1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:11,160 --> 00:00:14,159 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am like Spofford Heat is the 3 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:16,440 Speaker 1: one on only Wes Hodkowitz. We're coming to you here 4 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:20,320 Speaker 1: from our studios at Lambele Field. Ready to talk Green 5 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:23,560 Speaker 1: Bay and Washington. Packers and Commanders will kick off at 6 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: FedEx Field, UM Sunday noon Central, one o'clock Eastern for 7 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 1: those of us who will be out there. And when 8 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:34,319 Speaker 1: you talk about this Washington team West, it starts with 9 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:40,400 Speaker 1: that defensive front. Because Jonathan Allen Monte sweat Deron Payne. 10 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:44,159 Speaker 1: That's quite the group. And Chase Young, who's probably the 11 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,199 Speaker 1: best and the highest of the high draft picks in 12 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:50,879 Speaker 1: that group, hasn't even rejoined it yet. Um. This Washington 13 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: defensive front is really the crux of the team. It 14 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: is one of the most impressive units I think I've 15 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:58,760 Speaker 1: seen in terms of how they've built up, you know, 16 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: the defensive side of the ball. Certainly, offensively, there's been 17 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,400 Speaker 1: a lot to be desired there, especially with their production 18 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:09,560 Speaker 1: earlier this season. But defensively, we've seen it time and 19 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 1: time again during this Jonathan Allen Duran Pain era. They 20 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 1: can win up front, they can push the line of 21 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 1: scrimmage and going back to one of the biggest old 22 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:21,920 Speaker 1: adages of all Mike, if you don't give up points, 23 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:24,000 Speaker 1: if you don't give up yards, your team is going 24 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 1: to be in the football game. In the Washington football 25 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:29,640 Speaker 1: team that is now the Commanders, I should say, uh, 26 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 1: when they've been successful under Ron Rivera here the last 27 00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:34,039 Speaker 1: three years, it's been when they've been able to win 28 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: tight in hotly contested games and every single time, you know, 29 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 1: with that defensive front on the field, it gives their 30 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 1: team a chance. Yeah, And last Thursday was certainly one 31 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 1: of those for Washington. It was sort of the typical 32 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 1: what's been the typical ugly Thursday night football game here 33 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:54,480 Speaker 1: in the NFL in two but Washington was able to 34 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 1: hold the Bears to seven points, hold them off on 35 00:01:57,800 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 1: the last play of the game as the Bears completed 36 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 1: past but came up just inches shy of the goal 37 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: line in Washington gets a twelve to seven victory to 38 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 1: snap a four game losing streak. The Commanders had won 39 00:02:08,320 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 1: their season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, then lost four 40 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 1: in a row. Now got to win over the Bears. 41 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: Sitting at two and four and with this this defensive front. 42 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:24,680 Speaker 1: Five different guys have at least three sacks on this 43 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 1: Washington defense so far this year. And when you're looking 44 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,080 Speaker 1: at the Packers, the performance the offensive line is coming 45 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 1: off of last week and some potential changes. We'll see 46 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 1: what happens with regard to the offensive line, if some 47 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:39,959 Speaker 1: guys are gonna be moving around, shuffling to some different spots, 48 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,919 Speaker 1: whatever the case might be. The uh, the key to 49 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:47,359 Speaker 1: victory almost screams at you right that this that it's 50 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: it's this Packers offensive line and whatever transition or flux 51 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:54,680 Speaker 1: that it's in against the absolute strength of the opponent 52 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 1: in Washington, that defensive front, that's where this game is 53 00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 1: going to be one or loss. Yeah, the Packers have 54 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 1: actually played walk, it feels like, quite a few times 55 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: the past few seasons. And you know, we don't need 56 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 1: to go into chapter and verse again about what kind 57 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:08,720 Speaker 1: of player Jonathan Allen is. But I'm gonna throw these 58 00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: stats that you, Mike. I mean, this is for a 59 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 1: defensive tackle in this league, just quite remarkable. Twenty four 60 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 1: combined tackles, seven quarterback hits, three and a half sacks, 61 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 1: six I should say six quarterback kicks second, seven tackles 62 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 1: for a loss, three passes defense, a force fumble, and 63 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: an interception this season. I haven't seen the film of 64 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 1: the interception, but that's a big man picking off passes 65 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 1: and and that's just the beginning. Even a guy like 66 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 1: James Smith Williams, the former seventh round pick, who's kind 67 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 1: of been the guy that's had to go into the 68 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 1: lineup now without Chase Young, he has two sacks this season. 