After Further Review: Packers vs. Vikings
By Ross Uglem
Ross will provide a few observations every Monday afternoon following a Packers game based on a few viewings of the condensed version of the game on NFL GamePass. While this might not be the All-22 camera deep dive that might be more "educational", it should provide a conversation point for the rest of the week.
Full disclosure, I am still down a computer so this is very briefly being thrown together on my sister's laptop before she goes to class in Omaha, NE. We do what we must for the fans of CHTV.
Rodgers was really, really good. I know that doesn't come as a surprise but to score 6x (way too many field goals) against Minnesota's defense and to run 49 plays on their side of the 50 on one leg was really impressive work. There were a few errors and he certainly had his part in not closing out the game, but considering the injury he's sustained that's about as much as you could've asked for.
Davante kicked Xavier Rhodes' ass. The Rhodes closed bit was not in effect on Sunday. Tae won a lot, even when the ball wasn't thrown to. him. He ends up with 100+ yards and a score if that ridiculous OPI wasn't called. He's a special guy in this league and it'll be fun to see him go up against corners with less talent than Rhodes.
Then to call that after the whiff on the Gedeon call was as I said, ballsy. pic.twitter.com/NzMd9bcgHK
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) September 17, 2018
Blake Martinez has taken a noticeable step forward in pass coverage
It’s just been two games but i really think @Big__Blake50 has made a big step forward in pass coverage. pic.twitter.com/kFh1DDwOmJ
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) September 17, 2018
David Bakhtiari is an awesome, awesome player.
So is Stefon Diggs.
It was absolutely egregious for the staff to put House as the LCB when King went down. Leaving him one on one with Diggs completely changed the complexion of the game. He's the teams #5 CB and needs to be treated as such. The guy needs help, and not help from Kentrell Brice.
Boy, this was not great from Brice. He made some really awful plays in space when the ball was in the air. He's a dime linebacker type of player they need to play someone or acquire someone who understands how to react when the football is in the air.
All things considered the offensive line played fine.
Kevin King needs to find a way to get/stay healthy. He has turned into such a player and so obviously needs to be on the field for the defense to succeed.
There is soon gonna come a day when Jaire is that dude. He really looks like the guy they wanted when they drafted him and is so clearly an upgrade from Rollins and Randall in the nickel spot. So clearly the best guy they've had there since Woodson.
Jaire is gonna be that dude. pic.twitter.com/1mb6Q6gxqM
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) September 17, 2018
Kirk Cousins is who we thought Kirk Cousins was. He is a league average QB that ate after House was inserted into the game. He made the critical mistake and should have ended with a 280 yards 2 TD 2 INT line. To his credit he took advantage of his new lease on life and some unreal play by Thielen and frankly some unforgiveable play by Kentrell Brice. Cousins is not to be feared and is just as likely to be a part of Minnesota's problems as he is to be a part of the answers.
Sheldon Richardson is kind of a shithead. Who knew?
I have way more of an issue with this petty sh** from Richardson than I do with what Kendricks did to actually get a flag. pic.twitter.com/x5bWwyNGTQ
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) September 17, 2018
Ultimately, though, the Packers gave this game away. They scored 7 times to Minnesota's 4, ran 49 plays in Minnesota territory and won the turnover battle. They were the better team all day long and need to find a way to win games like that. Fortunately if they can slide by Washington in DC as three point favorites they should clear the first quarter of the season at 3-0-1 after playing Buffalo. That can only be seen as a successful start. They are better than Minnesota.
-------------------
Ross Uglem is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @RossUglem
Comments (57)
GBPDAN1
September 17, 2018 at 03:04 pm
.
Turophile
September 17, 2018 at 04:02 pm
ROss Uglem "They are better than Minnesota."
Just about true in Lambeau. In Minnesota, yet to be determined.
Darn good contest though, round 2 should be a doozie.......
GBPDAN1
September 17, 2018 at 11:22 pm
. While my friends were screaming to pass for the TD after HHCD int, I was yelling to run it and burn the Queens timeouts.
