November 20, 2025 • 34 mins
In a two-for-one episode, Mike and Wes review the victory over the Giants (:50) as well as preview the matchup with the Vikings, looking at Minnesota’s offense (11:51) and defense (14:57) as well as the Packers’ keys to victory (18:46). They also discuss key matchups around the league in Week 12 (24:04).
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from
Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spoffor, joined by my
partner Everything Packers, Wes Hodkowitz. Coming to you hear from
our studios at Lambeufield, and we'll start by apologizing for
not having our Tuesday, our normal Tuesday episode this week
yet again, an unexpected cancelation of an episode. We will
(00:27):
try to make up for it. We will try to
make up for it today.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
So to mulligans, h Mulligan.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Yeah, now we don't have any more can't can't miss
anymore Tuesdays, can miss anymore Tuesdays or Thursdays at work? Well,
so let's try to cover it all here as best
we can, rushing through perhaps a little bit. Twenty seven
to twenty was the final score against the Giants out
in New Jersey. And this was a This was kind
(00:58):
of a just a chaos type of game in a
way the way it unfolded west not only with the
Giants having Jamis Winston and various substitutes at key positions
for them, but then the Packers were dealing with Jordan
Love Goes out with the shoulder injury. Milik Willis comes
in leads a touchdown drive. Josh Jacobs leads the game
with a knee injury, Emmanuel Wilson has to take over,
(01:19):
and it all came down to an interception by Evan
Williams after the Packers dropped numerous interceptions throughout the course.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Of the day.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
But they got a victory that they absolutely desperately needed
after the two straight losses at home. They got themselves
to six three and one. And for all the warts
in this game, A, it was a victory and B
there were still some pretty good performances out there across
the board.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
But I mean, you don't win this game without how
that last five minutes went, and looking specifically at I
have to say it, I mean Christian Watson. It was
my story after the game for the locker Room report.
He made four catches in this game, and I think
the Packers needed every single one of them to win it.
When you go back to his one yard touchdown catch
(02:04):
from Malik Willis, the time in which the Packers were
reeling right, They're down seven to nothing the Giants for
the first time the season. I believe the defense allowed
a touchdown on the opening drive for Green Bay it
was the.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
First time the defense allowed a touchdown in the first
quarter of the season period for Green Bay.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
So that Booye's my point.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
No, But and then you know, Christian comes up with
a really good concentration, strong hands catch. He has two
third down catches to ignite both of the next two
scoring drives.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
And then when the Chips are down double covered, Jordan
Love throws a magnificent pass to him. The go ahead
score twenty to twenty seven to twenty puts Green Bay up.
At the time, the Packers struggled with drops of this game,
and they struggled with pulling down interceptions. Yeah, and it
was two specific players, Watson on the offensive side of
(02:54):
the ball and Evan Williams on the defensive side of
the ball that made them right. Because Jamis Winston does
lead New York down the field, they are threatening the
Packers end zone again, and Evan Williams, as we've seen
this emerging playmaker, this fourth round fine from a year ago,
become more and more of a general back there plays.
(03:14):
It perfectly comes down with the interception. The defense responds
stripsack from Micah Parson's and next thing, you know, the
Green Bay Packers are six to three and one.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah, the way that game unfolded, Yes, the Packers. The
Packers had drops on offense that led to the sloppiness.
The presnat penalties went away, thankfully, but then suddenly the
drop passes come back. So you're still dealing with dealing
with some frustrating issues there on the defensive side of
(03:43):
the ball. The Giants were able to control the clock
and control the game very much, played their type of game,
limited possessions and all of that. Because they were able
to run the ball, they were able to move the chains.
They were converting on fourth downs multiple times. This to me,
it was it was frustrating watching the defense struggle to
(04:03):
get off the field. But then after the game, all
I could think about was boy, I mean, there were
there when you look at when you look at four
potential interceptions that the Packers did not come up with
in the game and throw in the third and long
screen pass where Edrin Cooper has the play blown up,
but at least from what I saw in the film,
(04:24):
it looked like he went a little bit too much
for the ball instead of securing the taco which would
have been like a five yard loss and forced them
to punt those five played. I mean, if any one
of those five plays, if the defense makes any one
of those five, the whole defensive performance, I think looks
different and the game unfolds completely differently. So the Packers
just had too many missed opportunities on that side of
(04:45):
the ball, and they've got a cash in on those.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I thought.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Two other guys that I will point out as if
you want to call him unsung heroes or whatever, but
they rank up there in this game.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
For me.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
One was Saveon Williams we all saw on Twitter and
everywhere else on social media getting off the bus at
MetLife Stadium in a walking boot when he arrived for
the game. He did go out there and play as
the kick returner, and then, as luck would have it,
he's on the field for a crucial third and ten
(05:19):
on what turned out to be the game winning touchdown
drive the second touchdown by Christian Watson late in the game.
There and Williams is essentially one on one coverage. The
play goes off schedule, the pass protection holds up incredibly
well a lot of it, thanks to Chris Brooks picking
up the blitzing linebacker and blocking him until next Sunday,
(05:40):
Jordan Love kind of signals for Savion to go deep,
like you know, just go and he throws it up
there for him knowing it's one on one, it's a
fifty to fifty ball, and Saveon Williams comes down with
it for a thirty three yard perception, converts the third
and ten, sets up the touchdown to Watson. Just an
incredible play with everything that that has been dealing with
(06:01):
with his his foot injury, to start the day in
a walking boot and to then do that. The other
one then is punter Daniel Wheelan that punt at the
end of the game after the Packers were trying to
run out the clock, they didn't get a first down,
they had to punt in the final minute and give
the ball back to the Giants. I believe it was
(06:24):
officially a sixty one yard punt. With the wind and
the way and everything that was going on. He absolutely
he hit as perfect a punt as you could hit.
And the Giants returner actually did an incredible job to
make a play on the ball and get up field
and get some yardage. Because Wheeland not only punted at
sixty one yards in those conditions, but it was right
(06:45):
over by the boundary. It was a very difficult punt
for anybody to return, and Daniel Wheeling got a game
ball from the head coach afterward. I thought, I thought,
very well deserved. Those were some tough conditions. Those conditions
contributed to two missed extra points, and there were other
issues with the snapping and the operation all that, but
Daniel Wheelan came through. And I hope for this young
(07:06):
man's sake, we know he's still getting better, but I
hope some recognition starts to come his way on the
national scene for what he is doing at his position.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah. I actually thought he had a chance at NFC
Special Teams Player of the Week, and then I saw
what the Rams punter did. I think he had was
at four puns forty eight yards, like two of them
inside the twenty, so I mean.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I guess, and one of the Rams one it literally
bounced out of bounds, like inside the one yard line,
like right by the pylon. So it was a big
time highlight play for LA.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Yeah, so kudos of that man. Packers know what they got.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
Daniel Wheeland, though a very talented young punter and obviously
becoming a real weapon for them. I mean, Matt Lafleur
said it in the postgame scrum celebration. I mean a
field tilter, guy that is turning the field in this
game for Green Bay. I will also say this too
about Savion Williams. The energy and the enthusiasm that young
man showed after that catch. You could tell there was
(07:59):
so much that he wanted to express in that moment,
so much just internal instinctive reaction. These are the type
of things that he's been looking for this season. Unfortunately,
there's been a lot of nicks and bruises, and you know,
it's not the first time we've seen a guy in
the middle of the week been dealing with the boot
and then playing in games. But I don't know if
I've actually seen it with the foot before. Typically it's
(08:20):
an ankle related injury. So I mean the fact that
he's tough in this thing out and being available for
them on the kickoff return. You're going to keep in
mind Packers are already in a way kind of down
to their third string punt returner and Romeo Dobbs. I mean,
Romeo wasn't a plan to have him returning punts, but
that's the way this season has gone. To still have
cevi Na available in that capacity. Oh and then, by
(08:41):
the way, when the time comes to make a big
play on the ball, him, Matthew Golden. Both of those guys,
assuming they can stay healthy. Matthew's also dealing with the shoulder,
They're going to be pivotal for the Packers during this
final stretch.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Absolutely, And it's worth pointing out Golden did have one
explosive catchdown the field and then also drew a defensive
pass interference down by the goal line, which ended up
being an explosive play in terms of the penalty yard
setting up a touchdown for the Packers there. And we'd
be remiss before we move on to not mention you
mentioned the play at the end of the game, Micah
(09:13):
Parsons getting the strip sack. Micah Parson's getting the sack
on the fourth down in the end of a sixteen
play drive. The Giants are just grinding it out, grinding
it out, controlling the clock and everything.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
They're down.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
The Giants are down by six points at that stage,
and instead of trying to kick another field goal in
those crazy wins, they decided to go for it on
fourth down in the red zone and Micah Parsons. The
word I used in Insider Inbox on Monday was relentlessness.
