1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:11,039 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford, joined by my 3 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: partner in crime, Wes Hodkowitz. We're coming to you here 4 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: from our studios at lambeau Field talking Packers Rams. It'll 5 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 1: be Monday night football at lambeau Field and West. When 6 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: the Packers came back from the bye weekend hit the 7 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: practice field on Tuesday. There is still the issue of 8 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 1: David baktr you, recovering from the appendectomy. We don't really 9 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 1: know what his status is going to be here in 10 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:41,199 Speaker 1: the coming weeks moving forward, but the rest of this 11 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: team is looking pretty healthy. If the Packers are going 12 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 1: to make a run at this, they're at least getting 13 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:49,559 Speaker 1: the bulk of their horses in the race, so to speak. Yeah, 14 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: they're getting, you know, pretty much the full arsenal. Uh 15 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 1: even so, I mean even look at Caleb Jones was 16 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: activated off the non football illness list. Uh So, the 17 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: Packers roster is back at fifty three players. Now finally 18 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 1: to other reinforcement for the offensive line. Another reinforcement for 19 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 1: the offensive line. But most importantly, you look at the 20 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 1: offensive side of the ball. Aaron Rodgers was practicing on 21 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:14,840 Speaker 1: Tuesday and it's now. Keep in mind it's a light practice. 22 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 1: They're only going for an hour, but he didn't have 23 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:20,039 Speaker 1: tape on that thumb. He told Pat McAfee during his 24 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: weekly appearance that he's feeling much better with that ribs, 25 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:26,280 Speaker 1: hopefully feeling better here. You hope that you have Aaron 26 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 1: Rodgers back towards maybe not you know, I don't want 27 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 1: to put the percentage on it, but feeling more like 28 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:35,319 Speaker 1: himself again. The big thing though, is the fact that 29 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones no lingering after effects from that shin injury 30 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: in Chicago, and Romeo Dobbs continuing to practice. He said 31 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:45,200 Speaker 1: afterwards in the locker room, really commended the team and 32 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:49,320 Speaker 1: himself for the decision they made. As difficult as it 33 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 1: was for him not to play against Chicago, he feels 34 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 1: like that extra two weeks put him in a position 35 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: to feel back to where he wanted to be, being 36 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 1: able to cut run full speed again. And Mike, we've 37 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 1: talked about it for a week now, but we're finally 38 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:03,680 Speaker 1: getting closer to seeing Christian Watson and Romeo Dobbs on 39 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: the field together. Yeah, and and it's not even not 40 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 1: even just just those two. It has been a long 41 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 1: time since the Packers have had the the five receivers. 42 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 1: They went into the season with feeling like we're gonna 43 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 1: be their top five, whatever order you want to put 44 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: them in. Lazard, Watson, Dobbs, Cobb, Watkins, those five guys. 45 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 1: I think it was Week two against Chicago was the 46 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:29,640 Speaker 1: only time that the Packers actually had all five of 47 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 1: those players available. And you're right. The exciting thing is 48 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:37,079 Speaker 1: that is with the two rookies, Watson the second rounder, 49 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 1: Dobbs the fourth rounder, they played very They've been on 50 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 1: the field together for very few snaps over the course 51 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:47,359 Speaker 1: of their of their rookie season. And this is this 52 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 1: is kind of the exciting and interesting thing, not just 53 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:52,080 Speaker 1: from the standpoint of what can the Packers do in 54 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:56,279 Speaker 1: these last four games down the stretch, but um, regardless 55 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 1: of what happens elsewhere on the roster in the off season, 56 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:02,040 Speaker 1: this is the future of the Packers passing game. Here. 57 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 1: These two guys, they were drafted where they were drafted 58 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:08,920 Speaker 1: because they're going to be long term fixtures at that position. 59 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 1: It's a chance to see what it looks like with 60 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:13,680 Speaker 1: both of them out there together. You know, you had 61 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:17,240 Speaker 1: to edit it. I wrote it uh the Insider Inbox 62 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:21,639 Speaker 1: column on Thursday. I was trying to think of the 63 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: last time the Packers have had two receivers in the 64 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 1: same draft class that were as highly acclaimed as the 65 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 1: two that they have in Watson and Dobbs, and I 66 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: really couldn't think of them. They've doubled up before, they've 67 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 1: taken multiple guys in specific years, but to have two 68 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:40,040 Speaker 1: guys that have shown real potential to be difference makers 69 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 