1 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. 2 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 2: Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 3 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 2: I and Mike Spafford, joined as always by my trusted 4 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 2: colleague Weston Hodkowitz. We're coming to you hear from our 5 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 2: studios at lambeau Field and Wes. It is wildcard playoff 6 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 2: week for the Green Bay Packers. Unfortunately, they are heading 7 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:37,960 Speaker 2: into this wild card weekend coming off of a loss, 8 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 2: a second straight loss. This one, twenty four to twenty 9 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 2: two is the final score at home against the Chicago Bears. 10 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:47,240 Speaker 2: A walk off field goal wins it for the Bears. 11 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:51,040 Speaker 2: No other way to say it other than a disappointing 12 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 2: defeat and a disappointing way for green Bay to be 13 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:56,400 Speaker 2: entering the postseason. 14 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 1: Which fans sometimes ask us about, Hey, you know, these 15 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,200 Speaker 1: guys are getting paid. Hey, you know, there's very little 16 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:02,560 Speaker 1: to play for at the end of the season other 17 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 1: than a seed or two. Go to that Packers' locker 18 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 1: room afterwards. Feel the vibes that we felt in there. 19 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:12,480 Speaker 1: These guys were legitimately disappointed. They wanted to win that 20 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,319 Speaker 1: football game. Yes it was to keep the streak going 21 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 1: against the Chicago Bears. Yes it was to end the 22 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:20,640 Speaker 1: Bears seasons with eleven straight losses. Yes, it was to 23 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:22,839 Speaker 1: potentially make a run at that sixth seed, but let's 24 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 1: be honest, Michael, it's the competition of these guys, the 25 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: drive that these guys have. They wanted to go into 26 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:32,760 Speaker 1: the playoffs with that feeling of victory, with that momentum 27 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 1: on their side. As Jordan Love said afterwards, they don't 28 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: have that now. But who cares? The big key to 29 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:41,120 Speaker 1: this game? For me, the part that was the hardest 30 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 1: for me to leave the building with on Sunday night 31 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:46,399 Speaker 1: was the fact that you did lose Christian Watson. It 32 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,480 Speaker 1: was a fact that Jordan Love did get nicked up. 33 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 1: You don't want to see anyone get injured at any time, 34 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: but obviously a regular season finale with very little on 35 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 1: the line that always hurts the most, and unfortunately for 36 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 1: Christian toughed it out. He went out there. Romeo Dobbs 37 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 1: catches a bug, Christian tries to go out there and 38 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 1: then ultimately ends up with the with the acl tear. 39 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:10,639 Speaker 1: That being said, the Packers have to march on. They 40 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:13,839 Speaker 1: have to continue this trek through the postseason and try 41 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: to learn from what they can from that lost to Chicago. 42 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, Unfortunately, it's been some bad news on the health 43 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 2: front a couple weeks in a row now here for 44 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:23,640 Speaker 2: the Packers. A week ago we find out that JayR 45 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:27,640 Speaker 2: Alexander would not be coming back for the postseason, and 46 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 2: now Christian Watson suffers an ACL tear that obviously will 47 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 2: put the beginning of the twenty twenty five season and 48 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 2: possibly a good portion of the twenty twenty five season 49 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 2: in jeopardy for him. You mentioned Romeo Dobbs had come 50 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 2: down with an illness. It sounds like he is doing 51 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 2: better here as as the Packers begin their preparations for Philadelphia. 52 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 2: Jordan Love banged his elbow on the ground. Sounded like 53 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 2: kind of a funny bone nerve type of issue. He 54 00:02:56,240 --> 00:03:00,160 Speaker 2: left the game. Sounded like if it was absolutely necessar there, 55 00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:03,680 Speaker 2: he could have gone back in. The Packers played the 56 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 2: high side of caution there and kept Love out, although 57 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 2: he was getting ready to go in because late in 58 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 2: the game, Malik Willis ended up kind of banging his thumb. 59 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 2: I believe it was on the long pass to Malik 60 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:19,799 Speaker 2: Heath down the field that set up the touchdown in 61 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 2: the fourth quarter. So there was some question as to 62 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 2: whether Willis was going to be able to finish the game. 63 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:27,959 Speaker 2: It sounds like both of those guys are going to 64 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 2: be okay with regard to those injuries and getting ready 65 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 2: for the game in Philadelphia. But as Matt Lafuer said, 66 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 2: it's also can't necessarily guarantee anything that the reps won't 67 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 2: be limited in some respect. You know, It's one of 68 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 2: those wait and see things until Wednesday's practice. Elsewhere, on 69 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 2: the health front, safety Zane Anderson as of now, still 70 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:54,920 Speaker 2: remains in the concussion protocol, Linebacker Kuway Walker safety Evan Williams, 71 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 2: both of whom have missed some time with injuries. Those 72 00:03:57,440 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 2: guys have not yet returned to practice. There is some 73 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 2: optimism that they might be available for the wild card 74 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 2: game in Philadelphia, but again Matt LeFleur was saying, it's 75 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 2: it's wait and see as far as Wednesday's practice, Thursday's practice. 76 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 2: Can they get back out there? How do they look? 77 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 2: Hopefully come Wednesday Thursday, when the team is back on 78 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,559 Speaker 2: the practice field, maybe there'll finally be some good news 79 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 2: in the health department coming Green Bay's way. 80 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: I tip my cap to katan Oladappo. He ended up 81 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:29,120 Speaker 1: playing his most extensive playing time against Chicago didn't technically start. 