1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford, joined by my 3 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:15,880 Speaker 1: partner in crime, Wes hod Kuitz, were coming to you 4 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:19,119 Speaker 1: here from our studios at lambeau Field to talk Packers 5 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:22,760 Speaker 1: Vikings West. The two NFC North rivals will square off 6 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 1: for the first time in one It is a Sunday 7 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 1: noon Central time kickoff at us Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. 8 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:35,480 Speaker 1: And when you look at this Minnesota Vikings season, thus 9 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:38,879 Speaker 1: far a four and five football team. But those are 10 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: honestly the last numbers that I look at because a 11 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:44,320 Speaker 1: lot of things we've heard about this team. I'll give 12 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:45,919 Speaker 1: you a little bit of a rundown on how their 13 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: season has gone. One is that they have had at 14 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: least a seven point lead at some point in every 15 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: ballgame they have played this season. They've only had one 16 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 1: of their nine games decided by more than seven points. 17 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:04,960 Speaker 1: They have three walkoff losses to walk off victories, and 18 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 1: of those five games decided on the last play, three 19 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: of them have been in overtime. So make of that 20 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: what you will. To what I take from it is 21 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 1: that whatever that one lost record is for the Minnesota Vikings. 22 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 1: This team strikes me as one that literally is capable 23 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 1: of beating anybody in the NFL at any given time, 24 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:29,200 Speaker 1: and that's what the Packers are going up against on Sunday. 25 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:31,959 Speaker 1: I just love the phrase walkoff loss. I mean, that 26 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 1: is the true You talk about walkoffs, that is a 27 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 1: walk off and you drop it at at this time expires. 28 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 1: But no, I said it earlier this week, Mike, you 29 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:43,400 Speaker 1: had to edit it. The Minnesota Viking scare the living 30 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: daylights out of me, because if you take away the 31 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: records and you say, okay, the leading seven times in 32 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 1: in nine games, or leading by seven and nine different games, 33 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 1: you know the fact that they've had this inconsistency, the 34 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: fact they've had these games right down to the wire. 35 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 1: If you just showed me their offensive statistics, if you 36 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: just showed me what they've done defensively, I'd be like, Yeah, 37 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 1: this is a seven and two, six and three type 38 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:08,360 Speaker 1: ball club. Kirk Cousins is having a remarkable season sixty 39 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:10,959 Speaker 1: eight percent completion percentage. And we know, Mike, we've seen 40 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: enough of Kirk Cousins over the last ten years. When 41 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 1: his touchdowns are at eighteen and his interceptions are at 42 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:18,840 Speaker 1: two that's when you know he's playing Captain Kirk type football, 43 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 1: and he has remarkable offensive weapons to work off of 44 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:26,320 Speaker 1: right now. I mean the triad there of Delvin Cook 45 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 1: and Adam Feeling and obviously Justin Jefferson, who's going to 46 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: be the best of that bunch. From that really talent 47 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:35,079 Speaker 1: to two thousand, twenty receivers class, that has given him 48 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: an incredible opportunity in terms of being able to direct 49 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:41,720 Speaker 1: this Vikings offense. But at the same time, they are 50 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 1: four and five, they are in a position again where 51 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 1: their backs are kind of against the wall in week eleven, 52 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:50,040 Speaker 1: and while it very easily is going to be a 53 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 1: conference in which you're going to see an eight and 54 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 1: nine team make the playoffs, the Minnesota Vikings are still 55 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 1: trying to state their case as far as being one 56 00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:59,400 Speaker 1: of the conference's best teams. So the Green Bay Packers 57 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 1: cannot take yeah. Absolutely, and and this is what I've 58 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 1: said an inbox as well. This game as far as 59 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 1: the as far as the NFC North and particularly the 60 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:14,840 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings are concerned, this game determines whether Minnesota has 61 00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:18,840 