My Take -> Week 5

Greetings, G-Force.

3-1. It'd never get old watching the Packers absolutely dominating the Bears on National TV. Yes, THE BEARS STILL SUCK! From the start, it was pure destruction. The Packers were immensely more gifted in all three phases of the game. The city boys from the most pathetic state in America made their way north through the farmlands of Wisconsin to play football in the town that has won more World Football Championships than anyone else. Again, the Bears proved their worth. The 35-14 Packers victory was true joy. THE BEARS STILL SUCK.

I listen to Michael Franti's 2008 release All Rebel Rockers. What a great piece of vinyl. Went to see Franti in Taos, NM last weekend. Get to see him in CO this weekend. I'm spoiled. Michael Franti is my musical spirit animal. His music brings balance to my life. Plainly stated, "Hey World" is an epic tune. If you aren't familiar with Franti's music. Get to a gym. Put your headphones in. Block out everything around you. Listen to the All Rebel Rockers album. Don't blame me when you're hooked.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

* I have mad respect for Mike McCarthy. He hasn't had his two tackles on the field for a play over the first four games. His Pro Bowl Left Tackle has played one game. His star RT has played 2.5 Quarters. His star slot WR has missed a game. Then, against the Bears he lost his top two RB's early in the game. He was without his top 5 Tackles on his roster entering the season. Yes, his top FIVE Tackles entering the season were not on the field. He played with 4 Guards. That's unheard of. Still, he dropped 35 freakin' points on the Bears ass. Silly Chicago fools. The BEARS STILL SUCK. And, Mike McCarthy is a wizard.

* Dom Capers has been really impressive thus far. He's mixed and matched his defenses to mirror the opponents perceived game plan to perfection. He's made adjustments. He's drafted up a variety of blitzes. He's had 4 safeties on the field at a time. He's been without Mike Daniels. Nick Perry has had one hand. He's been without Davon House. Brice has missed time. Jake Ryan has missed time. He's had to adjust due to the fact that Q Rollins can't play and Damarious Randall is a selfish, me-first athlete. Capers deserves significant props.

* The Packers have been decimated with injuries through 4 games. Most coaching staffs would've been happy at 2-2 with the injuries that the Packers have endured. But, 1-3 would've been the likely scenario. Mike McCarthy and Dom Capers have the Packers atop the NFC at 3-1.

* The Packers have to win one of the next two games on the road. The mission is 8-0 at home and 4-4 on the road. 5-3 on the road gets you home field throughout. 4-4 gets you a first round bye and a shot at home field throughout. In order to do so, the Packers need at least one of the next two road games.

* Aaron Rodgers. In MVP form. Through 4 weeks, he's on the short list of MVP contenders. He's using all of his tools. He's been cerebral. He's been mobile. It feels as though he's used the middle of the field more than he has in recent memory. He's been quicker to get rid of the ball. He was 18-26 with 4 TD's against the hated Bears. And, he's yet to play his best football.

* Get healthy, Ty. We need you, my man.

* Aaron Jones. Have to admit: he surprised me. He looked quicker than he did all preseason. He looked animated. He showed the burst to get to the edge. He was light on his feet. He put his head down and got tough yards. Suddenly, I'm anxious to see more of Jones.

* It was nice to see RIP getting a carry. It didn't surprise me to see him get 4 yards on his lone run. On his one catch, he gained 6 yards. As the season wears, I imagine we'll see RIP getting more involved in this offense.

* Flex on, Davante. You're created with otherworldly hands. Tough as nails.

* Randall Cobb. Sporting yellow gloves. Loved the look. 11 yards a catch out of the slot. And, a beauty of a TD. The route was drafted to perfection.

* Jordy Nelson in the end zone. Joyful!

* Martellus Bennett was supposed to be our prized FA. Due to injuries, he's essentially been a blocker thus far. Had to like his 3rd and 1 catch on the opening drive of the game. Fantastic play design in a 3-TE set. McCarthy used his tools and Bennett got loose and came up with a big play.

* Tip of the cap to Lane Taylor. Really nutted up. He's off to a great start in 2017.

* Corey Linsley. Playing as though he's in a contract year. He's earning his keep. Dude gonna get paid!

* Thought Lucas Patrick really played well for his first real game action.

* Jahri Evans is settling in nicely. Had a great game. He's really steadied himself the last couple of weeks.

* I'm still pining to see Bennett used as a Red Zone weapon.

* I keep waiting to see Jordy in the slot. But, that can't happen until we get our tackles. Then, Bennett can go out wide. Jordy can man the middle. Both could do damage.

* Thought Jake Ryan played with good speed in the middle of the field.

* Blake Martinez was an absolute bruiser.

* Kenny Clark was manning up at the line of scrimmage.

* Quinton Dial was tough to move off the ball.

* Ahmad Brooks with another solid game. Great signing by TT!

* CLAY MATTHEWS! ALL TIME SACK LEADER IN PACKERS HISTORY! The strip sack was a game changer. Set up the 2-score lead. Tremendous play by Clay. He also forced the overthrow on the Brice interception. Clay has been a stallion to start the season.

