1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:21,079 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford. He is the one and only 3 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: wes Hodkuits. We're coming to you here from our studios 4 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field and west to uh. I guess put 5 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 1: in perspective where the Packers are right now. Joe Philbin 6 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 1: spoke to the media on Monday, the traditional day after 7 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 1: game press conference from a head coach, and he made 8 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:45,080 Speaker 1: no bones about it. Here West with the Chicago Bears 9 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 1: on the horizon Sunday noon kickoff at Soldier Field, the 10 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: Packers are going to have to play their best game 11 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,960 Speaker 1: of the season, quite frankly, in order to win this game. Um, 12 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:59,400 Speaker 1: and now we're looking at a Bears team that is 13 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: going to see it arch rival come into its stadium 14 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 1: with a chance, Chicago speaking, that is, to clinch its 15 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:10,720 Speaker 1: first NFC North championships since two thousand and ten. You 16 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:13,319 Speaker 1: know they want to do that against the Packers. The 17 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:16,200 Speaker 1: steaks do not get any higher for either of these teams. 18 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 1: Because here's the other thing. From the Bears perspective, they 19 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:22,200 Speaker 1: actually have an outside chance still getting a bye here. 20 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 1: So I mean, if if they can you know, if 21 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:27,200 Speaker 1: the same way the pack The Packers want to win out. 22 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:29,399 Speaker 1: The Bears want to do the same thing and then 23 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:31,839 Speaker 1: see if maybe some luck would fall into their hands, now, 24 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: you know, and on an outside chance, what a way, 25 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:37,679 Speaker 1: if I'm not mistaken, the way the Bears would get 26 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 1: a bye would be to win out and the Rams 27 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: would have to lose twice, right, because if they could 28 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,400 Speaker 1: tie the Rams, they have the tiebreaker on the head 29 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: to head and then the Bears could get the two seats. Yeah, 30 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 1: so that that door is open for them now. So, 31 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 1: and then from the Packers perspective, it's really funny, Mike. 32 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 1: I was sitting down last night having a conversation with 33 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:58,680 Speaker 1: my father and I was saying, you know, it's interesting 34 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:02,080 Speaker 1: in that literally, these past two weeks could not have 35 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 1: gone any better for the Packers other than losing that 36 00:02:05,080 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: game to the Cardinal. Right, they got everything they needed 37 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 1: to happen last week, and it basically happened again. Now 38 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:12,959 Speaker 1: it looks like Seattle is going to be running away 39 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 1: with one of those wild card spots. Yeah, the Seahawks 40 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:17,760 Speaker 1: are in perfect position now for one of those wild cards. 41 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 1: You know, they'd have to lose out for the Packers 42 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 1: to even be in a potential situation to to get 43 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 1: it over them. But be that as it may. The 44 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 1: Packers very suddenly have not a good probability, but a 45 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 1: realistic probability. Here you have three teams that need to 46 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 1: lose one, so you need the Vikings, who are reeling 47 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 1: to lose twice in the last three weeks. Stranger things 48 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,679 Speaker 1: have happened. I think the Packers biggest issue right now 49 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:41,959 Speaker 1: is the fact that they're staring at the Chicago Bears 50 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 1: here on Sunday. Yeah, they're staring at a Bears team 51 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 1: that quite frankly, is riding high. They just beat the 52 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:51,400 Speaker 1: team that was holding the number one seed in the 53 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:54,520 Speaker 1: NFC in the Rams, and they held that high flying 54 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: offense to just six points intercepted. Jared Goffwell was at 55 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:02,959 Speaker 1: four times on Sunday Night Football. So this, uh, this 56 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:07,880 Speaker 1: Bears team is riding a significant wave of momentum. And yeah, 57 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: I mean you can talk all these other scenarios and 58 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:12,519 Speaker 1: who has to lose and this and that for the Packers, 59 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:17,120 Speaker 1: but it all starts now with knocking off the presumptive 60 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: division champion in the Chicago Bears on Sunday in Chicago 61 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 1: in December, in the cold, all of that, for everything 62 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: that's gone on this season, it's just gonna be fun. 63 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 1: I think to go to Chicago for a Packers Bears 64 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: game in December with quite a bit on the line. Yeah, 65 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: I put it as our insider Inbox headline for Tuesday, 66 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 1: and that it's all you can really ask for right now. 67 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 1: I mean, the Packers have put themselves in this position. 