1: every down players in this offense that came out of 70 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: the same draft class, it doesn't happen a lot. And 71 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 1: talking with Watson a little bit this year, talking with 72 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 1: Dobbs again this past week, you could tell the affinity 73 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 1: all these guys have for each other, the fact that 74 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: they went through the same process alongside each other, earning 75 00:03:57,240 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 1: the trust of Aaron Rodgers, earning their place in this offense, 76 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 1: going back to meeting each other at the Senior Boat 77 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 1: in Mobile, Alabama as well back in January, and their 78 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 1: skill sets complement each other perfectly. And if you throw 79 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: Samori too Ray into that as well, another guy that 80 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 1: could potentially be a playmaker for this team down the line, 81 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:17,839 Speaker 1: it is a very exciting time for the Packers receiving 82 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: corn finally, regardless of how these last four weeks go, 83 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 1: finally getting a chance to see what really that future 84 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:25,039 Speaker 1: of the perimeter game is going to look like in 85 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,160 Speaker 1: Green Bay. While the perimeter game for the Los Angeles 86 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 1: Rams certainly looks very different than the one the Packers 87 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: faced late in the season last year at lambeau Field. 88 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 1: And it's not just obviously the change at quarterback with 89 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:43,719 Speaker 1: Baker Mayfield now taking over for Matthew Stafford, but the 90 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 1: guy who led the NFL last year in receptions, in 91 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:50,280 Speaker 1: receiving yards, and in touchdowns, Cooper Cup is not on 92 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 1: the field for the Rams. Give me your assessment of 93 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 1: just where the Rams are with their with their perimeter weapons. 94 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 1: I mean, we saw Van Jefferson get the game winning 95 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 1: touchdown on the Thursday night football game against the Raiders. 96 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:08,159 Speaker 1: You know, heck of a play, one on one, great 97 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:11,360 Speaker 1: throw by uh Baker Mayfield for the touchdown there. But 98 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 1: then you look at Van jefferson statistics for the season 99 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 1: and you're sort of like, well, where has this guy been? All? Yeah, right, 100 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 1: so I'm not I'm not sure exactly. You know, you 101 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 1: take Cooper Cup out of the mix and and tight 102 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:27,920 Speaker 1: end Tyler Higbee is is is one of the biggest 103 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 1: weapons that the Rams have here in the passing game 104 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:33,640 Speaker 1: moving forward. Yeah, I mean the dearth of playmakers in 105 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 1: this offense. I think it's kind of what has hurt 106 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 1: them in addition to the fact they've had like five 107 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 1: different quarterbacks this season. I mean, honestly, it kind of 108 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:42,120 Speaker 1: reminds you when you look at the box scored almost 109 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 1: looks like those the strike years in eight seven, where 110 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 1: there's just like where all these guys coming from that 111 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 1: we're playing quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams. Unfortunately, now 112 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:52,920 Speaker 1: they get Baker Mayfield off of waivers. But it has 113 00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 1: been a grind, a relentless grind um with with Matthew Stafford, 114 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 1: you know, and you wish the best for him. I mean, 115 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:02,160 Speaker 1: it seems like he's dealing with kind of a scary 116 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:06,919 Speaker 1: um sort of you know, incident. But losing Cooper Cup 117 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:10,680 Speaker 1: everybody knew the offense ran through him, but then Allen 118 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 1: Robinson goes down for the season. Um, they've had to 119 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,960 Speaker 1: rely on guys that were more complimentary pieces in this 120 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 1: offense now as the go toos. And furthermore, you know, 121 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: some some really interesting decisions. You know, Darrel Henderson gets 122 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 1: cut mid season, so you know, cam Akers hasn't really 123 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 1: been as effective as I think they were hoping for, 124 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 1: you know, when they drafted him. Injury, his aside, they 125 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 1: just haven't had a lot to hang their head. And 126 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:40,279 Speaker 1: now that being said, Mike, you look at Van Jefferson. 