82 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 1: Chavon Bullard started, but then Bullard went back down into 83 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 1: the slot of the sub packages, and that's where Aladappo entered, 84 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 1: a guy that spent most of the off season program 85 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:41,599 Speaker 1: in a boot on a cart because he was coming 86 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: off that broken toad. I think he suffered at the 87 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:46,880 Speaker 1: NFL scouting combine. So because of that, Zavier McKinney is 88 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:49,719 Speaker 1: now lined up next to everybody on the active roster 89 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 1: at the safety position. But I think you and I 90 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 1: both know Mike and obviously there's the Russ factor. But 91 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:57,919 Speaker 1: with what the Packers have to work with, the end 92 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 1: of last week we found out that jyr alexand not 93 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:02,359 Speaker 1: going to probably be back this season. He went on 94 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 1: injured reserve. I think you and I pretty much can 95 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:07,839 Speaker 1: stand in agreement at this point in time. When you 96 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:10,920 Speaker 1: look at a Nickel subpackage, the Packers preferred lineup now 97 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 1: would be Evan Williams on the back end with Xavier McKinney. 98 00:05:14,839 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 1: Kyshawn Nixon tip your cap to him has basically become 99 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:22,320 Speaker 1: CB number one now. Carrington Valentine has stepped up on 100 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:24,560 Speaker 1: the other perimeter spot and it's Javon Bullard ben in 101 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 1: the nickel, which was where Keyshawn started the season. You 102 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 1: wrote about it last week. We'll wait and see if 103 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 1: they can actually get that group together. But defensively, it 104 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:36,839 Speaker 1: appears that Green Bay is getting closer to having that 105 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:39,360 Speaker 1: full unit together. And the thing that was the most 106 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:41,680 Speaker 1: funny to me. As disappointing as this loss was, and 107 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 1: obviously they wanted to win it, but you do have 108 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,240 Speaker 1: to consider Jordan Love didn't re enter the game. Josh 109 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: Jacobs had six or seven carries, six carries, Gorda's ninth touchdown. 110 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 1: It was it eight games or nine touchdowns in a row. 111 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 2: Eight eight games in a row with a rushing touchdown, 112 00:05:55,279 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 2: new franchise record, surpassing Paul Hornings streak of seven back 113 00:05:59,040 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 2: in nineteen sixty. 114 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: Thank you for using words for me. You did that 115 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 1: very well. It's okay he leaves the game. They still 116 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 1: run the ball pretty well, but they were making some 117 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:10,200 Speaker 1: business decisions there in the second half. Still, you want 118 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 1: to win, you want to be able to get through 119 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 1: this thing. I just feel like for the green Bay 120 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 1: finishing fifth and total offense fifth and total defense sixth 121 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:24,279 Speaker 1: in scoring defense, Like there's so much good that is 122 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 1: still with this team. I know it sucks to be 123 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:29,159 Speaker 1: on a two game losing streak entering the playoffs, but 124 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 1: like you and I both did our Insider Inbox column, 125 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 1: then man a life like people are acting like the 126 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:35,840 Speaker 1: sky is falling. Like I'm not saying this was a 127 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 1: preseason game by any means. The Packers, up until the 128 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 1: last thirty seconds of that game between Washington and Dallas, 129 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,159 Speaker 1: still had a lot to play for with the sixth seed. 130 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,039 Speaker 1: But you know, the comment I made an Insider Inbox 131 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: on Thursday was the Packers shocked the football world last year? 132 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: Why can't they do it again? You and I will 133 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 1: get into previewing Philadelphia in a little bit, But for 134 00:06:54,920 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 1: Green Bay, what I felt in that locker room, what 135 00:06:57,560 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: I heard from Xavier mckinne, and it sounds like McKinney 136 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,800 Speaker 1: and Rashaun Gary both had some pretty strong words afterwards 137 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:05,360 Speaker 1: trying to kind of rally the troops a little bit 138 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 1: going into the playoffs. I feel like this team has 139 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 1: leadership where it needs it, it has experience where it's needed, 140 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 1: and it still has a lot of youth. And I 141 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 1: think sometimes like last year, as much as they wrote 142 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 1: a hot streak in I also think when they got 143 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:19,720 Speaker 1: to Dallas it was not even knowing what they were 144 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 1: supposed to know. Yet they played free. They played like 145 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 1: they were, you know, had a poker chip that just 146 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:28,080 Speaker 1: allowed them to sit down at any table. Yeah, and 147 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 1: we'll see again now if they can do that against 148 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 1: the Eagles. 149 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 2: Yeah. I was kind of fired up when I heard 150 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 2: about the kind of the postgame locker room, seeing where 151 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 2: some of these team leaders like Xavier McKinney and Rashaun 152 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 2: Gary had some words for their teammates. And what I 153 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 2: kind of walked away after Sunday night thinking is I 154 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 2: don't know if I don't know if those a if 155 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:53,800 Speaker 2: those words are even said, but b if those words 156 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 2: even carry a whole lot of weight if the Packers 157 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 2: somehow had won the game. 158 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 1: They don't, And McKinnie said that, yeah. 159 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 2: And and the so in a lot of ways, I mean, 160 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: and I don't want to perseverate on the loss. I mean, 161 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 2: Matt Lafleur took the blame for using the time out 162 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:10,960 Speaker 2: when the Packers kicked the go ahead field goal, and 163 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 2: the clock management there wasn't where it needed to be, 164 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 2: