Hey everybody, thanks for logging on. I see questions coming in already so I'll get rolling here.
Possible snow Monday night. Do you see that favoring one team more than the other?
The way the Packers can run the ball with Jacobs, and the fact that the Saints best RB in Kamara might be hurt, I think it would favor GB.
Why are some people acting like the win against SEA wasn't a "good" win?
I don't know. Maybe because Seattle lost its QB? But that first half, when Geno Smith was playing the entire time, was totally dominated by GB.
With only 3 teams in the nfc eliminated from playoff contention, does that make it difficult to pre-scout a potential playoff opponent? Or too early for that anyway?
Believe me, they're not worried about that at all. The Packers still need to clinch their spot and then have a huge game against the Vikings on a short week. That's where all the focus lies right now.
MLF looked and sounded exhausted during yesterday's news conference.
I would've looked and sounded way worse had it been me up there. I didn't get that impression about him anyway, to be honest.
Hi Mike! What is your favorite Christmas Day game memory?
Not a ton of them. I wasn't working for the Packers at the time, but I remember watching the Christmas Eve game in 2004 at the Metrodome when GB won the division in a high-scoring affair. Great game to watch.
Is there any worry about Josh Jacobs running out of gas down the stretch. He's the first RB I've seen probably since Green (or maybe Lacy) who was used as such a bell cow. Long brutal season and all that.
I'm sure the coaches are monitoring it. He has been a workhorse, no doubt. I agree that Green and Lacy, along with Ryan Grant, are the last ones we've seen around here carrying that kind of workload.
We definitely need to work on "controlling" the game, the win in seattle was a complete game , but we gave them chances to come back in it that we shouldn't have
Agreed, and I thought those chances Seattle had were due to GB's own mistakes, so they know they can do better. The defense held tough all night, though, except for the one TD run that got out down the sideline.
It seems that teams are challenging our secondary deep as much as they used to (call the X factor). With MVS coming in (one of my favorite Packers), do you see that changing?
I doubt it. The Packers got challenged deep a lot early this season and McKinney made them pay. Opponents have definitely backed off on taking that risk.
Even if they win against NO, I don't like the idea of coasting last two games...
I don't think GB will, at least not against Minnesota with a chance to still climb ahead of them by season's end.
Romeo Doubs has such an enigmatic personality. His laidback persona is SO laidback that it's hard to imagine that he can make the monster plays that he does. Ever seen such a contrast before?
Can't say I have. He's a different breed, but to each his own. In a different way, Chad Clifton was sort of an enigma. He was a lockdown left tackle who could do his share of mauling people, but off the field he was one of the more soft-spoken guys.
Looking at pre-season expectations, are the Packers about where you expected them to be, record wise? I thought 10 wins by now would be just fine, but it sure seems we've left a lot on the table.
Everything about preseason expectations got tossed out the window the moment Jordan Love got hurt as far as I'm concerned. And then he got another injury. If you had told me he would miss 2 1/2 games, play hurt in a few others, and the Packers would be changing kickers midseason but still be 10-4 and a win away from clinching a playoff spot I would've taken it and run. Fast.
will there be all outside practicing for Saint game
I would imagine so. Unless it gets so windy that they can't have a quality practice, they'll work outside this week/weekend.
Thursday games are bad enough for the players. I feel bad for those playing on a Wednesday.
Tough stretch for those teams playing on Christmas. They're doing a 3-game stretch of Sunday-Saturday-Wednesday. Three games in 11 days. Mercy.
Despite what some people seem to think, to me it looks like the Packers are (potentially) peaking at the perfect time. If they win Monday, they can use the next to two games to prepare seriously for the coming playoffs, get people healthy and start mentally preparing for the final grind.
Agreed. Lots of signs this team is getting better, like the first half Sunday night, but they're not quite all the way there.
Mike I've got an article idea for you. Path to the #1 Seed: Green Bay wins out, Philadelphia loses out, Minnesota and Detroit each lose 2/3 but tie each other. Easy peasy!! In all seriousness.. I think it would behoove the Packers if Detroit wins the North. For the 5th seed, they could catch Minnesota by virtue of their week 17 game. Detroit is a much further reach.
Yup, that's pretty much how I see it, too.
Do you think Edgerrin Cooper deserves the Defensive player of the week award that just got announced? Or do you think he is getting too much praise as a rookie, and it will all go to his head?
I'm sure it's nice for him to see his success recognized, but I've been doing this long enough to know the coaches will point out on the film any mistakes he made, too. Nobody's perfect.
You mentioned Josh Jacobs and the ground game. What other matchups do you see the Packers exploiting against the Saints on Monday?
I don't know about exploiting, but I think a key one is the New Orleans pass rush vs. the Packers' pass protection. Saints had 8 sacks last week, Packers have allowed I think the third-fewest sacks in the league. Who wins that will go a long way to who wins this game.
Mike, when watching games like this past one, I always think back to Vic talking about FULL CONSISTENCY being unrealistic. I think it's made it much easier to enjoy games. We all know the cliches: the other team gets paid too, etc etc. It's a game of human confrontation. It's expected that a team will do whatever it can to get off the mat.
