1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:10,879 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford. He is Wes Hodkowitz. 3 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:17,040 Speaker 1: We're coming to you here from our studios at lambeau 4 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:20,280 Speaker 1: Field and we are back from the bye week West. 5 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:23,520 Speaker 1: Not that we ever totally get to check out, because 6 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: there's always some work to be done, but we got 7 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: to spend a few days away from the office. I 8 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 1: hope you enjoyed yours. Yeah, it was funny. I was 9 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: talking about Ryan Hartwig are magnificent manager of social media, 10 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 1: and I said to him, actually, Ryan was the one 11 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 1: that brought this up. I hope he doesn't mind me 12 00:00:38,760 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: saying it on Sunday. It's like, you know, we still 13 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:43,519 Speaker 1: had to work last week. I was still in the 14 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:46,440 Speaker 1: office four out of the five days. But it is 15 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:49,680 Speaker 1: interesting when you get through Sunday night, you're like, oh, oh, 16 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:51,599 Speaker 1: so this is how the other half lives. Like they 17 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: just they worked five days and then they're off Saturday Sunday. 18 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: Not everybody, I know, there's a lot of people that 19 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: work on the weekends, but it was it was really 20 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 1: refreshing to be able to do that. Honestly, it was 21 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:02,480 Speaker 1: just kind of important, just to catch up on life 22 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:05,759 Speaker 1: a little bit, get some Christmas presents bought and purchased, 23 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,360 Speaker 1: and projects taken care of. So it was fun. Yeah, 24 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: I kind of enjoyed that those opportunities to sit out 25 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:14,319 Speaker 1: on Sunday and watch an NFL game and then when 26 00:01:14,360 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 1: it's over, just turn the TV off and go do 27 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:18,039 Speaker 1: something else we're supposed to, like, oh, now I have 28 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 1: like six hours worth of work to do because the 29 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:23,800 Speaker 1: game is over, right, So that's not that that was 30 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 1: not just for the record on Sunday. We did the 31 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 1: show five and a half years. That's the first time 32 00:01:27,920 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: I think I've ever sneed. I think it is if 33 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:34,280 Speaker 1: we're not stopping, we're not and we're not going to reshoot. 34 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 1: We're not going to reshoot either. That's that has to 35 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 1: get in. Matt Vin do some He's busy enough, but 36 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 1: do some research. I don't ever remember sneezing factors on scripted, 37 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: and I realized, I'm like, I can't contain this. This 38 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:47,800 Speaker 1: is going to happen, So I apologize. We're off to 39 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 1: a rip roar and starting here, well where I did 40 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:54,480 Speaker 1: want to start this show actually, with regard to watching 41 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: football on Sunday, is to talk about two streaks that 42 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 1: came to an end, one being the Detroit Lions winless streak. 43 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 1: They had not won a game. I believe it was 44 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 1: for three d and sixty four days dating back to 45 00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:15,960 Speaker 1: and Uh. The Lions get a last second victory over 46 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings, which has some implications for the Packers 47 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:20,520 Speaker 1: that I'll get to in a minute. But the other 48 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:25,639 Speaker 1: streak that ended west Jamal Williams actually fumbled a football. 49 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: I believe it's seven seven touches in the regular season 50 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: and then you add some more in the postseason on 51 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: top of that. Still doesn't have a lost recovered. The 52 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:42,239 Speaker 1: Lions recovered. But Jamal Williams, the former Packers running back 53 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: now Lions running back, actually fumbled a football for the 54 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 1: first time in his career. Well, and it was funny 55 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:51,240 Speaker 1: because I think I realized this maybe midway through his 56 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 1: third season in Green Bay, that he'd been on the streak. 