Speaker 1: a realistic path to to a division championship, to catching 62 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 1: the Packers in the North or will the Vikings just 63 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: be relegated the rest of the season to fighting for 64 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 1: a wild card spot. That's really what it comes down to. 65 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:29,079 Speaker 1: The Packers are three and a half games up. If 66 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:31,120 Speaker 1: the Packers win this game, they would go four and 67 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 1: a half up on Minnesota with only six to play. 68 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 1: The math isn't too hard to figure out there. But 69 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:39,720 Speaker 1: if the Vikings win, they suddenly get within two and 70 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:43,400 Speaker 1: a half of the Packers, and from Minnesota's perspective, they 71 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 1: start looking at it like, Okay, well, then if we 72 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 1: win when the Packers are on there by, we pick 73 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: up another half. That puts a set to if we 74 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:52,080 Speaker 1: pick up one game somewhere else, that gets us to 75 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 1: one and then we're coming to lambeau Field on January two. 76 00:03:56,600 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 1: They could steal the division. Champe like, that's what I'm 77 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 1: talking about. The path. The path is there for Minnesota 78 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:04,240 Speaker 1: in a lot of ways. But they have to win 79 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 1: this game in order to try to create that pack. Yeah, 80 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 1: and the Packers have to play whack a mole. I mean, 81 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:12,960 Speaker 1: they're lack of Viking. They come up here, you have 82 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 1: to be able to knock them back down. Now, this 83 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:16,040 Speaker 1: is not going to be easy. They're not going to 84 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:18,360 Speaker 1: be going into those friendly complines that they were last 85 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 1: year when it was a completely empty you know, US 86 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 1: Bank Stadium and the you know, the people over at 87 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 1: the Vikings. They couldn't actually pipe in the noise because 88 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 1: there were no fans to actually make it look like 89 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:30,880 Speaker 1: they were the ones generating it. Be that as it may. 90 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:34,360 Speaker 1: I digress now, I I kid, I kid, but nobody, 91 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 1: that crowd is going to be energized. They are going 92 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 1: to want to be able to push their football team. 93 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 1: And it is the biggest rival that they've had in 94 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:46,280 Speaker 1: the last you know, ten twenty years now. So I 95 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 1: expect an enthusiastic game and energetic game. And from the 96 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:52,560 Speaker 1: Packers perspective offensively, you know, this is going to be 97 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:54,159 Speaker 1: a tough one. They have to be able to get 98 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 1: this thing going in that environment despite probably not having 99 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:00,919 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones and you know, potentially Aaron Rogers playing in 100 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 1: this game without practice this week. Yeah, and when you 101 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 1: look at when you look at all the very impressive 102 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:09,719 Speaker 1: things Matt Lafleur has done in two and a half seasons. Obviously, 103 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: the Packers getting a win last week and once again 104 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: avoiding a two game losing streak um for the duration 105 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 1: of Matt Lafleur's tenure as head coach probably ranks as 106 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: the number one most impressive thing. But the next one 107 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 1: on the list for me is the fact that he's 108 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: only lost one division game thus far as head coach 109 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,560 Speaker 1: of the Packers, and that one loss was just a 110 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:32,480 Speaker 1: shade over a year ago early November last season, when 111 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:36,360 Speaker 1: Minnesota came into lambeau Field, Dalvin Cook went crazy two 112 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 1: six yards combined rushing and receiving four touchdowns and the 113 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 1: Vikings got a victory there. So you know, the Packers defense, 114 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:47,039 Speaker 1: they know everything there is to know about Dalvin Cook 115 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 1: and how important he is. But then when, as you 116 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 1: pointed out, Kirk Cousins through nine games has only two 117 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 1: interceptions on the season. He's playing maybe some of the 118 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:59,160 Speaker 1: best football of his career, if if not overall, even 119 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:02,840 Speaker 1: maybe even better than uh than in Washington when he 120 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 1: