1 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:10,800 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:14,080 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford, joined as always 3 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:16,959 Speaker 1: by my partner in crime, Weston the Hodcowits were coming 4 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,079 Speaker 1: to here from our studios at lambeau Field West. It 5 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:23,640 Speaker 1: will be a Sunday night football kickoff in prime time 6 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:26,600 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field. It's going to be cold. They're talking 7 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: single digit temperatures at kickoff. But rewind a little over 8 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 1: a month and we were talking about a Vikings team 9 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:38,880 Speaker 1: that plays a lot of close games. They win some, 10 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: they lose some. They're right around five hundred. Well, here 11 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:44,520 Speaker 1: we are with two weeks to go in the regular season, 12 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:48,280 Speaker 1: and the Vikings haven't changed. They still play a lot 13 00:00:48,320 --> 00:00:51,200 Speaker 1: of close games. And whether they lose on the last 14 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: play of the game to the Detroit Lions or whether 15 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: they nearly blow a twenty nine to nothing lead to 16 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 1: the Pittsburgh Steelers but barely hang on for the victory, 17 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:04,039 Speaker 1: it seems like this is still the same Minnesota Vikings team. 18 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:06,399 Speaker 1: This has been their m O all season long. Yeah, 19 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,760 Speaker 1: And unfortunately for the Vikings, the past few seasons have 20 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 1: kind of followed this similar trend. Uh, And let's be honest, Mike, 21 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 1: it's not an anomaly when it happens at often. They're inconsistent. 22 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 1: They're extremely talented. They have the best young receiver in 23 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 1: the game, Kirk Cousins can look like an All Pro 24 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 1: at times, and certainly, as we've talked about time and 25 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:27,040 Speaker 1: time again, Mike Delvin Cook is a real threat in 26 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:30,320 Speaker 1: the run game. But defensively, there's been some erosion there 27 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 1: in the past few seasons, and when they need to 28 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:35,520 Speaker 1: come up with clutch performances or beat teams that they 29 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: should beat to be a playoff contender, they just haven't 30 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,119 Speaker 1: been able to do it. All that being said, this 31 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 1: is not a team you can take for granted at 32 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 1: seven and eight coming in here at lambeau Field. They're 33 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 1: very dangerous. They're very dynamic on both sides of the ball, 34 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 1: and as they Grimy Packers saw at US Bank Stadium, 35 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 1: if you don't capitalize on your opportunities against Cousins and company, 36 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:56,640 Speaker 1: you are going to find a way to lose that 37 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:59,559 Speaker 1: football game. Yeah. Absolutely, I mean, these two teams played 38 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 1: a doubt at US Bank Stadium back in November. I 39 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:05,880 Speaker 1: don't know, in single digit temperatures, if we're going to 40 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 1: see the same type of offensive fireworks come Sunday night. 41 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:13,359 Speaker 1: But for the Minnesota Vikings, and this is what I've 42 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 1: been saying in in following them most of the season, 43 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 1: they're an extremely dangerous offense when they've had their big 44 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:24,680 Speaker 1: three as far as their offensive weapons healthy and able 45 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 1: to play. And I'm talking about Dalvin Cook, justin Jefferson 46 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 1: and Adam Theland. Now they just put Adam Theland on 47 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: injured reserve with an ankle injury. Apparently he had to 48 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:38,720 Speaker 1: undergo surgery after reaggravating an ankle injury in the Vikings 49 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 1: previous games. So they don't have the big three. They 50 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 1: have Jefferson, they have Cook. It just seems to me 51 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 1: that offensively they haven't been the same when one of 52 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: those three guys has been missing. Yeah, as you said, 53 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 1: I mean, Jefferson is really becoming a dynamic force in 54 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:00,400 Speaker 1: this league and unfortunate for the Packers gonna have to 55 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:02,560 Speaker 1: deal with them for some time in the NFC North's 56 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 1: much like the Packers of the late nineties and two 57 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:07,880 Speaker 1: thousand's had to deal with Randy Moss in the NFC Central. 