1 00:00:00,880 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford. He is Wes Hodkowitz. We're coming 3 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 1: to you here from our studios at lambeau Field as 4 00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: the Packers West begin preparing for Monday Night football at 5 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 1: lambeau Field, coming up against the Detroit Lions. Now, the 6 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:37,600 Speaker 1: week is all kind of screwed up. I'm not even 7 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: sure what day it is. We've had a different schedule 8 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: with Packers Unscripted this week. But I think it's time 9 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: to talk about the opponents. So let's focus this episode 10 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 1: on the Detroit Lions, who are to one and one. 11 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: They've played one fewer game then the Packers coming off 12 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 1: their bye week now, and I don't know what you think. 13 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 1: To me, the Detroit Lions in twenty nineteen are the 14 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:07,679 Speaker 1: quintessential NFL team in that you look at their record, 15 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 1: you look at their games, they could very easily be 16 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: four and oh. They also very easily could be oh 17 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 1: and four. I mean they've they've played close, tight football 18 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 1: games all the way along. They blew a lead and 19 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 1: got a tie, they caught a couple of breaks to 20 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 1: win a couple of close games. Then they had some 21 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:30,959 Speaker 1: breaks go against them in losing a close game at 22 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 1: home to a good Kansas City team. The bottom line 23 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 1: is there to one and one after four games, and 24 00:01:35,920 --> 00:01:37,839 Speaker 1: they are right in the mix in the NFC North 25 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: and this is a big division game here coming up 26 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 1: at Lambo. Yeah. It's a great point you make, Mike. 27 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:43,960 Speaker 1: It's similar to my fantasy football team right now. I 28 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 1: could be four and one, but instead I'm two and 29 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 1: three because I lost by one or point zero point 30 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 1: one two weeks ago, and then I lost by seven 31 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:55,200 Speaker 1: rushing yards last week. We could talk about that on 32 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 1: a different episode. But the end of the day, this 33 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 1: is what the league's all about. Though, right before, Oh, 34 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: you could be going for split the difference or two 35 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: one and one. Here's the thing where I'm kind of 36 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 1: torn on Detroit right now because when you cover the 37 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 1: NFL long enough, and you probably got to this point 38 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:15,240 Speaker 1: three or four years ago, when when looking at the Lions, 39 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: it seems like there's been so many like resurgences of 40 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 1: the Lions and it doesn't stick. It's you know, it's 41 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 1: the roller coaster. Yeah, well, I think that's part of it. 42 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 1: They the years that they have made the postseason, they 43 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:31,360 Speaker 1: haven't been able to win a postseason game and really 44 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,040 Speaker 1: establish anything, and then the next year they can't get 45 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:36,000 Speaker 1: back to the playoffs to try to build on what 46 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: they did. So you're right, it is it is an 47 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: instance of Okay, here come the Lions, but then it's 48 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 1: it's one good year and then they're kind of retooling again. 49 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 1: So as much as I want to say, you know, 50 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:48,799 Speaker 1: Daryl Bevil seems to be the right fit for this 51 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 1: team and for Matthew Stafford, I said the same thing 52 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 1: about Jim Bob Couer when he replaced Lombardi a number 53 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 1: of years ago. Yeah, that's where things that's where things 54 00:02:57,040 --> 00:02:59,239 Speaker 1: were headed. You thought you thought Couder was going to 55 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 1: be the guy that to stick around for a while. Yeah. 56 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 1: So I mean, this is the situation now where I 57 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: just look at it for what it is. They were 58 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 1: at home against one of the best teams in football 59 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:10,240 Speaker 1: in Kansas City, and they played him tough. They got 60 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 1: Carrie on Johnson going. I think kenned out. Galaday is 61 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 1: a emerging, you know, star in this league, and he 62 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 1: seems to have that rapport with Matthew Stafford. Stafford's playing 63 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 1: well and on schedule, but the biggest thing that's jumping 64 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: off the page is just the way that Detroit's defense 65 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 1: has probably played a little bit better than