1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:18,280 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford, joined as always 3 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:20,759 Speaker 1: by my partner in crime, West Hodkowits were coming to 4 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 1: you from socially distant locations at lambeau Field West. The 5 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: NFC Championship Game is almost upon us. It will be Sunday, 6 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 1: a two oh five pm Central time kickoff at lambeau Field, 7 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: the first time the NFC title game will be here 8 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:40,879 Speaker 1: in Green Bay in thirteen years. And uh, I tell you, 9 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:42,519 Speaker 1: let's get right into it. Whether you want to talk 10 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:46,279 Speaker 1: to Aaron Rodgers versus Tom Brady, Packers offense against those 11 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:49,680 Speaker 1: inside linebackers for Tampa Bay, whatever the matchup is, what 12 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: do you feel is the biggest key to victory for 13 00:00:53,640 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 1: Green Bay in this football game? Well, you hit on 14 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:58,240 Speaker 1: it right there, Mike. For me, it is the Packers 15 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 1: offense versus this linebacker in it and also Todd Bowls. 16 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 1: I mean one of the stats. And I'm sure you've 17 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:05,319 Speaker 1: got a chance to read in Cider inbox. You have 18 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:08,040 Speaker 1: to edit me. Uh. One of the things I found 19 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: really interesting is Rogers was exceptional against the Blitz all 20 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: season hundred and twenty five passer rating in the fifteen 21 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:18,040 Speaker 1: games other than Tampa Bay when he sees pressure in 22 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 1: his face, sixty seven completion percentage yards passing, seventeen touchdowns 23 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:26,760 Speaker 1: to two interceptions. Then you look at the seventeen attempts 24 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,040 Speaker 1: he had against the Buccaneers the first time, and he 25 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: had a seven passer rating. They got the two picks 26 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 1: on him the only through for sixty three yards. They 27 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:36,960 Speaker 1: came up with a great adjustment that first time around. 28 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,199 Speaker 1: You tip your cap to them. But as Matt Lafleur said, 29 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:41,440 Speaker 1: and as also Aaron Rodgers has talked about this week, 30 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:45,120 Speaker 1: that's week six, that's not today, seeing what the next 31 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:48,400 Speaker 1: move is for both the offense and seeing exactly how 32 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 1: Bowls uses those linebackers this time around, I think it's 33 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,960 Speaker 1: gonna be really telling because Green Bay needs to be 34 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 1: able to run the football. It's the top rank run 35 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:58,120 Speaker 1: defense the National Football League. But they got to make 36 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 1: their job easy. They have to find ways to keep 37 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 1: themselves and in manageable second and third down situations, and 38 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:06,880 Speaker 1: from there it's up to Rogers. It's up to the 39 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: National Football League's likely m v P this season coming 40 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 1: through and being able to solve this defense, Todd Bowls 41 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 1: is as good as it gets. Mike I have long 42 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 1: admired his defense is going back to his time in 43 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 1: Arizona and even before that. I mean, for him to 44 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 1: be able to dial up and adjust and as Rogers 45 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 1: even said, kind of on the cutting edge, and having 46 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 1: these two really exceptional inside linebackers to work with Devin 47 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 1: White doing things traditional inside backers don't do. Almost sort 48 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 1: of reminds me a little bit of those Ryan Schizier 49 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: linebackers that sort of penetrated through the league, you know, 50 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:43,640 Speaker 1: five six years ago. Dynamic players that aren't just coverage, 51 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 1: they aren't just run stoppers. They can blitz to. Seeing 52 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:48,640 Speaker 1: how Green Bay adjust to that is going to be 53 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:51,239 Speaker 1: a real telltale sign, I think on who ultimately comes 54 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 1: out on top. Yeah, I mean, I think we saw 55 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 1: over the course of this season how good the Packers 56 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 1: offensive line was and what it has done along with 57 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:00,800 Speaker 1: the running backs, the tight ends picking up the blitzes 58 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: and stuff. They had a bad day against Tampa Bay 59 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 1: back in Week six. That was that was the anomaly. 