58 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 1: It's just the reality of it. But as you said, 59 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:15,360 Speaker 1: the problem beyond, Jefferson has been getting Feeling and Cook 60 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 1: both healthy and available. You saw it last week with Feeling, 61 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 1: how frustrated he was, how frustrating this year has been 62 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 1: for him. Because when when he has been healthy, he 63 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 1: has been really good in this offense. So the Packers 64 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 1: saw some of that. But to lose him now with 65 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 1: this ankle injury, which you know in the long run 66 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 1: will help him, you know, get him back. Have is 67 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 1: there bigger aspirations out there for the Vikings in two? 68 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,840 Speaker 1: I would think so. But to not have him on 69 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 1: Sunday is going to be really interesting because he is 70 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:47,120 Speaker 1: as big play uh Born is Jefferson in terms of 71 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: his ability to generate, you know, game explosive type moments. 72 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 1: Feeling is the guy that moves the chains for them, 73 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:56,119 Speaker 1: and I think could be a real force in this 74 00:03:56,160 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 1: game at lambeau Field and colder temperatures, the running game. 75 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 1: We know what they can do. You've seen it with 76 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 1: Cook and you've seen it with Madson too, when when 77 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 1: he's been available, you know, and he's had to be 78 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:09,600 Speaker 1: the guy he's been able to play up to that. 79 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 1: Now his numbers aren't as extraordinary as Cooks are, but 80 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: he's consistent. So I feel like those two elements are 81 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 1: going to be really interesting to track here, as we'll 82 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: talk about with the Packers, I mean A J. Jones, 83 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:24,919 Speaker 1: A J. Dillon and Aaron Jones, the same problem that 84 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 1: the Vikings in the issues that they've had defensively, they're 85 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:31,279 Speaker 1: going to have to contend with. But I still think 86 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:33,440 Speaker 1: Jefferson is going to be a guy the Green Bay 87 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:35,040 Speaker 1: is gonna have to keep an eye on and could 88 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:38,159 Speaker 1: potentially be a game breaker here. But if you can't 89 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:41,160 Speaker 1: contain Cook and he goes off in a similar fashion 90 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 1: like you know this past week, what what happened with 91 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:46,920 Speaker 1: Nick Chubb, it's going to be a long evening at 92 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:49,919 Speaker 1: lambeau Field. Yeah, absolutely, the Packers. The Packers know what 93 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 1: this Viking offense looks like when Dalvin Cook gets rolling 94 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 1: and and this Packers defense is trying to figure out, um, 95 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 1: exactly what it needs to do to start amping down 96 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 1: on the run after what has happened the past couple 97 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:06,039 Speaker 1: of weeks, particularly with Chubb on the defensive side of 98 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 1: the ball for Minnesota really hard to figure out in 99 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:12,599 Speaker 1: some respects because this is a unit that has forty 100 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:15,119 Speaker 1: four sacks on the season, which is tied for first. 101 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:18,840 Speaker 1: I believe in the NFC with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 102 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:21,359 Speaker 1: They have five guys on their team, not all of 103 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 1: them active, some of them are injured and not they have, 104 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 1: but they have five. They have five guys who have 105 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 1: recorded five or more sacks this year. That's not easy 106 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 1: to do. And as much as you have the old 107 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:37,480 Speaker 1: mainstays in the middle of this defense in Eric Kendricks 108 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:40,919 Speaker 1: and Anthony Barr and Harrison Smith, there's just been so 109 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:45,599 Speaker 1: much up and down, inconsistent play elsewhere, particularly in the 110 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 1: coverage aspect of things. At cornerback. They're playing with young cornerbacks. 111 00:05:49,279 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 1: There was some sort of a blow up with Bashad 112 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,000 Speaker 1: Breland and the coaches and practice a couple of weeks ago, 113 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 1: and they just flat out released him. This is it's 114 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:02,600 Speaker 1: It doesn't look like a Mike Zimmer defense except for 115 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 1: those occasions, and we saw last week against the Rams. 116 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:09,160 Speaker 1: Except for those occasions when an Anthony Barr or an 117 00:06:09,279 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 1: Eric Kendricks or Harrison Smith is making a big play 118 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 1: that can suddenly change a game. And that's how the 119 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:17,719 Speaker 1: Vikings stayed in it against the Rams last week. The 120 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 1: interceptions they got against Matthew Stafford with the with their 121 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:25,480 Speaker 1: main guys. But but if those guys aren't stepping up 122 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:27,920 Speaker 1: and making big plays, this just strikes me as a 123 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 1: very ordinary defense. I've said it time and time again. 