1 00:00:01,240 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:17,799 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined as always by my trusted 3 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:21,280 Speaker 1: colleague Wes Hodkowitz. We're coming to here from our studios 4 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field. Hope everyone had a merry Christmas. It 5 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 1: is now the day after Christmas West and we are 6 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 1: one day closer to Packers lions Ford Field Sunday noon 7 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:35,599 Speaker 1: Central time start. I don't want to talk about that yet. 8 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 1: I want to know the best present that Mike Spofford 9 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: god for Christmas? The best what I want to know? 10 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 1: The best present I got for Christmas? I got a 11 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 1: brand spanking new Milwaukee Brewers baseball cap with the new logo. Yeah. Yeah, 12 00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 1: it was very excited. So what is the color blue 13 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 1: on that? Then? Is it like the darker blue? Like 14 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: that's that navy? Sort of navy? Do you put together 15 00:00:57,840 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 1: a wish list to that? Or is that just the 16 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 1: kids and the white knowing exactly what to get you? Um, 17 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:04,640 Speaker 1: it was actually on the list, but they wouldn't have 18 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 1: had to think too hard even if I hadn't written 19 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 1: it down. So you know what my best present was? 20 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 1: In addition to being able to spend time with my 21 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:13,319 Speaker 1: wife and child and everything. Um, you know, I'm a 22 00:01:13,319 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: big game of throwing sky, or at least I used 23 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 1: to be. The relationship kind of got complicated, and I 24 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:20,119 Speaker 1: also became a very big tie clip guy in these 25 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: last few seasons. So I've noticed that Caitlin got me 26 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:28,639 Speaker 1: a sword tie clip for Christmas that I'll be wearing 27 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:31,960 Speaker 1: at the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers game on Sunday. 28 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 1: There's your transition back to football. There we go, we 29 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 1: and we will be at Ford Field on Sunday with 30 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 1: a lot at stake for the Green Bay Packers. A 31 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:42,880 Speaker 1: win gets a first round by and would keep the 32 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:46,479 Speaker 1: Packers in the hunt for the number one overall seed. 33 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: The Detroit Lions, their season has gone a completely different 34 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 1: direction from where they were when we first discussed this 35 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: team back in Week six, when the Lions were coming 36 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 1: in to play the Packers on Monday Night Football at 37 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:05,160 Speaker 1: lambeau Field Detroit. Now three eleven and one, they have 38 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 1: lost eight straight and eleven of their last twelve. They 39 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:12,560 Speaker 1: were actually undefeated after three games this year at two 40 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:16,359 Speaker 1: oh and one, and with Matthew Stafford looking like quite frankly, 41 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 1: they were going to contend for a playoff spot in 42 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 1: the NFC. But once Stafford started having injury issues, Uh, 43 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,480 Speaker 1: their season went the wrong direct. Well, in Stafford's injury 44 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 1: issues were a microcosm of the entire team. Now, certainly 45 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: he is their superstar, but you could build an eight 46 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 1: man football team off of their injured reserve list right now. 47 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: With everything they went through losing Marvin Jones, there was 48 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:41,280 Speaker 1: a lot of excitement about Mike Daniels. He was really 49 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:43,679 Speaker 1: never able to get going this year. T J. Hockenson 50 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,800 Speaker 1: their Frockie first round pick, big expectations for him. He 51 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,640 Speaker 1: battled injuries throughout the year before going on injury reserve. 52 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 1: Even Jeff Driscoll, their backup quarterback, ends up being placed 53 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 1: on season ending I R. So you go into this 54 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 1: game at Ford Field, where you're gonna have David Blow 55 00:02:57,760 --> 00:03:00,640 Speaker 1: at quarterback, you have Kyle Sloter as a back up. Uh. 56 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 1: It's just a very different situation than I think the 57 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 1: Lions felt they were in when they played the Packers 58 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 1: earlier this season in October and that really tightly contested 59 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 1: game at lambeau Field. Yeah, it seemed that it seemed 60 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 1: that Blow gave them a lift initially when he came in. 61 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 1: He took the Chicago Bears to the wire on Thanksgiving 62 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 1: Day at Ford Field. It was his first start, undrafted 63 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 1: rookie quarterback out of Purdue. Look like he was showing 64 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 1: some promise, but then, you know, the shine war seemed 65 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 1: to wear off quickly. Um, things have fizzled and and 66 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:36,600 Speaker 1: quite frankly, he's looked pretty much like an undrafted rookie 67 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: quarterback you'd expect with all those other injuries. Um, you know, 68 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 1: he he's not exactly playing with a full deck in 69 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: terms of in terms of the complimentary piece and the 70 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 1: personnel that's around him, no doubt. I mean, Kenny Golladay 71 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: has been exceptional this year. He's a superstar in this league. 