69 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:46,360 Speaker 1: I mean, it's a culture that they developed on that 70 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 1: side of the ball, and it's gonna be something that 71 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 1: Green Bay is really gonna have to contest with because, 72 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 1: as we've talked about, Mike, I don't care what shape 73 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 1: the offensive line looks like. We know you're gonna have 74 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: David Botieri left tackle. You know it's gonna be Josh 75 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 1: Meyers at center. The rest is left to be scene. 76 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:03,800 Speaker 1: But the communication of this thing is going to be 77 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 1: so important because the Washington commanders are going to look 78 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 1: at that film last week, the issues that Green Bay 79 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 1: had picking up the stunts, being able to, you know, 80 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 1: get some penetration on Aaron Rodgers. They're going to take 81 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 1: some cues from that as they dial up their schemes 82 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 1: for this week, and I expect a very multiple varied 83 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 1: pass rush against green Bay. In addition to the fact 84 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:28,919 Speaker 1: that when you have that much that that much beef 85 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 1: on the offensive or defensive line, it's not the easiest 86 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: group to run against either. So momentum, rhythm, tempo is 87 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: going to be so critical for green Bay in this game. 88 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: And as Aaron Rodgers said when you talked to the 89 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:43,840 Speaker 1: media on Wednesday, when the ball he doesn't care about 90 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: what happens with the offensive line. When the ball comes 91 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:48,800 Speaker 1: out of his hands quicker, that's when the offense is 92 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:52,040 Speaker 1: in its most best rhythm, and ultimately, I think that's 93 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 1: gonna be their best key to victory in this game, 94 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:56,360 Speaker 1: is being able to get the ball out quickly and 95 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:59,039 Speaker 1: run and take advantage of the opportunities that the that 96 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 1: the commanders give you well, and you mentioned it earlier. 97 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,600 Speaker 1: On the offensive side of the ball, Washington has had 98 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 1: its struggles. Carson Wentz has been the quarterback. He now 99 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: has a fractured finger and is going to be out 100 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 1: for several weeks, so Taylor Heineke is stepping in. Heinek 101 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 1: ended up starting the bulk of the games for Washington 102 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 1: last year due to UH the quarterback situate, the quarterback 103 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:26,479 Speaker 1: injury situation. He won seven games. Last year. He played 104 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:29,839 Speaker 1: in the game at Lambeau Field here which the Packers won. 105 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:33,279 Speaker 1: But obviously what stood out from that game his Taylor 106 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:36,280 Speaker 1: Heineke was the game's leading rusher with ninety five yards. 107 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 1: The Packers did not handle his his scrambling ability very well, 108 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 1: so that's something the Packers will need to be on 109 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 1: alert for. But here's here's some statistics to ponder going 110 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:51,560 Speaker 1: into this one. Washington has not run the ball very 111 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:54,160 Speaker 1: well this year at all nine yards per game on 112 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 1: the ground through six games. Not very impressive there. But 113 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 1: Terry mclau and is a legitimate threat at wide receiver 114 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:06,120 Speaker 1: at any time. He had a hundred and twenty two 115 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:09,160 Speaker 1: yards including a forty yard touchdown against the Packers at 116 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 1: Lambeau last season. He is averaging sixteen point seven yards 117 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 1: per catch this year. He is their big play guy, 118 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:19,160 Speaker 1: um and that is the guy that Taylor Heinek is 119 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 1: looking for. What maybe a little different with Heineke as 120 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:25,119 Speaker 1: opposed to wins at quarterback is Heinek might be looking 121 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 1: for him when he gets out of the pocket and 122 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,359 Speaker 1: the scrambles, the extended plays, the busted plays, whatever you 123 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:32,840 Speaker 1: wanna call it. Mclauren is going to be the guy 124 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:37,000 Speaker 1: he's watching for. But on balance, this Washington offense has 125 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 1: struggled the most early in games. Washington has been outscored 126 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: seventy five to thirty four in the first half of games. 