Greetings, G-Force.
All of the drama. All of the chaos. All of the overwhelmingly annoying stories that the media have fed us since LaFleur decided to kick the FG at the end of NFCCG. All of it. None of it matters right now. Instead, through all of the madness, the Packers sit at 8-2. Leading the NFC. In control of home field throughout. With 7 games to play. Let’s go!
As I write, I listen to Phish from 7-14-19. Alpine Valley. Ruby Waves. It was a blue morning when I was walking down the street in Downtown Denver this am. I sip a Hinterland Luna Coffee Stout. I love this beer. Perfect on a still yet crisp mid week evening with a near full moon bursting light from the sky. I’m alive.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
Matt LaFleur. Packers fans, we are blessed. He is ours.
Aaron Rodgers wasn’t top notch. It didn’t matter. He was a Leader. And, other than his boneheaded decision that led to the interception, #12 was mostly solid in his decision making.
Aaron Jones. Love this dude. So glad that his injury wasn’t severe. The same can be said for Gary.
Mercilus. Super bummed about his injury. He was becoming a disruptive force.
Bakhtiari. Health to you. We need you. Hoping the recovery is going better than it sounds. This OL needs him. Wild Man 70 has to get off the Field. In many ways, he’s a liability.
AJ Dillon. Where everyone thought Gutekunst was crazy for selecting him in R2 — including myself — well, he’s showing that Gutekunst knew best. It’s possible that Dillon will save the season for this team while 33 is out.
Deguara. While everyone thought Gutekunst was crazy for selecting him in R3 — including myself — well, he’s showing that Gutekunst was wrong with his selection. Deguara seems to make mental mistakes on a weekly basis.
Davante was too much for the Seattle secondary.
Nice to see MVS getting over the top.
Amos was an absolute stud.
King! I’m not sure he caught, but we will take it!
What a tremendous performance by the defense. Shutting out the Seahawks. Dominating the line of scrimmage. Kenny Clark continues to play at an All Pro level.
Barnes and Campbell. For the first time since the Desmond Bishop injury, the Packers have two consistently trustworthy players at ILB.
Gutekunst might’ve found a star in Slaton in this years Draft. He’s becoming increasingly more effective every week. I love his strength + quickness + effort combination.
Stoked for Stokes! Kid can play. He’s disciplined. He has great recovery speed. He gets his head turned around.
Another week. Another game in which Rasul made game changing plays. Dub-V to GB!
Garvin’s game is growing on me. High activity. Hustle monster. Keeps containment. He doesn’t show up much in the box score, but he’s effective.
The special teams woes must stop. Now. It’s baffling that they can’t figure out the FG unit.
This week - it’s the hated queens from Minnesota. With a win, the Packers are in complete command of the NFC NORTH.
The queens are much better than their record suggests. They’ve been the better team in most games that they’ve played. They just haven’t known how to win. They’ve blown leads. They’ve choked games away late. They have rarely played a full 60 minutes.
The Packers defense has played at a Super level this year. This will arguably be their biggest test so far. The queens will feed Cook. They’ll try to run over the Packers defensive front. In the past, the Packers have struggled to slow down Cook. Then, they’ll turn to play action. Cousins has been less prone to the big mistake this year. Without that mistake, it might be tough for the Packers to win. They’re loaded with weapons at WR and while the Packers secondary has been fantastic all year, Jefferson and Thielen are as good as any tandem in the NFL. Conklin is a solid TE. Osborn is a legit #3 WR. This is the weekend for the Packers defense to solidify themselves as a legitimate top 5 defense in the NFL. On the road. In the dome. Against a hated rival. And, a chance to essentially win the Division.
The MN defense should not be able to cover the Packers. If Rodgers is accurate and the timing is dialed in after another week of sitting out practice, the Packers should be able to put up loads of points.
I anticipate that we will see a lot of 4 WR sets. Cobb in motion. Dillon as the single back. Running into smaller defenders who will be asked to take the back back to the turf. Good luck.
Look for MVS to have two big plays off play action over the top. No one in the MN secondary can run with him.
We’ve been waiting for Savage to force a crucial turnover. This is the week.
Packers 31
queens 27
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Friday, November 12, 2021
My Take -> Week 10
Greetings, G-Force.
Feeling strife after a week of drama, the Packers offense looked unprepared, their defense looked Championship caliber and their special teams were pathetic. Add it all up and the Packers fought hard, but fell short. Still, there were many positives to take away from the defeat. The biggest takeaway is that the Packers defense seems shockingly prime to be a pillar. Assuming Jaire and Za’Darius come back, it’s possible that the defense will be the cornerstone of the 2021 season; baffling as it sounds. And, really, to intentionally reiterate the point, when you look at the big picture of this game for the 2021 season, we learned that this defense is good enough. The Packers offense (with Rodgers) and their defense is good enough to be Super. The special teams? Well, at this point, not so much.
As I write, I sip a Titletown Brewing Green 19 IPA. The Green 19 cadence is forever in the archives of the Favre era. I listen to the Phish 10-24-21 show from the Forum; my favorite venue to see music. Known for its Showtime era of the LA Lakers, the vibrancy still echoes throughout the arena.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
Matt LaFleur was scatter brained as a play caller against the Chiefs, but I don’t blame him. His team had barely practiced together for two weeks. The locker room was a COVID mess. He came out and wisely put Love in position to complete two easy passes in the flat. He wanted to make it easy for Love and LaFleur accomplished his mission. Love missed badly. Then, the defense gave up an 8 minute TD drive. LaFleur wisely went to the run game. He had success. But, two embarrassing FG attempts put him behind the 8-ball. After that, it felt like LaFleur was both confused and indecisive. He was out of rhythm. He was almost in panic mode. LaFleur should’ve just stuck with the run.
