My Take -> Week 12

Greetings, G-Force.

7-3. With one outlandishly poorly played half, the Packers relinquished control of the NFC. Because of it, not only will the Packers have to win games, but they’ll also have to scoreboard watch. This year, more than ever, the #1 sees is absolutely coveted. Only one team will get a bye. At halftime, the Packers were in the pole position. But, after 30 minutes of football misery, the Packers were dethroned with 6 games to play.

As I write, I sip a Weldwerks One Big Holiday. A Triple IPA. 11%. Hop heavy. It packs a punch. I listen to Culture’s Humble African album. Roots Reggae warms the soul.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur has set high expectations for himself. So, when we see the offense sputtered like they did in the 3rd Qtr, it feels odd. I don’t understand why LaFleur stopped with the motion + disguise to start the 3rd. Looked fairly predictable from a normally sparkling mind.

Aaron Rodgers has been sensational in 2020. His personality is shining brightly. He’s been accurate. He’s been wise. One has to fancy that he wants two plays back from the Colts game: first, the interception and secondly, the final pass of regulation. On the interception, it was 1st and 20. Adams was running free across the middle of the field and would’ve picked up at least 10 yards. Instead, he was fooled by the coverage. I was surprised that Rodgers didn’t take the easy play. And, on the final play of regulation, if Rodgers had gone to his second read across the field, he’d have thrown a game winner to Tonyan.

Aaron Jones has been relatively quiet for two weeks in a row.

Davante Adams is marvelous.

I wonder how much Linsley’s back issues played a part in the botched snap?

Speaking of Linsley, I can’t imagine a scenario in which he will be back next year. I don’t see how the Packers can afford him. He will be greatly missed. In Jenkins last week, we saw his likely replacement.

Jon Runyan is a good football player.

Felt bad for MVS. He played a really good football game.

How is Darrius Shepherd on this football team? Liked seeing that Tavon Austin was brought in for a tryout. He’d be a major upgrade.

Big Bob Tonyan is earning himself a paycheck.

Good to see Lazard in action.

Spectacular play design on the pass to ESB.

Jace Sternberger is quietly looking more comfortable in this offense.

How does LaFleur tolerate Pettine’s consistent decision to have Preston Smith dropping in coverage? At some point, LaFleur has to assume some responsibility. Pettine continuously makes the same mistakes. He plays soft in coverage. His teams often drop into a ridiculously predictable zone coverage. Pettine comes with a 3-man rush. In these scenarios, he’s constantly getting burned! At what point, do they just line up and play man-to-man football? I like a lot of the players on this defense.

Raven Greene!

The near sack by Za’Darius. Hmmm. Awfully close. My biased eye thought the ball was loose and that he pushed it forward with his fingers. Wishful thinking, I know. But, I was certainly hoping that the call on the field would stand. Probably a bad take though.

Once again, the Packers defense was mostly unable to stop the run.

Jaire was one step away from a pick 6 that would’ve lived large for many years.

Nice to see Kenny Clark grabbing a sack.

Was happy for Kirksey on his interception.

I appreciate Matt LaFleur’s aggressiveness. I really do. But, on 4th and 1 with 3:15 left, you kick the FG to tie the game.

I’ll forever be curious as to why Rodgers spiked the ball with 43 seconds left from the 15 yard line.

This week - it’s the hated Bears traveling to Lambeau on Sunday Night Football. Thankfully, the weather shouldn’t play much of a factor. Temperatures are expected to be around 35 degrees with a light wind and no precipitation.

After starting 5-1, the Bears have lost 4 in a row. They’re reeling and on the ropes. A Packers win this weekend might send the Bears tumbling even further.

The Bears are a dangerous team this weekend. Trubisky will be back under Center. He’s auditioning for a new opportunity next year.

Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy have their back against the wall. If they miss the playoffs this year, there could be a significant change at the top for the Bears this offseason.

Fear can be a great motivator. And, desperate teams are dangerous teams. The Bears will show some trickery this weekend. Will it be a fake punt? An onside kick? A fake FG? A RB or WR pass? A flea flicker? I expect the Bears to pull out all of the stops.

Trubisky has all of the tools. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if he were with the Packers next year. But, Trubisky is still raw. If you keep him in the pocket, he won’t beat you. When Trubisky can roll to his right, he can make plays. He can also beat you with his legs as a runner. The Packers will need to spy Trubisky all game. I’d do so with either Greene or Martin.

Jimmy Graham will want to have a big game. After a couple of disappointing years in Green Bay, Graham has played well in Chicago.

The Packers cannot let Cordarrelle Patterson beat them as a Kick Returner.

With Robinson, Mooney and Miller; the Bears have three capable WR’s. Cole Kmet is a highly talented rookie TE.

The Bears OL has been a problem area. Starting Tackle, Charles Leno, has been banged up. The Packers DL has to dominate the line of scrimmage.

The Bears defense is spectacular. But, the Packers might catch a break if Akiem Hicks can’t go. Hicks is the heartbeat of the locker room. He trashes people. He’s hurt with a hamstring injury and might not play.

The Bears defense flies around the field with Khalil Mack, Mingo, Robert Quinn, Roquan Smith, and Danny Trevathan at LB.

Brent Urban has become a monster at DT.

Their secondary continues to play great football. Eddie Jackson remains an elite play making safety. Kyle Fuller is a shutdown CB. Jaylon Johnson has had a promising rookie year. I like his game a lot. He’s big, he’s long and he can play the football. He’s a grabber and must be attacked though. Buster Skrine has played better than I anticipated for the Bears. Tashaun Gipson has also been a good addition.

This Bears defense will play with great fight. They will be active and look to force turnovers. They'll bring inside pressure to knock Rodgers off of his spot.

I have to believe that the Packers offense has more firepower than the Bears do. I also have to believe that the Packers defense delivers a top tier performance, their best of 2020.

Rodgers connects on two big deep balls that breaks this one open.

Trubisky has two turnovers.

The final score is closer than the game feels.

Packers 27
Bears 20

THE BEARS STILL SUCK!

Go Pack Go!

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