. The Packers are an Elite Stud OLB (or 2 good ones) away from being dominant . Can't wait until next years draft. Hope New Orleans keeps looking bad. That extra first round pick is needed
I like our O line. That was an elite front they played yesterday. They will get better playing together as the year goes on. No injuries please!
. I'm upset regarding giving that game away ( and the refs) , but, I'm ready to move on and win the next four prior to the bye.
. Yesterday could have been worse, obviously. A tie is better than a loss (even though it felt like a loss yesterday) . I hope the Queens have kicker issues all year.
. Looking forward to seeing Aaron Jones back this week and hopefully Burks ( and King ! No more House please).
. Please NFL: work on this new tackling the QB rule.
. Like Allison as the #3 WR
. Is MM a good in game coach?
.looking forward to the Rodgers/ Graham connection progress as the season plays out
. Also looking forward to Mercedes Lewis first catch as I think it will be at a big moment in a game.
. Go Pack Go
dobber
September 17, 2018 at 03:37 pm
I'm going to end up eating crow: maybe Allison isn't JAG after all. He's nothing special athletically, but he's making plays.
Chris Vachio
September 17, 2018 at 07:23 pm
Even the guys barely clinging to the last practice squad spots are freakishly amazing athletes. Allison definitely puts his tools to way better use than a lot of guys who are even more freakish.
Cartwright
September 17, 2018 at 09:22 pm
He's a baller that's for sure. Who knew he could block punts too.
Minniman
September 17, 2018 at 09:51 pm
Take a bow Ron Zook - there's been some shocker's but that was a well crafted play.
Line up 2 wide, slide mr. anonymous Allison back in at the last second and he gets a free run at the kicker. Jackson (also lined up outside) does a great job to shed his blocker and land the deflection.
Barazinho
September 18, 2018 at 10:09 am
His hands are really good, and he's picking up Davante's shuffle techniques, which he's using to get by faster cornerbacks.
Christopher Gennaro
September 18, 2018 at 05:12 pm
I'm right there with you, dobber!! I'll eat crow on that one.
dblbogey
September 17, 2018 at 03:41 pm
. "Is MM a good in game couch"?
He's soft like a couch and getting big as a couch, but I think he's at best an average in game coach.
carlos
September 17, 2018 at 04:40 pm
Great insight on everything except I think MM is a coach instead of a couch. Just joking. I want to see Lewis more also. You’re right. It’ll be good to get some of them young players healthy and on the field.
JonathanSpader
September 17, 2018 at 05:09 pm
Queens won't have kicker woes after trading out Carson for Dan Bailey... unfortunately.
Coldworld
September 17, 2018 at 06:13 pm
Dallas cut him for a reason though I presume? Think he had a mid-fest at the end of last season, but dredging memory for that.
Christopher Gennaro
September 18, 2018 at 05:15 pm
Unfortunately it wasn't a kicking problem. Bailey was due like 3 -4 million and now they have a kicker at 450,000. Bailey never jumped at the first contract, knowing he was going to get a call, when a team in the playoff hunt needed him.
EdsLaces
September 17, 2018 at 03:44 pm
Agree whole heartedly especially on 2 points you made. Blake is getting better with each game. Almost grabbed a sack as well. Also .....Alexander is not only gonna be damn good, but I love his swagger.
Christopher Gennaro
September 18, 2018 at 05:16 pm
Hopefully when BUrks get back we will have 2 coverage ilbs, the middle of the field will be secure.
Mojo
September 17, 2018 at 03:58 pm
I never really saw the D. Adam OPI in replay until just now. Holy f*ik. I didn't realize how bad a call it was.
Rhodes initiates contact with Adams right arm (not a big deal, DBs do it all the time), then as the ball is approaching, Adams reaches out slightly to get Rhodes arm off of him (not sure if he even touches Rhodes) and they call a PI on Adams.
