I mentioned in a previous post I was surprised when I saw Patrick at RG instead of Newman this past Sunday. Royce has struggled. especially in the run game, BUT I also think he's going to be the Packers next great OG along with JRJ. Gute has just found in consecutive drafts, in the 4th and 6th rounds, our next Lang and Sitton for years to come. I honestly think they can be that good.

Newman is REALLY athletic and Runyan Jr. is just a beast getting better and better. Newmans biggest issue is stunts...He seems to get beat on some kind of stunt in every game. He's getting better but IF Patrick isn't allowing those stunts to blow up the offense, in a win or go home senario, then I'm okay with this move. YES, I'm a homer but I think I'm right on this one!

I was SO happy to see both DB and Meyers out there AND Bakhtiari laughing on the sideline after coming out. What made me almost as happy was hearing Z was going to start practicing this week. IF the Packers can get 15 to 20 snaps from Z Smith a game, QUALITY snaps, this is going to be huge.

Z Smith, Kenny Clark, P Smith, and Rashan Gary, all on the field at the same time on 3rd and 10? Oh HELL YES!!

12 Quarters to go!!

10 letter word for "unconvential ones." First and fourth letter is an e. Eccentrics?
9 letter word for "putting out on an anniversary, maybe." First letter r, fourth letter s. ?? I was thinking some type of invitation or special eating/drinking thing, but I've got nothing :(
9 letter word for "comprehenice collections of related information." First letter d, third letter t. Datafiles?
Always enjoy this column and the one foot "obvious" passing downs were exactly what I was thinking. Dillion fights to get almost in and then you don't let him finish the job????

The Plan -
Yes there are some worrisome moments. Especially when a good portion of the starting defense gave up 37 points to the Lions. The Lions who only won 2 games up to this point. They didn't get much pressure and they weren't close to any interceptions. They had guys running wide open and they couldn't find a way to stop one Weapon. They allowed Detroit to score TD's on 4 of their 10 (meaningful) possessions. They allowed 3 FG's and only 2 punts. They had one set of turnover on downs. Which means they allowed Detroit to score on 7 of their 10 possessions.
On 2 of their 4 TD's, they were trick types of plays. That part is concerning since we know teams will game plan that for us. We better be prepared to defend it!

He's Bakh -
It was great seeing Bakhtiari back! I will admit though, Yosh did a fantastic job filling in for Jenkins who was filling in for Bakhtiari. Side note/thought. Had they known how well Yosh was going to play at LT, I don't think they would have moved Jenkins out there, which means he would likely still be playing LG, which means I believe Runyan would be our RG, which means Patrick wouldn't be playing right now because Myers is back also. But we are here and I have no worries about Yosh if he is having to play at anypoint.

But it was great seeing Bakhtiari out there! It was also great seeing Myers out there. I was surprised that the put Patrick at RG, but it makes sense. Our OL which was good and had played well could have just gotten a huge boost.

Love -
I had already mentioned my feelings about Love the last few days. My feelings are the same.

Finding those missing puzzle pieces-
It is incredible that we were able to lock down the NFC #1 seed while missing our Pro Bowl/All Pro players like Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Za'Darius, Jaire. Also we have been without Turner, Myers. Crazy that our OL for a stretch was Our 3rd string LT, 2nd string LG, 2nd string RG, 2nd string RT.
For the first time this year we will have most of our preferred starters on the OL. Jenkins is the only one that won't be back. We are getting Cobb back, which should give our offense a boost. Rodgers has missed that 1 extra piece. On defense, if Za'Darius can come back and play right away that gives us an extra pass rusher. I would assume they will likely use him on passing downs. That will give us a huge boost. Also getting Jaire back, that will add another dimension to our defense. I'm not sure how they will use him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is in the star nickel role.

David Moore could give the return game a big boost. I do feel like Rodgers has improved, but Moore should be more trusted back there.

We get the bye week this week. Hopefully this gave time for the injured players some time to heal up a bit.

I'm ready for the playoffs to begin! LFG!

How can you not " Come up with 3 plays”. Maybe it’s because Jordan Love did play? Just let your Conscientious be your guide. We both know Love wouldn’t have been in there if Lombardi was coach. And if Rodgers can take the heat, after his many awards and accolades. Dish it out Al. It’s time todays players get the same message as the 60s. Winning is the only thing!!

It’s Super Bowl or nothing , for those that are just all giddy with 13 wins if nothing else it doesn’t matter , 13 wins or 2 wins , no difference if they are watching the SB from their couch.

'Oh, and let's not forget the most important of all, future Packers HOF'er David Moore, who is off the Covid list.'

I am happy to hear your confidence in Moore. He has been with us for only one game but did a very nice job on special teams. I hope you are correct and he continues that fine play.

