My Take - Week 9

Greetings, G-Force.

The Packers Sunday Night victory in Arrowhead left me feeling Super. Thus far, in 2019, no matter the in-game circumstance, this team has stepped up to the challenge. The Offense continues to evolve into creative excellence. The Defense continues to show the pension to come up with the big play. Scott and Crosby have been exceptional in the kicking game. There’s something brewing in Titletown, U.S.A.

As I write, I listen to the Phish 8/31/19 show from Commerce City, CO. It’s a phenomenally phunky show with many wicked bass grooves. I was bouncing with my brother, Chad, in a mellowed fantasia dance style. I sip an Avery Mephistopheles. 14.666%. It’s sugary sweet dark goodness. It’s fresh, the 2019 version. And, it’s best served when aged for more than 3 years.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

If you haven’t seen the Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur postgame hug that was posted on Instagram, you’re missing out. It’s all love. It’s a head hug embrace. Brotherhood!

The Matt LaFleur “all gas, no fucking brake” philosophy was put to the test when the Packers had the ball, up 7, at the 2-minute mark. I might’ve spread the Chiefs out and ran Jones up the middle in hopes that he would grab the necessary yardage. If not, I’d have punted and forced the Chiefs to go 85-90 yards with 1:10 to play and no timeouts left. Not LaFleur. He was “all gas, no fucking brake.” Rodgers rewarded him with the game winning completion to Jones for the dagger.

This offense knows how to close out games. With 5:04 left in the game, the Packers took over from their own 2 yard line. The Chiefs had all 3 timeouts. The Packers went with power football. They ran 7 times for 31 yards. After the Jones catch, it was victory formation. That’s a CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE.

Aaron Rodgers’ audible to a run on 3rd and 2 from his own 10 with 3:40 to play was veteran mastery. He saw that the Chiefs went small to defend the pass, so Rodgers went with Jones to move the chains. Billy Turner got the necessary push and Jones bulled for a crucial 1st down.

If you want to see the camaraderie on this team in its purest form, rewatch the wizardry of Rodgers tossing the TD to Williams in the corner of the end zone. Simply take note of Aaron Jones’ reaction after Williams’ catch. Jones couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate his running mates success. The reaction defines teamship.

With 9:03 left in the game, the Chiefs got equal at 24. In a hostile environment, how’d the Packers respond to the adversity? Two plays. 75 yards. 00:59 off of the clock. A big time TD. This team is special.

Aaron Jones is an absolute superstar. ‘Nuff said.

Watching the budding relationship between Rodgers and Lazard is a thing of beauty. They appear to be in mental lockstep.

What a dynamite catch by Jake Kumerow!

Tyler Lancaster with the game changing play to propel the Packers to victory. Riveting to see the role players providing defining moments. Not only did he knock it loose, but he had the awareness while laying on the ground to scoop up the fortuitous bounce.

Have to love the flea flicker that LaFleur called after the Lancaster forced fumble and fumble recovery. It didn’t work, but I appreciated the aggressiveness.

The play design to free Jones loose on the double move was sublimely crafted by LaFleur.

Jamaal Williams is a force in this offense.

Rodgers connected with 8 different receivers. It’s crystal clear that he is becoming extremely comfortable in this offense.

Chandon Sullivan breaking up the final third down pass to Kelce on a 50/50 ball has to make Gutekunst want to stand in front of a mirror and flex his muscles.

Za’Darius Smith with two more sacks. He’s brought a zest to this team that we haven’t seen in many years.

Phenomenal blocking by Graham, Bakhtiari and Linsley on the 67 yard TD reception by Jones. Maximum effort by Bakhtiari and Linsley to get downfield and Graham held the initial point to spring Jones loose. Epic!

We will marvel over the greatness of Rodgers desperately flinging it to Williams with perfection. But, with a FB and two RBs on the field, why aren’t the Packers pounding the ball right behind Linsley and Jenkins on 3rd and 1?

The defense has come up with big Red Zone stops all year. It had appeared they’d done so again until the TMon penalty came in late on 3rd down.

After a painful 2nd Quarter, the defense really settled down in the 3rd and 4th Quarters, holding the Chiefs to only 7 points. Pettine stuck to his game plan. He was patient. He didn’t take risks. He trusted his secondary to make a play. Sullivan rose to the occasion.

Gutty performance by Blake Martinez playing with one hand.

Montravious Adams was active along the line of scrimmage.

Adrian Amos continues to be a sure tackler in space.

It was really good to see Savage back on the field again. On the first 3rd down of the game, it was Savage who jammed Kelce man to man at the line.

Aaron Jones. 20 touches. 226 yards. 2 TDs. Unbelievable performance.

Watching the Packers carve out an offense without Davante Adams, makes me think that LaFleur and Rodgers must be harmonizing together: “We move through stormy weather. We know that our days are few. And, we dream and we struggle together. And, love will carry us through!”