I mean, you know, I don't know how somebody, now
I don't know if he was out there for all
sixteen plays, but I don't know how somebody at the
end of a sixteen play drive for the defense can
(09:50):
do what he did on that play. I mean when
you look at the film and what he had to
do in order to get to Winston and to get
a hold of him so that Isaiah McDuffie could come
in and help finish off, you know, for the split sack.
Just an incredible play by Parsons, and it's it's one
that sort of gets forgotten because of the way the
game ended. But that was a big time fourth down
(10:11):
stop and that's why Micah Parsons is getting paid what
he's getting paid.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
Yeah, I mean he is John Cena man, never give up,
and that guy just keeps coming. He can't see him.
I mean, for him, we heard about this. I mean
it's probably the number one attribute he had coming out
of Penn State, right. He has this relentless motor and
honestly give credit to him a conditioning regimen that keeps
him in these games.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Unbelievabire.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
This is not a guy that is a rotational pass rusher.
When he is right, when he knows the system, when
he's healthy, he's playing seventy five eighty percent of the
defensive snaps. Yeah, and they can use him everywhere. This
is one of those games again of why you brought
him in, the type of difference maker he is, and
now to be at eight sacks on the season, all
these pressures, all these quarterback kids, I just think it's
(10:54):
very apropos for how he plays the game that just
quietly these stats just they just bundle up in the
appear right, because it's the moment Arizona, it's the games
like this, it's Pittsburgh. The guy just makes plays and
then you see the totality of it at the end
of the season. So again, I was talking to him
in the locker room afterwards, a bunch of us were
(11:14):
he wasn't completely pleased with the defensive performance. He felt
like this was a game where the offense picked up
the defense. But let's be honest, Mike. We've said it
since the beginning of the year. If the defense keeps
the opponent to twenty or fewer points if they keep
three touchdowns off the board, Yep, the Packer. Well in
this case they didn't because the extra point. But if
they are able to play that type of game, the
Packers are going to win. And this was another example
(11:35):
of that.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Yeah, it was good to see. It was certainly good
to see the offense be able to put together those drives.
I mean in a limited possession game. I'm essentially eight possessions,
the Packers got four touchdowns. That's not a bad day's work.
We do need to shift gears though, to the Minnesota Vikings.
They are coming into lambeau Field this Sunday. It is
a noon Central time kickoff. Minnesota four and six on
(11:59):
the season. All sorts of talk about JJ McCarthy, the
second year quarterback who's essentially in his first year after
his rookie year was a washout due to injury, all
the growing pains that he is going through. We know
all the weapons that the Vikings have on offense. Justin
Jefferson Addison. I'm trying to remember Jordan Addison. I was
(12:21):
forgetting his first name. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ. Hockinson,
Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason a whole bunch of offensive weapons
around JJ McCarthy, and I'll just I'll start the discussion
by saying this West for all of the growing pains
that JJ McCarthy is going through, he has a road
(12:42):
victory at Soldier Field, and he has a road victory
at Ford Field in the division. Now he's coming to
Lambeau Field. That's the JJ McCarthy that the Packers have
to expect on Sunday, and the Vikings are going to
give the Packers absolutely everything they can handle.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
People went and took this thing about the nine comment
and they've sort of it's taken on a life of
its own. Him saying that he turns into nine. He does, though, Dude, Yeah,
I mean, this is a gamer. This is a guy
that when he was at Michigan all he did was win.
When he was in high school, all he did was win.
And the thing I love about him, I think that's
what's gonna booie him and help him throughout his career.
Here is he kind of has a really short memory.
(13:20):
Now he needs to get some of the turnovers under control.
Here is yet to get through a game with all
throwing the ball to the opposition. At the NFL level.
But he is going to for all four quarters give
you everything he's got. And let's be honest. The game
against the Bears last week, that was the perfect example
of the league's leader in net differential for giveaways, takeaways
(13:43):
and turnover margin and the team that's thirty first, right now,
that was the difference. It's not like Caleb Williams really
outplayed JJ McCarthy. Caleb Williams didn't have a turnover, he
didn't throw an interception. McCarthy did. The Bears, once again,
as they've been all season, been very opportunistic. It's not
it's just the difference in a nineteen to seventeen winner loss.
It's the difference between the Bears being seven and three
(14:05):
and the Vikings being four and six. Right amongst a
myriad of injuries. Now, Minnesota is healthier now. Their injury
report this week is pretty much a third of what
Green Bays is. But that being said, McCarthy is at
this weird point where I'm sure if you talk to
Kevin O'Connell and the coaches over there, they want him
to protect the ball more. But he also has two
(14:26):
legitimate Pro Bowl All Pro type receivers to throw to,
and the Vikings have just been in these type of
games that have required him to be thrown in the
fourth quarter. So it's not going to be easy. Like
I think that's the main thing. I mean, the Packers
are six three and one, They've done a good job
in the fourth quarter. The Vikings have not losing three
of their last four. But this is going to be
(14:49):
a big time feel, big time playoff atmosphere type game.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Yeah, no question is. On the other side of the ball,
you've got Brian Flores and his blitz crazy defense and
all the different looks and fronts and bluffs and different
ways that that Brian Flores wants these guys to attack.
You know, He's got Andrew van Ginkel and Jonathan Gernard
(15:14):
on the edges. He has Josh Mattelis and Harrison Smith
at safety. He just he has all these you know,
iven pace, that linebacker Eric Wilson, the former pack Up,
former Viking now back with the Vikings again. He's got
all these different pieces on defense that that he can
come at you from all these different angles. I mean,
this is a this is a game that will be
(15:35):
that will be very much about about you know, the
communication on the offensive line being on your p's and q's,
with the blitz pick up, who's got who, you know,
all that kind of stuff. I will say this though,
last season, when the Packers went to US Bank Stadium
late in the year for that big game against the Vikings,
(15:56):
I thought Flora's defense really, you know, kind of had
their way with Green Bay's offense for a good portion
of the day, and it seemed like it felt like
Green Bay's offense in the passing game was struggling with
the man coverage that the Vikings that were playing. What
we've seen so far this year from the Packers offense
(16:17):
is we've seen a passing offense that almost wants man
coverage more often. There's there's been there's been a shift
in terms of, you know, the explosive plays that the
Packers have been able to get. They like man coverage.
They're going to take their chances with man coverage. I
think it just creates with where the Packers offense is
(16:40):
now compared to where it was last December or January
whenever that was that that Green Bay went to Minneapolis.
I think it creates a very interesting chess match because
Flores is not necessarily going to be able to use
the same game plan that he used late last season
against this version of Green Bay's offense because some things
(17:00):
have changed.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
The way honestly, the Vikings are playing this year almost
reminds me more of what Jeff Hafley's defense looked like
last year, where yes, they're blitzing, but they're having to
get production in terms of pressuring the quarterback from really everybody.
Eric Wilson's second in sacks right now on this defense
three and a half on the year. I mean, Andrew
van Ginkel only has four quarterback hits, only has three sacks.
