1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:20,439 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined alongside the one and only 3 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:26,840 Speaker 1: Wes Hodkuits. Were coming to you here from our studios 4 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field and West. Final show of the week, 5 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: and that means keys to victory for the green Bay Packers. 6 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: They will face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday noon Central 7 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:39,080 Speaker 1: time kickoff at lambeau Field. Where do you want to 8 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 1: start with this one? As far as what it will 9 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 1: take for green Bay to get back in the wind 10 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:45,960 Speaker 1: column again, I preface this by saying I probably could 11 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 1: start this way for every single episode, every year, every 12 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 1: you know, every week, every game. But it's Aaron Rodgers 13 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 1: and this week I think we got a new angle 14 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:57,639 Speaker 1: to this storyline in that he was able to practice 15 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 1: on Thursday for the first time since he suffered that 16 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:04,319 Speaker 1: knee injury against Chicago. He's out there and pads. We 17 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 1: joked about it, wrote about it on Packers dot Com, 18 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:08,760 Speaker 1: Tim Boyle, Deshaun Kaiser giving him the sort of this 19 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 1: ry ovation, which then Rogers played into as he came 20 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: out on the practice field. And the big part of 21 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:17,560 Speaker 1: this is Rogers talked a day before that. Now, he 22 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:19,959 Speaker 1: did not really say he didn't really hint that Thursday 23 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 1: was going to be the day, but he did say 24 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 1: at some point he hoped to be able to practice 25 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 1: before Saturday. It ended up being this week and one, 26 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 1: I think that shows progress with the knee injuries he's 27 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 1: coming back from. But secondly, this is just as far 28 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 1: as a communication standpoint, a chemistry standpoint with his receivers. 29 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 1: Mike McCarthy also doubled down on it on Monday. On 30 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 1: Friday morning, saying, you know, this is something where there's 31 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:44,480 Speaker 1: an obvious benefit to being able to have the quarterback 32 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:47,040 Speaker 1: that's going under center on Sunday being the one that's 33 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:49,840 Speaker 1: taking the reps in practice because it isn't so much 34 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 1: about Aaron Rodgers at this point. It's about the offense 35 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: around Aaron Rodgers. We know what he can do on 36 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: short to no practice, but it's about all the other 37 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 1: components around it. So I think Aaron rod Jers getting healthier, 38 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: being able to be out there on the practice field 39 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 1: is going to go uh and and really help this 40 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 1: offense get to where it wants to be. Because at 41 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:10,080 Speaker 1: the end of the day, Mike, it's all about protecting 42 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:12,880 Speaker 1: the football. Rogers a hundred and sixteen passes thrown. I 43 00:02:12,880 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 1: believe this year does not have an interception yet, really 44 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 1: been consistent in that and hopefully can you don't get 45 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 1: some of that explosiveness back now as well. Yeah, as 46 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 1: we've talked about all week, all you have to do 47 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:25,360 Speaker 1: is turn on the first quarter of Buffalo Minnesota last 48 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:27,680 Speaker 1: week and it will tell you that the key on 49 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:30,320 Speaker 1: Sunday for the Packers is to protect the football. Because 50 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:33,640 Speaker 1: the way the Bills got after Kirk Cousins, they got sacks, 51 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:36,119 Speaker 1: they got turnovers that staked him do an early lead 52 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: with great field position that they cashed in on. Packers 53 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:43,079 Speaker 1: have to protect the ball overall. The Packers usually very 54 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:44,800 Speaker 1: very good at that, and this is one of those 55 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 1: games West that you know what the Packers playing at home, 56 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:50,680 Speaker 1: Rogers getting back in practice. Like you said, some things 57 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 1: are on the upswing here. Even though I know the 58 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 1: Packers are coming off a loss, this isn't one of 59 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:58,760 Speaker 1: those games. As much as the defense obviously would love 60 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 1: to get some turnovers and rack up a few of 61 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 1: their own, this isn't one of those games necessarily where 62 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:05,639 Speaker 1: you