My Take -> Week 2

Greetings, G-Force.

In emphatic fashion, the Green Bay Packers went to 1-0. The Green Bay Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks at their own game. The Packers were more physical. The Packers were stronger. The Packers were tougher. And, when push came to shove in a tight game, it was the Packers defense that elevated and not the Seahawks. This was a big win as the Packers prepare to play 3 of the next 5 games on the road. Those 3 road games are going to be tough. If the Packers can find a way to win 1, I'll like our odds of being in contention to win the NFC North. If the Packers can win 2, I'll like our position to make a run at the #1 seed in the NFC.

As I write, I am listening to the Greensky Bluegrass "If Sorrows Swim" album. I'm seeing Greensky at Red Rocks in just over a week. Greensky plays jam music with bluegrass instruments. The have a hint of rock & roll with intensely energetic vocals. Each note is pointed with intent. There's no dull moment. It's head bobbing musical theater.

Here's my quick vibes from the last week:

* Lambeau Field. If the crowd and the Stadium carry that vibe all year, the Packers will go 8-0 at home. No one is walking into Lambeau and beating the Packers. Not with that energy vibrating off the hallowed walls of the most epic Sporting Venue in America.

* It's hard for me to explain it, but this Packers team just feels different. The make-up. The texture. The energy. The exuberance. The togetherness. It feels fresh. It's fun. Regardless of what happens from here on out, I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the 2017 Green Bay Packers.

* Mike McCarthy. He had his team ready. He had his team fired up. The team looked ready to deliver an early knock-out punch until the fluky Rodgers interception. I thought the Packers were fairly well coached until the final minute of the 1st half. And then, what was McCarthy doing calling those timeouts? There was no chance that the Packers were going to get the ball back. All Seattle had to do was run the football three times and they could run the clock out if they didn't get a first down. But, the Packers idiotically called two timeouts to preserve time for Seattle. Then, after Seattle picked up the first down, they had life and they were able to get aggressive down the field. McCarthy needs to learn his lesson and not call late timeouts near the end of the first half. He's been burned time and time again. What was so odd about this time was that there was ZERO chance that his team could get the ball back. Seattle would have never had to punt. In fact, defensive players on Seattle were already walking back to the locker room for an early halftime break. It was unbelievably poor coaching and because of it, McCarthy gave 3 points.

* I'm a big fan of the nitro package on defense. We look faster. We look tougher. We looked fresher as players were rotating in and out.

* Rodgers wasn't in MVP mode, but he was tough. He stood in the middle of a collapsing pocket and he stood tall against the Seattle pass rush. Post the Mike Daniels forced fumble, Rodgers seemed to relax. He was getting rid of the ball quicker. He seemed to see the field better. The Daniels forced fumble appeared to settle down the offense in a big way.

* Ty Montgomery is a budding star in this league. 23 touches. 93 yards. 1 TD. He was consistently falling forward and picking up yards after contact. He's a tough runner. I'm hoping he can take the pounding of a RB for the entire season. His durability will be tested.

* Would like to see RIP get the ball on an inside hand-off out of shotgun. He'll wear on defenses. I'm not worried about his fumble in ATL last year. Give the man confidence. We'll need him at some point this year.

* Jamaal Williams looked impressive on his two carries. On the first one, he bulled his way forward for first down yardage. And on his second carry, he showed quickness that we've yet to see out of him. He also displayed good vision and the ability to step to the outside and turn what could've been a loss into a 6-yard gain.

* Rodgers-to-Jordy on a free play. Midseason form.

* Really enjoyed how Cobb was moved around. Liked seeing him come in motion on the end around and then having the ball flipped to him on a swing pass. Next time, I'd throw the ball to the weak side of the field. Adams was 1 v 1. And, he was open. Imagine he would be the next time we saw that play as well.

* Martellus Bennett was more valuable as a blocker than as a pass receiver. He's defining of the Packers physical intent for the 2017 season. He's not fleet of foot, but he'll overpower you. On the Montgomery TD, Bennett drove his defender 6 yards back off the line of scrimmage into the end zone. We haven't seen that type of blocking from a TE in a long time.