124 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 1: I really respect Rick Spielman. I love what they've built 125 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:37,680 Speaker 1: there in Minnesota. I don't think him and Zimmer get 126 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:40,360 Speaker 1: nearly enough credit for how competitive this team has been 127 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 1: for the better part of a decade now. But what 128 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 1: happened in the secondary, and obviously, more specifically the cornerback position. 129 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith is still one of the best in the game. 130 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 1: I'm a huge fan of Xavier Woods, and he made 131 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 1: some big plays for them this season. But I don't 132 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:55,920 Speaker 1: know what you think about this, but I kind of 133 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 1: look at their cornerback scenario is sort of where the 134 00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 1: Packers were in two thousand thirteen with their safeties. They 135 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:05,720 Speaker 1: made it a big, abrupt shift, but the plan hasn't 136 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:09,480 Speaker 1: really come together, so to speak. Now, some of that's 137 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 1: out of their control, you know, Jeff Gladney, these issues 138 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: they've had, You know, with some of these draft picks, 139 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,040 Speaker 1: they did what was best for their team moving forward. 140 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:19,360 Speaker 1: But the fact of the matter is you still didn't 141 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 1: hit on those positions. And and Xavier Rhodes is a 142 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 1: different type of player at this time. Trey Wayne's different 143 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 1: type of player. I understood their reasons for the direction 144 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:30,160 Speaker 1: they win, but if you're gonna go that direction, what's 145 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: the next plan, what's the next step. That's where they've 146 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 1: been lacking. And as good as they are in the 147 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 1: linebacker unit, as good as they are on the back 148 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,960 Speaker 1: end with their safeties, the issues of trying to figure 149 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 1: out what their defensive front is gonna look like and 150 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 1: what the cornerbacks are gonna look like. I think it's 151 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 1: been one of the undoings from Minnesota for these last 152 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:50,560 Speaker 1: two seasons. Well as far as the Packers are concerned. 153 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 1: The questions that are lingering out here for this game 154 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 1: mostly hinge on where things are with the COVID list, 155 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 1: right because the Packers of over the last week week 156 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 1: plus they put a bunch of guys on the reserve 157 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 1: COVID Night Team list. But the NFL has changed the 158 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: protocols and the return to play rules in terms of 159 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 1: um the length of time that that players need to 160 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 1: be out after they test positive. All this and I'm 161 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 1: gonna confess West, the rules have changed like so much 162 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 1: it's hard for me to keep track of exactly how 163 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 1: this is gonna work. But one area I think that's 164 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 1: that's worth talking about here, that that the Packers are 165 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 1: entering this game, I think with a lot of uncertainty 166 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,360 Speaker 1: is on special teams. Because you have both a Mari 167 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 1: Rodgers who has been your primary return man, and Corey 168 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 1: Bojorke as your punter and your holder for Mason Crosby. 169 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:43,200 Speaker 1: Both of those those guys are on the COVID list. 170 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: Now it's possible that they could come back and be 171 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 1: able to play on Sunday night. It's also possible that 172 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:52,319 Speaker 1: they won't UM. And this is just at the time 173 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 1: when the Packers special teams that have gone through obviously 174 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 1: a lot of struggles throughout the course of the years, 175 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 1: seemed to be finally maybe settling down a little bit UM. 176 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:04,840 Speaker 1: But now you have this uncertainty with your personnel to 177 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 1: deal with. So many times in this business we have 178 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 1: to just kind of read the