have to ask the defense to get a bunch 63 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:08,919 Speaker 1: of turnovers, but the Packers just can't lose the turnover 64 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:11,519 Speaker 1: battle here. I think if this if the Packers either 65 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 1: win the turnover battle or at least stay even if 66 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 1: even if it's zero zero, when both teams protect the ball. 67 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:20,519 Speaker 1: I like green Bay's chances here because with the matchups 68 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:23,760 Speaker 1: that Rodgers is going to have. I think Davante Adams 69 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:26,360 Speaker 1: turned Abous White is a really really good matchup on 70 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: the perimeter. But the rest of green Bay's matchups now 71 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 1: Randall Cobby is on the injury report, will see what 72 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:35,400 Speaker 1: happens there. But you know, Jimmy Graham, Geronimo Allison, they're 73 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 1: what they're capable of producing. I like the Packers matchups 74 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 1: on the perimeter in this game if Rogers is protected, 75 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: which also goes along obviously with protecting the ball. Yeah, 76 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: and then there was also an interesting stat I believe. 77 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:47,920 Speaker 1: I'm trying to find it here. I think it was 78 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 1: our you know, PR communications guru, Nate Lacassi. I dug 79 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: this one up, and I'm probably gonna mess it up 80 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 1: now because I can't find it in the dope sheet. 81 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 1: But I think it was something like the last six meetings. 82 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: I believe it was with the Lls have all been 83 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 1: decided by ten or more points. I mean, it's been 84 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 1: one team coming out and really, you know, I don't 85 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:07,839 Speaker 1: want to say dominating, but controlling the tempo of the game. 86 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 1: The Bills were fortunate enough to do that, you know, 87 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: at Ralph Wilson Stadium four years ago. Packers are looking 88 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 1: to flip that. And when you look at those offensive weapons, 89 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:18,280 Speaker 1: when you look at Geronimo Allison, how consistent he's been 90 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:20,960 Speaker 1: over the last couple of weeks. Assuming everything checks out, 91 00:04:20,960 --> 00:04:24,760 Speaker 1: okay with Graham and his knee and Cobb with his hamstring. Yeah, 92 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:27,479 Speaker 1: the big money matchup is going to be Davante, Adams 93 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: and White, but it's all about being able to spread 94 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:34,280 Speaker 1: it across. They have two exceptional safety's employer and then 95 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 1: obviously you know Mike Hide everybody knows well about. But 96 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:40,360 Speaker 1: to be able to prevent them from getting into cover 97 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 1: two looks, you know, making those guys drop down in 98 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 1: the box, find ways to beat the secondary. The more 99 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 1: mobile Aaron Rodgers gets, the more dangerous this offense gets. 100 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 1: But he's also shown when he needs to do be 101 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 1: quick and decisive. He can play that game too. I 102 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:54,279 Speaker 1: just look at it from the standpoint of assuming you 103 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:56,839 Speaker 1: get Brian Balaga out there working through the back injury, 104 00:04:57,279 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: you have some semblance of a healthy offense operating with 105 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:04,800 Speaker 1: its full arsenal of weapons. The table set there for 106 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:06,839 Speaker 1: the Packers to have success of the defense can do 107 00:05:06,880 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 1: its job. Yeah, I think so too. Another statistical oddity 108 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 1: you might say with regards to this Buffalo Green Bay series, 109 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: I believe you have to go back to for the 110 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:20,839 Speaker 1: last time the road team one when these two teams 111 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: have met, and that was actually Buffalo going into Milwaukee 112 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 1: County Stadium, and I looked it up this week. The 113 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 1: leading receiver in that game for the Buffalo Bills Jeff Query. No, 114 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:30,480 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, I got a hit of myself. Was it 115 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:33,279 Speaker 1: James loft It was James Lofton, the former Packer James 116 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: Lofton came back to County Stadium towards the Packers and 117 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:39,719 Speaker 1: the Bills won that game, I believe was something like that. 118 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 1: It was a fun box score to kind of look 119 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:44,839 Speaker 1: back at this week. But you mentioned Wes, the Packers 120 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 1: defense has to hold up and send of the bargain 121 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:49,840 Speaker 1: here and I've talked about this a little bit on 122 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:52,599 