and the defensive call on the Bear's last play before 165 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 2: the walk off field goal. 166 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 1: The Packers botched it. 167 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 2: They they botched it in multiple ways, and they and 168 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 2: they came away with a loss. I don't know if 169 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 2: that was necessarily the worst thing in the world, because 170 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 2: it was a game they didn't play well, they didn't 171 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 2: really deserve to win regardless, and maybe the message from 172 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,840 Speaker 2: guys like Gary and McKinney in the locker room afterward, 173 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 2: maybe it, you know, it carries more and has more 174 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:49,960 Speaker 2: impact because of because of the loss. Call it a 175 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 2: wake up call if you want to, I don't know 176 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 2: whatever phrase you want to use. But the Packers of 177 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:59,439 Speaker 2: you know, they were in a good spot. I thought, 178 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 2: you know, the win on Thanksgiving night over Miami, followed 179 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:08,760 Speaker 2: by a really hard, fought, tough, you know, down to 180 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,280 Speaker 2: the wire loss to the Detroit Lions, the best team 181 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:13,559 Speaker 2: in the NFC, on the road on a Thursday night 182 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:16,600 Speaker 2: with you know, a crazy Detroit crowd. Then you go 183 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 2: on the road to Seattle, the team playing for everything, 184 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:21,679 Speaker 2: trying to win a division title and get into the playoffs, 185 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:25,080 Speaker 2: and the Packers quite frankly dominate the game, other than 186 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 2: a couple of mistakes that got Seattle back into it, 187 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:29,400 Speaker 2: but the Packers finish it off and get the win. 188 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 2: I thought the Packers were headed for that strong finish 189 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 2: to the regular season. The New Orleans game, you know, 190 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 2: thirty four or nothing. What can you do? The Saints 191 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:41,720 Speaker 2: weren't even like a real team that night. But then 192 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:44,960 Speaker 2: these last two games against the two division opponents, Minnesota 193 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 2: and Chicago, the Packers didn't play well. And I even 194 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:53,520 Speaker 2: questioned whether the comeback against Minnesota in the last nine 195 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 2: minutes of the fourth quarter if that might have actually 196 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:59,240 Speaker 2: in some ways done more harm than good, because the 197 00:09:59,240 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 2: Packers came very close to pulling out a miracle comeback 198 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 2: against Minnesota. But then it becomes too easy to forget 199 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:07,320 Speaker 2: that for fifty out of the sixty minutes, you didn't 200 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:10,120 Speaker 2: play well against a team that against one of your 201 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 2: biggest division rivals and a team that you're trying to beat, 202 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:15,080 Speaker 2: and a game that was really important as a playoff 203 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 2: tune up. So all of that big picture says that 204 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 2: the Packers have a lot to flush and to move 205 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:28,000 Speaker 2: on and to just say hey, all right, let's you know, 206 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 2: it's it's go time now. And the way they have 207 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 2: played the last couple of weeks is not going to 208 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:37,480 Speaker 2: cut it. And the fact that they lost to a 209 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:39,960 Speaker 2: team that had lost ten in a row, that had 210 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:43,080 Speaker 2: lost eleven in a row in the Packers Bears All 211 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:50,680 Speaker 2: Time series was you know, maybe the final straw to say, 212 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 2: this isn't this isn't going to get it done, This 213 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:55,679 Speaker 2: isn't going to cut it in the postseason, and now 214 00:10:55,679 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 2: it's time to get ready for a darn good Philadelphia team. 215 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and I love what Matt Lafleur's message was when 216 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: you know he's looking and reflecting on this loss. I mean, 217 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 1: is it is March Madness time, like anything can happen. 218 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 1: There's fourteen teams that have a shot at this thing. Yes, 219 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 1: Detroit has a little bit of advantage there. You know, 220 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 1: Kansas City has an obvious advantage there having the buys, 221 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: But overall, anybody can take a crack at this thing. 222 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:23,240 Speaker 1: Green Bay proved it last year becoming the first number 223 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:25,880 Speaker 1: seven to beat in number two. And we're leading the 224 00:11:25,960 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 1: number one seed well into the fourth quarter at San 225 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 1: Francisco with a chance to get to the NFC Title Game. 226 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 1: And I go back to last year. Green Bay finished 227 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:36,200 Speaker 1: this regular season eleven and six. Do you know who 228 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,319 Speaker 1: was eleven and six last year, entering the playoffs, the 229 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:41,439 Speaker 1: eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas Kansas 230 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 1: City Chiefs team that went four and four after its 231 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:46,360 Speaker 1: bye week. I understand they won back to back going 232 00:11:46,400 --> 00:11:48,360 Speaker 1: into the playoffs, but they lost to Green Bay. They 233 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 1: lost to the Las Vegas Raiders. It isn't always about 234 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: heyn how many games in a row can you win 235 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:56,959 Speaker 1: before you make a run. I'll be honest with you too. 236 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 1: I think as much as the Minnesota Vikings would have 237 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:01,199 Speaker 1: loved to have had that number one seed, in love 238 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:03,959 Speaker 1: to have won the North, if they enter the playoffs 239 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 1: on a ten game winning streak or whatever, that's a 240 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 1: tough thing to keep winning that entire time. It's like, 241 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:11,280 Speaker 1: what kind of lessons can you learn to be able 242 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 1: to better you and put you in the best situation possible. 243 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: Entering the new season, Green Bay has had in back 244 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 1: to back weeks a real look in the mirror moment. 