68 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 1: You are five, seven and one, you're on the outside 69 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 1: looking in. But it's just strange to me how many second, third, 70 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 1: now fourth chances they appear to have at trying to 71 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 1: make a postseason run. Here's what stands out to me 72 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 1: the most, Mike, You're absolutely right. The Chicago Bears defense phenomenal. 73 00:03:56,840 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 1: Getting a chance to watch some of those highlights of 74 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 1: that game these past two days, incredible what they were 75 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:04,240 Speaker 1: able to do against Jared Goff and just the the 76 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 1: mayhem and dysfunction that they caused for the Bears offense alright, 77 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 1: for the excuse me, the Rams offense. Uh. But the 78 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 1: thing that's funny about is on the other side of things. 79 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 1: Mitchell Robinsky was the winning quarterback in that game with 80 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: a thirty three passer rating. Now they finally were able 81 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 1: to get Jordan Howard going. He had a hundred yard game, 82 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 1: but Mr Robinsky sixteen yards, one touchdown, three interceptions. This 83 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 1: is not an impenetrable force either. Now we're gonna be 84 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 1: taking some time these next couple of days to preview 85 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 1: the Bears, and we'll get into all of that, but 86 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 1: it is it's this game to me. As we lead 87 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 1: into these days, it's gonna be Joe Philbin and Aaron 88 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 1: Rodgers and this Packers offense that is now coming off 89 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 1: its highest scoring game of the season, thanks in part 90 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:48,440 Speaker 1: to bust, but thirty four points against the Bears defense 91 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 1: that every single week just gets better. The storylines build themselves. Yeah. Well, 92 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: and we didn't really get an update from Joe Philbin 93 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:58,479 Speaker 1: on where the Packers are health wise on their offensive line. 94 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 1: But really, when you look at this game, the fact 95 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 1: that the Packers were missing three starters on their offensive 96 00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 1: line for the Falcons game and what this Bears defensive 97 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:09,840 Speaker 1: front is doing two people both against the run and 98 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 1: the past. I watched the second half, pretty much the 99 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: whole second half of that Rams Bears game, and it 100 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 1: was amazing because the last night checked Todd Gurley's The 101 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 1: Reigning NFC Offensive NFL Offensive Player of the Year. The 102 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:25,039 Speaker 1: Rams just didn't even want to give them the ball. 103 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:27,719 Speaker 1: They gave up trying to run the ball against that 104 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:30,360 Speaker 1: Bears front, and then the pass r us just made 105 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:32,560 Speaker 1: life miserable for Golf. Not that they sacked him a 106 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 1: whole bunch of times, but the four interceptions were largely 107 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 1: the result of all the pressure and him having to 108 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:40,280 Speaker 1: run around and and everything. I don't know where the 109 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:43,040 Speaker 1: Packers will be on the offensive line, if Brian Blaga, 110 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: Byron Bell and or Lane Taylor will be able to 111 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 1: get back into the starting lineup. But this game for 112 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:51,680 Speaker 1: the Packers offense comes down to what they do up 113 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:55,159 Speaker 1: front against that Bears defensive front. Because the Bears have 114 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,080 Speaker 1: a whole bunch of interceptions, but it's that defensive front 115 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 1: that sets the tone. Yeah, I mean, they definitely gonna 116 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 1: have to protect the football. The Bears I think are 117 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,200 Speaker 1: already north of what thirty takeaways or something like this 118 00:06:04,279 --> 00:06:06,039 Speaker 1: on the season. I saw a stat that they have 119 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:09,359 Speaker 1: twenty five interceptions I believe on the season, and in 120 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 1: the last three years combined, the Bears had twenty four interceptions. 121 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: Kyle Fuller, I mean, people want to talk about the 122 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:19,359 Speaker 1: Packers in the off season. Everything Brian Goodkins trying to 123 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 1: sign Kyle Fuller looks better and better every single day 124 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:25,159 Speaker 1: with him now up to seven interceptions on the season. 125 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 1: Eddie Jackson, the former safety out of Alabama who broke 126 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:32,159 Speaker 1: his leg, has now become a phenomenal player in their secondary. 