My Take -> Week 6

Greetings, G-Force.

Let’s pause. Reflect. Embrace. Enjoy. We haven’t even reached mid October and the Packers have victories over each of my three least favorite teams in the NFL. It’s important to bask in the goodness of moments like these.

As I write, I sip an Avery Double Barreled Maple Stout. It reigns supreme at 15.5%. Loaded with cinnamon, chocolate and maple syrup. Sugary sweet. It is dessert in a glass. So, if my writing comes off in a different tone, I apologize, but you know why. This beer is robust! I listen to the self-titled Sublime album as I type. It was written in 1996, the first Super Bowl title year of my lifetime. This album takes me back in time to a joyful place. An all-time classic for me.

Here are my quick vibes:

The Packers went into Dallas. Without Davante Adams and Jamaal Williams. And they dropped 34 points on Dallas. Very well designed, Matt LaFleur.

Here are the four TD drives for the Packers: 5 plays, 47 yards, 1:29 off the clock; 9 plays, 89 yards, 5:20 off the clock; 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:53 off the clock; and 4 plays, 79 yards, 2:24 off the clock. The FG drive to put the Packers up three scores before the half? 12 plays, 79 yards, 6:03 off the clock. The offense showed both a patient approach with a command of the line of scrimmage and an ability to hit you quickly. It was an impressive performance. Hopefully, it’s a sign of things to come.

Thankfully, the Packers jumped out to an early lead, so Dallas had to step away from a full fledged commitment to the run. Zeke averaged more than 5 yards per carry. I had no confidence that the Packers could slow him down.

Aaron Rodgers continues to look like he’s more comfortable with this offense. He was cerebral. He was in command at the line. He was nimble moving around the pocket. Great fun!

I love the brotherhood between Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur. Fiery competitors who seem to really know and understand each other. It feels like they might be similar dudes on GameDay. Thus far, it’s been a winning approach.

Aaron Jones is unbelievably talented. His ability to get small through the hole, to bounce off of tackles, to find the end zone, and to glide into the second level of the defense is a great to watch. It was great to see him as a receiver, too. His awareness and field vision are also top notch.

MVS showed his deep threat capabilities with a slippery smooth move to get open down the field. Had Rodgers not underthrew him, he’d have walked into the end zone.

The screen to Marcedes Lewis is a thing!

I’ve been critical of Lucas Patrick in the past. And, I’ll admit, when I saw him step into the field to play Center, I was really concerned. But, the guy really stepped up. He held his own. And, ultimately, the offense didn’t skip a beat with him on the field. Well done!

It feels like Jenkins might be becoming a budding star in this league. His ability to move people into the second level in the run game is a sight to see. He’s mobile. He’s big. He’s powerful.

Bulaga is off to a fantastic start to the year.

Billy Turner is starting to make his impact felt in the run game. He’s plays with finesse over power. He moves his feet well. I still worry about him in pass protection, but he played really well in Dallas.

If you pay attention to the way his teammates look at him, you know that David Bakhtiari is a leader on this team.

Tra Carson reliably stepping in was a sight to see. His presence on GameDay shows how little confidence that LaFleur has in Dexter Williams.

The Tonyan catch down the sideline was a feel good moment. I hope his injury doesn’t sideline him.

It sure feels like the Davante Adams injury is going to keep him out for at least a month.

The Packers could use a healthy Jace Sternberger as a receiving option right now.

I hope that the Packers have learned that they should just hand the ball off to Jones 4x inside the 5. He has a nose for the end zone.

The Smith Bros. share a unique knack for consistently making splash plays when it feels like the defense needs them the most. They have bailed this defense out of tough situations multiple times this year. I love the sacks on 3rd down to knock the opposition out of FG range. Game winning plays.

Another dynamite game by Kevin King. His interception was the play that sealed the game.

Chandon Sullivan giving the shoutout to Nintendo Nick is so superfly that I’m not even sure I can explain it. But, I’ll try. This teams has unity. This time has a passion for the history of the G. They seem proud to wear the G. They’re having fun. And, it’s showing in all phases of the way they carry themselves.

Smash Amos continues to be dependable. He’s physical. He finishes in the open field. He’s been a difference maker for this defense.

Once again, Will Redmond flashes brilliantly as a gunner. He even showed well in coverage. Great bounce back game for him on the defensive side of the ball.

I’m really worried about the Savage injury.

Kyler Fackrell continues to get close. He needs to finish. If he does, it wouldn’t shock me if he had a multi-sack game soon.

Can you imagine what this pass rush would look like if Gary could consistently get pressure on the QB? Just play, young man. Let your nuts hang!