57 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 1: I think he'd reached like five touches. I remember the 58 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: first time you brought it up on this show actually 59 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 1: at one point and I wasn't aware of it. Yeah, 60 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 1: and you you made me aware of it. So I've 61 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,520 Speaker 1: always paid attention since then. And there was no benefit 62 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 1: whatsoever to me writing anything about it or talking about it, 63 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:11,239 Speaker 1: because then you just get the people tweeting at you. 64 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:15,800 Speaker 1: We're to mess up the streak. So I never talked 65 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 1: about it. But it was a remarkable four years streak 66 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:19,920 Speaker 1: for him in Green Bay and the fact that he 67 00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 1: had as many touches as he did in Detroit. The 68 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: guy I said this number one thing about Jamal Williams, 69 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 1: the biggest compliment I can ever pay him. He is 70 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,680 Speaker 1: such a good fundamental football player and a good fundamental 71 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,839 Speaker 1: running back. So uh, fortunately for them, they didn't lose 72 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:36,120 Speaker 1: the ball, and unfortunately for the Detroit Lions they didn't 73 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: lose that game. They found a way to win a 74 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:40,839 Speaker 1: game that you could tell meant a lot to Dan 75 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 1: Campbell and that football team. Yeah. Absolutely, a crazy sequence 76 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: of events there at the end of the game with 77 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 1: the fourth down decision and then the Vikings decided to 78 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:50,640 Speaker 1: get a touchdown instead of work the clock, and it 79 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 1: leaves Jared Goff a whole bunch of time, all of 80 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 1: that stuff. A last second, last play of the game, 81 00:03:56,640 --> 00:04:01,440 Speaker 1: touchdown pass two. Equinimius st. Brown's brother Aman Raw, I'm 82 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 1: saying that correctly I'm on ra st Brown. The Lions 83 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 1: get a win, and the big implications for the Packers 84 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: there with the Vikings losing, the Packers now potentially could 85 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 1: clinch the NFC North this week. And the way that 86 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: that could happen is the Vikings playing now on a 87 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:22,200 Speaker 1: short week. They've got a Thursday night game against Pittsburgh, 88 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 1: a suddenly rejuvenated Pittsburgh team after their last second victory 89 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:30,520 Speaker 1: over the Baltimore Ravens in a big division rivalry. The 90 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:35,080 Speaker 1: Vikings play Pittsburgh on Thursday. If the Vikings lose that game, west, 91 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,839 Speaker 1: the Packers will take the field Sunday night at lambeau 92 00:04:38,839 --> 00:04:42,040 Speaker 1: Field against the Chicago Bears with a chance to clinch 93 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 1: a third straight NFC North title. So I will fully 94 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 1: you know, we have to we have to call a 95 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 1: spade a spade here because if you and I are 96 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: going to talk about injuries on the Packers side, we 97 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 1: have to talk about the fact that Daniel Hunter has 98 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 1: gone down. They didn't have Delvin Cook in this game. 99 00:04:56,800 --> 00:05:00,120 Speaker 1: Eric Kendricks was out that game as well. From any so, 100 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:04,640 Speaker 1: Minnesota's banged up, but unfortunately for them, in different from 101 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 1: just the pieces the puzzle has been very much the same. 102 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:10,360 Speaker 1: This year. They had a huge win of of much 103 00:05:10,680 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 1: a well deserved victory in the last moments against the Packers, 104 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 1: but back to back letdowns. And I said this earlier 105 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: this season, Mike, they really feel like a team to 106 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:21,679 Speaker 1: me that's just kind of steamrolling towards another five hundred 107 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:23,919 Speaker 1: type season. And when you fall to a team like 108 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:26,159 Speaker 1: Detroit that's had to work through its own issues, that 109 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 1: probably is not the most talented team in the National 110 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 1: Football League, in the bottom third in that regard in 111 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:34,160 Speaker 1: terms of what Dan Campbell has to work with. This 112 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 1: is the ups and downs you go through. Uh. The 113 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:38,880 Speaker 1: question was asked an inside of inbox, and I still 114 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:42,160 Speaker 