(17:23):
But you know you have Javon Hargrove that's been contributing
to this thing. Jalen Raymond is involved in this. I
think currently leads them in sacks, but they're having to
facilitate it a little bit more. And they only have
three picks on the year. So this is an opportunistic bunch.
It's a bunch that's going to throw a lot at you,
and they rank in the top ten in total yards.
But it's not the same type of defense is what
(17:46):
I saw last year when they were going up against it.
In addition to that, getting back to your original point,
I think there's been an evolution with Jordan Love. I
think there's been an evolution with some of these pass
catchers that they can find ways to win differently this
year than last. Where I think there was a pretty
big blueprint for when green Bay was gonna have success
in the downfield passing game in when they were going
to struggle. I think those lines have blurred a little bit,
(18:08):
and on both sides there's opportunities that I think green
Bay still has to take more advantage of too when
they do get manned. But that being said, I like
where green Bay is at for the struggles they've had
this season. I think mentally they've crossed some bridges here.
They've crossed some hurdles because they've had to learn how
to win with not necessarily always having Josh Jacobs being
(18:28):
their main producer. They got to be more consistent with it.
But particularly in the second halfs here the last couple
of weeks, I just think Jordan Love is starting to
find his stroke again like he does in these second
halfs and this is gonna be an ultimate test for
that against Flores.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
All right, well, let's dive right into the keys to
victory for Green Bay. I'm going to start with this
one because shifting the attention back to JJ McCarthy, one
thing the Packers defense has done really well all season,
whether they've you know, been stout against the run or
had some leaks against the run, whether they're taking the
(19:03):
ball away or not taking the ball away, this Packer's
defense has hung its hat on not giving up explosives,
and I think that becomes that's something that needs to
continue in this game because for all of the growing
pains and everything that JJ McCarthy is going through, but
also what happens when he sort of morphs into that nine,
that superman kind of guy. Big plays can do that
(19:27):
for a young quarterback, and the Packers can't allow those
explosive plays to happen that are going to fuel the
energy and the confidence and everything that JJ McCarthy could
have in what should be a very difficult road game
for him. So that's where I start.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
There's levels to this, and I agree with you on
where you stand, and when we do our final thoughts
for you tomorrow, I'm gonna actually have to pair this
down to what I actually think the Packers win if yeah,
because there's a number of things here. One is in
the most obvious. This is I mean, anyone could walk
in the studio and say the same thing. They have
to protect the football and you have to take the
football away. That's the reason why the Vikings are four
(20:06):
and seven. They only have three picks. One of them
was a pick six though in eighty seven yard pick
sick by pick six by Rodgers.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
But they've struggled to take the ball away.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
They have thirteen interceptions this year if you count in
also what was happening with Carson Wentz before he went
down for the season. So Green Bay has to do
a better job with that. I love the banter you
and I have been going back and forth with the
Insider inbox this week because I think the run defense
right now is this very interesting sort of prism to
look through in where they're at, and I think this
Vikings rush offense is actually gonna test that because they've
(20:38):
not had a lot of explosives this year, but they
know how to drain yards, they know how to leak yards.
Jordan Mason does it really well. It's what allowed him
to emerge in San Francisco. I don't need to really
talk about Aaron Jones. Everybody knows whether he's twenty five
or thirty one, the type of threat that he is.
He's dealing with some injuries again, but when he's been
(20:58):
out there, he's been very good for them this season.
Green Bay's run defense against the Giants was really interesting
because they only allowed one big explosive play. If they
would have allowed more, it would have looked really bad
on the stat sheet, but because they did hold their ground,
it was manageable. They were able to win ultimately because
they didn't give up those explosives.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
That being said, they.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
Were not in a third and eight very often, they
were not in third in line, third and long very often.
The Giants were able to half those yards the way
they want to with their run game. They were able
to get into second and five, third and two, and
then that's when you saw some of the downfield opportunities
present themselves for Jameis Winston in the passing game. Green
Bay cannot allow that to happen against this particular opponent.
(21:41):
And the last thing I'll say, the Justin Jefferson effect.
We were talking with Keishawn Nixon about this in the
locker room on Wednesday. This guy is at the DeVante
Adams level. Now you can run the entire passing game
through him, and they're doing that. When JJ McCarthy needs
a target, when they need yards, it's going that direction.
Even though Addison is a big threat to Jefferson is
(22:04):
right on the cusp of being the best receiver in
this league and McCarthy knows it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
Absolutely, I'm gonna say one more thing in terms of
a key to victory here because I'm going to I'm
gonna put this one on the Packers fans at Lambeau Field.
The crowd on Sunday needs to bring it. This is
a Vikings team that has played two consecutive home games
and had fourteen false starts on offense eight two weeks ago,
(22:29):
six last week. Fourteen false starts in two games. If
this Packers Lambeau crowd can bring it on Sunday, you
can have an impact on this game. This offensive line,
you know, and all the growing pains with JJ McCarthy.
The fans can have an impact on this one, and
I'll be interested to see if indeed that can happen.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
Thirty four sacks allowed too from that offensive line this season,
so a big opportunity there I love that one, though
you should you should have saved that for final thought.
Maybe what's that one?
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Back up? We'll pretend that people don't listen or don't
watch both of them.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Yeah, okay, all right, well we do need to pay
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Wisconsin dot com slash Wonders. Welcome back, to Packers. Unscripted quickly,
Wes will take a look around the rest of the league.
Week twelve, where things stand in the NFC North. The
Bears are seven and three, the Packers are six three
(24:11):
and one, the Lions are six and four. Aside from
Packers Vikings the other games on the docket, the Pittsburgh
Steelers are traveling to Chicago, and of course, all the
attention right now is on Ken Aaron Rodgers protect that
injured left wrist and be able to function well enough
to be able to play against the Bears, and we'll
(24:33):
just have to wait and see in that regard. But
this Steelers Bears game should be an interesting one. The
Lions are at home against the Giants. The Lions coming
off of a tough loss on Sunday Night Football in Philadelphia,
a low scoring affair the much like the game against
the Eagles at Lambeau the previous week. But the Bears
(24:55):
are the team sitting in first place in the NFC
North right now. The last time the Bears were in
first place this late in the season was in twenty eighteen,
which was the last time they won the division. It
was when Matt Nagy was winning coach of the year
when Mitch Trubisky was their starting quarterback and when their
season ended on the double doink in the playoffs. But
it is the Bears that are on top right now,
(25:16):
and there will be a lot of attention on this
Pittsburgh Chicago game on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
It's a great opportunity for Pittsburgh to get a quality win.
You know, That's the one thing when I was diving
into it this week. And again, you respect every opponent.
You respect every team's ability to win against the opponents
that are against them. The Bears strength of schedule is
about as weak as it is in the NFL. There's
strength of victory, I believe is the weakest in the
NFL right now. So they've won the games that they've
(25:41):
supposed to and that's why they're seven and three. For Pittsburgh,
this is a critical game. I mean, the people are
gonna make They're gonna make this about Aaron Rodgers and
him and I own you and all that. I thought
Rogers did a tremendous job a diffusing that when he
talked to the media on Wednesday. But the bigger picture
is Pittsburgh is at the top right now. But they
(26:01):
got this Baltimore Ravens team that is just surged back
into the qu and the conversation. Oh In meanwhile, they're
right on the cusp also of the wildcard chase. So
this thing is wide open, as it seems right now
in the North in the NFC between Pittsburgh, it's a
two horse race as far as the division, but there's
a chance for both of those teams to be in
the wildcard conversation too. What Aaron Rodgers does, how this goes,
(26:23):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Certainly.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
I would love from the narrative and the storytelling standpoint,
for Rogers to get another crack at play in the
Bears at Soldier Field. I think it just makes good theater, oh,
no doubt. But that's not an easy injury to deal with.
And I don't know what kind of modifications even if
he does play, you have to make to an offense
in addition to just what he has to do.
