My Take -> Week 3

Greetings, G-Force.

1-1. With two games at Lambeau on the docket. Need to dominate our home field. With the injuries, we’re going 81,441 Green and Gold maniacs in the stands to help pull out these next two wins. Injuries are an equalizer. It’s up to the fans to ensure that Lambeau is protected. If you’re going to be in attendance, you best bring your A-game!

While I write, it’s the Grateful Dead’s Terrapin Station that rings in my ears. This 1977 classic gets the spirit Dancin’. And, how can you dislike the studio version of Terrapin Station? Perfectly performed.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

* Call me crazy. But, the best thing to happen to the Packers was to fall behind 31-7. The Packers won’t win the Super Bowl with Randall and Rollins starting in the defensive backfield. We’ve seen that story before. And, while both are highly capable defenders who offer bright spots, they both have severe limitations. Josh Jones and Kevin King were drafted to be difference makers. They have the size and speed that are required to dominate defensively in the modern NFL. Additionally, in limited action, both have flashed playmaking ability. It’s beyond vital for the Packers to get both players in the mix. Immediately.

* Thought McCarthy brought fire to the team. Liked his animation on the sidelines. Appreciated his sideline penalty. This is no excuse, it’s just a fact, but the officiating was awful. Though it didn’t decide the game in any fashion, it was very poorly called. The Bennett pick penalty was unfair. It changed the momentum in the game. The Packers were poised for points before the half and they were set to get the ball to start the 2nd half – down only one score. Instead, it was 24-7 at the half and the game was all but over. Making matters worse, on the Atlanta TD, there was a clear pick directly in front of the Field Judge. There was no call. Finally, down 31-7, the Packers scored an apparent TD, only to have it called back by another questionable pick call. A pick that was far less blatant than the non-call on the Atlanta TD.

* Capers tried to diversify his defensive calls, but his team was crippled due to injuries. No Brice. No Daniels. A limited Perry. House also left. Capers couldn’t win with what he was playing with. I was happy that Randall was replaced so early in the game after his poor performance. I wonder if we’re going to see more of Josh Hawkins as well. Hawkins showed well in the preseason. I’m also curious if Pipkins might get his shot in the slot. Pipkins performed really well in the slot throughout the preseason. We may see a new look against the Bengals this week.

* Aaron Rodgers. Tough as it gets.

* Martellus Bennett. Come on, Marty. Get focused. We need you in a big way. Catch the ball. He’s made a great impact as a blocker, but need him as a receiver. Desperately.

* I’d like to see McCarthy designing a play to get Kendricks the ball deep down the field.

* It was clear that Geronimo and Rodgers aren’t in-sync with one another.

* Quinton Dial showed flashes of heightened physicality. Then, on other downs, he was pushed 3 yards backwards.

* I can’t wait to see Montravious Adams on 3rd downs. Hope it happens this weekend.

* Welcome back, Ricky Jean Francois. I like RJF as a rotational DL. Hope that his addition does not mean the Daniels injury is severe. We are far less powerful on the DL without Daniels. Daniels brings quickness to the defensive front. He’s needed.

* Thought Kyle Murphy played very well at LT. He was quick off the snap and for the most part, he was able to man up and use his body well.

* It may not show up in the box score, but I really liked the way Kevin King matched up with Julio Jones. He was a gamer. He’s length was a disturbance to Jones. Thought King covered the crossing route well. He fought through the traffic and showed his competitive nature.

* Fantastic use of sending Josh Jones on the weak side blitz. He has the speed to chase down ball carriers and if the timing is right and the play call is a play-action pass, Jones will almost certainly come away with a sack.

* Congrats on 300, Rodgers. Let’s see 340 by the end of the year!

* Right now, Ty Montgomery is the Packers offensive MVP.

* Fans are overly critical the Claymaker. Dude was the only defender to show up in the first half last week. So far, in 2017, he’s showing the quickness that we last saw in 2014. His burst his back. He’s been tireless in his effort. I’m expecting a big year from him.

* With the Perry injury, we need Ahmad Brooks to show in a big, big way.

* The Packers are going to need a big play on special teams over the next two weeks as we strive to find health. Hoping Trevor Davis is up to the task.

* Soon, this secondary is going to force a couple of turnovers. With added length and quickness, we’ll be around the ball and game changing plays will occur. Should happen this week.