127 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:34,160 Speaker 1: So yeah, you're right, there are a lot of guys 128 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 1: that can take away the football. But much like Vic 129 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:40,599 Speaker 1: Fangio's defense in San Francisco years, this thing is being 130 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:42,720 Speaker 1: one for them right now in the trenches and it 131 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:45,039 Speaker 1: was you know, you could talk about Cleil mac in 132 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:47,720 Speaker 1: no question, Kleil Mack is a big piece of that, 133 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: maybe even the one that put them over the top. 134 00:06:51,120 --> 00:06:52,600 Speaker 1: But I think you gotta give a lot of credit 135 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: to Ryan Pace what they've brought in. You know, Danny 136 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: Trevathan has now become a big part of that middle 137 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 1: of that defen ends. But then you know ro Quan 138 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:05,120 Speaker 1: Smith comes in. There are just so many different guys 139 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:08,279 Speaker 1: at so many different levels that are stepping up for 140 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 1: the Bears this season, and it's allowing them to to 141 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: put together performances like this. I have to throw out 142 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 1: one more thing, Michael before I let you get to 143 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 1: your advertisement too, thank you to the Bears defense, You're 144 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 1: gonna be like, why are you saying thank you? Every 145 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: single person that has asked over the last few weeks, 146 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: why aren't the Packers running more jet sweeps? Why isn't 147 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 1: there more misdirection? Watch what happened to the Rams in 148 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 1: that game. Good defense and good discipline will always beat misdirection. 149 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 1: You know, it's it's it's the it's as long as 150 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 1: the NFL has been around, that has been the case. 151 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 1: If that wasn't the case, you'd run jet sweeps every 152 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: single play. The Bears blew them up. There was nothing 153 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 1: that the Rams are gonna be able to get away with, 154 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 1: and it ended the way up with them having was 155 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 1: a thirteen carries sixty two yards. They couldn't they couldn't 156 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:57,480 Speaker 1: run the ball. They couldn't run the football, and that 157 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: that just completely set them up for for failure in 158 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 1: that game. You mentioned Mac, and I know we'll use 159 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 1: tomorrow show to talk even more about the Bears, but 160 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: I think and I take nothing away from Mac and 161 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 1: what he did in Oakland, But I don't know in 162 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 1: Oakland if he was ever on a defensive line that 163 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 1: had a guy like a Keen Hicks, and I think 164 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 1: those two, you can say what you want about Aaron 165 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:18,840 Speaker 1: Donald and Dominican Sue a great pair for the l 166 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: A Rams. I don't know if there is a more 167 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: disruptive and dangerous pair of defensive linemen on the same 168 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 1: team right now than Khalil Mack and a Keen Hicks. 169 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 1: Those guys, those guys are just downright nasty, I guess, 170 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 1: for lack of a better word. It's an excellent point 171 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 1: you make, because when they drafted Mac, he was there, 172 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: he was their playmaker, but he was young. In all 173 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:41,679 Speaker 1: of the veterans on that group, on that unit that 174 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,199 Speaker 1: the Raiders had, they were all free agent signings. There 175 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,920 Speaker 1: were no hicks Is out there that were just like 176 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:51,120 Speaker 1: bona fide starters that were already causing disruption in their defense. 177 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:53,839 Speaker 1: They were trying to mix and match veterans with their 178 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: young guys. Whereas you take Vic Fangio, what he's done. 179 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:59,080 Speaker 1: He's had playmakers in place, he's had a top ten 180 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:01,360 Speaker 1: defense before, and now you just added one of the 181 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:04,680 Speaker 1: top young pass rushers into the league into that unit. Yeah, 182 00:09:04,679 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 1: all right, Well, before it gets away from me, here, 183 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: what's a little sponsored business. So Packers fans stop in 184 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,920 Speaker 1: at your local Quick Trip and pick up your Packers 185 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 1: cup today. Get eighty nine cent refills on your Cafe 186 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,440 Speaker 1: Cruba coffee all season long. And the deadline here is 187 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: coming up West. Only one home game left to enter 188 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: the Cousins Subs Best Seats in the House promotion. You 189 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 1: and a guest could win a chance to kick back 190 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:27,959 Speaker 1: on the fifty yard line in style. Two pairs of 191 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:30,480 Speaker 1: lucky Packers fans will be chosen prior to each home 192 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: game for this v I P Experience Center daily now 193 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:37,320 Speaker 1: through December sixteen. By completing the entry form and submitting. 