60 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 1: Because the protection of this unit has been has been 61 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 1: really really strong all season long. But on the other 62 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 1: side of that, you you hinted at it as well. 63 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:17,639 Speaker 1: I think this game, maybe more than any other this season, 64 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:20,640 Speaker 1: is going to test the Packers true commitment to the 65 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 1: running game, because this Tampa Bay defense is the best 66 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:27,839 Speaker 1: in the league against the run statistically, and we've seen 67 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:30,360 Speaker 1: it west. We saw in the second half about a 68 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,639 Speaker 1: month ago against Carolina when the Packers got away from 69 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 1: that commitment to the run. They were trying to force things, 70 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: you know, certain ways, and things didn't go well. And 71 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 1: since that game, the Packers of the offensively, Matt Lafleur, 72 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers, everybody, they've recommitted to the run. And you 73 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 1: saw Green Bay ran all over the Tennessee Titans, they 74 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 1: ran all over the Los Angeles Rams. When this is 75 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 1: the game because of this Tampa Bay defense and how 76 00:03:56,680 --> 00:03:58,640 Speaker 1: it's constructed, this is a game that is going to 77 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 1: test that commitment to the run on It may not 78 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 1: be shiny and flashy to get three and four yard 79 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 1: carries all the time when you're handing off on first 80 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:09,600 Speaker 1: or second down, but the Packers are going to have 81 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 1: to stick with it because that's the only way you're 82 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 1: going to keep Todd Bowl's defense honest and not let 83 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:18,360 Speaker 1: him just dial up and scheme up whatever he wants 84 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 1: and have his guys pin their ears back, as they say, 85 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 1: and come after the quarterback. You've got to stay committed 86 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 1: to the run to keep that defense guessing a little bit. 87 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 1: And I think if the Packers can do that, they 88 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 1: can find some efficiency against a really, really good defense. Yeah, 89 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: and that's why I love being able to see, you know, 90 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 1: a J. Dillon be back at practice on Wednesday, and well, 91 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 1: obviously that's just one practice. Where's two more to go. 92 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 1: At the time in which we're taping this, you have 93 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 1: to see if he'll be available for Sunday. But if 94 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:46,160 Speaker 1: he is, the different versions of that backfield that they 95 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:48,280 Speaker 1: can deploy is going to be really essential. I feel 96 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: against Tampa Bay. For starters, you know this is an 97 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 1: outside zone team. There are a wide zone team. That's 98 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 1: what Green Bay wants to do. But you and I 99 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:57,720 Speaker 1: both know when you have linebackers that can play sideline 100 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 1: to sideline, like both Lavonte David and Devin White can 101 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:04,040 Speaker 1: that challenges that. But think back to some of the 102 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 1: runs the Green Bay Packers did have in that game 103 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: against Tampa Bay that we're successful. It was running north 104 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 1: and south, it was Jamal Williams breaking into the second 105 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:14,119 Speaker 1: level and making guys pay, dipping his shoulder and really 106 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: laying into some defenders. And that's what they did last 107 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 1: week very well against the Los Angeles Rams. I'm not 108 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,480 Speaker 1: saying the Packers have to get outside of themselves, but 109 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 1: if you're able to kind of plow forward with Williams 110 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:29,480 Speaker 1: and Dylan, find ways to get Aaron Jones open in space, 111 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 1: whether it's with the passing game or finding ways to 112 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:34,159 Speaker 1: get him the ball as a runner, that's going to 113 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: be critical because that's what allows Green Bay to not 114 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:39,479 Speaker 1: only protect the football, manage the down and distance in 115 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,000 Speaker 1: time of possession in this game. Green Bay this year 116 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:44,719 Speaker 1: has been so good at shortening ball games. They need 117 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 1: to do that today or I should say, on Sunday 118 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:52,000 Speaker 1: against this opponent, because you saw last week they ran early. 119 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:54,640 Speaker 1: It wasn't big runs, was it. It was a sixty 120 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 1: yard or after halftime, But before that it was fourteen 121 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 1: fifteen carries, gritty yards, seven many you know yards early 122 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:04,719 Speaker 1: on and then the dam broke. So I feel like 123 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 1: that's the number one thing that's gonna help set up 124 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers Davante Adams in the passing game is coming 125 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:11,280 Speaker 1: out and imposing that will. But I have to mention 126 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 1: Vita Vea changes this a little bit. If there wasn't 127 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:17,839 Speaker 1: a via Veta question question question mark earlier this week, 128 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 1: if he was still not designated to return, I think 129 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 1: it's a lot easier to do that. But when you 130 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 1: put a three pound defensive tackle out there, it's going 131 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 1: to be a challenge in Green Bay has to be 132 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:29,479 Speaker 1: ready for it. Yeah, I'm really curious what's going to 133 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 1: happen with