127 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 1: He was a guy that was brought in a number 128 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: of years ago. He was kind of picked as the 129 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 1: prospect to develop with all these other guys. You know, 130 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 1: when you go back to Robert Woods being there, he 131 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: was kind of seen as that next guy. And then 132 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: you know Ben's you know Scarronic. I mean, they have 133 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 1: players that can hurt you. It's just when you look 134 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:02,159 Speaker 1: at the Rams right now, they aren't the same team 135 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 1: as they were before. When it's okay, how are we 136 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 1: going to address Cooper Cup and what's the domino effect 137 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 1: of that defense on the rest of you know, how 138 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:15,200 Speaker 1: you attack ELL's offense. Well, with regard to the quarterbacks 139 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 1: switched to Baker Mayfield, I have to issue a correction 140 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 1: from our last show because I said the last time 141 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 1: the Packers had faced a quarterback and back to back 142 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:29,119 Speaker 1: seasons for different teams as the starter was Philip Rivers 143 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 1: with the Chargers in the Colts, and that is actually 144 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 1: not correct. I opened my mouth before I finished my research, 145 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 1: and because I had forgotten. When I got to the 146 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: end of my research, I discovered that I had forgotten 147 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 1: about the Jared Goff Matthew Stafford quarterback switch between the 148 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:51,760 Speaker 1: Rams and the Lions. And the Packers faced Jared Goff 149 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 1: as the Rams quarterback in the playoffs and then as 150 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: the Lions quarterback in and then of course they faced 151 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 1: Matthew Stafford as the Lions quarterback in and then as 152 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:07,320 Speaker 1: the Rams quarterback in the regular season when the Packers 153 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 1: and Rams met in. So um, this whole back to 154 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 1: back with different quarterbacks thing is is somewhat starting to 155 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: get old hat for um. For Matt Lafleur, this situation 156 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:20,600 Speaker 1: is very different though, in that we talked about on 157 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 1: our last show, how there's only three quarters of Baker 158 00:08:25,760 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: Mayfield Los Angeles Rams film to go off of here. 159 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:30,679 Speaker 1: This isn't you can't look at, you know, the nine 160 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 1: games that Philip Rivers played with the Colts before, um, 161 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 1: you know, before he ended up facing the Packers as 162 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: an example, So a real challenge, a real challenge for 163 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 1: the UH for the Packers defense here, and I think 164 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:49,320 Speaker 1: I think if there's one, if there's one area, well, 165 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:53,960 Speaker 1: I guess I would say two areas. Defensively, the Packers 166 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 1: need to get more stout against the run. They can't 167 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,679 Speaker 1: have any more of these games like what happened against 168 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 1: the UH the Philadelphia Eagles. And I thought we saw 169 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: some signs of the run defense stepping up against Chicago, 170 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 1: certainly down the stretch. The way the defense played to 171 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:13,440 Speaker 1: allow that fourth quarter comeback, that was a good sign there. 172 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 1: But the Packers also have got to find some pass 173 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 1: rush from somewhere because they've had a hard time getting 174 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:22,440 Speaker 1: after quarterbacks since Rashaan Gary went down. You lose your 175 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 1: best pass rusher, you know, those guys don't grow on trees. 176 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 1: As they say. Justin Hollins has come in off off 177 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 1: of waivers from the Rams and provided UH some depth there. 178 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:37,240 Speaker 1: But uh um. But I'm curious if this bye week 179 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:39,200 Speaker 1: and when the coaches have a little bit more time 180 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,719 Speaker 1: to study things and think about things, if we might 181 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:44,440 Speaker 1: start seeing a little bit more creativity in terms of 182 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:47,680 Speaker 1: getting after quarterbacks. Because the Packers can't, They're not going 183 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:49,400 Speaker 1: to be able to make a run in this last 184 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:51,679 Speaker 1: month when you you don't have Shawn Gary, he's not 185 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:54,360 Speaker 1: gonna show up. He's not gonna Willis read it coming 186 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 1: out of the tunnel. So you've got to get pass 187 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:00,160 Speaker 1: rush from somewhere for this defense to play the way 188 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:02,199 Speaker 1: the Packers needed to play down the Street. Yeah, I 189 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: mean that's what's tough, because the defensive front and the 190 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 1: way the attack the quarterback was kind of built off 191 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: of Rashaan Gary. Really, I mean, you know you're gonna 192 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:12,679 Speaker 1: see a lot of Gary this season. You knew you're 193 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:14,400 Speaker 1: gonna see a lot of Preston Smith, but it was 194 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 1: almost like they were going to try to recreate what 195 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 1: they did in nineteen with the Smith Bros. But just 196 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:21,439 Speaker 1: kind of subbing in Gary into that formula. Well, when 197 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,960 Speaker 1: you lose Gary, uh six sacks on the season, you know, 198 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 1: still the team leader, I believe at this point in time, 199 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: despite the fact he's been out for a month already. 