72 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: He's one of the top young receivers that the NFL 73 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 1: has to offer right now, and he seems like a 74 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: real gem for them and a piece to build upon 75 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:01,280 Speaker 1: going forward here. But the problem is, especially for an 76 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 1: undrafted rookie like blow and I think to some extent 77 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: you even looked at what happened Garter Minshew in Jacksonville. 78 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 1: It's really easy to catch teams by surprise. But once 79 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 1: the film starts to get out there a little bit 80 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 1: and you've got the brightest football minds and the country, 81 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:19,160 Speaker 1: you know, the world really really dissecting you and trying 82 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 1: to figure out where they can exploit particular weaknesses or 83 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:25,839 Speaker 1: those type of things. That's when the challenges really present themselves. 84 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:27,360 Speaker 1: And I think we've kind of seen that with Blow. 85 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 1: Kudos to him, though, you tip your cap to him. 86 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:32,039 Speaker 1: And you know, there's a couple instances throughout the league 87 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 1: this year where undrafted rookies have had to start games, 88 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 1: and meaningful games in some cases for these teams, and 89 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 1: and it's not an easy situation for any first year 90 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 1: player to be thrown into, but especially when you've kind 91 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:45,680 Speaker 1: of taken that back channel into the league. Yeah, and 92 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 1: Blow had to do it on a short week there 93 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:50,240 Speaker 1: on Thanksgiving and and put up a heck of a 94 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 1: fight against the Bears. In fact, you know, the Lions 95 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 1: were awfully, awfully close to winning that game and held 96 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:57,800 Speaker 1: held the lead late and even had an opportunity after 97 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:00,320 Speaker 1: they gave up the lead to win that. But I 98 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 1: also it also felt like when the Lions didn't win 99 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 1: that game that you know, some of the some of 100 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:10,000 Speaker 1: the spirit of the team was was sapped a little bit, 101 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 1: because then then it was like, Wow, they weren't able 102 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,400 Speaker 1: to beat the Bears on thanksgiving me any chance of 103 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 1: really staying in this thing or making any kind of 104 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:20,720 Speaker 1: a late season runs seemed to seem to go away 105 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 1: when they couldn't pull that one out in front of 106 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:26,160 Speaker 1: the national audience. And it is a tragedy for Detroit 107 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 1: and its fan base because I mean, Matthew Stafford was 108 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:31,479 Speaker 1: having arguably his best season of his energy. Yeah, a 109 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,480 Speaker 1: legitimate m VP candidate at the time that this back 110 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:37,599 Speaker 1: injury whatever you know, whatever have you, kind of flared 111 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: up for him because he'd been making the appropriate reads. 112 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 1: It seemed like he'd really been able to find his momentum. 113 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 1: He's established weapons now in that offense, and realistically, I mean, 114 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 1: Matthew Staffords a top ten quarterback in this league, and 115 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:50,839 Speaker 1: when you give him a foundation to work with, history 116 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 1: has shown he's going to be able to produce for you. 117 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:55,440 Speaker 1: The Lions just haven't been able to cross that threshold 118 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:58,280 Speaker 1: winning a playoff game, winning a division title, and this 119 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:00,680 Speaker 1: year it looked like early on, especially again going back 120 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 1: to that October game, it looked like they may have 121 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 1: an offense that could do it, and unfortunate for them 122 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:08,600 Speaker 1: a couple of bolls balls did not bounce their way, 123 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,080 Speaker 1: and then these injury bugs crept up on him. And 124 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:12,840 Speaker 1: then you look at their backfield right now. I mean 125 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:15,600 Speaker 1: they've gone through four or five different running backs. Trade Carson, 126 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:18,440 Speaker 1: who was on the Packers roster for a time this season. 