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!

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

My Take -> Week 2

Greetings, G-Force.

1-0! An impressive, leave-no-doubt victory over the 'queens from Minnesota. In the Dome. The last time the Packers traveled to Minnesota, the crowd left in silence as the Packers clinched the Division in Prime Time. This time, the silence was the same, but there were no fans in the Stadium.

As I write, I just finished a Mongo DIPA. It's a deliciously refreshing 8% West Coast Hop bomb. I'm moving onto Bourbon and Ginger Beer. Settled in on the Makers Mark 46 and Barritt's Ginger Beer. I'm listening to Peter Tosh's "No Nuclear War" album. Tosh brings enhanced soul to his voice throughout this 1987 release. This was Tosh's last album. He won a Grammy for the album. Tragically, he was murdered on September 11th in the same year.

Here are my quick vibes of the last week:

Thus far, Matt LaFleur absolutely owns Mike Zimmer. LaFleur is not only 3-0 against Zimmer, but Zimmer has been unable to slow down LaFleur's offense.

I saw this tweet from Ross Uglem: "Matt LaFleur's last 14 drives against Mike Zimmer (working in reverse) are victory formation, TD, TD, TD, Punt (when MVS dropped the wide open crossing route), TD, TD, FG, Downs on the 1 yard line after the Adams dropped TD, FG, Victory Formation, Punt (running out the clock), TD, Punt, TD." That's absolutely unbelievable.

While the Packers offense looked unstoppable, I'm wondering if the Packers offense is that good or if the 'queens defense is that questionable. You can't cover Adams with a rookie CB. Adams will win every time. The 'queens had no pass rush. They had no semblance of CB play. So, I'm going to hold my full-fledged optimism for now, but it was fun to see this offense flourish in a crucial division game.

Aaron Rodgers was in MVP form. He was accurate. He was cerebral. He was quick to hit the check down. He hit 7 different receivers. He was in mid-season form.

Davante Adams is a dynamite football player. Fluid as ever as a route runner. Sensational to see him tie Don Hutson's record with 14 receptions.

Allen Lazard is a legitimate #2 receiver. 4 catches on 4 targets. 15.8 yards per catch. A fierce blocker. Tough to tackle after the catch.

MVS. A mixed bag of goods. 4 catches. 6 targets. 2 absolutely brutal drops. The TD before the half was beautiful and had me feeling renewed vigor for him. I hope he can gain confidence. He doesn't trust himself right now.

Deguara showed well in his rookie debut.

Bakhtiari was a Superstar.

Kudos to Jenkins for his versatility.

Linsley was dominant on the interior.

Aaron Jones is a difference maker. He moves so much differently than the other backs on the roster. He appears primed for a big year. It'll be important for the Packers to use load maintenance on him early in the year to keep him healthy for the stretch run.

Tyler Ervin is going to be a fun toy for LaFleur to use all year. 4 touches. 48 yards. He's dangerous.

Jaire Alexander. Playmaker. He singlehandedly flipped this game.

Kevin King stepping up! Loved the open field tackle. And, the stop on the following 4th down.

Krys Barnes. Is he a name to know in 2020? Sure showed impressively in Week 1.

Za'Darius Smith gobbling QB's on 3rd down will never get old.

Take less steps in your rush, Rashan Gary. Just drive forward.

I'm going to reserve any potential criticisms of players on this roster until I see more out of them.

This week - it's the Lions. If the Packers can grab victory, a 2-0 start with two Division wins would be a sublime start to the 2020 football season.

The Packers will have to win the line of scrimmage. Adrian Peterson can still rumble. Matt Stafford can still whip the football around. TJ Hockenson is a big, bruising TE who will give the Packers problems. Danny Amendola is a slot WR who will frustrate. Marvin Jones has had big plays against the Packers in the past. Quintez Cephus was talented at Wisconsin. He'll challenge the Packers secondary.

While on offense, the Packers will have to block Trey Flowers. Jarrad Davis is a beast at ILB. The Lions secondary is banged up. They shouldn't be able to cover the Packers on the outside.

Davante Adams is going to have another field day. The Lions won't be able to cover him.

Protect Rodgers and I expect the Packers to score 30 points.

Get in Stafford's face and turnovers will follow.

The Packers should win by three scores, but without Kenny Clark, I worry about their ability to stop the run. So, Detroit will keep it close. They might even have a shot at winning.

But, in the end, the Rodgers to Adams combination will be too much.

Points -- for both teams -- should come in abundance.

Packers 31 Lions 27.

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 1

Greetings, G-Force. I hope that you are healthy, happy and safe. The 2020 season is upon us. And, I’m going to do my best to carry the blog forward. I’m happy to have football back. I hope that it brings a sense of normalcy to my Sunday’s. As I write, I listen to the Toots & the Maytals 1973 classic; “In The Dark.” A legendary album. I was absolutely gutted to hear about Toots’ passing. The 2015 Crooked Stave Origins continues to carry a robust sour punch. It’s a flavor explosion! Candidly, I’m not as close with the 2020 team as I’d like to be. So, my initial take won’t be as thorough as past years. I hope that changes as I form more thoughts. But, without preseason football, my views are persuaded by what I’ve read or heard from others. On paper, I’m not enamored with the depth on this roster. I see issues are CB, Tackle, and ILB. It’s shocking to me that Veldheer and TMon aren’t in the roster. I’m not sold on the WR depth either as I’m not convinced that either MVS or ESB has taken the next step. This team also needs Keke to advance his game or else the DL might have depth concerns as well. To kick off the season, the Packers travel to Minnesota to take on the ‘queens. It’ll be odd to have limited, controlled noise in the dome. I anticipate that the Packers will be able to function their offense as they’d like. However, I can’t say that I expect the Packers to be in rhythm early on in the season. Look for the Packers to get Tyler Ervin into the open field. Look for the Packers to turn to Allen Lazard in abundance. Look for the Packers to attempt to pound the ball at the heart of the Minnesota Defensive Line. Look for Jaire to try and get in Thielen’s head early in the game. The Packers have to find a way to slow down Dalvin Cook. I’m not sure that I see a scenario in which they’re able to do that. There’s no reason for Minnesota to not run the ball at least 35 times. The game will be decided by a turnover. Have a hunch that Savage grabs a pick to save the day. The Packers defense bends often. They don’t break. Packers 23. ‘queens 19. Go Pack Go! Talkin’ S-Mac. talkins-mac.blogspot.com