led Washington to a playoff berth there. So um and 121 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:10,200 Speaker 1: as you said, on the offensive side of the ball 122 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:13,599 Speaker 1: for the Packers, still trying to figure some things out. 123 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 1: The Packers are gonna have to deal with, presumably the 124 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,119 Speaker 1: absence of Aaron Jones here at least in the short 125 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:23,760 Speaker 1: term and Aaron Rodgers as of Wednesday not practicing because 126 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 1: of because of the toe injury, and the Packers took, 127 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 1: as we talked about on our last show, took really 128 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:32,760 Speaker 1: until the fourth quarter before the offense really started to 129 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 1: find its rhythm and and be able to finish the 130 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:39,720 Speaker 1: drives that that it got going. This Uh, this Packers 131 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 1: offense went into US Bank Stadium last year and really 132 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:45,600 Speaker 1: lit the place up. And but as you said, the 133 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:47,360 Speaker 1: crowd is gonna be there. This is gonna be a 134 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:50,200 Speaker 1: much bigger challenge in that regard for Green Bay's offense 135 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 1: with all of that noise. Um, this is uh, this 136 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 1: is this is an exciting one. This is an exciting 137 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 1: one to look forward to here because of the the 138 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 1: intensity and what's on line and also seeing, you know, 139 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:03,960 Speaker 1: the biggest thing and you kind of touched on a 140 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:06,520 Speaker 1: little bit in your story this week on Packers dot 141 00:07:06,520 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 1: Com is the contrast between Aaron Rodgers taking out a 142 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:13,240 Speaker 1: Mike Zimmer defense. Now we have to see exactly where 143 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: things were at with Anthony Barrow was doing some quick 144 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 1: research here to see if he actually was practicing. He 145 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,080 Speaker 1: was limited on Wednesday after he missed last week's game 146 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 1: with that persistent knee injury he's basically dealt with since 147 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 1: the beginning of the season. You know, Daniel Hunter already 148 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 1: went down there, like there are some some hits that 149 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 1: they've taken. But you know, if Harrison Smith is back 150 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 1: and he's feeling okay coming off the COVID list, Eric 151 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 1: Kendricks is by far one of the most underrated productive 152 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:41,560 Speaker 1: inside backers in this league. There are so many weapons 153 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 1: still at Zimmer's disposal, but that as much as we 154 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: talk about this offense and the improvements that they've made 155 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 1: and the playmakers that they have available to them, it 156 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 1: really does come down to this defense and how Aaron 157 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: Rodgers counteracts that. Now, Rodgers has had a fair amount 158 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:58,200 Speaker 1: of success during Zimmer's time in Minnesota, but certainly these 159 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:00,960 Speaker 1: guys have a long history going up against each other, 160 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 1: so seeing kind of one of my biggest things to 161 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 1: look at. I don't know if i'd exactly call it 162 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 1: a key to victory, but it's just the double a 163 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 1: gap stuff that Zimmer always likes to run. You know, 164 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 1: we'll have to see what happens with David box tr 165 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 1: He didn't practice on Wednesday, He didn't practice last Friday. 166 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 1: So if Elton Jenkins has to go at left tackle again, 167 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:22,240 Speaker 1: then it's John Runyon, it's Lucas Patrick, and it's Roy Snuman. 168 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 1: Are going to kind of be the guys responsible for 169 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:27,880 Speaker 1: defending against that double a gap looks, understanding their responsibilities, 170 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: their discipline, and not allowing Minnesota to play those games. 