Jordan Love. I have no idea what his future holds and frankly, I’m not worried about it. I have no idea if he will be good enough to be an NFL starter. I do know that he was asked to manage a game in which the defense played as good as could be expected and Love wasn’t good enough. It’s possible that the coaching staff didn’t tell him to look at man coverage over the middle of the Field on the all out blitzes. If so, that would surprise me. Had he looked at the middle of the Field, he would have had multiple big plays in man coverage. If he was not specifically coached to do that last Sunday, I’m sure he has learned that at some point of his playing career. I’m fairly confident that I learned that concept sitting on my Dad’s lap at 5 years old. All out blitz? Well, that signals the middle of the Field is wide open. Trust your WR. Take a shot. Love never did. Again, I’m not suggesting Love won’t be a good QB in the future, but he was not good enough in his 1st start. The moment was far too big for him. That’s not abnormal for a young QB under center for the 1st time, but it was a painful initial impression.
I’m infatuated with the Dillon and Jones tandem. They are perfect compliments for one another. Speaking of Jones, how did Love not get him the ball as a receiver? Did Love not watch film of the last two times these teams played at Arrowhead? LaFleur certainly had Jones in position to be a target. Love just didn’t look his way. Baffling.
Wild Man 70 must play better or he has to go to the bench.
The defense played so well. Wish they’d have gotten off the Field on the final 3rd and 10, but man, what a performance. So great to watch.
Catch the ball, Kevin King.
Barnes!! What a hit! He came to play.
Campbell continues to impress.
Wish that Savage would play that way every week.
The last time the Packers played the Chiefs in Arrowhead, they targeted Daniel Sorensen on a number of occasions. They had big plays against him. The one time they went after him last weekend, Lazard scored a TD. Sorensen is a liability in coverage. It’s shocking that the Packers didn’t go after him more often. I wonder if LaFleur didn’t dial it up or if Love didn’t execute it?
The Packers have had many porous special teams units over the last 40 years. This is possibly the worst we’ve ever witnessed. And, amazingly, the punter is doing unbelievably well. Literally every other facet of the special teams units is remarkably flawed. It’s almost impressive how poorly they perform week in and week out.
I thought OBJ would’ve been a perfect fit in the role that we’ve seen Ervin, Austin and Amari Rodgers in over the last two years. Would he have been happy in that role? We will never know. I also think the role would have showcased his current skillset in a way that would’ve extended his career as a prominent figure on the Field. Let him return punts. Put him in motion. Let him catch the ball in the open space against LB’s, safeties and nickel CB’s. It’d have been a perfect match. Instead, OBJ took the $$$. He didn’t choose the Rams over the Packers, he took the money.
This week - it’s the Seahawks. An afternoon game. I always love the lights at Lambeau in November during the afternoon games. There’s a special type of magic in the air. I expect ghosts of years past to show up and create turnovers for the Packers. Look for the ball to bounce the Packers way.
Russell Wilson will be back. Hopefully, Aaron Rodgers will be back as well. If 12 comes back and is on target, the Packers could drop points in abundance. These Seattle defense is really bad. They can’t defend the run. They can’t defend the pass. Look for LaFleur to feast on the Seattle secondary this weekend.
Rodgers to Adams. Rodgers to MVS on the deep ball. Dillon up the middle. Jones I’m the flat.
The Packers jump out to an early lead. But, the Seahawks are like cockroaches. They don’t die. Wilson to Metcalf on a big play. Seattle fights back to within a score.
But, it’s Rodgers and Adams as an unstoppable duo. Seattle doesn’t have the answer.
Packers 34
Seahawks 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
Talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Feeling strife after a week of drama, the Packers offense looked unprepared, their defense looked Championship caliber and their special teams were pathetic. Add it all up and the Packers fought hard, but fell short. Still, there were many positives to take away from the defeat. The biggest takeaway is that the Packers defense seems shockingly prime to be a pillar. Assuming Jaire and Za’Darius come back, it’s possible that the defense will be the cornerstone of the 2021 season; baffling as it sounds. And, really, to intentionally reiterate the point, when you look at the big picture of this game for the 2021 season, we learned that this defense is good enough. The Packers offense (with Rodgers) and their defense is good enough to be Super. The special teams? Well, at this point, not so much.
As I write, I sip a Titletown Brewing Green 19 IPA. The Green 19 cadence is forever in the archives of the Favre era. I listen to the Phish 10-24-21 show from the Forum; my favorite venue to see music. Known for its Showtime era of the LA Lakers, the vibrancy still echoes throughout the arena.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
Matt LaFleur was scatter brained as a play caller against the Chiefs, but I don’t blame him. His team had barely practiced together for two weeks. The locker room was a COVID mess. He came out and wisely put Love in position to complete two easy passes in the flat. He wanted to make it easy for Love and LaFleur accomplished his mission. Love missed badly. Then, the defense gave up an 8 minute TD drive. LaFleur wisely went to the run game. He had success. But, two embarrassing FG attempts put him behind the 8-ball. After that, it felt like LaFleur was both confused and indecisive. He was out of rhythm. He was almost in panic mode. LaFleur should’ve just stuck with the run.
Jordan Love. I have no idea what his future holds and frankly, I’m not worried about it. I have no idea if he will be good enough to be an NFL starter. I do know that he was asked to manage a game in which the defense played as good as could be expected and Love wasn’t good enough. It’s possible that the coaching staff didn’t tell him to look at man coverage over the middle of the Field on the all out blitzes. If so, that would surprise me. Had he looked at the middle of the Field, he would have had multiple big plays in man coverage. If he was not specifically coached to do that last Sunday, I’m sure he has learned that at some point of his playing career. I’m fairly confident that I learned that concept sitting on my Dad’s lap at 5 years old. All out blitz? Well, that signals the middle of the Field is wide open. Trust your WR. Take a shot. Love never did. Again, I’m not suggesting Love won’t be a good QB in the future, but he was not good enough in his 1st start. The moment was far too big for him. That’s not abnormal for a young QB under center for the 1st time, but it was a painful initial impression.
I’m infatuated with the Dillon and Jones tandem. They are perfect compliments for one another. Speaking of Jones, how did Love not get him the ball as a receiver? Did Love not watch film of the last two times these teams played at Arrowhead? LaFleur certainly had Jones in position to be a target. Love just didn’t look his way. Baffling.
