My Take -> Week 5

Greetings, G-Force.

That was certainly fun. Lambeau Field was rowdy. The crowd was animated. The fans had a contagious energy. It was an environment that reminded me of a mid 90’s fan base. There was electricity radiating off the Stadium walls. I really hope ghat spirit remains throughout the 2021 Season. And beyond.

As I write, I sip a Spotted Cow. Tastes like home. Deliciously refreshing. Light. Goes down smoothly. Easy drinking. I’m listening to the Phish Shoreline Night 2 show. 9–1-21. I can’t get enough of the magic that happened over these two nights.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur. Animated. Love his sideline pizzazz. He’s a sideline spark plug.

Aaron Rodgers. He’s gaining confidence in his OL. He’s seeing the Field better. He wasn’t as accurate as we are accustomed to seeing him, but he’s leading the huddle + line of scrimmage in MVP. If Rodgers can find his accuracy, we might be witness to another riveting season on the offensive side of the ball.

Defensively, this team cannot afford any more injuries. The Za’Darius and Jaire injuries feel like they’re absolutely devastating blows to what we all hoped this season would become. I’m still holding out hope for both to come back. But, it doesn’t feel good.

AJ Dillon has been really impressive as a pass catcher. I also dig the way he lowers his body in short yardage situations. He finds the marker.

Aaron Jones as a pass catcher. He’s lethal. It gets him in space and allows him to use his elite vision.

Randall Cobb. Suddenly, the trade for Cobb looks like a brilliant decision. He was top flight on 3rd down. A 1st down magnet with a heart of gold desire to find the end zone.

Davante Adams looking like Michael Jackson on a dance floor with the ball in his hands.

Call them the Bully Boys! Runyan, Myers and Wild Man 70! They dominated the line of scrimmage in punishing fashion.

Thought Yosh played another dynamite game. He’s come of age.

Tonyan was close to a breakout game, but 12 missed his target on a number of big play opportunities.

Lazard’s physical play will never get old. He seeks contact.

Billy Turner is quietly having a monster season.

Kenny Clark was a mammoth man in the middle of the defense.

Stoked for Stokes! He plays with intelligence beyond his years!

Campbell continues to impress! He gets sideline to sideline.

Keke making a play! Shoutout!

Gary doesn’t load up the box score but he disrupts on more plays than he doesn’t. He plays with excellent energy.

Thought Preston played with great fight.

Jaylon Smith!!!! Excitement level on infinity. I legitimately thought that he had Hall of Fame traits in college. He was that dominant. He was as elite of a LB as I’ve seen in recent memory at the college level. He hasn’t been the same in the NFL, but there’s no question in my mind that he will bring Leadership and Intensity to the locker room. He will bring speed to the defense. He will want to hit people. I couldn’t be more excited about him being in Green Bay. A change of scenery might be really good for him. If he finds his stride, the Packers might’ve added an elite talent to the center of this defense.

Don’t overlook the Rasul Douglas signing. Here’s what I wrote on him before the 2017 NFL Draft and I still hold these feelings today: 16.) Rasul Douglas, WV. Round 4. I had him as a 2nd or 3rd round pick until he ran his 40. Thought he played faster than he timed, but we've learned that a 4.6 40 simply doesn't cut it on the perimeter in the NFL. So, Douglas probably translates to a Nickel CB. He played very well on the outside at the college level. Showed make-up speed on crossing routes. He was a ball magnet. Love his length and his ability to jam at the line.

This week - it’s the Bengals. In Cincy. The Bengals at 3-1 are one of the most impressive stories over the first 1/4 of the NFL Season.

For the Packers, they begin a tough 5 game stretch in which 4 of them will be on the road. If the Packers can somehow manage to go 3-2 over this stretch, they’ll be in prime position to make a run at a 3rd consecutive NFC NORTH crown.

Joe Burrow is whipping the ball all over the Field. He’s a commander in the huddle. He’s inspired excitement inside the organization. He has a ton of weapons as well. The Packers might catch a break if Mixon doesn’t play. Perine is extremely limited compared to Mixon. At WR; Boyd, Higgins and Chase, are stars on the rise. Speed and athleticism that destroys secondaries. They can get over the top and they’ll beat you on underneath routes.

This appears to be a really physical Bengals team. They may lack star power on defense but they play with speed, confusion and power. They attack the edges of the line of scrimmage. Trey Henricksen has developed into a dynamite force. Sam Hubbard plays with maximum effort. Ogunjobi and Reader play with a good quickness + power + effort combination. The Bengals front will challenge the Packers.

At LB, Pratt and Wilson are two ascending players. The Bengals have also revamped their secondary. Jessie Bates is All Pro material. He leaves his mark each and every week. Vonn Bell is a steadying force at Safety. Waynes, Awuzie and Apple are veteran CB’s, but they’re the wink link. If the Packers can give Rodgers time, he will have open receivers.

The Packers are going to have to be able to run the ball behind the heart of the young OL. Runyan, Myers and Wild Man 70 must be up for the task again. The run game will slow down the pressing Bengals defensive front.

I’d expect to see more of Jones and Dillon on the field at the same time. It gives LaFleur flexibility and another option to find ways to create chunk plays with MVS on IR. The Packers need down field options. Jones can be one when lined up against a LB.

I’m expecting a high scoring affair. Burrow will be in attack mode. He will sense blood in the water on this Packers defense. He will target Kevin King and Yiadom. He will find big plays down the field.

The Packers will seek efficiency. Extended drives. Converting on 3rd and short. Tonyan in the Gold Zone. Tonyan is so close to a breakout game.

The Bengals are going to have to slide coverages to Davante. They simply do not have the talent on the outside to cover him. If Bates can be taken away from the middle of the field, this is a major win for the Packers.

Burrow makes plays, but he’ll also occasionally miss his spot. I’m waiting for Savage to make a play. It happens late in this one to preserve victory.

Packers 31
Bengals 27

Go Pack Go!

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