My Take -> Week 11

Greetings, G-Force.

7-2. Just win, baby. The Packers played without energy for most of the Jaguars game. Still, they managed to come away victorious. With the W, the Packers find themselves perched atop the NFC as we have skipped past the midway point of the season.

As I write, I casually sip an aged Sin Frontera. A collaboration beer by Crooked Stave, Jester King and Trois Dames Cerveza. It’s a clean, light sipping wild beer. Grape wine-like goodness. I listen to Lou Donaldson’s “Say It Loud” album. One of the small pleasures of 2020 is that I’ve been able to dig deep into the old library of music that I haven’t listened to in ages. I dig this album.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

The Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers combination has brought great joy to the 2020 season. Last week, they brought frustration as the team was unable to find a rhythm.

Aaron Rodgers didn’t look like himself last week. He still went 24/34 for 325 yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception. He’s firmly in the MVP race. I’d almost argue that he should be the Leader in the race.

Rashan Gary turned beastly to close out that game. Saved the victory. Let’s see that more often!

Davante Adams’ leaping grab for the game winning grab was magnificent. He went go-go-gadget left calf to get up and grab that one.

MVS. What an enigma, he is. Without him, the Packers don’t win that game. At times, he looks like he can’t play in the league. And, then, on other occasions, he looks like he has the prospects to be a legit #3 WR.

Really good to see Adrian Amos make that interception.

I can’t make out what the Packers have at ILB. They clearly like Kirksey’s leadership and system know-how. But, for my eye, it feels like Barnes and Martin are better players. Barnes and Martin attack, while Kirksey seems to be more finesse.

Felt like Ka’dar Hollman showed well.

Za’Darius has been making a play each week to get the Packers defense off the field, it seems.

Another solid game from Preston Smith.

MVS. Peace, dude.

It’s time for Savage to force a turnover to swing a game.

I don’t trust Josh Jackson as a punt returner.

This team was lethargic for most of the game. Annoyingly so. We aren’t accustomed to seeing the Packers win games like that. A treat to have that one behind us.

The Gold Zone! Forget the Red Zone. The Packers have the Gold Zone. The vibes on this team are plenty.

Congrats to Bakhtiari! Stoked he will be locking down the left side of the line for years to come.

Speaking of contracts: Remember when people used to give the Packers home town discounts to stick around? Would be great if Aaron Jones and Corey Linsley would do so.

This week - it’s the Colts. In Indianapolis. With fans.

The Colts will be a tough task for the Packers. The Packers don’t match up well with them. It feels like a similar match up to the Buccaneers game. On the road. Veteran QB. Stout defense. The difference: we know Xavier Rhodes cannot cover Davante, the Colts don’t have the Buccaneers play makers on offense and you’d like to think that the Packers can force turnovers this weekend.

Jonathan Taylor is a good back. I’d like to think that the Packers will force him to fumble this weekend.

Rivers has torched the Packers with crossing routes. I’d like to think Kevin King will pick him off this weekend.

Will the Packers be able to cover the Colts TE’s? Doyle and Alie-Cox are seriously underrated. If you don’t know Alie-Cox, my guess is that you’ll become very familiar with him on Sunday afternoon.

This game will be decided at the line of scrimmage. If the Colts dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball like they often do, the Packers are in trouble. DeForest Buckner is a tough matchup. So, is Justin Houston. The Packers must be able to block them. Additionally, the Colts OL has been a physical nightmare for opposing defenses. Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, and the Smith Bros. must earn their big pay days this weekend.

In many ways, we will find out if the Packers are contenders or pretenders this weekend. They’ve been able to win with high-flying, fashion-forward playcalling. But, can they win a game that will require brute strength at the line of scrimmage?

I’m expecting a grueling battle. Both teams looking to grab long, clock-eating drives. Both teams looking for underneath routes followed by yards after the catch. Both teams staying patient with the run. A tough game throughout.

In the end, the difference is turnovers. I trust the Packers to protect the ball. I don’t trust the Colts to do so.

Packers 27
Colts 23

Go Pack Go!

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