1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:19,560 Speaker 1: M Hi, everybody, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:23,840 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined alongside my trusted colleague Wes Hodkowitz. 3 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: We're coming to you here from our studios at lambeau Field, 4 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:30,440 Speaker 1: back from another late night flight west from US Bank 5 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:34,879 Speaker 1: Stadium in Minneapolis, where the Packers unfortunately still could not 6 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: put together a road victory to seventeen the final score, 7 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 1: this time against the division rival Minnesota Vikings. And in 8 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:47,640 Speaker 1: a lot of ways, uh, a repeat of the game 9 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 1: in Seattle in terms of the offense starting quickly, putting 10 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:53,600 Speaker 1: points on the board early in the game, and then 11 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: things just became this monumental struggle to add to what 12 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 1: you what you had done and alter really the home 13 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: team prevails. Yeah. One of the quiet things that's sort 14 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:05,319 Speaker 1: of changed after the bye week is the fact that 15 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: the Packers have gotten off to some really strong starts 16 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:11,840 Speaker 1: when you look at l A to some extent New England, 17 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,680 Speaker 1: but the last two weeks against Seattle and Minnesota, really 18 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 1: firing out of the gate right away, but just not 19 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:20,960 Speaker 1: able to sustain that. And that's almost in stark contrast 20 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:23,560 Speaker 1: to the first half of the season where it was 21 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: sort of the slow starts were the slow starts were 22 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:28,440 Speaker 1: bogging the team down, and then you're trying to make 23 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:31,200 Speaker 1: these rallies in the fourth quarter and everything. It's it's 24 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:33,680 Speaker 1: been a it's been a shift in in the way 25 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 1: these games have gone. But certainly since the bye week, 26 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:39,280 Speaker 1: a lot of the same story keeps happening, and a 27 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:41,039 Speaker 1: lot of guys in the locker room afterwards, as I'm 28 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:43,760 Speaker 1: sure you heard with Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers at the 29 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,600 Speaker 1: podium just lamenting the fact that they're just really can't 30 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:48,480 Speaker 1: have they haven't been able to put their finger on 31 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 1: what they need to do to be able to sustain 32 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: that momentum throughout four quarters. Because when you look at 33 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 1: that first quarter in a vacuum, Mike, you know, Aaron 34 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 1: Rodgers six of eight for seventy one yards and a touchdown. 35 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 1: You get down Davante Adams involved early on, he catches 36 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: his tenth touchdown of the year, Aaron Jones had I believe, 37 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:08,959 Speaker 1: forty three total yards. Everything seemed to be pointing up 38 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:11,639 Speaker 1: for them, and then you get to that second half 39 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 1: and I believe the stat I dug up in my 40 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: locker room report was that they had I think it was, 41 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:20,880 Speaker 1: oh man, was it sixty total yards in the next 42 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:23,440 Speaker 1: sixth series or something like that. What I remember looking 43 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 1: at and writing on the plane as we were coming 44 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:29,919 Speaker 1: back is they had six consecutive possessions where they did 45 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: not cross Minnesota's forty yard line, basically six and none 46 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 1: of the possession started any worse than the twenty five 47 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:39,240 Speaker 1: than your own twenty five. So sixth straight possessions not 48 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 1: in bad field position, but nothing gets across the opponent's 49 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 1: forty yard line. So they never really six straight drives, 50 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 1: never even threatened to score. And that's what's gonna happen. 