --> 00:24:58,440 Speaker 1: gonna ask Carson Wentz basically to like not screw this up. 496 00:24:58,520 --> 00:25:01,760 Speaker 1: Just score like seventeen or nineteen points or something like that. 497 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 1: And and and they're gonna win this game and try 498 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:05,960 Speaker 1: to build the momentum you're talking about. I think that's 499 00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:08,359 Speaker 1: what Ron Rivere's thought. And let's be honest, Mike. As 500 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:10,000 Speaker 1: much as I want to sit here and say, hey, 501 00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:13,680 Speaker 1: go go Cleveland, uh, this is a god awful matchup 502 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:16,719 Speaker 1: for the Browns. I mean, the way that Washington can 503 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:19,840 Speaker 1: defend the run. Oh that that that defensive front for Washington, 504 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:22,280 Speaker 1: Cleveland is gonna Cleveland is going to have a really 505 00:25:22,320 --> 00:25:24,760 Speaker 1: hard time moving the football against these guys. But if 506 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:27,640 Speaker 1: they do, then the Green Bay Packers, as you said, 507 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:29,800 Speaker 1: that they can go into that game against Minnesota knowing that, 508 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:31,480 Speaker 1: all right, we take care of business here. We come 509 00:25:31,520 --> 00:25:35,120 Speaker 1: out and do what we're expected to do by the linemakers. 510 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:38,240 Speaker 1: Let's see what happens. Yeah, and there are some other 511 00:25:38,240 --> 00:25:40,320 Speaker 1: games I talked about in the path to the playoffs 512 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:42,600 Speaker 1: in terms off if you want to understand some of 513 00:25:42,640 --> 00:25:45,280 Speaker 1: the rooting interests and how they might pertain to Week eighteen, 514 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:50,000 Speaker 1: should the Packers beat Minnesota and and stay alive, etcetera, etcetera. 515 00:25:50,040 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 1: I want to get your thoughts on one other game though, 516 00:25:51,840 --> 00:25:53,679 Speaker 1: on the slate this weekend that has nothing to do 517 00:25:53,720 --> 00:26:00,080 Speaker 1: with the Packers, Jacksonville and Houston. No, because it's a 518 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:04,720 Speaker 1: game that is just screaming a f C playoff preview. 519 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:07,000 Speaker 1: And I'm talking about the Monday night game Buffalo is 520 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:10,560 Speaker 1: at Cincinnati. These two teams have been in the thick 521 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:12,320 Speaker 1: of it all year. They're gonna be in the thick 522 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:15,280 Speaker 1: of it over the next uh several weeks. This is 523 00:26:15,320 --> 00:26:19,160 Speaker 1: a fascinating game to have this late in the regular season, 524 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:21,920 Speaker 1: when you know that it could just be a couple 525 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:23,919 Speaker 1: of weeks down the road they could be meeting again. 526 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,760 Speaker 1: How in the heck did Monday night football get this game? Yeah, 527 00:26:26,760 --> 00:26:28,800 Speaker 1: no kidding. Usually this is a time of year where 528 00:26:28,840 --> 00:26:31,040 Speaker 1: it's like the Monday night matchups are like, oh yeah, 529 00:26:31,119 --> 00:26:34,480 Speaker 1: they really you know, they really misjudged that one when 530 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:38,199 Speaker 1: they put the schedule together. Well, Buffalo and Cincinnati in 531 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:40,600 Speaker 1: Week seventeen on Monday night football, you can't ask for 532 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:42,159 Speaker 1: anything better than that. I was gonna say, like the 533 00:26:42,359 --> 00:26:44,720 Speaker 1: ESPN Disney Exacts, They're sitting there with a fork and 534 00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 1: knife in both hands, like all excited. Here, Wait, it's 535 00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:49,600 Speaker 1: Monday night football. You can't flex it. This is our 536 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:54,800 Speaker 1: game for sure. Uh. Flex flexing for Monday night football 537 00:26:54,880 --> 00:26:58,320 Speaker 1: might be in the future, but not not in or 538 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:00,840 Speaker 1: at least not yet. I'll make one big statement on this. 539 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:04,160 Speaker 1: Cincinnati has been so hot this season, the second half 540 00:27:04,200 --> 00:27:06,720 Speaker 1: of the season, Joe burrow Man, I mean what they've done, 541 00:27:07,320 --> 00:27:09,560 Speaker 1: not having Chase and I mean just being able to 542 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:12,080 Speaker 1: continue this thing. They lost mixing for a minute, you know, 543 00:27:12,119 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 1: Samari p Ryan is having to be their back and 544 00:27:15,040 --> 00:27:17,960 Speaker 1: they kept finding ways to get victories. It's the type 545 00:27:17,960 --> 00:27:21,080 Speaker 1: of thing you didn't expect from Cincinnati five years ago, 546 00:27:21,160 --> 00:27:23,280 Speaker 1: and now they've become one of the teams that nobody 547 00:27:23,280 --> 00:27:26,240 Speaker 1: wants to face. Yeah. Absolutely and and uh. At the 548 00:27:26,280 --> 00:27:29,200 Speaker 1: same time, the Buffalo Bills for for their various ups 549 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:31,520 Speaker 1: and downs, and you're not you know, you know they're good, 550 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:34,880 Speaker 1: You're not quite sure how good they are. Um, they 551 00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:37,760 Speaker 1: still just strike me with with with Josh Allen as 552 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:39,399 Speaker 1: a team that could that could they could put up 553 00:27:39,440 --> 00:27:42,159 Speaker 1: forty points on anybody at some time. That's that's just 554 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:44,080 Speaker 1: what its how cool. We gotta get out of here. 555 00:27:44,119 --> 00:27:46,800 Speaker 1: But how cool is this? Those Carolina Tampa Bay You 556 00:27:46,840 --> 00:27:48,760 Speaker 1: know the implications in the South. You look at the 557 00:27:48,840 --> 00:27:51,720 Speaker 1: Jets and the Seahawks. Uh, those two teams were kind 558 00:27:51,720 --> 00:27:53,440 Speaker 1: of the darlings in the first half of the year. 559 00:27:53,480 --> 00:27:56,000 Speaker 1: Now basically, whoever loses that, you're done. Yeah, whoever, Yeah, 560 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:58,040 Speaker 1: whoever loses that when you're out and the and the win, 561 00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:00,040 Speaker 1: the winner is still trying to you know, trying to 562 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:01,960 Speaker 1: fight their way in the back door, so to speak. 563 00:28:01,960 --> 00:28:04,720 Speaker 1: So exciting little weekend, Yeah, absolutely no question about it. 564 00:28:04,760 --> 00:28:06,480 Speaker 1: With that, we do have to go though, so we'll 565 00:28:06,520 --> 00:28:09,800 Speaker 1: call it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. 566 00:28:09,800 --> 00:28:11,520 Speaker 1: Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the 567 00:28:11,560 --> 00:28:14,840 Speaker 1: team and everything from Sunday's big game at lambou Field. 568 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:17,720 Speaker 1: Will have it all for you on Packers dot com. 569 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,680 Speaker 1: For West I Am Mike, thank you for tuning in everybody. 570 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:23,600 Speaker 1: Happy New Year to everyone out there. We will see 571 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:24,160 Speaker 1: you next time.