Chiefs 13 Packers 7: Game Balls and Lame Calls
Defensive gem not enough to overcome offensive and special teams miscues.
By KenLass
If ever there was a game that was there for the winning, it was this one. Yes, the special teams imploded. Yep, the crowd was loud and intimidating. Uh-huh, the Chiefs were bringing relentless pressure.
But still. Jordan Love should have played better. It’s not like he was a desperation, undrafted free agent thrown into the fire unexpectedly. He had a year and a half to prepare for this. He had a full week of practice as the number one quarterback. He got a terrific performance from his defense. He had a solid running game to support him. He had the full complement of first team offensive starters around him. He was playing a Kansas City team that was begging to be beaten.
Jordan Love simply wasn’t ready for the moment. He wasn’t good enough. Two of twelve on third down, despite knowing exactly what was coming each time. For three and a half quarters, his throws were inaccurate, he didn’t see the field well, he lacked poise in the clutch. The fourth quarter scoring drive was nice, but mere consolation. It’s not good enough to just come around late in the game and make a few plays to make it close.
Sure, there’s blame to go around. Afterward, Matt LaFleur tried to take the loss upon himself, saying he didn’t have a good enough plan to help his quarterback deal with the pressure. I’m not letting Love off the hook that easy. I’m not giving up on him, but he has a long, long way to go.
GAME BALLS
Krys Barnes
By far the best game of his career. He led the team with nine tackles. They included an awesome goal line stop at the one, a tackle for loss on Jerrick McKinnon on 4th and one, a spectacular shot on running back Darrel Williams to keep him out of the zone, and another tackle for loss on Williams in the final quarter.
Darnell Savage
The third year safety was around the ball all night wreaking havoc. He assisted Barnes on the 4th and one TFL, broke up a pass on second and goal, and busted up another throw in the third quarter.
Chandon Sullivan
Besides doing an effective job helping to keep Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill from taking over the game, Sullivan had, what I thought, was one of the most impressive plays of the day. In the third quarter, the Chiefs ran a reverse to Hill, who was one on one in the open field with Sullivan. Instead of getting faked out by one of the fastest and most elusive players in the game, Sullivan contained the edge and forced the speedster back inside where he was tackled for a loss.
Joe Barry and the Defensive Staff
With the offense giving him no help, Barry’s inspired defenders played their best game of the season, despite losing Eric Stokes to a freak injury in pre-game warm-ups, and Kenny Clark in the second quarter. His defense is playing smart, aggressive, physical football. The only thing lacking was a turnover or two which the anemic offense desperately needed.
LAME CALLS
No Answers For the Blitz
Considering the Packers knew the extra rushers were coming virtually every third down, it was puzzling that the team couldn’t come up with some sort of counter strategy. The all-out rush left the middle wide open, yet most of Jordan Love’s outlets seemed to be outside the numbers and well covered.
Changing Long Snappers
Brian Gutekunst’s decision to release Hunter Bradley and replace him with Steven Wirtel was a disaster, as his inaccurate snaps helped to scuttle two field goal attempts in the first half. How important would those six points have been in the final outcome?
AFTERTHOUGHTS
Jordan Love: “Not good enough. I got into a rhythm later but it was too late.....I didn’t do a good enough job of giving the guys a chance on those deep balls.”
Aaron Jones: “Jordan did a great job as a leader. He stepped up and took control of the huddle.....he’s going to keep fighting and keep grinding.”
Matt LaFleur: (on the play of the defense) “I thought that was a championship level effort, championship level execution.”
(On Jordan Love) “I’m proud of the way he played. I’ve got to be better. This one falls squarely on me. I was one hundred percent prepared for it (the blitzes), knew it was going to come. The plan wasn’t good enough.”
THREE AND OUT
• LaFleur said the injury to Stokes happened when he went up for a ball and came down awkwardly on his knee in pre-game warm-up. He said he didn’t think the injury would be anything long term.
• The coach also said that there is no doubt Aaron Rodgers could start next Sunday’s game against Seattle, even if he doesn’t come off the Covid list until Saturday and doesn’t practice all week.
