October 31, 2024 • 32 mins
On this episode of Twentyman in the Huddle podcast presented by Microsoft, Tim Twentyman is joined by Nolan Bianchi, Kerby Joseph and Rob Demovsky, previewing the Detroit Lions’ NFC North showdown against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Jared takes tosses to montgovererment run right, He's gonna throw
it to the NFL to do the toy Lions. Sama
Porta and welcome to Week nine of the NFL season.
Week nine nine, Can't Believe it. This is the twenty
Minu The Huddle Podcast. I am Tim twenty Minute, your host,
and I am joined by Nolan Bianci, who is the
(00:22):
newly number one beat writer for the Detroit You congratulations
on that. How's it going so far?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
It's going well, going well. You just mentioned week nine, like,
I can't believe that. I know we're that far already.
It feels like all summer I was, you know, waiting
for it just to get started, and then all of
a sudden, I'm like, oh, craps.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Halfway over the halfway point of the season. And obviously
the Detroit Lions are playing some really good football right now.
Number one seed, and look it's a huge matchup this week.
This is you know, early control of the NFC North.
The Packers are six and two, Lions are six and one.
Packers head to there by next week, so you'd like
to give them a little bit of doubt about themselves
going into their bye week, and obviously you take a
real good control halfway through the season. And look the
(01:00):
segment of Srie keys to the game on Sunday, Nolan
and let's start with a big one. And I think
especially this week. Look, it's always important to take care
of the football, right, but I think against these guys,
you have to pay some extra attention to it, don't you.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
No doubt.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
And this is a situation they've been in before, going
into a divisional matchup against a team that really loves
to force those takeaways kind of butters they're brought off
those takeaways. Packers leading the league right now, but the
Lions not too shabby themselves. They've been able to force
some turnovers over the last couple of weeks, really all season,
whether it be through the interceptions to the fumbles, and
Packers are the same way. So it's not you know,
(01:34):
it's kind of a cliche sometimes that you don't win
in the turnover battle, but it does seem particularly important
this week.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Look, it's the most important statistic in football. You look
at the Packers from last year, they had eighteen takeaways
all of last year. Halfway through this season they've got nineteen.
They lead the NFL to your point. And look, the Lions,
you know, have lost one fumble all year. Jared Golf
hasn't thrown an interception since Week three. Now, he had
a couple fumbles that they were lucky to get last week,
but he's been really, really good in that regard. And
so I think this is a terrific game. Look at
(02:02):
it's outdoors first time this year. It's going to be
a little bit windy. Seventy to ninety percent rain expected
in Green Bay, so it's going to be wet football,
wet conditions. You've just got to take care of the football.
And look, Xavier McKinney over there has six interceptions, he
leads the NFL, one more than Kirby Joseph. They have
twelve different guys to have sacks so they can get
after the quarterback. It's an aggressive scheme. It's just really
(02:23):
really important this week that Jared's got to be extra
careful with the football.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Yeah, and Scotty Montgomery mentioned it yesterday, Lions running backs coach,
basically saying it's it's the you know, Ben Johnson mentioned
it today too. It's the defensive backs that are making
plays for sure, but it's also that front four, that
front eight really who's been able to kind of help
force those takeaways, whether it be getting pressure on the
quarterback or making plays on the ball in the backfield
on the ball carrier. So it's multifaceted their turnover ability.
(02:50):
And you know, we saw against the Vikings how that
can kind of hurt you. You know, there was a late
fumble there that they took care of the ball so
well all game and then all of a sudden, you know,
next thing, you know, kind.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Of you're in trouble. And to your point, Packers since
the first time since nineteen ninety six, they've posted multiple
takeaways in their six games and seven of their eight
games they have multiple takeaways this season. So, like you said,
you said it best. That's where they're kind of bread
is buttered, you know, getting those takeaways, creating short fields,
(03:21):
and it might be even more important this week if
they have Malik willis right, if you're without your starting quarterback,
what's an offense's best friend. We saw how many times
last week with Detroit. You get a big turnover, you
have a short field. Now you can put some points
on the board and start to feel good about yourself
as a backup quarterback too. So just another reason why
it's really really important this week to take care of
the football and that'll be you know, one of the
(03:42):
big keys, I think number two for Detroit is stopping
this Packers run game.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Absolutely, and that's something that they I wouldn't say have
struggled to do over the last two weeks, but it's
something that they haven't really been able to do up
to snuff, up to their standard really since the start
of last season. They've been one of their best run
defenses in football. You know, the Packers are averaging two
hundred and twenty four yards per game and on the
ground in games where Malik Willis is starting, and I
believe over the last two weeks it's been the Lions
(04:08):
have allowed somewhere around one forty five a game. Obviously,
you know, we've talked about how these injuries up front
have im packed the pass rush, but it does seem
to some degree that they might have a little bit
of effect on the run defense as well.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Yeah, one hundred percent. Packers two hundred fifty five rushing yards.
That's the most through eight games since nineteen sixty three
for them, and that's a football team that's been pretty
well known for one in the football Obviously they got
Brett Farbni and Rodgers in passing, but they've been a
balanced football team over the years, and to have those
kind of numbers, I think just Josh Sjaikas has been
a terrific addition for them. Six hundred and seventy four
(04:42):
yards in the first half of games, second behind only Washington.
So look, they like to establish it, they get it going,
and then now you've got to adjust as a defense.
Now they've got those weapons on the outside with Jordan
Love and even Malik Wilfs. We saw it last week
with Jordan Reid, and some of the weapons have got
on the outside with Watson. You've got to start sucking
up a little bit. You've got to start concerning yourself
(05:03):
with Josh Jacobs and how they're gaining ground, and then
they'll go over the top for you. So look, if
you stop it right away, you force Malik Wills to
beat you with his arm, and look, he can do
it with his legs too. But look, if Malik Will
starts this game in the rain, and you can stop
the run and you force him to make a whole
bunch of passes and he completes some. Me, he beats
you through the air. You tip your cap and you say,
(05:23):
good job. We'll go on to the next one. We'll
see you later in this season. We hope it gets
you to destroy But to me, that's got to be
the goal going in right.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Yeah, no, absolutely, And I guess with the two starts
that he made, like I said, they really relied on
that run. He did a little bit of passing in
the second game, more so than the first game. But
I mean, if you can go on the road and
silence that crowd and kind of get the momentum on
your side, I think that'll be a big way to
kind of, you know, get off to the right foot
in a big road game.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Because to what we talked about on the first point too,
the fifteen takeaways for Destroyer, that's second most. And so
you get them into a passing mode, you know, you
get them into you know, they down two scores, you
stop that run early, you made plays. Now they've got
to come from behind. That's not how they're built with
Malik Willis, that's not their style of play, right. They
want to run the football to your point over two
hundred games.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Yeah, and then you know, if you get into a
position where your defense is able to dictate that game
despite all the injuries, despite the fact that you know,
like Campbell's talked about, they've had to manufacture that pressure,
that's a that's a good place to be.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Yeah. The three third key for me, it's a little unorthodox.
You can obviously talk about turnovers run game, but to me,
it's taking advantage of opportunities. And why I wanted this
one Nolan is because what did Dan say about what
his expectation is for this game about the fourth quarter?
He said it was going to come down to what.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Yep, it's going to come down to whoever. Probably one mistake,
probably one mistake is going to decide this game. And
again that's something we saw in the game against the
Vikings a couple of weeks ago, where that one mistake
in the fourth quarter almost cost him that game. But
you know, this team is resilient. They've proven that, and
they've also proven that they can take advantage of those opportunities.
They're nine for eleven in the red zone over their
(06:55):
last three games. They you know, three of the turnout
three of the four turnovers, they last week against the
Titans turned into touchdowns, and they've just really put on
a masterclass of complimentary football. And I think that kind
of lends itself to that.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
So it's taking advantage of those opportunities. When I look at,
you know, defensively, the Packers have twelve giveaways, that's eighth
most in the NFL. Nine interceptions, third most in the NFL.
They're gonna they want to push the ball down the
field and get it too those weapons, but they're gonna
give you opportunities to make plays because of it. So
take advantage when when they underthrow a ball or when
Kirby does see it makes a break on it, take
(07:29):
advantage of that. Take them when those takeaways are that
they're going to give you a couple. I think there's
gonna be two or three chances for an interception for
Kirby Bryant. Maybe we see our first cornerback interception last week.