tea leaves right and 179 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 1: at the time in which we're taping this, this could 180 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: change in an hour. But at the time in which 181 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:15,439 Speaker 1: we're taping this, the Packers have not made a move 182 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:19,120 Speaker 1: at punter. They do not have a backup punter right now, 183 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 1: at this point in time, the holding situation, well the 184 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 1: backup holders, Randall Coup He's not available either. Does that 185 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 1: mean that would be Jordan's Love? Could that be jj 186 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 1: Molson the backup kicker. You just don't know. But the 187 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:35,439 Speaker 1: fact that Green Bay at this very moment on Thursday 188 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: which we're taking this, have not made a move at 189 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:41,880 Speaker 1: Punter would make you believe that there might be some 190 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:45,559 Speaker 1: hope there that Corey bojork has will be available for Sunday. 191 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 1: Reportedly he would fit inside that timeline to be allowed 192 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:53,080 Speaker 1: to play on Sunday. It still is a challenge. And 193 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 1: the other thing that I think so so many times 194 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 1: gets lost is we automatically shift to well, it's five days, 195 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 1: it's ten days, they'll be ready, they'll be good to go. 196 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 1: Then you listen to what Kenny Clark had to say 197 00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:06,080 Speaker 1: on Wednesday about how rough his boat with COVID was, 198 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 1: because the question was kind of asked to him like, hey, 199 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:10,360 Speaker 1: could you have you know, potentially played with this new thing, 200 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 1: and Kenny's an answer wasn't whether or not he was 201 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 1: going to play, it was yeah, I had three days 202 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:16,920 Speaker 1: where I felt really bad and I had a bad 203 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 1: cough and all these things. We got to think about 204 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: the player. We have to think about the person though 205 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:23,559 Speaker 1: first and and ultimately that's where this is going to 206 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: come down to, to have fifteen guys with the COVID 207 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:29,280 Speaker 1: reserve list. People were kind of writing at me about, 208 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:32,320 Speaker 1: you know, Jire Alexander. It's very exciting that Jire Alexander 209 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:35,000 Speaker 1: was activated on Wednesday. And I didn't want to be 210 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:38,080 Speaker 1: Debbie Downer to everybody, but it's like, listen, guys, that 211 00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 1: was the last day of his window, and the Packers 212 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:43,559 Speaker 1: presently have nine spots open on their fifty three man roster. 213 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:47,480 Speaker 1: JayR Alexander was going to get activated, so we already 214 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:49,520 Speaker 1: saw Colvy and Landon has been promoted for this week 215 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 1: as a COVID replacement. We might see even more potential. 216 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:55,480 Speaker 1: You know, practice squad players have to be called upon two. 217 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:58,959 Speaker 1: It's the nature of the beast. As far as the returners, 218 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: as were as the sounds, I don't really have a 219 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 1: ton of concern there because we've seen multiple times from 220 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: multiple seasons Chandon Sullivan can step in, whether it be 221 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 1: kickoffs or punt returns. He's done both now for Green 222 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: Bay in a pinch, not just what he did a 223 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:13,960 Speaker 1: couple of weeks ago, but even going back to seasons, 224 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 1: so they have Sullivan. Patrick Taylor could be called upon 225 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 1: there too, So I think they're okay in that regard. 226 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: The big thing is going to be a horc as though, 227 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:24,199 Speaker 1: as a holder, as a punter, as a Pro Bowl alternate. 228 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 1: That the guys brought a lot to Green Bay and 229 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 1: it would be really hurt this football team not to 230 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 1: have him. Yeah. Absolutely, well, I want to get to 231 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:33,440 Speaker 1: our keys to victory for this game, but first wes 232 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:36,200 Speaker 1: a little bit of sponsor business. 