• How bad were the special teams in this game? At one point, the team couldn’t even line up correctly to receive a kick-off. The Packers were flagged for illegal formation. This whole game was a disappointing step back for units that had shown signs of improvement in recent weeks.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (190)
Bearmeat
November 08, 2021 at 07:37 am
Love isn't ready, that's for sure. But I'd agree with MLF that this loss was far more on him than Love. You HAVE to block better than you did today and you HAVE to keep running the ball. WTH was with the run/pass imbalance yesterday, coach? Dillon was gashing in the 1st half, and yet... smh.
This team will be fine with 12 at QB and, as long as KC isn't out long term, they're going to be a factor in January/February. That's all you can ask. Hopefully they don't crap out in the playoffs (again.)
The 22 season starts in March. I have my (very strong) opinions on 12 and the cap and 17 and 10 and the future. But I'm content to let that conversation happen when it should. Onto Seattle.
HawkPacker
November 08, 2021 at 07:41 am
Well said Bearmeat!
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 07:55 am
Run-pass breakdown by possession (note that I'm calling Love's scrambles passes, because what we're interested in is the play call)-
1-2 (1st quarter)
5-3
3-2 (2nd quarter)
2-5
0-4
1-2 (3rd quarter)
2-4
5-9 (4th quarter)
2-8
Leatherhead
November 08, 2021 at 09:13 am
35 passes plus 5 runs equals 40, compared to 20 carries for Jones and Dillon.
Before the game, a pretty sharp guy told me that the Packers were going to throw a lot…… he even said 35 times…..because they wanted a good look at Love. Winning the game was secondary. I can’t prove him wrong.
Cubbygold
November 08, 2021 at 09:31 am
Although we'll never know, I wonder how true this is. I think it's very possible the coaches said 'we're not losing the season over this one game' and approached their decision making from that standpoint.
- no 69
- gave stokes the night off after tweaking the knee pregame
- KC is immediately in street clothes after hurting his back
- left #8 out there to continue to field punts
I just wonder if they expected to lose, and the play calling as well as player decisions reflected that.
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 09:46 am
Looked to me like they never changed the game plan after Rodgers went out and had no pre planned and Practiced packages for Love to help him get going. That’s just not going to cut it.
I find myself wondering how Rodgers would have coped with that much pressure up the middle that often. Better I’m sure, but I doubt it would be pretty-less pressure threw him in game one. Perhaps we dodged an injury bullet there. Certainly LaFleur failed to show basic techniques for giving a new QB a chance. That’s something made worse by the lack of preseason practice with Love and the starters. LaFleur is also young and learning. Last night was one he must learn from. As a result, judgment of Love has to be somewhat qualified.
That said, the real issue is and has to be STs. That is what windy derail our season and should be improbable (Love will remai. A work in progress whatever we do). Drayton is very obviously not capable tactically or in design. We must find someone who is to at least secure adequacy.
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 06:26 pm
No doubt, it was not a 24/7 brain storm calling for the pivot move and redirecting the offensive objective. At minimum there should have been 30 rushes dialed into this gameplan, even with Rodgers. The KC. defense has been a sieve contre the run all season. Sometime you have to go frontal attack, helping not only your novice QB , but the interior of your O line. Let them be savages, let them dictate the cadence of the Game.
Why has the sp teams coach not been relieved of his duties?
Bitternotsour
November 08, 2021 at 10:14 pm
not one read option. not one called quarterback run. unbelievable. a mobile, running quarterback in college and not one called run
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 08:18 am
Coach did the right thing taking the blame. He didn't completely help his QB. That being said, Love was terrible most of the game. I don't know what coach could have helped his inaccurate throws for most of the game.
In all honesty he should have had 3 interceptions.
He did finally play well in the one drive in the 4th quarter. He was getting the ball out quicker more in time. Maybe that was play calling, maybe it was him being comfortable. Hopefully he can build on that.
Archaism
November 08, 2021 at 08:59 am
Inaccuracy is the inabilty to step into most of his throws. Clearly not a great gameplan by MLF, but jeebus that o-line performance was awful.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 09:04 am
Innaccuracy can also come from playing out of rhythm and timing.
Game plan, OL were not great. But there were many throws that Love just didn't make. Had nothing to do with the OL or play calls.
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 09:50 am
How does any QB have rhythm and timing with players he’s never played with?
Rodgers had struggles early this season. having not played for 6 months and others in AZ with replacements he hadn’t thrown to in practice. That is completely on LaFleur and his approach to preseason.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 11:15 am
That was kind of my point. He didn't have rhythm and timing.