127 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 1: Now that in some senses bodes well for the Packers, 128 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: because defensively, the Packers have been better early in games 129 00:06:51,760 --> 00:06:55,279 Speaker 1: than later in games recently. Obviously, Green Bay is trying 130 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 1: to put together that that more complete game defensively, But 131 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 1: this is an opportunity for the Packers defense to once 132 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 1: again start fast and if the offense can get some 133 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:09,479 Speaker 1: things going, you can potentially take control of this game, 134 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 1: which is which is what was happening to Washington during 135 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: its four game losing streak. Yeah, and and to kind 136 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 1: of go off that point too. I mean, Washington also 137 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 1: is outscoring its opponent to sixty in the second half, 138 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 1: So being able to establish some momentum early is going 139 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 1: to be critical. Being able to get production. Yeah, they've 140 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 1: scored twice as many points in the second half as 141 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 1: they have in the first half through the first six 142 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: games the year, and the thing about McLaurin that is 143 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 1: going to be most fascinating for me. Again, Matt Lafleur 144 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:41,840 Speaker 1: was not biting on the hey, is Taylor Heineke actually 145 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:45,560 Speaker 1: a worst matchup than Carson Wentz. Carson Wentz and McLaurin 146 00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 1: had had a hard time kind of finding their rhythm 147 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:51,200 Speaker 1: early this season. McLaren, as you said, sixteen points seven 148 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 1: yards per catch, but he only has twenty two on 149 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 1: this catches on the season so far. McLaurin was the 150 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: go to target for Heineke last season. He was one 151 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: of the re s. That's why that McLaren kind of 152 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: broke onto the national scale was the scent, you know, 153 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:06,680 Speaker 1: kind of the synergy and the chemistry that they have together. 154 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 1: They do have weapons, though, as you mentioned, mclauren can 155 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:13,080 Speaker 1: hurt you. Curtis Samuel has had a renaissance this season 156 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 1: in this offense as a kind of a gadget player, 157 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: being able to use them in a multitude of different ways. 158 00:08:18,120 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 1: He's a guy that coming out I was incredibly high 159 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 1: on when he started his career, I think in Carolina. 160 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 1: Brian Robinson returned last week during that Thursday night football game. Obviously, 161 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 1: if you know the story with him was shot before 162 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:32,560 Speaker 1: the season, ends up having to miss the first month 163 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:34,319 Speaker 1: of the year, and now he's back. And this was 164 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:36,079 Speaker 1: a guy that I think a lot of people expected 165 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 1: to really usurp Antonio Gibson as the premier back, the 166 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: primary back in this offense. This season. A slower start 167 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 1: for him. I think it was only like three and 168 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:47,239 Speaker 1: about what was at three point two yards per carry. 169 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 1: It wasn't like he torched the world there in the 170 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: first game back. But he's a guy that Washington felt 171 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 1: really good about before that incident. Going into the season. 172 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:57,840 Speaker 1: There are guys that they're going to be able to 173 00:08:57,840 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 1: move the football with the key, as Kenny Clark talked about, 174 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,079 Speaker 1: and a lot of these players on the Packers defenses 175 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 1: being smart with how you approach Heineke. He's a guy 176 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 1: that if you keep him in the pocket, you're going 177 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:12,080 Speaker 1: to have a good chance to be able to stop him. 178 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:16,200 Speaker 1: If you are getting undisciplined in your rush lanes, that's 179 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 1: where he's going to hurt you, not only because he 180 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:20,839 Speaker 1: can look downfield, but if he needs to, he will 181 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 1: pull the ball down and tuck it himself. I thought 182 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:26,679 Speaker 1: it was very interesting Mike three rushing yards last year 183 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 1: for him, five of them in that game against Green Bay. 184 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:32,720 Speaker 1: That was in sixteen games, fifteen starts. Thirty percent of 185 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:36,640 Speaker 1: his rushing