I expected 66 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 1: them to early on. I mean, they've invested heavily into 67 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 1: their defensive front um, and you know, they're probably the 68 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 1: sack numbers aren't exactly where they want them to be 69 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:37,240 Speaker 1: yet with Trey Flowers and some of those players, but 70 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,760 Speaker 1: they can pressure the quarterback in when you look at it, 71 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 1: you know, I wouldn't say their defense is as good 72 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:46,360 Speaker 1: as as Chicago. I wouldn't say their offense on papers 73 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 1: as good as what Green Bay could potentially be, but 74 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:51,080 Speaker 1: they're doing just enough of the right things to be 75 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:53,400 Speaker 1: in a position where they're contending here for the top 76 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 1: of the division. Well, it strikes me as a team 77 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 1: that is getting comfortable. I'm not sure if that's the 78 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 1: right word, but get getting comfortable, getting accustomed to the 79 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 1: type of team Matt Patricia wants in his second year 80 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 1: as the head coach, coming over from the New England Patriots. 81 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 1: And I still say, you know, it starts with Stafford here, 82 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 1: and when you look at what he's done through the 83 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,479 Speaker 1: first four games, he's got a triple digit passer rating, 84 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:22,160 Speaker 1: he's he's up over a hundred UM. And the thing 85 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 1: that sticks out to me when you look at, Okay, 86 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:28,679 Speaker 1: what is their offense doing right, It's that through four games, 87 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:32,159 Speaker 1: Stafford has only been sacked seven times, which would actually 88 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:35,479 Speaker 1: put him on pace to be sacked the fewest times 89 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: in about the last six years. UM. When you look 90 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,920 Speaker 1: at his career numbers and how things have gone year 91 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 1: by year for the Lions. So nothing overly flashy or 92 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:50,239 Speaker 1: explosive necessarily on offense. I think Kenny Golladay's twelve point 93 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 1: eight yards per catch as their number one wide receiver, 94 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:56,720 Speaker 1: I think that's a really misleading number going into this 95 00:04:56,760 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 1: game against the Packers because with the big plays the 96 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: Packers gave up last week against the Cowboys, and with 97 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 1: the challenge that Gala Day presents and how Stafford does 98 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,440 Speaker 1: like to send him down the field, I think I 99 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 1: think they're going to test the Packers in that respect 100 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:13,600 Speaker 1: on Monday, absolutely, Mike, and they're gonna look at that 101 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: film and what Dallas did with Marie Cooper and even 102 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:17,839 Speaker 1: to some extent, Michael Gallup, and they're gonna want to, 103 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 1: you know, really stress them in that capacity. We're gonna 104 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:22,480 Speaker 1: have to see exactly where the week takes them. With 105 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:24,479 Speaker 1: with t J. Hockenson coming on the bye week, he 106 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 1: appears to be okay, you know, after having a you know, 107 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 1: pretty scary concussion there right before in that game against 108 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:33,479 Speaker 1: Kansas City, So seeing exactly you know what his you know, 109 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:36,360 Speaker 1: potential impact could be. And they also signed Jesse James 110 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:38,039 Speaker 1: in the off season, so I mean that's another guy 111 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 1: too that they've built up their resources and their weapons 112 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 1: for Matthew Stafford, and Stafford I think is having a 113 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 1: good time with it. Marvin Jones has been there for 114 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:48,800 Speaker 1: a number of years now. Um you look at you know, 115 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 1: Dan Danny Amondola coming in here. You know, Bob Quinn 116 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:54,799 Speaker 1: has sort of had you know that bringing a few 117 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:57,279 Speaker 1: patriots here and there that they feel like fit the 118 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 1: you know, fit the void, and you know, well, we'll 119 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 1: see exactly where that takes him. The thing I'm curious 120 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:06,040 Speaker 1: to see though, is that with Green Bay's defense kind 121 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 1: of stepping up to the challenge with Zeke Elliott and 122 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:10,279 Speaker 1: Zeke's you know, yards per carry were still pretty decent. 