200 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 1: It just shows you the change you have to make 201 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 1: with your defensive front. You say that, you know, pass 202 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 1: rushers don't grow on trees. I'm always reminded of the 203 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 1: old ron Zook adage of yeah, they don't come out 204 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:41,880 Speaker 1: of the womb, you know, rushing the passer, come on 205 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 1: the room, returning punts. Um. But it is true. I mean, 206 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:48,240 Speaker 1: it's it's so difficult to replace those players. I took 207 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:50,600 Speaker 1: my cap to kingsleyanding Barie. I feel like he stepped 208 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:52,600 Speaker 1: up in a lot of ways. Certainly Justin Hollins has 209 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 1: come in and already has a sack. I mean been that. 210 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: But it's not just about one player or one position 211 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 1: group pulling the the Packers forward in that. It's about 212 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 1: the defensive front as a whole. It's about you know, 213 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 1: calls that Joe Berry makes to potentially get the blitz 214 00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:09,200 Speaker 1: going a little bit more. Maybe get Dave Andre Campbell 215 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:11,280 Speaker 1: and you get a guy like Kay Walker in vault. 216 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 1: Packers got to get creative with it to to branch 217 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:16,640 Speaker 1: off of what your argument was, if I may, because 218 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 1: you make a good point about the run defense. This 219 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 1: is not the week you can allow the l. A. 220 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 1: Rams to to start running the football. No, this this 221 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:26,000 Speaker 1: is this is an offense. This Rams offense has struggled 222 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 1: to run the ball all year and the Packers have 223 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 1: to keep it that way. Yeah, and it's not just 224 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,080 Speaker 1: about the run game. It's about what Baker Mayfield could 225 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,200 Speaker 1: do because last week, I mean it, if you look 226 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 1: at it, like the fact that they were able to 227 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 1: win the head game over the Raiders, if you look 228 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:41,720 Speaker 1: at a box score, it's pretty astonishing. I mean, that 229 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 1: game for fifty five minutes kind of was going to 230 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,120 Speaker 1: play out the way the way it was supposed to well. 231 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: And and what's really crazy about it too, Statistically, even 232 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 1: after that fourth quarter comeback against the Raiders, the Rams 233 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: have still been outscored by forty nine points in the 234 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 1: fourth quarter this year, so that total was over sixty points. 235 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:05,280 Speaker 1: They've been outscored in the fourth quarter until Mayfield lad 236 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:07,840 Speaker 1: that come back in the last five six minutes on 237 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 1: on Thursday night. This isn't a team, this isn't a 238 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:14,160 Speaker 1: team that has finished well. Suddenly Baker Mayfield changes changes 239 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: that narrative. And I'm sure they'd like to get their 240 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 1: run game going to help out Mayfield, who still is 241 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:22,199 Speaker 1: only going to have a portion of the playbook to 242 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 1: be able to run when he takes the field at Lamb. 243 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:27,560 Speaker 1: And that's why, by stopping the run, you put this 244 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: game back in Baker Mayfield's hands a little bit more. 245 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:32,800 Speaker 1: And Mayfield is an accomplished, guy's former number one overall pick. 246 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:34,920 Speaker 1: But the Packers have seen him, they've intercepted him, they 247 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 1: made plays off of them, and you need to make 248 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:39,400 Speaker 1: him look like the guy that got signed three minutes ago, 249 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:42,439 Speaker 1: you know, our claimed three minutes ago. Right. That's the 250 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 1: key to victory for the Packers. You can't let the Rams, 251 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 1: especially on what appears to be probably a pretty darn 252 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:53,440 Speaker 1: cold night at lambeau Field, allowing them to feel comfortable 253 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:56,200 Speaker 1: in this venue. Yeah, I think generating some turnovers for 254 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:58,679 Speaker 1: this defense, and and especially if you can get if 255 00:12:58,679 --> 00:13:01,160 Speaker 1: you can get Mayfield to throw you an interception too, 256 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:04,120 Speaker 1: I think that, uh, that really changes the out look 257 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:06,280 Speaker 1: of this game. I did look up some statistics on 258 00:13:06,360 --> 00:13:08,760 Speaker 1: Baker Mayfield that I'll share with you West, because we've 259 00:13:08,760 --> 00:13:12,320 Speaker 1: seen him. He's, you know to me, and this is 260 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 1: what I said an insider inbox, He's he's a flip 261 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:17,199 Speaker 1: flip the coin quarterback. You you don't know what you're 262 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 1: gonna get from game to game. Here's the thing. In 263 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 1: game games he has started in his career where Baker 264 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:25,520 Speaker 1: Mayfield is not thrown an interception, He's eighteen and eight 265 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:28,920 Speaker 1: games in which he has thrown two or more interceptions, 266 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:34,079 Speaker 1: he's three and thirteen. I mean, Alo, you know what, 267 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,599 Speaker 1: what are you? What are you gonna get? But but 268 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:38,600 Speaker 1: but if you can force him, if you can force 269 00:13:38,679 --> 00:13:41,560 Speaker 1: him into a couple of mistakes, he's proven over the 270 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 1: course of his career he's not necessarily going to be 271 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: able to overcome those mistakes to uh to get a victory. 