2021 Packers Stock Report: Week 17
Take a look at the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 37-10 home victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football in Week 17.
By GunnarDavis
After a solid victory in Week 17 that locked up the No. 1-seed in the NFC and gave Matt LaFleur the most wins of any NFL head coach in his first three years (39), the Green Bay Packers are comfortably in the driver's seat heading into the playoffs.
But maybe the best part of the weekend was serving up a healthy butt-kicking to the Vikings.
After a close loss to Minnesota in Week 11, a 27-point win sure was sweet.
So let's get right to it and dive into the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 37-10 home victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football in Week 17.
Buy
Matt LaFleur- Packers head coach Matt LaFleur sure doesn't get the credit he deserves for just how good the Packers have been over the past three seasons. When LaFleur first took over, people scoffed at it, saying that the relationship between Aaron Rodgers and him just wouldn't work. Since then, he's been the most winning coach in his first three seasons in NFL history. For the "But he has Aaron Rodgers" crowd, people forget how the team struggled in the couple years before LaFleur got there, even with Rodgers at the helm. This is his best shot at winning Coach of the Year. This is his best shot at leading the Packers to the Super Bowl. Buy.
Allen Lazard- Mentioned on Tuesday by Aaron Rodgers himself on the Pat McAfee Show, Allen Lazard has really stepped in to his own and put together a stretch of four really solid games. There were a few games there over a month ago where he didn't seem like himself. Since that mini-slump, all he's done is produce. Six catches for 72 yards and a touchdown on Sunday proves how much Rodgers trusts him. Between that, and his continued presence as a blocker in the run-game, Lazard has really carved his own unique spot in the offense.
De'Vondre Campbell- My goodness, De'Vondre Campbell was all over the field on Sunday. Well, I take it back... He's been all over the field all season. Four of his eight tackles against the Vikings forced a fourth down for Minnesota's offense. His physicality in the run game, coverage in the pass game and ability to make open-field tackles has been so fun to watch this year. The Packers will need solid play from him moving forward, and it's a good bet that they'll get it from their standout middle linebacker.
Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams- I don't have to type anything for this. You already know just how good these two are.
Rashan Gary- I added Rashan Gary to the 'buy' list last week, and I hope you bought him when you did. His stock just keeps rising, and I actually think it will continue to do so heading into the playoffs. Gary is one of four players in the league with a streak of 10 or more games with multiple quarterback pressures. That includes a sack, two tackles for loss and four quarterback hits against the Vikings.
Sell
Corey Bojorquez- Corey Bojorquez found himself on the 'buy' list often during the beginning of season. When he gets ahold of one, he's one of the top punters in the NFL. But one of the main selling points for picking up Bojorquez was because he had experience kicking in the cold in Buffalo a season ago. Has he been excellent in the cold of Lambeau Field? Not so much, unfortunately. He had a rough hold on a field goal attempt early in the game that was near-milli-seconds away from disaster. Then, he didn't get a good boot on either of his two punts, including a shank that went for just 24 total yards and a touchback that resulted in a net of 19. With the Packers clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs, which means cold-weather kicking, I'm reluctantly selling Bojorquez and hoping I'm wrong.
Josiah Deguara- Has Josiah Deguara done some good things? Sure. Has he stepped up and filled Robert Tonyan's role the way that we had hoped? Not exactly. A dropped touchdown on the first drive and 11 yards on three targets wasn't exactly a standout performance for the 94th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. With the increasing playing time that Tyler Davis has seen, and the way that the offensive staff rotates in Marcedes Lewis and Dominique Dafney consistently, Deguara's spot in the offense is more of a job-by-committee.
Hold
The starters- Or maybe don't hold the starters? That's up to Matt LaFleur, his coaching staff and his best players. It seems like the decision has already been made for those guys to play, at least for a bit, on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. Even though the game is essentially meaningless with the No. 1-seed locked up, Rodgers contends that it's important for him to play and keep the momentum going. However, there's always the risk of someone getting hurt. Hindsight is always 20/20, and you never really know in situations like this. Would love to see everyone's thoughts (respectfully, reasonably) in the comments below.
Go Pack Go!
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Gunnar Davis is a lifelong Packers fan and a recent graduate of Simpson College, where he was a 3-year letterwinner on the offensive line and graduated with a degree in multimedia communications. You can follow him on Twitter at @Gunnar57Davis.