171 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: That's gonna be a pretty big cat and most type 172 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 1: game that, especially if Elton Jenkins isn't involved there, they 173 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 1: have to be cognizant of where those linebackers are going 174 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 1: to be. Yeah, Rogers numbers over the course of his 175 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 1: career against Mike zimmer defenses. It's it's pretty interesting because 176 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 1: it started out. Rodgers was oh and two against zimmer 177 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 1: defenses when Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati. The 178 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:54,560 Speaker 1: Bengals beat the Packers in both two thousand nine and 179 00:08:54,640 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 1: two thousand thirteen. Rogers had passer ratings sub eight five 180 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: in both of those losses. But then Mike Zimmer gets 181 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: the head coaching job in Minnesota in team and since then, 182 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers has twenty four touchdown passes and just three 183 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 1: interceptions against Zimmer's defenses. Now, Minnesota hat still has four 184 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: wins and a tie in that time frame. But Rogers, 185 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:26,320 Speaker 1: Rogers has performed pretty well overall for as challenging as 186 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:30,480 Speaker 1: Zimmer's defenses are. And the guys were talking. Davante Adams 187 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: talked about it, Rogers talked about it, Lafleur talked about it. 188 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 1: The um Harrison Smith and what he means to that 189 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 1: Minnesota defense just in terms of trying to decipher, Okay, 190 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 1: where is where is he and what is he doing? 191 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 1: And it's easier said than done because because there there 192 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:52,400 Speaker 1: are times that it's just really hard to figure out 193 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: exactly what Smith is up to out there on the field. Well, 194 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 1: and this isn't the Xavier Rhodes type defense anymore. You know, 195 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 1: Trey Waynes has gone on and they've had a lot 196 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 1: of turnover at the cornerback spots and unfortunately for them, 197 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 1: also some misdraft picks as well. The constant through all 198 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:11,520 Speaker 1: of that, including the station next to Harrison Smith, has 199 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 1: been you know, the multiple time Pro Bowl veteran there. Uh, 200 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: Xavier Woods is incredibly talented safety. I've been high on 201 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 1: him since he came out in college. I thought that 202 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 1: was a really savvy pick up for them. He's kind 203 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 1: of solidified that spot next to Uh, next to Smith. 204 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:27,600 Speaker 1: But those corners and how they're excuse me, those safeties 205 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: and how they're able to utilize them, I think have 206 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 1: really helped kind of keep things a little bit more 207 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 1: simple for what they've done at the cornerback position. Bashad Berylan, 208 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 1: former Packer, was signed this offseason, but he's been dealing 209 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: with some injury stuff. So Smith, if he's back, I mean, 210 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: that is such a big thing for this defense and 211 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: how they're able to kind of operate. Yeah, it's interesting. 212 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: So I almost like to draw the analogy with regard 213 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:53,120 Speaker 1: to a baseball team where defensively always look okay, how 214 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:55,319 Speaker 1: does the team look up the middle, shortstop, second base, 215 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 1: center field. You look at Minnesota up the middle and 216 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 1: it's Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, and Harrison Smith. And those 217 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: are the guys who have been there for for a 218 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 1: really long time. Some sponsor business here West Serious x 219 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: M NFL Radio delivers hard hitting analysis and up to 220 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:14,559 Speaker 1: the minute NFL news that true football fanatics need seven 221 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:18,000 Speaker 1: three six and at Cousin Subs, we have something for everyone, 222 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:20,600 Speaker 1: like our Wisconsin Cheese Kurds, mac and Cheese Golden Fries, 223 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: and creamy shakes, all paired with your favorite sub or 224 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:26,720 Speaker 1: sub in a bowl. Cousin subs. We believe in better 225 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 1: all right, So down to the brass tacks here West 226 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:32,840 Speaker 1: keys to victory for the Packers on Sunday in Minneapolis. 227 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 1: Where does it start for you? Last week, Mike, the 228 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 1: Packers were able to turn over the football against the 229 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:39,680 Speaker 1: team that doesn't turn over the football. I think that 230 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 1: is gonna be a very similar game plan for them 231 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 1: going up against Minnesota. So easily it would be easy 232 00:11:44,880 --> 00:11:48,000 Speaker 1: to talk about the explosive plays, minimizing the big games, 233 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 1: especially in the run game, with the way that they 234 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 1: can gas you there. But I do believe if you 235 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:55,480 Speaker 1: look back and the matchups they've had against Kirk Cousins, 236 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 1: when they're able to get some turnovers, when they're able 237 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: to get some interceptions, that has been to what has 238 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:03,200 Speaker 1: set the table for them offensively. You hope that Green 239 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 1: Bay is going to be able to figure this thing out. 240 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 1: You hope that with another week in the books, even 241 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:08,760 Speaker 1: if they aren't able to be on the practice field together, 242 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,719 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams in that backfield are going to 243 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:14,240 Speaker 1: be able to push the ball down field. But defensively, 244 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 1: it's been what they set the tone for green Bay 245 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: the last couple of weeks. Obviously did that against Seattle 246 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:20,800 Speaker 1: and you know, one of their best performances of the 247 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:24,440 Speaker 1: past decade. I feel like, if you're able to generate pressure, 248 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:27,079 Speaker 1: and obviously you know this is a different type of quarterback, 249 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: you're not You're no longer facing Russell Wilson or Kyler Murray. 250 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: You're you're facing Kirk Cousins. Was a little bit more 251 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: of a stationary object. But still he's very savvy, can 252 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 1: get the ball out and he likes the high percentage opportunities. 253 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: Get pressure on him, get a takeaway or two. I 254 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 1: think green Bay is able to escape there with a victory. Yeah. 255 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:46,960 Speaker 1: And I think offensively, even though you don't have Aaron Jones, 256 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:50,560 Speaker 1: a j Dillon, Patrick Taylor being the one to I 257 00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:53,319 Speaker 1: think I think the Packers still need to especially with 258 00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 1: the noise and everything in that building, the Packers need 259 00:12:55,840 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: to stay committed two running the offense through the run backs. 260 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:02,560 Speaker 1: And that doesn't necessarily mean they have to run the 261 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:06,280 Speaker 1: ball thirty times or whatever, but it's it's using Dylan 262 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 1: and Taylor in the passing game and keeping that defense, 263 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 1: honest with the run and just and and staying as 264 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 1: balanced as possible. We you know what it's like. I mean, 265 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:18,240 Speaker 1: all the games that I covered that I covered Packers 266 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 1: Vikings in the Metrodome and now in in US Bank Stadium. 267 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:26,080 Speaker 1: The last place you want to be against the Minnesota 268 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:29,079 Speaker 1: Vikings in their place is you know, third and six 269 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:32,040 Speaker 1: or worse right, because that's when that's when the noise 270 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 1: gets crazy. They're gonna come after you. Your playbook is 271 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:36,960 Speaker 1: limited because they know you're not handing the ball off 272 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:40,440 Speaker 1: that that's where the running backs are the ones who 273 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 1: need to set the tone here for Green Bay to 274 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:45,240 Speaker 1: keep that Minnesota defense on us. And I'm excited to 275 00:13:45,280 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: see it too because a lot of times, you know, 276 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 1: and God bless him, it's been fun to watch Aaron 277 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 1: Jones a lot over the years. He's pay a lot 278 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:53,720 Speaker 1: of huge plays for this offense. But this isn't gonna 279 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:56,240 Speaker 1: be the Aaron Jones and a J. Dillon type offense. 280 00:13:56,280 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 1: This is gonna be thunder and thunder. I mean, you 281 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:00,480 Speaker 1: have a J. Dillon who really brings that at six. 282 00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 1: But Patrick Taylor is a big guy himself, six to 283 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:07,560 Speaker 1: two twenty. I mean, he packs a punch. I thought, 284 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,920 Speaker 1: once you saw him get right with the ankle and 285 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 1: he was able to get through a couple of soft 286 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 1: tissue injuries, the guy really showed a lot during camp Kylan. 