245 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:23,400 Speaker 1: Minnesota didn't do enough to get the job done. You 246 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 1: lost on their field, yep, last week against Chicago. Yes, 247 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:29,440 Speaker 1: you're missing some guys, Yes, some guys were down shifting 248 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 1: a little bit. You still did not like the way 249 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:33,679 Speaker 1: you played well, what are you going to do about it? 250 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:37,320 Speaker 1: This is your shot. As I put an insider inbox, 251 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:41,319 Speaker 1: the lessons are over, the classes are done, You've gone 252 00:12:41,320 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 1: through the entire course at this point, this is the 253 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 1: final test. Can you pass it? Can you take everything 254 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:50,120 Speaker 1: you've learned in these first eighteen weeks of the regular 255 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 1: season and now channel that towards a championship? And that's 256 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:55,439 Speaker 1: what Green Bay is going to find out on Sunday 257 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 1: afternoon in Philadelphia. 258 00:12:57,080 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, I want to get to talking about the 259 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:01,719 Speaker 2: Eagles here in just a minute, but I'll take care 260 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 2: of some sponsor business first. Serious XM NFL Radio delivers 261 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 2: hard hitting analysis and up to the minute NFL news 262 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 2: that true football fanatics need twenty four to seven, three 263 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 2: sixty five. And at Cousin Subs, we have something for 264 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 2: everyone like our Wisconsin cheese curds, mac and cheese, golden fries, 265 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 2: and creamy shakes, all paired with your favorite sub or 266 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 2: sub and a bowl Cousin Subs fifty plus years of better. 267 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:29,200 Speaker 2: All right. The Philadelphia Eagles Saquon Barkley two thousand and 268 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 2: five rushing yards sat out Week eighteen to rest up 269 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:35,360 Speaker 2: for the playoffs rather than go for the one hundred 270 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:38,000 Speaker 2: and one yards he would have needed to break Eric 271 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:42,440 Speaker 2: Dickerson's single season rushing record in the NFL. I totally 272 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:47,079 Speaker 2: understand what the Eagles and coach Siriani and Barkley did there. 273 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:52,560 Speaker 2: But Barkley's had a season for the ages. We'll see 274 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 2: how things go with regard to Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. 275 00:13:56,000 --> 00:14:01,440 Speaker 2: He's been in the concussion protocol. The expectation, I think 276 00:14:01,559 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 2: is that he will be cleared in time to play 277 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 2: in this game, but nothing official has been announced in 278 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:12,040 Speaker 2: that regard yet. That offense, which also includes obviously receivers 279 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:14,680 Speaker 2: like AJ Brown DeVante Smith, is backed up by a 280 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 2: defense that finished first in the league in yards allowed 281 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 2: and second in the league in points allowed. This is 282 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 2: a complete football team. They can run it, they can 283 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 2: throw it, they can shut you down on defense. This 284 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:35,160 Speaker 2: is a this is a huge test and and this 285 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 2: is an Eagles team quite frankly, other than a guy 286 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:40,160 Speaker 2: like Barkley who was the you know, the free agent 287 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:44,280 Speaker 2: signing and whatnot, but this is an Eagles team that 288 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 2: that ended its last season on an absolutely terrible note. 289 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:52,480 Speaker 2: They were in great position, went into a huge slump 290 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 2: at the end of the season, they were one and 291 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 2: done in the playoffs. They're back where they believe they 292 00:14:57,120 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 2: should have been last year, and and they're just fine 293 00:15:00,680 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 2: with all the attention being on Minnesota and Detroit and 294 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:06,120 Speaker 2: everything that was going on there for the number one seed. 295 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 2: The Eagles are. The Eagles are waiting to make their run. 296 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: I mean, I have so much respect for Howie Roseman, 297 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:14,560 Speaker 1: the way he's built this thing up, just starting on 298 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 1: the offensive side of the thing. The only thing they 299 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:19,200 Speaker 1: were missing was the running back, and they found him 300 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:21,960 Speaker 1: and to be able to take him from a division rival, 301 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 1: not only did you improve your rushing offense and just 302 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:30,520 Speaker 1: an incredible fashion, you robbed the New York Giants of 303 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 1: really any semblance of hope this season in what do 304 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:35,000 Speaker 1: you do? You put him behind one of the best 305 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 1: offensive lines in football? I mean, how many teams Mike 306 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 1: could lose? Jason Kelsey and Cam Jurgens ends up going 307 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 1: in at center has a Pro Bowl season, right. Makai Beckton, 308 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:48,680 Speaker 1: who we watched him in the practices here with the 309 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,160 Speaker 1: Jets a number of years ago, did not work out 310 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 1: for him. First round pick as a tackle in New 311 00:15:54,240 --> 00:15:58,160 Speaker 1: York doesn't come together. He goes to Philadelphia. He's been 312 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:01,200 Speaker 1: their starting right guard all year. Lane Johnson's been doing 313 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 1: this longer than anybody. Jordan Malata, I mean, like so 314 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 1: many Landon Dickerson, you have this ready made offensive line 315 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 1: and you pair one of the best running backs of 316 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 1: his generation behind it. They do so many things well. 317 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: Devonte Smith, I mean, aj Brown was the steal of 318 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 1: the century a number of years ago for them. Dallas 319 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 1: Goddard now is back that. They are just so complete 320 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 1: offensively and defensively, you can't say enough. I mean, Jalen 321 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:30,320 Speaker 1: Carter's one of the most exciting interior defensive tackles in 322 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:33,240 Speaker 1: the league. Everybody knows what Quinnon Mitchell has done this year. 323 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:37,960 Speaker 1: Cooper dejen that Zach Brawn signs there on a modest 324 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:41,400 