272 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 1: So I think that that ranks up there the other one. 273 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:52,160 Speaker 1: That's a key to victory for me. And I say 274 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 1: this not just in this game, but if the Packers 275 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:57,120 Speaker 1: are going to make a run here over the final 276 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:00,120 Speaker 1: month and put together a winning streak, the Packers have 277 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,439 Speaker 1: to start playing from ahead. They have to start getting 278 00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:05,080 Speaker 1: leads early in games. I think I think that does 279 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:07,079 Speaker 1: a couple of things. I think it provides a boost 280 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:09,840 Speaker 1: to the offense when you can start fast, get some 281 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:11,960 Speaker 1: points on the board early, and play from in front. 282 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: And it helps a defense to be playing with a lead, 283 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:18,839 Speaker 1: as opposed to um playing from behind and then saying, oh, 284 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 1: we just got to hold him here, you know, hold 285 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:22,560 Speaker 1: him here, give the offense a chance to come back. 286 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: I look back at the two thousand sixteen run the 287 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:28,360 Speaker 1: table West, the last six games of the regular season 288 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:30,160 Speaker 1: when the Packers had to win all six of those 289 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 1: to get to the playoffs. Every single one of those 290 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 1: games started out Green May seven, opponent zero. The Packers 291 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 1: got the first touchdown of the game six games in 292 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:42,280 Speaker 1: a row as part of that six game winning streak. 293 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 1: I think that's something that you have that this team 294 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 1: needs to play from in front and stop trying to 295 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:51,720 Speaker 1: you know, scramble in the fourth quarter to be able 296 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 1: to come back and pull out these close victims. That's 297 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 1: probably the thing I missed the most this season compared 298 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,320 Speaker 1: to especially the last two years, was Green Bay had 299 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 1: so many good opening drives, uh, lengthy drives you know, 300 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: eight to twelve play series that would end up in 301 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 1: the end zone. Um, that wasn't always like that. They 302 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:11,560 Speaker 1: struggled with that even in Matt Lafleur's first season. I 303 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:13,000 Speaker 1: mean there were times where it didn't work out. But 304 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 1: I think it was before this game against Chicago was 305 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,440 Speaker 1: it something like was it seventh straight first quarter drives 306 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 1: where they weren't able to get points? I mean, it 307 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 1: really does. It sets the tempo for a football game. 308 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 1: And I think also, you know, I was asked the 309 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:29,760 Speaker 1: question again about the deferring people always like to ask 310 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 1: about that. You know, if you win the coin toss, 311 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:35,280 Speaker 1: do you defer? I always do, just because I feel 312 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 1: like the advantage is still so strong there. But if 313 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:40,320 Speaker 1: that's what you're doing, that means the defense has to 314 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:41,800 Speaker 1: come out and set the tone. That means that if 315 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 1: the defense gets you a three and out, the offense 316 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 1: needs to set the tone. And it comes back to 317 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 1: the number one narrative that you and I have talked 318 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: about all season. People can talk about players, they can 319 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:53,400 Speaker 1: talk about positions, they can talk about coordinators, but it 320 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:56,560 Speaker 1: comes down to complimentary football. When the Packers play together 321 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 1: and they play together with a lead early. That's how 322 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 1: Matt Lafleur became the any coach in NFL history through 323 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 1: his first three seasons. Yeah, and that's the type of 324 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:04,920 Speaker 1: football they need to play down the strap and you 325 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:07,560 Speaker 1: you bring up the deferring thing to another another thing 326 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:11,080 Speaker 1: that I looked up, and I'm I'm generally I like 327 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 1: to defer and and take the ball at the start 328 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 1: of the second half because the first half is so 329 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:17,640 Speaker 1: much of a feeling out process. Here's the thing though 330 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: about the two Packers this season. The Packers have had 331 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:27,480 Speaker 1: the opening possession of the third quarter nine times. They've 332 00:16:27,520 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: only scored three out of those nine. Six of the 333 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: nine have been either a punter or turnover. The strategy 334 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 1: of deferring and taking the ball at the start of 335 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 1: the second half hasn't really helped them. They haven't been 336 00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:41,680 Speaker 1: able to come out of the locker room and and 337 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 1: take the ball down the field and score. It just 338 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 1: makes me wonder. You know, you get a bye week, 339 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 1: you think about things, the coaches study all these things. 