Wild Man 70 must play better or he has to go to the bench.
The defense played so well. Wish they’d have gotten off the Field on the final 3rd and 10, but man, what a performance. So great to watch.
Catch the ball, Kevin King.
Barnes!! What a hit! He came to play.
Campbell continues to impress.
Wish that Savage would play that way every week.
The last time the Packers played the Chiefs in Arrowhead, they targeted Daniel Sorensen on a number of occasions. They had big plays against him. The one time they went after him last weekend, Lazard scored a TD. Sorensen is a liability in coverage. It’s shocking that the Packers didn’t go after him more often. I wonder if LaFleur didn’t dial it up or if Love didn’t execute it?
The Packers have had many porous special teams units over the last 40 years. This is possibly the worst we’ve ever witnessed. And, amazingly, the punter is doing unbelievably well. Literally every other facet of the special teams units is remarkably flawed. It’s almost impressive how poorly they perform week in and week out.
I thought OBJ would’ve been a perfect fit in the role that we’ve seen Ervin, Austin and Amari Rodgers in over the last two years. Would he have been happy in that role? We will never know. I also think the role would have showcased his current skillset in a way that would’ve extended his career as a prominent figure on the Field. Let him return punts. Put him in motion. Let him catch the ball in the open space against LB’s, safeties and nickel CB’s. It’d have been a perfect match. Instead, OBJ took the $$$. He didn’t choose the Rams over the Packers, he took the money.
This week - it’s the Seahawks. An afternoon game. I always love the lights at Lambeau in November during the afternoon games. There’s a special type of magic in the air. I expect ghosts of years past to show up and create turnovers for the Packers. Look for the ball to bounce the Packers way.
Russell Wilson will be back. Hopefully, Aaron Rodgers will be back as well. If 12 comes back and is on target, the Packers could drop points in abundance. These Seattle defense is really bad. They can’t defend the run. They can’t defend the pass. Look for LaFleur to feast on the Seattle secondary this weekend.
Rodgers to Adams. Rodgers to MVS on the deep ball. Dillon up the middle. Jones I’m the flat.
The Packers jump out to an early lead. But, the Seahawks are like cockroaches. They don’t die. Wilson to Metcalf on a big play. Seattle fights back to within a score.
But, it’s Rodgers and Adams as an unstoppable duo. Seattle doesn’t have the answer.
Packers 34
Seahawks 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
Talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Sunday, November 7, 2021
My Take - Week 9
Greetings, G-Force.
Over the course of the last 40 years, we’ve seen many versions of the Cardiac Pack. The 2021 version might be the most unique. Thus far, this team has had a pension for completely outplaying their opponents yet they’ve been incapable of putting the opposition away. Eventually, this inability to apply the early-to-mid 4th Quarter dagger will likely catch up to the Packers, but for now, it’s important to enjoy the ride. The 2021 Packers have proven that they don’t flinch when they face in-game adversity. And, more importantly, in crunch time, this team knows how to win. Now, sadly, this team will face a different set of adversity. The face of the franchise chose not to get vaccinated. And, he thought he was smarter than all of us throughout the process. Oddly, he tried to protect his image and not come clean from the start and because of it, he strangely because a Preacherman about it all. He even grossly tied MLK into this. Now, the Packers will be without their 3x MVP QB for at least 1 week and possibly longer. In LaFleur, we will have to trust.
As I write, I sip a Green Flash West Coast IPA. Hop bursting enthusiasm. I listen to the Friday Night Phish in Las Vegas show from this past weekend. The band is on fire right now. Buzz in!
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
Matt LaFleur. What an exceptional leader. His team believes in him. His competitive spirit reflected through this team on a short week. In Arizona. Against the undefeated Cardinals.
Aaron Rodgers willed this team to victory. He was determined. His energy was palpable.
Jones and Dillon. This combination has become a dynamite 1-2 punch.
The Packers OL continues to play great football.
So sad for Big Bob Tonyan.
Congrats to Dre Campbell. He’s been phenomenal!
Clark and Lowry continue to play exceptionally well.
Thought Gary and Preston were really solid on the EDGE.
Mercilus has been an impact player. He’s so disruptive.
Rasul Douglas! Dub-V! A play for the ages! Unbelievably epic!
Stoked for Stokes! The kid can play.
Happy for Black! Quick reactions to a fortuitous bounce!
Randall Cobb is playing with great desire. Willpower.
If you’ve followed this blog long enough, you know that I fully believe in the CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE. The Championship Drive is when the offense puts the game away in the 4th Quarter. It’s when they make a 2-score game a 3-score game with less than 12 minutes to play. Or when they make a 1-score game a 2-score game with less than 5 minutes to play. In Week 3, the Packers had multiple chances to put away SF; but instead, they needed a last second 51 yard FG. In Week 4, with the game seemingly in hand against Pittsburgh and the Packers ramming the ball down the Steelers throats; almost oddly, the Packers started throwing the ball. They stopped the clock and nearly let Pittsburgh back into the game. In Week 5, the Packers had numerous chances to put away Cincinnati, but they let the Bengals hang around and nearly blew it. In Week 6, we saw our first glimpse of a Championship Drive when Rodgers emphatically flashed the Belt and gave us a forever moment in Chicago. In Week 7, offered hope that they were becoming a team that had the mental wherewithal to play a 60-minute football game. Finally, in Week 8, after the Packers had seemingly just completed their most impressive back-to-back drives of the season to give them a 2-score lead; the offense fizzled. While I don’t understand how the officials justified that there was conclusive evidence that Jones didn’t score, it’s unbelievable that the Packers were unable to punch it in from what looked to be 6-12 inches away. It was absolutely sublime to see Rasul coming away with the interception to seal it, but this offense must learn to apply the dagger if they have aspirations beyond a Division title.
This week - it’s the Chiefs. In Kansas City. An afternoon game. For all of the country to see.