yards for the entire season came against Green Bay. 186 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:39,200 Speaker 1: It just shows you that he is a gamer. I 187 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,840 Speaker 1: said that last season Taylor Heineke might not be the 188 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 1: type of quarterback that a team is going to ride 189 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:46,560 Speaker 1: as their starter, not going to have any competition during 190 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 1: training camp. But he is the quintessential NFL number two, reliable, 191 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:54,720 Speaker 1: I will win you a football game backup quarterback, and 192 00:09:54,760 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 1: that's what Washington needs right now. Ron Rivera has won 193 00:09:57,280 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 1: sixteen games as the Commander's head coach. Seven of them 194 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 1: have come when Heineke is a starting quarterback. And if 195 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:05,920 Speaker 1: you want to know how much of a gamer Heineke is, 196 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 1: all you have to do is think back to two 197 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 1: years ago when he had taken over at quarterback late 198 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 1: in the season and Washington was playing in the wild 199 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:19,319 Speaker 1: card round against Tampa Bay, the eventual Super Bowl champion, 200 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And it was Taylor Heineke against Tom 201 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:25,080 Speaker 1: Brady in the wild card round and that was a 202 00:10:25,120 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 1: two point game after three quarters, it was a five 203 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: point game with five minutes to go. Taylor Heineke gave 204 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 1: Washington a heck of a chance to pull that upset 205 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:37,200 Speaker 1: there against Tampa Bay when nobody was giving them a 206 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 1: chance to knock off the Buccaneers in that game. From 207 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: the Keys to victory standpoint, we already mentioned obviously, the 208 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 1: Packers offensive line against this defensive front of Washington. I'm 209 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 1: also wondering based on what we saw last week where 210 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: Jaire Alexander pretty much took Garrett Wilson, the rookie wide 211 00:10:57,280 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 1: receiver from Ohio, stayed out of the game for the Jets, 212 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 1: only one catch for eight yards, and it was not 213 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:06,200 Speaker 1: against Alexander. I wonder how much we're going to see 214 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:10,439 Speaker 1: Alexander against McLaurin. Do you think the Packers match him 215 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 1: up against that guy just because and to take nothing 216 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 1: away from Curtis Samuel, but when you look at when 217 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 1: you look at the statistics and the big play possibility, 218 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:23,440 Speaker 1: McLaurin is the guy who can really hurt you. And 219 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:25,679 Speaker 1: Samuel is not a guy you can match anyway, because 220 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:27,680 Speaker 1: he's gonna move around in so many different areas and 221 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 1: he's and he's gonna he's gonna play behind the line 222 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:31,480 Speaker 1: of scrimmage a lot as well. Yeah, so, I mean 223 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:33,240 Speaker 1: he's he's just going to be a problem that the 224 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 1: defense as a whole, all eleven guys, all you know, 225 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:38,000 Speaker 1: six seven, eight guys in the secondary are going to 226 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:40,240 Speaker 1: have to make sure they know where he's at. I 227 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 1: think this game, Mike, maybe more than any other game 228 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:45,319 Speaker 1: this season, makes the most sense to have Jr. Alexander 229 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:48,200 Speaker 1: plastering him because not only is he your your best 230 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:50,440 Speaker 1: option press man coverage, he's the guy that can run 231 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: with him the longest. And you know, Mike, when we 232 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 1: talk about it all the time with Aaron Rodgers and 233 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 1: you know, third downs, who's he looking to Randall Cobb 234 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 1: as granble drill, what's he looking for Robert Tunyan, Alan Lazard. 235 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:08,199 Speaker 1: That's that's that's McLaurin in this offense, especially with Heineke 236 00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 1: as the starting quarterback right now. My biggest thing for 237 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: this game, Mike, again, I will never, ever, ever, ever 238 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:16,880 Speaker 1: ever say a game is a must win in October. 239 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 1: I don't believe it. The game these seasons too long 240 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:23,840 Speaker 1: at this point. But defensively, this is the get right opportunity. 241 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 1: Washington has the fourth fewest points scored this season. There 242 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 1: has been issues trying to find a rhythm with you know, 243 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:33,880 Speaker 1: this kind of rotating door of quarterbacks they've gone through. 