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 07:51 pm
It bordered on gutless. Just the Opposite of the defensive front with exceptional effort by Lancaster, Slaton, and Heflin.Gary with his hair on fire. So-so effort by P Smith as per his MO. An ALL PRO year, so far for Campbell. Kry Barnes coming into his own and delivering Twilight Zone hits by a Packer LB for the first time since early Nick Barnett. Amos missed the pick on the fourth quarter 3rd and long to Hill. He has to KNOW who the target will be. Play the Ball. I like the defense's Karma. They will explode on Seattle.
Granola Guru better eat some Humble Pie and accept his responsibilities, or he will fail as a leader. Let's see how the dice roll.
Bearmeat
November 08, 2021 at 08:58 am
RC,
Love's first start with awful pressure in his face. I'm more than willing to give him a pass and to wait until halfway through 22 to assess him. MLF needs to do better, as does the IOL.
Also, it's weird to see me being optimistic here and you pessimistic. ;)
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 09:09 am
He had pressure. it wasn't a great game plan. But the simple throws that Love threw he was off. Basically the whole game he was off and it wasn't about the OL play or the play calls. His throws were not accurate.
If you have Twitter go to Peter Bukowski, he is doing a thread of every throw he made. His accuracy is just off on so many throws.
Can Love get better? Yes. But with the preseason, with the first game and now this game. I simply have not seeing anything more then an average QB. He made some plays, but he has not shown 1st round talent yet. I'm not writing him off, BUT I am not ready to hand him the keys next year. Not after what I have seen him this year.
I consider myself and optimistic realist. :)
It is weird for us to be on the opposite side of things.
Bearmeat
November 09, 2021 at 09:48 am
Thought you guys would want to see this. Rewatching and doing some deep dives with film breakdown.
Gute would be foolish to bail on Love. Trade ARod in March for as much as you can get! Period. Look at these breakdowns. Just go through them all. Yes, there were misses. But there was also growth. GB has a good starting QB in the wings. Probably not a HOFer, the odds of that are very low. But a good QB. Play the long game post 21!
Check both these links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4AlN9DSnVE
https://twitter.com/.../status/1457745199485042694/video/1
greengold
November 09, 2021 at 11:07 am
Bearmeat, that was REALLY great. Thanks for the share. Twitter link didn't work, but the YouTube was enlightening.
Poor play design looks to have been the biggest contributing factor regarding a number of those Love throws that did not connect. The blocking up front did him no favors either.
Been thinking Yosh did a better job at LT than what we are seeing from Elgton, who ought to be sliding to C. Been thinking that for weeks now.
Love really is taking the heat, but wrongly so in many instances. Just the worst game planned and called game we may have seen by Matt LaFleur in his tenure. We'll see what next week brings...
Thegreatreynoldo
November 08, 2021 at 09:23 am
I have refused to draw any conclusions about Love for the long term. We know you have strong opinions on the diva (putz over at APC), but I want to win. I absolutely hated Geronimo Allison as a person and as a human being, but I had him making the 53 and even rooted for him. Clearly for the remainder of this season, AR is the QB.
We can argue about 2022 in February. I do think a few more starts would do Love a world of good. Maybe we will get more info to go on if AR misses Seattle or there is a blowout win somewhere.
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 09:54 am
I have no idea what Love can be either, but that situation he was put in was about as adverse as any head coach could have made it. LaFleur needs to learn from what was a complete mishandling of a new QBs first game, before and during.
LambeauPlain
November 08, 2021 at 11:13 am
Good news is Matt "manned up" and took responsibility for stressing Love with his calls as he was being subjected to blitzing stress.
HawkPacker
November 08, 2021 at 12:05 pm
Yes, just like he manned up last week and said he should have called better plays at the goal line. In fact, he has mentioned this other times as well.
That's fine and dandy to man up but what we really want is for him to learn from it. Somewhat slow learner in some respects.
I like him as our coach but want him to learn faster from his mistakes and get better organized with making proper changes during the game to adjust to what is thrown at him during a game.
mnbadger
November 08, 2021 at 01:10 pm
spot on HawkPkr. Though Bill Belicheck got fired at least once before the light went on for him. GPG
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 06:48 pm
Yes, Bledsoe got hurt and Brady took charge in a HOF way.
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 06:47 pm
What we want is results.
Dr.Rodgers
November 08, 2021 at 01:16 pm
La Fleur should have known that coming into this game. I expect more from these clowns making millions and can’t manage a football team when the going gets tough. love isn’t gonna cut it.