340 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:50,680 Speaker 1: We'll just see and obviously if you lose the toss, 341 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:53,320 Speaker 1: it's not your call anyway, right, but we'll just see 342 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: if if there are any any strategies perhaps that that 343 00:16:57,080 --> 00:17:00,760 Speaker 1: change up here, because because Mike McCarthy in the two 344 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 1: thousand sixteen when the team was four and six, he 345 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,639 Speaker 1: did start taking the ball when he won the toss 346 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 1: instead of deferring to the second half, and they got 347 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:09,920 Speaker 1: a seven and nothing lead. As I said, in all 348 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:12,280 Speaker 1: six of those games. It's so hard to predict the 349 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:15,520 Speaker 1: right though, because like Chicago wins the toss, the Bears 350 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:18,040 Speaker 1: take the ball right, they start off super fast, and 351 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:20,240 Speaker 1: then they can't do anything else the rest of the 352 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:22,439 Speaker 1: game off right. So it's it's yeah, it's it's a 353 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:25,160 Speaker 1: weird Yeah. There there are no there are no guarantees. 354 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 1: There are no guarantees regardless. It's just when you get 355 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:29,399 Speaker 1: when you get this late in the season and you 356 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:31,399 Speaker 1: see what you've tried and what has worked and what 357 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:33,920 Speaker 1: hasn't worked, you just wonder if if there may be 358 00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 1: some changeups coming down the pike. You just gotta get 359 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:38,439 Speaker 1: back to losing the coin toss every week like they 360 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:41,040 Speaker 1: did last season. Yeah, that that worked. That worked. That 361 00:17:41,080 --> 00:17:43,840 Speaker 1: worked pretty well. Packers didn't need to win the toss 362 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 1: to to win games. To win games last year, they 363 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 1: left the choice up to the opponent and they just 364 00:17:48,040 --> 00:17:51,320 Speaker 1: rolled with it. So um some sponsor business here. West 365 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:54,480 Speaker 1: Serious x M NFL Radio delivers hard hitting analysis and 366 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:57,520 Speaker 1: up to the NFL news that true football fanatics need 367 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 1: seven three and its and subs. We have something for everyone, 368 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 1: like our Wisconsin Cheese cards, mac and Cheese, golden fries, 369 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:07,320 Speaker 1: and creamy shakes, all paired with your favorite sub or 370 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:13,399 Speaker 1: sub in a bowl. Cousin Subs fifty years of better. Alright, 371 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:15,359 Speaker 1: I want to take a look at some other games 372 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:19,960 Speaker 1: going on around the NFL and actually starting with Thursday 373 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 1: Night Football a game that has some implications for the Packers. 374 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 1: It's the uh, the brock Purty forty Niners, although he's 375 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:29,560 Speaker 1: listed as questionable on the injury report, but the Niners 376 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:33,360 Speaker 1: are at Seattle. Um if he doesn't pay pay, I 377 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 1: I don't know. Christian McCaffrey gonna play wildcat quarterback for 378 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:39,960 Speaker 1: the game. Again. You know, they don't even have Deebo 379 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 1: Samuel that takes some snaps in the wildcat because he's 380 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:47,680 Speaker 1: injured now. So um, but a big Thursday night game, UM, Niners, 381 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:51,520 Speaker 1: Niners and Seahawks, UM, big implications in that division as 382 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:54,880 Speaker 1: far as and also in the in the wild card race. Oh, 383 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:57,719 Speaker 1: Josh Johnson is the guy forgot they signed Josh Johnson. 384 00:18:57,840 --> 00:19:02,119 Speaker 1: Josh Johnson is NER's now. Okay, So a couple of 385 00:19:02,119 --> 00:19:04,320 Speaker 1: things to this game. Sounds like Keneth Walker is gonna play. 386 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 1: Uh that that's the number one thing here people will 387 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:09,200 Speaker 1: talk about pretty that's that's a that's a big boost 388 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:11,200 Speaker 1: for the Seahawks. And the Seahawks were not the same 389 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:13,320 Speaker 1: team without him last week. Gino Smith is not the 390 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:15,600 Speaker 1: same quarterback without him. He has to do more, which 391 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:17,879 Speaker 1: leads to more, you know, interceptions, at least That's what 392 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: it's looked like so far. Kenneth Walker has been the 393 00:19:20,119 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 1: running back that they've been looking for for so many 394 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:25,359 Speaker 1: years now. So seeing how he performs and how Gino 395 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 1: performs against that defense is really the biggest thing here, 396 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:30,439 Speaker 1: as much as we want to make about Purty, And 397 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 1: certainly it was funny listening to Alan Lazard rant and right, 398 00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:35,840 Speaker 1: not rant, but rave about him because you know, the 399 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 1: Iowa state connection, the fact that the Packers really do 400 00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:40,399 Speaker 1: need this young man to play well down the stretch 401 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:43,440 Speaker 1: to help their own wild card, uh, you know, potential. 