244 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:36,199 Speaker 1: Remember last year, Taylor Heineke wasn't supposed to be the 245 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:38,800 Speaker 1: starting right back. It was gonna be Ryan Fitzpatrick, and 246 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 1: Heineke ended up starting fifteen out of seventeen games. So 247 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:44,319 Speaker 1: and actually, and he wasn't eve supposed se the backup. 248 00:12:44,320 --> 00:12:46,720 Speaker 1: I think what was it? Um Kyle Allen was supposed 249 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 1: to be the backup before he got hurt. So a 250 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 1: lot of different things going to orbit there. For me, 251 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:55,680 Speaker 1: it's this defense doing what it needs to do against 252 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:57,839 Speaker 1: this offense. Packers offense is gonna be in for a 253 00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:00,200 Speaker 1: rough day. It's gonna be a tough assignment. Not saying 254 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: they can't win it, not saying they can't score points, 255 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 1: not saying they can't beat that defensive front. Washington only 256 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 1: has the seventeenth ranked defense in the league. It's not 257 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 1: like this is the number one ranked unit. But defensively, 258 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 1: this thing for Green Bay, I think that's the thing 259 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:16,440 Speaker 1: that people haven't talked enough about. Yes, they're having issues 260 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:19,080 Speaker 1: right now, taken away the football, Washington's kind of had 261 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:22,200 Speaker 1: those issues too. They've been able to, you know, play 262 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 1: really good stretches in the first half. Second half has 263 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 1: been a different, different situation. But you need to look 264 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 1: at what Green Bay has done well that points this year. 265 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 1: They've been good on third downs, They've been able to 266 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:35,080 Speaker 1: limit the passing game, and they aren't going up against 267 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 1: a world beater running back like they have the last 268 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 1: few weeks. For the Packers defense, I feel like this 269 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 1: is the one where Joe Barry needs to sit his 270 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 1: guys down, give them the game plan, and tell them, 271 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:46,560 Speaker 1: you guys need to have the confidence in yourselves right 272 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,760 Speaker 1: now that you can be the dominating unit that everyone 273 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 1: believed you to be, because this is the perfect dance 274 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:55,200 Speaker 1: partner to do that against. Yeah, I think I would expect, 275 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 1: even even with the Packers coming off of these back 276 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 1: to back losses, I would expect we're going to see 277 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 1: a very confident Packers team on Sunday, because here's the thing. 278 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:09,400 Speaker 1: As as frustrating as these last two losses are, six 279 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: quarters ago, this was a Packers team that was three 280 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:14,560 Speaker 1: and one with a ten point halftime lead in London. 281 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:17,679 Speaker 1: The whole the whole season. Doesn't just suddenly go up 282 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 1: and smoke because of a rough game and a half, right, 283 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 1: I mean this, this Packers team, they know, they know 284 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:26,960 Speaker 1: what they know what they're capable of. They know they 285 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 1: haven't lived up to it in the last game and 286 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 1: a half, and this is you know, and and maybe 287 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 1: I don't want to get into a whole discussion about, 288 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: you know, the booing at lambeau Field and everything like that, 289 00:14:37,680 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: but maybe playing on the road isn't the worst thing 290 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:42,480 Speaker 1: in the world for this team right now as it 291 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:45,560 Speaker 1: tries to straighten itself out. Three straight road games is 292 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 1: no easy task. But maybe with what this team is 293 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 1: going through, you get that US against the world mentality 294 00:14:51,840 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 1: when you go on the road. Maybe that's maybe that's 295 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: what this team needs. Yeah, I agree with you, Mike, 296 00:14:56,120 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 1: because this Washington game next week against Buffalo is going 297 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 1: to be as road games go, that's gonna be as 298 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 1: difficult as Green Bay's gonna see all season. Washington. There 299 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 1: might be some friendlies, you know, a couple of years 300 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:08,880 Speaker 1: ago when we're there, there were some friendlies in terms 301 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:12,320 Speaker 1: of how that that crowd balanced out. But at the 302 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:15,880 Speaker 1: same time, we gotta understand where Washington is at right now. 303 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: I don't want to call it a neutral site game. 304 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 1: It's not that it will be a road matchup for them, 305 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 1: but this is a This is as good of an 306 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: opportunity as any to get right with a road game, 307 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 