Speaker 1 (26:43):
Yeah, to get through that, yeah they're talking about, he
needs to both be able to protect it but also
be functional enough with whatever protection would be on the
left wrist. So that will be an ongoing storyline all
the way up until kickoff on Sunday. I want to
get your thoughts.
Speaker 3 (26:57):
No, go ahead, the Lions play whatever opponent the Packers
played right the previous week. Yeah, I said this in
last week's show, but it happened again. I didn'tven realize
that the Giants were next.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Time, So the Giants are the Giants are next. I
did look it up and it actually happened earlier in
the year where the Packers played the Bengals right after
the Lions had played. It was like in the reverse
because that that was when the Bengals made the quarterback
shift to Joe Flacco after the Lions just completely destroyed
them with with Jake Browning at quarterbacks. And then it's
(27:26):
been it's just been a weird. It's been a weird season.
Speaker 3 (27:29):
And the Lions played the Browns after the Packers played.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
Right, So this is the third time now the Browns,
the Eagles, and the Giants have all been on the
Lions schedule the very week after the Packers have played
those those teams. OK, No, that's all right. One AFC
game I want to get your thoughts on, and then
I want to shift back to the NFC. The Kansas
City Chiefs, they actually had a late lead against the
(27:55):
Denver Broncos. Let it get away. They lose to the Broncos,
their chances of keeping that AFC West Division winning street
going are very much in jeopardy. But now they've also
reached the point where their season is kind of on
the line, and they've got to play the Indianapolis Colts,
who have one of the top records in the AFC.
(28:17):
The Colts are coming off their bye week, I believe,
an interesting game at Arrowhead Stadium because there's a lot
on the line here for a team that I mean,
Patrick Mahomes has never not played in the AFC Championship game,
and right now we're talking about a Kansas City Chiefs
team that is kind of up against it in terms
of just staying in the playoff race at all.
Speaker 3 (28:38):
This is why I've always said, you just have to
beat the teams that are in front of you. Man,
Like the Chiefs, they haven't lost a bad game. I mean,
even the Jacksonville Jaguars are a respectable team that going
down to the wire. But it doesn't get any easier. Man,
look at this. They got the Colts this week, then
they go to Dallas. I mean the Packers saw it.
I mean Dallas I mean they bring a little bit
(29:00):
too close to five hundred. They can beat anybody. You
have the Chargers still on the schedule, you have to
face the Broncos again to try to They just got
to get wins. Yeah, it is about the division and
everything like that. But I think there is this element
that if you can get Patrick Mahomes into the playoffs,
anything can happen. But they're struggling to get over that
Mendoza mark right now. And I don't know if there's
(29:20):
a more confident team in the National Football League right
now than the Indianapolis Colts, because the one thing the
Colts have done this season is they've proven time and
time age anybody can win a game for them, whether
it's Daniel Jones, whether they have to lean on Jonathan Taylor.
I think they have a defense they can hang its
hat on. This season. Very tricky opponent for the Kansas
(29:40):
City Chiefs, and if you don't get it done at
home against the Colts, now you're reeling. Now you're almost
in the run the table territory.
Speaker 1 (29:48):
Yeah, absolutely, that's where that's where Kansas City is potentially
hitting the danger zone. Couple last thoughts on the NFC
before we sign off Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have lost
too straight now against good teams. They just most recently
lost a shootout in Buffalo. Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen
were going at it and the Buffalo Bill's got too
(30:08):
late touchdowns to be able to win a high scoring
affair there. But Tampa Bay now goes to La to
play the Rams. The Rams are coming off of a
big victory in the NFC West over the Seahawks. They
intercepted Sam Darnold four times. The Seahawks statistically dominated that
game with the exception of turnovers, and because of the turnovers,
(30:28):
the Rams were able to pull it out and get
a big win there. And the reason I mentioned this
one is because here's the really interesting thing, Wes. If
the Rams at home, hold Serve at home, and beat
the Buccaneers, then on Monday Night, Carolina is going to
San Francisco with a chance to take over first place
in the NFC South if the Buccaneers lose a game.
(30:50):
If the Buccaneers lose this week, the Carolina Panthers are
playing for first place on Monday Night football. So anyway,
just curious your thoughts on that.
Speaker 3 (30:58):
Well, my first thought is, and I I love him
as a player. I still don't know what the heck
to make out of Bryce Young. There's one week where
it looks like he can't get over one hundred passing yards.
Last week it looked like he couldn't be stopped.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Ever, Yeah, what four hundred and forty something or whatever
that he.
Speaker 3 (31:11):
Had NFC Offensive Player of the Week. I mean, and
he's got some talent. Great test for him against Robert
Sala's defense. Can't wait to see how that plays out.
I actually think independent of the divisional race with the
NFC South, I think there's a lot of wild card ramifications.
I think San Francisco Carolina. I don't know if both
of them are getting into the playoffs a month from now.
I think this is a game that when you go
(31:31):
back and look at how the season unfolds, it's probably
gonna have a lot to do with where things are.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
Could end up being one of those head to head
tiebreaker things in the wild card picture as well. So yeah,
I'm with you there and Tampa.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
This is a big challenge. I think the Rams right
now know who they are. They've weathered injuries. I got
a hilarious kick out of DeVante Adams line last week
where it was one catch on eight targets, but it
was a touchdown and I think it was this thousand.
Speaker 1 (31:58):
One thousand career reception. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Yeah, So when DeVante hits a thousand, he hits it
with authority. But this is this is a big one
for Tampa and I don't know if they're going to
have the traditional home field advantage a lot of teams
have playing at so far, So.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Yeah, that's a that's a long way for Buccaneers fans.
I mean usually at so far when you're talking the
West Coast teams, you know, San Francisco, Seattle, like, they'll
all make that trip down to LA and and cheer
on their team. But Tampa Bay, that's you know, was
that a five and a half hour flight or something
like that, you know there. And here's here's the other
thing I'll say too, because I know we're going to
talk about this more as the season goes along. Even
(32:34):
though the Rams are not on the Packers regular season schedule,
all the you know, focus is always on fantasy football
and offense. And with the Rams you got Matthew Stafford
and DeVante Adams and all that. The Rams defense man
like that is that is a unit that is a
unit that that takes no prisoners like that. The Rams
(32:55):
have had some shaky games on offense this year, but
their defense has always shown up. And Sean mcvay's got
something going on there with that defense and what they've
put together personnel wise and what they're doing scheme wise,
that's really been, in my opinion, that's been the story
of the Rams leading the NFC West.
Speaker 3 (33:14):
I think the Rams the other thing that's been great
about them, And obviously Chris Shula is the coordinator there now,
but when you think in the Matt Lefflor's brother Mike
is the offensive coordinator. But when you think defensively what
they've done, they haven't had a lot of picks over
the years, right, Let's need traded a lot of future
equity to bring in players.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
About two years ago they sort of.
Speaker 3 (33:34):
Reset on all that and they've been hitting on those
picks when they've been getting some of these high rounders
I mean versus I think is probably one of the
up and comers in this entire league, and.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Heck of a heck of a young pass rusher.
Speaker 3 (33:45):
So for as few shots as they have had at
the Apple has few mini bites that they've had the Apple,
they've found superstar type talent that they've built their defenses around.
I think you're kind of seeing that again. In addition
to the fact to your point about the Seattle game,
with someone like Matthew Stafford at this junction in his career,
thirty seven years young, he can control a game and
understand that, Okay, if my defense is going to help
(34:06):
us win this, if Darnald is making mistakes, we can
play that game too. I just I think Sean mcvay's
teams are so well coached, and they made a massive
reset about three years ago and ever since then, it's
like they've been on the second climb again and it
has him at the top of the NFC.