* Nice to see HaHa and Brice grabbing interceptions. Neither has been an impressive tackler to start the year, but I hope the interceptions get their year jump started.

* Josh Jones needs to be on the field. Period.

* Fun to see Josh Hawkins step up when he was put to the task. 3 passes defensed. Impressive showing. Had 5 tackles. Threw his body around.

* Awesome pass break-up by Joe Thomas. Game changing play.

* Nick Perry brings the intensity to this defense.

* Trevor Davis needs confidence. He needs to catch and go. Stop the dancing. Start running. Straight at the defense on special teams. A little hip shake and go. Not every return needs to be focused on a TD, but let's try to get 7-10 yards at a minimum. Take the ball up the field with heightened speed.

This week - it's the Cowboys. In Dallas. This new stadium has been good to the Green Bay Packers. It's brought us the XLV title. It's brought us the sublime Matt Flynn comeback. It's brought us the instant classic in last years playoffs. Hopefully, this week adds to the legend.

The Cowboys have a plethora of talent. Dak Prescott has not had the start to the season that he'd have liked, but he's a weapon every time he touches the ball. He beats you with his legs and he's had a pension for hitting the deep ball on busted plays this year. Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams are lethal WR's who rack up yards after the catch. Brice Butler is a solid deep ball receiver. Cole Beasley is a dangerous slot WR. Ryan Switzer is a rookie WR who is dangerous as a PR and a dangerous slot WR. The Cowboys OL isn't the same as it was last year, but Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin are as good as any in the league at their positions. La'el Collins is a fast rising RT. Jonathan Cooper can be beaten at LG. That's the match-up the Packers have to win. Jason Witten remains a reliable TE. Zeke Elliott should be suspended. But, he's not. And, he's a threat every time he touches the ball. He falls forward as well as anyone in the league. He's as good as any runner in football.

Defensively, Dallas relies on speed on the edge. Demarcus Lawrence ducks his shoulder underneath the Tackle and explodes towards the QB. Taco Charlton and Tyrone Crawford to the same not he opposite side. Lawrence leads the league in sacks. Maliek Collins has been a solid run stopper. Stephen Paea has proved tough to move on the interior. David Irving is a force on the DL. When Sean Lee is healthy, this Dallas defense balls out. When he isn't, the defense can be picked apart. If Anthony Hitchens can play, he'll be disruptive. Jaylon Smith is a Dallas Cowboy. I can't stand that. For those that have followed my blog for a while, you know that I wanted Smith in Green Bay. He'll be a Pro Bowler some day. The Cowboys secondary is a work in progress. Jeff Heath is a steady safety, but he lacks height and speed. He wins with smarts, not athleticism. Byron Jones wins with athleticism, but you can beat him on double moves. Chidobe Awuzie has been banged up and might not play. Jourdan Lewis has the makings of a star slot, but due to injuries he's been forced to play on the outside. He won't be savvy enough to cover Jordy. He won't be athletic enough to cover Davante on the outside. Orlando Scandrick is among the best blitzing slot CB's in football.

The crowd will be hyped. The stadium will be amped. The Cowboys are 2-2. They can't afford a loss. A win would do wonders for the Packers when it comes down to December tie breakers in the NFC. This is a meaningful game for both teams. In a big way.

Look for the Cowboys to blitz often from the edges. I anticipate a wide variety of blitzes that challenge the Packers RB's to block. The Cowboys know that they'll struggle to get pressure with just 4 men, if the Packers OL is at full strength. So, it's vital for the Packers to prepare for the blitz. If Rodgers is protected, he'll have opportunities for big plays.

I expect that both teams will try to run clock. Both teams know this will be a tight battle. Both teams know that it'll be a physical contest on the line of scrimmage. Both teams know that they have to keep the oppositions offense off the field to rest their defense.

Turnovers and sacks will tell the story. Whoever wins those battles will win the game.

With the electricity at full blast, the Cowboys try to pound away at the heart of the Packers defense. Elliott blasts his way to the third level of the Packers defense. Prescott rolls out on play action and hits Williams on a comeback route. Prescott hits Witten on a come back route. Kevin King breaks up a ball to Dez Bryant to end the drive. The Cowboys settle for 3.

The Packers respond. With their Tackles at full strength, McCarthy gets to open the playbook. We see Bennett involved in the offense. Split out wide. He's a mismatch. Rodgers connects with him on the slant. He powers forward for added yards. Nelson catches one up the seam and splits the safeties for a big gain. It's Rodgers to Bennett in the corner of the end zone for the TD.

It's back and forth. Aaron Jones has a big play in the screen game. We see Cobb in the backfield and he's catching passes as an outlet receiver.

Rodgers is in rhythm. He's not to be denied. In a nail biter, like last year, he leads a late drive. Crosby is money at the buzzer.

Clay grabs a sack. So, does Perry. Daniels disrupts. Martinez continues to have a stellar 2017.

Brice grabs a pick.

Jordy has a TD.

Packers 30.
Cowboys 27.

Mama. Don't let your babies grow up to be Cowboys.

Go Pack Go!

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