Speaker 1: contract ends up having a Pro Bowl season. The dangers 325 00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 1: are everywhere with this Philadelphia Eagles team. Now that being said, 326 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: I actually think green Bay does match up okay with them. 327 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 1: Green Bay's rushing offense is at strength. The one area 328 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:55,080 Speaker 1: where Philadelphia isn't completely dominant is it's rushing defense. I 329 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:57,840 Speaker 1: think they're a very respectable tenth. They have the number 330 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:00,240 Speaker 1: one rank pass defense in the National Football League. Which 331 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 1: started with the performance that they put together against Jordan 332 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:07,520 Speaker 1: Love in this offense in Brazil. Yeah. So as Vic Fang, 333 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: you I thought, really proved this season. Whatever the narrative 334 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:13,160 Speaker 1: was coming out of Miami last year, this guy still 335 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: very much has it him Dom Caper's. The principles that 336 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:20,240 Speaker 1: they put together were their defense. This thing has been 337 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: as ready made to be able to be as functional 338 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 1: and as adaptable as any scheme that we've seen in 339 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 1: the last thirty thirty five years, and really that was 340 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:31,000 Speaker 1: the missing piece for Philadelphia this season. 341 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:34,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's interesting to statistically because of that. When you 342 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:38,320 Speaker 2: look at that number one ranking in fewest yards allowed, 343 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:43,000 Speaker 2: the Eagles allowed more than five hundred fewer yards than 344 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 2: anybody else. 345 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:44,359 Speaker 1: In the league. 346 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:48,680 Speaker 2: It's astounding to see the difference in the total yardage 347 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:51,840 Speaker 2: between the top ranked defense in the league and number two, 348 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:53,919 Speaker 2: which happened to be Tennessee this year. And then when 349 00:17:53,960 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 2: you look at the points allowed, only one team in 350 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:59,160 Speaker 2: the league allowed fewer points and that was the LA Chargers. 351 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:02,479 Speaker 2: They allowed only two fewer points than the Eaglesbugles at 352 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:05,480 Speaker 2: three to zho three the Chargers at three oh one. 353 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:09,119 Speaker 2: Here's the question I want to throw at you. You 354 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 2: mentioned Week one in Brazil. It feels like a lifetime ago, 355 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:17,439 Speaker 2: and in NFL terms, in a lot of ways, it 356 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 2: is a lifetime again because because teams are so different 357 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:24,760 Speaker 2: in January than they are in September. Is there anything 358 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:30,120 Speaker 2: big picture, little picture that you think the Packers take 359 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:37,400 Speaker 2: out of that game that becomes applicable to Sunday at 360 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 2: Lincoln financially finish drives. 361 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 1: That was they got off to a fast start, they 362 00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 1: didn't finish dry right in Philadelphia, and then obviously had 363 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:47,520 Speaker 1: a couple of things go against them, and then certainly 364 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 1: the last play of the game with Jordan Love getting 365 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:51,360 Speaker 1: injured sort of set the tone for the first half 366 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:55,199 Speaker 1: of the season. But so many times, Michael and you 367 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:57,560 Speaker 1: heard Zavier McKinney talk about it afterwards, I think everybody 368 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:00,720 Speaker 1: pretty much touched on it. This game is about situational 369 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:03,360 Speaker 1: aspects and how do you perform in the red zone, 370 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:05,440 Speaker 1: how do you perform on third downs? We're seeing more 371 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:07,680 Speaker 1: and more how you handle fourth downs in the National 372 00:19:07,680 --> 00:19:10,920 Speaker 1: Football League is becoming critical, and Green Bay in that 373 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:13,640 Speaker 1: game did not do a good enough job on once 374 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:16,440 Speaker 1: it punched the ball inside the twenty. It's the hardest 375 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 1: area of the field to score in, but you gotta 376 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:20,399 Speaker 1: find ways to get six or seven points out of it. 377 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 1: And I feel like green Bay playing on that surface, 378 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: having to go down there make the travel that they did. 379 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:30,959 Speaker 1: Both teams had to do it, but that is a 380 00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:33,880 Speaker 1: very difficult way to start a season. But I thought 381 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 1: at the same time, it taught them some very important 382 00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:38,720 Speaker 1: lessons that sort of carried through the games where green 383 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: Bay has been dominant this year. The games in which 384 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 1: they've been successful is when they are limiting the penalties. 385 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:45,639 Speaker 1: It's when they are getting off to fast starts, it's 386 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:49,439 Speaker 1: when they are converting on those those third down situations 387 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:52,400 Speaker 1: and red zone opportunities. All those things have to happen 388 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:55,240 Speaker 1: against Philadelphia because if you don't, I mean this offense, 389 00:19:55,280 --> 00:19:57,040 Speaker 1: the way that they're structured, they are going to put 390 00:19:57,080 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 1: up points. How do you counter that. 391 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:04,040 Speaker 2: Said about the red zone, I think speaks volumes for 392 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:08,160 Speaker 2: how these big time, important games unfold. Just look at 393 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 2: that regular season finale Sunday Night Football between the Lions 394 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:13,639 Speaker 2: and the Vikings playing for the number one seed in 395 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:16,080 Speaker 2: the NFC and a first round by yep, the loser 396 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:18,040 Speaker 2: is going to drop all the way to the five seed, 397 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 2: the Vikings, I believe it has had eleven goal to 398 00:20:21,680 --> 00:20:25,199 Speaker 2: go plays, eleven goal to go plays and did not 399 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:29,440 Speaker 2: get a touchdown in that game. That's astounding. And yes, 400 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:32,040 Speaker 2: the final score is thirty one to nine, and it 401 00:20:32,080 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 2: goes in the books as a blowout for the Detroit Lions, 402 00:20:35,440 --> 00:20:40,040 Speaker 2: but the Vikings had ample opportunity to be right there 403 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:42,879 Speaker 2: and even take the lead at certain times in that game. 404 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:46,880 Speaker 2: But when you can't finish drives, especially against good teams, 405 00:20:46,920 --> 00:20:51,120 Speaker 2: it becomes very difficult to make up for those opportunities, right. 