Vita Vea with him having been out really 134 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 1: upwards of three months now and the fact that he 135 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 1: is just now being designated to return from i R. 136 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 1: That's only three practices after three months away and essentially 137 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:45,359 Speaker 1: the you know, Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said on Wednesday, 138 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 1: all they really had was was a walkthrough having played 139 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:51,600 Speaker 1: late in the day on Sunday. So, um, I'm I'm 140 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 1: Vita Via may play and and and they may activate it. Right, 141 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:56,919 Speaker 1: how many how many snaps is he really going to 142 00:06:56,920 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 1: be able to play after a three month layoff and 143 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 1: hardly any time on the practice this field, We'll see. 144 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 1: This is the NFC Championship. This is not a mid 145 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:06,359 Speaker 1: October game where you're looking at you know, getting a 146 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:08,360 Speaker 1: guy back for the long haul and all that. So 147 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 1: some of the conventional thinking maybe goes out the window. 148 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: But I am curious just exactly how that's going to 149 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 1: play out and and what impact that will have on 150 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 1: the Packers running game and the Buccaneers ability to stop 151 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: the running. Yeah, and I don't know Arians and Bowl's 152 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 1: philosophy either with guys coming off injured reserve. Certainly Green 153 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 1: Bay has done it both ways. There's been times where 154 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 1: guys have been activated. I think Alan las Art and 155 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:31,559 Speaker 1: then he used the full twenty one day window before 156 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:33,920 Speaker 1: he returned to the roster. At the same time, I 157 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 1: can think of other guys that have come up, and 158 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:37,840 Speaker 1: I think Kamal Martin being one of them that just 159 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 1: practice that week and then played. So there is an 160 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 1: adjustment there. But certainly, I mean when you look at 161 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: Jason Pierre Paul and a Dominican Sue, I mean, this 162 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 1: defense is just name after name, and in Green Bay, 163 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:50,480 Speaker 1: you know this is gonna be a challenge. You know. 164 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:52,200 Speaker 1: The way I laid it out was they were able 165 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 1: to in the five things story I did, they were 166 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 1: able to beat the league's top ranked scoring defense, the 167 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 1: top ranked total defense and in the top rank passing defense. 168 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 1: Now you get the run defense. Can you find a 169 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 1: way to solve that? Yeah? Absolutely, And of course on 170 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 1: the offensive side of the ball. Will repeat what we 171 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: said on our last show, which is that the Packers 172 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 1: have to protect the football, because look, the bottom line 173 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 1: for me is this West. I don't think the Tampa 174 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:17,800 Speaker 1: Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints last week if 175 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:20,000 Speaker 1: the Saints protect the ball. You look at that game, 176 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: the Saints were already down one nothing in turnovers, but 177 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: had a seven point lead in the second half, and 178 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 1: we're headed for a two score lead even being down 179 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 1: one to zero and turnovers. Then the second turnover happened 180 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 1: and it was like everything was all downhill for the 181 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 1: Buccaneers from there, and the Saints were fighting uphill and 182 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:40,720 Speaker 1: they just and and they couldn't overcome it. I'm not 183 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,200 Speaker 1: saying the Packers have to win the turnover battle. I 184 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 1: honestly think if this game is zero zero and turnovers 185 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:48,679 Speaker 1: like last week week was against the Rams, I think 186 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:50,959 Speaker 1: if you're the Packers, you take that. I think that 187 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:53,240 Speaker 1: puts you in a really, really good position to win, 188 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 1: without question, Mike. I mean that's why green Bay one 189 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:57,360 Speaker 1: last week. They didn't turn over the football, they didn't 190 00:08:57,400 --> 00:08:59,959 Speaker 1: give the Rams any chances to kind of seize the 191 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 1: field position and that matchup, and you saw when it 192 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:05,760 Speaker 1: just came pushed, came to shove Remy Packers have assumed 193 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 1: to be three time m v P quarterback, they have 194 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 1: a four time Pro Bowl receiver, and they had weapons 195 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 1: galore that we're able to matriculate the ball down the field. 196 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:15,319 Speaker 1: So I mean for them to be able now to 197 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 1: come out and do that again, that's going to be 198 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 1: the ultimate key in this, Mike, because Tampa Bay is really, 199 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:23,320 Speaker 1: really good. I said this to a buddy mine last 200 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:25,800 Speaker 1: night in attacks. These are the two top teams in 201 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 1: the NFC. I firmly believe that the cream has risen 202 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:30,280 Speaker 1: to the top here at the end of the season. 