194 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 1: For complete rules and eligibility, go to Packers dot com 195 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: slash Best Seats Cousins Subs. We believe in better all right. 196 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 1: Another thing I wanted to get to West because I 197 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 1: had the pleasure on Monday of going through the Packers 198 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: defensive film because I wanted to see just how this 199 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:57,439 Speaker 1: whole matchup between Jaire Alexander and Julio Jones went. And 200 00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 1: I take nothing away from what alexand Or did against 201 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:03,720 Speaker 1: Jones when he was matched up with him one on one, 202 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 1: but what I found, and this is why I ended 203 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:11,720 Speaker 1: up centering my entire What you might have missed weekly piece, 204 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 1: which which will be up on the website Tuesday around 205 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 1: this is it wasn't just what Alexander did against Jones. 206 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 1: And don't get too carried away with the narrative that 207 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:25,320 Speaker 1: this was, you know, sixty snaps or sixty five snaps 208 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 1: of Alexander just lined up across from Julio Jones every play, 209 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: because that wasn't the case. There was some mixing and 210 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:34,240 Speaker 1: matching with some zone calls and other types of coverages. 211 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:38,080 Speaker 1: But man, when I was watching Alexander snap after snap 212 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:44,160 Speaker 1: on the All twenty two, his anticipation defensively really really 213 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: stands out. And I'm talking about plays where trying to 214 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: you know, flare out passes to the running backs or 215 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 1: even on design screens, whether it's a checkdown or or 216 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 1: a screen a design pass to a running back, he 217 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 1: is charging up from that cornerback position. He is right 218 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: in the thick of all those plays. And one of 219 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:02,679 Speaker 1: the things that really jumped out at me is you 220 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 1: remember the play where I believe it was Atlanta's second possession, 221 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:10,320 Speaker 1: third down there nearing the red zone, and Matt Ryan 222 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:13,040 Speaker 1: kind of pump pump fakes or tries to stop throwing 223 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:14,960 Speaker 1: the ball and it comes out of his hand and 224 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: and they lose. They lose a whole bunch of yards. 225 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:19,600 Speaker 1: When you look at that on film, he's trying, he's 226 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:23,200 Speaker 1: looking to swing it out to Tevin Coleman, leaking out 227 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:26,680 Speaker 1: of the backfield. J You're Alexander was charging up. And 228 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:30,080 Speaker 1: I'm convinced from watching the film that when Matt Ryan 229 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 1: saw Alexander's anticipation of that play is when he tried 230 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 1: to stop the throw, and then that's why the ball 231 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 1: comes out. So it looks like a terrible play on 232 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan's part, But give credit to Alexander. I think 233 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 1: he's the one who forced the fumble. Yeah, yeah, it's 234 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: he's had a great year. I mean, you look at 235 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 1: where he came from as a twenty one year old rookie, 236 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:53,560 Speaker 1: eighteenth overall pick, high expectations, and he's, you know, really 237 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: risen to every challenge and he's been given this year. 238 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 1: I mean, yeah, you know, whatever your definition of matching 239 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:02,360 Speaker 1: however want to look at it. The Packers have made 240 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:04,959 Speaker 1: it pretty clear, especially in the time in which Kevin 241 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: King has been out with these lingering lower body issues. 242 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:11,839 Speaker 1: Hamstring issues that JayR Alexander is their quote unquote number 243 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:14,679 Speaker 1: one cornerback. Uh. He can play the slot, he can 244 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: play the boundary. He's versatile, he's quick, he's a ball hawk, 245 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:22,439 Speaker 1: and he has a short memory and his confidence never weighing. 