123 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:12,719 Speaker 1: You know, they got out of their rhythm because they're 124 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:14,160 Speaker 1: playing from behind, but you know, for the most part, 125 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 1: they didn't give any big runs up to Zeke Elliott. Well, 126 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:19,720 Speaker 1: now you're taking on, you know, Carrie on Johnson, who 127 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: even though he had a hundred and thirties some yards 128 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:24,280 Speaker 1: last week, that was as much as he had had 129 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: the first three games of the season. They had a 130 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 1: really difficult time. I think. I think he's only averaging 131 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 1: like three point four yards to carry on the season 132 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:36,159 Speaker 1: so far, which is definitely down there expecting more. And 133 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:38,839 Speaker 1: I'm sure from their perspective, what he was able to 134 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: do against the Chiefs is maybe the breakout moment that 135 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:44,000 Speaker 1: that they've been expecting for well, and I think that's 136 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: one of the reasons they were able to stay up 137 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:47,200 Speaker 1: in that game for as long as they did, is that, 138 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 1: you know, he had his longest carrying that matchup was 139 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 1: fourteen yards, which I think, yeah, that's as longest to 140 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:54,279 Speaker 1: the season at this point. So they were just able 141 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: to consistently move the chains and then got enough big 142 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:59,080 Speaker 1: plays from their receivers in the red zone to make 143 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 1: that a really compelled, editive game in which they almost won. 144 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:04,839 Speaker 1: But let's be real, Mike, I mean, Carrie on Johnson, 145 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:07,120 Speaker 1: the reason that they have dedicated themselves to him and 146 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:08,880 Speaker 1: the run game is they have a vision for where 147 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 1: they want to take that thing. It's been decades now 148 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 1: where you know, the lines just have not been able 149 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 1: to find a consistent run game. They feel like this 150 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:18,480 Speaker 1: is the guy that could potentially get them there. But 151 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 1: you know, as well as that offensive line has done, 152 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 1: you know, with the pass and you know where their 153 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: weapons are there, Um, it's still been tough sledding for 154 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 1: them with the with getting the rushing offense going and 155 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:30,800 Speaker 1: seeing how the Packers, you know, we're trying to change 156 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:33,400 Speaker 1: their fortunes a little bit in that capacity are able 157 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:34,760 Speaker 1: to do so in this game is gonna be something 158 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 1: to watch. Yeah, Well, when you look at the Lions 159 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: through the first four games, they're just the style of games, 160 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 1: the way their games have gone. They've been these games 161 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 1: with wild swings of momentum, um turnovers back and forth. 162 00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 1: I know was a big part of the Kansas City 163 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 1: Chiefs game, the fumble that was returned a hundred yards 164 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,120 Speaker 1: for a touchdown when most of the players on the 165 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 1: field thought the play was dead and the Chiefs end 166 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 1: up getting a huge play there. The Lions ran a 167 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 1: kickoff back a hundred yards for a touchdown against the 168 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: Philadelphia Eagles. That was a big momentum shift in that game. 169 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:10,080 Speaker 1: The Chargers when they played them back in Week two, 170 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: they were missing their kicker. They were trying their punter 171 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: on field goals. He missed a couple of kicks and 172 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:17,120 Speaker 1: then the Chargers had to go for a fourth down 173 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 1: late in the game. They've had, they've just had a 174 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 1: lot of kind of weird, crazy things that have happened 175 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:26,880 Speaker 1: throughout their games. And you know, they've had their bye week. 176 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:29,920 Speaker 1: Now they kind of they kind of get their opportunity 177 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 1: to reset and get geared up for a division game 178 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 1: on the road at lambeau Field, a place that for 179 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:40,560 Speaker 1: about a quarter century they couldn't win in the state 180 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:43,440 Speaker 1: of Wisconsin. But the last couple of years now some 181 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: of the games with Aaron Rodgers being out for different reasons. 182 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:48,680 Speaker 1: But over the last couple of years, the Lions have 183 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 1: turned the tide in this rivalry and they they've they've 184 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 1: kind of owned Green Bay for the last few seasons. 