Bwaaaa haaaaa haaaaa - this league is a joke! Now I've heard they're going to use the CM3 penalty video as an example of textbook roughing. Bwaaaa haaaaa haaaaa. Oh my God.
PackerBacker
September 17, 2018 at 04:34 pm
You sure they didn't mean last week's roughing call? That one I get. This week's call was asinine.
Minniman
September 18, 2018 at 04:29 am
I propose that the term "sack" gets renamed to "spooning" - as any softer and it's damn near intimate!
Coldworld
September 17, 2018 at 06:15 pm
It was a game full of terrible calls. None more so than the call by a literally stumbling official on Taylor wiping out the Graham TD.
Calls went against both sides, but critical calls went against the Packers. Not biased just plain poor.
4thand1
September 17, 2018 at 04:50 pm
After further review, the Packers outplayed the queens for 3 quarters and should have won going away. It's hard for any team to overcome so much BS in a game. With all the hype about how great mn is, the Packers proved they are as good or better. The fumble by AR in OT was the final nail in the coffin that kept them from winning. THe young secondary will keep getting better and we still have some good young wr's to see the field more. Also Aaron Jones is back. The arrow is pointing way up. Graham should have been over 100 receiving yards with a TD, he and AR will be unstopable.
Lare
September 17, 2018 at 04:21 pm
Unfortunately, NFL officiating is beyond terrible. Too bad that they're allowed to dictate the outcomes of games without any repercussions or ability to overturn their awful calls.
And the NFL wonders why they're losing viewers/fans.
carlos
September 17, 2018 at 04:44 pm
I think Favre said it best when Favre told the refs to take two weeks off and then retire.
mrtundra
September 18, 2018 at 08:48 am
The Refs have been dictating the outcomes of games for several seasons, now.
Jordan
September 18, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Don't forget the ref's blown call on Quarless TD vs Vikings in 2010. It shouldn't have been a touchdown. The Packers caught a break. In theory, the Packers should have lost that game. Which would mean they finish the season 9-7 and don't make the playoffs. Which would mean they wouldn't have won the SB if they didn't make the playoffs.
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/10/25/league-admits-to-two-to...
As Ross said, the Packers are/were the better team last Sunday. All the Packers have to do is stay healthy and they will make the playoffs....and have a shot at a SB. The Packers have a really good team this year.
carlos
September 18, 2018 at 06:30 pm
Well take anything the refs will give us. They’ve taken plenty away.
Koosh
September 19, 2018 at 06:56 pm
And? Rice's fumble knocked us out of the playoffs. No way to make up for that. Vikings could have made up for a loss in October pretty easy.
Since'61
September 17, 2018 at 04:31 pm
Ross - a very good analysis of the game. It’s just very difficult to take the NFL seriously any longer when the rules and the officiating have become so bad the plays themselves are irrelevant.
We could say that the Packers should overcome the bad calls against them but how do you overcome when no one knows what needs to be overcome? The games cannot be played or watched at the current level of officiating. It’s not fair to either team and that is the point of the officials isn’t it?
Thanks, Since ‘61
Lare
September 17, 2018 at 05:33 pm
I think it's time to join the millions of others that have found something else to do in their free-time the last few years instead of watching the current quality of NFL games being produced.
IMO, this isn't entertaining anymore.
EdsLaces
September 17, 2018 at 05:51 pm
Be ..more...dramatic.
Coldworld
September 17, 2018 at 06:22 pm
I will still watch, but I am increasingly questioning how long I will if they take the rush sack out of the game. Or at least just accept its a race to see who can score most without a fumble or an interception.
Check out PackersWire claiming NFL will use Matthews’ hit of an example of the CORRECT interpretation!
Tundraboy
September 17, 2018 at 07:46 pm
Example! What a joke. Mind boggling. Reminds me of a line from a Woody Allen movie. A sham wrapped around travesty or something like that.
Tundraboy
September 17, 2018 at 07:46 pm
"It's a travesty of a mockery of a sham of a mockery of a travesty of two mockeries of a sham."
