My Take -> Week 8

Greetings, G-Force.

5-1. Another dominant offensive display with a depleted lineup and subpar talent. Packers fans are blessed to have the Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur combination.

While I write, I sip the Sad Panda Coffee Stout. The weather changed last weekend and we are officially entering Stout Season. I listen to the Dave Matthews Band “Busted Stuff” album. I have listened this album in roughly 15 years and it brings me back to a familiar place.

My quick vibes from the last week:

Once again, we were all witnesses to Matt LaFleur’s football brilliance. LaFleur ate the Texans up with rub routes, crossing routes and screens. He also had confidence that Davante Adams couldn’t be covered. LaFleur seems to have fully convinced Rodgers to buy into his scheme. While doing so, Rodgers is running this offense to perfection. Rodgers looks like an MVP. His decision to alter Adams’ route on the 2nd TD is the stuff of Legend.

Davante Adams is mind blowing. He continues to amaze. No one separates off of the line like him.

Jamaal Williams. Playing at another level. Bringing force. Playing quicker. Strong in the receiving game. Earning a contract somewhere.

Patchwork OL? No problem against a Texans team that looks to have quit on the season.

Suddenly, I am holding out big time hopes that the 2020 offseason solved the Packers ILB issues. Barnes continues to impress. Martin won the 1st impression rise with his burst. Both seem to play with thunder.

I’m so happy for Preston Smith. Let’s hope that 4th down play jumpstarts his season.

Raven Greene. Grabbing attention.

The play call on the first play of the 2nd Qtr was absolutely gorgeous. Fake the hand off. Fake the reverse. Drill Adams on a crosser.

This team needs Kenny Clark to be healthy and to find his groove.

If anyone sees Dean Lowry, please send him to 1265 Lombardi Ave.

We haven’t seen a lot of Vernon Scott, but I like what I’ve seen so far.

Henry Black. Things that make you go hmmm.

AJ Dillon didn’t do much, but he looked like he had a pep to his step.

I think Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers are dreaming about calling another play action pass to Davante Adams.

Happy to see Jace and Malik Taylor grab TD’s. Fantastic play design on both TDs. Executed to perfection.

Holding out hope that Jace develops into a legit NFL receiving target. Loved him coming out of college.

The Rodgers celebration after Taylor’s TD is something Taylor will remember forever. Emphatic!

Jaire Alexander has become among the best CB’s in the NFL.

Keke continues to be disruptive.

Don’t overlook the Seth Roberts signing. This team doesn’t need a superstar addition at WR. Already has that guy in Davante. This team needs a guy who can occasionally win a 1 on 1 battle when he isn’t schemed open. Roberts has done that previously out of the slot. That’d be a valuable addition for this offense.

Aaron Rodgers’ stat line at the half was 16-21 for 197 yards, 3 TD’s and 0 interceptions.

Matt LaFleur is so instinctively aggressive that it surprised me to see him take the delay on 4th and 2. Although it’s the logical football move with his team up 14-0 against an inferior opponent, yet it felt uncharacteristic of him.

I still cannot believe that no one has told Pettine to stop dropping Preston Smith into coverage. Would imagine that between Murphy, Ball, Gutekunst and LaFleur; they’ve all seen enough. Can’t someone speak up?

This week - it’s the queens at Lambeau. The queens are 1-5. They're one of two teams with only 1 win in the NFC. But, they've had 2 heart breaking one point losses and they're a better team than their record suggests. Don't get me wrong, their secondary has taken a significant step backwards. And, they can't get to the QB like they have in years past. But, as long as Dalvin Cook is running the ball - which he will be this week - this team can control the clock and own the time of possession. Cook is a super star.

Without the weather being a factor, I'd predict that the Packers would win this one in a landslide. But, with heavy winds and chilly temperatures awaiting, the weather could be an equalizer. Zimmer will have his team fired up for this one. He'd like nothing more than a victory at Lambeau. They'll be in attack mode.

Rodgers has occasionally struggled in windy weather. If he does again on Sunday, they Packers could find themselves in an annoyingly frustrating battle. The game could turn into a test of their mental mettle. If the winds are not as heavy as projected, look for Davante Adams to have a monster performance again. The queens can't cover him.

Expect Jamaal Williams to have a monster performance. I foresee him getting at least 20 touches this weekend.

It'll be a good test for the Packers defensive front to see if they can slow Cook. If so, it's hard to imagine a scenario in which Minnesota can compete.

The Packers must jump out to an early lead. Don't even give Minnesota a sign of life. Let those domers feel the frigid outdoor temps while staring at a 2-score deficit. In the past, when the queens have been down 2-scores, they abandon the run. Let's hope this happens again.

My hunch is that the game has an eerie feeling to it early on. Minnesota hangs around. We might even see Rodgers get a little agitated. But, in the end, the Packers are the better football team. And, Cousins is good for a turnover.

Packers 31 Queens 24

Go Pack Go!

Talkin' S-Mac. talkins-mac.blogspot.com