185 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 1: Matt Patricia hasn't lost to the Packers yet. He's four 186 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 1: and oh went into this matchup really quickly. I want 187 00:08:58,400 --> 00:08:59,680 Speaker 1: to touch on this because I don't know we're gonna 188 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 1: get a chance to pivot back to a Jamal egg 189 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 1: New is one of the top returners in this league. 190 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:05,520 Speaker 1: When you talked about the kickoff return that he had, 191 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: Packers have had problems and kickoff coverage right now, I mean, 192 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 1: make Mason Crosby making sure that they can pin them 193 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:13,200 Speaker 1: back as much as they can. It's gonna be critical 194 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: in this one, but that's what I kind of respect 195 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:18,080 Speaker 1: about what Patricia has done. I mean, I think one 196 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: of the reasons why we talked about the ebb and 197 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:22,320 Speaker 1: flow that the lines have kind of experienced over the years. 198 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 1: They just haven't been good enough in all three phases. 199 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:26,960 Speaker 1: I mean, you look at the you know, the Jim Schwartzerer, 200 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 1: they just weren't disciplined enough. They had really good offensive 201 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 1: football schemes. Calvin Johnson was at the peak of his powers, 202 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:34,680 Speaker 1: but they just shot themselves in the footway too often. 203 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:37,240 Speaker 1: And then Jim Calvill comes in and changes the culture. 204 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 1: But then you just didn't have enough explosivity to that offense. 205 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:42,680 Speaker 1: And defensively you saw it kind of a road and 206 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:45,640 Speaker 1: get a little older um and some decisions they had 207 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:48,199 Speaker 1: to make, some things just didn't work out for them. Well. Now, 208 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:50,240 Speaker 1: you're seeing kind of this perfect marriage. I think when 209 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 1: you look at all three phases, if you can get 210 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:55,680 Speaker 1: Matthew Stafford performing consistently, you know, he has nine touchdowns 211 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:59,160 Speaker 1: already in four games. He only had twenty one last year. Um, 212 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:01,680 Speaker 1: he's actually I thought this was really interesting too. You 213 00:10:01,679 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 1: talked about the triple digits for a pass rating. He's 214 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:07,320 Speaker 1: never had a triple digit passer rating in his NFL 215 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 1: career for a full season, for a full season, exactly. Yeah, 216 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,600 Speaker 1: to actually finish the year with it, so, Um, getting 217 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 1: him to play at an optimal level and just being 218 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 1: consistent enough in defense and special teams, that's what's gonna 219 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 1: make this thing a really interesting race to follow in 220 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 1: the NFC North because I think you legitimately have four 221 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:27,439 Speaker 1: good teams, but not everybody can make the playoffs, and 222 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:29,920 Speaker 1: not everybody can even have a winning record sometimes. So 223 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:32,440 Speaker 1: this matchup for the Packers and a lot of players 224 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:34,559 Speaker 1: were asked about it in the locker room on Tuesday. 225 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 1: To start a season three and oh, to go through 226 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:38,720 Speaker 1: the quick slate and get a win over every team 227 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:40,240 Speaker 1: in the division right off the bat in the first 228 00:10:40,240 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 1: six weeks, that is exactly how you draw it. Up 229 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:46,120 Speaker 1: when you're trying to put together a playoff type team 230 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 1: that can really contend going into January. Yeah. I mean, 231 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:50,920 Speaker 1: when you look at it from the big picture perspective, 232 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:54,600 Speaker 1: you have to hold serve at home against your division opponents. 233 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: I mean, right now, what is the difference in the 234 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 1: NFC North the fact that the Packers won on the 235 00:10:59,240 --> 00:11:02,679 Speaker 1: road at Soldier Field. It was back in Week one, 236 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:04,560 Speaker 1: but right now, when you look at the first five 237 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 1: weeks of the season, that's the game that has tipped 238 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:09,600 Speaker 1: the balance in favor of Green Bay. The Packers can't 239 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:12,440 Speaker 1: give up that advantage now by losing a division game 240 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 1: at home. This is a huge opportunity for the Lions obviously, 241 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:17,920 Speaker 1: to try to tilt things in their direction. And I 242 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:19,679 Speaker 1: want to mention this too because last week we we 243 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:21,720 Speaker 1: sort of one of the big narratives for that is, Okay, 244 00:11:21,720 --> 00:11:24,560 Speaker 1: the Dallas clubs haven't really played anybody. You know, they 245 