1: I hope you know, Rick Spielman, such a level headed guy, 115 00:05:42,320 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 1: you know everybody in that organization. I hope the Vikings 116 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 1: do realize that this is going to be a disappointing 117 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 1: year potentially for them. Again, I still don't feel even 118 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 1: though the defense isn't great, I still don't feel like 119 00:05:53,839 --> 00:05:57,279 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer's the problem there. He's the best head coach 120 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:00,120 Speaker 1: that's come through this division that hasn't been collect thing 121 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:02,320 Speaker 1: a paycheck from the Packers in my estimation, in twenty 122 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 1: years Yeah so, they probably probably since Lovey Smith was 123 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 1: in Chicago. Yeah so, and just just seeing how this 124 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 1: all goes. But man, I'm telling you, if this thing 125 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: doesn't go well for them on Thursday, it's gonna get 126 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,280 Speaker 1: ugly quick. Yeah. I mean the when I look at 127 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 1: the Viking season, and we had talked earlier, you know, 128 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:23,480 Speaker 1: in getting ready for the Packers Vikings matchup, which ended 129 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 1: up being a down to the wire last play thing. 130 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:27,680 Speaker 1: We talked about how the Vikings have been in all 131 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 1: of these last second games. And yes, you're gonna win some, 132 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: you're gonna lose something. That's the way this league goes. 133 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: But for me, from the Vikings perspective, they've lost two 134 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:41,159 Speaker 1: games this season that you absolutely cannot lose. You can't 135 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:44,400 Speaker 1: lose a primetime game at home against the Dallas Cowboys 136 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 1: team that is starting a quarterback for the first time 137 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:50,200 Speaker 1: in his life in the NFL. You cannot lose that 138 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 1: football game at home at night. And you can't go 139 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 1: to Detroit and play a division rival that is O 140 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:59,280 Speaker 1: ten and one when you have so much to play 141 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:02,839 Speaker 1: for and let that game get away in the final seconds. 142 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 1: To me, I mean, yes, the as I said, the 143 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:08,040 Speaker 1: Vikings have had all of these last second losses, wins, 144 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 1: back and forth, whatever, But those two games that you 145 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: really cannot lose. That's the difference between the Vikings being 146 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 1: seven and five and five and seven right now are 147 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:19,360 Speaker 1: those two results. And there's been a lot of pooh, 148 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 1: you know, swung at, slung at Jared Goff this year, 149 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 1: But you gotta give golf credit. That looked like a 150 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 1: guy that had been there and he'd seen a lot. 151 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 1: He played in the Super Bowl and the winning time 152 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 1: he came through for his football team. Uh, you know, 153 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: to be able to pull that out, and you know, 154 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: as aman Ross and Brown being the one to catch 155 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 1: that pass in the end zone, all the chips are down. 156 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 1: You gotta get it. You talk about the games that 157 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 1: the Vikings have lost close, Detroit's had a lot of 158 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 1: those two and they finally gone a way to get 159 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 1: that win. But if you would have told me that 160 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:48,120 Speaker 1: Kirk Cousins would have thrown for three and forty yards 161 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: and a hundred seventeen passer rating justin Jefferson goes off 162 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 1: for another hundred eighty yards and they still lose that 163 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: game to Detroit, I think I would have probably thought 164 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 1: that you're full of it. Yeah, well, the Vikings, because 165 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 1: the Vikings are five and seven. That is a big 166 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:03,480 Speaker 1: reason now that the Packers are on the verge of 167 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 1: potentially clinching that NFC North title. Turning our attentions a 168 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 1: little more directly to the Packers what we're waiting to 169 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: see this week West Because I've used the word potentially 170 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:17,400 Speaker 1: on this show already, and