My Take -> Week 16

Greetings, G-Force.

The 2019 version of the Green Bay Packers are the most misunderstood Packers team in my life. They play within themselves. They don’t beat themselves. They find new ways to win on nearly a weekly basis. They grind for 60 minutes. They believe in the power of positivity. They have faith in one another. And, when things are close late, they don’t think they’re going to win; they know they’re going to win. You can call them ugly, I will call them misunderstood. The choice is yours.

As I write, I’m in a festive spirit. I listen to a blend of Christmas Music. I always enjoy diving into John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas War is Over” and Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.” I sip a 2016 River North Avarice. It’s a Russian Imperial Stout that weighs in over 9%. It’s a sipper.

Here are my thoughts over the last week:

WHAT A TREAT! The Packers clinch a playoff berth and the Bears are eliminated on the same day. An early Christmas present!

I loved LaFleur’s approach. The shot call to MVS to start. The play was there. The pass was there. MVS didn’t finish. Should’ve been LaFleur 7 Bears 0, but MVS short armed the perfect pass. LaFleur was aggressive to start the 3rd. The first two drives led to an exciting brand of football. Aggressive passing game out of play-action. Tossing it to Adams off of play-action to the weak side of the field. When the Packers led 21-3 and got the ball back, I fully expected LaFleur to come back to that play, but to call a double move to Adams on the outside. I’m certain it would’ve worked. And, it’d have been a 3rd Quarter dagger. I was surprised that LaFleur tapped the breaks and went with a more ball-control, eat-the-clock approach.

Mike Pettine is starting to show the creativity that we liked for most of 2018. Pettine dominated the first 43 minutes of the game. He had great disguise. He mixed his rushes and his coverage. While the Bears young QB had a statistically positive performance, he was often confused and unable to move the sticks as he crossed midfield.

This team wins the Red Zone battle. This team wins the turnover battle. These are significant ingredients to recipe to have a winning record. This team is misunderstood.

Za’Darius Smith is the Packers best player. I love his versatility. His pressure on the Lowry pick was a game changing moment. And, how about Lowry showing high-end athleticism?

Feed me some more Jake Kumerow. Comical to see him make HaHa miss in the open field.

Davante Adams was clutch on the 4th down TD and on the dart to start the 3rd.

Once again, G-Mo showed inconsistent hands. Need to clean up that portion of his game.

Elgton Jenkins continues to dominate the line of scrimmage. Especially in short yardage situations.

Loved seeing Bakhtiari and Bulaga as the first ones to greet Aaron Jones on his long TD run. The Tackles have been anchors for this team all year.

Rodgers was throwing in rhythm to start the 3rd and not surprisingly, the results were stimulating!

THE BEARS STILL SUCK!!

Dean. Lowry.

Tyler Ervin is making Gutekunst look like a mastermind.

Fun to see Gary get home on the sack. And, then Savage had a chance for a pick. Would’ve been stellar to see Gutekunst’s two first-round picks make monster plays to prevent the Bears from scoring points. Instead, Savage was only able to knock the ball down. Still, it was fun to see the rookies step up to hold the Bears to 3 points.

Gary has looked active two weeks in a row. Let’s hope he can continue to grow into the playoffs. With Za’Darius playing more on the inside, the Packers need Gary or Fackrell to step up on the outside.

Kenny Clark was phenomenal. Three weeks in a row, he’s been a dominant figure in the center of the defense.

Blake Martinez was tough as nails.

Another top-tier performance by Jaire. I’m amazed at how physical he plays. He plays much stronger than he looks.

The Adrian Amos signing continues to pay significant dividends.

Billy Turner was fantastic against a stout Bears front.

The Packers OL completely shut down Mack.

Sing it with me: The Bears Still Suck, The Bears Still Suck, They really, really, really, really, really, really suck. Oh, the Bears Still Suck.

For my 2020 Packers Mock Draft, I used the Fanspeak Steve Big Board:

Round 1: Austin Jackson, OT, USC.
Round 2: Dylan Moses, ILB, Alabama.
Round 3: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU.
Round 4: Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton.
Round 5: Mustafa Johnson, DL, Colorado.
Round 6: Jon Runyan, OG, Michigan.
Round 6: JR Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 7: Josh Uche, EDGE, Michigan.
Round 7: Zack Moss, RB, Utah.
Round 7: Logan Wilson, ILB, Wyoming.

This week – it’s the ‘queens in Minnesota. I’ll never understand why they willing play in a Dome. The Packers have yet to win in their new building. Cousins has never won on MNF. Something has to give.

Minnesota has two sensational WR’s in Thielen and Diggs. Olabisi Johnson has been a good slot WR as well. Almost shockingly, Minnesota has put together a really good OL. Reiff and O’Neill are playing really well at Tackle. Garrett Bradbury has been a rock at Center. Kline and Elflein have brought power to the Guard position. Kyle Rudolph has been ageless. Irv Smith is developing nicely, as expected. Minnesota will likely be without Cook and Mattison. They’ll have Michael Boone and Ameer Abdullah as back-ups. The Packers will need to get in the face of Cousins. If so, they’ll force him into bad decisions. CJ Ham is often used as a short yardage back.

Danielle Hunter has developed into the best pass rusher in the NFL. Linval Joseph and Shamar Stephen eat up ball carriers in the run game. Everson Griffen isn’t the same player, but he’s still a weapon. Stephen Weatherly gives the ‘queens good snaps. Eric Kendricks is among the best ILB’s in football. Harrison Smith is among the best Safeties in football. Xavier Rhodes’ game has diminished. Trae Waynes is good for at least one pass interference, if he’s targeted. He’ll grab all game. Mike Hughes has struggled to rebound from injury. This Minnesota secondary can be targeted on double moves. They’ll bite. They’re susceptible to giving up the big play. Play action can also beat up this defense.

This is a let your nuts hang style of game for the Packers. Go win it and the Packers are in position for a 1st round bye. Lose and go beat a hapless Lions team to clinch the Division. The Packers should be playing loose. They are in position to accomplish the goal of winning the North either way. But, a win would go a long way in positioning the Packers for a run to the Super Bowl. So, play free, have fun and win the game!

Aaron Rodgers has played best when he’s targeted Adams, Lazard, Kumerow, Williams and Jones. He also trusts Graham and Lewis. I hope these 7 players are targeted on the vast majority of the Packers snaps. If so, I think we’ll see Aaron Rodgers playing in rhythm and executing the game plan. Rodgers is so cerebral, but he needs to trust his receivers. He trusts those 7 receivers. He seems to also trust Vitale. Could we see a big play to Vitale down the sideline?

If the Packers can limit Hunter and if Jaire and King can play as they did in the Week 2 match-up, the Packers will win this game. If the Packers OL struggles, it’ll be tough for the Packers to move the football. With time, the Packers will be able to expose a questionable ‘queens secondary. If King and Jaire are unable to contain the ‘queens dynamic duo, Minnesota will move the ball with an abundance of big plays.

Kevin King will be targeted on multiple deep balls. Pettine has to give him help over the top. Mission #1 is to prevent the deep ball. If Pettine can prevent the big play, Cousins will not stay patient and he’ll give the Packers opportunities to force a turnover.

When Harrison Smith steps up to the line, he must be accounted for.

I fully expect to see LaFleur pulling out all of the stops. Look for some trickery that results in a big play.

On December 24, 2004, the Packers went into Minnesota and left victorious to stake claim to the Division. On December 23, 2019, the Packers will do the same.

Packers 27.
‘queens 23.

Go Pack Go!

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