406 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:53,320 Speaker 1: So, and the other thing. 407 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:56,920 Speaker 2: That I take from the week one game back in Brazil, 408 00:20:57,080 --> 00:20:59,080 Speaker 2: and this sort of goes without saying, of course, when 409 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:01,320 Speaker 2: it comes to a playoff game and it's the best 410 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:03,840 Speaker 2: of the best you know for the season going head 411 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:08,600 Speaker 2: to head, But what happened in Brazil speaks to how 412 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:11,879 Speaker 2: facing teams like this, it is always going to be 413 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:14,840 Speaker 2: a four quarter game. Because when I think back to 414 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:18,280 Speaker 2: we're watching that game at Arena Corinthians, we had talked 415 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:21,639 Speaker 2: all week long about, Okay, the Packers need to contain 416 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:24,359 Speaker 2: Saquon Barkley in this debut that he's making for the 417 00:21:24,400 --> 00:21:28,760 Speaker 2: Philadelphia Eagles, and we had seen a couple years prior 418 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:33,600 Speaker 2: how Jalen Hurts and you know, as a running threat 419 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:36,359 Speaker 2: at quarterback can hurt the Packers with his legs and 420 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:40,120 Speaker 2: you need to contain the quarterback and whatever. And quite frankly, 421 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:42,960 Speaker 2: for three quarters in Brazil, the Packers did a pretty 422 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 2: good job on Saquon Barkley, and they did a pretty 423 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:48,879 Speaker 2: good job not letting Jalen Hurts beat them with his legs. 424 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 2: But then look at what happened in the fourth quarter. 425 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:55,439 Speaker 2: Barkley got out, Hurts got out the long whatever was 426 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 2: seventeen eighteen play drive when it's a two point game, 427 00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:02,399 Speaker 2: but they put together a seventeen eighteen play drive that 428 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 2: kills like the back half of the fourth quarter and 429 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 2: left the Packers without a realistic chance. Yeah, playing the 430 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:15,200 Speaker 2: playing a full four quarters is what it's going to take. 431 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:18,440 Speaker 2: And that was shown to Green Bay against this team 432 00:22:19,040 --> 00:22:20,560 Speaker 2: right away in Week one. 433 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 1: One hundred percent. And it was funny to me too 434 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:25,240 Speaker 1: because the Saquon game, remember telling you this, It almost 435 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:28,040 Speaker 1: was we were watching the Giants game all over again 436 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:31,359 Speaker 1: from December of twenty three, where it was they took 437 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:34,159 Speaker 1: a really good job against Saquon and then he started 438 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:37,119 Speaker 1: breaking them down. But it's not just about, Okay, how 439 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:40,360 Speaker 1: the Packers are defending him. That's what Saquon does. He 440 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:43,080 Speaker 1: will hit you with jabs until he finally finds that 441 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:45,640 Speaker 1: opening to hit you with the knockout blow, to get 442 00:22:45,680 --> 00:22:47,800 Speaker 1: you right across and hit you with that shot that 443 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:50,760 Speaker 1: you don't see coming. That's what Green Bay has to 444 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:52,879 Speaker 1: curb against in this thing. And you're not asking me 445 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:55,080 Speaker 1: for keys the victory right now. But the Packers, somehow, 446 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:57,400 Speaker 1: some way have to be the better running football team. 447 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:00,000 Speaker 1: They have to be better in the trenches than Philadelphia 448 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:05,560 Speaker 1: because Jalen hurts. You know, hopefully everything's good with him physically, psychologically, 449 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:07,640 Speaker 1: everything that comes along with having a concussion and missing 450 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:10,000 Speaker 1: as much time as he did. But that being said, 451 00:23:10,040 --> 00:23:11,760 Speaker 1: he's been on the ice here for a little bit. 452 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:13,879 Speaker 1: He's been on the sideline a little bit. You wouldn't 453 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:17,959 Speaker 1: anticipate he's gonna come back and be his prime peak self. 454 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 1: You don't want to give him the rushing attack that 455 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 1: allows him to get comfortable in those ways. Saquon Barkley 456 00:23:25,359 --> 00:23:27,639 Speaker 1: has been a very difficult puzzle for the National Football 457 00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:30,359 Speaker 1: League to solve this but this season. But if the 458 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 1: Packers are to continue playing if they are going to 459 00:23:33,040 --> 00:23:36,239 Speaker 1: find their way in Detroit for the divisional round, that 460 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:38,720 Speaker 1: is the number one thing on the checklist that must 461 00:23:38,720 --> 00:23:39,399 Speaker 1: be taken care of. 462 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:41,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, this is what I think is so interesting about 463 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:44,200 Speaker 2: this matchup, And we'll be talking about it throughout the week. 464 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:47,439 Speaker 2: We'll have stuff on the website and whatnot. But this 465 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:51,680 Speaker 2: running back matchup Saquon Barkley Josh Jacobs. Barkley obviously the 466 00:23:51,800 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 2: NFL's leading rusher. I didn't see exactly where Jacob's the. 467 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:57,800 Speaker 1: End of finishing fifth. Was it fit because of how 468 00:23:57,800 --> 00:23:59,920 Speaker 1: many guys ended up playing and how he. 469 00:24:00,480 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 2: Right exactly, And that was the whole thing going into 470 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:06,200 Speaker 2: the final game. You know, Jacobs maybe had a chance 471 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:08,359 Speaker 2: to climb as high as third, but we knew he 472 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:11,000 Speaker 2: wasn't necessarily going to play the whole game against the Bears. 473 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:14,040 Speaker 1: Michael I apologize. Jonathan Taylor also got up there. So 474 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:18,000 Speaker 1: it was Barkley, Henry b John Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, Jamier Gibbs, 475 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:18,480 Speaker 1: and then. 476 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:21,520 Speaker 2: Oh so so Gibbs ended up jumping. Well, yeah, Gibbs 477 00:24:21,560 --> 00:24:22,160 Speaker 2: had the big. 478 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:24,800 Speaker 1: Gibbs got to fourteen hundred yards this year. Yeah, fourteen 479 00:24:24,840 --> 00:24:25,439 Speaker 1: hundred and twelve. 