Matt Lafleur used the word 171 00:08:17,440 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 1: potentially in his meeting with the media on Monday. Maybe, 172 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 1: just maybe David Baktiari and or j you'r Alexander and 173 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 1: or za Darius Smith could be back on the practice 174 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:33,600 Speaker 1: field for the Packers very soon. Now, again, we don't know, 175 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:36,240 Speaker 1: and Matt Lafleur, as he has said all season long, 176 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 1: was making no guarantees, no promises whatsoever. But signs are 177 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 1: pointing to whether it's this week, next week, maybe heading 178 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 1: into Christmas, whatever the case might be, that these three 179 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:50,440 Speaker 1: All Pro players, a five time All Pro left tackle 180 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: to second team All Pro defensive stars could be coming 181 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 1: back for Green Bay here at some point during the 182 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: stretch run. It's at least good to hear the way 183 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 1: in the inflection and Lafleur's voice when talking about those 184 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: three guys, because to make note of that, when he 185 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: was asked about Josh Myers, he was quick to say, 186 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 1: now he's not going to practice yet. He's not that close. 187 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:11,800 Speaker 1: He could have easily just written off any of those 188 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 1: other three. He didn't do that. Now again, there's a 189 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:17,320 Speaker 1: lot of excitement in the inbox, there's a lot of 190 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 1: excitement on Twitter. Calm down just a little bit, you know, Jr. 191 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 1: Alexander hasn't practiced yet. SA Darius Smith hasn't practiced yet. 192 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 1: David Bactier practice a little bit, didn't practice for the 193 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:30,920 Speaker 1: past few weeks, could potentially be back this week. It's 194 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:33,719 Speaker 1: still a process. But the Packers to be sitting at 195 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:35,720 Speaker 1: nine and three, one game out from the top of 196 00:09:35,720 --> 00:09:37,319 Speaker 1: the division, as you said, how close they are to 197 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:42,319 Speaker 1: clinching a division title. To have those guys potentially available 198 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 1: on the horizon for them here, be it on Christmas, 199 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:46,840 Speaker 1: be it, you know, against the Vikings, be it in 200 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:50,000 Speaker 1: the finale, be it in the playoffs. That is going 201 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 1: to be such a galvanizing moment for an offense that 202 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 1: has had to whether not having box tr at the 203 00:09:56,200 --> 00:10:00,000 Speaker 1: most important position on the offensive line for twelve games 204 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 1: is season for an outside linebacker group that has just 205 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: had to make it work. They've had to ask more 206 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 1: from Shawn Gary in a quarterback contingent that has just 207 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 1: been a bevy of different guys contributing in different you know, 208 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,720 Speaker 1: utilization of person on a week to week basis. Any 209 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 1: of those three guys come back, great, two of them 210 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:20,720 Speaker 1: come back fantastic. You get three of them back and 211 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:22,560 Speaker 1: you add them to the recipe that the Packers have 212 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: already been building. That's that that's what can get you 213 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:27,840 Speaker 1: over the hump here in terms of being able to 214 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:30,640 Speaker 1: really start thinking we are not just the team wanting 215 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 1: to compete for Super Bowl, we expect to be there. Yeah. Absolutely, 216 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:36,959 Speaker 1: that's uh. That's that's the biggest wait and see thing 217 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 1: here with with the Packers with regard to personnel down 218 00:10:40,720 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: the stretch. Five games to go in the regular season. 219 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 1: As you mentioned, the Packers right in the thick of 220 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 1: things as far as the top playoff spot, that number 221 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:52,719 Speaker 1: one spot in the NFC will be the only one 222 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 1: with the buy which the Packers got last year. You 223 00:10:56,640 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 1: have Arizona at ten and two. The Cardinals knocked off 224 00:10:59,880 --> 00:11:02,680 Speaker 1: the Bears this past weekend. To maintain that one game 225 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:06,600 Speaker 1: lead Packers and the Buccaneers at nine and three, the 226 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:10,240 Speaker 1: Cowboys and the Rams both eight and four. So you're 227 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:14,840 Speaker 1: looking at five teams within all within two games of 228 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:18,080 Speaker 1: one another, with five games to play, with all of 229 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 1: this potential jockeying for position and everything going on, It's 230 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:23,839 Speaker 1: gonna be really interesting to see how to see how 231 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 1: this shakes out. It's gonna be incredible theater down the stretch. 