The Chiefs are as dangerous as it gets for a 4-4 team. They're the 2-time defending AFC Champs. Their backs are against the wall. They need a win. They still have Mahomes, Kelce, Hill, Mathieu and Jones. They have an abundance of talent. They can score as quick as any team that I've ever seen. Defensively, they can put pressure on the QB. They're suseptible to giving up the big play.
Jordan Love says all the right things. He's such a good guy. A true professional. Everyone seems to love him. However, he’s not ready to start an NFL game in Arrowhead against Mahomes. No matter how bad the Chiefs defense might be. My gut says that this game will have moments that will be too big for Jordan Love. So, it'll be crucial for LaFleur to control the clock. It'll be important for the Packers to win the line of scrimmage. It'll be important for LaFleur to put Love in favorable down-and-distance situations.
Love will be fortunate to get Adams, Lazard and MVS back this week. The Packers stable of WR's will be in tact. Love should also benefit from a productive run game. Love will also benefit from playing a Chiefs secondary that is performing at a poor level. Love will have to be aware of where Mathieu is on the field. Mathieu will look to play mind games with Love all game long.
How can the Packers beat the Chiefs without Rodgers? It'll have to start with a run game and with defense. Mahomes is terrific, but in 2021, he's been putting himself in a position where he's been forcing the ball. Turnovers can be had. Additionally, the KC offensive line has been below average. The Packers DL must win the battle at the line of scrimmage. If so, they'll give the secondary opportunities to make a play.
I imagine that Stokes will be matched up with Hill. I'm interested in seeing if Stokes can run with Hill. Amos will have to body up to Kelce.
LaFleur will look to get the ball into Jones' hands in space. If so, big plays can be had. We will see screen passes. Play action roll-out passes to the TE. LaFleur keeps it easy. But, then, LaFleur will also look to have Love throwing the deep ball to MVS down the seam. Look for an early deep pass off of play action. MVS snags a big play.
Dare I say? The Packers control the clock. Mercilus gets to Mahomes to force a turnover. LaFleur puts Love in position to win and coaches him up to not force the ball in the Red Zone. LaFleur might even go conservative inside the Red Zone to ensure points. But, against KC, you can't settle for FG's. Dillon bails out the Packers as he fights through tackles to plow into the end zone.
Packers 24
Chiefs 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Over the course of the last 40 years, we’ve seen many versions of the Cardiac Pack. The 2021 version might be the most unique. Thus far, this team has had a pension for completely outplaying their opponents yet they’ve been incapable of putting the opposition away. Eventually, this inability to apply the early-to-mid 4th Quarter dagger will likely catch up to the Packers, but for now, it’s important to enjoy the ride. The 2021 Packers have proven that they don’t flinch when they face in-game adversity. And, more importantly, in crunch time, this team knows how to win. Now, sadly, this team will face a different set of adversity. The face of the franchise chose not to get vaccinated. And, he thought he was smarter than all of us throughout the process. Oddly, he tried to protect his image and not come clean from the start and because of it, he strangely because a Preacherman about it all. He even grossly tied MLK into this. Now, the Packers will be without their 3x MVP QB for at least 1 week and possibly longer. In LaFleur, we will have to trust.
As I write, I sip a Green Flash West Coast IPA. Hop bursting enthusiasm. I listen to the Friday Night Phish in Las Vegas show from this past weekend. The band is on fire right now. Buzz in!
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
Matt LaFleur. What an exceptional leader. His team believes in him. His competitive spirit reflected through this team on a short week. In Arizona. Against the undefeated Cardinals.
Aaron Rodgers willed this team to victory. He was determined. His energy was palpable.
Jones and Dillon. This combination has become a dynamite 1-2 punch.
The Packers OL continues to play great football.
So sad for Big Bob Tonyan.
Congrats to Dre Campbell. He’s been phenomenal!
Clark and Lowry continue to play exceptionally well.
Thought Gary and Preston were really solid on the EDGE.
Mercilus has been an impact player. He’s so disruptive.
Rasul Douglas! Dub-V! A play for the ages! Unbelievably epic!
Stoked for Stokes! The kid can play.
Happy for Black! Quick reactions to a fortuitous bounce!
Randall Cobb is playing with great desire. Willpower.
If you’ve followed this blog long enough, you know that I fully believe in the CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE. The Championship Drive is when the offense puts the game away in the 4th Quarter. It’s when they make a 2-score game a 3-score game with less than 12 minutes to play. Or when they make a 1-score game a 2-score game with less than 5 minutes to play. In Week 3, the Packers had multiple chances to put away SF; but instead, they needed a last second 51 yard FG. In Week 4, with the game seemingly in hand against Pittsburgh and the Packers ramming the ball down the Steelers throats; almost oddly, the Packers started throwing the ball. They stopped the clock and nearly let Pittsburgh back into the game. In Week 5, the Packers had numerous chances to put away Cincinnati, but they let the Bengals hang around and nearly blew it. In Week 6, we saw our first glimpse of a Championship Drive when Rodgers emphatically flashed the Belt and gave us a forever moment in Chicago. In Week 7, offered hope that they were becoming a team that had the mental wherewithal to play a 60-minute football game. Finally, in Week 8, after the Packers had seemingly just completed their most impressive back-to-back drives of the season to give them a 2-score lead; the offense fizzled. While I don’t understand how the officials justified that there was conclusive evidence that Jones didn’t score, it’s unbelievable that the Packers were unable to punch it in from what looked to be 6-12 inches away. It was absolutely sublime to see Rasul coming away with the interception to seal it, but this offense must learn to apply the dagger if they have aspirations beyond a Division title.
This week - it’s the Chiefs. In Kansas City. An afternoon game. For all of the country to see.
The Chiefs are as dangerous as it gets for a 4-4 team. They're the 2-time defending AFC Champs. Their backs are against the wall. They need a win. They still have Mahomes, Kelce, Hill, Mathieu and Jones. They have an abundance of talent. They can score as quick as any team that I've ever seen. Defensively, they can put pressure on the QB. They're suseptible to giving up the big play.