Another great 13 win season for the Green & Gold, time to finish the deal!
Win it all boys!!

We getting the band back together!
Bakhtiari, Z, Alexander, Turner, Myers, Cobb, as Nagler would say…let’s GO people!

I am looking forward to multiple beers this weekend while watching other teams beat themselves up in the playoffs. Can’t wait to see who the Packers opponent will be coming to Lambeau Field in January in the cold. Love it!

Super Bowl!!

ND

I think the playoffs line up about as well as can be hoped for:
--every other team on the slate is a warm weather/dome team (except Philly, and IMO TB will roll them hard)
--they can't play both Dallas and Tampa (they'll likely have to beat each other up first), and it's entirely possible Dallas takes an early out to an SF team that's playing good ball right now.
--Neither the Rams or Cards are all that impressive at the moment, and will have to beat each other up to get to Lambeau. I think we'll see the Rams come to town unless SF beats Dallas, of course.

The pins are lined up. Knock 'em down.

I agree. We have a strong enough roster that is now healthier than expected. Now it’s down to the coaches to get the game planning and strategy right and to the players to get it done. There is no team that we can excuse defeat by. Time to show if we have the ability to win when it matters.

It looked to me as if we just turned up and played. Scant evidence of game planning on either side of the ball. Perhaps I am jaundiced, but that seems unwise. I just didn’t get the impression that the D came to play. Yet we left players on that we could have rested (safeties) and, If one is going to play backups, then give them a chance to win in the same way as one tries to do for the starters. Surely that’s a better basis for evaluation? Just looked like many weren’t mentally in the game.

Similarly, in order to evaluate Love, it seems odd not to give him time with the starting skill players as those are the ones he’s apparently been practicing with. Perhaps that’s a misconception that a professional would deem mistaken, but it seems like things were stacked to make it as difficult as possible. Surely the ideal is to build confidence in part?

Maybe it’s all in my head, but it suggests inexperience to me on the part of LaFleur. For all the good things he’s done, he’s also been out thought at critical times. I hope Sunday wasn’t a warning that he’s still a tad naive.

It seems to me that this was nothing about momentum and a lot about pandering to senior player targets. Beyond that, little to nothing was accomplished except exposure to injury.

Why was Dillon pounding so late (love to watch it, but Taylor should have handled it)? Other than depth due to injuries, my biggest worry is whether LaFleur can avoid laying a planning and in game egg as he has in the last two championship games. I’m left feeling that this game tends to suggest he’s not as acute as he may need to be yet. Let’s hope that neither of the injuries carry over into our next game.

I am not concerned about Love at all after a whopping 6 quarters of his first foray into regular season football.

Facts are stubborn things. Here was Rodgers first foray:

"Once the regular season began, Rodgers saw very little action that year. He played against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of a 52–3 victory, and completed his first career pass to fullback Vonta Leach for 0 yards.[63] On December 19, 2005, Rodgers entered the game against the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the third quarter in a 48–3 loss.[63] He completed eight of 15 passes for 65 yards and an interception.[64]"

How in the world could TT waste a #1 pick on this guy?

It’s the final countdown (cue trumpet). We have a core group of guys that has won 13 games three years in a row and is headed to the third straight Championship game. It is a certainty that some won’t be on the team next year, so this is it for this group.

Rodgers, Adams, Lazard, MVS, Lewis, Tonyan, Turner, ZSmith, Lowry, Lancaster,………any or all of these guys could be gone next year. This is it.

We will have a good nucleus next year, too. Amos and Savage could have Alexander, Stokes, Douglas, and Sullivan in the secondary with them. Gary and PSmith, Clark, Keke, Slaton. Resign Campbell. Most of our offensive line, including Bakhtiari and Jenkins on the left side . Jones and Dillon. But I do really believe it’s the last chance with our current group, so I’m really hoping that this is the team I think it is.

While I was torqued when the Lions pulled those two trick plays on the Packers, I can certainly see the redeeming value. We will be better prepared because of those two plays and more prepared against some team in the playoffs catching us off guard.

I do remember the trick play Sean Payton called against the Colts in the Super Bowl game played in 2010 where he call for an on side kick to open the second half of the game which was successful. The Saints were trailing at the time in the game and ultimately won 31-17.

Interesting thoughts you share with us. Unfortunatelly I do not know enough English to be able to help you with your 750-clue crossword puzzle.