232 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 1: And I know Matt Lafloor, and you asked him the 233 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:31,960 Speaker 1: question about that. He mentioned, it's like this every year. 234 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:35,200 Speaker 1: But to have, you know, one team that is in 235 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: first place with two losses, but to have this many 236 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:41,440 Speaker 1: teams in the three and four loss range and really 237 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: all on a given day looking like the best team 238 00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 1: in the NFC in the NFC um it adds a 239 00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:49,200 Speaker 1: lot of you know, elements to this. And then when 240 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:51,840 Speaker 1: you look at the way that these seasons end for 241 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:54,440 Speaker 1: some of these teams, like Washington for example, it's someone 242 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:57,240 Speaker 1: pointed out insider inbox. I never even realized it until then. 243 00:11:57,559 --> 00:12:01,320 Speaker 1: Washington finishes the year with five straight division games. Yeah, 244 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: you have these different mix and matches of of these 245 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:08,160 Speaker 1: schedules and seeing who prevails out of it, and if 246 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 1: you're Green Bay, all you can do is focus on yourself. 247 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:11,960 Speaker 1: And for them, they're coming out of a week third 248 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:14,479 Speaker 1: team by it was challenging to get to that checkpoint, 249 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:17,560 Speaker 1: but they reached it and now you're you're trying to 250 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:19,559 Speaker 1: build on that during this final stretch of the year, 251 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:21,680 Speaker 1: and in you know, three of the five at home, 252 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,240 Speaker 1: and certainly some win will matchups against the North. Well. 253 00:12:24,240 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 1: It's really interesting too. I know we don't talk much 254 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:30,320 Speaker 1: about the a f C on this show, but right now, 255 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:33,360 Speaker 1: the when you look at those playoff picture graphics, the 256 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 1: seven teams in the a f C that are in 257 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:39,200 Speaker 1: those seven playoff spots, all of them have either four 258 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:42,760 Speaker 1: or five losses. All seven of those teams are within 259 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:45,839 Speaker 1: one game of the lost column, you know, uh, within 260 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 1: each other. So there's gonna be a lot to get 261 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 1: to get sorted out in the other conference. Can ask 262 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 1: you an impossible question, Are the Patriots the best team 263 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:59,360 Speaker 1: in the FC? I'm going to say no, It's fine, Yeah, 264 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:01,560 Speaker 1: I'm just here. I think I think right now they 265 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: might be. I'm just not convinced that in January they 266 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: will be. The PA the wins are strong enough, maybe 267 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 1: they will be the the Patriots are. The Patriots are 268 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 1: playing some really really good football right now. And I 269 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:17,640 Speaker 1: think we've seen the Chiefs, the Bills, the Bengals, the Chargers, 270 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 1: We've seen all these teams in the a f C 271 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:21,560 Speaker 1: go through these ups and downs. The Patriots are the 272 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:25,199 Speaker 1: team that that that is on the steadiest course right now. 273 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:28,199 Speaker 1: But again, it's still there are five games left and 274 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:30,480 Speaker 1: then you have the postseason with only one team getting 275 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: good bye at everybody except that one seed would have 276 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:36,559 Speaker 1: to win three playoff games to get to the Super Bowl. 277 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:39,679 Speaker 1: To me, there's still so much football left that I 278 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 1: just don't know even though the Patriots are the best 279 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 1: playing the best right now, that they'll be playing the 280 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:48,319 Speaker 1: best