When Gutekunst writes his agenda for the year, one line item is likely, “I want to enter the NFL Draft with 10 selections.” In an era when many teams don’t value picks, Gutekunst does. He’s an old school scout with a new era approach to playing GM. He won’t overlook any options towards constructing the roster. And, he’s had two seemingly successful drafts, so far. However, a part of me wonders if he regrets his decision to trade Trevor Davis to secure his 10th pick in next years Draft. Especially with the way that Jenkins has played, you’d have to imagine that Gutekunst could unload Lane Taylor for a similar 6th round pick in the offseason. Without Davis, teams continue to show absolutely zero respect for the Packers return unit. They intentionally kick it short and almost amazingly, the Packers often cannot return the ball to the 25 and have yet to get the ball to the 30. Thus far, the Packers return units have been brutal.

The Packers have to figure out their return game. How does Shep let the ball bounce on that last punt? He should’ve easily caught the ball at the 16 yard line. Instead, he let the ball bounce and the Packers were pinned at the 2. Intolerable. It’s disappointing, but Shep was a failed experiment in his rookie year. I would like to see the Packers give Tremon Smith a shot as a punt returner. He did it in college. Also, the Titans cut Darius Jennings. He was with LaFleur in Tennessee last year and led the NFL in kickoff return yardage. Could the Packers take a peep? The Packers need a spark in the return game.

It was another week in which the Smith Bros. desperately needed help getting to the QB. Once again, no one stepped up to the task. I’d been feeling like Fackrell was getting close. But, he’s been quiet the last couple of weeks. Gary continues to mostly get swallowed. At this stage, teams are doubling Preston in definite passing downs. Teams are trusting lineman to win their other 1 on 1 battles. I wonder if Tim Williams will get a chance soon.

Here’s a completely different look than I’ve previously been putting together for a 2020 Mock Draft:

Round 1: Ceedee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma.
Round 2: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia.
Round 3: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah.
Round 4: Calvin Throckmorton, OT, Oregon.
Round 5: Jay Tufele, DL, USC.
Round 6: Alohi Gilman, S, Notre Dame.
Round 6: Michael Bushman, TE, BYU.
Round 7: Jeff Thomas, WR, []_[].
Round 7: Liam Eichenbeeg, OT, Notre Dame.
Round 7: Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse.

This week – it’s the Packers traveling to Los Angeles for a home game…err…a road game that will likely be filled with 75% Packers fans. I encourage all Packers fans that attend the game to be extra rowdy. With the SF win on Thursday night, the Packers must keep the pace. At the mid-point in the season, a 1st round bye is 100% within sight. But, each week is precious. The NFC is really tough and the Packers cannot afford to slip up. It might require a 13-3 record in order to earn the right to rest up over Wild Card weekend. Get loud in LA!

The Chargers have an abundance of talent at the skill positions, but they’re really banged up along the OL. Keenan Allen is a weapon. He’s a dangerous possession weapon who is a savvy route runner and a dependable 3rd down target. Mike Williams is a great deep threat. He is a physical WR who gets up and wins jump balls. He’s a competitor, an underappreciated WR. Hunter Henry is skilled. He’s physical. He excels in all phases of the game, but he occasionally displays inconsistent hands. The Chargers have three talented RB’s in Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Gordon is finally finding his stride after missing training camp and the early portion of the year. Ekeler is a great receiving back out of the backfield. While the Chargers OL has been decimated with injury, they were able to just activate Russell Okung at LT. Okung should significantly improve the protection for Rivers’ backside.

Defensively, the Chargers have two talented pass rushers that will challenge the Packers tackles. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are terrific compliments. They’ll present a dangerous threat. When they’re going for the sack, they’re also looking to get the strip. Brandon Mebane and Justin Jones are good players on the DL, but they’re both banged up. Jerry Tillery is a promising rookie. Damion Square is an ascending player on the DL as well. Aged vet, Thomas Davis, remains a physical LB. He can still run as well. Denzel Perryman is a speedy, heady ILB. The Chargers secondary can be beaten. Casey Hayward continues to play at a high level. Desmond King is an above average slot CB. Outside of that, I like the match-ups. Look for Rodgers to target Michael Davis. The Packers should be able to win over the middle of the field against Rayshawn Jenkins and Roderic Teamer.

The Packers defense has to win the line of scrimmage. Look for Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry to have big games. Also, expect the Smith Bros. to get in Rivers’ face. When Rivers gets pressured, he makes mistakes. I expect the Packers defense to force at least two turnovers. It wouldn’t shock me if Rivers throws an interception and if Gordon fumbles.

I have a feeling that Rashan Gary makes a play this weekend.

Za’Darius dominates as a pass rusher from the interior.

Keenan Allen will frustrate the Packers. Williams will catch a pass in excess of 30 yards. Ekeler will grab 1st down yardage in the pass game.

Offensively, look for the Packers to run right at the Chargers defense. Bosa and Ingram like to be aggressive with outside rushes. To slow them down, you have to run right at them. Expect a healthy dose of both Jones and Williams.

I’m hopeful that we see Davante Adams on Sunday. The Chargers won’t be able to cover Adams.

MVS will get targeted on more than 1 deep ball. Rodgers hits him for a long touchdown.

Rodgers continues to stay in rhythm. He continues to find the check-down. He continues to look for the RB’s in the passing game. He continues to play football at an MVP level.

Jimmy Graham scores in the Red Zone.

Crosby continues to stay true to form.

Packers 30.
Chargers 20.

Go Pack Go!

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