480 00:24:25,560 --> 00:24:28,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, so Gibbs ended up jumping ahead of Jacobs as well. 481 00:24:29,080 --> 00:24:31,840 Speaker 2: But you're talking about two of the premier backs in 482 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:35,200 Speaker 2: this league kind of in a head to head thing. 483 00:24:35,240 --> 00:24:37,480 Speaker 2: But here's what's really interesting to me about it, Wes. 484 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:41,760 Speaker 2: The Packers have become the twenty twenty four Green Bay 485 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:44,840 Speaker 2: Packers have very much become a run the ball, stop 486 00:24:44,920 --> 00:24:49,640 Speaker 2: the run football. Yes, this is the best rushing offense 487 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:51,679 Speaker 2: the Packers have had in over twenty years. You have 488 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 2: to go back to two thousand and three when a 489 00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:56,560 Speaker 2: mon Green had the eighteen hundred plus yards for the 490 00:24:56,640 --> 00:24:59,200 Speaker 2: last time the Packers had a rushing offense this good. 491 00:25:00,160 --> 00:25:03,680 Speaker 2: And when is the last time we talked about Probably 492 00:25:03,680 --> 00:25:06,400 Speaker 2: you go back to two thousand and nine, Dom Caper's 493 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:09,520 Speaker 2: first season here, twenty nine and ten, those first two 494 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:12,240 Speaker 2: years when the Packers were very much a stop the 495 00:25:12,320 --> 00:25:15,879 Speaker 2: run defense, and there have been a lot of a 496 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:19,359 Speaker 2: lot of troubles in that area since then. This is 497 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:22,360 Speaker 2: the first time I can remember in my time here, 498 00:25:22,359 --> 00:25:24,959 Speaker 2: and this is my nineteenth season with Packers dot Com 499 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:28,360 Speaker 2: where we're talking about the Packers going into the postseason 500 00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:32,040 Speaker 2: as a run the ball, stop the run ball team. 501 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:35,359 Speaker 2: I think the Packers have done an exemplary job against 502 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:37,879 Speaker 2: the run in the back half of the season. You 503 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:40,520 Speaker 2: look at the running backs that they have shut down. 504 00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:43,280 Speaker 2: Really the only what I would consider the only poor 505 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:46,040 Speaker 2: performance against the run in the back half of the 506 00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:49,160 Speaker 2: season was maybe that first game in Chicago when when 507 00:25:49,960 --> 00:25:53,560 Speaker 2: the combination of Swift and Williams and that kind of, 508 00:25:53,680 --> 00:25:57,240 Speaker 2: you know, jolted the Packers run defense into shape in 509 00:25:57,280 --> 00:25:59,520 Speaker 2: a lot of ways. Because since then, I think they've 510 00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:02,160 Speaker 2: done a really good job and we've seen the consistency 511 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:05,359 Speaker 2: with the rushing offense, obviously led by Jacobs, but the 512 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,600 Speaker 2: Packers ran the ball pretty darn well without Jacobs in 513 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:13,360 Speaker 2: this last game with Chris Brooks and Emmanuel Wilson. It's 514 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:17,480 Speaker 2: a this is a different type of Green Bay football 515 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:19,679 Speaker 2: team that is entering the playoffs here, and it's just 516 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 2: interesting to me that they are a run the ball, 517 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:25,840 Speaker 2: stop the run team in a playoff matchup where the 518 00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:29,920 Speaker 2: other team has the number one running back in the league. 519 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:32,880 Speaker 2: It's sort of like you can't make it up, right. 520 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:35,439 Speaker 2: There's there's a little bit of a little bit of 521 00:26:35,440 --> 00:26:37,959 Speaker 2: Hollywood to this in a sense, and I think it 522 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:41,679 Speaker 2: makes for a great matchup Sunday afternoon early evening in Philly. 523 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:44,159 Speaker 1: The biggest about face that the Green Bay Packers have 524 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:47,160 Speaker 1: made in year Oneerner Jeff Halfley, is their run defense. 525 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:50,240 Speaker 1: And it's not just about Okay, they finished fifth or 526 00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 1: whatever it was or seventh. Actually it's the fact that 527 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:55,920 Speaker 1: they've finished third in yards per carry aloud. Yeah, it's 528 00:26:55,920 --> 00:26:59,639 Speaker 1: the first time I believe since twenty oh nine that 529 00:26:59,680 --> 00:27:03,440 Speaker 1: they fish under allowing four yards per carry three point 530 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:06,000 Speaker 1: nine to six. They're best in the National Football League. 531 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:08,960 Speaker 1: In Michael, the amount of buy in that is involved 532 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:13,040 Speaker 1: with that, getting guys like Kenny Clark, Rashawn Gary, who 533 00:27:13,119 --> 00:27:15,919 Speaker 1: I think everybody agrees had his bettest run stopping season 534 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:19,800 Speaker 1: in his career. No question, everybody wants to rush the passer. 535 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:22,000 Speaker 1: Everybody wants to get sacks, and the Packers got plenty 536 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:24,639 Speaker 1: of those this season, But like Philadelphia, they did it 537 00:27:24,640 --> 00:27:27,520 Speaker 1: as sort of an a la carte, everybody contributing to it. 538 00:27:27,560 --> 00:27:31,320 Speaker 1: Philadelphia's leading sackers, Josh Swat, I think he had eight 539 00:27:31,359 --> 00:27:33,760 Speaker 1: sacks this season. Packers it was seven and a half 540 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 1: with Rashawn Yeah, but they understood the bigger picture. That's 541 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:38,840 Speaker 1: how you get to be a top ten defense. That's 542 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:40,720 Speaker 1: how you get to be a top five defense, which 543 00:27:40,760 --> 00:27:43,320 Speaker 1: Green Bay did. They were a few yards away from 544 00:27:43,320 --> 00:27:46,679 Speaker 1: being a top three defense this season. So you need 545 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:48,199 Speaker 1: to take what you've done well and you need to 546 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:50,359 Speaker 1: build off of that. And I think being able to 547 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:53,040 Speaker 1: have linebackers as well with Eddrin Cooper getting involved in 548 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:55,640 Speaker 1: this thing, seeing what he has brought to the table 549 00:27:55,880 --> 00:27:58,000 Speaker 1: as a run defender and being able to shoot gaps 550 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:01,240 Speaker 1: and get that guys down for TFLs. TJ. Slayton, I 551 00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:03,159 Speaker 1: thought came alive in the second half of the season 552 00:28:03,320 --> 00:28:06,439 Speaker 1: kind of trading into the backfield. That has been a 553 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:08,960 Speaker 1: catalyst to what Green Bay has accomplished. So yeah, this is, 554 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:12,800 Speaker 1: you know, the immovable object in the unstoppable force here 555 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:16,160 Speaker 1: kind of coming together and seeing who prevails. But there's 556 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:18,120 Speaker 1: a reason why they put this game at three point 557 00:28:18,119 --> 00:28:21,600 Speaker 1: thirty in that spotlight and that slot on Sunday afternoon. 558 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:23,439 Speaker 1: This is a matchup that I think everybody wants to 559 00:28:23,480 --> 00:28:26,400 Speaker 1: see and it's going to take all sixty minutes are 560 00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:26,919 Speaker 1: to prevail. 