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It's it's stating the obvious, but based on 241 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:10,080 Speaker 1: what happened last week, we sat here and talked about 242 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 1: how you can't let Nick Chubb dictate the tempo and 243 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 1: and and control the game and give the Browns the 244 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:21,960 Speaker 1: opportunity to score as many points as they did. It's 245 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 1: the same thing here. And I know Justin Jefferson is 246 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 1: better than any wide receiver that Cleveland Browns put on 247 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 1: the field on Christmas Day at Lambeo. But it still 248 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 1: has to start with containing Dalvin Cook because if he 249 00:12:34,280 --> 00:12:37,960 Speaker 1: is in command out there, that's going to make for 250 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:40,719 Speaker 1: a really, really tough day for green Bay's defense. That's 251 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 1: what interesting. What's interesting what you said though, is about 252 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 1: not allowing you know, Nick Chubb to dictate the terms 253 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 1: of the game. Nick Chubb didn't dictate the terms of 254 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 1: the game. Now, how much of that was on Cleveland 255 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: and their game plan? How much of that was on 256 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:54,520 Speaker 1: green Bay. The reason why green Bay got off to 257 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:56,320 Speaker 1: the start I did in that game was because of 258 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 1: how that first half played out in the unwillingness for 259 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 1: the Browns to commit to Chub for whatever reason. That's 260 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:05,760 Speaker 1: not going to be the case on Sunday. The Minnesota 261 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 1: Vikings are going to try to run this thing through 262 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:10,720 Speaker 1: Cook and at times Madison too, so that that will 263 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 1: be pivotal. But to me, Mike, it's very simple. You're 264 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 1: talking about this, and you're writing about this, but this 265 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:20,559 Speaker 1: is going to be a really cold game. Barring some 266 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: kind of crazy front that moves in, we're all anticipating 267 00:13:24,040 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: it's gonna be one of the coldest in this series. 268 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:30,599 Speaker 1: The Packers play at lambeau Field. They are undefeated in 269 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:34,240 Speaker 1: the month of December at lambeau Field underneath Matt Lafleur, 270 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings playing a dome. They won their game 271 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 1: at us Bank Stadium, partially based upon the fact that 272 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 1: they were at home. Green Bay needs to defend its turf. 273 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 1: The Packers are one game up right now in the conference. 274 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 1: They have two divisional games against the Minnesota Vikings in 275 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: the Detroit Lions. If we were back in Week one, 276 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,520 Speaker 1: maybe even after that loss to New Orleans, and we 277 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:01,000 Speaker 1: said this is the scenario that's gonna play out for 278 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 1: you this season. This is the optimal scenario for green Bay, 279 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:08,680 Speaker 1: no question about it. You have to defend your place. 280 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:12,320 Speaker 1: And if it's zero degrees, if it's minus ten degrees, 281 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 1: if there's no even you know, water in the stadium available, 282 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: you have to be able to be able to cultivate 283 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: harness that ability and come out victorious. I think that's 284 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 1: what it comes down to. So yes, a lot of 285 00:14:26,040 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 1: it's the run, but a lot of it's how they 286 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:29,480 Speaker 1: play defensively. A lot of it is what kind of 287 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: energy do you have left in the fourth quarter when 288 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 1: you don't want to be out there anymore. That's gonna 289 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 1: be the real challenge for this matchup. You have to 290 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 1: imagine the Minnesota Vikings. They're gonna do everything they can 291 00:14:38,960 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 1: to try to replicate these elements this week, but you're 292 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 1: not gonna be able to do it. It's Sunday. Is 293 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 1: gonna be too much of a different animal? Yeah? Absolutely. 294 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 1: And I'm very curious to see because we we've seen 295 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:49,640 Speaker 1: the Packers. Aaron Rodgers has played in plenty of these games. 296 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 1: He's played in the cold, He's played in the cold 297 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 1: without some of his best weapons on offense, and and 298 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 1: the Packers of function very well offensively. I'm curious to 299 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 1: see what Kirk Cousins and this Vikings passing offense. Assuming 300 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 1: the Packers can do enough against Cook to make to 301 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 1: make the Vikings have to throw the ball in key situations, 302 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 1: what's this Vikings passing off It's gonna look like in 303 00:15:11,280 --> 00:15:15,040 Speaker 1: single degree temperatures. Because I remember before the first meeting 304 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,400 Speaker 1: this season, we were talking about how going into that game, 305 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:20,760 Speaker 1: Kirk Cousins had thrown only two interceptions all season long, 306 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 1: and in the controlled climate of US Bank Stadium indoors, 307 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 1: the Packers legitimately had opportunities for four interceptions in that game, right, 308 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 1: including one right at the very end that could have 309 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 1: turned the tide. And and uh and given the Packers 310 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 1: a walk off victory instead of a walk off defeat. 