287 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 1: It was just sort of a great situation for Green Baby, 288 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 1: because I thought Kylan Hill came in improved that this 289 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 1: guy had a lot more than just being a seventh 290 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:24,600 Speaker 1: round pick. But through the first two weeks a camp, 291 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 1: I thought Patrick Taylor might actually have a real chance 292 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 1: at being that number three back. A couple of fumbles 293 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:32,560 Speaker 1: happened during the preseason, but overall, I think if you 294 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 1: see Patrick Taylor for five ten carries in this game, 295 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 1: you're gonna be kind of impressed by what you see 296 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:40,000 Speaker 1: because there's a lot there. And if it hadn't been 297 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 1: for that injury at at Memphis that basically sidetracked two 298 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 1: years for him, I think this is a guy that 299 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:48,000 Speaker 1: definitely had the pedigree to get drafted. Yeah. Absolutely. You 300 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:50,200 Speaker 1: look at to me, I look at Patrick Taylor, and 301 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 1: we've seen you know, they're they're all running backs of 302 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 1: all shapes and sizes in the NFL, right, and the 303 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 1: Packers have Aaron Jones who's a certain style and type 304 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 1: and you have a j Dillon who's another style and type. 305 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 1: If you were just to you know, punch into a 306 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: computer what an NFL running back is supposed to look like. 307 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: Patrick Taylor is what physically that guy looks like. And 308 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 1: I'm excited to see six ft two and then he 309 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:15,960 Speaker 1: put a pair of klats on him. He's an imposing game. 310 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:18,520 Speaker 1: I'm excited to see what what he might be able 311 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 1: to do with this opportunity. As much as the Packers 312 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:24,160 Speaker 1: obviously want Aaron Jones back in this offense as soon 313 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 1: as possible elsewhere around the league West, I'll just do 314 00:15:28,600 --> 00:15:30,520 Speaker 1: a quick rundown here and then I'm gonna get to 315 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 1: the game. I know that you want to talk about. UM. 316 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 1: The Chicago Bears coming off of their bye week. I 317 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,760 Speaker 1: believe they are hosting the Baltimore Ravens, so an interesting 318 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 1: cross conference matchup there. UM Arizona is at Seattle for 319 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 1: those who want to pay attention to that other team 320 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 1: that's at eight and two atop the NFC with Green 321 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 1: Bay Tampa. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't play until Monday night. 322 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 1: They'll be hosting the New York Giants. Really interesting one 323 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 1: with Dallas playing at Kansas City, especially with the Chiefs 324 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 1: and Patrick Mahomes offensively kind of waking up last week 325 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:08,600 Speaker 1: the big forty point performance against the Raiders. But the game, 326 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:11,400 Speaker 1: I know you've got your eye on west and it 327 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 1: is the Detroit Lions at the Cleveland Browns. If if 328 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:20,840 Speaker 1: former Packers backup quarterback Tim Boyle does get the start, 329 00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 1: if Jared goff In that oblique injury um prevents him 330 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 1: from playing, Tim Boyle will get his first NFL start 331 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: for Detroit. And I know you're excited about it. I 332 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 1: would never wish injury upon anyone, first and foremost. Fortunately 333 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 1: for golf, it's just snow bleak. It sound like it 334 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 1: was a significant, long term deal. But when I saw 335 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 1: the report pop out, I think Kyle Miniki, a lot 336 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:45,800 Speaker 1: of the beat writers from Detroit, we're talking about how 337 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:48,840 Speaker 1: Boyle is going to get the first team reps this week. 338 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 1: I'll tell you what, Mike. The only thing I'm asking 339 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 1: for for Tim Boyle's an opportunity. And the reason I 340 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:58,880 Speaker 1: say that is because the guy had the most disastrous 341 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:01,560 Speaker 1: college career you've bay sicily he could ever have, and 342 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:05,159 Speaker 1: after it, he still wanted to play professional football and 343 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:07,480 Speaker 1: in his three years with the Green Bay Packers, he 344 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 1: proved that he has what it takes to compete at 345 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:13,560 Speaker 1: this level. I love the fact he's been able to 346 00:17:13,600 --> 00:17:17,160 Speaker 1: rewrite his story and if he gets that opportunity, I've 347 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:19,560 Speaker 1: said this since the beginning. I understand why they did 348 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:22,320 Speaker 1: the trade. I understand why they got Jared Golf back 349 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:26,119 Speaker 1: as a compensation. But when they signed Tim Boyle and 350 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:29,680 Speaker 1: Jamal Williams, I said to you from that day, those 351 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:33,040 Speaker 1: are two really smart signings for them because as the 352 00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 1: li Lions embark upon another rebuild, you're getting two consummate 353 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:42,119 Speaker 1: professionals who can can contribute in different ways. I really 354 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 1: feel like, if Tim Boyle gets the opportunity, you're gonna 355 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:50,680 Speaker 1: see why. Michael Cohen, Andy Hermson, Herman, myself, we all 356 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:53,440 Speaker 1: were talking about the Laser Show for the last three years. 