My Take -> Divisional Playoffs

Greetings, G-Force.

Sativa-like sensations billowed 5th Ave in Brooklyn, NY as Mason Crosby nailed the game winning FG to secure a 1st round bye for the Packers. I was in NYC to see Phish at MSG and Crosby's kick brought euphoria to the soul. These are days that we must cherish. 13-3. Division champs. #2 seed. Leggo!

As I write, I’m listening to Yonder Mountain String Band’s Mountain Tracks Vol 2. This 2002 gem of a live release really has me missing Jeff Austin. I’ve been dealing with a light strep throat/post influenza/early pneumonia battle, so I’m unfortunately without a beer by my side. So, if my tone is different, I apologize, in advance.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Plain and simple, Packers fans: RISE UP! This one is for those of you that are fortunate enough to be in attendance. Off your ass. On your feet. For 60 minutes.

Cheering for the 2019 version of the Green Bay Packers is unlike any version of the Packers that I’ve ever seen. We’re used to seeing elite QB play, questionable defensive play and heartbreaking losses late in games. Today, while Aaron Rodgers is still capable of being elite and has been at times this year, he hasn’t been elite over the course of a 16-game season. Today, we’re watching a defense that knows how to win games unlike any team I’ve seen in past years. This defense knows how to get off of the field in the 4th Quarter. This defense knows how to force a turnover when this team needs it the most. This defense gets pressure on the QB. This defense is selfless. This defense is about the team result. They believe in one another. This defense is capable of carrying the Packers to the Super Bowl. And, because of the defense’s approach, the Packers have consistently won close contests. Consider this: the Packers were 8-1 in one-score games. In most of those games, the defense stepped up with major stops in the 4th Quarter.

For many years, I’ve listened to Packers fans talk with envy over the Seahawks, Bears and ‘queens ability to win games in ugly fashion. For many years, those franchises have known how to steal victories from the jaws of defeat. In 2019, the Green Bay Packers have that trait. They’re going to fight for 60 minutes. They’re going to be tenacious. For some, it’ll make you think that this team isn’t very good. You’re wrong. They’re excellent. They know how to win. And, they can beat you in a wide variety of ways. As fans, we must embrace this team. They’re winners. They’re just winning in a fashion that we’re not accustomed to watching and really, it feels like we don’t know how to cheer for this style of football. It’s foreign to us. My advice: just give it all of the positive energy that you can muster.

Now, we must hope that Aaron Rodgers gets hot. Just like he was in the month of October. If we can get that version of Aaron Rodgers to lead the Packers offense throughout the playoffs, look out. This Packers team is an October 2019 version of Aaron Rodgers away from being a Super Bowl Champion. Yes, I firmly believe that. This defense will pressure the QB. This defense will force turnovers. Mason Crosby will be reliable. JK Scott will be trustworthy. Tyler Ervin will make an impact in the return game. The OL will offer time. This team needs Aaron Rodgers to return to his normally accurate self.

Here’s my 2020 Packers Mock Draft. For it, I used the Fanspeak Steve Draft Board:

Round 1: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina.
Round 2: Isaiah Wilson, OT Georgia.
Round 3: Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford.
Round 4: Luke Farrell, TE, Ohio State.
Round 5: Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas.
Round 6: JR Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 6: Trevon Hill, EDGE, []_[].
Round 7: Zack Moss, RB, Utah.
Round 7: Joe Gaziano, EDGE, Northwestern.
Round 7: Khaleke Hudson, ILB, Michigan.

This week – it’s the Seahawks traveling to Titletown, U.S.A. in the Divisional Playoffs. The winner earns a trip to the NFC Championship. The Packers and Seahawks have established a great out-of-division rivalry.

The Seahawks have two really talented WR’s in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Metcalf has been much better than I expected him to be. Lockett continues to improve each and every year. Russell Wilson is on his way to having a Hall of Fame career and 2019 was the best regular season of his career. The Seahawks brought Marshawn Lynch out of retirement and Lynch has shown flashes of returning to his old form. Jacob Hollister has been a good receiving TE addition for Seattle. The Seahawks OL has been inconsistent in the pass protection, but they can bully as run blockers. DJ Fluker and Germain Ifedi get low and drive forward on the right side. Mike Iupati continues to play tough, mean football. Duane Brown is a great LT. Both Brown and Iupati are banged up and might miss the action this weekend. If so, that'd be a major win for the Packers.

This Seattle defense gets great play out of their front 7. Jarran Reed and Poona Ford have been rocks in the middle of the defense. Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah are still superstars at the book-end of the defensive line. They can destroy games. Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright have played a lot of football. Both players continue to make huge impacts on games. They’re so smart. They’re dictators on the football field. Shaquill Griffin is a budding star at CB. Tre Flowers is a classic John Schneider find at CB. Schneider likes big, long, tall CB’s. Somehow, he found Flowers and snatched him up in R5. Brad McDougald and Quandre Diggs have been solid additions at Safety. The Seahawks lack depth in the secondary, so if you can spread them out, good things can happen down the field.

Both teams are going to control the tempo of the game by running the ball. They’re going to try to eat clock and to control the time of possession.

This game will be determined by two things: who can run the ball better and who can force turnovers.

The Seahawks are going to find ways to get the ball to Lynch. I expect to see Lynch as the target of a couple of screens. I also expect the Seahawks to give Russell Wilson multiple RPO looks for him to improvise. The Wilson-Lynch tandem will be in full-effect.

I’d expect the Seahawks to target Metcalf deep down the sideline when he’s covered by King. Pettine would be wise to give King safety help most of the game.

While the Packers will look to establish the run early. I fully expect to see a play-action pass to Davante on the first play of the game. We’ve seen the weak-side slant off of play action previously. I’d like to see a double move early in this game off of the same look.

Defensively, I don't think Seattle will blitz often. They'll try to play coverage and hope that their front 4 can get some pressure.

Look for Tyler Ervin to make a big play as a receiver out of the backfield down the sideline.

Expect Rodgers and Adams to connect on at least 4 completions for first downs.

Aaron Jones gets loose for a long run.

The defense gets a stop late to send the Packers to the NFC Championship!

Packers 23.
Seahawks 16.

Go Pack Go!

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