Speaker 1 (34:21):
Yeah, it's been Uh, it's going to be interesting to
watch how it unfolds. But with that we will call
it a rap on this edition of Packers unscripted'd be
sure to follow all of our coverage of the team
and all of our coverage of Sunday's big home game
against the Vikings. We'll have it all for you on
Packers dot com for Wes Iammike, thank you for tuning in. Everybody,
we will. Seahawks Times
Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from
Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spoffor, joined by my
partner Everything Packers, Wes Hodkowitz. Coming to you hear from
our studios at Lambeufield, and we'll start by apologizing for
not having our Tuesday, our normal Tuesday episode this week
yet again, an unexpected cancelation of an episode. We will
(00:27):
try to make up for it. We will try to
make up for it today.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
So to mulligans, h Mulligan.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Yeah, now we don't have any more can't can't miss
anymore Tuesdays, can miss anymore Tuesdays or Thursdays at work? Well,
so let's try to cover it all here as best
we can, rushing through perhaps a little bit. Twenty seven
to twenty was the final score against the Giants out
in New Jersey. And this was a This was kind
(00:58):
of a just a chaos type of game in a
way the way it unfolded west not only with the
Giants having Jamis Winston and various substitutes at key positions
for them, but then the Packers were dealing with Jordan
Love Goes out with the shoulder injury. Milik Willis comes
in leads a touchdown drive. Josh Jacobs leads the game
with a knee injury, Emmanuel Wilson has to take over,
(01:19):
and it all came down to an interception by Evan
Williams after the Packers dropped numerous interceptions throughout the course.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Of the day.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
But they got a victory that they absolutely desperately needed
after the two straight losses at home. They got themselves
to six three and one. And for all the warts
in this game, A, it was a victory and B
there were still some pretty good performances out there across
the board.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
But I mean, you don't win this game without how
that last five minutes went, and looking specifically at I
have to say it, I mean Christian Watson. It was
my story after the game for the locker Room report.
He made four catches in this game, and I think
the Packers needed every single one of them to win it.
When you go back to his one yard touchdown catch
(02:04):
from Malik Willis, the time in which the Packers were
reeling right, They're down seven to nothing the Giants for
the first time the season. I believe the defense allowed
a touchdown on the opening drive for Green Bay it
was the.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
First time the defense allowed a touchdown in the first
quarter of the season period for Green Bay.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
So that Booye's my point.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
No, But and then you know, Christian comes up with
a really good concentration, strong hands catch. He has two
third down catches to ignite both of the next two
scoring drives.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
And then when the Chips are down double covered, Jordan
Love throws a magnificent pass to him. The go ahead
score twenty to twenty seven to twenty puts Green Bay up.
At the time, the Packers struggled with drops of this game,
and they struggled with pulling down interceptions. Yeah, and it
was two specific players, Watson on the offensive side of
(02:54):
the ball and Evan Williams on the defensive side of
the ball that made them right. Because Jamis Winston does
lead New York down the field, they are threatening the
Packers end zone again, and Evan Williams, as we've seen
this emerging playmaker, this fourth round fine from a year ago,
become more and more of a general back there plays.
(03:14):
It perfectly comes down with the interception. The defense responds
stripsack from Micah Parson's and next thing, you know, the
Green Bay Packers are six to three and one.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah, the way that game unfolded, Yes, the Packers. The
Packers had drops on offense that led to the sloppiness.
The presnat penalties went away, thankfully, but then suddenly the
drop passes come back. So you're still dealing with dealing
with some frustrating issues there on the defensive side of
(03:43):
the ball. The Giants were able to control the clock
and control the game very much, played their type of game,
limited possessions and all of that. Because they were able
to run the ball, they were able to move the chains.
They were converting on fourth downs multiple times. This to me,
it was it was frustrating watching the defense struggle to
(04:03):
get off the field. But then after the game, all
I could think about was boy, I mean, there were
there when you look at when you look at four
potential interceptions that the Packers did not come up with
in the game and throw in the third and long
screen pass where Edrin Cooper has the play blown up,
but at least from what I saw in the film,
(04:24):
it looked like he went a little bit too much
for the ball instead of securing the taco which would
have been like a five yard loss and forced them
to punt those five played. I mean, if any one
of those five plays, if the defense makes any one
of those five, the whole defensive performance, I think looks
different and the game unfolds completely differently. So the Packers
just had too many missed opportunities on that side of
(04:45):
the ball, and they've got a cash in on those.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I thought.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Two other guys that I will point out as if
you want to call him unsung heroes or whatever, but
they rank up there in this game.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
For me.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
One was Saveon Williams we all saw on Twitter and
everywhere else on social media getting off the bus at
MetLife Stadium in a walking boot when he arrived for
the game. He did go out there and play as
the kick returner, and then, as luck would have it,
he's on the field for a crucial third and ten
(05:19):
on what turned out to be the game winning touchdown
drive the second touchdown by Christian Watson late in the game.
There and Williams is essentially one on one coverage. The
play goes off schedule, the pass protection holds up incredibly
well a lot of it, thanks to Chris Brooks picking
up the blitzing linebacker and blocking him until next Sunday,
(05:40):
Jordan Love kind of signals for Savion to go deep,
like you know, just go and he throws it up
there for him knowing it's one on one, it's a
fifty to fifty ball, and Saveon Williams comes down with
it for a thirty three yard perception, converts the third
and ten, sets up the touchdown to Watson. Just an
incredible play with everything that that has been dealing with
(06:01):
with his his foot injury, to start the day in
a walking boot and to then do that. The other
one then is punter Daniel Wheelan that punt at the
end of the game after the Packers were trying to
run out the clock, they didn't get a first down,
they had to punt in the final minute and give
the ball back to the Giants. I believe it was
(06:24):
officially a sixty one yard punt. With the wind and
the way and everything that was going on. He absolutely
he hit as perfect a punt as you could hit.
And the Giants returner actually did an incredible job to
make a play on the ball and get up field
and get some yardage. Because Wheeland not only punted at
sixty one yards in those conditions, but it was right
(06:45):
over by the boundary. It was a very difficult punt
for anybody to return, and Daniel Wheeling got a game
ball from the head coach afterward. I thought, I thought,
very well deserved. Those were some tough conditions. Those conditions
contributed to two missed extra points, and there were other
issues with the snapping and the operation all that, but
Daniel Wheelan came through. And I hope for this young
(07:06):
man's sake, we know he's still getting better, but I
hope some recognition starts to come his way on the
national scene for what he is doing at his position.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah. I actually thought he had a chance at NFC
Special Teams Player of the Week, and then I saw
what the Rams punter did. I think he had was
at four puns forty eight yards, like two of them
inside the twenty, so I mean.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I guess, and one of the Rams one it literally
bounced out of bounds, like inside the one yard line,
like right by the pylon. So it was a big
time highlight play for LA.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Yeah, so kudos of that man. Packers know what they got.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
Daniel Wheeland, though a very talented young punter and obviously
becoming a real weapon for them. I mean, Matt Lafleur
said it in the postgame scrum celebration. I mean a
field tilter, guy that is turning the field in this
game for Green Bay. I will also say this too
about Savion Williams. The energy and the enthusiasm that young
man showed after that catch. You could tell there was
(07:59):
so much that he wanted to express in that moment,
so much just internal instinctive reaction. These are the type
of things that he's been looking for this season. Unfortunately,
there's been a lot of nicks and bruises, and you know,
it's not the first time we've seen a guy in
the middle of the week been dealing with the boot
and then playing in games. But I don't know if
I've actually seen it with the foot before. Typically it's
(08:20):
an ankle related injury. So I mean the fact that
he's tough in this thing out and being available for
them on the kickoff return. You're going to keep in
mind Packers are already in a way kind of down
to their third string punt returner and Romeo Dobbs. I mean,
Romeo wasn't a plan to have him returning punts, but
that's the way this season has gone. To still have
cevi Na available in that capacity. Oh and then, by
(08:41):
the way, when the time comes to make a big
play on the ball, him, Matthew Golden. Both of those guys,
assuming they can stay healthy. Matthew's also dealing with the shoulder,
They're going to be pivotal for the Packers during this
final stretch.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Absolutely, And it's worth pointing out Golden did have one
explosive catchdown the field and then also drew a defensive
pass interference down by the goal line, which ended up
being an explosive play in terms of the penalty yard
setting up a touchdown for the Packers there. And we'd
be remiss before we move on to not mention you
mentioned the play at the end of the game, Micah
(09:13):
Parsons getting the strip sack. Micah Parson's getting the sack
on the fourth down in the end of a sixteen
play drive. The Giants are just grinding it out, grinding
it out, controlling the clock and everything.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
They're down.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
The Giants are down by six points at that stage,
and instead of trying to kick another field goal in
those crazy wins, they decided to go for it on
fourth down in the red zone and Micah Parsons. The
word I used in Insider Inbox on Monday was relentlessness.