* When Lance Kendricks is on the field, for the most part, he's open. He has big plays in his arsenal this year. He, too, is a steady blocking hand.

* Richard Rodgers is not happy. He didn't like how Aaron Rodgers showed him up after the incomplete pass that was thrown in his direction in the 4th Qtr. After the game, Richard Rodgers sprinted off the field without shaking anyone's hand. He was anxious to get to the locker room.

* The Packers need better out of Jahri Evans. Evans was pushed backwards. Often. He was also a grabber. He's scrappy, but he needs to be stronger at the point of attack.

* Thought Kyle Murphy settled down well. His play was up-and-down early. He was late to get off the ball in the run game and lost his block due to quickness. But, as the game wore on, Murphy held up well.

* I'm excited to get Geronimo back this week.

* Wish Davante would've came down with the acrobatic catch on a day in which Adams only caught 3 of the 7 passes thrown his way.

* Mike Daniels absolutely dominated the game. 7 tackles. 1.5 sacks. 1 tackle for loss. 4 QB Hits. He overpowered the Seattle OL all day. He's forced fumble was the play of the game. It swung the momentum. Post the play, the Packers offense had four possessions. The results: TD, TD, FG, and a 6:17 clock-gutting drive to seal the win. Over the last 25:33, the Packers offense looked like a Championship unit. Daniels jump started the offense's engine.

* Nick Perry was an absolute MAN! He was muscle infused. He manhandled whoever was blocking him. He lived in the Seattle backfield. 3 tackles. 1.5 sacks. 2 QB hits. 1 tackle for loss.

* Kenny Clark was winning the line of scrimmage nearly every play.

* If Clay Matthews stays patient and plays with that level of quickness and effort, he's going to have a 10-sack season.

* I am not sure Blake Martinez can play better than he did against Seattle. He was in command of the middle of the field. He was possessed as he went to plug the hole.

* Morgan Burnett at ILB is a thing. He really limited Jimmy Graham. Had a blanket on him all day. Graham finished with 3 catches for 8 yards on 7 targets.

* Kyler Fackrell showed life. He had a handful of good pressure plays from his OLB spot. He was giving maximum effort.

* When Ahmad Brooks was on the field, he had the Seahawks attention. Seattle was often looking to chip him or come with a double team.

* I can't wait to see Quinton Dial in a Packers uniform.

* Surprised that Ricky Jean Francois was released. Thought he played with good effort and extension on the few snaps that he played.

* Jake Ryan looked really sharp in limited playing time. He was seeing the field well. Kudos to the DL for opening the lane for Ryan and props to Ryan for hitting the hole with anger.

* Fun to see Davon House setting the tone with a forceful tackle on the 2nd play of the game.

* Quentin Rollins was aggressive in the slot. He was around the ball. He was pursuing the line of scrimmage. He had a couple of missed tackles that were worrisome and he was a step late a couple of times in pass defense, but overall, Rollins showed well enough to warrant the start in Week 2 as the slot CB.

* Damarious Randall was in position throughout. If he can stay healthy and continues to earn a starting spot, he could intercept 5 passes this year.

* Kentrell Brice is a hitting machine in the middle of this defense. He's going to force turnovers this year and they'll come at a time when the Packers desperately need a momentum swinging play.

* Jeff Janis was stellar as a gunner. He won his battle nearly every time. Thought it was interesting that Josh Jones was used as the other gunner. He certainly has the skill set for it. He has to be careful that he doesn't run out of bounds for so long before coming back on the field though. Twice, I thought he could've gotten penalized after he was bumped out of bounds early in the play and he didn't immediately look to rejoin the action as he ran downfield.

* Trevor Davis was a buzzkill as a PR. Didn't look confident. Was shy on running up to catch a short punt with plenty of hang time. He doesn't appear to be a good decision maker.