203 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 1: Two very complete units, not flawless, but have earned their 204 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 1: way to this opportunity. And then, Mike, first and foremost lastly, 205 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 1: I have to say, this game is being played at 206 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:44,440 Speaker 1: Lambeau Field. This is not Raymond James Stadium. Could be 207 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 1: in two weeks, but it's not Raymond James Stadium today. 208 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:50,080 Speaker 1: Green Bay needs to use that their advantage. They know 209 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:54,679 Speaker 1: this field they know these weather conditions, and there's it's undeniable, Mike. 210 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 1: When you play in the environment like this, it's going 211 00:09:57,559 --> 00:10:01,319 Speaker 1: to slow the game down. That works to Green Bay's benefit. Yeah, 212 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 1: and it sounds like there is snow in the forecast 213 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:06,959 Speaker 1: for Saturday night into Sunday morning. Maybe the snow will 214 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 1: have stopped by the time kickoff rolls around. We will 215 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:13,079 Speaker 1: just have to see. But again, when you can win 216 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 1: a playoff game in the NFL by fourteen points, when 217 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 1: the turnovers are zero zero, that tells you you don't 218 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 1: have to take the ball away to win. The Packers 219 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 1: don't have to do that. They just have to protect 220 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:27,679 Speaker 1: it like they did last week quickly. Here West Series 221 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 1: x M, NFL Radio Channel eighty eight is the only 222 00:10:30,360 --> 00:10:33,240 Speaker 1: radio outlet dedicated to the National Football League seven days 223 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 1: a week, three hundred sixty five days a year. All right, Well, 224 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 1: as we know, the Packers are trying to get back 225 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:40,960 Speaker 1: to the Super Bowl for the first time in a decade. 226 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:44,440 Speaker 1: The Buccaneers as a franchise trying to get to the 227 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 1: back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 228 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:50,479 Speaker 1: eighteen years. Defensive side of the ball, here Mike Patton's 229 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 1: crew against Tom Brady and company. What do you see 230 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:59,679 Speaker 1: as the keys on in this scenario for for the 231 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 1: Pas to keep the edge in this ball game. Remember 232 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 1: when you you got your kids to learn how to 233 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 1: ride a bicycle, Mike, Remember those days. The great thing 234 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 1: about that is that every day's improvement. Right. You might 235 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 1: be at uncertain the first time you get on there, 236 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 1: maybe take your knicks and your bumps and bruises, but 237 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:21,600 Speaker 1: it all leads into eventually being able to kind of 238 00:11:21,640 --> 00:11:24,000 Speaker 1: just push them off and let them go. You don't 239 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 1: work your way backwards for green Bay's defense, don't work 240 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:29,439 Speaker 1: their way backwards. This is a much better defense than 241 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:31,480 Speaker 1: it was in week six. It's a much better defense 242 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 1: than it was in week twelve. I feel like Green 243 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:37,080 Speaker 1: Bay needs to keep the ball rolling on that side 244 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:39,160 Speaker 1: of the ball. If you were looking at from a 245 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:41,680 Speaker 1: swag rating, like if if Matt Irvin could put up 246 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:44,440 Speaker 1: like a swag graphic. Green Bay's at its at its 247 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 1: peak right now. I mean, they have serious confidence heading 248 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 1: into this game, and rightfully so, Mike. They've gone now 249 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:55,200 Speaker 1: to almost two full months of playing really high level 250 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 1: defense in exceptional run defense, and they haven't ruptured. You 251 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 1: can't rupture you can't allow them to have those big plays. 252 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:05,680 Speaker 1: And I feel like that does start up front. Ronald Jones. 253 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:09,520 Speaker 1: It was a very good performance, but it's not the 254 00:12:09,559 --> 00:12:11,679 Speaker 1: type where you're you're gonna remember five years from now. Man, 255 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 1: do you remember when Ronald Jones gash Green Bay in 256 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: Week six? No, it was just a really consistent twenty 257 00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:21,319 Speaker 1: kerry twenty yard day and Green Bay didn't have a 258 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 1: consistent answer for him in that game. And that's what 259 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:27,560 Speaker 1: you talk about the turnover battle. That's what allowed Tampa 260 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:30,439 Speaker 1: Bay to control the tempo of that game. They got takeaways, 261 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:32,760 Speaker 1: they got solid field position, and they ran the ball 262 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:35,760 Speaker 1: really really well. That's where Green Bay has to start 263 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:37,680 Speaker 1: this thing. You're gonna see both Jones, and you're gonna 264 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 