in January. What a brilliant game plan though, carries 281 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:51,959 Speaker 1: three passes and honestly putting your young quarterback in a 282 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,559 Speaker 1: position to win. Somebody asked that inbox to well, what 283 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:56,319 Speaker 1: is Mac Jones done to be the rook of the year. 284 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:59,839 Speaker 1: He's done every single thing that Bill Belichick has asked 285 00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:01,760 Speaker 1: him to do, just like he did every single thing 286 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 1: that Nick Saban asked him to do. And this guy 287 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 1: is making this thing work. And honestly, Mike, if you 288 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:09,680 Speaker 1: ever needed to understand how valuable coaching is at this 289 00:14:09,760 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 1: level and to have good coaches if you don't just 290 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: believe it. Looking at lambou Field and what Matt Laflour 291 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 1: and his staff have done, what Bill Belichick has done, 292 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 1: and that staff have done this year, Steve Belichick, all 293 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 1: of them, that was. That was. I enjoyed watching that 294 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: football game on Monday night. That was enjoyable to watch 295 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 1: for as bizarre as it was, Yeah, it was. It 296 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:30,440 Speaker 1: was a reminder that it's uh, it's fun to watch 297 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 1: football games this timing year that are not played indoors 298 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: and when field position matters. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Some shoutouts 299 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 1: to our sponsors West Serious x M. NFL Radio delivers 300 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 1: hard hitting analysis and up to the minute NFL news 301 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 1: that true football fanatics need seven three sixty five. And 302 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:50,360 Speaker 1: at Cousin Subs, we have something for everyone like our 303 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: Wisconsin cheese curds, mac and cheese, golden fries, and creamy shakes, 304 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 1: all paired with your favorite sub or sub in a bowl. 305 00:14:56,600 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 1: Cousin Subs we believe in better. All right, the opponent 306 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:05,840 Speaker 1: coming in to lambeau Field Sunday night football in primetime, 307 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 1: it will be the Chicago Bears. The biggest question that 308 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 1: you know the Packers are going to again wait and 309 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 1: see as far as the opponent goes, is will Justin 310 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:20,040 Speaker 1: Fields be back from the rib injury that has cost 311 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: him a few games now or will Andy Dalton be 312 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: still under center for Chicago. I guess in my mind, 313 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:31,920 Speaker 1: I say, I don't know if it's necessarily something. The 314 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: Packers are overly concerned about which quarterback the Bears play, 315 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 1: but you sort of have to have a proper plan 316 00:15:40,920 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 1: for each one, don't you, because because these two quarterbacks 317 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 1: are very different players. I don't want to say I 318 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: was disappointed to Andy Dalton, but man, if you would 319 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: have taken away the uniform number, um, the shock of 320 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 1: red hair, um, all of that, I wouldn't believe that 321 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 1: that was an Andy Dalton quarterback in the Chicago Bears 322 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 1: on Sunday watch most that didn't look good. It didn't 323 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:07,520 Speaker 1: look good and he made mistakes that again, I get it. 324 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 1: It's the NFL. It's a highly competitive league, and it 325 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,440 Speaker 1: was crappy conditions. Cardinals had to deal with it too, 326 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:16,640 Speaker 1: But it was it was. It was. It was rainy 327 00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 1: and not ideal in Chicago, and it was a difference 328 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 1: between a team turning the ball over in a team 329 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 1: generating turnovers. That was the difference in the game. And 330 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:27,320 Speaker 1: if Andy Dalton's a quarterback, if I look at that film, 331 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:29,160 Speaker 1: I'm like, we gotta find ways to put pressure on them. 332 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: We gotta find ways to get the ball back. And 333 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 1: but if I'm Mett Maggie this week, as I've said 334 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 1: probably for the last three years, when David Montgomery is 335 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:39,760 Speaker 1: right and they get the