Speaker 1: our final thoughts video and other things that are going 123 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 1: to be posted here coming up on the weekend. It's 124 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 1: time for the Packers defense to play a complete game. 125 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 1: We've seen some growing pains, We've seen some struggles here 126 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:05,800 Speaker 1: and there. We've also seen what this defense is capable of. 127 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:08,200 Speaker 1: You look at some of those stretches in the Chicago game, 128 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 1: you look at the first three quarters against the Minnesota Vikings, 129 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:15,799 Speaker 1: you look at the second half against Washington last week. 130 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:20,239 Speaker 1: There are stretches where this defense has really clamped down 131 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:24,720 Speaker 1: and done exactly what you would like it to do. Now, okay, 132 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:27,840 Speaker 1: it's Week four. It's time for those growing pains to 133 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,720 Speaker 1: kind of, you know, be put in the past and 134 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:34,479 Speaker 1: to put together a solid four quarter game that the 135 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:37,120 Speaker 1: coaching staff that Aaron Rodgers can rely on to give 136 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 1: this team it's best chance. Yes, Mike McCarthy mentioned this week, 137 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:41,920 Speaker 1: after you get through that first quarter of the season 138 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 1: is kind of when it starts to be you are 139 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 1: who you are. So the Packers are trying to show 140 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 1: that they are that team that played as well as 141 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 1: they did in the first three quarters of that matchup 142 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:53,920 Speaker 1: against the Vikings, how well they played in the second 143 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 1: half against the Bears and then how well they played 144 00:06:56,240 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 1: in the second half in Washington. It is about stitching 145 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:03,039 Speaker 1: to other complete performance. I understand it's easier said than done, 146 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:05,360 Speaker 1: but at the same time, if you're able to control 147 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:08,560 Speaker 1: the tempo early on and force the opposing offense to 148 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 1: make decisions and and you know, kind of control it 149 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: from that standpoint, that's ultimately what you're looking to do. 150 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:17,000 Speaker 1: Obviously they had to overcome some adversity with the Vikings, 151 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 1: but to be honest with you, up until that point, 152 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 1: I thought that was a blueprint for how you want 153 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 1: to attack a potentially explosive offense with a quarterback that 154 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:26,320 Speaker 1: you know, I think a lot of people in Minnesota 155 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: have their hopes kind of tied to at this point. 156 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 1: Last week, Alex Smith throws for six past six receiving 157 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: yards in the second half. So Josh Allen is a 158 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 1: is a dynamic football player, and we've seen that he's 159 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 1: not afraid to run. He's he isn't a scrambler by 160 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: any means, but he has that component to his game, 161 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 1: uh to to be able to move the change. So 162 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 1: being able to queue in on that and being able 163 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: to actually, you know, make sure you're not giving up 164 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,640 Speaker 1: those explosive plays is going to be important because there 165 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 1: is dynamic football players in this offense. I just think 166 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: it's probably not what it's been the last you know, 167 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 1: few weeks in terms of the potentially explosive Pro Bowl 168 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: type elements that they've seen in Washington in Minnesota. Yeah, 169 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 1: with regards to Buffalo's offense and quarterback Josh Allen, the Packers, 170 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: I know Packers fans are are waiting hoping for the 171 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: pass rush to kind of find its groove and start 172 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: racking up some sacks. And obviously without the roughing the 173 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: passer penalty, you don't need to get into that. But honestly, West, 174 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:27,240 Speaker 1: this is one of those games where I don't think 175 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 1: you need to sack the quarterback. I don't know if 176 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 1: you necessarily want to go you want to go blitz 177 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,320 Speaker 1: crazy and and try to go sack crazy in this game. 178 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:38,280 Speaker 1: Because Josh Allen, he he's leading this team in rushing. 