I suppose it is good that you did not hear much about Jordan Love, at this moment of his career, still I would like to get your opinion on that deep pass to ESB. Was that bad pass or was it bad play from ESB. I checked several times on Game pass and to me it looks like perfect pass that ESB did not track him at all or very poorly, and was juked by Lions defender, he substantialy slowed down and jump in try to catch the pass in front of the defender. Some people here tells that it was bad pass. I would like to know your opinion, not as judge, but just as person whom I trust will be more qualified to estimate situation.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. And, yes, "obvious passing situation", LOL

Not running Dillon on the verge of the endzone to score our first touchdown -- instead, two pass plays that seemed designed for Davante -- appeared to demonstrate that Rodgers and Adams playing against the Lions was all about Rodgers and Adams, not the good of the team.
One of the announcers on NBC, if I remember correctly, said Rodgers was "adamant" on playing in that game. That doesn't sound like a player who quietly consulted his head coach about whether it was in the best interest of the team for him to play -- especially on his severely injured toe that has been such a big deal of late.
***
It seems the toe has not been talked about of late as either wonderfully healed or still problematic from week to week, and in danger of needing surgery if tweaked with further damage.
Nor, as far as I know, has Rodgers or LaFleur explained the apparent contradiction as to why playing in the meaningless game against the Lions was so important but playing in the preseason is so unimportant.
Thus, my confidence in the Packers having the character to win the Super Bowl is considerably diminished.
Also, I've been hoping this season for Rodgers to change in the sense of becoming more team-oriented and coachable, This seems not to have happened to a significant degree, in which case I'm eager to move on from Rodgers.
Again, I could be way wrong, and would be glad to be way wrong.
***
As a stupid fan who doesn't know what's going on inside the team, I can only make my best guesses. Perhaps Rodgers could deign to answer questions such as mine, but maybe his attitude is why bother.
I'm saddened, if not sickened, by the apparent prima donna mentality of Rodgers, and the apparent weakness of LaFleur.
At least with Jordan Love in the game, I saw some real team football with lots of different players getting touches and making key contributions. It was a bit ragged at times, as would be expected with new guys on the field together, but those things can be smoothed out.
At least the second half had integrity in terms of the Packers as a team.
Yes, I loyally and passionately rooted for the Packers in the mostly dreary '70s and '80s -- and having been born in 1962, was too young to enjoy them in the Lombardi Era.
I'll take a lesser team with integrity over a more talented team with arrogance. Besides, the teams of Aaron Rodgers have had an unfortunate habit of falling just short in ways that leave fans with nagging pains that things could have been better.
Perhaps it was a humbler and more coachable Rodgers that led us to a Super Bowl those many years ago.
I don't know -- but unless we ask the hard questions in advance, and at least call for high standards from our Packers, don't be surprised if we get hurt again in the future.
The way to a championship is narrow, and it takes more than gaudy statistics and individual accolades to stay on course.

Swisch, you may not have watched the same first half I did last week. I'm pretty sure Lazard was the leading receiver in yardage at half-time. All games, but especially playoff games turn on critical moments, where a play is either made or not (think dropped interceptions in the NFCCG). It's the nature of the beast. Regarding the 2014 game, special teams killed that game...fake punt, on-side kick responsibilities, and Rodgers was still basically playing on one leg (calf). To think the Packers got there, and are currently here by trying to run up personal stats is absurd.

If Steelers and Niners can make the playoffs with their QBs, we can do it with Love. A good load of draft picks and cap money would help. I could imagine a dominant defensive, run first Packers team.

Swisch—as I mentioned, I often agree with you and always like your comments.
You again make some very strong arguments, although I don’t necessarily agree with all of them. You make some astute comments about Starr and Unitas.
I don’t agree that ARod bullied MLF to play. I believe ARod made a vaild statement when he said that he did not like the idea of not playing for 3-weeks; which I completely agreed with. I wanted the starters to play.
Is ARod a prima donna—yes! But he’s not Antonio Brown. It’s the opposite, his fellow teammates seem to rally around him.
Respectfully disagree on a few things—but not often Swisch.
Highest regards!

Did you know Aaron Rodgers actually asked Bahktiari to play in this so called meaningless game? Bahk said he didn't plan on playing in the game until Aaron asked him to. I assume some think that was selfish of Rodgers too?

My opinion is Rodgers had at least 3 reasons for playing in the game.

The first was to avoid a complete 2 weeks off going into the playoffs.

The 2nd reason was to make sure Davante broke the Packers record for receiving yards with them on the field together.

The 3rd reason was to help build the confidence of his All Pro LT after a full year off. To ask him to play in a so called meaningless game he wasn't planning to play in, speaks volumes. That was Rodgers saying, I have all the confidence in the world in you, now go prove it to yourself that you are ready to return.

Now D Bahk has those snaps in live action under his belt and can get in some good days of practice to build off of that and try to get back into some semblance of game shape.

I could be wrong but that doesn't sound like someone that's being selfish or not a team player. No one can really doubt Rodgers love for his teammates, that was genuine love and respect on display this last weekend, IMHO.