51 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:53,679 Speaker 1: And you look at the Minnesota Vikings. It was so funny, Mike, 52 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 1: because you know, I was watching that first quarter developed 53 00:02:57,320 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 1: and you know, Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense just, 54 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 1: you know, it looked, it looked difficult. I mean, they 55 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 1: just were not in sync at all. Yeah, those first 56 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: two possessions from Minnesota, they look like they were struggling. Yeah, 57 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:13,880 Speaker 1: Alexander Jay Alexander ends up blocking Adam Feeling like three 58 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 1: yards back into Stefan Pigs on what was a bubble 59 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 1: screen for a ten yard lost in overall, it just 60 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: looked like, Okay, well, maybe this is finally the Packers 61 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:23,840 Speaker 1: day to be able to put one of these things 62 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 1: together and get a much need to win on the road. 63 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:29,079 Speaker 1: But I give a lot of credit to Kirk Cousins 64 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:33,520 Speaker 1: and Adam Feeling did get going eventually. Stefon Diggs has 65 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: been a big possession receiver against the Packers for the 66 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 1: last three years. I mean, that's been his game. And 67 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 1: while green Bay did one of the things that you 68 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 1: and I talked about in the lead up to this 69 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 1: and being able to make sure that the thirty first 70 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 1: ranked rushing offense looks like the thirty first rank rushing offense. 71 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 1: Kirk Cousins had another big day through the air three 72 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: two yards, three touchdowns, dy nine point five passer rating, 73 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: and with the Packers struggling to get anything going until 74 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 1: the final drive of that game, just wasn't enough. Yeah. 75 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 1: I mean, if you want to look at this game, 76 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 1: in a game that there were no interceptions and no fumbles, 77 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 1: and we had talked all week long about how the 78 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 1: Packers really needed to win the turnover battle, and winning 79 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: the turnover battle in Minneapolis is how you beat the 80 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 1: Vikings in their place. Neither team had a fumble or 81 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:19,119 Speaker 1: an interception. Statistically, the game came down to third down West. 82 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 1: The Vikings were seven out of fourteen they converted, the 83 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: Packers were two out of ten. You look at the 84 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 1: first the Packers first two touchdowns, they scored on two 85 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 1: of their first three possessions. On the opening touchdown drive, 86 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:36,039 Speaker 1: they had one third down, it was a third and one, 87 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:38,800 Speaker 1: it was converted. Then they had a third down they 88 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 1: didn't get and they punted. And then on the second 89 00:04:40,640 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 1: touchdown drive, no third downs at all. Everything was either 90 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: first and tent or second and short. So you have 91 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 1: fourteen points on the board, but you've only faced two 92 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:51,360 Speaker 1: third downs. You converted one of them. The Packers then 93 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 1: went on this run of seven consecutive third downs that 94 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: they did not convert, and that has been the problem 95 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:00,600 Speaker 1: on offense all season long. Only one of them, if 96 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 1: I recall, was a was a third and long after 97 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,280 Speaker 1: they took the delay a game on a third and eight. 98 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:07,040 Speaker 1: It was third and thirteen and they took a sack. 99 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 1: But other than that one, they were all you know 100 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:12,479 Speaker 1: in that third and seven, third and eight, you know 101 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:15,599 Speaker 1: or less, you know, those those manageable down and distances, 102 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:18,720 Speaker 1: and for whatever reason, and I can't answer it. I'm 103 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 1: not an excess nose guy. I've never designed a football play, 104 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 1: I've never coached the game. I don't know what is 105 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:28,240 Speaker 1: wrong on third down, but it's what is killing this 106 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:32,160 Speaker 1: offense because you can't just rely on scoring touchdowns by 107 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 1: never getting in third down. They've done it a couple 108 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 1: of times. They've had some nice drives where you don't 109 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 1: even get the third down. You're moving smoothly, but if 110 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:42,239 Speaker 1: you cannot convert at least on a semi consistent basis 111 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:44,600 Speaker 1: on third down in this league, you will lose. Yeah, 112 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 1: it's tough, and I think the thing that stood out 113 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: to me the most in this game was the fact 114 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:52,039 Speaker 