This week – it’s the Bengals. At Lambeau. When the schedule is tough, you need to win the games that you’re supposed to win. This is one of those games. You can’t lose to the Bengals at home and expect to be in the mix at the end of the year. Not when the Lions and Viqueens look as good as they do. It’s going to take a minimum of 11 wins to win the NFC North. That requires 8-0 at home. That also requires Lambeau to be as rowdy over the next two weeks as it was during the Home Opener. If the fans make it difficult for Andy Dalton, he’ll make mistakes.

Although their offense has been putrid thus far, the Bengals do have a slew of talented offensive players. AJ Green is a dynamic WR. Brandon LaFell is a tough match-up. He uses his body to shield defenders at a first-class level. That Packers are fortunate that John Ross is not able to go. When healthy, he’ll give the Bengals speed that they haven’t seen before. He gets in and out of his breaks with lightning-like quickness. He’d have been a match-up nightmare in the slot for the Packers. At RB, the Bengals have three really solid players in Joe Mixon, Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. It looks like the Packers will catch a break with Tyler Eifert being out. The Bengals offensive line is significantly below average. The Packers have to win the trenches – even without Daniels. If we can get pressure on Dalton, he’ll give us opportunities to make plays.

Defensively, the Bengals will try to out-muscle you. Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson bring incredible height to the edge. They’re both masters of batting down passes and above average pass rushers. Jordan Willis has the makings of being a stud as a pass rusher. Geno Atkins is arguably the best interior DL in football. Ryan Glasgow is a promising run-stopping DL. The Bengals LB’s are a huge weakness without Burfict. The LB group is inexperienced and hasn’t spent time together. They lack leadership. The middle of the field should be open. In the secondary, the Bengals lack depth. The Packers should be able to spread them out and they’ll find some mismatches. Adam Jones is a fighter, but he lacks speed. You can beat him over the top. Dre Kirkpatrick brings ideal length to the perimeter and is a bright spot in the secondary. Shawn Williams and George Iloka are punishers at Safety, but both can be beaten over the top.

Health will be a major factor in determining the outcome this week. If Bulaga and Bakhtiari can play, Rodgers will have plenty of time to throw the ball around the park. If Nelson and Cobb are a go, the Bengals won’t have the personnel to cover our weapons and the Packers will put up north of 30 points in a 20 point victory. If Daniels is fit, he’ll destroy the Bengals OL. But, those are all significant question marks. Seeing that Bakhtiari, Perry, Ryan, Cobb, Daniels, Brice, House and Bulaga are doubtful; I don’t anticipate that any of them will play. I imagine that those 7 players will also be the inactives for the week. Yes, the packers will be playing without 7 starters. And, Bulaga and Nelson are questionable.

Still - expect McCarthy to come out aggressive in his play calling. He’ll look to his double TE sets early. They’ll present mismatch problems for the Bengals undermanned LB crew. Look for the Packers to limit Nelson’s snaps. We’ll see Adams and Allison on the outside with Bennett and Kendricks being moved around the formation. Both will get opportunities downfield. Both will be in position to make plays. Rodgers knows the importance of this week. He doesn’t allow a repeat of the Colts game from last year. Rodgers is in control. Here’s to hoping he whips it around the Field 45+ times this weekend. I’d give him the game. I anticipate that McCarthy might move the pocket more this week than he did last week.

The Bengals will try to control the clock. They’ll look to run the football on early downs. Without Daniels, the Bengals might be able to experience success moving the line of scrimmage and frustrating the Packers defensive personnel.

Don’t be shocked if the Packers start Hawkins and King at CB with Pipkens in the slot. With Jones and HaHa at Safety. There's even a possibility that there's a Marwin Evans sighting on defense.

Look for HaHa to come up with his first momentum swinging play of the new year.

Look for Adams to find the end zone over PacMan Jones.

Look for Bennett to score a Red Zone TD.

Clay grabs another sack.

Lambeau gets loud and makes a difference.

The diversity in this offense shows it's face this week. In past years, these injuries would've crippled the roster and led to a bad loss. This year - these opportunities give the Packers a youth movement. And, our youngsters will shine. We’re headed to 2-1 with the Bears coming to Lambeau on a short week.

Packers 24.
Bengals 16.

Go Pack Go!

Talkin’ S-Mac.
Talkins-mac.blogspot.com