127 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:21,919 Speaker 1: He went there, played, immediately got injured. He goes on. 128 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:24,800 Speaker 1: I r uh, they do get Carrie on Johnson back, 129 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 1: you know both. Scarborough has been a real big plus 130 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 1: for them, him coming over a nice little find, uh, 131 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: you know, being able to get him off of the 132 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:34,440 Speaker 1: Jacksonville's practice squad, I believe. But just the consistency of 133 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:36,600 Speaker 1: it and other than Galada, you're week to week weapons 134 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 1: that just hasn't been there. Yeah. And I think the 135 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 1: other thing, really injuries aside that hasn't come together for 136 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: Matt Patricia in his two years as head coach there 137 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:48,400 Speaker 1: with the Lions is the defense they have. They have 138 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:51,640 Speaker 1: Darius Slay He's one of the best cornerbacks. Any team 139 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 1: would love to have that guy out on the boundary 140 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 1: defending wide receivers. He's one of the best out there. 141 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 1: But collectively, it hasn't come together for them as a group. Defensively. Obviously, 142 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: I thought with Stafford he was going to give them 143 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 1: a chance to stay in a lot of games this year. 144 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 1: That didn't happen when Stafford went out, and this defense, 145 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 1: frankly Wes has has really struggled well. So this is 146 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 1: the thing that's tough for for Detroit. And there's a 147 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,080 Speaker 1: lot of guys in that Packers locker room, especially after 148 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 1: the game against Minnesota, that were very complimentary of the 149 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 1: defense that Detroit still has. Those Statistically they would rank 150 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 1: in the bottom third of the league right now in 151 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 1: most categories. But the problem I think when you go back, 152 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 1: is that they were so good there for a short time. 153 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 1: You think around two thousand and fourteen, you know, when 154 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 1: Nodamican Sue was kind of in his prime and in 155 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 1: the weapons they had built around him, and then they 156 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 1: just had this attrition with the roster, whether it be 157 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: age or whether it be injury in some cases where 158 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 1: that depth, that strength sort of wore away. They thought 159 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 1: like they maybe had it with zichy Anza, he ends 160 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 1: up having his own share of injuries that he had 161 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:56,400 Speaker 1: to deal with. So then they go and get Trey Flowers. 162 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 1: I mean, they made him the one of the top 163 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: pass rushers taken off this market. And while he does 164 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:02,640 Speaker 1: have seven sacks on the year, I don't think has 165 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 1: been the dominating force that everybody thought he was going 166 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 1: to be after, you know, the career that he put 167 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 1: together in New England. So and there's been injuries, there's 168 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:12,600 Speaker 1: been issues of that case. I know, I think it's 169 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 1: a Shawan Robinson. It's actually wasn't practicing or was estimated 170 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: as not practicing on Christmas. So, uh, A lot of 171 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 1: things have contributed to it. But as you originally said, 172 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:23,680 Speaker 1: I mean, the overall production has not been there and 173 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:27,000 Speaker 1: unfortunately for them, without Stafford, they don't have the firepower offensively, 174 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 1: they haven't had it to be able to win some 175 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:31,880 Speaker 1: of those you know, bigger high scoring games. Yeah. Well, 176 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:33,440 Speaker 1: I want to take care a little bit of sponsor 177 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 1: business here and then ask you a question was select 178 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: Cousin Subs locations are now offering delivery. Whether you're ordering 179 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 1: catering or your favorite sub, they're delivering right to you 180 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: when you order online at Cousin Subs dot com. Cousin Subs. 181 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 1: We believe in better, all right. So the Lions are 182 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 1: downtrodden team eight consecutive losses playing out the string. Obviously, 183 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 1: the Packers have so much to play for. What