1: see Leonard for Net. For Net has looked better the 265 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 1: last couple of weeks and and it's allowed him to 266 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 1: get more snaps. That's the one to punch. Yes there's Brady, 267 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:48,800 Speaker 1: Yes there's Mike Evans, all these other weapons that they 268 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 1: have grounk, but being able to continue to play solid 269 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 1: run defense is going to be critical. And from there, Mike, 270 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:57,440 Speaker 1: you and I have seen it. We've seen it for 271 00:12:57,480 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 1: two years now and We've really noticed that the last 272 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 1: few weeks. When you get to third and seven plus, 273 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 1: this defense is different. There is just a look in 274 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: their eye that is just a feeling that not only 275 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 1: are we going to get a stop here, but we 276 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:14,440 Speaker 1: could potentially get a takeaway. We could potentially get a 277 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 1: sack that takes away ten more yards. That's where this 278 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:19,200 Speaker 1: defense is at right now. It's as good as it's 279 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 1: been all season. Gotta keep that going, yeah, absolutely, And 280 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 1: I think when it comes to obviously you've got you've got, 281 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 1: you've got to stop the run, you can't. You can't 282 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 1: let Tampa Bay dictate things with that running game with 283 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:35,160 Speaker 1: Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette because they they've they've discovered 284 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 1: something here, you know, the whole playoff lennything that's going 285 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:39,720 Speaker 1: on with with four Nett and what he's been able 286 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:42,719 Speaker 1: to produce in the postseason. While Ronald Jones has not 287 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:46,200 Speaker 1: quite been a hundred percent with that with that leg injury, 288 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 1: but it's developed into a pretty good one to punch, 289 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 1: and the Packers can't let that ground game dictate things 290 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: when it comes to Tom Brady passing the ball. It's 291 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,600 Speaker 1: been the age old story as far as I'm concerned. 292 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:01,199 Speaker 1: When you can pressure Tom Brady in his face, when 293 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 1: you can get pressure on the interior, that's what can 294 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:08,040 Speaker 1: really disrupt Tom Brady's rhythm and disrupt his accuracy and 295 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: all those things that that you know his He's made 296 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:14,080 Speaker 1: a Hall of Fame career out of doing and so 297 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:16,559 Speaker 1: to me, a lot of that falls on Kenny Clarke. 298 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:19,680 Speaker 1: He's the packer's best interior rusher. But also when it 299 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:24,320 Speaker 1: comes to passing situations, We've seen Zadarius Smith move inside 300 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:27,239 Speaker 1: as a rusher. So then Preston Smith and Rashawn Gary 301 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 1: are on the edges and Zadarius Smith got a sack 302 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,400 Speaker 1: of Jared Goff last week right up the middle, you know, 303 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: coming up with the interior pressure, that's where the packers 304 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 1: have to have to get at Brady. He can he 305 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: can sidestep the edge guys, he can step up in 306 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: the pocket if there's room there. When if the edge 307 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:46,480 Speaker 1: guys are winning, he doesn't have as far, doesn't have 308 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 1: those kind of options when that pressure is in his face. 309 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 1: And that's how teams have beaten Tom Brady in big 310 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 1: games in the past. Yeah, they really have Mike and 311 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 1: and that's why I really do look at this matchup like, yeah, 312 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: I mean, it's gonna matter. You've got to make sure 313 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 1: that you know that the edge of shures have to 314 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 1: still hold, you know, hold there, you know edges and whatnot. 315 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: You can't let guys get stretched outside. You have to 316 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 1: be cognizant of all that. You need a lot of 317 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 1: the traditional type defensive success in this game. But ultimately, 318 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 1: I just think this game is one between the hashes. 319 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,320 Speaker 1: I really do, Mike. I think it's gonna be stopping 320 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 1: them when they're trying to plow forward. You mentioned with 321 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 1: for net and playoff Lenny and everything like that. It 322 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 1: honestly reminds me a lot of La Garrett Blunt when 323 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:29,200 Speaker 1: and maybe that's just the Tom Brady comparisons with the 324 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:32,240 Speaker 1: success they had with Blunt in New England, but just 325 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 1: the guy that Okay, you might look at his regular 326 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:36,160 Speaker 1: season statistics and not be wild, but none of that 327 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 1: matters in the playoffs. If you can't stop him, if 328 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 1: you can't hold them to three yard two yard games, 329 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a long afternoon. And that's what gets 330 