1: that it was in more third and manageable situations, much 115 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:54,359 Speaker 1: like the Seattle game right, and prior to that, it 116 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:57,120 Speaker 1: was that, Okay, you're getting in third and deep and 117 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 1: you know the probability as as you go a yard 118 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:02,360 Speaker 1: back it continues to fall. So, I mean, it's too 119 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:05,520 Speaker 1: somewhat understandable. But when you get into those third and fourth, 120 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:09,080 Speaker 1: third and five situation, yes they're not you know, I 121 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 1: don't want to say automatic, but typically those are where 122 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:13,360 Speaker 1: you have to find a way to be able to 123 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 1: push the football. The thing I think that surprised me 124 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 1: the most about this performance is seventeen carries for seventy 125 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:22,440 Speaker 1: two yards with Aaron Jones four point two yards per 126 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 1: carry against the fifth point run defense in the league. 127 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones had been effective and they fed him. Davante Adams, 128 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 1: while he did have a lull in the middle of 129 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:33,040 Speaker 1: that game, had some big plays, ends up going over 130 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:36,640 Speaker 1: a thousand yards late in the fourth quarter. Equinimius st. 131 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 1: Brown steps up in the first half, had three catches 132 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:42,920 Speaker 1: for fifty three yards. They had individuals rise to the 133 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,719 Speaker 1: challenge in this game. But I just think of that 134 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:48,920 Speaker 1: second and third quarter in particular, especially in the third 135 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:50,680 Speaker 1: quarter when they got the ball and a chance to 136 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:54,360 Speaker 1: potentially march down the field and reclaim the lead after 137 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:56,479 Speaker 1: Dan Bailey had two mess field goals of the second 138 00:06:56,560 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: quarter and they just they weren't able to get to 139 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:02,799 Speaker 1: execute them. Yeah, I mean, obviously the game the game 140 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 1: turned on the possession in the third quarter where the 141 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,360 Speaker 1: Packers are on their own forty four yard line. They 142 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: have third and one. Aaron Jones gets stuffed on third 143 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: and one. Packers decided to go for it. It It was 144 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 1: that he actually got what three quarters of a yard 145 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 1: or whatever on third and one, so it's fourth and inches. 146 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 1: Packers decided to go for it. There's a little bit 147 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 1: of a of a snaffoo with the play clock, and 148 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:28,559 Speaker 1: McCarthy thought the officials should have reset the play clock, 149 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 1: and they didn't do it. So the Packers burn a 150 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 1: time out, but they still stick with going for it 151 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 1: there on fourth and one, and and Aaron Jones gets stuffed. 152 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 1: Minnesota has a short field and that actually then becomes 153 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 1: the first of two consecutive short fields, two possessions in 154 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 1: a row from Minnesota that started in Green Bay Territory. 155 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 1: The second one then because of a you know, the 156 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 1: sack on third and thirteen, the good pump return a 157 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 1: special team's penalty adds five yards. Minnesota, with those two 158 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 1: possessions in Green Bay Territory, gets ten points, a field 159 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 1: goal and a touch down, and um, you know it's 160 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 1: a it's a two score game at that point, and 161 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 1: and the Packers just they never closed it within one 162 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: score until there were two minutes left in the ballgame. Yeah, 163 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 1: it was interesting listen Aaron Jones talk in the locker room, 164 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 1: because it almost sounded like he lamented more, uh, you know, 165 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:17,440 Speaker 1: the fourth down play than the third down one, even 166 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 1: though he did have some positive yards on third down. 167 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 1: The fourth down one, it just was the one where 168 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 1: he felt like there was a chance to be able 169 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:26,360 Speaker 1: to penetrate that line and just wasn't able to get there, 170 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 1: whereas the third down one. You know, he just you know, 171 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: he credited them for making a good defensive play to 172 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,920 Speaker 1: be able to bottle that up. Be that as it may. Yeah, 173 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:36,560 Speaker 1: when when you look at being able to give the 174 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:39,400 Speaker 1: short field there to the Vikings, what they're able to 175 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: do off of it, I thought the Packers defense responded 176 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: pretty well to adverse situations once again. Certainly they still 177 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 1: have not been able to get that takeaway or at 178 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 1: least that string of takeaways. And I think, you know, 179 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:52,839 Speaker 1: you and I were discussing are almost required to be 180 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: able to beat the Vikings in that venue. But you know, 181 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 1: they got a couple of three notes early on, They 182 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 1: got one after the break and halftime. Uh, Kenny Clark 183 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:04,280 Speaker 1: had a big sack on third and seven. Then obviously 184 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 1: there was the muff punt. They get the ball back 185 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:09,360 Speaker 1: and actually hold their ground there with the Vikings going 186 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:11,679 Speaker 1: you know, on fourth down instead of kicking the field goals, 187 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 1: so there were in Dean Lowry also had a sack 188 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 1: that knocked him out of field goal range as well 189 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: at one point, so in a vacuum, the defense was 190 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 1: able to step up again in the face of some injuries. 191 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 1: But you know, it is what it is. You know, 192 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 1: the Vikings are playing in their venue. They have those 193 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 1: perimeter weapons that they have. I think Jr. Alexander did 194 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 1: an exemplary job for the most part against theland, but 195 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 1: there's still things that they're gonna be able to scheme 196 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 1: up with him to free him up. And and obviously 197 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 1: him and Diggs both had a big day for them 198 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 1: and Kirk Cousins through the air. Yeah, already, West, a 199 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 1: little bit of sponsored business here quickly the Green Bay 200 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 1: Packers get ready for game day with the powerful noise 201 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 1: canceling technology of Bows Quiet Comfort thirty five headphones. To 202 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:56,200 Speaker 1: learn more at www dot bos dot com. Slash Packers 203 00:09:56,240 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: Bows the official headphones of the Green Bay Packers. We'd 204 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 1: be remiss here, West if we didn't mention a little 205 00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: bit of history being made by Packers wide receiver Davante 206 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 1: Adams in this game. As disappointing as the final result was, 207 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 1: but as you mentioned earlier, he goes over a thousand 208 00:10:12,559 --> 00:10:15,719 Speaker 1: yards for the first time in his career. Um He 209 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:19,800 Speaker 1: also gets his tenth touchdown reception of the season, which 210 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:23,599 Speaker 1: gives him three consecutive seasons now with double digit touchdowns, 211 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 1: and he becomes the first Packers receiver to do that 212 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:31,640 Speaker 1: since Sterling Sharp back in the early nineties ninety four, 213 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 1: those first three years with Brett Farve at quarterback and 214 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:38,360 Speaker 1: Davantae Adams still has five games to go. I'm I'm 215 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:41,079 Speaker 1: very interested to see because of where his numbers are 216 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 1: and with with five games remaining to play and knock 217 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 1: on what he remains healthy this year so far, certainly 218 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:51,079 Speaker 1: where this season for him as a Packers receiver might 219 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:53,839 Speaker 1: end up in the team's record books, because it's got 220 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:55,680 Speaker 1: a chance to rank way up there. Yeah, it's gonna 221 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:57,720 Speaker 1: be up there, you know, assuming he stays on the 222 00:10:57,720 --> 00:10:59,720 Speaker 1: field one way or another. He's just been that consistent 223 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 1: out the course of the season. The Packers have needed 224 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: that too, you know, with Randall cob now missing six 225 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 1: of the last eight geron way Allison ended up on 226 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 1: I R and then having a lot of rookie receivers 227 00:11:08,679 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 1: and Jimmy Graham dealing with the thumb injury. Davante Adams 228 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 1: has been the constant through all of that. Seventy seven 229 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 1: catches now on the season, a d and twenty two yards, 230 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 1: ten touchdowns. As you explain, Mike, but I know it's 231 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:21,679 Speaker 1: gonna be a very little consolation to him. If you 232 00:11:21,720 --> 00:11:26,000 Speaker 1: know him, he is an incredibly competitive individual. The wins 233 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 1: and the losses are ultimately the thing that are going 234 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:32,160 Speaker 1: to drive him. But what he's doing to try to 235 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 1: give this offense a chance. You go to that fourth quarter, Mike, 236 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:38,440 Speaker 1: the thirty six yard catch along the sideline against Savior Roads. 