do 184 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 1: the Packers have to do to? And I hate using cliches, 185 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 1: but to avoid that proverbial letdown because of not only 186 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: the opponent you're playing, but the victory the Packers are 187 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 1: coming off of. You are on a short week, the 188 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 1: holiday has gotten mixed in here, so it's a lot 189 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 1: of different circumstances here leading up to a week seventeen game. 190 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 1: How do the Packers keep the focus where it needs 191 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:24,559 Speaker 1: to be with the caveat as you already said of 192 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 1: you cannot look past any opponent. There is no bye weeks, 193 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 1: and Matt four has been very consistent in his messaging 194 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 1: to his football team this year that every single week 195 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 1: it's the same focus, it's the same objective in the 196 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 1: same goal. All that being said, the Green Bay Packers 197 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:41,360 Speaker 1: pound for pound, are a significantly more talented team at 198 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:44,439 Speaker 1: this point of the season than the Lions are. Offensively, 199 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:46,560 Speaker 1: I think there's always going to be a certain amount 200 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: of randomness to it because it can be you know, 201 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:51,679 Speaker 1: Trey Flowers stepping up with a big game or Darius Slay. 202 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:54,680 Speaker 1: Those type of playmakers could potentially you know, weave the 203 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 1: game in and out and make it closer than it 204 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 1: probably should be in terms of the the odds going 205 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 1: into this. Where I think the Packers really have the 206 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 1: strong left handed punch on this is that with blows 207 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:10,120 Speaker 1: the rookie quarterback with the failure to this point to 208 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:14,079 Speaker 1: establish a consistent running game. To me, on paper, the 209 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:18,440 Speaker 1: screams Smith's day. It screams Kenny Clark. It screams being 210 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:22,199 Speaker 1: able to pressure the quarterback, get some mistakes, get some takeaways, 211 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 1: and and don't make this a real, you know, contested fight. 212 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 1: Last week went Form for the better part of sixty minutes, 213 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 1: went about his picture perfect as you could hope for it. 214 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 1: For the defense, it's not easy to just consistently dominate 215 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: at this level. But I think the Packers need to 216 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:43,079 Speaker 1: pull with specifically on the defensive side, need to step up, 217 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 1: press that gas pedal again and finish this thing strong, because, 218 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:49,839 Speaker 1: as the T shirt said, North is not enough. They 219 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:52,040 Speaker 1: know what's on the line here, and you put away 220 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:55,480 Speaker 1: Alliance team that has three wins at this point, you 221 00:10:55,559 --> 00:10:57,880 Speaker 1: have a first round by and depending on what else 222 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: happens with some of these scenarios could be as high 223 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:02,440 Speaker 1: the number one seed. To me, it's the defense that 224 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:04,719 Speaker 1: has to set the tone. Yeah, I would agree with you. 225 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 1: The Packers, as I had mentioned, I think on our 226 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:11,319 Speaker 1: last show on Christmas Eve, the Packers control the line 227 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:14,120 Speaker 1: of scrimmage on both sides of the ball against the 228 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:18,440 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings, the two best position groups on the field 229 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:22,280 Speaker 1: on Monday Night Football, where the Packers defensive line and 230 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: the Packers offensive line. And I think if the Packers 231 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: should be able to continue that in my opinion against 232 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 1: Detroit on Sunday, and if they do, they should be 233 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 1: in great shape as long as as long as you're 234 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:35,679 Speaker 1: not turning the ball over. I mean, you don't want 235 00:11:35,679 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 1: to go into Ford Field and turn it over three 236 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:39,960 Speaker 1: times in the first half again, because then you just 237 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 1: never know. Of course, but that being said, the Packers 238 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: looking to take care of business here, you hop on 239 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:50,719 Speaker 1: the flight back home after the early game, and then 240 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 1: you settle in and watch the Seattle San Francisco battle 241 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:57,920 Speaker 1: on Sunday Night Football for the NFC West Championship, where 242 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:01,719 Speaker 1: if if the Packers do get their victory, then if 243 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 1: Seattle beat San