179 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:40,960 Speaker 1: He will take off and run with the football. This is, 180 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 1: in my opinion, because he's a rookie, he's only got 181 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 1: a couple of starts under his belt. You rushed to 182 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: contain him. You don't don't let him bail himself out. 183 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: With his legs. Make this guy beat you with his arm, 184 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:55,839 Speaker 1: Make him beat you with decisions against you know, some 185 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:58,199 Speaker 1: different coverage looks and some things that I'm sure Mike 186 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 1: Petton has designed to confu use him. You get into 187 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 1: those if you get him in a second and long 188 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 1: or a third and long situation, don't let him talk 189 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 1: the ball and run. Make him, you know, contain him 190 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 1: in the pocket, make him throw the ball and beach 191 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:11,120 Speaker 1: you that way. Yeah, and I'll be interested to see 192 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 1: how much of the spy element doesn't play with this game, because, 193 00:09:14,120 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 1: to be honest with you, Mike, the first three contests, 194 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:18,559 Speaker 1: Alex Smith, don't get me wrong, he's in some ways 195 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:20,560 Speaker 1: as as Jake Gruden said last week, he has that 196 00:09:20,679 --> 00:09:23,920 Speaker 1: similar sort of mindset mentality that Rogers has where he'll 197 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 1: scramble when he needs to to extend to play. But 198 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:28,720 Speaker 1: they hadn't really faced like a guy that that potentially 199 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:30,679 Speaker 1: is putting up the numbers that Alan is right now, 200 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:34,360 Speaker 1: it's twenty two carries for ninety seven yards and two touchdowns. 201 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:36,319 Speaker 1: So it is gonna be interesting. You know, how the 202 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 1: Packers want to attack that is that where you know, 203 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 1: a guy like Blake Martinez gets called into duty. Do 204 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: they find a defensive back that they feel could potentially 205 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 1: have that kind of flexibility as well, or do you 206 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 1: just try to rush to contain, you know, keep him 207 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 1: in the pocket and see what develops. Those are all 208 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:53,320 Speaker 1: the little chess games that Petton is going to have 209 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 1: to play. But I think the hope is from the 210 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:59,320 Speaker 1: Packers perspective, even though you do lose Mohammed Wilkerson now 211 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:01,959 Speaker 1: in certain like you know, Devon houses On, I R 212 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 1: Kevin King. You'll see whether or not he's available on Sunday. 213 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 1: But they still feel really good about the group they 214 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: have and in these these playmaking abilities that they have 215 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 1: in this this defense. But it really it does and 216 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:14,559 Speaker 1: they needed they know they need to play better and 217 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 1: they know they got to put you put it on 218 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 1: the field. Yeah, just statistically speaking, I did look up 219 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 1: some numbers this week as far as the Packers facing 220 00:10:22,440 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 1: rookie quarterbacks in the Mike McCarthy era, And it's a 221 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 1: good time to talk about it because the Packers are 222 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:32,360 Speaker 1: potentially going to see Josh Rosen from Arizona, Sam Donald 223 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 1: from the New York Jets, who are both on the 224 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:37,480 Speaker 1: schedule in December. If those rookies continue to be the 225 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 1: starting quarterbacks of those teams. Since McCarthy took over in 226 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: two thousand six, the Packers have played fifteen games against 227 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 1: a rookie starting quarterback and the Packers are ten and 228 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 1: five in those games, they've won two thirds of them. Ironically, 229 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,719 Speaker 1: the last one, the most recent one was against de 230 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 1: Shaun Kaiser, who's now in the Packers locker room, when 231 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 1: he was a rookie for the Cleveland Browns last year. 232 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:01,960 Speaker 1: But it's been kind of a mixed bag because for 233 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:05,199 Speaker 1: some of those some of those games, when I look 234 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 1: back at the statistics in the past, I think it 235 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 1: was Matthew Stafford his rookie year in two thousand nine 236 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 1: through I think it was four interceptions against the Packers 237 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:15,439 Speaker 1: in the one game that he started against Green Bay 238 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 1: as a rookie. But then just a couple of years ago, 239 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 1: we saw Dak Prescott as a rookie quarterback for the 240 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:23,240 Speaker 1: Dallas Cowboys come into lambeau Field, put up a sparkling 241 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:25,960 Speaker 1: passer rating of like a hundred and seventeen, obviously had 242 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,160 Speaker 1: a great running game to go with