ball in his hands, that 336 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:42,160 Speaker 1: offense is different. It doesn't matter who the quarterback is. 337 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:43,800 Speaker 1: It doesn't matter what the offensive line looks like, it 338 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 1: doesn't matter if Allen Robinson is playing. David Montgomery is 339 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 1: the catalyst to all this. And I thought Montgomery played 340 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 1: exceptionally well in that matchup with the opportunities that he 341 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:57,240 Speaker 1: was given. But they made way too many mistakes. To me, 342 00:16:57,960 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 1: I don't think the Chicago Bears are a bad football team, 343 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: but they made some pretty bad mistakes to be able 344 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,160 Speaker 1: to put themselves in a position to win that game 345 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:07,800 Speaker 1: against the top team of the NFC. Right now, yeah, absolutely, 346 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:10,360 Speaker 1: they simply they simply turn the ball over too much, 347 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:12,359 Speaker 1: and you can't do that. I agree with you whole 348 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:16,879 Speaker 1: hardly on Montgomery that the Bears. The Bears offense looks 349 00:17:18,560 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 1: efficient when the offense runs through David Montgomery. Now that 350 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 1: being said, I also think from a passing perspective, they've 351 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: missed Alan Robinson totally sorely. Um when with with and 352 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: I'm not sure how many games exactly he's missed now, 353 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:37,440 Speaker 1: but um, but he's a big time target and no 354 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:39,480 Speaker 1: matter who the quarterback has been for the Bears, and 355 00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:44,520 Speaker 1: I think offensively they've missed him. And on the defensive side, 356 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:47,479 Speaker 1: it's it's not the same without Khalil matt coming off 357 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:50,840 Speaker 1: one of those edges. This this Chicago Bears, you know, 358 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: to say they've lost their edge, I mean, yeah, pun 359 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 1: intended and on all that, but without Khalil Mack that 360 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:59,680 Speaker 1: this group just isn't the same. They had one team 361 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:02,679 Speaker 1: set back and no quarterback hits of Kyler Murray in 362 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 1: that game. Um, it's just the pressure just wasn't It 363 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 1: wasn't the same. Now now, certainly you know Hicks has 364 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:12,800 Speaker 1: gone through his stuff this year. Um, you know, I 365 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:15,360 Speaker 1: still think Roquan Smith, I still think incredibly highly of him. 366 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:16,919 Speaker 1: I still feel like they have pieces. I feel like 367 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:18,679 Speaker 1: this is going to be a more competitive game than 368 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 1: I think Packer fans are really thinking it's going to be. 369 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:23,240 Speaker 1: It's Sunday Night football, It's Packers Bears. They're gonna bring it. 370 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 1: But the attrition that has sort of taken its pound 371 00:18:28,119 --> 00:18:30,520 Speaker 1: of flesh here of the Bears, I think you're starting 372 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 1: to feel it a little bit more because I think 373 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:35,480 Speaker 1: in some ways now they weren't putting great positions to 374 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:38,959 Speaker 1: begin with, defensively with some of those turnovers, but they're 375 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:41,040 Speaker 1: they're just there. Just wasn't a sense of urgency. I 376 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:43,040 Speaker 1: didn't feel that game. I just didn't feel like the 377 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 1: Bears thought they could win it, outside of maybe when 378 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:49,399 Speaker 1: when Montgomery got that rushing touchdown, Arizona comes right back 379 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:51,760 Speaker 1: and gets down the field quickly, James Conner gets that pass, 380 00:18:51,840 --> 00:18:54,400 Speaker 1: and it kind of felt like that was all she wrote. 