Francisco, the Packers are elevated all the 244 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:08,520 Speaker 1: way to the number one seed in the NFC, and uh, 245 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:10,440 Speaker 1: that's certainly a position they would like to be in 246 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:14,240 Speaker 1: a lot of interesting, a lot of interesting scenarios here 247 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:17,079 Speaker 1: because the because the New Orleans Saints still in the 248 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: running for a first round by the Seattle San Francisco 249 00:12:19,679 --> 00:12:22,959 Speaker 1: game as well as the Packers game, will impact where 250 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:25,840 Speaker 1: the Saints end up in the seating and as we 251 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:31,440 Speaker 1: know with with regard to that NFC West, the loser 252 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:33,680 Speaker 1: of that is dropping all the way to the five seed, 253 00:12:33,679 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 1: whereas the winner could be well, if the forty Niners 254 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 1: win it, they are the one, so for them, it's 255 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:41,599 Speaker 1: the difference between the one and the five. For the Seahawks, 256 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 1: they'll know obviously exactly what the stakes are by the 257 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 1: time it kicks off in the evening, but the Seahawks 258 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 1: could end up with The Seahawks could end up with 259 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:54,520 Speaker 1: the two, or the three or the five if they 260 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 1: were to lose. So there's still a lot to be 261 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:00,680 Speaker 1: sorted out here in the NFC with exactly where everyone's 262 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,000 Speaker 1: gonna and the stakes are incredibly high for that San 263 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:05,880 Speaker 1: Francisco Seattle game because much like the Packers experience going 264 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 1: back to two thousand twelve, whoever loses that there's a 265 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: chance that they can be playing on Saturday night with 266 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 1: with the quick turnaround that is asked of of teams 267 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:15,880 Speaker 1: at this league. So that's something else you have to 268 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:18,120 Speaker 1: keep an eye on. I would I would think this 269 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: is just this is just me, but I would think, 270 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:23,480 Speaker 1: knowing that the loser of Seattle San Francisco is going 271 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:26,040 Speaker 1: to be the five seed, and that that team will 272 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:29,720 Speaker 1: be playing at the winner of the NFC East, which 273 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 1: would be their Dallas or Philly. If Philly wins it's game, 274 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:37,079 Speaker 1: the Eagles are the NFC East champs, that the Philly 275 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 1: or Dallas home game in the playoffs would be the 276 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 1: last one on Sunday afternoon because the loser of Seattle 277 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 1: San Francisco is going to be is going there. If 278 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:51,560 Speaker 1: the league makes that losing team play on Saturday on 279 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 1: the road on wild card weekend, I think that would 280 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 1: I just think that would be patently unfair. Yeah, that's true. 281 00:13:57,360 --> 00:13:58,960 Speaker 1: The one thing about that Packer game is they were 282 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 1: able to host on that Saturday. But that was a 283 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:03,679 Speaker 1: tight turnaround, Yeah, it was. It was the Packers were 284 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:05,440 Speaker 1: at home. They were at home and also end up 285 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 1: being a big thing for Christian Ponder because then he 286 00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 1: wasn't able to play in that game into your web 287 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:11,200 Speaker 1: had to make the start. All those scenarios, though, are 288 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: things the Packers don't have to worry about right now. 289 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:14,600 Speaker 1: What the Packers have to worry about is what's in 290 00:14:14,640 --> 00:14:16,440 Speaker 1: front of them with the Lions and the other thing 291 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: I want to point out to. I mean, I've been 292 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: seeing all these these articles so far and you can 293 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:22,440 Speaker 1: only need to look at certain you know, ticket broker 294 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 1: websites to see this. I mean, there's not a high 295 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 1: demand for these tickets right now with with the Lions 296 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 1: kind of being in the predicament that they're in. Yeah, 297 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 1: whatever gases left in the tank with that fan base, 298 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: I mean, if you go and you can take them 299 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:37,520 Speaker 1: out of that in the first quarter, because we've seen 300 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: week seventeen games in Detroit, it can be as loud 301 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 1: as any you know, stadium in the league. When they're energizing, 302 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 1: there's a reason to really, you know, back their team. 303 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: But at three eleven and one, if you go out 304 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:51,160 Speaker 1: there with a big defensive stand or a successful first 305 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 1: drive offensively, that could be all you need to make 306 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 1: it a lambeau Field East kind of matchup. How many 307 00:14:56,880 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 1: how many Packer fans you think will show up. And 308 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 1: as you said, the ticket, the ticket price, they're not expensive. 