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Comments (20)
splitpea1
January 05, 2022 at 12:34 pm
Hold, as in hold out: All of our most important players, and on offense, that certainly includes AR, Davante, and even Dillon. MLF's sanity should be questioned if he yields to Rodgers' desire to play vs. the Lions, because there is only downside! If "momentum" can take a vacation in the form of a one-week bye, why not make it two for Rodgers? It's not going to make a damn bit of difference. Save all that pent-up energy for the first playoff game and be ready to light that scoreboard up! Are we more interested in being as healthy as possible for the playoffs--or dicking around with the Lions?
dobber
January 05, 2022 at 01:26 pm
This is where people say: "well, maybe the starters will only play a quarter, or a half." But the problem is that there are only so many active slots for game day, and the more starters who take them up, the fewer reserves or PS callups there will be to relieve them after a quarter or a half. In the end, having it both ways means that guys on or near the top of the depth chart will probably be playing more that I'd like.
Coldworld
January 05, 2022 at 02:44 pm
I hope they plan the game day active roster such that they can pull as many key pieces as possible and minimize the play time if others. There is literally nothing to be winning this game unless it is on the shoulders off backups having a breakout performance.
I’d be quite happy to see a few, like Lewis, Stokes, Campbell, Clark and Amos inactive all together or never leaving the bench. I don’t think they need the reps. I’d say Adams, but he has a shot at the record and Gary and P Smith are probably needed due to lack of depth bodies.
Turophile
January 05, 2022 at 01:38 pm
Absolutely disagree, splitpea1
There is not "Only downside" to playing starters against the Lions.
Did you so quickly forget what happened in week 1. when the no.1 guys that had been rested in preseason got utterly humiliated by the Saints. More than that, guys like Myers/Bakh/Cobb/Turner/Alexander will all benefit from at least a little action before the playoffs start, just to knock the rust off.
La Fleur will do the smart thing. You play the starters on O and D for 2-3 series and THEN you rest as many as you can and let the rest show what they have.
Don't forget the players will all have a fortnight off before their next game anyway (due to a bye week), which is still a bit worrying. Being fitter (having not played) is great, but they MUST be sharp in the first postseason game they play.
splitpea1
January 05, 2022 at 02:47 pm
No, I didn't forget what happened in Week 1. I don't see how anybody can compare the preseason to our current situation--it's like night and day, especially considering we had a new defensive coordinator on board! Plenty of opportunity for starters to get injured in 2-3 series, and in such a short amount of playing time anyway (especially against the Lions), what can possibly be gained? That's just stupid. If the Packers can't get it up and be ready to execute for the home playoffs, even with an extended break, then God help them.
It's not a matter of fitness, it's a matter of avoiding major injuries to irreplaceable players. If anybody important gets injured, then MLF isn't going to look too smart--not remotely worth the risk.
I'm not opposed to giving those players who have been injured for a long time some brief action, though.
Swisch
January 05, 2022 at 05:53 pm
Gotta go with splitpea1 on this one with urgency.
After 16 games in the past 17 weeks, the Packers offense has had plenty of opportunity to gel -- and one or two series against the Lions isn't going to make a difference in readiness for the playoffs.
It's different in the preseason when the team hasn't been in a game since the previous winter.
***
Anyhow, Aaron Rodgers has long assured us in his arrogant manner that he doesn't need to play in games to be ready for games. All he needs is practice.
Also, he has shown us all his injured pinky toe, and apparently told us how severely painful it has been.
So, there's no reason for him to play against the Lions and risk causing more harm to his toe when he can get three weeks of rest before the first playoff game.
Also, why would any of the other players risk injury to get a personal record or a personal bonus? Isn't that the kind of selfishness that derails an entire team on the way to a championship?
***
I am concerned about rust going into the playoffs, but playing a little against the Lions isn't going to make a significant difference regarding rust.
It would be hypocritical to insist on playing against the Lions from those who didn't even suit up for preseason games. It would be highly inconsistent by the head coach to let them get away with it.
As a leader of men, LaFleur needs to kindly but firmly assert as much to the team, and set the tone for the playoffs that he has to make the tough calls.
That's not a power play, but a matter of proper order, In a big moment against the Bucs, we don't have the time to take a team vote as to what to do, or the luxury of having a heartfelt discussion with Aaron Rodgers in all of his self-importance.
If our players want to be champions instead of falling just short of the prize once again, it's essential to demonstrate a maturity of sacrificing for their teammates as brothers.
***
As a matter of highly relevant history, we saw in the Ice Bowl of 1967 that the difference between winning and losing -- in the hugest of moments under the harshest of conditions -- can be only a few inches.
splitpea1
January 05, 2022 at 06:43 pm
I'm on the lower end of the knowledge spectrum here to be sure, but I do know that if we were not to win our first playoff game (banish THAT thought), it wouldn't be because we failed to play our most important starters for two series against Detroit.
So Love, P. Taylor, Slaton, Garvin, Winfree--and maybe a couple of previously injured starters in limited snaps--the show will hopefully be all yours. Especially Love; although he may not be playing with some preferred starters, it would really help both him and the organization if he could build constructively off his performance vs. the Chiefs--that makes the Lions game much more meaningful to everyone involved.