246 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:24,840 Speaker 1: So for him to be able to step up to 247 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:27,960 Speaker 1: that challenge but then also be accountable um to those 248 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 1: other situational football type things, because in a situation like 249 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:33,200 Speaker 1: that where there is a dump off pass, I can't 250 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 1: imagine there was any situation where that was quote unquote 251 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 1: his guy. You know, that's just a guy trying to 252 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 1: step up and make a play track in the eyes 253 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:44,200 Speaker 1: of quarterback and being aware of his surroundings. And then 254 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:46,840 Speaker 1: a byproduct of that is you end up causing what 255 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 1: it was at a sixteen yard loss. Sixteen yard loss, 256 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:51,880 Speaker 1: and then the Falcons missed the field goal has ended 257 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 1: up being a fifty plus yard field goal that came 258 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:56,559 Speaker 1: up way short. The two biggest plays for the Packers 259 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 1: defensive the day. We're both set up on you know, 260 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 1: one two situations when it was that and then Bryant 261 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:05,200 Speaker 1: missing badly on the field goal, and then also the 262 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 1: the kickoff return that was botched ends up being putting 263 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:10,559 Speaker 1: them at the eight yard line and then comes back 264 00:13:10,559 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 1: and gets the pick six. Those are the type of 265 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:15,559 Speaker 1: things you need, though, you need to have for the 266 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 1: defensive perspective, positive momentum building plays because the other side 267 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 1: of that is it's going to tilt this, you know, 268 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:25,440 Speaker 1: the momentum of a football game. Yeah, I tell you 269 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:28,840 Speaker 1: number twenty three. This rookie Alexander for the Packers. He 270 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:30,960 Speaker 1: is just fun to watch. And I know the fans 271 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,839 Speaker 1: watching at home on TV, you can't focus on a cornerback. 272 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,360 Speaker 1: He's not in the screen. And that's why I took 273 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:39,199 Speaker 1: the time to sit down and watch an entire game 274 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:43,000 Speaker 1: simply focusing on him on the AL twenty two and 275 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 1: and he he really, he really is a special player. 276 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 1: And he doesn't look like a rookie. I guess that's 277 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:50,959 Speaker 1: maybe the biggest compliment I could I could give him, 278 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,680 Speaker 1: because yes, Julio Jones is going to make his plays. 279 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 1: Julio Jones had one big play that was called back 280 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:59,920 Speaker 1: on an offensive holding penalty, another play where he beat 281 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,839 Speaker 1: Alexander deep but the ball was overthrown. That kind of 282 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:05,600 Speaker 1: stuff happens as well. But man, you talk, you talk 283 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 1: about a competitor, who is not going to back down 284 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:12,200 Speaker 1: to anybody, and who's who's energy and enthusiasm and everything 285 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: fires up everybody around him. Yeah, and if you could, 286 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 1: just if for the Packers sake, if you get three 287 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 1: more weeks here the rest of this regular season where 288 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 1: you can get keep Alexander and Brelan and Jack's and 289 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:26,160 Speaker 1: Tony Brown, you know, keep the rest of that secondary healthy. 290 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 1: They've had a weather a lot of injuries this year. 291 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 1: But I think you even saw with Briland the dimension 292 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:33,200 Speaker 1: that he adds when he's sort of thrown in there 293 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 1: as well, because he has inside outside versatility. He he 294 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 1: said it after the game, he really stressed over the 295 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: last few years, his playmaking ability, his ball hawking ability. 296 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 1: Truman Williams, Kentroll, Bryce was back in that game. I 297 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 1: just think from Mike Petton's perspective, moving these chess pieces around, 298 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: the more of them, the more guys that you give him, 299 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 1: the better his defense can be, the more plays that 300 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:58,560 Speaker 1: they can make. The exciting thing about Alexander's getting back 301 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 1: to him, though, is the fact that he is only 302 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: one years old. He has a long future, bright future 303 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 1: ahead of him in this league, and every single repute 304 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 1: takes against Julio Jones or Brandon Cooks or Larry Fitzgerald, 305 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 1: all these guys he's seen over the last couple of months. 306 00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:17,680 Speaker 1: I mean, the byproduct of that, that the benefit of 307 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:19,480 Speaker 1: that down the line is just going to be out 308 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 1: of this world. Yeah, I totally agree with you. Well, 309 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:24,000 Speaker 1: I promised at the end of yesterday's show that we 310 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:27,080 Speaker 1: would look back at the week that was in the NFL, 311 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 1: and with that result on Monday Night Football, with the 312 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:33,000 Speaker 1: Seahawks beating the Vikings, that is what has set up 313 00:15:33,040 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 1: now that the Bears are in position with one more victory. 