309 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: It's a it's a Midwestern city. I'm sure there are 310 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:09,200 Speaker 1: a lot of Packer fans within driving distance to Detroit 311 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,600 Speaker 1: who could get there. I'm I'm curious to see how 312 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:13,800 Speaker 1: much Green and Gold will be in the stands on Sunday. 313 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:15,920 Speaker 1: With so much at stake for Green and you did 314 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:19,720 Speaker 1: the insider inbox on Christmas for the for today, I mean, 315 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: there's already a lot of people saying, you know, we're 316 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: planning to go out there. I've I've seen I've seen 317 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 1: a lot of people asking if we're gonna be doing 318 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 1: pep rallies or things like that. Yeah, and we'll be 319 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 1: doing it in the concourse over at the airport. Now 320 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 1: I'm just kidding, but uh no, I mean like there 321 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:35,280 Speaker 1: is a big opportunity there too. I mean, dude, Mike, 322 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:38,360 Speaker 1: you even look at that game in Minnesota. I was 323 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: really surprised by the amount of Packer fans that packed 324 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 1: in there. And then in the second half when things 325 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:45,640 Speaker 1: weren't really going so well for the skull crew, I 326 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 1: mean it was there was a lot of fervor, a 327 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:50,040 Speaker 1: lot of Go Pack, Go Chance. Yeah there was a 328 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 1: lot of excitement. Yeah there was a lot and and 329 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: it actually was an attendance record for US Bank Stadium, 330 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: which I think is saying something when the Vikings have 331 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 1: hosted a playoff game there, which they did against New Orleans, 332 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: and that stadium has hosted a Super Bowl, and yet 333 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 1: the largest attendance in that stadium to date was the 334 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:11,760 Speaker 1: Monday night. Would you surprise at all it was only 335 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:14,360 Speaker 1: sixty seven thousand, Like if you, if you I just 336 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: walk into the stadium, I would think that was at 337 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: least north of seventy thousand seats. And oh, I guess 338 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:21,360 Speaker 1: I just remember from the first time we were there 339 00:16:21,400 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 1: in I knew I didn't know the exact number, but 340 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:25,960 Speaker 1: I knew that the capacity was somewhere in the high 341 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: I'm not saying it's like Dallas with a hundred thousand, 342 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 1: I mean it is pretty like it. The sixty seven 343 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:33,240 Speaker 1: it feels a lot more than that. Maybe that's just 344 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:35,600 Speaker 1: a credit to their fans. But in terms of Green 345 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 1: Day with this game, I look at it and look 346 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: at this matchup, and it's also an opportunity to kind 347 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 1: of exercise some demons. The last two years against Detroit 348 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: have not ended so hot. Yeah, those, Yeah, these these 349 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 1: last couple of weeks seventeens against the Lions, it's been 350 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:51,800 Speaker 1: an ugly finish for green two thousand seventeen, they had 351 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: to take it on the chin. Last year, it was 352 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 1: obviously the shut out at lambeau Field, and that was 353 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 1: sort of the beginning of this whole renovation, you could say, 354 00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:01,440 Speaker 1: over the last eleven ten, you know, twelve months. I 355 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 1: just I think there's so many things for Green Bay 356 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,520 Speaker 1: to really propel itself now into the postseason with a 357 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 1: strong performance against Alliance team that by most people's estimations, 358 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:13,959 Speaker 1: they should beat. Yeah. Well, as we go through the 359 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 1: tail end of the week here, we will be keeping 360 00:17:15,840 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 1: an eye on the Packers injury report. Um the latest update. Now, 361 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:22,679 Speaker 1: the Packers did not practice on Christmas Day, so the 362 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:26,760 Speaker 1: injury report has estimations as to who would have practiced 363 00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:28,720 Speaker 1: or not. There are a few guys on there who 364 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:31,720 Speaker 1: would have been given the veteran rest. That's sort of 365 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:35,960 Speaker 1: been an ongoing pattern with some of the veteran players 