402 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:46,560 Speaker 1: You know, there's a lot of reasons why people are 403 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:48,639 Speaker 1: going to talk about him in that position. But ultimately 404 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:53,360 Speaker 1: it comes back to Damiko Ryan's defense against this Seattle offense. 405 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 1: Seattle's reeling man. They have kind of they were out front, 406 00:19:56,560 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 1: they surprised everybody, and now they've started to come back 407 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:01,600 Speaker 1: down to earth a little bit. San Francisco, meanwhile, has 408 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:05,080 Speaker 1: basically risen as the Seahawks have fallen. It'll be interesting 409 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:07,359 Speaker 1: to see who comes out on top of that one. Yeah, 410 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:09,400 Speaker 1: a bunch of other games. I'll just rattle them off 411 00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:12,000 Speaker 1: here and I'll let you comment on what you'd like 412 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:16,200 Speaker 1: to UM Giants and Washington second meeting in a span 413 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:18,359 Speaker 1: of a few weeks between those two teams. Obviously, they 414 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:21,280 Speaker 1: had an overtime tie the first time. Hard to say, 415 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:24,400 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, if you know, if you're if 416 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:26,879 Speaker 1: you're looking at this from all of the Packers scenarios 417 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:28,960 Speaker 1: and stuff, I'm not sure who you want to win. 418 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,359 Speaker 1: What's impossible for both to lose? I mean, the overtime 419 00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:35,159 Speaker 1: ties about as close as it gets. I don't know 420 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:36,960 Speaker 1: if you can count on a second one of those 421 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:41,479 Speaker 1: between the same two teams. UM Detroit is at the 422 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 1: New York Jets. UM. I'm very intrigued with this one 423 00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:47,840 Speaker 1: because of the way the Lions offense has been playing 424 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:50,520 Speaker 1: and the way the Jets defense has been playing. I 425 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:53,119 Speaker 1: think that's a really I think that's a really, really 426 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:55,639 Speaker 1: interesting matchup there in the a f C East. You 427 00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 1: have Miami going to Buffalo. Could be a big time 428 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 1: weather game out there in western New York with with 429 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:06,280 Speaker 1: what the forecast looks like. Another another interesting game in 430 00:21:06,320 --> 00:21:09,240 Speaker 1: the a f C. Two teams kind of maybe going 431 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:12,000 Speaker 1: in opposite directions right now, the Tennessee Titans against the 432 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:14,639 Speaker 1: Los Angeles Chargers. The Titans actually have not won in 433 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: games since they won at lambeau Field on that Thursday 434 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 1: night football game. They've they're they're in a rut now 435 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, and the Chargers coming off of 436 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:27,320 Speaker 1: the big win UM in prime time last week over 437 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 1: Miami and Justin Herbert, you know, looking like looking like 438 00:21:31,359 --> 00:21:34,360 Speaker 1: the guy that um that everybody thought he was going 439 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 1: to be throughout the course of the year, and then 440 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:39,360 Speaker 1: Cincinnati at Tampa Bay. The only reason I bring this 441 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:43,000 Speaker 1: one up is because if the Buccaneers lose to the Bengals, 442 00:21:43,760 --> 00:21:47,520 Speaker 1: the leader or leaders in the a f C South 443 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:50,960 Speaker 1: or sorry, the NFC South would be six and eight, 444 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:53,720 Speaker 1: would be two games if if the Buccaneers lose this game, 445 00:21:54,160 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 1: two games under five hundred with three games to go, 446 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 1: would be leading that divisi six and eight. Feeling great. 447 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:04,639 Speaker 1: We'll see what happens there. Certainly that's gonna be a 448 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:06,560 Speaker 1: big game too for the Bengals as they continue to 449 00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:09,840 Speaker 1: try to mount this late season charge. Are Bengals are 450 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:11,640 Speaker 1: coming on potential two games I want to talk about, 451 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:14,680 Speaker 1: and I couldn't care less about the Titans struggling. Um. 452 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:16,560 Speaker 1: What I what I do want to talk about is 453 00:22:17,280 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 1: the Lions and the Jets, because let's take away for 454 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 1: just two seconds the implications with the Packers. That is 455 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:25,359 Speaker 1: a winner, go home game for basically both of those teams. 456 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:28,480 Speaker 1: And the interesting part of this is it's in New York, 457 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:31,120 Speaker 1: It's not in Detroit. It'll be very interesting to see 458 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:32,679 Speaker 1: how the Lions come out of the gate in this one. 459 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:34,160 Speaker 1: There two and three on the road this year, they've 460 00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:36,919 Speaker 1: been okay, and they've already won a game in that 461 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:39,880 Speaker 1: stadium because they beat the Giants there a few weeks ago, 462 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:42,400 Speaker 1: so that that's an interesting too. It's a road game, 463 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:44,679 Speaker 1: but they're going back to a place they just played 464 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:48,040 Speaker 1: like a month ago. You want to talk about the Titans. Uh, 465 00:22:48,119 --> 00:22:50,480 Speaker 1: the Giants suddenly have not won a game in a month. 