I mean, you know, I don't know how somebody, now
I don't know if he was out there for all
sixteen plays, but I don't know how somebody at the
end of a sixteen play drive for the defense can
(09:50):
do what he did on that play. I mean when
you look at the film and what he had to
do in order to get to Winston and to get
a hold of him so that Isaiah McDuffie could come
in and help finish off, you know, for the split sack.
Just an incredible play by Parsons, and it's it's one
that sort of gets forgotten because of the way the
game ended. But that was a big time fourth down
(10:11):
stop and that's why Micah Parsons is getting paid what
he's getting paid.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
Yeah, I mean he is John Cena man, never give up,
and that guy just keeps coming. He can't see him.
I mean, for him, we heard about this. I mean
it's probably the number one attribute he had coming out
of Penn State, right. He has this relentless motor and
honestly give credit to him a conditioning regimen that keeps
him in these games.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Unbelievabire.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
This is not a guy that is a rotational pass rusher.
When he is right, when he knows the system, when
he's healthy, he's playing seventy five eighty percent of the
defensive snaps. Yeah, and they can use him everywhere. This
is one of those games again of why you brought
him in, the type of difference maker he is, and
now to be at eight sacks on the season, all
these pressures, all these quarterback kids, I just think it's
(10:54):
very apropos for how he plays the game that just
quietly these stats just they just bundle up in the
appear right, because it's the moment Arizona, it's the games
like this, it's Pittsburgh. The guy just makes plays and
then you see the totality of it at the end
of the season. So again, I was talking to him
in the locker room afterwards, a bunch of us were
(11:14):
he wasn't completely pleased with the defensive performance. He felt
like this was a game where the offense picked up
the defense. But let's be honest, Mike. We've said it
since the beginning of the year. If the defense keeps
the opponent to twenty or fewer points if they keep
three touchdowns off the board, Yep, the Packer. Well in
this case they didn't because the extra point. But if
they are able to play that type of game, the
Packers are going to win. And this was another example
(11:35):
of that.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Yeah, it was good to see. It was certainly good
to see the offense be able to put together those drives.
I mean in a limited possession game. I'm essentially eight possessions,
the Packers got four touchdowns. That's not a bad day's work.
We do need to shift gears though, to the Minnesota Vikings.
They are coming into lambeau Field this Sunday. It is
a noon Central time kickoff. Minnesota four and six on
(11:59):
the season. All sorts of talk about JJ McCarthy, the
second year quarterback who's essentially in his first year after
his rookie year was a washout due to injury, all
the growing pains that he is going through. We know
all the weapons that the Vikings have on offense. Justin
Jefferson Addison. I'm trying to remember Jordan Addison. I was
(12:21):
forgetting his first name. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ. Hockinson,
Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason a whole bunch of offensive weapons
around JJ McCarthy, and I'll just I'll start the discussion
by saying this West for all of the growing pains
that JJ McCarthy is going through, he has a road
(12:42):
victory at Soldier Field, and he has a road victory
at Ford Field in the division. Now he's coming to
Lambeau Field. That's the JJ McCarthy that the Packers have
to expect on Sunday, and the Vikings are going to
give the Packers absolutely everything they can handle.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
People went and took this thing about the nine comment
and they've sort of it's taken on a life of
its own. Him saying that he turns into nine. He does, though, Dude, Yeah,
I mean, this is a gamer. This is a guy
that when he was at Michigan all he did was win.
When he was in high school, all he did was win.
And the thing I love about him, I think that's
what's gonna booie him and help him throughout his career.
Here is he kind of has a really short memory.
(13:20):
Now he needs to get some of the turnovers under control.
Here is yet to get through a game with all
throwing the ball to the opposition. At the NFL level.
But he is going to for all four quarters give
you everything he's got. And let's be honest. The game
against the Bears last week, that was the perfect example
of the league's leader in net differential for giveaways, takeaways
(13:43):
and turnover margin and the team that's thirty first, right now,
that was the difference. It's not like Caleb Williams really
outplayed JJ McCarthy. Caleb Williams didn't have a turnover, he
didn't throw an interception. McCarthy did. The Bears, once again,
as they've been all season, been very opportunistic. It's not
it's just the difference in a nineteen to seventeen winner loss.
It's the difference between the Bears being seven and three
(14:05):
and the Vikings being four and six. Right amongst a
myriad of injuries. Now, Minnesota is healthier now. Their injury
report this week is pretty much a third of what
Green Bays is. But that being said, McCarthy is at
this weird point where I'm sure if you talk to
Kevin O'Connell and the coaches over there, they want him
to protect the ball more. But he also has two
(14:26):
legitimate Pro Bowl All Pro type receivers to throw to,
and the Vikings have just been in these type of
games that have required him to be thrown in the
fourth quarter. So it's not going to be easy. Like
I think that's the main thing. I mean, the Packers
are six three and one, They've done a good job
in the fourth quarter. The Vikings have not losing three
of their last four. But this is going to be
(14:49):
a big time feel, big time playoff atmosphere type game.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Yeah, no question is. On the other side of the ball,
you've got Brian Flores and his blitz crazy defense and
all the different looks and fronts and bluffs and different
ways that that Brian Flores wants these guys to attack.
You know, He's got Andrew van Ginkel and Jonathan Gernard
(15:14):
on the edges. He has Josh Mattelis and Harrison Smith
at safety. He just he has all these you know,
iven pace, that linebacker Eric Wilson, the former pack Up,
former Viking now back with the Vikings again. He's got
all these different pieces on defense that that he can
come at you from all these different angles. I mean,
this is a this is a game that will be
(15:35):
that will be very much about about you know, the
communication on the offensive line being on your p's and q's,
with the blitz pick up, who's got who, you know,
all that kind of stuff. I will say this though,
last season, when the Packers went to US Bank Stadium
late in the year for that big game against the Vikings,
(15:56):
I thought Flora's defense really, you know, kind of had
their way with Green Bay's offense for a good portion
of the day, and it seemed like it felt like
Green Bay's offense in the passing game was struggling with
the man coverage that the Vikings that were playing. What
we've seen so far this year from the Packers offense
(16:17):
is we've seen a passing offense that almost wants man
coverage more often. There's there's been there's been a shift
in terms of, you know, the explosive plays that the
Packers have been able to get. They like man coverage.
They're going to take their chances with man coverage. I
think it just creates with where the Packers offense is
(16:40):
now compared to where it was last December or January
whenever that was that that Green Bay went to Minneapolis.
I think it creates a very interesting chess match because
Flores is not necessarily going to be able to use
the same game plan that he used late last season
against this version of Green Bay's offense because some things
(17:00):
have changed.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
The way honestly, the Vikings are playing this year almost
reminds me more of what Jeff Hafley's defense looked like
last year, where yes, they're blitzing, but they're having to
get production in terms of pressuring the quarterback from really everybody.
Eric Wilson's second in sacks right now on this defense
three and a half on the year. I mean, Andrew
van Ginkel only has four quarterback hits, only has three sacks.
(17:23):
But you know you have Javon Hargrove that's been contributing
to this thing. Jalen Raymond is involved in this. I
think currently leads them in sacks, but they're having to
facilitate it a little bit more. And they only have
three picks on the year. So this is an opportunistic bunch.