237 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 1: That's what gave them that explosive play they needed, got 238 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:44,520 Speaker 1: him over a thousand yards on the season. Aaron Rodgers 239 00:11:44,559 --> 00:11:46,839 Speaker 1: also had him open in the end zone on the 240 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 1: play that they ended up having to settle for the 241 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:52,720 Speaker 1: Mason Crosby field goal. Just not able to connect. His footwork, 242 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 1: ability to gain separation and any portion in any version 243 00:11:56,840 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: of the road tree is impressive. And seeing where he 244 00:12:00,679 --> 00:12:02,560 Speaker 1: takes this thing in the final month of the season. 245 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:05,600 Speaker 1: He's just such a big part of this offense. Now 246 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:08,640 Speaker 1: he is the playmaker of this offense. He saw Jordy 247 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 1: Nelson do it for a number of years. Davante Adams 248 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 1: is the guy now, he is the man and for 249 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 1: him now to be one of nine guys I think 250 00:12:15,640 --> 00:12:18,199 Speaker 1: over a thousand yards on the season. I believe the 251 00:12:18,240 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 1: only receiver in the NFL with ten touchdowns in each 252 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 1: of the past three seasons. Now, if I have that correct, 253 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,200 Speaker 1: it's impressive what he's done in all facets of the 254 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 1: game and all you know, areas of the field. Yeah, 255 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:31,240 Speaker 1: you mentioned the thirty six yard catch down the sideline 256 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 1: in the fourth quarter. That could end up being an 257 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 1: incredibly costly play for the Minnesota Vikings because we saw 258 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:40,840 Speaker 1: Xavier Rhodes, a great cornerback, really impressive player, and a 259 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:42,839 Speaker 1: guy that that I have a lot of respect for 260 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:45,440 Speaker 1: and I enjoy watching him. I enjoyed watching that Davante 261 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 1: Adams Xavier Rhodes matchup. They were going head to head 262 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:51,200 Speaker 1: all game long, but Rhodes came up with what looked 263 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:54,320 Speaker 1: like a pretty bad hamstring injury, you know, not really 264 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:58,079 Speaker 1: able to walk off the field. Um, all that smoothly 265 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: after that happened, and I talked about it last year West, 266 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 1: I mean, I really felt in the playoffs for Minnesota. 267 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:06,439 Speaker 1: I know they got the great miracle play to beat 268 00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:09,559 Speaker 1: in New Orleans, But in that NFC Championship against Philadelphia, 269 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:11,640 Speaker 1: when Xavier Rhodes was kind of in and out of 270 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:13,640 Speaker 1: the game with an injury, and then ultimately when he 271 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:16,400 Speaker 1: left that game, at like, Minnesota's defense just didn't look 272 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,320 Speaker 1: the same. And you just wonder. Minnesota is six four 273 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:20,839 Speaker 1: and one, they're right in the thick of it here 274 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:22,760 Speaker 1: for the playoffs. But if Rhodes is out for any 275 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 1: extended period of time, that's gonna make it a lot 276 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,080 Speaker 1: tougher on this defense because he he really really is 277 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:30,559 Speaker 1: a top notch player. So I used to cover preps, 278 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:32,319 Speaker 1: you know what the press is that I did too, 279 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 1: And I was young at that time, and I didn't 280 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:36,120 Speaker 1: really fully understand what it felt like to have a 281 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 1: soft muscle injury. So, you know, somebody in track and 282 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 1: field or something like that would sustain a hamstring injury, 283 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: and I would always be like, oh, you know, they'll 284 00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 1: people look tape it up and wrap it up and go. 285 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:49,080 Speaker 1: And over the years, as you get