311 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 1: If the if the weather has the impact on the 312 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,560 Speaker 1: passing game that I think it could have for the Vikings, 313 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 1: I think the Packers are going to get some opportunities 314 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 1: against Kirk Cousins, and you've got to take advantage of 315 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:54,560 Speaker 1: you have to catch the ball. You have to make 316 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 1: him pay for his bad passes. Because Kirk Cousins was 317 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 1: going to be the goat at US Stadium back in 318 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 1: November with the number of balls he put in range 319 00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: for the Packers to intercept, and he ended up he 320 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:09,800 Speaker 1: ended up being the hero. And I and I think 321 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 1: and I think that's uh. I think that's something that 322 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 1: the Packers have to turn the tables in that regard 323 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:17,720 Speaker 1: in this game. Absolutely, and in the other aspect of this, 324 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 1: and I'm really I'm just curious to see how it 325 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 1: plays out. I don't know if it's a key to victory. 326 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:24,360 Speaker 1: I don't know. What we're going to see is like 327 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:26,760 Speaker 1: how much cover too, is there going to be out there, 328 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:28,600 Speaker 1: because yes, a lot of teams want to do that. 329 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: A lot of teams want to give more coverage to 330 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 1: Davante Adams, and maybe they still will, but you would 331 00:16:33,320 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 1: think the strong safety will be creeping in the box 332 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 1: a little bit more in this game. And furthermore, this 333 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:40,920 Speaker 1: is the perfect West Coast offense type of game too. 334 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:44,680 Speaker 1: And you obviously have Kubiak there now and in Minnesota 335 00:16:44,760 --> 00:16:47,960 Speaker 1: the sun and then certainly what Matt Laflour does. This 336 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:49,640 Speaker 1: seems to be a game to where you could get 337 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:52,880 Speaker 1: back to some of those principles Marquis Veldes. Scantlin could 338 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 1: be back as he works his way back off the 339 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: COVID list, he could still end up being a home 340 00:16:57,080 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 1: run threat. It's weird when you get to teams that 341 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 1: are going to have an entire entire week to prepare 342 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:05,919 Speaker 1: for single digit temperatures to try to figure out what 343 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 1: is going to be the best game plan for their 344 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:10,679 Speaker 1: office in the elements and then to close on this 345 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 1: really quickly, How neat is it to Mike and you've 346 00:17:13,320 --> 00:17:15,639 Speaker 1: covered so many you know, sunsets and you've seen so 347 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 1: many seasons now for the Packers. How cool is it 348 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:20,760 Speaker 1: when you get to the point where now we are 349 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,359 Speaker 1: talking about, well, this game, this defense could look different 350 00:17:23,359 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 1: with Rashawn Gary on the field after he wasn't there 351 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 1: last month, a guy that had seven sacks first two 352 00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: seasons was playing thirty of the defensive snaps. Now he 353 00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:34,240 Speaker 1: becomes a core player for Green Bay. It hurts this 354 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:37,159 Speaker 1: defense not having him on the field last month in 355 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:40,160 Speaker 1: that matchup against the Vikings where they could have trouble 356 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 1: getting a Kirk Cousins. Well he's back now. Preston Smith 357 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 1: has six sacks and six games. Again it's Packers Vikings 358 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:50,440 Speaker 1: that the rivalry sells itself. The narratives are right there 359 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 1: to be had, The storylines are all over the place. 360 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:54,760 Speaker 1: But what these two teams are going to bring on 361 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: the field on Sunday night makes it a really compelling matchup. 