1: and I just feel like, for the Packer's sake, they 308 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:31,320 Speaker 1: have to understand right now, Okay, we technically had sort 309 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 1: of a three game homestand certainly that was a very 310 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 1: favorable crowd for them in London. Now you get three 311 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 1: straight weeks in a row where you're gonna have the 312 00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 1: Commanders Buffalo who's riding high in the Detroit Lions, whose 313 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 1: fan base is energies. You hear about the sellouts that 314 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 1: they've had there, despite the fact that they've gone one 315 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 1: and four to start this season. There is a lot 316 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:54,280 Speaker 1: of motivation here for Green Bay to find its way 317 00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 1: here before coming back home for those two games in 318 00:15:56,480 --> 00:16:00,520 Speaker 1: five days. This is the stretch, Mike, This is the gauntlet. 319 00:16:00,920 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 1: But that being said, you only can worry about the 320 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: team in front of you, and right now, as it stands, 321 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 1: they got Washington. You need to be able to beat 322 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 1: that football team. Yeah, as much as as much as 323 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: the Packers fans, you want you want to see the 324 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 1: Packers get back on the right track. You want to 325 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:18,480 Speaker 1: put this two game losing streak in the rear view mirror. 326 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:21,000 Speaker 1: But the bottom line is you can't. You can't have 327 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 1: a two game or a three game winning streak this week. 328 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 1: All you can do is win one game and try 329 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 1: to get things going back in the right direction. That's 330 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 1: the objective. Did you see that stat not to and again, 331 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:32,560 Speaker 1: Packers gotta win football games, no question about. But did 332 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:34,600 Speaker 1: you see that stat about the Giants now? About how 333 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: they've erased three ten point deficits now in the second 334 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:39,920 Speaker 1: half to win games this season? While I mean I 335 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 1: saw that they did it again against Baltimore, they had 336 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:43,920 Speaker 1: done it, they had done it earlier year as well. 337 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 1: I don't know which opponent, but five wins this season 338 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 1: and three of them they've come back in the second 339 00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:50,040 Speaker 1: half from ten plus points behind to be able to 340 00:16:50,040 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: to win it. Yeah, that's that says something. They're there, 341 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: there are teams that there are teams out there that 342 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 1: that show their grittiness. But it's also it's a really 343 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 1: long season. You never know how things are going to 344 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:04,040 Speaker 1: unfold over the course of four long months. Some sponsor 345 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 1: business here West Serious x M NFL Radio delivers hard 346 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:10,400 Speaker 1: hitting analysis and up to the NFL news that true 347 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 1: football fanatics need seven three and at Cousin Subs, we 348 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:17,600 Speaker 1: have something for everyone, like our Wisconsin Cheese Kurds, mac 349 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:20,399 Speaker 1: and Cheese, golden fries, and creamy shakes, all paired with 350 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:23,200 Speaker 1: your favorite sub or sub in a bowl. Cousins Subs 351 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 1: fifty years of better. Alright, looking at the rest of 352 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:33,359 Speaker 1: Week seven, there's actually not a whole lot that interests me, 353 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:36,359 Speaker 1: quite frankly. But I say that because three teams that 354 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:39,480 Speaker 1: we normally talk about quite a bit in this segment 355 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 1: of the show. The Minnesota Vikings, who are on top 356 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:44,480 Speaker 1: of the NFC North at five and one, the Philadelphia Eagles, 357 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:47,080 Speaker 1: who have the best record in football at six and oh, 358 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:50,119 Speaker 1: and the Los Angeles Rams, the defending Super Bowl champions. 359 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 1: All three of those teams on a by this week 360 00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:56,919 Speaker 1: not playing from the Packers perspective, sorry, including the Packers 361 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,200 Speaker 1: next opponent, Buffalo, right but and Buffalo is also yeah, 362 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:03,040 Speaker 1: buf Buffalo is also on a buy. So from the 363 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:06,200 Speaker 1: Packers perspective, either you win this game and you get 364 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 1: within one and a half of Minnesota, or you lose 365 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 1: and you fall two and a half back. Right now, 366 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:15,200 Speaker 1: it's obviously a two game deficit at with the five 367 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:18,520 Speaker 1: and one, three and three records. Two games that I 368 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 