It's a bunch that's going to throw a lot at you,
and they rank in the top ten in total yards.
But it's not the same type of defense is what
(17:46):
I saw last year when they were going up against it.
In addition to that, getting back to your original point,
I think there's been an evolution with Jordan Love. I
think there's been an evolution with some of these pass
catchers that they can find ways to win differently this
year than last. Where I think there was a pretty
big blueprint for when green Bay was gonna have success
in the downfield passing game in when they were going
to struggle. I think those lines have blurred a little bit,
(18:08):
and on both sides there's opportunities that I think green
Bay still has to take more advantage of too when
they do get manned. But that being said, I like
where green Bay is at for the struggles they've had
this season. I think mentally they've crossed some bridges here.
They've crossed some hurdles because they've had to learn how
to win with not necessarily always having Josh Jacobs being
(18:28):
their main producer. They got to be more consistent with it.
But particularly in the second halfs here the last couple
of weeks, I just think Jordan Love is starting to
find his stroke again like he does in these second
halfs and this is gonna be an ultimate test for
that against Flores.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
All right, well, let's dive right into the keys to
victory for Green Bay. I'm going to start with this
one because shifting the attention back to JJ McCarthy, one
thing the Packers defense has done really well all season,
whether they've you know, been stout against the run or
had some leaks against the run, whether they're taking the
(19:03):
ball away or not taking the ball away, this Packer's
defense has hung its hat on not giving up explosives,
and I think that becomes that's something that needs to
continue in this game because for all of the growing
pains and everything that JJ McCarthy is going through, but
also what happens when he sort of morphs into that nine,
that superman kind of guy. Big plays can do that
(19:27):
for a young quarterback, and the Packers can't allow those
explosive plays to happen that are going to fuel the
energy and the confidence and everything that JJ McCarthy could
have in what should be a very difficult road game
for him. So that's where I start.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
There's levels to this, and I agree with you on
where you stand, and when we do our final thoughts
for you tomorrow, I'm gonna actually have to pair this
down to what I actually think the Packers win if yeah,
because there's a number of things here. One is in
the most obvious. This is I mean, anyone could walk
in the studio and say the same thing. They have
to protect the football and you have to take the
football away. That's the reason why the Vikings are four
(20:06):
and seven. They only have three picks. One of them
was a pick six though in eighty seven yard pick
sick by pick six by Rodgers.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
But they've struggled to take the ball away.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
They have thirteen interceptions this year if you count in
also what was happening with Carson Wentz before he went
down for the season. So Green Bay has to do
a better job with that. I love the banter you
and I have been going back and forth with the
Insider inbox this week because I think the run defense
right now is this very interesting sort of prism to
look through in where they're at, and I think this
Vikings rush offense is actually gonna test that because they've
(20:38):
not had a lot of explosives this year, but they
know how to drain yards, they know how to leak yards.
Jordan Mason does it really well. It's what allowed him
to emerge in San Francisco. I don't need to really
talk about Aaron Jones. Everybody knows whether he's twenty five
or thirty one, the type of threat that he is.
He's dealing with some injuries again, but when he's been
(20:58):
out there, he's been very good for them this season.
Green Bay's run defense against the Giants was really interesting
because they only allowed one big explosive play. If they
would have allowed more, it would have looked really bad
on the stat sheet, but because they did hold their ground,
it was manageable. They were able to win ultimately because
they didn't give up those explosives.
Speaker 2 (21:19):
That being said, they.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
Were not in a third and eight very often, they
were not in third in line, third and long very often.
The Giants were able to half those yards the way
they want to with their run game. They were able
to get into second and five, third and two, and
then that's when you saw some of the downfield opportunities
present themselves for Jameis Winston in the passing game. Green
Bay cannot allow that to happen against this particular opponent.
(21:41):
And the last thing I'll say, the Justin Jefferson effect.
We were talking with Keishawn Nixon about this in the
locker room on Wednesday. This guy is at the DeVante
Adams level. Now you can run the entire passing game
through him, and they're doing that. When JJ McCarthy needs
a target, when they need yards, it's going that direction.
Even though Addison is a big threat to Jefferson is
(22:04):
right on the cusp of being the best receiver in
this league and McCarthy knows it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
Absolutely, I'm gonna say one more thing in terms of
a key to victory here because I'm going to I'm
gonna put this one on the Packers fans at Lambeau Field.
The crowd on Sunday needs to bring it. This is
a Vikings team that has played two consecutive home games
and had fourteen false starts on offense eight two weeks ago,
(22:29):
six last week. Fourteen false starts in two games. If
this Packers Lambeau crowd can bring it on Sunday, you
can have an impact on this game. This offensive line,
you know, and all the growing pains with JJ McCarthy.
The fans can have an impact on this one, and
I'll be interested to see if indeed that can happen.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
Thirty four sacks allowed too from that offensive line this season,
so a big opportunity there I love that one, though
you should you should have saved that for final thought.
Maybe what's that one?
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Back up? We'll pretend that people don't listen or don't
watch both of them.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Yeah, okay, all right, well we do need to pay
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always knew Lambeofield was a wonder but now it's official.
Learn more about all the wonders of Wisconsin at travel
Wisconsin dot com slash Wonders. Welcome back, to Packers. Unscripted quickly,
Wes will take a look around the rest of the league.
Week twelve, where things stand in the NFC North. The
Bears are seven and three, the Packers are six three
(24:11):
and one, the Lions are six and four. Aside from
Packers Vikings the other games on the docket, the Pittsburgh
Steelers are traveling to Chicago, and of course, all the
attention right now is on Ken Aaron Rodgers protect that
injured left wrist and be able to function well enough
to be able to play against the Bears, and we'll
(24:33):
just have to wait and see in that regard. But
this Steelers Bears game should be an interesting one. The
Lions are at home against the Giants. The Lions coming
off of a tough loss on Sunday Night Football in Philadelphia,
a low scoring affair the much like the game against
the Eagles at Lambeau the previous week. But the Bears
(24:55):
are the team sitting in first place in the NFC
North right now. The last time the Bears were in
first place this late in the season was in twenty eighteen,
which was the last time they won the division. It
was when Matt Nagy was winning coach of the year
when Mitch Trubisky was their starting quarterback and when their
season ended on the double doink in the playoffs. But
it is the Bears that are on top right now,
(25:16):
and there will be a lot of attention on this
Pittsburgh Chicago game on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
It's a great opportunity for Pittsburgh to get a quality win.
You know, That's the one thing when I was diving
into it this week. And again, you respect every opponent.
You respect every team's ability to win against the opponents
that are against them. The Bears strength of schedule is
about as weak as it is in the NFL. There's
strength of victory, I believe is the weakest in the
NFL right now. So they've won the games that they've
(25:41):
supposed to and that's why they're seven and three. For Pittsburgh,
this is a critical game. I mean, the people are
gonna make They're gonna make this about Aaron Rodgers and
him and I own you and all that. I thought
Rogers did a tremendous job a diffusing that when he
talked to the media on Wednesday. But the bigger picture
is Pittsburgh is at the top right now. But they
(26:01):
got this Baltimore Ravens team that is just surged back
into the qu and the conversation. Oh In meanwhile, they're
right on the cusp also of the wildcard chase. So
this thing is wide open, as it seems right now
in the North in the NFC between Pittsburgh, it's a
two horse race as far as the division, but there's
a chance for both of those teams to be in
the wildcard conversation too. What Aaron Rodgers does, how this goes,
(26:23):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Certainly.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
I would love from the narrative and the storytelling standpoint,
for Rogers to get another crack at play in the
Bears at Soldier Field. I think it just makes good theater, oh,
no doubt. But that's not an easy injury to deal with.
And I don't know what kind of modifications even if
he does play, you have to make to an offense
in addition to just what he has to do.
Speaker 1 (26:43):
Yeah, to get through that, yeah they're talking about, he
needs to both be able to protect it but also
be functional enough with whatever protection would be on the
left wrist. So that will be an ongoing storyline all
the way up until kickoff on Sunday. I want to
get your thoughts.