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 1: Brady into a rhythm that game, the way he bounced back. 331 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: You want to talk about mental toughness you want to 332 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:50,840 Speaker 1: talk about resolve. That game could really have not had 333 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:54,280 Speaker 1: started much worse for the Buccaneers absent take a giveaway 334 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: in the early going there against the Saints, but they 335 00:15:57,680 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 1: got that sneak as I talked about earlier this week, 336 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 1: and after that they started throwing the ball better in 337 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: their throw pass set up the run and it was 338 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 1: just this snowball that just kept rolling and rolling and 339 00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:10,200 Speaker 1: rolling until the next thing you knew it really wasn't 340 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 1: that close of a game. So yeah, Brady upfront, Kenny Clark, 341 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: exceptional performance last week. So Darius Smith, if they do 342 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:18,680 Speaker 1: some more of the Rover stuff with him hovering over 343 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:21,400 Speaker 1: the top of the center knifing through. Those are all 344 00:16:21,400 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 1: the looks I want to see from this defense. Because 345 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 1: the other thing to talk about quickly, everybody practiced on Wednesday, 346 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:28,560 Speaker 1: will see what Thursday looks like. But the fact that 347 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:32,280 Speaker 1: everybody was back out there. Kingsley Kiki limited participant after 348 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 1: missing three weeks here with the concussion. It's all right 349 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 1: there for Green Bay. This is as healthy as they've 350 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:39,400 Speaker 1: been all season. You have to make sure that you 351 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 1: get your players out there, get them feeling good, and 352 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:44,120 Speaker 1: you get after that quarterback. Yeah. One other thing I 353 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:46,240 Speaker 1: want to ask you about with regard to the defensive 354 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 1: side of the ball. We saw last week when the 355 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:51,520 Speaker 1: Los Angeles Rams kind of went to the up tempo, 356 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: the no huddle, muddle huddle type of stuff. That's when 357 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 1: Jared Goff kind of got into a rhythm. Now was 358 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 1: a lot of short passes, it was dinking and dunking, 359 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 1: but that's when the Rams were moving down the field successfully. 360 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 1: I know the weather could have a factor here, whether 361 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:07,119 Speaker 1: it's snowing, you know, ten plus degrees colder than it 362 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 1: was last Saturday in Green Bay. But do you think 363 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:13,160 Speaker 1: the Packers defense has to be prepared for Bruce Arians 364 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 1: and Tom Brady maybe trying to replicate some of what 365 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,159 Speaker 1: the Rams and Golf did with that up tempo stuff 366 00:17:19,359 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 1: to keep Green Bay's defense on its heels. Is that's 367 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:24,200 Speaker 1: something you have to be prepared for the Rams and Golf, 368 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 1: I mean Trubisky and the Bears the week earlier. I mean, 369 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 1: the completion percentage has been really high here. I mean now, again, 370 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:32,440 Speaker 1: credit to Green Bay's defense. They haven't let those things rupture. 371 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 1: Guys have tackled to the ball, They've minimized those those 372 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:37,879 Speaker 1: things you look at that I have mentioned you, uh Mooney. 373 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 1: I think it was against the Bears had the fifty 374 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 1: four yard catch still was held underneath the hundred yards 375 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,119 Speaker 1: even though he had nine catches for the game. So 376 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 1: green Bay has done a good job of that. But 377 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 1: I mean that's ultimately I think what arians in environ 378 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:52,720 Speaker 1: Leftwich and and Brady are looking at this week. Okay, 379 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:54,680 Speaker 1: this is the way it lines up for us. How 380 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:56,440 Speaker 1: can we find ways to get the ball down the 381 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:58,879 Speaker 1: field in an opposing venue that's going to be somewhat hostile. 382 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:00,480 Speaker 1: I mean there's gonna be nine thou and people in 383 00:18:00,520 --> 00:18:02,879 Speaker 1: there again, and and they're gonna be playing in that 384 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 1: environment in the cold. It's a different situation. So what's 385 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 1: the thing that allows you to get into a groove. 