Absolutely. Players are always playing for their jobs in this league, and coaches are coaching for their jobs. When teams don't get up off the mat, that's when major changes occur.
Any updates on Quay Walker? Since it's the long week, is today basically like a Tuesday
Correct, the team begins its practice week tomorrow instead of today because of the Monday night game (and getting back at the crack of dawn Monday morning). LaFleur said Walker is week to week with his ankle injury.
Vikings O line looked a bit "leaky" vs Da Bears. Dont watch a lot of Vikings Football, but what are your thoughts on the Vikes offensive line?
I'll be honest, I didn't watch a snap of the Bears-Vikings game the other night. I was too tired and crashed. I checked my phone a couple times to see if the score was close and if it was worth turning on. I wasn't compelled. When I have watched the Vikings, and when they've had their preferred starting five up front, they've done a great job in front of Darnold. His numbers reflect that.
Feel bad for Kirko, but I'm interested to see what Penix Jr can do.
Interesting move, to say the least. The Falcons are still alive in the NFC South, too.
Who do you view as the biggest threat to the packers in the nfc? i think every team in the nfc who will make it is solid, and even the lower division champs are playing well as of late, but hard to choose a team over the Eagles with the Lions so injury ridden
I think the Eagles will be everybody's favorite pick, but there are plenty of quality teams in the NFC and anything could happen. Line up and play. Just two weeks ago, Carolina took Philly into the fourth quarter, and they would've been in a tighter game last week vs. Pittsburgh if Harris doesn't fumble that pitch out in the second half. Changed the game. So they're not flawless either.
I am a NFL junky, but if all the games I watch all week the only one that gets my heart racing is just before kickoff of the Packer game. This year even more than in recent memory because I love this defense. I have not been able to say that for a long long time.
I think this Packers team is very fun to watch. Frustrating at times, sure, but that's with every team. We're seeing a young offense come into its own and a new defensive approach really start to take root. Let's see if they can finish strong.
The pass rush seems to be slowly coming around. Given that the Giants won 2 SBs when the pass rush got hot at the right time, this is very promising. But I'm still a bit puzzled by Kenny Clark. This is normally the time of year he begins to heat up. Haven't seen him with as much impact in the pass rush as previous years. If he gets hot, our defense could outright win us some games.
Clark was a beast in Detroit. I didn't watch the defensive film as closely this week. But on balance, I agree, if the interior pass rush starts to heat up, a lot of good things can happen. That goes for any defense.
Do you, Wes and Larry get as emotionally wrapped up as we the fans do in these games?
I won't speak for the other guys, but I can't. I have to focus on my job. I always say of course I want the Packers to win. I won't lie about that. But I put the same effort into my job whether they win or lose because that's what I owe the fans who read my work.
I watched the last few Eagles games and am convinced that the NFL has to go back to forbidding pushing the player holding the ball forward (the so called "tush push" or "brotherly shove"). Not because the Eagles are so good at it, but it just seems such a brutal play for both the Defensive and Offensive lines. Someone's going to get seriously hurt some day before the powers-that-be figure out this is football and not rugby.
I've been on record for a long time saying it's not football. I don't like it and never have.
Last year was a pleasant surprise (a gift really). This year feels different. What makes me most optimistic is we've seen real progress from the 2023 regular season through most of the 2024 regular season. This team's story will be written in the playoffs, but GB is taking strides despite still being one of the league's youngest teams. Have to feel good about the direction of the franchise.
Couldn't agree more. The biggest difference, to me, between last year and this year, is this year the Packers won the close games against teams they should have and needed to beat, whereas last year they lost those games (Raiders, Broncos, Giants, etc.). That's why they're 10-4 whereas last year at this time they were 6-8.
I am surprised GB O-line played very well against Seahawks D-line. Seahawks have a very good front. This O-line is the key to the next level.
Other than the early portions of the Detroit game a couple weeks ago, I think the Packers' O-line has been really, really good since the bye week. Just solid up front.
Mike…a bit more difficult having to prepare for both Carr and Rattler this week? Would've been even more tricky if Hill was still in the mix.
Carr isn't playing. I don't think there's any mystery it's Rattler this week.
Mike, your timing was outstanding on the WYMM play 3 to show FitzPatrick's block exactly when the Jacobs missed tackle sent 48 over the proverbial tea kettle.
I got a little tricky with the tablet a couple times this week and it worked.
Honestly, if GB plays their brand of football (that they can play) I think they'll be a tough out for any team.
Yup.
What has been the best "gift" the Packers received this year? Good health? Great backup QB? X? Jacobs? Yet to be unwrapped?
The two biggest offseason roster moves were signing Xavier McKinney and Jacobs. The two biggest in-season ones were getting Malik Willis and Brandon McManus. And then there was the draft in between that brought in Cooper, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, etc. A lot has gone into building this particular team.
Would be nice to get Jaire Alexander back for the Saints game to get his feet back under him to be able to gritty the following week
That would be nice. Fingers crossed.