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: have a good record, but you know when they had 246 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: their first big tests against New Orleans, that an't rise 247 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:31,600 Speaker 1: to the occasion. Detroit has played good football teams and 248 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 1: there to one and one on the other side of it. 249 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: I mean, you don't do that by accident. The performance 250 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 1: they had against Philadelphia, being able to find a way 251 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:41,400 Speaker 1: to win that football game. I thought they really, especially 252 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:44,319 Speaker 1: in my particular case, raised a lot of eyebrows when 253 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:46,679 Speaker 1: they came out and they picked apart of you know, 254 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 1: Chargers team, I think a lot of people are expecting 255 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:50,079 Speaker 1: to be one of the best in the a f C, 256 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 1: and they were able to hold serve against them as well. 257 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 1: And then you know, you look at it, you're within 258 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 1: an eyelash year of you know, that game against Arizona 259 00:11:57,679 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 1: where you're up and then you lose it. So it 260 00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:03,040 Speaker 1: just a lot of different aspects to this, which I 261 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:04,840 Speaker 1: think what makes it a really compelling matchup with the 262 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: Lions coming back in here and the Packers trying to 263 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:09,439 Speaker 1: reverse their fortunes after losing two and straight here now 264 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:13,680 Speaker 1: against Detroit at home. Yeah, with regard to Detroit's defense, 265 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: some injuries they're dealing with their Mike Daniels, the former Packer, 266 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:22,080 Speaker 1: he's been on the injured list. I believe Damon Harrison 267 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 1: Snacks Harrison as he's called another guy plugger in the 268 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: interior that defensive line. He's not healthy at the moment, 269 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 1: but it sounds like they are getting cornerback Darius slay Back. 270 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:36,559 Speaker 1: I you know, we've talked about him obviously in years 271 00:12:36,559 --> 00:12:38,599 Speaker 1: passed on the show. I think Darius Slay is a 272 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:41,480 Speaker 1: is a premier talent at cornerback in this league. And 273 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:44,280 Speaker 1: he's called big play Slay for a reason. He's one 274 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:48,080 Speaker 1: of those guys that even if you feel like maybe 275 00:12:48,160 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 1: you're you know, you're getting the best of him here 276 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:52,200 Speaker 1: and there throughout the course of a game, he can 277 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:53,760 Speaker 1: jump up and make a play on you in the 278 00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: fourth quarter and and turn the tide. So if Darius 279 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 1: slay is back for the Lions, that's a huge boost 280 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 1: for that defense. Yeah, he's one of the best in 281 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:05,319 Speaker 1: the entire league. And the Packers see him twice a year. Um, 282 00:13:05,679 --> 00:13:08,319 Speaker 1: we we're shooting this before practice on Thursday, so we'll 283 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:10,600 Speaker 1: have to see, you know, if Davanta Adams if he 284 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 1: has a chance this week or not, you know, coming 285 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 1: off of his you know, the the ankle injury, their 286 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:17,360 Speaker 1: foot injury he's dealing with and some of the other 287 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:20,040 Speaker 1: things the Packers are working through. But Slay is such 288 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 1: a you know, he's a he's a great phenomenal player. 289 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:24,360 Speaker 1: He's really fun to watch and we've been able to 290 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 1: watch him now for a number of years and see 291 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 1: him and and how he's developed from just a pure 292 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 1: talent to you know, one of the league's all around 293 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:34,439 Speaker 1: best cornerbacks. And you know, his role I would even 294 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:36,040 Speaker 1: argue has changed here a little bit in the last 295 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 1: few years, because for a while, you did have a 296 00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:39,280 Speaker 1: lot of veterans there. You think of Glover Quinn, the 297 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 1: number of years that he ended up playing in Detroit, Um, 298 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 1: there were a lot of guys that were the quote 299 00:13:43,679 --> 00:13:46,840 Speaker 1: unquote leaders of that defense. We dre Is Slave very 300 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 1: simply put is now. I think he's twenty eight years old. 301 00:13:49,880 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 1: He's at the peak of his powers. And you know, 302 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 1: as as much as resources they've did, you know, invested 303 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 1: in that defensive front, trade Flowers is you know, we 304 00:13:57,600 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: talked about Zadarius Smith and Presses Smith. Tradeful hours was 305 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 1: right up