314 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,560 Speaker 1: All Chicago needs is one more win to clinch it's 315 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 1: first NFC North title since two thousand ten. But now 316 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: the Vikings are sitting there at six six and one. 317 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,680 Speaker 1: There are three other teams I believe that are six 318 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 1: and seven, the Packers then behind that bunch at five 319 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:58,320 Speaker 1: seven and one, This whole cluster fighting for the what 320 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: what right now would be the number six seed in 321 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 1: the NFC, the wild card spot. You know, it's tough West. 322 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 1: I mean, the Philadelphia Eagles look like, okay, are they 323 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:08,600 Speaker 1: going to make a run, but then they end up 324 00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:12,680 Speaker 1: losing in overtime to the Cowboys. The Carolina Panthers were 325 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 1: six and two. They've lost five games in a row 326 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 1: to drop to six and seven, and now they're hanging 327 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:22,840 Speaker 1: on for their playoff lives. Um. And obviously the Washington Redskins, 328 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 1: with their quarterback situation and the injuries, they've gone from 329 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 1: six and three I believe they were to now six 330 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 1: and seven with four straight losses. Um, it's kind of 331 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 1: got it's you know, quite frankly gotten crazy in the NFC. 332 00:16:35,280 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 1: And if one other thing happened as a result of 333 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: the Bears beating the Rams on Sunday night, the Bears 334 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 1: might have just sent the NFC road to the Super 335 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 1: Bowl through the Super Dome in New Orleans. Because now 336 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: the the Saints, who have the tiebreaker on the Rams, 337 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 1: are back in the number one spot. And I know 338 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:58,320 Speaker 1: the Saints have had their ups and downs here over 339 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 1: the last couple of weeks, but boy, come g Nanuary. 340 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:02,800 Speaker 1: Having to go into the Super Doom in New Orleans, 341 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:05,240 Speaker 1: I'm not sure if anybody's going to be able to 342 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:07,000 Speaker 1: go in there and beat that team. Yeah, if they 343 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:08,960 Speaker 1: can just stay at a T n T stadium now 344 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:11,199 Speaker 1: from the here until the Super Bowl, they might be 345 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:14,000 Speaker 1: all right. The very interesting thing about them though, I 346 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:15,640 Speaker 1: was thinking about this before and I was just looking 347 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:18,160 Speaker 1: at the schedule now. They do have that that quirky 348 00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:20,719 Speaker 1: part of the schedule where they get Carolina twice in 349 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:24,000 Speaker 1: three weeks. Caroline is having a boatload of issues right now, 350 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 1: trying to figure out what's going on there in Pittsburgh's 351 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:29,760 Speaker 1: coming off a really demoralizing loss as well. So yeah, 352 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 1: things are setting up pretty well for Sean Payton's team. 353 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:36,360 Speaker 1: Uh as far as that game though, with the Minnesota 354 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:40,960 Speaker 1: and Seattle, the game right there basically to be had 355 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:44,080 Speaker 1: for the Vikings and offensively just can't get it done. 356 00:17:44,119 --> 00:17:46,800 Speaker 1: I I know, the main storyline this year has been 357 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 1: with Kirk Cousins and the fact that the Vikings have 358 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:51,960 Speaker 1: had the issues they've had. Totally get that they dished 359 00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:55,320 Speaker 1: out a ton of money to them that creates expectations, 360 00:17:55,880 --> 00:17:58,000 Speaker 1: but their inability to get the running game going this 361 00:17:58,080 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 1: season has really just caught me by some rise. I thought, 362 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 1: you know, I know, Delvin Kick was coming off of 363 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 1: an injury, but I thought getting him back this year 364 00:18:05,560 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 1: and pairing him with with Cousins and what they did 365 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 1: without him, I thought, I thought I thought so too, West. 366 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: I really I really thought Dalvin Cook was going to 367 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 1: be the answer for them in the running game. And 368 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:19,639 Speaker 1: I'm not sure why that is. But uh, and I again, 369 00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 1: I don't want to go into a whole referendum on 370 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 1: the officiating in the NFL, but I don't understand how 371 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 1: you pick up the flag on Bobby Wagner on the 372 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:29,400 Speaker 1: blocked field goal. It's the it's the letter of the law. 373 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:32,679 Speaker 1: You threw the flag. Then suddenly you think you didn't 374 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:35,040 Speaker 1: see what you thought you saw, when actually the video 375 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 1: shows that it was a penalty, and that was the 376 