it, and the 243 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:31,559 Speaker 1: Cowboys came in here with those rookies on offense and 244 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: beat the Packers. So it has been kind of a 245 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 1: mixed bag. But overall ten and five Packers are gonna 246 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:41,160 Speaker 1: face potentially three rookie quarterbacks now over the next few months, 247 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 1: and you know these are games you you got to 248 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:45,240 Speaker 1: get the job done. Yeah, and this will be actually 249 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 1: a good opportunity for if you want to look at 250 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 1: it from the Bills prospective perspective or Josh Allen, because 251 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: it looks like Shady McCoy is gonna play in this game, 252 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:54,080 Speaker 1: so that that, by far, that's your top playmaker if 253 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:55,840 Speaker 1: you're the Bills in the offense, both as a pass 254 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:57,319 Speaker 1: catcher and what he does on the back field. So 255 00:11:57,400 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 1: that'll be his best friend. How did how did he 256 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 1: get that nickname? By the way, Lashawn McCoy shady Like, 257 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 1: I don't. I think it's a cool name. I just 258 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 1: don't know. Is that is that an old Western reference? Anyway? 259 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 1: I didn't follow the Philadelphi Eagles enough, I guess. But 260 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:12,200 Speaker 1: be that as it may make. Uh, it is also 261 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 1: interesting to me and that you have all these teams 262 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 1: that said and did all the right things. The Jets 263 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:20,679 Speaker 1: they had Josh McCown. They went and obviously signed Teddy Bridgewater, 264 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 1: these guys originally brought in a J mccaren. You had 265 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 1: the Browns just continue to stick by to Rod Taylor. 266 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:31,680 Speaker 1: But at the end of the day, I think with 267 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:33,640 Speaker 1: the pressures of the NFL and the way that things 268 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,959 Speaker 1: happen in injuries to sometimes play into it, the rookies 269 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:38,880 Speaker 1: end up being out there, and I just I don't 270 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:41,680 Speaker 1: think we're ever gonna see quite a day again like 271 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers or Tony Romo sitting behind guys for three 272 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 1: years and then becoming starters. It just seems like there's 273 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 1: going to be that pressure to get guys on the field, 274 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 1: get them out there early, and see how they respond. 275 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:53,440 Speaker 1: And you have a guy like Baker Mayfield that really 276 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 1: stepped up in his game. You had a guy like 277 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:57,680 Speaker 1: Sam Donald that didn't play too hot during the final 278 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:01,120 Speaker 1: stretch a week ago either. So seeing where Josh Allen 279 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:03,760 Speaker 1: fits into this, uh, it's gonna be very interesting to 280 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 1: see where he is today and where that maturation process 281 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 1: will take him right and the other part of it too, 282 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: as we're seeing what really is becoming the trend around 283 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 1: the league, and it was on display in Thursday Night 284 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:16,760 Speaker 1: Football with the Los Angeles Rams against the Vikings. And 285 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: we'll get to that in a minute. But when you 286 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 1: talk about playing these high draft pick rookie quarterbacks, right away, 287 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 1: the formula, the way things of the way these teams 288 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:30,720 Speaker 1: have built themselves to compete for championships with the likes 289 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 1: of the Tom Brady's and the Aaron Rodgers of the world. 290 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: You find out if that rookie quarterbacks got it, and 291 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 1: then if he does, you know you're not paying him 292 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 1: the big franchise quarterback money for a few years until 293 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:45,160 Speaker 1: he gets to that second contract, so you have a 294 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:48,040 Speaker 1: chance to build a team around him and spend your 295 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 1: money elsewhere, not quite so much at the quarterback position. 296 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 1: And boy, is that working out for the Los Angeles Rams. 297 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:55,880 Speaker 1: Right now, we can talk about that Thursday night game. 298 00:13:56,840 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 1: Jared Goffel was at four hundred and sixty five yards, 299 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:03,199 Speaker 1: five touchdowns, a perfect passer rating R one fifty eight 300 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:06,120 Speaker 1: point three against the defense. That's not too shabby in 301 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,760 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings. I know that you know, Everson Griffin's 302 00:14:08,760 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 1: not on the field right now and some other injury 303 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:14,959 Speaker 1: issues in Minnesota, but still three receivers with over a 304 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:18,480 Speaker 1: hundred yards in one game. Um, this uh this Los 305 00:14:18,559 --> 00:14:21,320 Speaker 1: Angeles Rams team, you know, they're they're they're off to 306 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 1: a four and no start at the quarter pole, undefeated. 