386 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 1: It's the underneath passing game. It's being able to get 387 00:18:11,080 --> 00:18:13,520 Speaker 1: Grounk involved. It's being able to find ways to get 388 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:15,719 Speaker 1: Mike Evans the ball. Last week, Evans was pretty much 389 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 1: held in check. What will his success look like this week? 390 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:21,679 Speaker 1: Potentially seeing Jaire Alexander. All of those things play into it. 391 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:24,840 Speaker 1: But yeah, you're absolutely right. I mean green Bay can't 392 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 1: let Brady get into that groove because when he does, 393 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:30,200 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a long night and they and they 394 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:33,240 Speaker 1: hurry up offense. It was a good adjustment. The one 395 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:35,199 Speaker 1: thing I think Green Bay is gonna have maybe a 396 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:37,919 Speaker 1: better opportunity with is I don't think they're gonna get 397 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 1: caught in the base look as much. That was one 398 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:42,760 Speaker 1: of the issues there when when the Rams went hurry up, 399 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 1: they still had their base personnel on there and they 400 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 1: couldn't get them off before they could get Christian Kirksey 401 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:49,399 Speaker 1: and the Nickel back out there. I think you're probably 402 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:51,679 Speaker 1: gonna see more Nickel in this matchup, so that probably 403 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 1: behooves Green Bay a little bit. But certainly, Mike, when 404 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:56,199 Speaker 1: you have that on the film, you know you have 405 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:57,480 Speaker 1: to be able to come out and show that, yeah, 406 00:18:57,520 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 1: we have an answer for it. We're gonna be able 407 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:01,680 Speaker 1: to get a stop because once they did, once they 408 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 1: got that in completion against Golf, then they were having 409 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:07,399 Speaker 1: a harder time getting that going again. Yeah. Absolutely, Well, 410 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:09,879 Speaker 1: before we go, I'll just get your thoughts quickly on 411 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:12,520 Speaker 1: the a f C Championship game. You got the Buffalo 412 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 1: Bills at the Kansas City Chiefs. The top two seeds 413 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:18,400 Speaker 1: in the A f C number two traveling to number one. 414 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:22,600 Speaker 1: Interestingly here, obviously, last year the Chiefs broke a fifty 415 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:25,639 Speaker 1: year drought for their franchise in terms of getting to 416 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:27,760 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl. Not only did they get there, obviously 417 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: they wanted. The Buffalo Bills now trying to break a 418 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:36,399 Speaker 1: twenty seven year drought absence from the Super Bowl. What 419 00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:38,159 Speaker 1: do you think of this one? I said from the 420 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,600 Speaker 1: beginning of the playoffs, to me, I just felt like 421 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 1: if there was one team in the a f C 422 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:44,040 Speaker 1: that would have a chance to knock off the Chiefs, 423 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 1: who have been the clear favorite, and they've been the 424 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 1: best team in that conference all season long, if there 425 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:51,160 Speaker 1: was one team that had a chance to do it, 426 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: it was gonna be the Buffalo Bills. This is their chance. 427 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:56,720 Speaker 1: I'm not saying that they're going to do it, but 428 00:19:56,840 --> 00:19:59,400 Speaker 1: to me, I I wouldn't be shocked if this game 429 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:03,440 Speaker 1: goes their direction. The Chiefs may hold Serve, but if 430 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:05,840 Speaker 1: the Bills go into Kansas City, go into Arrowhead and 431 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:08,159 Speaker 1: win this game, I will not be blown off my 432 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 1: chair by any stretch of the imagination. You know, you 433 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:13,600 Speaker 1: have a few more years on me, so maybe you'll 434 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:15,360 Speaker 1: remember this clearer than I do, And if I say 435 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,440 Speaker 1: this and sound foolish, I apologize in advance. But I 436 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:20,639 Speaker 1: was still alive in the mid nineties and I remember 437 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:24,480 Speaker 1: what felt like with the Packers. This Bill's team kind 438 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: of reminds me of the Packers a little bit. Now. 439 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 1: The question is can they be the unit? Obviously not 440 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:32,600 Speaker 1: number one ranked defense, not all that stuff, but the 441 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:35,240 Speaker 1: way they win it kind of reminds me of those 442 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:38,760 Speaker 1: mid nineties Packers one. They've changed the narrative. They're no 443 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:41,440 Speaker 1: longer just the laughing stock. They are respectable again, and 444 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:44,399 Speaker 1: they're making, as you said, a really good argument to 445 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:46,000 Speaker 1: be back in the super Bowl for the first time 446 00:20:46,359 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 1: in you know, almost thirty years. Now, that being said, 447 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:53,360 Speaker 1: can the defense answer the call against Kansas City's offense? 448 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 1: I really want to see I hope, first and foremost, 449 00:20:56,320 --> 00:20:59,480 Speaker 1: Patrick Mahomes is fine. With the head injuries the biggest 450 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:02,560 Speaker 1: thing from a human standpoint, you hope everything checks out there. 