Minniman
November 08, 2021 at 01:05 pm
Agree with you Bear, I can't wait to watch the All-22 again.
It was a bad day for Newman and Patrick to have stinkers and I'm keen to see just what an impact it had on the game.
greengold
November 09, 2021 at 07:13 am
It’s not weird. AWESOME. Lol.
Leatherhead
November 08, 2021 at 09:14 am
If we’re going to count almost interceptions, Brett Favre had several hundred.
shmelbs
November 08, 2021 at 09:22 am
Plus a few real ones.
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 06:49 pm
A few hundred.
PeteK
November 08, 2021 at 08:44 am
It's very difficult to constantly run when the defense is blitzing the gaps. I thought that part of the play calling was good because they mostly ran when the Chiefs laid off the blitz.
Leatherhead
November 08, 2021 at 09:43 am
Except if you can break through the line, nobody’s home and you get a long run.
PeteK
November 08, 2021 at 09:46 am
Jones came close.
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 06:57 pm
Correct, Spags was running the run blitzes and the the pass blitzes with his safeties as the wild cards. He has been Exposed doing this by other teams and The Coaching staff should have known those counters. Dafney and Dillon would have brought KC's defense to their knees along with Lewis. Daguara was not featured enough. We talk old school because we played and witnessed it. Tom Moore devised the key plays that put Tampa in the SB winner's circle. He is 83 years Young. Rate that, newbies!
kozmo
November 08, 2021 at 09:15 am
To be fair. Love gets zero first team snaps. He runs the scout team in practice so hes not running our offense. He played in 2 pre-season games in his entire career in Green Bay, When not under pressure he did a good job. He had a better passing rating than Super Man Mahones. I don't think judging him from this game is fair. He actually threw some nice balls during this game.
Of course he could have been better Lets give im some time here. What the hel is going on with the special teams? Rediculous
Razer
November 08, 2021 at 09:48 am
Well said - totally fair.
Packerpasty
November 08, 2021 at 10:36 am
well don't judge him on this game then, judge him on pre seasons, practices, and what his Utah State career was like...it all points to a very average QB with lifelong accuracy problems...a guy who a team is constantly looking at the draft so they can replace him....if thats what your satisfied with as Love as your starting QB, then welcome to the return of the "gory" years...sorry but I bet anything that I'm correct on this.
LambeauPlain
November 08, 2021 at 11:22 am
If you compare Love and Rodgers two years as starters at Utah State and CA, their records were incredibly similar. Love had more yards passing and more TDs....Rodgers had a slightly higher QBR. That includes Rodgers having consistent coaching, receivers and OL. Love had complete turnover his last year with Gary Anderson.
As far as the 2 preseason games...Love moved the O up and down the field with 2nd, 3rd and players who were cut. Yes, they had red zone scoring issues in PS, but that has been a bit of an issue in the regular season too.
kozmo
November 08, 2021 at 11:27 am
Matbe....it's my guess that the people who are making these decisions in Green Bay are far better judges of talent than us. Im hoping Love has a great career....thats where im at.I do agree and never liked this pick. He threw a ton of picks in his senior year but played much better I believe in his junior year. Coaching change maybe...not sure. Time will tell....Im not gonig to throw this kid under the bus just yet
Dr.Rodgers
November 08, 2021 at 01:24 pm
Time on the bench hasn’t done the job so far. Bench Aaron and play Love. That’ll give him time and experience. That’s not gonna happen. I guess next season will be Loves’ chance to command a broken team.
Gee
November 09, 2021 at 10:01 am
See I don't see the team as broken next year, if anything I figure they will be fine. Not 13-3 fine but a lot better then some see. Sure its never good to lose a first ballot Hof F qb, top 3 wr and maybe both smith brothers, but its not a complete rebuild. Pro bowl pieces are there in all levels of defense, have an above average O-Line and 2 really good backs. With the money they will have if the above guys leave, you can sign and resign pieces, to help Love. As so many have said already, Sunday was not a Love game plan. The fact I saw not 1 qb designed run, was crazy. Also this year the team all in, no time play Love if Rodgers is healthy.Love him or hate him, he's the 1 person that going to give us the best chance to win it all.