561 00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:29,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think you mentioned the guys that are the 562 00:28:29,840 --> 00:28:33,639 Speaker 2: biggest difference in the Packers' run defense from early in 563 00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:37,439 Speaker 2: the season to where they are now. It's Rashaan Gary 564 00:28:37,520 --> 00:28:39,880 Speaker 2: having his best season of his career against the run. 565 00:28:40,160 --> 00:28:42,760 Speaker 2: It's TJ. Slayton coming on in the second half of 566 00:28:42,800 --> 00:28:45,520 Speaker 2: the season in the middle there, and it's the presence 567 00:28:45,520 --> 00:28:48,520 Speaker 2: of Edger and Cooper, who was barely playing early in 568 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:51,240 Speaker 2: the season then obviously dealt with injuries and has been 569 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:54,280 Speaker 2: a force against the run down the stretch here. And 570 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:57,800 Speaker 2: I think you know, there's not a lot in terms 571 00:28:57,840 --> 00:29:01,240 Speaker 2: of how Barkley ran the ball against the Packers back 572 00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:03,600 Speaker 2: in Week one in Brazil that necessarily is going to 573 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:06,680 Speaker 2: apply to this game, because this is a different Packers 574 00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:09,800 Speaker 2: run defense now that they've got four months of games 575 00:29:09,880 --> 00:29:12,600 Speaker 2: under Jeff Haffley and his scheme and the way they 576 00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:14,640 Speaker 2: want to do it. That being said, you're not gonna 577 00:29:14,640 --> 00:29:16,440 Speaker 2: be able to win this game just by stopping the run, 578 00:29:16,560 --> 00:29:19,440 Speaker 2: just by stopping Saquon Barkley, because the Philadelphia Eagles are 579 00:29:19,520 --> 00:29:24,400 Speaker 2: much more complete than that. But the Packers are. The 580 00:29:24,400 --> 00:29:29,000 Speaker 2: Packers are in a position to where as you said 581 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:31,320 Speaker 2: at the beginning of this, they can shock the football 582 00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:35,000 Speaker 2: world because of how they're built, because they are run 583 00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:38,000 Speaker 2: the ball, stop the run football team. And I'll take 584 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:39,520 Speaker 2: that into the postseason anytime. 585 00:29:39,640 --> 00:29:43,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, And like I'm going to talk up the Eagles. 586 00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:45,680 Speaker 1: You win fourteen games, you have the season that they did, 587 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,640 Speaker 1: you give that respect. Yeah, But I also don't want 588 00:29:49,680 --> 00:29:52,760 Speaker 1: to paint the image here that this is some unbeatable opponent, right. 589 00:29:53,080 --> 00:29:55,560 Speaker 1: Jalen Hurts had a very rough twenty twenty three. He 590 00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:58,120 Speaker 1: bounced back for the most part this season, but you know, 591 00:29:58,120 --> 00:30:00,400 Speaker 1: he still didn't have a three thousand yard passing season. 592 00:30:01,080 --> 00:30:04,400 Speaker 1: You know, obviously was the number two back running you know, 593 00:30:04,640 --> 00:30:07,880 Speaker 1: producer to Saquon Barkley this year with a few more 594 00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:11,400 Speaker 1: yards than Kenneth Gainwell, and protected the ball much better. 595 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:13,040 Speaker 1: That's why they got to where they got to this 596 00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:15,520 Speaker 1: year and why they were able to be more consistent 597 00:30:15,600 --> 00:30:19,600 Speaker 1: areas that they weren't last season. But ultimately, you know, 598 00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:22,360 Speaker 1: with DeVante Smith, the threat that he provides, it's not 599 00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:25,640 Speaker 1: like this offense is a is an overall jugger, not 600 00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:28,360 Speaker 1: that you cannot find ways to stop. And I think 601 00:30:28,400 --> 00:30:31,160 Speaker 1: that's the lesson and sort of the message that has 602 00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:33,360 Speaker 1: to get preached this week with Jeff Haffleys. We got 603 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:36,520 Speaker 1: the guys we need to contend with any offense in 604 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:40,240 Speaker 1: the National Football League and realistically, if you want to 605 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:42,440 Speaker 1: make a run, much like the Packers did in twenty ten, 606 00:30:42,920 --> 00:30:45,280 Speaker 1: this is the type of opponent in the Philadelphia Eagles, 607 00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:47,360 Speaker 1: that you're going to have to find a way to beat. 608 00:30:47,840 --> 00:30:51,120 Speaker 1: And I will say this one last time, Michael. I 609 00:30:51,200 --> 00:30:53,520 Speaker 1: understand the Packers lost six games. I understand five of 610 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:55,479 Speaker 1: those that came against the division. I understand they had 611 00:30:55,480 --> 00:30:58,680 Speaker 1: two shots against Dallas and excuse me, Detroit and Minnesota, 612 00:30:58,760 --> 00:31:01,320 Speaker 1: and they didn't take advantage of it. Right, But if 613 00:31:01,400 --> 00:31:04,640 Speaker 1: you're going to set the table and change the narrative 614 00:31:05,040 --> 00:31:07,680 Speaker 1: and get things going in your direction, improving that this 615 00:31:07,720 --> 00:31:11,720 Speaker 1: truly is a new season, coming back and closing the 616 00:31:11,720 --> 00:31:14,160 Speaker 1: gap against Philadelphia after they beat you in Brazil in 617 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:16,920 Speaker 1: the opener, I think there is no better tone setter 618 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:18,080 Speaker 1: for Green Bay than that. 619 00:31:18,520 --> 00:31:22,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, I agree, and can't wait for Sunday to get here. 620 00:31:22,280 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 2: We'll have more to talk about with regard to the 621 00:31:24,480 --> 00:31:26,920 Speaker 2: Packers and Eagles on our next show. We'll also take 622 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:31,920 Speaker 2: a look at the entire Wildcard slate around the NFL. Saturday, 623 00:31:31,960 --> 00:31:34,760 Speaker 2: Sunday Monday, It's going to be three days of some 624 00:31:34,800 --> 00:31:36,040 Speaker 2: tremendous playoff football. 625 00:31:36,200 --> 00:31:40,240 Speaker 1: Eighteen teams, Michael are done fourteen. Teams are still playing 626 00:31:40,280 --> 00:31:43,120 Speaker 1: football right now. The Green Bay Packers are one of those. 627 00:31:43,560 --> 00:31:46,000 Speaker 1: At this point, it no longer matters how you got here. 628 00:31:46,040 --> 00:31:48,560 Speaker 1: It certainly didn't matter in twenty ten with the Packers. 629 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:52,720 Speaker 1: This time, this moment, this opportunity. If you want to 630 00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:55,040 Speaker 1: show that you took those strides that everybody wanted to 631 00:31:55,040 --> 00:31:57,480 Speaker 1: see in year two with Jordan Love under center, with 632 00:31:57,560 --> 00:31:59,280 Speaker 1: as young of a football team as the Packers have, 633 00:32:00,360 --> 00:32:01,720 Speaker 1: this is that opportunity. 634 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:06,480 Speaker 2: And with that I will just remind folks to be 635 00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:09,080 Speaker 2: among the thousands of football fans cheering on their team's 636 00:32:09,120 --> 00:32:12,320 Speaker 2: NFL picks by joining us April twenty four through April 637 00:32:12,320 --> 00:32:15,360 Speaker 2: twenty six of twenty twenty five to for the NFL Draft. 638 00:32:15,680 --> 00:32:19,120 Speaker 2: Visit green Bay dot com slash Draft twenty five for 639 00:32:19,240 --> 00:32:22,040 Speaker 2: more information and we'll call it a rap on this 640 00:32:22,200 --> 00:32:24,840 Speaker 2: edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of 641 00:32:24,840 --> 00:32:26,840 Speaker 2: our coverage of the team. We'll be back in a 642 00:32:26,880 --> 00:32:29,600 Speaker 2: couple of days to continue all of the wild card 643 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:32,720 Speaker 2: preview Packers and Eagles. It is set for the link 644 00:32:32,840 --> 00:32:35,280 Speaker 2: at three point thirty pm Central Time on Sunday for 645 00:32:35,400 --> 00:32:38,000 Speaker 2: Wes I Am Mike. Thank you for tuning in everybody. 646 00:32:38,120 --> 00:32:39,760 Speaker 2: We will see you next time.