It's been a while and just you know, look, they
got three fumble the league has three fumbles lost, I think.
So you know, the red zone, they're they're you know fifty,
(07:51):
they're twenty fifth in the red zone. So they don't
score a ton in the red zone, So get him
in the rental, make sure you get a field goal, right,
take advantage of taking those four point off the field.
And then when you look at look at the Packers
allowed twenty six passes of twenty plus yards offensively, they're
gonna give you some chances to make some big plays.
So it's just to me that like a key when
it's when it's gonna be a close game, when your
head coach expects it to be close game one play
(08:12):
here or there, it's that that opportunity that you get
for a big takeaway or a big play. You got
to take advantage of it in the rain, in the
in the you know, on the road, in those kind
of windy conditions, if you get that play, make sure
you make it.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
And then, like I said, they've been able to do that,
you know, not just over the last couple of games,
but but seemingly all season. You think back to you know,
Week one against the Rams and the Rams are driving
and right before half and Kirby Joseph comes up with
a big interception that ends up being the difference in
the game that goes to overtime, and you know, you
go back to the Dallas game that was a you know,
obviously it ended up being forty seven to nine, but
(08:47):
early on it was, you know, it looked like it
was going to be a battle, and then all of
a sudden, Brian Branch comes up with that interception in
the end zone and off and running.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
They are running. It's that it's that opportunity to make
that big play that can change things and obviously decide
if it ends up being a close game late. He
is Nolan Beyonce. He does a great job with the
Detroit Nean's working people find on Twitter at Nolan Beyonce
just his first name. Last night, that's pretty simple. I've
got Kirby Joseph coming up. I've got Rob Demoski with
a breakdown of the Packers. So we got a lot
in store for you to stick around. Welcome back to
(09:20):
the twenty m Huddle podcast. I am with someone now
who really doesn't need any introduction. He is a very
close friend to the podcast. I think it's his third
time on now. Thirty eight tackles, seven passes defended five
interceptions on the season, which is the second most in
the NFL, behind only Xavier McKinney. He's the first lines
player since Yale Larry in nineteen sixty two to have
(09:42):
five interceptions in his first seven games, thirteen interceptions since
interer League and twenty twenty two, second most over that
time span. You of course know who I'm talking about.
It's Kirby Joseph, Lions safety and a guy who's on
his way to Pro Bowl. All Pro Curb. Thanks for
joining the podcast.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
No appreciate you for having me. I just want to
thank God if allow me to come out, you know
a day, use my talents to the best of my ability,
and I'm just so happy to be here.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
I'm happy to have you because, I mean, you are
playing some really good football right now. I mean, five
interceptions through seven games, You're just seeing it. Just how
much are you enjoying being part of this secondary, being
part of this defense right now? And it's filled with
a bunch of guys that are playmakers and you're a
big part of that. Oh.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
I feel like it's just everything like I love like
coming out and playing football with the guys. Man, Like
it's just everything we talked about like way back in
like training counsel, just seeing our dream come true, just
knowing what we got to do with being in the
right spots and everybody just making plays, Like I really
feel like I couldn't make I couldn't make none of
these plays without my teammates, Like they just uplift me
so so well, and them doing their job just allows
(10:51):
me to do my job, allows me to make plays.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
You know, you got Carlton Davis comes in, a veteran
guys been doing it at a high level for a
long time. Terran is really settling in now with some
games under his belt. Obviously, Brian goes to safety a
meek you saw he did last week punching guys out.
You've got a good mix of veteran guys, some young guys,
and really, now that you've had some time on tasks,
that really been the biggest thing in training camp. You guys,
there were some injuries, you didn't get to play a
(11:15):
lot together. Now that you've consistently played with each other,
is this one of the best secondaries in the NFL
in your opinion?
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Oh yeah, for sure, for sure, We the fifty boys. Man,
ain't nobody better than us, man. You know, I just
feel like, yeah, we didn't practice as much together as
a whole in OTA's but that doesn't mean we wasn't
together like off the field. You know, I felt like
we built that chemistry off the field just allows us
to come on the field and just you know, allow
that chemistry to work.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
How important is that to be? You know, a group
of guys that likes hanging with each other off the
field as well as on.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
I feel like it's a huge help because like we're
a brotherhood. You know, you have to be able to
trust that your brother is going to do his job
and be in the right spot. Like, for example, like
a couple of my interceptions, like it was sometimes where
I didn't even have to communicate to BB, or BB
didn't have to communicate to me, but we just knew
exactly where each other were gonna be, just because like
it's just like a feeling, like an instant thing, and
(12:09):
just like I know my boy's gonna be right there
where he.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Needed to be. How much have you love that move
him moving to the nickel from nickel to the safety.
I mean, you guys right now, nine interceptions together, curb,
I think that's more than twenty seven teams just YouTube interceptions,
more than team totals. How much have you loved that
combination right there, and how much has it made you
a better player?
Speaker 4 (12:30):
I love it, you know what I'm saying. One thing
about me, I love to see my boys win, you
know what I'm saying, Like, I love seeing him do
great because you know, it just motivates me to do great.
And also like me and Beebe been going hand in hand.
We back were back and forth with you know what
I'm saying. So he always thinks he gonna catch me,
but he can't catch it.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
You know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
I'm never you know what I'm saying, So like just
you know, when I get one, I know that motivates
him to get another one in or when he gets one,
that motivates me to get another one. You know, we
getting on the corners, you know, so we waiting for it.
I don't know who's gonna be the first corner to
get an interception. But you know what I'm saying, out
punch outs, they got fumer recovery for that, as long
as they're just like attacking the ball, you know what
I'm saying. We just all got it in our own
(13:05):
low way.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
What are the benefits of having two guys like like
you and Brian who can who are versatile, who could
do multiple things. Both you guys can play up in
the box. Both you guys can be that deep you
know cover, you know, single high safety. And when you
got two guys like that. What's the advantage for a
defense when you've got two guys? Is it just as
simple as you can really disguise where you guys are
at and the coverages that that you can play.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Yeah, I would say it really does help with the disguise.
You can't really tell what we're gonna do because we
could both do both things, play down in the bus
or be deep in the middle. I feel like it
gives the offense a hard time to really like try
to figure out what we're about to do. You know
what I'm saying, Me and might both be bad, you
know what I'm saying, So they don't really know what
we're gonna do or what we're capable of.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Is there an art to baiting a quarterback?
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Yeah, you do a pick and have you kind of
started to master that art now?
Speaker 4 (13:54):
Oh? Yeah, yeah, for sure. It's times where like we
like we have a great coaching staff. You know, one
thing I learned this this offseason was the QB progressions
and stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Just so just.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
Learning whether qbs want to go with the ball when
they see certain looks and stuff like that. So we
understand that we got to, you know, give him different
looks and just understand our defense what we got to
get to in order to make plays and to watch y'all.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Five interceptions in seven games? Did you have an interce
did you have an interception total coming into the year
that you kind of thought about wanted to get and
have you had to make in an adjustment at all
with with how hot and how many you've gotten early
in the season.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Man, the number, it really ain't no number, But I'm
going to lead the league interceptions.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Brian Branches. See what have you seen in his first
year playing safety? Now? I know he did a little
bit last year, but but what do you like about
his game? What do you see him? What kind of
safety can he be in this league?
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Well, he's a very versatile safety, like man, Like his
coverage ability is like the best I've seen out of
a safety like just him just seeing how he works,
you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Like the stuff he.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Do, I'm still in awe, Like I still be like, wow,
I can't believe he did that. Like just plays he
makes like it's just like shout out to him. I
feel like he's becoming his own person in this league,
like bringing his own name in this league and really
trying to show y'all why he y'all playing when y'all
got him in the second round, Like he really like
sticking to that and really showing y'all like who he
is for real?
Speaker 1 (15:15):
How much you're looking forward to this matchup? A first
place matchup in week nine at lambeau Field against a
Green Bay team. Now, look, they've got twelve giveaways on
the year. There's gonna be some opportunities there. But but
what do you think of this matchup? How fun is
it going and playing the Packers week nine for a
game you know that means first place in the division.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
I feel like it's an NFC week. You know, we
got our division rivals. I feel like it's just everything
just to go against the Packers, just go against another
a good team, to really showcase our talent and showcase
our ability on defense to take the ball away, you know,
just going against a good offense, just showing our defensive capabilities.