Jordan Love says all the right things. He's such a good guy. A true professional. Everyone seems to love him. However, he’s not ready to start an NFL game in Arrowhead against Mahomes. No matter how bad the Chiefs defense might be. My gut says that this game will have moments that will be too big for Jordan Love. So, it'll be crucial for LaFleur to control the clock. It'll be important for the Packers to win the line of scrimmage. It'll be important for LaFleur to put Love in favorable down-and-distance situations.
Love will be fortunate to get Adams, Lazard and MVS back this week. The Packers stable of WR's will be in tact. Love should also benefit from a productive run game. Love will also benefit from playing a Chiefs secondary that is performing at a poor level. Love will have to be aware of where Mathieu is on the field. Mathieu will look to play mind games with Love all game long.
How can the Packers beat the Chiefs without Rodgers? It'll have to start with a run game and with defense. Mahomes is terrific, but in 2021, he's been putting himself in a position where he's been forcing the ball. Turnovers can be had. Additionally, the KC offensive line has been below average. The Packers DL must win the battle at the line of scrimmage. If so, they'll give the secondary opportunities to make a play.
I imagine that Stokes will be matched up with Hill. I'm interested in seeing if Stokes can run with Hill. Amos will have to body up to Kelce.
LaFleur will look to get the ball into Jones' hands in space. If so, big plays can be had. We will see screen passes. Play action roll-out passes to the TE. LaFleur keeps it easy. But, then, LaFleur will also look to have Love throwing the deep ball to MVS down the seam. Look for an early deep pass off of play action. MVS snags a big play.
Dare I say? The Packers control the clock. Mercilus gets to Mahomes to force a turnover. LaFleur puts Love in position to win and coaches him up to not force the ball in the Red Zone. LaFleur might even go conservative inside the Red Zone to ensure points. But, against KC, you can't settle for FG's. Dillon bails out the Packers as he fights through tackles to plow into the end zone.
Packers 24
Chiefs 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
My Take -> Week 8
Greetings, G-Force.
A scattered array of optimism was provided in a hard fought, gritty victory over the WFT. It wasn’t always pretty, but the team played with a level of will and determination for the full 60 minutes. For the first time this year, they didn’t let up.
As I write I sip a Dust Bowl Tomorrow’s Clear IPA. 7.2%. Sensational. I listen to Phish’s Chula Vista show from last Saturday night. What a gem!
Here are my quick vibes from the past week:
The Packers 6th win felt different than the rest. It was a different brand of football. There was heavy pressure from the Defensive front. They were forcing fumbles. The defense dictated the tempo. On offense, they were aggressive. They were spreading the ball out and getting Tonyan and Lazard involved. LaFleur was both creative and in command. Rodgers was patient and seeing the Field. It was the brand of Football that is capable of beating any team in the NFL. Don’t get me wrong, no one will confuse Washington with Tampa Bay, but the tough minded mentality of the team was on display against an inferior opponent and that needs to be recognized.
Vintage LaFleur to go for it on 4th down on the opening possession of the game. His offense needed 7 points to end the long drive. Happy to see the team convert it for a TD.
Rodgers played the best game of his season. He was patient. He read the Field. He wasn’t always perfectly accurate, but it was the type of performance that quietly moves his name up the list of MVP candidates.
Davante Adams. If he stays in GB with 12 for the next 5 more seasons, I believe that Adams will end up in the Hall of Fame.
Very happy to see Tonyan getting involved down the Field.
Great to see Lazard actively involved in the offense.
Hold onto the ball, Dillon.
Aaron Jones’ vision consistently amazes me.
Marcedes Lewis! What a catch!
The OL has been extremely impressive for 7 weeks, considering the circumstances. But, it’s time to get Bakhtiari back. They’ve regressed over the last two weeks.
Dre Campbell continues to show his worth. He was all over the Field on Sunday. Loved seeing him punch the ball out as well.
Finish the play, Jaylon.
Stoked for Stokes! The kid can play!
Amos was rock solid.
Lowry continues to have the best year of his career.
Gary was a menacing force.
Clark is playing at an elite level.
Good to see Mercilus making a quick impact. He will make a game changing play this year to help this team claim a victory.
Keke made his presence felt!
Rasul Douglas has proven to be a solid addition in two games. Thought he got hosed on the pass interference call.
Loved seeing Sullivan grab the pick.
This week - it’s the undefeated Cardinals. In Arizona. On a short week. With a COVID outbreak in the locker room.
The Cardinals are littered with weapons on offense. Murray is playing at an MVP level. Hopkins is as good as it gets at WR. Green looks youthful. Moore can fly. Kirk is dangerous after the catch. Edmonds is a talented receiver out of the backfield. Connor is a steady pound it between the tackles RB. Williams is a reliable option at TE.
Defensively, the Cardinals are spectacular. Golden, Jones, Watt and Hicks can all get to the QB. Simmons and Baker fly around the field. They’re weakness is at CB. But, with the Packers without Adams and Lazard, it’ll be hard to find a scenario in which they’ll be able to take advantage of that weakness. Hopefully, they’ll get MVS back.
If the Packers want any shot at the #1 seed heading into the playoffs, they must win this game.
Enter: Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. I’ve thought that they needed to be on the field more at the same time. Well, this week, it happens out of necessity. And, because of it, a new wrinkle is born. We see Jones as a pass catcher in motion. We see Dillon on the wheel route. The Packers work to get the ball into their RB’s hands in space. We see more Tonyan.
Winfree gets free for the Win? Just maybe. I had high hopes for him entering the season.
Murray can make mistakes. If pressured, he will occasionally force the ball downfield. The Packers must take advantage. Stokes makes the play!
It’ll be a grind. There will be many moments of frustration.
Could it be a hallmark regular season victory in the 2021 season? Like last hear in NO.
Clark, Preston, Mercilus, Gary and Lowry provide enough pressure to annoy Murray.
Together, LaFleur and Rodgers have had an uncanny ability to accomplish the unthinkable in the regular season.