My memory serves me well. From Bananas.
carlos
September 18, 2018 at 06:32 pm
Can’t help , but to watch, regardless of what happens I’ll watch. I’m addicted.
Cartwright
September 17, 2018 at 09:52 pm
'61, not only that but as a fan the emotional swing you go through. After the interception I was high fiveing anything near me only to have it taken away and be left with a lump in my throat. Who wants to go through that. Maybe they institute a replay system when the game is less than 2 minutes to avoid endings like this.
carlos
September 18, 2018 at 06:37 pm
Life would be easier if I didn’t like football. More boring maybe. I think the ups and downs, of the emotional roller coaster rides of football is, why we watch. Besides, we have something to vent on after the fact. Also if I quit watching I’d swear less. lol
Koosh
September 19, 2018 at 07:00 pm
"Maybe they institute a replay system when the game is less than 2 minutes to avoid endings like this."
Rekt
Minniman
September 18, 2018 at 05:17 am
Since 61', I'm actually taking more umbrage at the way that the NFL is handling this than the CM3 play itself.
The more they try to "clarify" this by over-engineering the technicalities then the more validity they give to making it a "refs call" but allow challenges....... its the only way that such blatant refereeing failures could be mitigated.
..... the end of season owners meeting should be interesting....
arthurl
September 17, 2018 at 04:46 pm
Pretty impressed with defense so far. Kevin King got to stay on the field. I hope he's not gonna be the "new" Nick Perry. Speaking of CB's, Pack might want to consider leaving Alexander on the edge and put either Jackson or Williams in the slot. Tramon didn't have the best of games and House was a liability. We did nice job stopping the run. Clark really looks good. Gilbert should be getting the most snaps out of the OLB core. He's got more pop than either Matthews or Perry at this point.
carlos
September 17, 2018 at 04:48 pm
Need full time refs. That’s their job full time. In off season train, learn, do seminars etc. Draw unemployment. Who cares. Just learn how to call a football game.
Roadking
September 17, 2018 at 05:02 pm
Not as impressed as you. They have up close to 500 yards, if the queens kicker makes his kicks they drop 35 on us. Didn't make any stops at the end of game. If one of the 2 rookie CBS gets hurt we are in trouble
zoellner25
September 17, 2018 at 04:58 pm
I hope the Packers sent in the clip of Richardson above. That's way more "roughing" than what either Clay or Kendricks did. Total BS reffing affected football games
mrtundra
September 18, 2018 at 08:54 am
Especially bad because Rodgers was in the pocket when he threw the ball and Richardson had to take two steps to catch him and then he shoved Rodgers. I thought the refs were supposed to protect the QB when the QB is in the pocket. The refs are bad. The vikings are dirty.
Koosh
September 19, 2018 at 07:06 pm
Speaking of dirty...Harrison Smith tried to kill Adams.
Point-Packer
September 17, 2018 at 06:27 pm
As soon as I saw House on Diggs I started screaming at the TV. And of course, we know what happened next. Classic Mike McCarthy. Zimmer's on the side-lines licking his chops laughing at old mashed potato wondering how "such a highly successful football coach" could allow his D coordinator make such a stupid ass mistake. Have Tramon or Alexander shade him. Hell, put Josh Jackson on him. Why in god's name you would put your #5 on one of the best in the NFL is simply befuddling. And oh so classic Mike McCarthy.
Johnblood27
September 17, 2018 at 07:26 pm
Welcome to Mike McCarthy as a highly successful football coach.
This guy is not a championship coach.
He doesn't suck, his record tells that tale.
He is not a Championship coach.
That doesn't hurt until the team is championship calibre and he fails to allow them to blossom.
He has done it enough for anyone with a brain and a little football knowledge to see.
He is a fine human being, he is a pretty good football coach, he is in no way shape or form a Championship football coach.
Period.
mic drop... again!
