My Take -> Week 3

Greetings, G-Force.

2-0. Two divisional wins. 85 points. More than 1,000 yards of offense. Game changing plays on defense. Crosby and Scott are kicking with perfection. There’s a lot to be excited about.

As I write, I listen to the Talking Heads “Remain In Light” album. I sip a Port Brewing Mongo. Love this double IIPA. And, the price is right. The price of a IIPA has become extraordinary. So, it’s refreshing to find a quality hopped up 4-pack of 16 oz cans for less than $9.

My quick vibes over the last week:

Matt LaFleur has the offense in rhythm. The crossing route is back. The run first offense has freed up the passing game. He’s stacking three WR’s to one side of the field and sending the outside WR underneath to create a natural pick. It seems that every single time, the outside WR is running free across the field and giving Rodgers an easy target. At some point, that’s going to turn into a big play on the outside as teams are going to overplay the middle of the field.

Aaron Rodgers is dialed in. He’s comfortable. He’s in command of this offense. He’s seeing the field really well. He’s patient. He’s taking what the defense gives him.

Aaron Jones is among the best playmakers in the NFL. He’s developed into a dynamite receiving option. As a runner, his vision continues to impress.

Elgton Jenkins is quickly becoming an All Pro quality OG. I already hope that he starts for this team for the next 10 years.

Allen Lazard has become an extremely trustworthy #2 option at WR.

This team passed an early season test when they took the ball down 14-3. They stayed calm. They stayed confident. They stayed within the game plan. They ran the ball to the weak side. They used play action. They worked the crossing route. Rodgers stuck with the underneath routes. The results were scintillating.

When Brian Gutekunst signed Preston Smith to a blockbuster deal on March 12, 2019; I guarantee that he didn’t envision seeing Smith dropping into zone coverage. Gutekunst signed Preston to have him pin his ears back and to get to the QB from the EDGE. Gutekunst paid $13.5 million in 2020 to be a disruptive pass rusher. Gutekunst invested 1st round draft pick capital in Gary to rush on the opposite side of Preston. Gutekunst is paying Za’Darius $17.25 million in 2020 to be among the most dominant 3rd down interior pass rushers in the NFL. It should be noted that Gary appears to have the ability to slide inside as well, but in principle, Gutekunst wants to rush 4 on 3rd down. He’s designed this team to have an elite 4 man rush on 3rd down. He doesn’t want to have to blitz to get pressure. Gutekunst likes his chances with the Smith Bros., Gary and either Clark or Keke coming on the rush on an obvious passing down. Pettine should trust his dynamic duo at CB to play man coverage on the outside. Pettine should trust Sullivan to play man coverage in the slot. Gutekunst signed Christian Kirksey as he was an upgrade over Blake in coverage. Pettine should not be blitzing Kirksey, he should be playing man coverage. I realize that it’s early in the season and that Pettine has to put stuff on film for later in the year. I realize that he’s trying to create disguise. I realize that they didn’t have much of a training camp. I realize that there wasn’t preseason games to get the kinks out. But, in short, I think that the more vanilla this defense plays, the better off they’ll be, as long as they’re healthy. He should play as simplified of a defense as possible. Similar to what the 49ers did last year. You know what SF was going to do. Their players were simply better and they won their 1 on 1 matchups. If healthy, I think this defense has a chance to be a disruptive defense, if they’re utilized properly. I wholeheartedly believe that this defense has the potential to be a high powered pass defense.

On the other hand, unless Adrian Amos elevates his game as a run stopper, this defense is not built to be a forceful run stopping defense. It’s designed to test the patience of the opposition’s OC. If the opposition sticks with the run, Gutekunst must think this defense is constructed to bend, but not break. Gutekunst must also feel that he hasn’t enough talent to draw multiple holding penalties, to force fumbles, to intercept passes and to get sacks. In theory, each of those scenarios should result in the defense getting off of the field. Pettine must trust his starters to win 1 on 1 battles.

Love the early game LaFleur aggressiveness. It was telling when he went for it on 4th down. He believes in his system.

I’ll never grow tired of seeing Big Bob Tonyan catching TD’s!

MVS showing toughness!!

Rodgers connected with 8 different receivers, including himself. And, had Jace hung on, he’d have hit 9. That’s highly remarkable.

Matt LaFleur has absolutely trashed two divisional opponents who have Head Coaches that pride themselves on playing tough, hard-nosed defense.

Monster play by Chandon Sullivan to make it a 3-score game!

Krys Barnes has shown enough over the first two weeks of the season to heighten my interest.

I keep waiting for Dean Lowry to take the next step in his career. One play, he’s extending his arms, gaining leverage and getting a push. On the next, he’s absolutely swallowed.

Riveting to see the defense get the 3-and-out to get the ball back to the offense before the half.

I like Keke’s heartbeat. Plays with desire. Big flaw: he’s lined up too far off of the ball.

Plainly stated, the Packers need better safety play. Turning the clock back to a Peprah and MD Jennings style of play!

You know the depth of the DL is bleak when your heart skips a beat after Tyler Lancaster goes down with injury. This team needs Snacks in the worst way.

Catch the ball, Jace.

This week - it’s the Saints. It’ll be a major test for the Packers on both sides of the ball. The Lions and ‘queens both unnecessarily went away from the running game. Sean Payton will be patient. He will test the Packers run defense for 60 minutes. If the Packers can’t stop the run, the could be in loads of trouble.

It’s Brees vs Rodgers. On Sunday Night Football. Against two questionable defenses. You’d expect a shootout. But, without the two top WR’s on the field, I envision a game in which each time emphasizes ball control and time of possession. Look for both teams to want to establish the run game early. I anticipate that we will see multiple 5 minute scoring drives from both teams.

The Saints will pound Murray, Montgomery and Kamara. They’ll get Hill involved. They’ll also go play action and get the ball to Jared Cook.

The difference in the game will be turnovers. I think the Packers will force two of them. At some point, the Packers will get in Brees’ face and a turnover will follow. Look for Preston Smith to make a play.

Once again, Aaron Jones is the best player on the field.

Let's make sure we are appreciating Matt LaFleur as much as we should be.

Packers 27 Saints 23

Go Pack Go!

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