307 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 1: They really are announcing themselves right now as the team 308 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 1: to beat in the NFC. And it's interesting you bring 309 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:31,520 Speaker 1: that up too much because for me, there's two types 310 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 1: of rookie quarterbacks. There's the ones like, you know, a 311 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:36,680 Speaker 1: guy like Carson Wentz who comes in and plays really well, 312 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:38,840 Speaker 1: makes a Pro Bowl in his first year. There's a 313 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 1: guy like Jared Goff that had his share of struggles 314 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 1: and there was some real questions about you know, was 315 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 1: this guy when when? When Wentz is playing that well, 316 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 1: people asking it was golf the right guy to pick 317 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 1: number one overall, the right right, But they can go 318 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 1: to directions. You saw what happened with Aaron Rodgers, played 319 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:57,800 Speaker 1: waited a couple of years, played well. Alex Smith had 320 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:01,760 Speaker 1: some horrific seasons at the Big getting missed the whole 321 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 1: year I think with injury at one point. But golf 322 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 1: is showing the potential there in Sean McVeigh has been 323 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 1: able to really develop a system in a scheme that 324 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 1: seems to really tailor him. Mike, I'll be honest with 325 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 1: you I didn't think we'd ever see a day where 326 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: Mike Szimmers defense would have twenty six completions only seven 327 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 1: in completions fo sixty five yards and five touchdowns for 328 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 1: one fifty eight points re passer rating and one sack 329 00:15:24,760 --> 00:15:27,640 Speaker 1: and one sack. So that is that is startling numbers 330 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 1: with or without Everson Griffin. So uh, it's a gut 331 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 1: check right now for the Vikings because they have a 332 00:15:33,040 --> 00:15:36,080 Speaker 1: lot invested into this season in particular, they're gonna have 333 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:37,800 Speaker 1: to bounce back. It's a tough start to be one 334 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:39,480 Speaker 1: two and one at this point of the year. Yeah, 335 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 1: and that's obviously a big result as far as the 336 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: NFC North goes. The Minnesota Vikings one two and one, 337 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 1: the Packers with a chance to get to to one 338 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:52,080 Speaker 1: and one, and uh, the Chicago Bears hosting a team 339 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:55,480 Speaker 1: with a pretty explosive offense so far this season in 340 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:58,480 Speaker 1: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That game in Chicago had Soldier Field. 341 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay Chicago not one that at the beginning of 342 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:03,160 Speaker 1: the season, a whole bunch of people would have circled 343 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 1: as a as a big matchup in Week four, But 344 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 1: it's turning into what's going to be a game with 345 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:10,840 Speaker 1: a lot of eyes on it. So who's starting that 346 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:12,640 Speaker 1: game for the Bucks? Do you know yet? Is that 347 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 1: even out there? I believe they're staying with Fitzpatrick, but 348 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: I I guess I haven't heard. I haven't. I certainly 349 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 1: haven't heard anything that they're switching to Winston at this point. 350 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 1: That's the that's the two headed coin of this when 351 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:26,160 Speaker 1: you're when when you're a coach and you have to 352 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 1: go with a veteran backup like that who plays well, 353 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: and then the original starter comes back, it's gonna be yeah. 354 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:34,720 Speaker 1: There there's still some debate over there what's going to happen. 355 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: But the Bucks are off to a great start. I 356 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:40,160 Speaker 1: know they did lose to Pittsburgh, but they played him tough, 357 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:42,560 Speaker 1: right and and I know Fitzpatrick had a rough first 358 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 1: half in that game, but you look at what he's done, 359 00:16:46,560 --> 00:16:48,440 Speaker 1: You look at what he's done over the first three 360 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: weeks of the season. I just don't I don't see 361 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 1: how you could pull him out Right now, I say, 362 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 1: I say, you keep rolling with them with those weapons, 363 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 1: Mike Evans and those guys that he's got on that offense. 