Can we keep it consistent with the pass rush as we saw on Sunday, with valentine and cooper having a good night but the real question is how we can consistently and effectively convert pressure into sacks, particularly when facing mobile quarterbacks
As I've said all season, the pass rush has had its ups and downs. Hearing from the players after Sunday night, they did a good job disguising their coverages in the back end, and that helped create a little hesitation with the QBs to allow the pressure to get there. Rush and coverage are symbiotic. The previous week, Goff knew just where he wanted to go with the ball every time and it was out in less than 2 seconds on probably 30 of his 40 pass attempts. Not much the rush can do with that.
No question, but an observation on the vagaries of a football season. Goff throws 5 INTs in a game, and the Lions win. He throws 5 TDs in a game, and they lose. One of the reasons we continue to watch, I suppose.
Bingo.
My first (and only, to date) Packers jersey was/is Matthews 52. I've thought about getting a new one of an active player ever since Clay left the team, but just haven't seen a defensive star with the same kind of impact who I was confident would be around for years to come. Having just read the write up on his second NFC DPOW, I'm thinking maybe Cooper 56 should be my next jersey. Good choice?
As good as any. That guy is fun to watch. There are times he plays at a different speed than others.
Mike…not much mentioned about the Wyatt spin-move/sack. Amazing athleticism for a big guy. Seems like the DTs in general are progressively improving.
I think it took Wyatt some time to get back to full go from his injury. That spin move was some proof of that.
Will more teams start taking the ball if they have the chance. Packers quick starts have influenced fans as well as a game plan.
Every team has its own approach. The majority of teams still defer regardless.
The question about getting wrapped up in a game got me to wondering; I know there's no cheering in the press box, but has there ever been a player you watched that just made you want to applaud out loud? For me, that would be Barry Sanders, or going WAY back, Doug Williams when he dragged the Bucs into respectability.
There are opposing players I've seen over the years who really stood out when I saw them in person. Guys like Adrian Peterson and Larry Fitzgerald, or Brian Urlacher. When you see them live and not just on TV, you appreciate what makes them HOFers.
When was the last time love was sacked
First play vs. Detroit, and that's the only sack in the last 3 games.
Backup qb's tend to make me just a tad nervous when we play them.
That's understandable, given the history when a guy like Tommy DeVito beats the Packers right after they knocked off the Lions and Chiefs last year. Nobody saw that coming, but stuff happens. I do think it's always different when a backup QB gets all the reps in practice during a week and is prepared to play, versus coming into a game midway through due to injury. Willis succeeded in both situations this year, which is pretty remarkable.
How quickly I forgot about the kicker! Thanks for bringing that one back to front of mind. Amazing to think what a struggle that was all pre-season and early on this year.
There's no overstating the value McManus has provided.
Mike…read somewhere last off-season (maybe from an opposing scout) that Tom could be a Pro Bowler at RT, an All-Pro at G and a potential HOFer at C. He sure looked darn good on your WYMM this week!
I don't know about all the potential accolades because I'm not fully versed in all the top linemen out there across the league, but when you watch the film on Tom he's just so steady, and if something looks like it's going wrong he can self-correct in the middle of the play. Reliable as heck.
I love Packers Unscripted, I learned a lot from it. Thank you.
Thanks for listening/watching.
I noticed on the mic'd up video the player changed his cleats because he was slipping. He didn't seem like the only one having trouble with his footing. Did you notice anything from your perspective in Seattle? Can't overstate the importance of our equipment team to get those problems corrected quickly!
I didn't notice anything from the press box but those kinds of adjustments are made all the time, whether we see them or not.
2 players dropped the ball at the goal line last week. How can players still be so careless with the football at the goal line?
Great question. I just don't get it. The Colts were going to go up two TDs on the Broncos when Taylor dropped the ball. Then later they gave up a pick-six on a trick play. Just a brutal way to lose a big game they had to have to stay in the playoff hunt. Ouch.
Hey Mike, I'm going to Lambeau for my first time this Monday and was looking at visiting title town too. Anything else you recommend doing
Not just because I work here, but I always say visiting the Hall of Fame and taking a stadium tour are worth the time if you've never been. Then bring a tee and kick yourself a field goal on the field over at Titletown.
Just a quick following-up on the back-up QB….Rattler looked good last week, coming into a home game trailing with nothing to lose. Can't be overconfident, but it'll be a bit different for him starting on MNF with some snow flying.
You're right, Rattler did a heck of a job coming off the bench and getting the Saints back in that game. Led several scoring drives in the second half. We'll see how he does on the road. One thing that stands out statistically about him is he's taken 14 sacks in just 120 pass attempts. That's rather alarming.
Mike I am optimistic about the future and remaining games
Me, too. Let's see what happens.
Mike, what's on your Christmas list that we can help you with?
Ha. I still need to catch up on rest and a fourth straight night game won't help in that regard, but I will soldier on.
Collectively as a whole team if we can keep the pace that we've been at right now I don't see why we can't win out the rest of the games and maybe just maybe take the 5th seed from the Vikings is in reach
Sounds like a plan. With that, I'm going to call it a chat, folks. I'll be back on the live blog Monday night, but we'll skip next Wednesday's chat since it's Christmas. Talk to everyone again soon. Thanks and happy holidays.
Best,
Mike