* I plan on marinating in relaxation for most of Saturday afternoon and evening. If so, I'll be able to get caught up on some college football and I'll put out another 2018 Packers mock draft. I've put Justin Crawford, RB, Dub-V in ink as someone I want on the Packers next year. He's shifty, he's fun.

This week - it's the Falcons. In Atlanta. One would have to think that the Packers have been preparing for this game since last January. They've been trying to figure out how they can slow down the Atlanta attack. It's why the Packers drafted the tall, speedy, rangy CB in Kevin King. It's why the Packers brought back Davon House. Remember that House played well against Julio Jones towards the end of the 2014 game in which Jones destroyed the Packers prior to House being assigned to him. It's also why the Packers are looking to get more physical up front. The Packers DL was manhandled in ATL. With Dial and hopefully, a healthy Brooks, I'd imagine that the Packers will put up a much better fight against the Falcons talented OL. Further, the Packers clearly studied the speed that ATL played with on defense. Hence, we'll be seeing the nitro package in abundance this year.

ATL continues to be littered with weapons on offense. Matt Ryan is the reigning MVP. Julio Jones is among the top 2-3 WR's in the NFL. Mohamed Sanu is a brute of a WR. He's a tall, muscular WR who is a tough cover and a talented 3rd down threat. Taylor Gabriel is an undersized slot WR who uses quickness to get loose. He gets in and out of his breaks in eye-popping fashion. At RB, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are the best 1-2 punch in the league. Austin Hooper is a sure handed TE who's best attribute is his blocking skills. Jake Matthews has consistently tamed his cousin, Clay, in their one-on-one battles. Alex Mack is among the best Centers in the league. Andy Levitre is a veteran who won't be beaten often. Wes Schweitzer was terrible against Chicago. Daniels has to destroy Schweitzer.

Don't be fooled about Atlanta's performance in Chicago. The Falcons offense is legit.

Defensively, Atlanta plays with speed. Brooks Reed and Vic Beasley are relentless coming off of the edge. Tak McKinley is an aggressive pass rushing specialist. Dontari Poe is a block-eating run stopper in the middle of the DL. Grady Jarrett is an active big body. Courtney Upshaw is a tough dude manning the edge. Adrian Clayborn brings fantastic depth to the Falcons DL. Deion Jones and De'Vondre Campbell are ideal speed LB's who will often line up side-by-side in the heart of the defense. They can cover and get to the sideline in the run game. Jarrett, Poe and Clayborn eat blockers to allow Jones and Campbell to run. The Falcons lack height at CB. But, they have quickness and attitude. Desmond Trufant, Brian Poole, Robert Alford, and Damontae Kazee are all undersized corners who can run. They can all be beaten on the jump ball. All will use their hands and get gritty with you. If the refs are calling it tight, we'll get some free first downs. Keanu Neal is a beast at Safety.

The Packers defense has to be in attack mode. If not, Atlanta's offense will pour it on just like they did in the NFC Championship Game. I'd like to see Capers call a number of different blitzes early. The Packers have to get in Ryan's face early. Ryan isn't mobile, so you have to get in his face. Daniels has to win on the interior. He has to beat up Schweitzer. I'd like to see Josh Jones coming on a blitz from an ILB position around the edge. I want to see Blake Martinez attacking the heart of the ATL OL as a pass rusher on the blitz. Rollins needs to come on the slot blitz. Matthews and Perry need to win their 1 on 1 battles. There has to be confusion. Without it, Ryan will have a field day.

It's very possible that the Packers will play well defensively and still give up 27 points.

Offensively, the Packers have to try to control the clock. The Packers have to try and get the run game going. I'd like to see RIP carrying the ball. Leaning against those ATL LB's. I want to see Montgomery catching the ball in the flat. Let's utilize Bennett's blocking strength and run behind him. Eat clock. Keep that ATL offense off of the field. It'll also open up play action. The Packers will have opportunities for big plays down the middle of the field on crossing routes. Look for Geronimo to have a big game.

Whoever has it last wins it. This time - fortune is on our side. It's Crosby from 47 yards out and a Packers victory!

Packers 30.
Falcons 27.

Go Pack Go!

Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com