362 00:17:58,080 --> 00:18:01,960 Speaker 1: To me, well, have a read portions of things aside 363 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 1: looking at the playoff picture, there's there, there are scenarios 364 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:09,480 Speaker 1: that are important to both teams here, starting with Green Bay. 365 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:13,399 Speaker 1: As we touched on on our last episode, if the 366 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 1: Dallas Cowboys lose late Sunday afternoon to the Arizona Cardinals, 367 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 1: the Packers will take the field Sunday night with a 368 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:23,760 Speaker 1: chance to lock up the number one seed and clinch 369 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:26,760 Speaker 1: it with one week left to go. If the Cowboys win, 370 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:30,119 Speaker 1: the Packers need to win to maintain their advantage, because 371 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,359 Speaker 1: if the Cowboys win and the Packers lose, and those 372 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:35,639 Speaker 1: two teams are tied for the best record, the Cowboys 373 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:39,840 Speaker 1: are the ones um with the tiebreaker. From Minnesota's point 374 00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:43,920 Speaker 1: of view, the Vikings are seven and eight. There within 375 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 1: a group of five or six teams that are fighting 376 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:48,960 Speaker 1: for the last two wild card spots, the six and 377 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:53,639 Speaker 1: seven spots in the NFC the scoreboard watching that the 378 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:56,439 Speaker 1: Vikings fans will be doing. Houston is at San Francisco, 379 00:18:56,480 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 1: Philadelphia is at Washington. If the four party Niners and 380 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 1: the Eagles both win, the Vikings are essentially playing for 381 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:08,520 Speaker 1: their season on Sunday night, they would have to beat 382 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:10,960 Speaker 1: the Packers. If the Niners and the Eagles both win, 383 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 1: the Vikings would have to beat the Packers in order 384 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:18,160 Speaker 1: to stay alive in that wild card chase heading into 385 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: Week eighteen. So if San Francisco in Philadelphia win, regardless 386 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:25,920 Speaker 1: of what happens with Dallas, the Packers could be in 387 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:29,960 Speaker 1: a position to end their NFC North Rivals season and 388 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:33,879 Speaker 1: knock them out for good. In so some interesting scenarios 389 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 1: to ponder with the game being at night and everything 390 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:39,480 Speaker 1: else that happens during the day, you know, will lead 391 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,160 Speaker 1: to Okay, what exactly is on the line at seven 392 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:44,080 Speaker 1: twenty when the ball kicks off. Yeah, And as we 393 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 1: talked about earlier this week on on our first show, 394 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:49,720 Speaker 1: the fact that you have Dallas in Arizona, two teams 395 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:52,639 Speaker 1: who are heading in very different directions. Right now, Dallas 396 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:54,200 Speaker 1: is feeling like, you know, it's the king of the 397 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 1: world with with how this that matchup played out against Washington. 398 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:00,720 Speaker 1: Washington which at a time looked like they could potentially 399 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:03,679 Speaker 1: be a kind of an underdog playoff hopeful too, you know, 400 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:06,480 Speaker 1: they're they're basically out of it. And then the other 401 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:08,600 Speaker 1: side of things, you have Arizona that needs to be 402 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 1: able to get some momentum back here if it's really 403 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:13,080 Speaker 1: going to be able to put together a playoff bid. 404 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:16,359 Speaker 1: Green Bay sitting in the driver's seat here at twelve 405 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:18,800 Speaker 1: and three. They're in a good spot because they don't 406 00:20:18,800 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: have to worry about all that. If you do take 407 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:22,720 Speaker 1: care of business in the North, you do get the 408 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 1: first round by you are the number one seed in 409 00:20:25,359 --> 00:20:27,920 Speaker 1: a much different looking playoff scenario than it was a 410 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 1: year ago when fans were just getting reintroduced, especially in 411 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:34,480 Speaker 1: Green Bay, back into stadiums. I think that can be 412 00:20:34,520 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 1: a huge catalyst for them, a huge push for them. 413 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:41,439 Speaker 1: For Minnesota. The thing that I have to imagine Mike 414 00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:44,240 Speaker 1: Zimmer's message is going to be this week is you 415 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:48,320 Speaker 1: guys have actually played in these games. Nobody wants to 416 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:51,600 Speaker 1: see the Minnesota Vikings in January because they know in 417 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:55,119 Speaker 1: any given week they can be anybody in that NFC field. 