366 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:38,399 Speaker 1: like Jimmy Graham and Tremont Williams and and some of 367 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 1: those guys. But the injury report did estimate that Jamal 368 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:45,560 Speaker 1: Williams with his shoulder injury would not have practiced. We 369 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:48,720 Speaker 1: will see with regards to Thursday and Friday as as 370 00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:51,560 Speaker 1: the week goes along. I think that's maybe the most 371 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,359 Speaker 1: important injury. Brian Balagas on the injury report too, he 372 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: had a groin injury was estimated as a d NP. Now, 373 00:17:57,640 --> 00:17:59,640 Speaker 1: if a guy's dealing with something, you have to say 374 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:01,560 Speaker 1: it, it it could very well been a veteran rest day too. 375 00:18:01,560 --> 00:18:06,200 Speaker 1: It's only speculation at this point. ESPNS robbed Demowsky did 376 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 1: talk to Jamal Williams in the locker room on Christmas Eve, 377 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 1: though Jamal seemed to express that, you know, he feels 378 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:14,200 Speaker 1: confident he'll play in this game. We'll see, I mean, 379 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:15,960 Speaker 1: you'll have to see. The packers also have to weigh 380 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,480 Speaker 1: out too that if you know there's a you know, 381 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:20,800 Speaker 1: potential that they want to keep him healthy or let them, 382 00:18:20,840 --> 00:18:22,359 Speaker 1: you know, have that extra rest, you can go that 383 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:24,560 Speaker 1: direction as well. Things we'll all have to figure out 384 00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:27,000 Speaker 1: as the Packers go back, and what I would imagine 385 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 1: would be pads on Thursday, right, I'm trying to think 386 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:32,640 Speaker 1: of how they this week. Yeah, no, I'm guessing I'm 387 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,399 Speaker 1: guessing that coming off of the Monday night, which of 388 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:37,440 Speaker 1: them already they might be out of him. I don't 389 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:39,800 Speaker 1: think the Uh yeah, the Packers will have be able 390 00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 1: to have one padded practice per week in the postseason, 391 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 1: but I don't think they're putting on the pads next year. 392 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:47,480 Speaker 1: This is what we're gonna do. I'm actually gonna have 393 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:51,040 Speaker 1: a little checklist at my desk to keep tracking, yeah, 394 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:53,919 Speaker 1: because I always lose track lists December comes in. But 395 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:56,160 Speaker 1: all these things being said, we'll learn a lot more 396 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:58,760 Speaker 1: with their walkthroughs and their practices here these next couple 397 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:01,439 Speaker 1: of days. The Packer, you know, no matter what the 398 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:04,200 Speaker 1: scenarios look like, no matter what you know, how healthy 399 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:07,959 Speaker 1: they've been, you can still not discount the overall benefits 400 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:10,600 Speaker 1: of having that first round by I was talking with 401 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 1: Lexie Kinner, one of our digital assistants today, and I was, 402 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:16,119 Speaker 1: you know, mentioning. It kind of hit me at that 403 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:18,000 Speaker 1: point that it's been five years since the Packers have 404 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:20,160 Speaker 1: had a buy you know, in that first round, going 405 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:22,840 Speaker 1: back to the two thousand, Packers have not played the 406 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 1: Divisional round playoff game at lambeau Field since the Cowboys 407 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,280 Speaker 1: does Bryant Game five years ago. So I mean you 408 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: have the you know, the run the tables and all 409 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:34,959 Speaker 1: those tremendous dramatic runs. The Packers have got it now 410 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:37,800 Speaker 1: before this little bit of a playoff lull. It's still 411 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: there's nothing better though than being able to sit back, 412 00:19:39,920 --> 00:19:41,760 Speaker 1: watch all all the chips fall and then you know, 413 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 1: do your best in the divisional round to press on 414 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:48,280 Speaker 1: your own. Basically, the Packers can win their first playoff 415 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:50,639 Speaker 1: game by winning on Sunday because you don't have to 416 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 1: play it. Um, that's another way to look at it. 417 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:55,120 Speaker 1: With that, we'll call it a wrap on this edition 418 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:57,639 Speaker 1: of Packers un Scripted. Be sure to follow all of 419 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 1: our coverage of the team on Packers dot com. You 420 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:02,760 Speaker 1: can subscribe to us like us on iTunes and other 421 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:05,560 Speaker 1: podcast services, and be sure to check out the Packers 422 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:09,120 Speaker 1: YouTube channel all sorts of great video content out there. 423 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:11,480 Speaker 1: For Wes, I am Mike. Thank you for tuning in. 424 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:13,840 Speaker 1: We'll see you next time. M