Big difference from last year: Pettine can trust his front 4 to get home without blitzing. Last year, he needed to blitz to get pressure. This year, he’s been able to rush 4. Drop in coverage. And, because of it, the Packers have 7 guys in coverage; so the chances to create big plays increase significantly. The early returns have been really positive as the defense has forced crucial turnovers in 4 of 5 weeks.

Oren Burks made an appearance! I’d love to see him fully in the mix.

The Packers won by 10 points in Dallas. On a day when Jaire gave up more than 200 yards. That’s mind blowing.

Can somebody please make a tackle in Kickoff coverage?

If the Packers can win the next two games at home, they’ll have a carefree game at KC on Sunday Night over Halloween weekend. The prospect of the Packers at 6-1 heading into that game has me Uber stoked with head tapping sensations.

Here’s my 2020 Packers Mock Draft:

Round 1.) Isaiah Simmons, ILB, Clemson.
Round 2.) Alaric Jackson, T, Iowa.
Round 3.) Richard LeCounte, S, Georgia.
Round 4.) JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State.
Round 5.) Collin Johnson, WR, Texas.
Round 6.) Kendall Coleman, EDGE, Syracuse.
Round 6.) Jared Rice, TE, Fresno State.
Round 7.) Benito Jones, DL, Mississippi.
Round 7.) Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah.
Round 7.) Liam Eichenberg, OT, ND.

This week – it’s the Lions. At Lambeau. On Monday Night Football. The winner will hold sole possession of 1st place in the hyper competitive NFC NORTH. If the Packers can protect Lambeau, they’ll be in position to have a really strong 2019 Regular Season. But, without an exceptional home field advantage, a lost opportunity will be upon the Packers. So, rise up, Lambeau!

A win and the Packers move to 3-0 in the Division. At this stage, it appears as though it’ll be tough for any team to win 4 games in the Division. So, a win in Prime Time for the Packers would allow for the Packers to be in prime position to take command of the Division as we quickly near the mid-way point of the season.

From 1992-2014, the Packers owned Detroit in WI. Suddenly, the tide has shifted. The Lions have won 3 of 4 in Green Bay. It's time for the Packers to take back Lambeau!

The Lions look to be a completely different team from years past. Stafford looks to be more of a game manager than a gunslinger. Kenny Golladay looks like he’s a legitimate threat at WR. Marvin Jones continues to be a dangerous target. The Lions have bulked up at TE. They added Jesse James via FA and drafted TJ Hockenson in the 1st round. Both TE’s are talented blockers and receivers. At RB, Kerryon Johnson has developed into a well-rounded, 3-down back. JD McKissic has been a big play threat with the ball in his hands as both a runner and a receiver. Ty Johnson has also been able to push forward for yards at a healthy clip. The Lions OL has been really good across the board. They seemed to have crushed the 2016 draft by adding Taylor Decker, Joe Dahl and Graham Glasgow as legitimate starters. Frank Ragnow was a solid 1st round selection last year. And, Ricky Wagner was a solid FA addition.

Defensively, the Lions appear to be better than years past as well. They’re much more physical. Damon Harrison and A’Shawn Robinson can destroy the interior of an OL. Romeo Okwara add length to the EDGE. Trey Flowers was an expensive pass-rushing difference maker. Devon Kennard is an athletic OLB that can both drop in coverage and get to the QB. Jarrad Davis is an elite ILB who brings both attitude and intensity as a 3-down LB. He destroys plays as an inside rusher. Christian Jones is a speedy coverage LB. Darius Slay remains a top-tier cover CB. Justin Coleman is undersized, but he plays bigger than he looks. He’s a confident, gifted player. Quandre Diggs has become a first-class Safety. Tracy Walker is also trending up at FS. I really like the way this Lions defense has taken shape.

The Lions will bring an attitude early to this game. It’ll be important for the Packers to grab an early lead. Or else we could be, once again, witnessing a frustrating home performance by the defense trying to stop the run. The Lions will try to take the air out of the ball. They’ll play with 2-TE’s to double team the Smith Bros. They’ll try to force the interior of the Packers DL and Blake Martinez to make plays in the run game.

Look for the Packers to move Smash Amos into the box to try and help stop the run. They’ll trust the CB’s to play man coverage. Jaire responds with a really solid performance.

Look for Oren Burks to make an impact for the defense.

Look for the Packers to come out with a multitude of different formations early in the game. All centered around play action. Rodgers tries MVS deep early in the game.

Both teams have multiple sustained drives. It’s a quick-paced game. Both teams take care of the football. The team that plays better in the Red Zone wins. In the end, the Packers faithful are too rowdy for Stafford as he tries to engineer a game-tying drive late.

Packers 23.
Lions 20.

Go Pack Go!

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