Packers 27
Cardinals 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
A scattered array of optimism was provided in a hard fought, gritty victory over the WFT. It wasn’t always pretty, but the team played with a level of will and determination for the full 60 minutes. For the first time this year, they didn’t let up.
As I write I sip a Dust Bowl Tomorrow’s Clear IPA. 7.2%. Sensational. I listen to Phish’s Chula Vista show from last Saturday night. What a gem!
Here are my quick vibes from the past week:
The Packers 6th win felt different than the rest. It was a different brand of football. There was heavy pressure from the Defensive front. They were forcing fumbles. The defense dictated the tempo. On offense, they were aggressive. They were spreading the ball out and getting Tonyan and Lazard involved. LaFleur was both creative and in command. Rodgers was patient and seeing the Field. It was the brand of Football that is capable of beating any team in the NFL. Don’t get me wrong, no one will confuse Washington with Tampa Bay, but the tough minded mentality of the team was on display against an inferior opponent and that needs to be recognized.
Vintage LaFleur to go for it on 4th down on the opening possession of the game. His offense needed 7 points to end the long drive. Happy to see the team convert it for a TD.
Rodgers played the best game of his season. He was patient. He read the Field. He wasn’t always perfectly accurate, but it was the type of performance that quietly moves his name up the list of MVP candidates.
Davante Adams. If he stays in GB with 12 for the next 5 more seasons, I believe that Adams will end up in the Hall of Fame.
Very happy to see Tonyan getting involved down the Field.
Great to see Lazard actively involved in the offense.
Hold onto the ball, Dillon.
Aaron Jones’ vision consistently amazes me.
Marcedes Lewis! What a catch!
The OL has been extremely impressive for 7 weeks, considering the circumstances. But, it’s time to get Bakhtiari back. They’ve regressed over the last two weeks.
Dre Campbell continues to show his worth. He was all over the Field on Sunday. Loved seeing him punch the ball out as well.
Finish the play, Jaylon.
Stoked for Stokes! The kid can play!
Amos was rock solid.
Lowry continues to have the best year of his career.
Gary was a menacing force.
Clark is playing at an elite level.
Good to see Mercilus making a quick impact. He will make a game changing play this year to help this team claim a victory.
Keke made his presence felt!
Rasul Douglas has proven to be a solid addition in two games. Thought he got hosed on the pass interference call.
Loved seeing Sullivan grab the pick.
This week - it’s the undefeated Cardinals. In Arizona. On a short week. With a COVID outbreak in the locker room.
The Cardinals are littered with weapons on offense. Murray is playing at an MVP level. Hopkins is as good as it gets at WR. Green looks youthful. Moore can fly. Kirk is dangerous after the catch. Edmonds is a talented receiver out of the backfield. Connor is a steady pound it between the tackles RB. Williams is a reliable option at TE.
Defensively, the Cardinals are spectacular. Golden, Jones, Watt and Hicks can all get to the QB. Simmons and Baker fly around the field. They’re weakness is at CB. But, with the Packers without Adams and Lazard, it’ll be hard to find a scenario in which they’ll be able to take advantage of that weakness. Hopefully, they’ll get MVS back.
If the Packers want any shot at the #1 seed heading into the playoffs, they must win this game.
Enter: Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. I’ve thought that they needed to be on the field more at the same time. Well, this week, it happens out of necessity. And, because of it, a new wrinkle is born. We see Jones as a pass catcher in motion. We see Dillon on the wheel route. The Packers work to get the ball into their RB’s hands in space. We see more Tonyan.
Winfree gets free for the Win? Just maybe. I had high hopes for him entering the season.
Murray can make mistakes. If pressured, he will occasionally force the ball downfield. The Packers must take advantage. Stokes makes the play!
It’ll be a grind. There will be many moments of frustration.
Could it be a hallmark regular season victory in the 2021 season? Like last hear in NO.
Clark, Preston, Mercilus, Gary and Lowry provide enough pressure to annoy Murray.
Together, LaFleur and Rodgers have had an uncanny ability to accomplish the unthinkable in the regular season.
Packers 27
Cardinals 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Friday, October 22, 2021
My Take -> Week 7
Greetings, G-Force.
And, just like that, Aaron Rodgers has added a forever moment in the legendary rivalry between the Packers and Bears. For more than 100 years, these franchises have bashed heads. Last Sunday, we witnessed a moment that'll stand the test of time. "I still own you." Book it.
As I write, I listen to the Phish July 27, 2018 show from the Forum. I'm heading out to CA to see Phish at the Forum again this weekend. With that, I reminisce about a great night that I enjoyed at the famed indoor venue. I sip an Avery Kaiser. 'Tis the season for a Munich style big beer. This Imperial Oktoberfest clocks in at 8%. Yet, it's so smooth. A true favorite of mine this time of year.
My quick vibes from the last week:
Matt LaFleur got back to a little bit of his creative roots as the game wore on, but he started off the game looking like McCarthy's offense at the end of his time in Green Bay. Straight forward looks. Little motion. Bland. In return, his offense was stagnant. LaFleur introduced more motion and when he did, he saw better results. LaFleur's offense is based on deception. He must stick with his roots.
Aaron Rodgers wasn't in his MVP form. He missed some open throws. But, he gave us a moment of a lifetime. After rushing for a TD and getting clocked as he crossed the goal line, Rodgers showed us THE BELT. Then, we saw the classless Bears fans showing the middle finger in excessive fashion. In the end, "I still own you" will reign supreme. Forever. Damn it feels good to be a Packers fan.
Davante Adams. Straight butter. So smooth.
AJ Dillon is becoming a force in this offense.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Much respect, Lucas Patrick!
Aaron Jones. Elite. He defines Packers football. What's not to like about him? A great dude.
Marcedes Lewis!
Bobby Tonyan needs to get more involved in this offense. He's a solution in the Gold Zone!
This team will improve when MVS and Dafney return from the IR. Don't overlook Dafney's value to this team. He's a tremendous blocker.
Dean Lowry is playing the best football of his career.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Kenny Clark is playing at an All Pro Level.