466 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:53,720 Speaker 1: It's it was it was a dominating the eight point 467 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:56,600 Speaker 1: victory over the one win Houston Texans. I mean it's 468 00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 1: been and if you look at these schedules, Mike, for 469 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:01,879 Speaker 1: both the Giants in the Commands, it is daunting on 470 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:03,760 Speaker 1: both sides of it. I think the Commanders still have 471 00:23:03,840 --> 00:23:08,080 Speaker 1: what is it um Minnesota is still on their Philadelphia. Uh. 472 00:23:08,280 --> 00:23:10,600 Speaker 1: The Giants I think still have to play San Francisco. 473 00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:13,120 Speaker 1: I mean like it's it's interesting the way that somebody's 474 00:23:13,160 --> 00:23:15,679 Speaker 1: got somebody's got Dallas too. I can look that up. 475 00:23:15,720 --> 00:23:19,479 Speaker 1: But but getting back to the Packers, let's just do 476 00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:22,520 Speaker 1: that really quickly. As far as the Packers are concerned, Hey, 477 00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:25,040 Speaker 1: Indianapolis Colts, you want to show up on Sunday knock 478 00:23:25,080 --> 00:23:28,920 Speaker 1: off the Minnesota Vikings, go crazy, the Chicago Bears. If 479 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 1: you can actually have a decent performance against the Philadelphia 480 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:34,720 Speaker 1: Eagles shocked the world. The more losses, and then the 481 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:37,360 Speaker 1: Jaguars against the Cowboys, and you know the way Jacksonville 482 00:23:37,359 --> 00:23:39,440 Speaker 1: plays with Doug Peterson and Trevor Lawrence. You're never sure, 483 00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:42,800 Speaker 1: never can be too sure. The Packers is you and 484 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:44,600 Speaker 1: I have talked about and we kind of looked ahead 485 00:23:44,680 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 1: to the week eighteen hourglass there. You want to keep 486 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:51,480 Speaker 1: that race as tight as possible between Philly and Dallas. 487 00:23:51,720 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 1: You want to make sure that those teams are still 488 00:23:53,640 --> 00:23:55,720 Speaker 1: playing for something. You want to make sure the Minnesota 489 00:23:55,800 --> 00:23:59,440 Speaker 1: Vikings are still playing for something, because ultimately there are 490 00:23:59,480 --> 00:24:03,200 Speaker 1: a lot of cross over there with these division champions 491 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:05,719 Speaker 1: slash wild card teams that are gonna have to get 492 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:08,000 Speaker 1: shuffled out. The Packers need this thing to stay competitive, 493 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:09,880 Speaker 1: to the very end, and there's a lot of little 494 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:14,000 Speaker 1: competition and matchups this week to make that happen. Yeah, Um, 495 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:19,280 Speaker 1: I think um, I'll be curious to watch Miami taking 496 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:23,240 Speaker 1: on Buffalo with not only because of the potential of 497 00:24:23,280 --> 00:24:26,000 Speaker 1: the weather factor, but because Miami is obviously green Bay's 498 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:28,760 Speaker 1: next opponent. They're coming off of a tough loss against 499 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:31,879 Speaker 1: the Chargers. Now they have a tough division road game. 500 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:35,320 Speaker 1: Maybe they end up going into Christmas Day against Green 501 00:24:35,320 --> 00:24:37,320 Speaker 1: Bay on on a bit of a losing streak and 502 00:24:37,359 --> 00:24:40,159 Speaker 1: then everybody's suddenly questioning what's going on in Miami. You know, 503 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 1: it'll it'll be interesting to see what what happens. But 504 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:44,920 Speaker 1: that's a that's a big matchup in the a f 505 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:47,560 Speaker 1: C East Buffalo and the Bills in the Dolphins. Yeah, 506 00:24:47,560 --> 00:24:49,639 Speaker 1: and Miami has just been as talent as they are, 507 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 1: and they and we're gonna next week from now we're 508 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:53,320 Speaker 1: gonna be talking about how dangerous to re kill is. 509 00:24:53,359 --> 00:24:55,440 Speaker 1: But I mean, they have been up and down throughout 510 00:24:55,480 --> 00:24:57,800 Speaker 1: the course of this season. If I may, just to 511 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:00,760 Speaker 1: make sure we get all of our facts straight. The 512 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:03,560 Speaker 1: Giants here, they have the Commanders, then they play on 513 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:07,800 Speaker 1: Christmas Eve. They are at Minnesota, then they play Indianapolis. 514 00:25:07,840 --> 00:25:11,080 Speaker 1: They have to travel then to Philadelphia. In the final 515 00:25:11,119 --> 00:25:13,920 Speaker 1: week of the season. Over on Washington side of things, 516 00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:16,639 Speaker 1: they get the New York Giants. They then travel to 517 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:20,360 Speaker 1: San Francisco. On Christmas Eve, they post the Cleveland Browns 518 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:23,560 Speaker 1: and then they host the Dallas Cowboys in week eighteen. 519 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:26,520 Speaker 1: So a lot of competitive matchups there. Cleveland not looking 520 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:29,119 Speaker 1: so good right now. You know, maybe Joe Kobe de 521 00:25:29,119 --> 00:25:32,600 Speaker 1: percent becomes the quarterback again, who knows, but it is 522 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:34,399 Speaker 1: what it is, and and for the Packers, you just 523 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:36,199 Speaker 1: have to hope again these last four games, you have 524 00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:38,520 Speaker 1: to take care of business against the Rams and hope 525 00:25:38,520 --> 00:25:41,120 Speaker 1: a few more dominoes follow your way. Yeah, absolutely, well, 526 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:43,399 Speaker 1: it's it's about it's about one at a time, as 527 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:46,320 Speaker 1: it always is, but even more so with the situation 528 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:49,040 Speaker 1: the Packers are in right now. So with that we 529 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:52,000 Speaker 1: will call it a rap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. 530 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:54,320 Speaker 1: Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the team, 531 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:58,040 Speaker 1: all kinds of content for you available on Packers dot com. 532 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:00,720 Speaker 1: For West, I'm Mike, Thank you for tuning, and everybody, 533 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:01,880 Speaker 1: we'll see you next time.