1: am looking at though with some interest. Detroit you mentioned 369 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:24,840 Speaker 1: off to a one in four start, the Lions coming 370 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 1: off there by week traveling to Dallas, and it sounds 371 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 1: like Dallas might be getting Dak Prescott back at quarterback. Obviously, 372 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,159 Speaker 1: we know the Cowboys are coming to lambeau Field in 373 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:36,479 Speaker 1: a few weeks, so that will be interesting. And the 374 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:38,480 Speaker 1: other one I have my eye on is Kansas City 375 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: at San Francisco. Kansas City coming off of a home 376 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:45,439 Speaker 1: loss to the Buffalo Bills having to go on the 377 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 1: road to the West Coast, and San Francisco, a team 378 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:53,160 Speaker 1: that of course reached the NFC Championship Game a year ago, 379 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:56,280 Speaker 1: sitting at three and three, just like the Packers with 380 00:18:56,400 --> 00:18:59,879 Speaker 1: a very very tough matchup, um to try to have 381 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 1: way falling below fire at three and four out there 382 00:19:03,240 --> 00:19:05,159 Speaker 1: in the NFC West. Just any thoughts you have on 383 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 1: those couple of games. This is what I was just 384 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:09,800 Speaker 1: saying about Washington. The Packers are three and three, I 385 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 1: get it. Fans want to be four and to five 386 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:17,400 Speaker 1: and one, seven and oh if they could, right San 387 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 1: Francisco forty Niners three and three onto their old starting 388 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:26,240 Speaker 1: quarterback that became their backup that almost got traded. But 389 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:28,359 Speaker 1: now as they're starting quarterback again because the one of 390 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:32,159 Speaker 1: the futures out for the season going up against Kansas City, 391 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: and you have to imagine Kansas City is going to 392 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:36,959 Speaker 1: be motivated for this game, not only because of what 393 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,720 Speaker 1: it means going out on the road, but also coming 394 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:41,680 Speaker 1: off the loss against the Bills. That's a tough assignment, right. 395 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 1: That's why again I point towards this game for Green Bay, 396 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:47,960 Speaker 1: the situation the table can look a lot differently for them. Otherwise. 397 00:19:48,640 --> 00:19:51,600 Speaker 1: The other matchup that I think is very interesting is 398 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:56,120 Speaker 1: Monday Night Football, the Chicago Bears going to New England. Obviously, 399 00:19:56,119 --> 00:19:58,680 Speaker 1: there's the implications there for the division, as there always are, 400 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 1: But you want to talk, Mike, how a three and 401 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:04,720 Speaker 1: three record can really, depending on what the aftertaste is 402 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:08,159 Speaker 1: into your mouth, can make you feel one way or 403 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:10,879 Speaker 1: another about your football team. Packers are at three and 404 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 1: three after two losses to two teams that both are 405 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:16,440 Speaker 1: in the playoff hunts in their respective conference. New England 406 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:19,600 Speaker 1: was not looking so hot when they lost that game 407 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:21,520 Speaker 1: in Green Bay. A lot of questions about what was 408 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:24,200 Speaker 1: going to happen at quarterback after Brian Hoyer gets the concussion. 409 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:28,639 Speaker 1: Now Bailey's Appy has a really nice performance. They you know, 410 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:32,200 Speaker 1: against Cleveland they are kind of feeling their winds turn 411 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:34,320 Speaker 1: a little bit, and now they're going up against a 412 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:36,879 Speaker 1: Chicago Bears team that has a lot of question marks. 413 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,359 Speaker 1: That's why these three and three records, again we talked 414 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:42,440 Speaker 1: about on Tuesday's show, But it can go so many 415 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:46,080 Speaker 1: different ways because it really just comes down to how 416 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:49,360 Speaker 1: your football team is playing in which direction you feel 417 00:20:49,359 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 1: they're going. The record doesn't matter so much as the momentum, 418 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:54,919 Speaker 1: and that's in green based circumstance, and a team like 419 00:20:55,440 --> 00:20:58,240 Speaker 1: the Patriots circumstances, that's where they want to be able 420 00:20:58,280 --> 00:21:01,920 Speaker 1: to keep those things going. It's a week to week league, 421 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:04,919 Speaker 1: so it always is and uh and this week is 422 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 1: certainly no different. Well, with that, we'll call it a 423 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:09,879 Speaker 1: wrap on this edition of Packers on Script. To be 424 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:12,399 Speaker 1: sure to follow all of our coverage of the team. 425 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:16,240 Speaker 1: Will have everything for you from FedEx Field on Sunday 426 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 1: on Packers dot com For West I Am Mike. Thank 427 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:21,480 Speaker 1: you for tuning in everybody. We'll see you next time.