381 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: It's gonna be interesting to watch. It's it's a fascinating 382 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:58,359 Speaker 1: to follow how these things go. Because he had all 383 00:18:58,359 --> 00:19:01,320 Speaker 1: this this outside hubbub about you know, Matt Nage and 384 00:19:01,359 --> 00:19:03,439 Speaker 1: his future. There's been a lot of distractions for the Bears, 385 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,240 Speaker 1: and the injuries haven't really helped matters. Yeah, they certainly 386 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:10,399 Speaker 1: haven't um quickly here West before we go. Um, a 387 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:12,639 Speaker 1: little bit of a plug Packers fans. If you're looking 388 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:16,679 Speaker 1: for holiday gift ideas, Team historian Cliff Crystals book The 389 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:20,120 Speaker 1: Greatest Story in Sports is now available at the Packers 390 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:23,679 Speaker 1: Pro Shop. The four volume hardcover books set tells the 391 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 1: true complete story of the Packers first century, from humble 392 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:30,320 Speaker 1: beginnings to heartbreaks and triumphs. Buy your copy online or 393 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:33,639 Speaker 1: in store today. A tremendous holiday gift idea. And to 394 00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:35,960 Speaker 1: tell you what kind of a man Cliff Crystal is. 395 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:37,560 Speaker 1: I put this on my Instagram, but I only have 396 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:39,240 Speaker 1: like eight hundred followers on there. This is a little 397 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:42,960 Speaker 1: bit bigger platform, so I'll use this. Cliff worked on 398 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:45,240 Speaker 1: this book well, if you count his entire life that 399 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:47,159 Speaker 1: has basically been dedicated to Packers. I was going to 400 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:51,240 Speaker 1: say his his career starting in the in the mid 401 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,480 Speaker 1: early to mid seventies, being a Packers beat reporter, had 402 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:57,239 Speaker 1: some great hair back then. Looked like that. He's on 403 00:19:57,280 --> 00:20:01,120 Speaker 1: the beat, Cliff. But the thing I love about Cliff, 404 00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 1: so it's been over four years, I think he's actually 405 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:05,960 Speaker 1: been efforting with this particular book, and all the hours 406 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 1: and the sacrifices he's made I'll tell you right now. 407 00:20:09,040 --> 00:20:10,919 Speaker 1: When I'm cliffs Age, I'm gonna be on a beach somewhere. 408 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna be writing about Packers books. But the 409 00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:16,160 Speaker 1: fact that we were asked to edit like a couple 410 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:19,600 Speaker 1: of chapters, UM took me a weekend. I don't know 411 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: how you got a couple more than I did. I 412 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:23,119 Speaker 1: think maybe it took you some time. And we still 413 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: got mentioned in the table of contents page the bibliography, 414 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:29,440 Speaker 1: if you will. Uh. And Cliff still threw us in there. 415 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:31,399 Speaker 1: He did all this work and you and I just 416 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:34,320 Speaker 1: read some words and edit some stuff, and he felt 417 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:37,119 Speaker 1: compelled to do that. Amazing human being, an amazing book. 418 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 1: I can't wait to read all the chapters. I got 419 00:20:39,320 --> 00:20:41,959 Speaker 1: to read a couple of them. Um. Just an incredible 420 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:45,480 Speaker 1: testament to journalism, to to writing, and uh, dedication to 421 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:48,399 Speaker 1: a craft that I think sometimes can get lost. Yeah. Absolutely. 422 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:50,880 Speaker 1: And I've talked to Cliff about it and he's He's 423 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:54,160 Speaker 1: said so on our website when he's answered fan questions 424 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 1: and whatnot to that that when this book project came up, 425 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 1: Mark Murphy told him get the Packers history right like 426 00:21:02,680 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 1: this is you know there, And Cliff has talked about 427 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:07,199 Speaker 1: all the books out there that have the myths and 428 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: the things that haven't been really vetted and explored, and 429 00:21:10,119 --> 00:21:14,080 Speaker 1: romantis and stuff is true. Cliff went through all of it, folks, 430 00:21:14,160 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 1: and uh um, and this this truly is the definitive 431 00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:21,480 Speaker 1: history of the first hundred years of Green Bay Packers football. 432 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:23,600 Speaker 1: So it's it's worth your time and your money. I 433 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:25,800 Speaker 1: believe it's. It's a beautiful I was down the pro 434 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:30,399 Speaker 1: shop maybe picked one up already. Uh an incredible presentation. 435 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:32,720 Speaker 1: I love the way they did the binding, and it's 436 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:34,280 Speaker 1: it's great. It's it's gonna be a lot of fun. 437 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:36,159 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to reading it this offseason. All right, 438 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:38,160 Speaker 1: with that, we'll call it a wrap on this edition 439 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:40,360 Speaker 1: of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of our 440 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:43,760 Speaker 1: coverage of the team on Packers dot com for West 441 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 1: I'm Mike. Thank you for tuning in, everybody. We'll see 442 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:47,080 Speaker 1: you next time.