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:41,360 Speaker 1: difference between a fifteen yard penalty that gives the Vikings 377 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:43,760 Speaker 1: a first down in the red zone down six to 378 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: nothing in the fourth quarter. Yes, they had just gotten 379 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 1: to the two yard line and went forward and didn't score, 380 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:51,920 Speaker 1: but still the game is only six to nothing. They 381 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:53,760 Speaker 1: have a first down in the red zone if they 382 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:57,399 Speaker 1: get that personal file on Wagner instead, the blocked field 383 00:18:57,400 --> 00:18:59,560 Speaker 1: goal stands. The Seahawks drive the other way and get 384 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 1: a touched on and go up to scores and put 385 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: the game away. These games are hinging on officiating, West, 386 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 1: and I'm not sure what the league is going to 387 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:10,400 Speaker 1: do about it, if anything, But it just seems like 388 00:19:10,680 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 1: you can't go a week, and now that we're late 389 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:15,240 Speaker 1: in the season and these games mean that much more, 390 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:18,159 Speaker 1: you can't go a week in this league without high 391 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:23,840 Speaker 1: profile officiating discussions deciding some big things happening in the NFL. 392 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,239 Speaker 1: Here's the problem that the NFL is going to have. 393 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:30,159 Speaker 1: It's one thing to get Clay Matthews calling him for 394 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:34,200 Speaker 1: wait on the defensive player, defensive player or whatever. It's 395 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 1: one thing to to mention this Bobby Wagner play with 396 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:39,919 Speaker 1: the with the field goal. It's another thing, you know, 397 00:19:39,920 --> 00:19:42,359 Speaker 1: when you look at how these things have gone against 398 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers and over the past couple of years. But 399 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 1: when a pattern develops, what does that tell you? Tells 400 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: you it's not going away. I'm not even looking at 401 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:55,399 Speaker 1: these next three weeks, Mike. In four weeks, in five weeks, 402 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:59,200 Speaker 1: in six weeks, championships are going to be decided. Teams 403 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:01,959 Speaker 1: are going to be in a winner go home type phase. 404 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:06,640 Speaker 1: You have twelve teams making the playoffs. So how many 405 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:08,919 Speaker 1: games has that end up leading to? You're telling me 406 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:13,120 Speaker 1: you're gonna play all those games, dozen, sixteen, whatever comes 407 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:15,880 Speaker 1: out to and you're not going to have any officiating issues. 408 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 1: I think you're right. We're not gonna put this on 409 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:20,960 Speaker 1: the league and the referendum at this point in time. 410 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:25,119 Speaker 1: But if you think it's interesting now folks stay tuned 411 00:20:25,119 --> 00:20:27,640 Speaker 1: because the playoffs are on the horizon, then you're really 412 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 1: going to have an issue. Well, I think, I think, 413 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:31,880 Speaker 1: And I'll just end the show by saying this. As 414 00:20:31,960 --> 00:20:34,919 Speaker 1: much as the NFL has resisted in a lot of 415 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:37,880 Speaker 1: different facets of the game over the years, adopting things 416 00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:40,160 Speaker 1: that are in college football, look how long it took 417 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:43,400 Speaker 1: the NFL to actually put the two point conversion into 418 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:48,520 Speaker 1: the league the college system of essentially anything being subject 419 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 1: to review by somebody buzzing from upstairs to stop the 420 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:53,159 Speaker 1: game and say, hey, we gotta take a look at 421 00:20:53,200 --> 00:20:56,720 Speaker 1: that play. I just wonder if, if sooner than later, 422 00:20:56,760 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: if the NFL is going to have to is gonna 423 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:01,439 Speaker 1: have to go that route altely? But who's reviewing it 424 00:21:01,520 --> 00:21:04,080 Speaker 1: now too? You know, I agree with the other thing. 425 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:06,920 Speaker 1: I I agree. I agree with you there, but one 426 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:09,280 Speaker 1: step at a time. You know what I'm saying. You 427 00:21:09,320 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: know what I'm saying, press the buzzer. Well in New York, 428 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:15,679 Speaker 1: I hear, I hear you. We are getting to that 429 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 1: point that I think you're really gonna have to take 430 00:21:17,080 --> 00:21:19,960 Speaker 1: a look at all these things, because it's it's piling up, Mike, 431 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 1: and that is getting pretty big. It is it is. 432 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:25,200 Speaker 1: With that we gotta go. We'll sign off on this 433 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:28,000 Speaker 1: edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of 434 00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:31,040 Speaker 1: our coverage of the team on Packers dot com on Twitter. 435 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:33,560 Speaker 1: He's still at West Hot, I'm still at Mike Spofford 436 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 1: at Packers is still the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody, 437 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:37,680 Speaker 1: See you next time.