451 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:04,840 Speaker 1: But I really do hope he plays in this game. 452 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:06,600 Speaker 1: I want to see Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs. The 453 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:09,000 Speaker 1: playoffs are better with him on the field. He's he's 454 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 1: one of the most marketable, brandable players when you think 455 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:15,160 Speaker 1: of the National Football League. Now you think of Patrick Mahomes, 456 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:17,439 Speaker 1: so I want to see him be able to be 457 00:21:17,480 --> 00:21:19,639 Speaker 1: out there and if he is, can the Bills answer that? 458 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:22,280 Speaker 1: And Offensively, Josh Allen is one of the most exciting 459 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: young players in the league. I love the way he 460 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 1: plays the game. He is the straw that stirs that drink. Offensively, 461 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:31,440 Speaker 1: Stefon Diggs was a great addition for him. They have weapons, 462 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:35,320 Speaker 1: they play to their weapons. Cold Beasley as the slot 463 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:38,120 Speaker 1: option leading the league and slot yardage this year. There's 464 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:40,600 Speaker 1: just so many things that they do well. It's the matchup. 465 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:42,879 Speaker 1: Much like how I felt Green Bay and in Tampa 466 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 1: Bay is the best two teams in the NFC as 467 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:48,120 Speaker 1: good as the a f C was this year. This 468 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:49,680 Speaker 1: is the way you wanted to see it work out. 469 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:52,359 Speaker 1: This is how you wanted to see that matchup play out. Yeah. 470 00:21:52,400 --> 00:21:55,880 Speaker 1: I think if there's one thing that there's one thing 471 00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:58,679 Speaker 1: that helps the Bills in their effort to pull the 472 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 1: upset here, it's that they faced the Kansas City Chiefs 473 00:22:02,040 --> 00:22:04,760 Speaker 1: in the regular season. This isn't going to be a 474 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:08,280 Speaker 1: case of the defense, the coaching staff, everybody not really, 475 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:11,439 Speaker 1: you know, there there's something about that Patrick Mahomes offense, 476 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:14,160 Speaker 1: and Tyreek Hill and his speed, and Travis Kelsey and 477 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:17,080 Speaker 1: the things that he brings as a tight end that 478 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:21,080 Speaker 1: that other guys can't replicate. When you're seeing that, when 479 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:23,520 Speaker 1: you're going up against that site unseen, that can be 480 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:26,479 Speaker 1: a really, really tough ad judgments adjustment to make. The 481 00:22:26,520 --> 00:22:28,880 Speaker 1: Bills have seen it. They played against it this year, 482 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,240 Speaker 1: and it was a pretty close game. If I remember, 483 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:33,000 Speaker 1: I think it ended up being just a three three 484 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:36,760 Speaker 1: point game, one score game. If if I recall so 485 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:40,640 Speaker 1: the fact that Buffalo and Buffalo played Kansas City already, 486 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:42,720 Speaker 1: I think that works too. Uh. I think that works 487 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:47,679 Speaker 1: to Buffalo's advantage as the underdog going into Arrowhead. Oh no, 488 00:22:47,760 --> 00:22:50,040 Speaker 1: I was. I got so close. I was so confident 489 00:22:50,040 --> 00:22:54,560 Speaker 1: in six to seventeen Kansas City won that game. But no, 490 00:22:54,680 --> 00:22:56,280 Speaker 1: I guess, so, I guess it was two scores. It 491 00:22:56,320 --> 00:22:58,359 Speaker 1: was not, it was nine points. It definitely felt well 492 00:22:58,359 --> 00:23:00,000 Speaker 1: in the XFL they would have been that would actually 493 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,560 Speaker 1: on a one score game. But alright, so you're you're 494 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:06,240 Speaker 1: partially right. Uh No, again, it's a great matchup. I 495 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:09,080 Speaker 1: love what Kansas City has built, and and and Mike 496 00:23:09,119 --> 00:23:13,000 Speaker 1: the storylines right now, right themselves. You can't have any 497 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:15,040 Speaker 1: bad matchup in the Super Bowl. I mean, I guess 498 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:17,760 Speaker 1: for Packer fans you could, but but no, I mean, 499 00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:20,439 Speaker 1: all these things are great. Whether it's Buffalo trying to 500 00:23:20,560 --> 00:23:23,040 Speaker 1: end that drought, whether it's Kansas City making their own 501 00:23:23,119 --> 00:23:25,879 Speaker 1: run at a dynasty, now Tampa Bay and Tom Brady 502 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:28,119 Speaker 1: trying to make that run to a super Bowl with 503 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 1: a new team in his first year, and in the 504 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,480 Speaker 1: Buccaneers trying to play in their home stadium. And then 505 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:36,280 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers, in my opinion, the best quarterback that's ever 506 00:23:36,320 --> 00:23:39,120 Speaker 1: played the game, the most intelligent, the most complete five 507 00:23:39,160 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 1: to a player we've ever seen at the position, trying 508 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:45,240 Speaker 1: to get back to the Promised Land. It's Thursday morning, 509 00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 1: and the time in which we're taking this Yesterday was Wednesday, 510 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:50,360 Speaker 1: the day before that was Tuesday. All of these Mike, 511 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:53,040 Speaker 1: I've been on my seat just waiting to get to 512 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:56,879 Speaker 1: Sunday afternoon. It is going to be an exceptional weekend. 513 00:23:56,880 --> 00:23:59,040 Speaker 1: I hope Packer fans out there enjoy it because these 514 00:23:59,080 --> 00:24:03,760 Speaker 1: opportunities don't come around often and enjoy that run. Yeah. Absolutely, 515 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:06,040 Speaker 1: it's it's gonna be. It's gonna be a whale of 516 00:24:06,040 --> 00:24:10,040 Speaker 1: a Sunday Championship Sunday in the NFL. With that, we'll 517 00:24:10,080 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 1: call it a wrap on this edition of Packers on 518 00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:14,080 Speaker 1: Script and be sure to follow all of our coverage 519 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:16,080 Speaker 1: of the big game Sunday. We'll have it all for 520 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:19,280 Speaker 1: you on Packers dot com for West, I'm Mike. Thanks 521 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:21,520 Speaker 1: for tuning in everybody. Let's see you next time.