older and as 286 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 1: you but you're around more of these things, you understand 287 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 1: how difficult those injuries are particularly in the lower body. 288 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: The thing that's scary as far as Rhodes, and this 289 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:00,080 Speaker 1: is obviously just speculatory at this point, but speculator of 290 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: is the fact that his how much he struggled to 291 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 1: get off the field. Guys can have a strainer, tear 292 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 1: their hamstring and walk fine off the field. They just 293 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 1: can't explode when they're trying to get in and out 294 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:14,079 Speaker 1: of the routes or when they're trying to come off 295 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 1: a break as a cornerback. Rhodes really looked rough in 296 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 1: that moment, So we'll have to see exactly what he did. 297 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 1: I have a lot of respect for him. He was 298 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 1: phenomenal on the conference call talking about that match up 299 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 1: with Davante Adams last week. The excitement there for both 300 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:29,680 Speaker 1: of those parties matching up with each other basically every 301 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 1: single play. So yeah, you definitely don't want to see 302 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 1: a go down like that. Yeah, alright, West, Well at 303 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 1: Homer here in the stands, we all know that Green 304 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 1: Bay fans give it their all and then that takes 305 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: a lot of energy. So grab a warm bowl of 306 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:43,400 Speaker 1: Campbell's chunky soup. It's meaty goodness fuels the greatness of 307 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 1: Packers fans everywhere tried the delicious classic chicken noodle soup. 308 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:50,520 Speaker 1: Just visit your local supermarket and ask for Campbell's Chunky Soup. 309 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 1: Official sup partner of the Green Bay Packers. Okay, West, 310 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:58,000 Speaker 1: Here's where the Packers are four six and one after 311 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:02,680 Speaker 1: eleven games. The Chicago Bears, after their win on Thanksgiving 312 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,560 Speaker 1: with their backup quarterback, give them credit. They are eight 313 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 1: and three. So for all practical purposes, the division is 314 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:12,440 Speaker 1: out of reach. Your three games back in the lost 315 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 1: column to the division leader. With with five games to go, 316 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:19,840 Speaker 1: the Packers essentially to have any shot at the playoffs, 317 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: they have to win out. They have to win all 318 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:24,440 Speaker 1: five games. They have to get to nine six and one, 319 00:15:24,760 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: And the math is pretty simple in the sense that 320 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:28,680 Speaker 1: if you look at it right now, there are four 321 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 1: second place teams, including the Vikings, there are four second 322 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 1: place teams in the NFC that have six victories. If 323 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 1: two of those teams get to ten victories, it's over 324 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:43,120 Speaker 1: for the Packers because that's two wild card spots that 325 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:46,240 Speaker 1: the Packers can't break into. With the nine six and 326 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 1: one record, now, it's crazy to talk about winning five 327 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:52,080 Speaker 1: straight with a team that hasn't won on the road, 328 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 1: and they haven't won two games in a row all 329 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 1: season long, let alone thinking about trying to win five 330 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:00,400 Speaker 1: in a row. But the reality is, that's all as 331 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 1: Packers fans that anybody has to hang onto right now. 332 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 1: That's all the locker room has to hang onto. It 333 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:08,280 Speaker 1: is one week at a time. But if that's all 334 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 1: you have to hang onto, then you might as well 335 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:12,440 Speaker 1: hang onto it and look at the situation for what 336 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 1: it is. And the Packers have to run it here 337 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 1: and they're gonna have to get some help so that nine, 338 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:20,520 Speaker 1: six and one will be good enough. I did if 339 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 1: you go back a couple of weeks ago, I actually 340 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:23,880 Speaker 1: did say. I thought, with the way that this wild 341 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:26,160 Speaker 1: card was shuffling out with and how much parody there is, 342 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: that nine and six and one could potentially, you know, 343 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: get in over a nine and seven team. I think 344 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 1: it's possible there's a nine win team in the playoffs. 