I just feel like it just shows warbar k Low.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Did the preparation change it all? Kurub When you don't
know who the quarterback is, Jordan Lover's Malik willis obviously
a little bit different play styles. I know they have
the concepts that they're going to have no matter who's
in there. But is that a tough part preparing during
the week or does it really not affect you guys
in the preparation.
Speaker 4 (16:13):
I feel like it's just really like you stay ready
so you don't got to get ready. So, you know
what I'm saying, no matter who's in there, we'll understand
that we got to do our job, knowing our assignments
and read our keys, you know what I'm saying, and
just play together as a whole and also just trust
the game plan. I feel like our coaches do a
great job getting us ready throughout the week, So just
shout out to them.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Hey, Ta looks like he's kind of really settling in
here at the last couple of weeks. What do you
think of that young cornerback?
Speaker 4 (16:35):
And man, I love yeah man Ta Ta Man, he's
just so young, man, he's so talented and so gifted. Man,
He's just going to continue to get better and get
better like how I did my rookie year. I just
continue to get better. One thing I know about Tia
that he has the ability to learn. He's very coachable.
He always wants to get better, So that's just something
great to have. He's not hot headed or nothing like that.
(16:56):
He just really wants to learn football and get better.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
It's really fun playing this secondary right now. I mean
every week it seems like you guys are just having
you know, a great time, you know, causing havoc, making plays,
getting takeaways. It's just it hasn't always been that way,
you know, the last few years early in your career.
But now you guys have the talent in there and
it just looks real different. It's got to be really
fun to then.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
No, it is super fun just to go out there,
Like I said, man, I go out there man and
just have fun.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
Man.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
I feel like we put in all the work throughout
the weed like that's when you that's when you really
want to go hard and practice. So the game could
just be easy and fun, you know what I'm saying.
You could just play free. You know. I feel like
I have no no worry, no worry when I go
out there because I know everybody's gonna do their job
and it's gonna have a little mistakes whatever, but we
let we shake that off, you know what I'm saying,
and just continue to cause cause havoc. I feel like
(17:45):
playing defense, you got to be a little crazy, you
know what I'm saying. Like everybody out there, you know,
I look crazy for us. So it's like it's just
a little fun just to see everybody just going hard
and playing physical, you know what I'm saying. Like when
you see somebody make a physical tackle, that makes you
want to go be physical too. So just being able,
like it's not only one catalyst on the team, you know,
it's multiple on the team.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Though. It is fun watching this offense you perform. Yeah,
thirty three point four point number one special team should
look what they did. I mean, you guys are really
playing complimentary football, and that's the sign of a good team.
Speaker 4 (18:14):
Right Yeah, And shout out to special teams man, Like
every week they just consistently like getting better. Like shout
out to Jack Fox Man, he really really giving us
the best field position. So like just shout out to
the special team unit and like just like, man, I
know the offense like I'll be in practice and they're
pulling out players I just because I know it's gonna
work against the defense. So just seeing them.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
Man.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Ben Johnson is doing a great job getting those guys ready.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
Man.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Just Dan Campbell, Man really just putting us all together
as a team and allowing us to work collectively.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
Man, you're doing a great job to five interceptions second
in the NFL. You've really been a catalyst for this
kind of takeover on defense. Top five in the league.
You're playing your best ball of your career. I think
you're headed to a Pro Bowl. You're headed to an
All Pro if you continue. Thanks for joining the podcast.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Appreciate you, appreciation for having me. You know I'm out here.
Hey make shaw y'all go shot Zoopemotion dot com go
get you to Zuper Merch. And I'm just happy to
be out of him and I love y'all.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
One Prime. Welcome back to the twenty in the Huddle podcast,
And let's go out to West a little bit. Let's
go over to Green Bay. Rob Demoski does a great
job for ESPN, the ESPN NFL Nation Packers reporter. He
is the guy to go to if you need any
Packers News, Rob, thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it.
(19:30):
You had a great ESPN stat there when we were
chatting before that. This is a pretty nice matchup Week
nine for the Lions and Packers, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
Yeah, it's been a long time, tim since these teams
met and both teams had this good of a record.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Uh, this late in the season, it's.
Speaker 5 (19:45):
It's been a while, so it's a lot of fun
for both sides, for both fan bases that, you know,
just hope the game lives up to it, right, Like
when you get two good teams going middle of the
year like that.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
I hope that it that it lives up. I know
the weather here.
Speaker 5 (20:01):
Could be a little shaky on the weekend, could be rainy, windy,
but hopefully it doesn't impact the game and we get
a true test of these two teams.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Hey, Rob, we've been in the NFC North for a
while now. That that's NFC football, right, It's not real
NFC footba unless there's a little rain, a little bit
of cold and nip. You know, it's I'm slipping here
and there wet football.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
The last home game two weeks ago was like one
of the warmest October home games at Lambeau History, Like,
it was almost eighty degrees, so I'd rather have that.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
Well, you know, it's crazy. This is actually the first
time the Lions have been outdoors all year, and this
year they only play three games outdoors. It's this one
Week sixteen in Chicago in December, so that one could
be and then Week seventeen, second to last game of
the year at San Francisco. Three times through outdoors, that's it.
Otherwise they're in the friendly confines of indoors, all right,
(20:52):
So let's get to it. Big news in Green Bay
obviously this week is the quarterback situation with Jordan Love
didn't practice Wednesday, but saw he was back on the
field on Thursday. How good of a sign is that.
What are your expectations for him and his availability Sunday?
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Robins, Yeah, I think it's a really good sign.
Speaker 5 (21:06):
I also thanked Tim that it was a good sign
that he talked to us yesterday and make of it
what you will, But he did not talk after week one,
and he had the knee injury and didn't play week two.
He did not hold his regular availability and like he
didn't hesitate when asked how realistic it is that that
he could play this week. He said, it's realistic, Like
I mean, there was no you know it was it
(21:26):
was definitely upbeating his voice and no hesitation.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
I will say this.
Speaker 5 (21:31):
The practice on Thursday was rainy, just like it could
be on Sunday. They went outside and he was definitely
taking it easy in as far as movements, like if
you watch the clips of him rolling out and Malik
Willis rolling out, Malik was putting his foot in the
ground a little harder. So I'm sure Jordan was a
testing it out and b on that wet grass and
want to you know, do too much to aggravate a
(21:52):
groin injury. So, you know, not completely out of the
woods yet, but I do think at least as of
Thursday afternoon's practice, it was trending in the right direct.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
You know. Obviously it could be a situation too where
you know, if Jordan's available to go, he would go.
But last week that was his case and then he
had to leave in the third quarter and then you know,
Milik comes in, makes a couple of really great plays
at the end there, gets him into field goal range
and they win it. If it's a situation where Malik
does have to come in. Obviously, you hope that's not
the case and Jordan could play this thing all the
(22:21):
way through. But how is that offense different? Rob We
talked to to defensive coordinator Aaron Glenny. He said it's
a little bit more run centric when Malik is in there.
Is that accurate or do they pretty much try to
stay to what their true identity is with with either
quarterback in there?
Speaker 5 (22:36):
So that's an understatement on his part, he was, He's right,
he was down playing it considerably. In Willis's two starts,
tim the Packers have called design runs on sixty eight
percent of their plays compared to forty one percent in
Jordan Love's, so definitely skewed differently.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
I will say this though it was heavily. The first
start was was massive rock.
Speaker 5 (23:00):
I mean, he threw what was it It was like,
was it like twelve times?
Speaker 3 (23:05):
The next game it was closer to twenty.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
The other day, you know, in limited work he threw
a little bit more and of course everyone saw that
Jaden Reid fifty one yard pass that set up the
game winning field.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
Wal So he's.