357 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 1: I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know 358 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,120 Speaker 1: if the Lions are gonna win. Maybe Boyle could get 359 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:02,119 Speaker 1: Dan Campbell's first career of victory, but it's going to 360 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:05,320 Speaker 1: be exciting. He plays exciting football, and if it happens, 361 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:06,800 Speaker 1: we'll have to see. Maybe this will be all for 362 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 1: not but the fact that he's coming back off the 363 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: thumb injury. I think could be a really unique opportunity 364 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,480 Speaker 1: for that That to me, To me, I mean, Tim 365 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:17,959 Speaker 1: Boyle's story is remarkable. As you said, he had a 366 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:21,120 Speaker 1: dumpster fire, so to speak of a college career. You 367 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,240 Speaker 1: look at you look at what he did in college 368 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:25,400 Speaker 1: and you're like, how in the world would this guy 369 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:28,439 Speaker 1: ever even get a look in the NFL? Right and 370 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:30,679 Speaker 1: now here he is potentially and again we don't know, 371 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:33,800 Speaker 1: perhaps Jared Golf will be healthy enough to play, but 372 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:37,120 Speaker 1: now he potentially has a chance to get Dan Campbell 373 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:42,960 Speaker 1: his first victory as an NFL head coach, UM before 374 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: a quarterback who has played in a Super Bowl gets 375 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:50,000 Speaker 1: that first victory with UM, the Lions having only a 376 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:54,360 Speaker 1: tie UM thus far aside from all the losses, they 377 00:18:54,359 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 1: tied the Pittsburgh Steelers UM at Hines Field last week. 378 00:18:57,880 --> 00:18:59,880 Speaker 1: So I just I think it would be I think 379 00:18:59,880 --> 00:19:02,400 Speaker 1: it would be really really cool. He's fearless. If if 380 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:04,200 Speaker 1: Tim Boyle were able to do that, you're You're right, 381 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 1: You're absolutely right. And to come from where he's come 382 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:11,240 Speaker 1: from to where he is now, you have to be 383 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 1: fearless and in the sense of you have to be 384 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: able to you have to be able to absolutely ignore 385 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:20,359 Speaker 1: everybody who has said everything about you, like how is this? 386 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:23,160 Speaker 1: How why even give this guy a chance? Right? And 387 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:26,159 Speaker 1: and here he is? I it would be the the 388 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 1: only the only negative from our perspective is that the 389 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 1: Lions and the Browns will be going on at the 390 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:35,520 Speaker 1: same time as Packers vikings, so we won't actually be 391 00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:37,360 Speaker 1: able to find a way to watch the game. If 392 00:19:37,400 --> 00:19:40,560 Speaker 1: if boil is indeed, I'd still find a way, all right, well, 393 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:42,160 Speaker 1: I might find a way to be able to check 394 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:44,400 Speaker 1: out something, but no, Yeah, unfortunately it's at the same time. 395 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:46,280 Speaker 1: It's too bad. This could have been the bye week, 396 00:19:46,359 --> 00:19:48,920 Speaker 1: but you know, be that as it may. Again an 397 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: interesting matchup and you've got to have storylines, especially with 398 00:19:52,119 --> 00:19:55,600 Speaker 1: the Lions are trying to find something right now. Honestly, 399 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:58,760 Speaker 1: even if even if they clear golf, I don't think 400 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:01,320 Speaker 1: it would hurt them to still give to him a look. Yeah, 401 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 1: why why not? Why not give him a shot? Right? 402 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:07,639 Speaker 1: I mean, we'll see, But anyway, something will definitely be 403 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:12,440 Speaker 1: scoreboard watching at a minimum during during Packers vikings on Sunday, 404 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:15,639 Speaker 1: but the bulk of our attention will be on US 405 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:18,840 Speaker 1: Bank Stadium and a big game in the NFC North. 406 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:20,399 Speaker 1: With that, we're going to call it a wrap on 407 00:20:20,440 --> 00:20:23,480 Speaker 1: this edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all 408 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 1: of our coverage of the team and everything going on 409 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:28,960 Speaker 1: at Sunday's game. Will have it all for you on 410 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:32,680 Speaker 1: Packers dot com. For West, I'm Mike. Thanks for tuning in, everybody, Well, 411 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:33,400 Speaker 1: see you next time.