Rasul Douglas might've been the MVP. Had Yiadom stayed in the game, the Bears might've dropped 40. When Douglas came in, there was a semblence of sanity to the defense.
Make the tackle, Jaylon Smith.
What a punt!
Whitney Mercilus! OH MERCY! But, Packers fans, check yourself. This isn't a suddenly new version of Brian Gutekunst. In 2018, he signed Breeland as an in-season player. In 2019, it was Veldheer. In 2020, it was Austin and Snacks. This is who Brian Gutekunst is.
This week - it's the WFT in Green Bay. There's absolutely no reason for the Packers to not go to 6-1.
I'm going to keep this short and sweet as I have to head out to the beach to go on vacation. Yes, I'm dreaming about my toes in the sand. A sip of tequila. A clear IPA. Fish tacos. Family and friends. A Phish show in Chula Vista and another in LA after a drive up the coast. That's where my head's at.
As for the Packers, control the line of scrimmage. Protect 12. Establish the run. Open up play action. Lazard snags a TD deep down the Field. WFT can cover GB. No chance.
And, for the Packers fans, make sure your piss is hot early in the morning. Keep it rowdy! Packers 30
WFT 20
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
And, just like that, Aaron Rodgers has added a forever moment in the legendary rivalry between the Packers and Bears. For more than 100 years, these franchises have bashed heads. Last Sunday, we witnessed a moment that'll stand the test of time. "I still own you." Book it.
As I write, I listen to the Phish July 27, 2018 show from the Forum. I'm heading out to CA to see Phish at the Forum again this weekend. With that, I reminisce about a great night that I enjoyed at the famed indoor venue. I sip an Avery Kaiser. 'Tis the season for a Munich style big beer. This Imperial Oktoberfest clocks in at 8%. Yet, it's so smooth. A true favorite of mine this time of year.
My quick vibes from the last week:
Matt LaFleur got back to a little bit of his creative roots as the game wore on, but he started off the game looking like McCarthy's offense at the end of his time in Green Bay. Straight forward looks. Little motion. Bland. In return, his offense was stagnant. LaFleur introduced more motion and when he did, he saw better results. LaFleur's offense is based on deception. He must stick with his roots.
Aaron Rodgers wasn't in his MVP form. He missed some open throws. But, he gave us a moment of a lifetime. After rushing for a TD and getting clocked as he crossed the goal line, Rodgers showed us THE BELT. Then, we saw the classless Bears fans showing the middle finger in excessive fashion. In the end, "I still own you" will reign supreme. Forever. Damn it feels good to be a Packers fan.
Davante Adams. Straight butter. So smooth.
AJ Dillon is becoming a force in this offense.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Much respect, Lucas Patrick!
Aaron Jones. Elite. He defines Packers football. What's not to like about him? A great dude.
Marcedes Lewis!
Bobby Tonyan needs to get more involved in this offense. He's a solution in the Gold Zone!
This team will improve when MVS and Dafney return from the IR. Don't overlook Dafney's value to this team. He's a tremendous blocker.
Dean Lowry is playing the best football of his career.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Kenny Clark is playing at an All Pro Level.
Rasul Douglas might've been the MVP. Had Yiadom stayed in the game, the Bears might've dropped 40. When Douglas came in, there was a semblence of sanity to the defense.
Make the tackle, Jaylon Smith.
What a punt!
Whitney Mercilus! OH MERCY! But, Packers fans, check yourself. This isn't a suddenly new version of Brian Gutekunst. In 2018, he signed Breeland as an in-season player. In 2019, it was Veldheer. In 2020, it was Austin and Snacks. This is who Brian Gutekunst is.
This week - it's the WFT in Green Bay. There's absolutely no reason for the Packers to not go to 6-1.
I'm going to keep this short and sweet as I have to head out to the beach to go on vacation. Yes, I'm dreaming about my toes in the sand. A sip of tequila. A clear IPA. Fish tacos. Family and friends. A Phish show in Chula Vista and another in LA after a drive up the coast. That's where my head's at.
As for the Packers, control the line of scrimmage. Protect 12. Establish the run. Open up play action. Lazard snags a TD deep down the Field. WFT can cover GB. No chance.
And, for the Packers fans, make sure your piss is hot early in the morning. Keep it rowdy! Packers 30
WFT 20
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Saturday, October 16, 2021
My Take -> Week 6
Greetings, G-Force.
What an awkwardly thrilling victory! The Packers showed great perseverance, stamina and mental mettle as they gutted out the nail biting victory.
As I write, I sip a Joyride Experiment IPA #20. It’s odd to me that the clear IPA is seemingly a thing of the past. They’ve become cloudy or lightly malty. I prefer my IPA’s to be crisp and clear. This one delivers. In grand fashion. An instant favorite of mine. I listen to the Bob Marley “Kaya” album. It’s a chilly evening in CO, but reggae music warms the soul.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
Matt LaFleur is a play calling wizard. But, in Cincinnati, we witnessed a conservative approach that we haven’t seen in his 2+ years with him as Coach. Inside the Red Zone, we saw very little eye candy for the defense. With that, the offense stalled.
Aaron Rodgers. After the 1st Quarter, when he was given time, he was mostly accurate. He wasn’t seeing the Field in elite fashion, but he was safe with the football. He was efficient. He put the Packers in position to win.
Aaron Jones. Superstar. All hunger.
Davante Adams. An absolute weapon on offense.
This team needs to utilize Robert Tonyan in the Gold Zone. He’s the solution.
AJ Dillon is a tremendous pass catching RB. I didn’t see that coming.
The OL wasn’t as dominant as it’d been in recent weeks, but it was another gutty + impressive performance by this makeshift group.
Dean Lowry was fantastic!
Kenny Clark is playing at an All Pro level.
Dre Campbell!! Showing himself as a steal of a claim.
Stoked for Stokes! Another sound performance for the rookie.
Catch the ball, Savage. Like Amos did.
Nice to see Preston rushing up the Field rather than dropping in coverage this year.
Liked seeing Gary lining up over Center as a stand up rusher.