Speaker 5 (23:15):
Definitely getting more comfortable. But look, I mean, if it
is Malik Willis. They're going to lean on Josh Jacobs
extra hard, not that they don't do it anyway, but
as you can tell by those numbers, it skewed pretty
heavily toward the run when Willis plays. I will say
this though, I mean, Malik Willis has done everything that
you could have imagined. He won two starts. Now, he
(23:38):
did get the weeks to prepare in practice for those,
so maybe a little bit easier. But then he came
in with no practice reps last week because the number
two quarterback here just doesn't get any the all Scout
teams reps and did what he did. He led several
scoring drives in relief. So this might be, you know,
depending on how the season goes, Malik Willis might be
(24:02):
a guy who's considered to save their season and it
might be one of the all time great trades for
a seventh round pick. I mean, what team wouldn't think
about a seventh round pick for basically three wins.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Yeah, he's been he's been trigging. And that's all you
can ask if your backup quarterback, right, just come come in,
finish the game, give us a win here or there. Yeah,
and to get two of them, and and and say
and and save another one. It's been terrific. But you
mentioned that run game of Josh Jacobs, and he's been
terrific for them. I saw this and fifty five rushing yards.
They haven't had that most through eight games in the
(24:33):
season since nineteen sixty three. I mean, there's a lot
of Packer history there that that that really has been.
You talk about good additions, that's been one. He just
seems to fit that offense so well, doesn't he.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
Rob Yeah, And I think he's been everything that they
could have hoped for, not just from a production standpoint,
but from a durability standpoint. I mean, Aaron Jones as
terrific as he was missed games, and Aaron Jones has
already missed game this year. Josh Jacobs did get dinged
up at the very very end of the game in Jacksonville,
but basically played the whole game, had one hundred and
(25:07):
twenty seven yards one of his best games, two touchdowns,
and he was practicing again on Thursday. So it looks like,
you know, the workhorse that he is a durability will
will show through again and expect him to play this week.
But that was really the biggest thing that they wanted
out of the running back position. Obviously they wanted the production,
but they wanted a guy that they could count on.
(25:29):
And Aaron Jones, as great as he was, was starting
to miss games. You know, the year after year.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
My fantasy team with Josh Jacobs can account for what
you're saying there. He's spent steady ninety for me all
year long. But hey, let's slip over to the other
side of the football. And it's weird when you throw
on the tape from a Detroit guy, from an NFC
North guy and you see a four to three base defense.
I know they play a lot of sub over there,
but it just something seems off. But Jeff Hafley, what
(25:56):
he's done over there, it's really an aggressive front. I
think he got twelve different that have recorded his sack. Obviously,
the nineteen takeaways lead the NFL. Just what have you
seen from them? And what a great matchup this is
this week against that aggressive defense that can take the
ball away. In Detroit's offense that is on a tier
right now, leading the league with thirty three point four
average points per game.
Speaker 5 (26:17):
Well, as the Packers were kind of slogging through the
Jacksonville game on Sunday, I kept looking up with the
scoreboard and the Detroit scorer just kept going high. I mean,
we were in the thirties, they were in the forties.
They get the fifty two points, and I thought, man,
how the heck are the Packers going to slow that
offense down. But Jeff Hafley, he promised two things. He
(26:39):
promised vision to the football and aggressiveness. And in terms
of the vision of the football, you talk about the takeaways.
This team only had eighteen takeaways all of last year,
only seven interceptions all of last year.
Speaker 3 (26:52):
They're over both those numbers.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
I mean, hex Xavier McKinney is almost he's got six interceptions.
He's almost equaled their team total from all of last
year by himself through eight games. So he has been
an incredible pickup. And then the aggressive nature of it is,
and it's not necessarily blitzing in the traditional sense that
they're gonna send five or six, but he's blitzing. I
guess you can still call it a blitz blitzing guys
(27:15):
that don't normally rush, but it's still within the structure
of a four man pass rush, which allows you the
simple math as he still keeps seven in coverage. I
mean the game against Houston where they had four sacks,
two or three of them were on four man pressures,
but they were sacks by guys who wouldn't traditionally rush.
Eric Wilson is a stand up inside linebacker. He's not
(27:35):
normally coming. He had two of them. Zavier McKinney with
a safety blitz off the edge, So you know, technically,
I guess blitzes are defined as sending five or more.
But to me, when you're sending guys that don't normally
rush and you're catching people by surprise, that's the blitz too.
And that's where Halfley has really really provided, just a
versatility that it's hard to game plan for when you
(27:58):
don't know exactly who's company.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
A couple more for Rob Demoski does a great job
ESPN NFL Nation Packers reporter, the guy out in there
in Green Bay that I go to for for all
my Packers information. These teams know each other Rob very well, obviously,
as as you know division fos. But who's maybe a
guy that Lions fans Lions coaches don't quite know yet.
But who's impacted them early and who could impact the
(28:21):
game on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
Yeah, so Edgar and Cooper.
Speaker 5 (28:24):
Uh, I mean he's the second round pick linebacker out
of Texas A and M. I mean people should know
who a second round pick is. But he made his
first start on Sunday in Jacksonville and was all over
the field and and he was a defensive rookie of
the week, Uh.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
Defensive NFC NFC defensive player of the week.
Speaker 5 (28:42):
Right. Yeah, the last rookie that did that here was
Klay Matthews and his rookie year in nine. Cooper is Uh,
he is, he's rangy, Uh, he's he he can tackle
in one sequence. Uh, he was in forcing uh a
fumble on a path rush and then later on not
too long after, he was down the field breaking up
(29:04):
a deep ball uh to to a receiver Christian Kirk.
I mean that's that's talking about versatility, and so number
fifty six, I'd.
Speaker 3 (29:10):
Keep your eye on him. Uh. They're gonna find ways
to use him more and more.
Speaker 5 (29:15):
Uh. Slow start to the season was hurt for most
of training camp, but it seems like you know, he's
now kind of catching, uh catching his stride a little
bit and He's a guy that you know is obviously
new to this matchup as a rookie, but I think
could be an impact.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Player, all right, last one from me. Obviously a big
matchup in Lambeau. The Lions are really excited about it.
But but how does Green Bay defend home turf? How
do they you know, get get get to uh seven
and two head into their bike. I think they have
a bye week heading up after this, right, so you
obviously want to feel good going into your BUI. We
you take control of the NFC North early on. How
(29:51):
do the the Packers do that? What's the biggest key
in Rob Demosky's mind to the Packers winning on Sunday?
Speaker 5 (29:57):
Yeah, I mean I think they're gonna have to do
what we talk about earlier team and that to take
the football away. You know, they've only had one game
this year where they got where they had no takeaways.
I believe that was the Houston game, I think, and
they won the game at the last second field goal.
I have a piece running on ESPN dot com before
the game about you know, how they've started slow offensively
(30:18):
and they know the couple guys said, hey, we know
we can't do that.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
With a caliber of opponent like the Lions coming in.
Speaker 5 (30:24):
You're not you know, no offense to the AFC South,
but you know they've run through that division not as
strong as as this one, and they've had to come
down to last second field goal is the last two weeks.
And the interesting thing is they've taken the ball. They've
won the toss the last two weeks and taken the
ball and the first time they went three and out.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
The second time they got one first down and punted.
You know, it's a.
Speaker 5 (30:44):
Interesting strategy to not defer if they win the toss.
But if they're going to do that, you better start early.
So I think those are the two keys. Is trying
to get a few takeaways. I don't know how else
you slow down Jared goff and and this offense. If
you don't take the ball away, and then you absolutely
cannot start slow like you have the last couple of weeks,
and because you're not gonna you're not gonna get a
last second drive to win a field goal if you've
(31:06):
started out slow. So I think those are the two
areas that they've focused on. And when you're in the
locker room this week, that's that's sort of what you
hear is those are the things that they have to do.
But look, I mean the weird thing is there were
this deep end of the season, and this is only
the Packers' second division game.
Speaker 3 (31:23):
They lost the Vikings already at home.
Speaker 5 (31:26):
If you lose this one to the Lions at home,
you still have to go to both of those places.
Speaker 3 (31:30):
Later in the year.
Speaker 5 (31:31):
And if you want to win this division, I don't
know how far behind you'd want to get.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
Well, big game for Green Bay obviously, you want to
feel good going into your buye too. You don't want
to get behind in some of the tiebreaker scenarios because
this division is is going to be close. I think
it's the only division football where all four teams have
a winning record. You look at the point differentials there,
it's gonna be tough sledding. So these are all gonna
be key games. It's definitely a fun one in lambeau
Field Week nine. I'm looking forward to it. So is Rob.
(31:58):
Make sure you catch his stuff. He does right job
with ESPN. There is the inside man for everything Packers.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
Rob.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Thanks so much for taking the time. I appreciate it.