there with being the pre eminent free agent 306 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:05,800 Speaker 1: pass rushers this offseason. Yeah, he was one of the 307 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:08,839 Speaker 1: quick signings exactly last on the market. Didn't last on 308 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: the market for long. Yeah, And with all those resources 309 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:13,200 Speaker 1: they put up front, that's all well and good, and 310 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:14,800 Speaker 1: you know, you need to build, you need to marry 311 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 1: the two together. But the second area and having Darius 312 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 1: slay Is, you know, it's sort of your go to 313 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 1: there for a shutdown cornerback is really the identity of 314 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 1: this defense and it continues to be. Well, it's a 315 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:28,000 Speaker 1: matchup game, West, So I want to ask you before 316 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 1: we go here today, what are the individual matchups Packers 317 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 1: defense versus their offense or vice versa. What are the 318 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:39,720 Speaker 1: matchups that you're looking at that that intrigue you the 319 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: most in terms of how they might play out on 320 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 1: the field. Aaron Jones seeing exactly you know, you put 321 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:47,920 Speaker 1: that on film last week. Two yards of total offense, 322 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 1: four touchdowns, seven catches, seventy eight yards or whatever. He 323 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 1: had a career day in so many different ways. I'm 324 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: very interested to see what the plan of attack is 325 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 1: for Detroit and how they defend him. You know, a 326 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 1: pretty deep, you know, linebacking corps that they have their 327 00:15:03,080 --> 00:15:05,000 Speaker 1: you know, Jared Davis is you know, kind of been 328 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 1: the guy in the middle of that defense here the 329 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 1: last few seasons. Um, you know, if if you leak 330 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 1: him out now and depending on how the Packers want 331 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 1: to attack the middle of the field, that's where you know, 332 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones, Danny VITALI can be really dynamic, and you know, 333 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 1: you wrote about it this week and we've talked about 334 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:23,760 Speaker 1: it with you know that the tight end position and 335 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:25,880 Speaker 1: some of the production that they're getting there from that 336 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 1: spot now with Marcedes Lewis and Jimmy Graham these last 337 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:32,080 Speaker 1: few weeks. I think as long as Davante Adams, whether 338 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 1: he plays or not, as long as he's dealing with 339 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 1: this foot, you know, turf toe deal, you need to 340 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:38,440 Speaker 1: be able to penetrate the middle of the field and 341 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 1: challenge defenses there. Aaron Jones is a big part of that. 342 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 1: The tight ends are a big part of it. And 343 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:47,280 Speaker 1: seeing exactly how you know, the Lions try to defend 344 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 1: that after seeing what basically the Dallas Cowboys did wrong 345 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:54,640 Speaker 1: with two premier inside linebackers, is going to be I 346 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 1: think one of the biggest keys to victory for either 347 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 1: one of these teams, depending on who prevails. Yeah, for me, 348 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:03,720 Speaker 1: and an interesting matchup here is Hockinson, the rookie tight 349 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 1: end from Iowa the Lions drafted and with the number 350 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:10,720 Speaker 1: eight overall pick. And I remember the stats at draft 351 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 1: time and they're not with me right now, but it 352 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: has been a long time since the tight end, if 353 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 1: I recall had been taken that high. I think it's 354 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 1: going back to Jeremy Shocky or yeah, something that somebody has. 355 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:23,080 Speaker 1: Somebody like that. It had been a while, so they 356 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: spent a premium draft pick on t J. Hockenson, and 357 00:16:26,760 --> 00:16:29,800 Speaker 1: so far they certainly like what they've gotten out of him. 358 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 1: And I think this is a really interesting match up 359 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:36,760 Speaker 1: here for the Packers because going back two weeks when 360 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:40,000 Speaker 1: the Eagles had their running game going and we're kind 361 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 1: of staying ahead of the chains and everything offensively, zach 362 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:45,920 Speaker 1: Ertz was the guy in the passing game who really 363 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:47,960 Speaker 1: hurt the Packers. He was kind of the move the 364 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:51,760 Speaker 1: chains guy. You saw Mike Petton try a bunch of 365 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:55,440 Speaker 1: different matchups. It wasn't just one guy had responsibility for 366 00:16:55,480 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 1: Earth's you know, throughout the game. It wasn't with those 367 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 1: kind of you know, match and follow type of things, 368 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 1: which isn't normally what you do with a tight end. 369 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:07,280 Speaker 1: You know, depending on your package and your personnel on 370 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 1: the field at a given time, you're going to have 371 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:11,560 Speaker 1: different guys matching up with that tight end. And I'm 372 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:14,639 Speaker 1: curious to see just who is going to be called 373 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:18,439 Speaker 1: upon at various times to try to contain Hockinson on 374 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:20,480 Speaker 1: Monday night. So a few things to this one, just 375 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:22,960 Speaker 1: to make sure be my own personal budsman here. It 376 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:25,080 Speaker 1: was the highest the tight end been taken since Vernon 377 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 1: Davis thousand six. He was taking six overall. Kellen Winzel 378 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 1: was in two thousand four, also six, and then you 379 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:34,639 Speaker 1: know Eric Ebrint was a guy that they took tenth 380 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 1: overall a number of years ago. That's been a big 381 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:39,400 Speaker 1: position that they've been trying to build up through various 382 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 1: regimes with the Lions, and it does look as you 383 00:17:42,320 --> 00:17:44,960 Speaker 1: have a good one in Hockinson. This is what's going 384 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,080 Speaker 1: to be interesting in terms of how they challenge him, 385 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,359 Speaker 1: right because you have Darnell Savage dealing with his ankle. 386 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:54,119 Speaker 1: So let's say he's either compromise or can't go on 387 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:55,679 Speaker 1: this one. Well, then there's probably a little bit more 388 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:57,680 Speaker 1: of an emphasis to have Adrian Aame is playing back 389 00:17:58,119 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 1: and maybe not in the box as much as he 390 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:01,879 Speaker 1: did the last couple of weeks. So then what's the 391 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 1: chess piece that you move there? I think as long 392 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:06,639 Speaker 1: as the packers are dealing with this, you're gonna be 393 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 1: seeing them, you know, use more that hybrid dime personnel. 394 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:12,960 Speaker 1: But could a guy like Orn Burke's, now that he's 395 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:15,520 Speaker 1: back in the rotation, can he help you in coverage 396 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:17,680 Speaker 1: in that way? Can you use a guy like Josh 397 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 1: Jackson who's been kind of sitting on the bleachers here 398 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,680 Speaker 1: waiting to get an opportunity to get back in there. 399 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 1: Will Redmond has been thrown in there. The Packers invested 400 00:18:27,680 --> 00:18:30,880 Speaker 1: resources to the defensive side of the ball, but they 401 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:34,720 Speaker 1: also trusted their draft and developed kind of philosophies too 402 00:18:34,720 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 1: with how they handled many of those inside linebacker and 403 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:40,199 Speaker 1: safety positions, and they're gonna need those next men up 404 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 1: to kind of be there for them regardless of how 405 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:45,359 Speaker 1: this injury report shuffles out. And T. J. Hockinson's a 406 00:18:45,359 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 1: guy that you have to be, you know, aware of 407 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 1: at all times because as much as I've said in 408 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:51,679 Speaker 1: the past, it's difficult for a rookie to come in 409 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:54,639 Speaker 1: and make an immediate impact. Hockinson is one of those guys, 410 00:18:54,680 --> 00:18:56,720 Speaker 1: And if you follow the lines at all so far 411 00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:59,600 Speaker 1: this season, the potential threat that he presents in the 412 00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: reds own is something that I think is really going 413 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:04,440 Speaker 1: to stress out a lot of defenses. So, yeah, that's 414 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: gonna be a big thing that Mike Petton, the training staff, 415 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: We're gonna have to figure out this week. Who's available, 416 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:11,960 Speaker 1: who's up, and how exactly do you go Buck defending him. Yeah. Well, 417 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 1: we will get to our keys to victory for this 418 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:17,879 Speaker 1: Monday night showdown on tomorrow's show, but for now we 419 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:20,480 Speaker 1: will call it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. 420 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:22,600 Speaker 1: Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the 421 00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 1: team on Packers dot com, subscribe to us, like us 422 00:19:26,040 --> 00:19:29,000 Speaker 1: on iTunes and other podcast services, and you can find 423 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:31,520 Speaker 1: him on Twitter at west Hot I'm at Mike Spofford 424 00:19:31,560 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 1: at Packers for the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody. 425 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:35,880 Speaker 1: We'll see you next time.