Turophile
January 06, 2022 at 10:12 am
splitpea1 "...if we were not to win our first playoff game (banish THAT thought), it wouldn't be because we failed to play our most important starters for two series against Detroit."
I disagree with that and obviously so does La Fleur - you know - the guy with the record number of wins in his first three years as HC.
As for injuries, I'll cross my fingers for you. There is no denying there is risk. This is a dangerous and very physical game they play, with no guarantees.
I don't expect the key guys to play a huge amount anyway, but I do expect 2-3 series on O or D, as appropriate.
I AM looking forward to seeing what Love can do.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2022 at 04:08 pm
Right on Turophile!
croatpackfan
January 05, 2022 at 12:33 pm
No big objections on your list. Just few notice.
1. Corey Bojorquez - yes he had one very bad punt. But another one was not on him. He placed the ball at 3 yard line, from were ball bounced to the end zone. Where was Packers gunners? Ball has good hang time for the distance. That is my opinion!
2. Josiah Deguara - guy is in his "rookie" season and you expect that he will be able to catch bullet from Aaron Rodgers at 10°? Not will happen w/many of the "rookies"! You also forget that he caught similar bullet few games ago, but at much warmer weather. Second, it is not his mistake for those 11 yards on 3 catches. You should be honest, he was safety valve on all those 3 catches, and I'm glad he did positive yardage. Be patient. He should be at the Hold section. He showed some flashes...
3. While MLF observation has some merrit (not want to keep his starters to long without football) I would like to give them 1 Q of the last game and to left them on the side, or to put them on restricted snaps count. MLF might not heard what Lions HC said at the beginning of the season, that Lions player will play full physical football sparing no one from the first to the last second of the every game, adding that they will not cry about injuries if they happen.
mnbadger
January 05, 2022 at 12:36 pm
Play or Sit'm? History is full of lessons on how to handle this. Of course the lessons are only learned after the games are played. Crap shoot at best. I say ask your captains and team leaders. Remember, many of our current starters are truly 2nd string so depth is a concern until everybody on the injury report is ready to go.
I say sit'm and let the lion cubs have a shot. Maybe with a win, they keep Campbell and Goff! GPG!
dobber
January 05, 2022 at 01:32 pm
IMO Goff sticks around. Cutting or trading him in 2022 is a cap neutral move, although he has a big roster bonus they could manipulate to make things a little more manageable. If they find someone they really like in the draft, or via trade or free agency, moving him after Jun. 1 isn't a losing proposition. Still, I think he's got too much value yet to just cut outright for a team with significant cap space in 2022 and no other reasonable options to run the offense.
Rebecca
January 05, 2022 at 12:59 pm
Agree with your stock trades. I got abused the other day for suggesting the starters play at Detroit. LaFleur and Rodgers somewhat agree with me. I believe Coach Matt L. said he wanted the whole team to play on Sunday. But I know nothing about football. We’ll see. Now I have to go make a sandwich because I’m hormonal.
Turophile
January 05, 2022 at 01:42 pm
Yeah, they should play. The key guys (and those just back from rehab) should only be out there for 2-3 series imo, but they should suit up and play.
Some won't get the 'hormonal' joke, as it referred to a post in a different thread - but I smiled.
Johnblood27
January 05, 2022 at 05:37 pm
I agree with you Becca, I think the starters should play some and the guys coming off injury should all play at least a half for timing.
I like roast beef with horseradish sauce on a kaiser with melty gouda... just sayin...
I definitely get the hormonal dig ;-) im still flossing...
dobber
January 05, 2022 at 01:36 pm
That Rashan Gary guy is getting to be pretty good at football.
No buying on David Moore?
Coldworld
January 05, 2022 at 02:49 pm
If he’s back from Covid in time, be nice to get Moore a few offensive routes. He was a decent 3rd WR in Seattle and he’s going to be active if he’s our returner. If injury strikes, we may need him on O.
Starrbrite
January 05, 2022 at 04:09 pm
Good point on Moore dobber.
jhtobias
January 05, 2022 at 02:47 pm
Can not blame Josiah he was a third round pick and the curse that comes with it.
As for Devondre next to Davante he is a must resign because this defense is below average without him .
Starrbrite
January 05, 2022 at 04:29 pm
Bojo-blast will be fine.
Starters—Play-‘em! A minimum of a quarter—at least. Is there risk—of course there is… anyone heard of the stock market? Wringing our hands and fearing that the sky is falling accomplishes absolutely nothing but additional fear-mongering—gloom—doom—and every other potential catastrophe waiting in the shadows—-play ball!!!
And IF Bak, Alexander, et al are healthy—play-‘em—give-em some reps; to find out if they can hang.