345 00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:36,120 Speaker 1: But the problem for the Packers right now is coming 346 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:39,000 Speaker 1: off of that loss to Seattle, then you lose to Minnesota, 347 00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: take away the division implications. That's a team right now 348 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 1: that's the fifth seat. If the playoffs ended today or 349 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 1: the playoffs started today. The season ended today. Um, the 350 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 1: Cowboys have pulled themselves back into this thing. At six 351 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 1: and five, you have the Carolina Panthers at six and five, 352 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 1: the Eagles scratching and clawing their way past the Giants 353 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 1: to go to five and six on the season. So 354 00:16:58,160 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 1: there's a lot of bodies in front of them. At 355 00:16:59,880 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: the point, I thought Brian Brian Blaga was phenomenal in 356 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,679 Speaker 1: the locker room after the game, and it took a 357 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:09,520 Speaker 1: lot of ownership and you know, I thought, really explain 358 00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:11,120 Speaker 1: where this team is at and that you know, there's 359 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:13,720 Speaker 1: still belief, there's still hope, there's still confidence in locker room. 360 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:16,000 Speaker 1: But it is what it is. And the focus for 361 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:18,439 Speaker 1: the Packers now, as much as it hurts to not 362 00:17:18,560 --> 00:17:21,120 Speaker 1: have a win on the road, yet everything goes into 363 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:24,080 Speaker 1: the Arizona Cardinals. The reality is your four zero and 364 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:26,600 Speaker 1: one at home, whatever the record is on the road. 365 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 1: If you don't win these two games over the Cardinals 366 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:32,399 Speaker 1: in the Falcons and keep that momentum going going forward, 367 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:34,840 Speaker 1: it doesn't matter what the outlook of the season is 368 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:37,359 Speaker 1: going into Soldier Field in two weeks, so three weeks. 369 00:17:37,680 --> 00:17:40,439 Speaker 1: But be that as it may, Packers are what they are. 370 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 1: The record is what it is, and now they need 371 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 1: some help and they need to find some victories. They 372 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 1: need to get on a winning streak. Yeah, they need 373 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:48,720 Speaker 1: to put together a winning streaky back to back home games. Now, 374 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:50,960 Speaker 1: this is the opportunity to do it. And if you 375 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:53,000 Speaker 1: win these back to back home games, then the next 376 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:54,800 Speaker 1: time you go on the road, you still got a 377 00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 1: fighting chance. And to make another point here, and we'll 378 00:17:57,080 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 1: talk about the Cardinals later this week. But as I 379 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:01,400 Speaker 1: said before, the frustrating thing for the Packers as they've 380 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:04,399 Speaker 1: been in every single one of these games, six road losses, 381 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 1: four of them within one score. The Cardinals got blown 382 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: out of the water on Sunday by the by the Chargers. 383 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:13,280 Speaker 1: And that's not the first time this year that's They've 384 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:16,119 Speaker 1: been really battling this season with some you know, some 385 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:19,080 Speaker 1: big things. So for the Packers perspective, you've got to 386 00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:21,000 Speaker 1: be able to flush it here these next two days, 387 00:18:21,320 --> 00:18:24,159 Speaker 1: see who you have available from a health perspective, and 388 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:27,520 Speaker 1: pick up a win over Arizona Cardinals team that you 389 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:30,680 Speaker 1: should beat. Yeah, that's where things are right now. Yeah, 390 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:32,720 Speaker 1: and there are some injuries to deal with with the Packers, 391 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:35,240 Speaker 1: and we'll get to those if we get some updates 392 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:37,639 Speaker 1: for our next show. But with that, we're going to 393 00:18:38,359 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 1: call it a day on this edition of Packers un Scripted. 394 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:42,639 Speaker 1: Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the 395 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:45,360 Speaker 1: team on packers dot com on Twitter. He's still at 396 00:18:45,359 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 1: west Hod, I'm still at Mike Spofford, and at Packers 397 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:50,120 Speaker 1: is still the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody, 398 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 1: See you next time.