Oppy
September 17, 2018 at 07:48 pm
While it wasn't a win, the "We're Nobody's Underdog" game in 2010 when he took a team with Matt Flynn under center and went in to Gillete Stadium (where nobody had beat the Pats in over two full seasons) and pushed Belichick and Brady to their absolute limits would say otherwise.
That game was all Mike McCarthy, and it was the springboard moment jumpstarted the Packers run to a Superbowl Victory.
"Just sayin'".
Point-Packer
September 17, 2018 at 10:55 pm
And he's regressed. The game has run past him. Like Dom Capers five years ago. Sure, great moment. But he's been sub-par ever since. Sunday was yet another example. I respect your opinion, but it confuses me as to how you can defend such mediocrity.
Johnblood27
September 18, 2018 at 01:35 am
Oppy, one, maybe even 3 games he did something of note that actually fell on the plus side of helping the team.
Maybe 3 times in how many years?
How many games?
As I said, he DOESN'T suck as a coach.
But... He just isn't a Championship caliber coach.
AR deserves better. DBakh deserves better. Tae deserves better. Cobb deserves better. Jordy deserved better. The overall collective of talent and the level of effort by less than superstar players to make the collective more than the parts on the GB roster deserves better.
Oh yeah, the fans deserve better.
Oppy
September 18, 2018 at 08:56 am
Maybe a better starting point for this conversation would be naming who all the "Championship caliber coaches" are in the NFL.
Bill Belichick.. and who else?
sonomaca
September 17, 2018 at 08:31 pm
Instead of hitting the QB, why don’t pass rushers just shove or push them. Can’t get called for that, can you? BTW, it seems as if hits on the bigger QB’s are flagged less. Roethlisberger and Newton come to mind.
Barnacle
September 18, 2018 at 12:18 pm
Minnesota has a lot better head coach. We have a better team.
Archie
September 18, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Pack exceeded my expectations vs Vikes. Many ways they could have won the game yet they almost lost it. It looks like King is a key to their pass defense. Rooks doing great. Still may need to draft 2 more CBs in near future. S not good. May still need 2 starters there. HHCD is a sorry mess and where Brice was going on the TD catch at the goal line will forever be a mystery. Agree with those who think OLB needs an overhaul. DL is solid.
OL surpassed my expectations all day. Davantae had a case of the drops again. Graham showed positive signs. Rodgers is as sharp as ever.
Offense needs a #1 WR with great size & speed. Adams would make a great #2. Defense needs outside pass rush, and more young talent in secondary, especially at S. If Pack pays HHCD big bucks to stay I will choke. All in all, this game showed me the Pack will be competitive to the end this year but I doubt they will make a deep run at a SB title. Maybe 1-2 years from now. Does that mean MM stays or goes? Will be a tough decision for other MM but not for me. Finish the job and replace Mike!
Archie
September 18, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Forgot to mention, Aaron Jones' return this week may fix all that is ailing with the run game. Oren Burks and Josh Jones may debut as well. Let's hope King bounces back quickly.
BigCheese2
September 18, 2018 at 06:08 pm
Aaron Jones can set GB RB records if he stays healthy and keeps his nose clean. The game has slowed down considerably for him. His vision is second to none and he is by far GBs best running back. Really excited to get him involved with this offense. Lets just pretend the first two weeks were dedicated to him resting his hammy and buying new MCLs!
jlc1
September 18, 2018 at 03:53 pm
the comments on Cousins need to shouted far and wide. He is not gonna do it for the Vikes. They might go far but not on his shoulders. I noted elsewhere he is Carson Palmer and will give a good defense some real chances every game. agree to on the overall optimism as I am seeing signs the Pack is going to gel in coming weeks on both sides of the ball, especially defense as the young 'uns get a feel for it.
PatrickGB
September 18, 2018 at 06:36 pm
JohnBlood, put something sticky on it and you won’t drop the microphone so much. Or maybe see a hand doctor. Remember what you mother said would happen to your hands if you “kept doing that”.