Look forward to Sunday.
Speaker 5 (32:07):
Yeah, you got it Tim I always good to catch
up with you.
Jared takes tosses to montgovererment run right, He's gonna throw
it to the NFL to do the toy Lions. Sama
Porta and welcome to Week nine of the NFL season.
Week nine nine, Can't Believe it. This is the twenty
Minu The Huddle Podcast. I am Tim twenty Minute, your host,
and I am joined by Nolan Bianci, who is the
(00:22):
newly number one beat writer for the Detroit You congratulations
on that. How's it going so far?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
It's going well, going well. You just mentioned week nine, like,
I can't believe that. I know we're that far already.
It feels like all summer I was, you know, waiting
for it just to get started, and then all of
a sudden, I'm like, oh, craps.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Halfway over the halfway point of the season. And obviously
the Detroit Lions are playing some really good football right now.
Number one seed, and look it's a huge matchup this week.
This is you know, early control of the NFC North.
The Packers are six and two, Lions are six and one.
Packers head to there by next week, so you'd like
to give them a little bit of doubt about themselves
going into their bye week, and obviously you take a
real good control halfway through the season. And look the
(01:00):
segment of Srie keys to the game on Sunday, Nolan
and let's start with a big one. And I think
especially this week. Look, it's always important to take care
of the football, right, but I think against these guys,
you have to pay some extra attention to it, don't you.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
No doubt.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
And this is a situation they've been in before, going
into a divisional matchup against a team that really loves
to force those takeaways kind of butters they're brought off
those takeaways. Packers leading the league right now, but the
Lions not too shabby themselves. They've been able to force
some turnovers over the last couple of weeks, really all season,
whether it be through the interceptions to the fumbles, and
Packers are the same way. So it's not you know,
(01:34):
it's kind of a cliche sometimes that you don't win
in the turnover battle, but it does seem particularly important
this week.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Look, it's the most important statistic in football. You look
at the Packers from last year, they had eighteen takeaways
all of last year. Halfway through this season they've got nineteen.
They lead the NFL to your point. And look, the Lions,
you know, have lost one fumble all year. Jared Golf
hasn't thrown an interception since Week three. Now, he had
a couple fumbles that they were lucky to get last week,
but he's been really, really good in that regard. And
so I think this is a terrific game. Look at
(02:02):
it's outdoors first time this year. It's going to be
a little bit windy. Seventy to ninety percent rain expected
in Green Bay, so it's going to be wet football,
wet conditions. You've just got to take care of the football.
And look, Xavier McKinney over there has six interceptions, he
leads the NFL, one more than Kirby Joseph. They have
twelve different guys to have sacks so they can get
after the quarterback. It's an aggressive scheme. It's just really
(02:23):
really important this week that Jared's got to be extra
careful with the football.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Yeah, and Scotty Montgomery mentioned it yesterday, Lions running backs coach,
basically saying it's it's the you know, Ben Johnson mentioned
it today too. It's the defensive backs that are making
plays for sure, but it's also that front four, that
front eight really who's been able to kind of help
force those takeaways, whether it be getting pressure on the
quarterback or making plays on the ball in the backfield
on the ball carrier. So it's multifaceted their turnover ability.
(02:50):
And you know, we saw against the Vikings how that
can kind of hurt you. You know, there was a late
fumble there that they took care of the ball so
well all game and then all of a sudden, you know,
next thing, you know, kind.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Of you're in trouble. And to your point, Packers since
the first time since nineteen ninety six, they've posted multiple
takeaways in their six games and seven of their eight
games they have multiple takeaways this season. So, like you said,
you said it best. That's where they're kind of bread
is buttered, you know, getting those takeaways, creating short fields,
(03:21):
and it might be even more important this week if
they have Malik willis right, if you're without your starting quarterback,
what's an offense's best friend. We saw how many times
last week with Detroit. You get a big turnover, you
have a short field. Now you can put some points
on the board and start to feel good about yourself
as a backup quarterback too. So just another reason why
it's really really important this week to take care of
the football and that'll be you know, one of the
(03:42):
big keys, I think number two for Detroit is stopping
this Packers run game.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Absolutely, and that's something that they I wouldn't say have
struggled to do over the last two weeks, but it's
something that they haven't really been able to do up
to snuff, up to their standard really since the start
of last season. They've been one of their best run
defenses in football. You know, the Packers are averaging two
hundred and twenty four yards per game and on the
ground in games where Malik Willis is starting, and I
believe over the last two weeks it's been the Lions
(04:08):
have allowed somewhere around one forty five a game. Obviously,
you know, we've talked about how these injuries up front
have im packed the pass rush, but it does seem
to some degree that they might have a little bit
of effect on the run defense as well.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Yeah, one hundred percent. Packers two hundred fifty five rushing yards.
That's the most through eight games since nineteen sixty three
for them, and that's a football team that's been pretty
well known for one in the football Obviously they got
Brett Farbni and Rodgers in passing, but they've been a
balanced football team over the years, and to have those
kind of numbers, I think just Josh Sjaikas has been
a terrific addition for them. Six hundred and seventy four
(04:42):
yards in the first half of games, second behind only Washington.
So look, they like to establish it, they get it going,
and then now you've got to adjust as a defense.
Now they've got those weapons on the outside with Jordan
Love and even Malik Wilfs. We saw it last week
with Jordan Reid, and some of the weapons have got
on the outside with Watson. You've got to start sucking
up a little bit. You've got to start concerning yourself
(05:03):
with Josh Jacobs and how they're gaining ground, and then
they'll go over the top for you. So look, if
you stop it right away, you force Malik Wills to
beat you with his arm, and look, he can do
it with his legs too. But look, if Malik Will
starts this game in the rain, and you can stop
the run and you force him to make a whole
bunch of passes and he completes some. Me, he beats
you through the air. You tip your cap and you say,
(05:23):
good job. We'll go on to the next one. We'll
see you later in this season. We hope it gets
you to destroy But to me, that's got to be
the goal going in right.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Yeah, no, absolutely, And I guess with the two starts
that he made, like I said, they really relied on
that run. He did a little bit of passing in
the second game, more so than the first game. But
I mean, if you can go on the road and
silence that crowd and kind of get the momentum on
your side, I think that'll be a big way to
kind of, you know, get off to the right foot
in a big road game.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Because to what we talked about on the first point too,
the fifteen takeaways for Destroyer, that's second most. And so
you get them into a passing mode, you know, you
get them into you know, they down two scores, you
stop that run early, you made plays. Now they've got
to come from behind. That's not how they're built with
Malik Willis, that's not their style of play, right. They
want to run the football to your point over two
hundred games.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Yeah, and then you know, if you get into a
position where your defense is able to dictate that game
despite all the injuries, despite the fact that you know,
like Campbell's talked about, they've had to manufacture that pressure,
that's a that's a good place to be.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Yeah. The three third key for me, it's a little unorthodox.
You can obviously talk about turnovers run game, but to me,
it's taking advantage of opportunities. And why I wanted this
one Nolan is because what did Dan say about what
his expectation is for this game about the fourth quarter?
He said it was going to come down to what.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Yep, it's going to come down to whoever. Probably one mistake,
probably one mistake is going to decide this game. And
again that's something we saw in the game against the
Vikings a couple of weeks ago, where that one mistake
in the fourth quarter almost cost him that game. But
you know, this team is resilient. They've proven that, and
they've also proven that they can take advantage of those opportunities.
They're nine for eleven in the red zone over their
(06:55):
last three games. They you know, three of the turnout
three of the four turnovers, they last week against the
Titans turned into touchdowns, and they've just really put on
a masterclass of complimentary football. And I think that kind
of lends itself to that.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
So it's taking advantage of those opportunities. When I look at,
you know, defensively, the Packers have twelve giveaways, that's eighth
most in the NFL. Nine interceptions, third most in the NFL.
They're gonna they want to push the ball down the
field and get it too those weapons, but they're gonna
give you opportunities to make plays because of it. So
take advantage when when they underthrow a ball or when
Kirby does see it makes a break on it, take
(07:29):
advantage of that. Take them when those takeaways are that
they're going to give you a couple. I think there's
gonna be two or three chances for an interception for
Kirby Bryant. Maybe we see our first cornerback interception last week.
It's been a while and just you know, look, they
got three fumble the league has three fumbles lost, I think.