364 00:16:57,880 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 1: If if I'm Tampa Bay, I'm not turning it over, 365 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 1: turning it back over to Jamis Winston right now. For 366 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 1: my money, I think Ryan Fitzpatrick, this guy would have 367 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:07,760 Speaker 1: been perfect in nine in the nineties, if you would 368 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:09,240 Speaker 1: have been able to get out in the league then 369 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 1: because he is he to me, he's the biggest gun 370 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:14,760 Speaker 1: slinger right now in the NFL. He has that Brett 371 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:17,159 Speaker 1: fa mentality. He's going to challenge downfield. He's gonna have 372 00:17:17,160 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 1: a short memory. Unfortunately, there's gonna be some takeaways there, 373 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:22,679 Speaker 1: there's gonna be some turnovers and ultimately that's all what 374 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 1: kind of cost him the job and with the Jets 375 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 1: and with the Bills. But he really knows how to 376 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 1: to get this offense clicking and moving. And it's exact 377 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:32,119 Speaker 1: type of player I'm sure the Bucks wanted to have 378 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:34,560 Speaker 1: for Dirk Cutter. This is a big year man. They 379 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:36,720 Speaker 1: got to make progress. They gotta pushed for a playoff 380 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 1: spot in a really competitive division. But yeah, getting back 381 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 1: to your original point. For the for the Bears, this 382 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:43,560 Speaker 1: will not be a walk in the park. And for 383 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:46,439 Speaker 1: the Packers, even though I think everybody projected that the 384 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 1: Vikings are gonna be the team, you're gonna be chasing 385 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 1: the leak switches fast. You have ebbs and flows every 386 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:53,520 Speaker 1: single week right now. The Packers need to get a 387 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:55,439 Speaker 1: win to get back up there with Chicago. Yeah. Well, 388 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 1: in the bottom line is, if you're looking at it 389 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 1: from the best case scenario for the Packers, you went 390 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:04,200 Speaker 1: at home against Buffalo. If fits Magic does this thing 391 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:07,120 Speaker 1: at Soldier Field, you're at the quarter pole in first 392 00:18:07,119 --> 00:18:09,000 Speaker 1: place in the NFC North at two one on one 393 00:18:09,119 --> 00:18:11,400 Speaker 1: there there, there would be worse places to be. Yeah, 394 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 1: and I think we've already seen you talked about the 395 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:16,439 Speaker 1: parody last week, Mike. It's just it's so it's so 396 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 1: weak to week at this point, and it always is 397 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:21,880 Speaker 1: every year we're talking about you know, you know, you're look, 398 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,360 Speaker 1: you got the you got the Dolphins playing the Patriots. 399 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:26,360 Speaker 1: Dolphins are three and no. New England's one and two. 400 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 1: Can you imagine, I mean, can you if Miami wins 401 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 1: that game and goes to four and oh and is 402 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:32,879 Speaker 1: three games ahead of the Patriots in the a f 403 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:35,240 Speaker 1: C East at the quarter pole, that would be I mean, 404 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:38,200 Speaker 1: it would be unheard of. But yet it's entirely possible 405 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:40,200 Speaker 1: the way things are going right now, and it's parody 406 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:42,159 Speaker 1: it's the way they want it. It's gonna be interesting 407 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 1: to see how it plays out. From the Packers perspective, 408 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:46,320 Speaker 1: You've got to take care of business. You have them 409 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 1: back at lambeau Field. You have a chance to get 410 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:50,159 Speaker 1: that bad taste out of your mouth from Washington and 411 00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:53,479 Speaker 1: what happened late in that game against Minnesota. Aaron Rodgers 412 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 1: looks like he's getting healthier. There's a lot of things 413 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: going on going into this football game, but I think 414 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:00,440 Speaker 1: for the Packers, this is an excellent opportunity to really 415 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 1: churn the tide and and you know, get some momentum 416 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:05,200 Speaker 1: built up now going to that second quarter of the season. Yeah, 417 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 1: that's a good way to call it a wrap on 418 00:19:07,359 --> 00:19:09,959 Speaker 1: this edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all 419 00:19:09,960 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 1: of our coverage of the team and of Sunday's game 420 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:15,400 Speaker 1: from lambeau Field on Packers dot Com on Twitter. He's 421 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:18,119 Speaker 1: at West Hot, I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers for 422 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 1: the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody, See you 423 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:21,080 Speaker 1: next time.