418 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:58,639 Speaker 1: So yeah, that the stakes are really high. You almost 419 00:20:58,680 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 1: wishing away. You know, this is gonna be the fifth 420 00:21:00,840 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 1: year out of six that they're gonna be playing Detroit 421 00:21:03,119 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: in the finale. Um you almost wonder why the NFL 422 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 1: is just not why they have really haven't tried to 423 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: incorporate the Vikings more into those last week scenarios, because 424 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:16,320 Speaker 1: this this could have been really interesting theater if they'd 425 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:18,479 Speaker 1: just switched things around. But be that as it may, 426 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:20,399 Speaker 1: the Packers just have to take care of business and 427 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:24,040 Speaker 1: the conference is there's. Yeah, one last thought before we go. 428 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:26,680 Speaker 1: I know we don't talk much about the a f 429 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:29,400 Speaker 1: C on on this show and some of those matchups, 430 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:31,879 Speaker 1: but the other show I have to I have to 431 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:34,119 Speaker 1: just get your thoughts on what I think is a 432 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:37,040 Speaker 1: really intriguing a f C match up here on Sunday. 433 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:40,320 Speaker 1: I think believe it's in the early time slot. Kansas 434 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:45,080 Speaker 1: City at Cincinnati Joe Burrow five passing yards last week. 435 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 1: The Bengals will have that offense at home, going against 436 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:51,760 Speaker 1: the Kansas City Chiefs team that has won what is 437 00:21:51,800 --> 00:21:55,119 Speaker 1: it seven or eight in a row. I think whatever 438 00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:58,840 Speaker 1: Their winning streak is a um where the Chiefs have 439 00:21:58,920 --> 00:22:02,840 Speaker 1: gone from actually being below five hundred at three and 440 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:07,320 Speaker 1: four when the Packers visited Arrowhead Stadium to now the 441 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:10,119 Speaker 1: Chiefs are the ones in the driver's seat for the 442 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 1: number one seed in the bye in the a f C. 443 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:15,200 Speaker 1: This is a really interesting uh and a potential playoff 444 00:22:15,240 --> 00:22:17,280 Speaker 1: preview type of game. And getting back to what we 445 00:22:17,280 --> 00:22:19,359 Speaker 1: were talking about before with teams that nobody wants to 446 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:22,320 Speaker 1: face right now, Kansas City is as hot as it comes. Yeah. 447 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:24,800 Speaker 1: The thing is, I don't think anyone was in or 448 00:22:24,840 --> 00:22:28,160 Speaker 1: any disillusions. I mean, you understand how good Patrick Mahomes 449 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:30,359 Speaker 1: is and how much he's going to affect the game. 450 00:22:30,960 --> 00:22:33,280 Speaker 1: But they were going through a rough spot and they 451 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:35,800 Speaker 1: figured it out. It happens to win eight in a row. Now, 452 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:39,160 Speaker 1: to put themselves in this spot is great. And I'll 453 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:42,879 Speaker 1: tell you what Man Between Borrow between what to has 454 00:22:42,960 --> 00:22:46,040 Speaker 1: done in Miami to bring back the Dolphins and actually 455 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:49,359 Speaker 1: give them some playoff hopes. Now that that rookie class 456 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:51,560 Speaker 1: from a year ago, you're seeing the maturation with it, 457 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:53,800 Speaker 1: you know, justin Herbert. They had a bad loss last week, 458 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:56,600 Speaker 1: but I mean certainly appears to be the answer there 459 00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:59,720 Speaker 1: for the Chargers long term. Baltimore, who was right up 460 00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:01,840 Speaker 1: there with everyone, Well, now they've fallen off and now 461 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:04,439 Speaker 1: they're on you know, the outside looking in. That The 462 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:09,080 Speaker 1: real interesting test for for Cincinnati is how much have 463 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:11,400 Speaker 1: they grown from the team that I think everybody thought 464 00:23:11,520 --> 00:23:13,439 Speaker 1: was going to be a real darling this year to 465 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:15,159 Speaker 1: a team that can you go and knock off the 466 00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 1: two time defending you know AFC champion. That's the Ultimate Tests, 467 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:21,720 Speaker 1: and with all due respect to Burrow, I mean this 468 00:23:21,800 --> 00:23:23,800 Speaker 1: is going to be a much different type of defense 469 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:26,159 Speaker 1: than what he saw a week ago. Is feeling a 470 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:28,639 Speaker 1: lot better about itself right now than where the Ravens 471 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:31,359 Speaker 1: are at. Soh yeah, it's I I. We won't be 472 00:23:31,400 --> 00:23:33,320 Speaker 1: able to watch it, but it'll be fun to actually 473 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:36,400 Speaker 1: just see exactly how that thing plays out. Yeah, all right, Well, 474 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:38,760 Speaker 1: with that, we will call it a wrap on this 475 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:41,440 Speaker 1: edition of Packers Unscript and be sure to follow all 476 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:44,360 Speaker 1: of our coverage of the team and everything with Sunday 477 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:47,320 Speaker 1: Nights game. We'll have it all for you on Packers 478 00:23:47,359 --> 00:23:50,280 Speaker 1: dot com. For West, I'm Mike. Thanks for tuning in everybody. 479 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:52,480 Speaker 1: Happy New Year. We'll see you next time.