So you know, the red zone, they're they're you know fifty,
(07:51):
they're twenty fifth in the red zone. So they don't
score a ton in the red zone, So get him
in the rental, make sure you get a field goal, right,
take advantage of taking those four point off the field.
And then when you look at look at the Packers
allowed twenty six passes of twenty plus yards offensively, they're
gonna give you some chances to make some big plays.
So it's just to me that like a key when
it's when it's gonna be a close game, when your
head coach expects it to be close game one play
(08:12):
here or there, it's that that opportunity that you get
for a big takeaway or a big play. You got
to take advantage of it in the rain, in the
in the you know, on the road, in those kind
of windy conditions, if you get that play, make sure
you make it.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
And then, like I said, they've been able to do that,
you know, not just over the last couple of games,
but but seemingly all season. You think back to you know,
Week one against the Rams and the Rams are driving
and right before half and Kirby Joseph comes up with
a big interception that ends up being the difference in
the game that goes to overtime, and you know, you
go back to the Dallas game that was a you know,
obviously it ended up being forty seven to nine, but
(08:47):
early on it was, you know, it looked like it
was going to be a battle, and then all of
a sudden, Brian Branch comes up with that interception in
the end zone and off and running.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
They are running. It's that it's that opportunity to make
that big play that can change things and obviously decide
if it ends up being a close game late. He
is Nolan Beyonce. He does a great job with the
Detroit Nean's working people find on Twitter at Nolan Beyonce
just his first name. Last night, that's pretty simple. I've
got Kirby Joseph coming up. I've got Rob Demoski with
a breakdown of the Packers. So we got a lot
in store for you to stick around. Welcome back to
(09:20):
the twenty m Huddle podcast. I am with someone now
who really doesn't need any introduction. He is a very
close friend to the podcast. I think it's his third
time on now. Thirty eight tackles, seven passes defended five
interceptions on the season, which is the second most in
the NFL, behind only Xavier McKinney. He's the first lines
player since Yale Larry in nineteen sixty two to have
(09:42):
five interceptions in his first seven games, thirteen interceptions since
interer League and twenty twenty two, second most over that
time span. You of course know who I'm talking about.
It's Kirby Joseph, Lions safety and a guy who's on
his way to Pro Bowl. All Pro Curb. Thanks for
joining the podcast.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
No appreciate you for having me. I just want to
thank God if allow me to come out, you know
a day, use my talents to the best of my ability,
and I'm just so happy to be here.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
I'm happy to have you because, I mean, you are
playing some really good football right now. I mean, five
interceptions through seven games, You're just seeing it. Just how
much are you enjoying being part of this secondary, being
part of this defense right now? And it's filled with
a bunch of guys that are playmakers and you're a
big part of that. Oh.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
I feel like it's just everything like I love like
coming out and playing football with the guys. Man, Like
it's just everything we talked about like way back in
like training counsel, just seeing our dream come true, just
knowing what we got to do with being in the
right spots and everybody just making plays, Like I really
feel like I couldn't make I couldn't make none of
these plays without my teammates, Like they just uplift me
so so well, and them doing their job just allows
(10:51):
me to do my job, allows me to make plays.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
You know, you got Carlton Davis comes in, a veteran
guys been doing it at a high level for a
long time. Terran is really settling in now with some
games under his belt. Obviously, Brian goes to safety a
meek you saw he did last week punching guys out.
You've got a good mix of veteran guys, some young guys,
and really, now that you've had some time on tasks,
that really been the biggest thing in training camp. You guys,
there were some injuries, you didn't get to play a
(11:15):
lot together. Now that you've consistently played with each other,
is this one of the best secondaries in the NFL
in your opinion?
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Oh yeah, for sure, for sure, We the fifty boys. Man,
ain't nobody better than us, man. You know, I just
feel like, yeah, we didn't practice as much together as
a whole in OTA's but that doesn't mean we wasn't
together like off the field. You know, I felt like
we built that chemistry off the field just allows us
to come on the field and just you know, allow
that chemistry to work.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
How important is that to be? You know, a group
of guys that likes hanging with each other off the
field as well as on.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
I feel like it's a huge help because like we're
a brotherhood. You know, you have to be able to
trust that your brother is going to do his job
and be in the right spot. Like, for example, like
a couple of my interceptions, like it was sometimes where
I didn't even have to communicate to BB, or BB
didn't have to communicate to me, but we just knew
exactly where each other were gonna be, just because like
it's just like a feeling, like an instant thing, and
(12:09):
just like I know my boy's gonna be right there
where he.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Needed to be. How much have you love that move
him moving to the nickel from nickel to the safety.
I mean, you guys right now, nine interceptions together, curb,
I think that's more than twenty seven teams just YouTube interceptions,
more than team totals. How much have you loved that
combination right there, and how much has it made you
a better player?
Speaker 4 (12:30):
I love it, you know what I'm saying. One thing
about me, I love to see my boys win, you
know what I'm saying, Like, I love seeing him do
great because you know, it just motivates me to do great.
And also like me and Beebe been going hand in hand.
We back were back and forth with you know what
I'm saying. So he always thinks he gonna catch me,
but he can't catch it.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
You know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
I'm never you know what I'm saying, So like just
you know, when I get one, I know that motivates
him to get another one in or when he gets one,
that motivates me to get another one. You know, we
getting on the corners, you know, so we waiting for it.
I don't know who's gonna be the first corner to
get an interception. But you know what I'm saying, out
punch outs, they got fumer recovery for that, as long
as they're just like attacking the ball, you know what
I'm saying. We just all got it in our own
(13:05):
low way.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
What are the benefits of having two guys like like
you and Brian who can who are versatile, who could
do multiple things. Both you guys can play up in
the box. Both you guys can be that deep you
know cover, you know, single high safety. And when you
got two guys like that. What's the advantage for a
defense when you've got two guys? Is it just as
simple as you can really disguise where you guys are
at and the coverages that that you can play.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Yeah, I would say it really does help with the disguise.
You can't really tell what we're gonna do because we
could both do both things, play down in the bus
or be deep in the middle. I feel like it
gives the offense a hard time to really like try
to figure out what we're about to do. You know
what I'm saying, Me and might both be bad, you
know what I'm saying, So they don't really know what
we're gonna do or what we're capable of.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Is there an art to baiting a quarterback?
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Yeah, you do a pick and have you kind of
started to master that art now?
Speaker 4 (13:54):
Oh? Yeah, yeah, for sure. It's times where like we
like we have a great coaching staff. You know, one
thing I learned this this offseason was the QB progressions
and stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Just so just.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
Learning whether qbs want to go with the ball when
they see certain looks and stuff like that. So we
understand that we got to, you know, give him different
looks and just understand our defense what we got to
get to in order to make plays and to watch y'all.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Five interceptions in seven games? Did you have an interce
did you have an interception total coming into the year
that you kind of thought about wanted to get and
have you had to make in an adjustment at all
with with how hot and how many you've gotten early
in the season.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Man, the number, it really ain't no number, But I'm
going to lead the league interceptions.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
Brian Branches. See what have you seen in his first
year playing safety? Now? I know he did a little
bit last year, but but what do you like about
his game? What do you see him? What kind of
safety can he be in this league?
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Well, he's a very versatile safety, like man, Like his
coverage ability is like the best I've seen out of
a safety like just him just seeing how he works,
you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Like the stuff he.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Do, I'm still in awe, Like I still be like, wow,
I can't believe he did that. Like just plays he
makes like it's just like shout out to him. I
feel like he's becoming his own person in this league,
like bringing his own name in this league and really
trying to show y'all why he y'all playing when y'all
got him in the second round, Like he really like
sticking to that and really showing y'all like who he
is for real?
Speaker 1 (15:15):
How much you're looking forward to this matchup? A first
place matchup in week nine at lambeau Field against a
Green Bay team. Now, look, they've got twelve giveaways on
the year. There's gonna be some opportunities there. But but
what do you think of this matchup? How fun is
it going and playing the Packers week nine for a
game you know that means first place in the division.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
I feel like it's an NFC week. You know, we
got our division rivals. I feel like it's just everything
just to go against the Packers, just go against another
a good team, to really showcase our talent and showcase
our ability on defense to take the ball away, you know,
just going against a good offense, just showing our defensive capabilities.