Speaker 3 (26:57):
No, go ahead, the Lions play whatever opponent the Packers
played right the previous week. Yeah, I said this in
last week's show, but it happened again. I didn'tven realize
that the Giants were next.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Time, So the Giants are the Giants are next. I
did look it up and it actually happened earlier in
the year where the Packers played the Bengals right after
the Lions had played. It was like in the reverse
because that that was when the Bengals made the quarterback
shift to Joe Flacco after the Lions just completely destroyed
them with with Jake Browning at quarterbacks. And then it's
(27:26):
been it's just been a weird. It's been a weird season.
Speaker 3 (27:29):
And the Lions played the Browns after the Packers played.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
Right, So this is the third time now the Browns,
the Eagles, and the Giants have all been on the
Lions schedule the very week after the Packers have played
those those teams. OK, No, that's all right. One AFC
game I want to get your thoughts on, and then
I want to shift back to the NFC. The Kansas
City Chiefs, they actually had a late lead against the
(27:55):
Denver Broncos. Let it get away. They lose to the Broncos,
their chances of keeping that AFC West Division winning street
going are very much in jeopardy. But now they've also
reached the point where their season is kind of on
the line, and they've got to play the Indianapolis Colts,
who have one of the top records in the AFC.
(28:17):
The Colts are coming off their bye week, I believe,
an interesting game at Arrowhead Stadium because there's a lot
on the line here for a team that I mean,
Patrick Mahomes has never not played in the AFC Championship game,
and right now we're talking about a Kansas City Chiefs
team that is kind of up against it in terms
of just staying in the playoff race at all.
Speaker 3 (28:38):
This is why I've always said, you just have to
beat the teams that are in front of you. Man,
Like the Chiefs, they haven't lost a bad game. I mean,
even the Jacksonville Jaguars are a respectable team that going
down to the wire. But it doesn't get any easier. Man,
look at this. They got the Colts this week, then
they go to Dallas. I mean the Packers saw it.
I mean Dallas I mean they bring a little bit
(29:00):
too close to five hundred. They can beat anybody. You
have the Chargers still on the schedule, you have to
face the Broncos again to try to They just got
to get wins. Yeah, it is about the division and
everything like that. But I think there is this element
that if you can get Patrick Mahomes into the playoffs,
anything can happen. But they're struggling to get over that
Mendoza mark right now. And I don't know if there's
(29:20):
a more confident team in the National Football League right
now than the Indianapolis Colts, because the one thing the
Colts have done this season is they've proven time and
time age anybody can win a game for them, whether
it's Daniel Jones, whether they have to lean on Jonathan Taylor.
I think they have a defense they can hang its
hat on. This season. Very tricky opponent for the Kansas
(29:40):
City Chiefs, and if you don't get it done at
home against the Colts, now you're reeling. Now you're almost
in the run the table territory.
Speaker 1 (29:48):
Yeah, absolutely, that's where that's where Kansas City is potentially
hitting the danger zone. Couple last thoughts on the NFC
before we sign off Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have lost
too straight now against good teams. They just most recently
lost a shootout in Buffalo. Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen
were going at it and the Buffalo Bill's got too
(30:08):
late touchdowns to be able to win a high scoring
affair there. But Tampa Bay now goes to La to
play the Rams. The Rams are coming off of a
big victory in the NFC West over the Seahawks. They
intercepted Sam Darnold four times. The Seahawks statistically dominated that
game with the exception of turnovers, and because of the turnovers,
(30:28):
the Rams were able to pull it out and get
a big win there. And the reason I mentioned this
one is because here's the really interesting thing, Wes. If
the Rams at home, hold Serve at home, and beat
the Buccaneers, then on Monday Night, Carolina is going to
San Francisco with a chance to take over first place
in the NFC South if the Buccaneers lose a game.
(30:50):
If the Buccaneers lose this week, the Carolina Panthers are
playing for first place on Monday Night football. So anyway,
just curious your thoughts on that.
Speaker 3 (30:58):
Well, my first thought is, and I I love him
as a player. I still don't know what the heck
to make out of Bryce Young. There's one week where
it looks like he can't get over one hundred passing yards.
Last week it looked like he couldn't be stopped.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Ever, Yeah, what four hundred and forty something or whatever
that he.
Speaker 3 (31:11):
Had NFC Offensive Player of the Week. I mean, and
he's got some talent. Great test for him against Robert
Sala's defense. Can't wait to see how that plays out.
I actually think independent of the divisional race with the
NFC South, I think there's a lot of wild card ramifications.
I think San Francisco Carolina. I don't know if both
of them are getting into the playoffs a month from now.
I think this is a game that when you go
(31:31):
back and look at how the season unfolds, it's probably
gonna have a lot to do with where things are.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
Could end up being one of those head to head
tiebreaker things in the wild card picture as well. So yeah,
I'm with you there and Tampa.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
This is a big challenge. I think the Rams right
now know who they are. They've weathered injuries. I got
a hilarious kick out of DeVante Adams line last week
where it was one catch on eight targets, but it
was a touchdown and I think it was this thousand.
Speaker 1 (31:58):
One thousand career reception. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Yeah, So when DeVante hits a thousand, he hits it
with authority. But this is this is a big one
for Tampa and I don't know if they're going to
have the traditional home field advantage a lot of teams
have playing at so far, So.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Yeah, that's a that's a long way for Buccaneers fans.
I mean usually at so far when you're talking the
West Coast teams, you know, San Francisco, Seattle, like, they'll
all make that trip down to LA and and cheer
on their team. But Tampa Bay, that's you know, was
that a five and a half hour flight or something
like that, you know there. And here's here's the other
thing I'll say too, because I know we're going to
talk about this more as the season goes along. Even
(32:34):
though the Rams are not on the Packers regular season schedule,
all the you know, focus is always on fantasy football
and offense. And with the Rams you got Matthew Stafford
and DeVante Adams and all that. The Rams defense man
like that is that is a unit that is a
unit that that takes no prisoners like that. The Rams
(32:55):
have had some shaky games on offense this year, but
their defense has always shown up. And Sean mcvay's got
something going on there with that defense and what they've
put together personnel wise and what they're doing scheme wise,
that's really been, in my opinion, that's been the story
of the Rams leading the NFC West.
Speaker 3 (33:14):
I think the Rams the other thing that's been great
about them, And obviously Chris Shula is the coordinator there now,
but when you think in the Matt Lefflor's brother Mike
is the offensive coordinator. But when you think defensively what
they've done, they haven't had a lot of picks over
the years, right, Let's need traded a lot of future
equity to bring in players.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
About two years ago they sort of.
Speaker 3 (33:34):
Reset on all that and they've been hitting on those
picks when they've been getting some of these high rounders
I mean versus I think is probably one of the
up and comers in this entire league, and.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Heck of a heck of a young pass rusher.
Speaker 3 (33:45):
So for as few shots as they have had at
the Apple has few mini bites that they've had the Apple,
they've found superstar type talent that they've built their defenses around.
I think you're kind of seeing that again. In addition
to the fact to your point about the Seattle game,
with someone like Matthew Stafford at this junction in his career,
thirty seven years young, he can control a game and
understand that, Okay, if my defense is going to help
(34:06):
us win this, if Darnald is making mistakes, we can
play that game too. I just I think Sean mcvay's
teams are so well coached, and they made a massive
reset about three years ago and ever since then, it's
like they've been on the second climb again and it
has him at the top of the NFC.
Speaker 1 (34:21):
Yeah, it's been Uh, it's going to be interesting to
watch how it unfolds. But with that we will call
it a rap on this edition of Packers unscripted'd be
sure to follow all of our coverage of the team
and all of our coverage of Sunday's big home game
against the Vikings. We'll have it all for you on
Packers dot com for Wes Iammike, thank you for tuning in. Everybody,
we will. Seahawks Times
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