Barnes and Burks both showed burst blitzing the QB.
Can’t wait to see Jaylon Smith!
Hamilton is a high effort player on the edge. He’s a step slow and he plays 1/3 yard off the ball further than I wish he did, but I like his energy.
Slaton eats up blockers.
Marcedes Lewis brings tears to the eyes. So fun!
There were many moments of poor execution on offense. Felt like ESB and Deguara were often either out muscled or mentally out of sync.
Randall Cobb picking up 1st downs!
At some point the Packers are going to have to get the ball to Amari Rodgers when he’s in motion, just to keep the defense honest. Otherwise, he’s not even worth a look.
Liked the early screen to Hill, wish he’d be the eye candy jet sweep morion man rather than Amari. Feels like he’s more of a threat in the open field.
I like the Dunbar signing. Fairly remarkable to think that Gutekunst has added Smith, Douglas and Dunbar at this point in the season.
This week - it’s our hated neighbors to the South. The suddenly upstart Bears who have found new hope behind their rookie QB. With back-to-back impressive performances, the Bears appear to be vastly improved over what many thought they’d be in 2021.
The Bears play defense. They attack the football. They win the line of scrimmage. Hicks’ injury status is huge.
The Bears have injuries at RB. Like the Packers have injuries at CB. Expect the Bears to attack the Packers down the field opposite Stokes. Stokes is brimming with confidence. Across from him, Yiadom is not trusting his instincts. The Bears will look to beat Yiadom down the field.
I'd like to think that if the Packers can protect Rodgers, the reigning MVP will have a stellar day. He'll find Adams. He'll get Tonyan involved. He'll hit Lazard on a deep crossing route. The Bears don't have the depth at CB to cover GB.
Early in the game, the Packers find success running the football. It opens up play action. The Packers strike first.
But, the Bears hang around. Fields is efficient. He intelligently picks up 1st downs with his legs. He is accurate in the pocket as the Bears OL holds up. Let's hope the Packers defense finally holds the opposition out of the end zone in the Red Zone.
Offensively, the Packers finish drives. I've been begging for Tonyan. This week - again, I'm predicting it! Tonyan scores twice.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Packers 27
Bears 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
What an awkwardly thrilling victory! The Packers showed great perseverance, stamina and mental mettle as they gutted out the nail biting victory.
As I write, I sip a Joyride Experiment IPA #20. It’s odd to me that the clear IPA is seemingly a thing of the past. They’ve become cloudy or lightly malty. I prefer my IPA’s to be crisp and clear. This one delivers. In grand fashion. An instant favorite of mine. I listen to the Bob Marley “Kaya” album. It’s a chilly evening in CO, but reggae music warms the soul.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
Matt LaFleur is a play calling wizard. But, in Cincinnati, we witnessed a conservative approach that we haven’t seen in his 2+ years with him as Coach. Inside the Red Zone, we saw very little eye candy for the defense. With that, the offense stalled.
Aaron Rodgers. After the 1st Quarter, when he was given time, he was mostly accurate. He wasn’t seeing the Field in elite fashion, but he was safe with the football. He was efficient. He put the Packers in position to win.
Aaron Jones. Superstar. All hunger.
Davante Adams. An absolute weapon on offense.
This team needs to utilize Robert Tonyan in the Gold Zone. He’s the solution.
AJ Dillon is a tremendous pass catching RB. I didn’t see that coming.
The OL wasn’t as dominant as it’d been in recent weeks, but it was another gutty + impressive performance by this makeshift group.
Dean Lowry was fantastic!
Kenny Clark is playing at an All Pro level.
Dre Campbell!! Showing himself as a steal of a claim.
Stoked for Stokes! Another sound performance for the rookie.
Catch the ball, Savage. Like Amos did.
Nice to see Preston rushing up the Field rather than dropping in coverage this year.
Liked seeing Gary lining up over Center as a stand up rusher.
Barnes and Burks both showed burst blitzing the QB.
Can’t wait to see Jaylon Smith!
Hamilton is a high effort player on the edge. He’s a step slow and he plays 1/3 yard off the ball further than I wish he did, but I like his energy.
Slaton eats up blockers.
Marcedes Lewis brings tears to the eyes. So fun!
There were many moments of poor execution on offense. Felt like ESB and Deguara were often either out muscled or mentally out of sync.
Randall Cobb picking up 1st downs!
At some point the Packers are going to have to get the ball to Amari Rodgers when he’s in motion, just to keep the defense honest. Otherwise, he’s not even worth a look.
Liked the early screen to Hill, wish he’d be the eye candy jet sweep morion man rather than Amari. Feels like he’s more of a threat in the open field.
I like the Dunbar signing. Fairly remarkable to think that Gutekunst has added Smith, Douglas and Dunbar at this point in the season.
This week - it’s our hated neighbors to the South. The suddenly upstart Bears who have found new hope behind their rookie QB. With back-to-back impressive performances, the Bears appear to be vastly improved over what many thought they’d be in 2021.
The Bears play defense. They attack the football. They win the line of scrimmage. Hicks’ injury status is huge.
The Bears have injuries at RB. Like the Packers have injuries at CB. Expect the Bears to attack the Packers down the field opposite Stokes. Stokes is brimming with confidence. Across from him, Yiadom is not trusting his instincts. The Bears will look to beat Yiadom down the field.
I'd like to think that if the Packers can protect Rodgers, the reigning MVP will have a stellar day. He'll find Adams. He'll get Tonyan involved. He'll hit Lazard on a deep crossing route. The Bears don't have the depth at CB to cover GB.
Early in the game, the Packers find success running the football. It opens up play action. The Packers strike first.
But, the Bears hang around. Fields is efficient. He intelligently picks up 1st downs with his legs. He is accurate in the pocket as the Bears OL holds up. Let's hope the Packers defense finally holds the opposition out of the end zone in the Red Zone.
Offensively, the Packers finish drives. I've been begging for Tonyan. This week - again, I'm predicting it! Tonyan scores twice.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Packers 27
Bears 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Friday, October 8, 2021
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
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
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