I just feel like it just shows warbar k Low.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Did the preparation change it all? Kurub When you don't
know who the quarterback is, Jordan Lover's Malik willis obviously
a little bit different play styles. I know they have
the concepts that they're going to have no matter who's
in there. But is that a tough part preparing during
the week or does it really not affect you guys
in the preparation.
Speaker 4 (16:13):
I feel like it's just really like you stay ready
so you don't got to get ready. So, you know
what I'm saying, no matter who's in there, we'll understand
that we got to do our job, knowing our assignments
and read our keys, you know what I'm saying, and
just play together as a whole and also just trust
the game plan. I feel like our coaches do a
great job getting us ready throughout the week, So just
shout out to them.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Hey, Ta looks like he's kind of really settling in
here at the last couple of weeks. What do you
think of that young cornerback?
Speaker 4 (16:35):
And man, I love yeah man Ta Ta Man, he's
just so young, man, he's so talented and so gifted. Man,
He's just going to continue to get better and get
better like how I did my rookie year. I just
continue to get better. One thing I know about Tia
that he has the ability to learn. He's very coachable.
He always wants to get better, So that's just something
great to have. He's not hot headed or nothing like that.
(16:56):
He just really wants to learn football and get better.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
It's really fun playing this secondary right now. I mean
every week it seems like you guys are just having
you know, a great time, you know, causing havoc, making plays,
getting takeaways. It's just it hasn't always been that way,
you know, the last few years early in your career.
But now you guys have the talent in there and
it just looks real different. It's got to be really
fun to then.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
No, it is super fun just to go out there,
Like I said, man, I go out there man and
just have fun.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
Man.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
I feel like we put in all the work throughout
the weed like that's when you that's when you really
want to go hard and practice. So the game could
just be easy and fun, you know what I'm saying.
You could just play free. You know. I feel like
I have no no worry, no worry when I go
out there because I know everybody's gonna do their job
and it's gonna have a little mistakes whatever, but we
let we shake that off, you know what I'm saying,
and just continue to cause cause havoc. I feel like
(17:45):
playing defense, you got to be a little crazy, you
know what I'm saying. Like everybody out there, you know,
I look crazy for us. So it's like it's just
a little fun just to see everybody just going hard
and playing physical, you know what I'm saying. Like when
you see somebody make a physical tackle, that makes you
want to go be physical too. So just being able,
like it's not only one catalyst on the team, you know,
it's multiple on the team.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Though. It is fun watching this offense you perform. Yeah,
thirty three point four point number one special team should
look what they did. I mean, you guys are really
playing complimentary football, and that's the sign of a good team.
Speaker 4 (18:14):
Right Yeah, And shout out to special teams man, Like
every week they just consistently like getting better. Like shout
out to Jack Fox Man, he really really giving us
the best field position. So like just shout out to
the special team unit and like just like, man, I
know the offense like I'll be in practice and they're
pulling out players I just because I know it's gonna
work against the defense. So just seeing them.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
Man.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Ben Johnson is doing a great job getting those guys ready.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
Man.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Just Dan Campbell, Man really just putting us all together
as a team and allowing us to work collectively.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
Man, you're doing a great job to five interceptions second
in the NFL. You've really been a catalyst for this
kind of takeover on defense. Top five in the league.
You're playing your best ball of your career. I think
you're headed to a Pro Bowl. You're headed to an
All Pro if you continue. Thanks for joining the podcast.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Appreciate you, appreciation for having me. You know I'm out here.
Hey make shaw y'all go shot Zoopemotion dot com go
get you to Zuper Merch. And I'm just happy to
be out of him and I love y'all.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
One Prime. Welcome back to the twenty in the Huddle podcast,
And let's go out to West a little bit. Let's
go over to Green Bay. Rob Demoski does a great
job for ESPN, the ESPN NFL Nation Packers reporter. He
is the guy to go to if you need any
Packers News, Rob, thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it.
(19:30):
You had a great ESPN stat there when we were
chatting before that. This is a pretty nice matchup Week
nine for the Lions and Packers, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
Yeah, it's been a long time, tim since these teams
met and both teams had this good of a record.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Uh, this late in the season, it's.
Speaker 5 (19:45):
It's been a while, so it's a lot of fun
for both sides, for both fan bases that, you know,
just hope the game lives up to it, right, Like
when you get two good teams going middle of the
year like that.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
I hope that it that it lives up. I know
the weather here.
Speaker 5 (20:01):
Could be a little shaky on the weekend, could be rainy, windy,
but hopefully it doesn't impact the game and we get
a true test of these two teams.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Hey, Rob, we've been in the NFC North for a
while now. That that's NFC football, right, It's not real
NFC footba unless there's a little rain, a little bit
of cold and nip. You know, it's I'm slipping here
and there wet football.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
The last home game two weeks ago was like one
of the warmest October home games at Lambeau History, Like,
it was almost eighty degrees, so I'd rather have that.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
Well, you know, it's crazy. This is actually the first
time the Lions have been outdoors all year, and this
year they only play three games outdoors. It's this one
Week sixteen in Chicago in December, so that one could
be and then Week seventeen, second to last game of
the year at San Francisco. Three times through outdoors, that's it.
Otherwise they're in the friendly confines of indoors, all right,
(20:52):
So let's get to it. Big news in Green Bay
obviously this week is the quarterback situation with Jordan Love
didn't practice Wednesday, but saw he was back on the
field on Thursday. How good of a sign is that.
What are your expectations for him and his availability Sunday?
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Robins, Yeah, I think it's a really good sign.
Speaker 5 (21:06):
I also thanked Tim that it was a good sign
that he talked to us yesterday and make of it
what you will, But he did not talk after week one,
and he had the knee injury and didn't play week two.
He did not hold his regular availability and like he
didn't hesitate when asked how realistic it is that that
he could play this week. He said, it's realistic, Like
I mean, there was no you know it was it
(21:26):
was definitely upbeating his voice and no hesitation.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
I will say this.
Speaker 5 (21:31):
The practice on Thursday was rainy, just like it could
be on Sunday. They went outside and he was definitely
taking it easy in as far as movements, like if
you watch the clips of him rolling out and Malik
Willis rolling out, Malik was putting his foot in the
ground a little harder. So I'm sure Jordan was a
testing it out and b on that wet grass and
want to you know, do too much to aggravate a
(21:52):
groin injury. So, you know, not completely out of the
woods yet, but I do think at least as of
Thursday afternoon's practice, it was trending in the right direct.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
You know. Obviously it could be a situation too where
you know, if Jordan's available to go, he would go.
But last week that was his case and then he
had to leave in the third quarter and then you know,
Milik comes in, makes a couple of really great plays
at the end there, gets him into field goal range
and they win it. If it's a situation where Malik
does have to come in. Obviously, you hope that's not
the case and Jordan could play this thing all the
(22:21):
way through. But how is that offense different? Rob We
talked to to defensive coordinator Aaron Glenny. He said it's
a little bit more run centric when Malik is in there.
Is that accurate or do they pretty much try to
stay to what their true identity is with with either
quarterback in there?
Speaker 5 (22:36):
So that's an understatement on his part, he was, He's right,
he was down playing it considerably. In Willis's two starts,
tim the Packers have called design runs on sixty eight
percent of their plays compared to forty one percent in
Jordan Love's, so definitely skewed differently.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
I will say this though it was heavily. The first
start was was massive rock.
Speaker 5 (23:00):
I mean, he threw what was it It was like,
was it like twelve times?
Speaker 3 (23:05):
The next game it was closer to twenty.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
The other day, you know, in limited work he threw
a little bit more and of course everyone saw that
Jaden Reid fifty one yard pass that set up the
game winning field.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
Wal So he's.
Speaker 5 (23:15):
Definitely getting more comfortable. But look, I mean, if it
is Malik Willis. They're going to lean on Josh Jacobs
extra hard, not that they don't do it anyway, but
as you can tell by those numbers, it skewed pretty
heavily toward the run when Willis plays. I will say
this though, I mean, Malik Willis has done everything that
you could have imagined. He won two starts. Now, he
(23:38):
did get the weeks to prepare in practice for those,
so maybe a little bit easier. But then he came
in with no practice reps last week because the number
two quarterback here just doesn't get any the all Scout
teams reps and did what he did. He led several
scoring drives in relief. So this might be, you know,
depending on how the season goes, Malik Willis might be
(24:02):
a guy who's considered to save their season and it
might be one of the all time great trades for
a seventh round pick. I mean, what team wouldn't think
about a seventh round pick for basically three wins.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Yeah, he's been he's been trigging. And that's all you
can ask if your backup quarterback, right, just come come in,
finish the game, give us a win here or there. Yeah,
and to get two of them, and and and say
and and save another one. It's been terrific. But you
mentioned that run game of Josh Jacobs, and he's been
terrific for them. I saw this and fifty five rushing yards.
They haven't had that most through eight games in the
(24:33):
season since nineteen sixty three. I mean, there's a lot
of Packer history there that that that really has been.
You talk about good additions, that's been one. He just
seems to fit that offense so well, doesn't he.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
Rob Yeah, And I think he's been everything that they
could have hoped for, not just from a production standpoint,
but from a durability standpoint. I mean, Aaron Jones as
terrific as he was missed games, and Aaron Jones has
already missed game this year. Josh Jacobs did get dinged
up at the very very end of the game in Jacksonville,
but basically played the whole game, had one hundred and
(25:07):
twenty seven yards one of his best games, two touchdowns,
and he was practicing again on Thursday. So it looks like,
you know, the workhorse that he is a durability will
will show through again and expect him to play this week.
But that was really the biggest thing that they wanted
out of the running back position. Obviously they wanted the production,
but they wanted a guy that they could count on.
(25:29):
And Aaron Jones, as great as he was, was starting
to miss games. You know, the year after year.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
My fantasy team with Josh Jacobs can account for what
you're saying there. He's spent steady ninety for me all
year long. But hey, let's slip over to the other
side of the football. And it's weird when you throw
on the tape from a Detroit guy, from an NFC
North guy and you see a four to three base defense.
I know they play a lot of sub over there,
but it just something seems off. But Jeff Hafley, what
(25:56):
he's done over there, it's really an aggressive front. I
think he got twelve different that have recorded his sack. Obviously,
the nineteen takeaways lead the NFL. Just what have you
seen from them? And what a great matchup this is
this week against that aggressive defense that can take the
ball away. In Detroit's offense that is on a tier
right now, leading the league with thirty three point four
average points per game.
Speaker 5 (26:17):
Well, as the Packers were kind of slogging through the
Jacksonville game on Sunday, I kept looking up with the
scoreboard and the Detroit scorer just kept going high. I mean,
we were in the thirties, they were in the forties.
They get the fifty two points, and I thought, man,
how the heck are the Packers going to slow that
offense down. But Jeff Hafley, he promised two things. He
(26:39):
promised vision to the football and aggressiveness. And in terms
of the vision of the football, you talk about the takeaways.
This team only had eighteen takeaways all of last year,
only seven interceptions all of last year.
Speaker 3 (26:52):
They're over both those numbers.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
I mean, hex Xavier McKinney is almost he's got six interceptions.
He's almost equaled their team total from all of last
year by himself through eight games. So he has been
an incredible pickup. And then the aggressive nature of it is,
and it's not necessarily blitzing in the traditional sense that
they're gonna send five or six, but he's blitzing. I
guess you can still call it a blitz blitzing guys
(27:15):
that don't normally rush, but it's still within the structure
of a four man pass rush, which allows you the
simple math as he still keeps seven in coverage. I
mean the game against Houston where they had four sacks,
two or three of them were on four man pressures,
but they were sacks by guys who wouldn't traditionally rush.
Eric Wilson is a stand up inside linebacker. He's not
(27:35):
normally coming. He had two of them. Zavier McKinney with
a safety blitz off the edge, So you know, technically,
I guess blitzes are defined as sending five or more.
But to me, when you're sending guys that don't normally
rush and you're catching people by surprise, that's the blitz too.
And that's where Halfley has really really provided, just a
versatility that it's hard to game plan for when you
(27:58):
don't know exactly who's company.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
A couple more for Rob Demoski does a great job
ESPN NFL Nation Packers reporter, the guy out in there
in Green Bay that I go to for for all
my Packers information. These teams know each other Rob very well, obviously,
as as you know division fos. But who's maybe a
guy that Lions fans Lions coaches don't quite know yet.
But who's impacted them early and who could impact the
(28:21):
game on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
Yeah, so Edgar and Cooper.
Speaker 5 (28:24):
Uh, I mean he's the second round pick linebacker out
of Texas A and M. I mean people should know
who a second round pick is. But he made his
first start on Sunday in Jacksonville and was all over
the field and and he was a defensive rookie of
the week, Uh.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
Defensive NFC NFC defensive player of the week.
Speaker 5 (28:42):
Right. Yeah, the last rookie that did that here was
Klay Matthews and his rookie year in nine. Cooper is Uh,
he is, he's rangy, Uh, he's he he can tackle
in one sequence. Uh, he was in forcing uh a
fumble on a path rush and then later on not
too long after, he was down the field breaking up
(29:04):
a deep ball uh to to a receiver Christian Kirk.
I mean that's that's talking about versatility, and so number
fifty six, I'd.
Speaker 3 (29:10):
Keep your eye on him. Uh. They're gonna find ways
to use him more and more.
Speaker 5 (29:15):
Uh. Slow start to the season was hurt for most
of training camp, but it seems like you know, he's
now kind of catching, uh catching his stride a little
bit and He's a guy that you know is obviously
new to this matchup as a rookie, but I think
could be an impact.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Player, all right, last one from me. Obviously a big
matchup in Lambeau. The Lions are really excited about it.
But but how does Green Bay defend home turf? How
do they you know, get get get to uh seven
and two head into their bike. I think they have
a bye week heading up after this, right, so you
obviously want to feel good going into your BUI. We
you take control of the NFC North early on. How
(29:51):
do the the Packers do that? What's the biggest key
in Rob Demosky's mind to the Packers winning on Sunday?
Speaker 5 (29:57):
Yeah, I mean I think they're gonna have to do
what we talk about earlier team and that to take
the football away. You know, they've only had one game
this year where they got where they had no takeaways.
I believe that was the Houston game, I think, and
they won the game at the last second field goal.
I have a piece running on ESPN dot com before
the game about you know, how they've started slow offensively
(30:18):
and they know the couple guys said, hey, we know
we can't do that.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
With a caliber of opponent like the Lions coming in.
Speaker 5 (30:24):
You're not you know, no offense to the AFC South,
but you know they've run through that division not as
strong as as this one, and they've had to come
down to last second field goal is the last two weeks.
And the interesting thing is they've taken the ball. They've
won the toss the last two weeks and taken the
ball and the first time they went three and out.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
The second time they got one first down and punted.
You know, it's a.
Speaker 5 (30:44):
Interesting strategy to not defer if they win the toss.
But if they're going to do that, you better start early.
So I think those are the two keys. Is trying
to get a few takeaways. I don't know how else
you slow down Jared goff and and this offense. If
you don't take the ball away, and then you absolutely
cannot start slow like you have the last couple of weeks,
and because you're not gonna you're not gonna get a
last second drive to win a field goal if you've
(31:06):
started out slow. So I think those are the two
areas that they've focused on. And when you're in the
locker room this week, that's that's sort of what you
hear is those are the things that they have to do.
But look, I mean the weird thing is there were
this deep end of the season, and this is only
the Packers' second division game.
Speaker 3 (31:23):
They lost the Vikings already at home.
Speaker 5 (31:26):
If you lose this one to the Lions at home,
you still have to go to both of those places.
Speaker 3 (31:30):
Later in the year.
Speaker 5 (31:31):
And if you want to win this division, I don't
know how far behind you'd want to get.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
Well, big game for Green Bay obviously, you want to
feel good going into your buye too. You don't want
to get behind in some of the tiebreaker scenarios because
this division is is going to be close. I think
it's the only division football where all four teams have
a winning record. You look at the point differentials there,
it's gonna be tough sledding. So these are all gonna
be key games. It's definitely a fun one in lambeau
Field Week nine. I'm looking forward to it. So is Rob.
(31:58):
Make sure you catch his stuff. He does right job
with ESPN. There is the inside man for everything Packers.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
Rob.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Thanks so much for taking the time. I appreciate it.
Look forward to Sunday.
Speaker 5 (32:07):
Yeah, you got it Tim I always good to catch
up with you.
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