Grandfathered
November 08, 2021 at 10:44 am
Loss was squarely on the shoulders of the "Flower of the Frozen Tundra"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCuISabzbXc
Gee
November 09, 2021 at 10:05 am
I can not thank you enough for that, still in awe. How the hell are those 2 beautiful bastards not signed to deal.
murf7777
November 09, 2021 at 07:23 am
Bearmeat…..I wonder how many QB’s making their NFL debut would’ve performed well under those conditions. It was raucous and loud, windy and they blitzed on all 2nd and 3rd and long. Very tough situation for Love to be in. Could he of done better, yes, but I won’t make any forecast on his long term chances based on this game.
EnemyTerritory
November 09, 2021 at 08:09 pm
Love needs seasoning. Listening to Chicago sports radio today, sounds like Bears are in possession of the next HOF QB in the NFC North. Until you look at Fields stats through 9 weeks….
https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/4362887/justin-fields
HawkPacker
November 08, 2021 at 07:40 am
Ken I don't agree on a few of your points. You are pretty hard on Love. I believe he could/should have played better but the coach did not game plan correctly for him and also did not make in changes in the game to help him much either.
Secondly, I do not think Wirtel was that bad. I disagree that his snaps were the reason for the missed/blocked field goals. Looked to me like he hiked it properly and the holder did not have the seems away from the kicker as recommended. Also, I do remember watching Hunter Bradley's snaps the prior game and they were high and away from the holder. I did not see that with Steve Wirtel.
I would like to give a 'shout out' to the defense. They were outstanding for most of the game and even without 3 of their studs, if you count Kenny Clark who went out early in the game.
Otherwise, I pretty much agree with you assessment of the game.....GB really had a chance to win this game!
PeteK
November 08, 2021 at 09:49 am
I agree Hawk. A moveable pocket with roll and sprint outs would have certainly helped.
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:04 am
Could not agree more.
Lphill
November 08, 2021 at 07:45 am
Game was winnable , Lefluer didn’t adjust to the pressure , it’s that simple , but as they mentioned during the game Rodgers would have eaten up the blitz seeing man coverage. Lame calls goes to coach and special teams .
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 08:00 am
As crappy as the offense looked at times, they had 5 drives of 40+ yards. Only one ended in points.
KC had...wait for it...TWO drives of more than 40 (admittedly, one of 39).
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 09:56 am
It’s not like we’ve been great in the red zone this year with Rodgers. There some non QB specific play calling issues underlying too.
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:05 am
They've regressed PAST the mean from 2020.
Dr.Rodgers
November 08, 2021 at 03:08 pm
Without Jones and Dillon and penalties he wouldn’t have had any first downs and no drives. Kansas City was awful and only stayed in the game because the Packers were without Aaron, Kenny, Zadarius, Zaire, Stokes etc.
mrtundra
November 08, 2021 at 08:14 am
Where were the screen passes for Love when everyone knew the Chiefs were blitzing? MLF had nothing there to protect Love. The only time I saw a TE involved as a receiver was when Love threw to DeGuara. Dafney and the Big Dog seemed to be used solely in blocking schemes. This game was winnable.
Doofapotamus
November 08, 2021 at 08:57 am
Dafney was targeted once on the first play of the game and love missed him wide rolling out to the right. I don't know if you missed it, but GB ran 6 screen passes. All but one of them were immediately blown up and dismantled except for one lucky shotput pass to Dillon which almost didn't make it home thanks to the pressure.
Razer
November 08, 2021 at 09:22 am
...This game was winnable...
This is so true. Better coaching to adjust to the blitzing would have put Love in a better position. Leaning more on the run game would have helped. Punting everything away would have minimized the ST's impact.
Dr.Rodgers
November 08, 2021 at 03:00 pm
could’ve, would’ve, should’ve…didn’t! Every game is winnable in the rearview. Awwww.
packerbackerjim
November 08, 2021 at 07:52 am
Game: ILBs Barnes and Campbell. After years of diligently avoiding this position, the Pack finally has some hope of having a top notch D.
Lame: Charter a plane and take Mo Drayton and all the ST players to go to Lourdes.
mrtundra
November 08, 2021 at 08:17 am
I'd throw in Rasul Douglas as part of our improved Defense, but he was covering Tyreek Hill on a few plays. He couldn't keep up with Hill but thankfully, Mahomes accuracy wasn't as good as it usually is.
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:08 am
Kelce ran free through the Packer defense all afternoon. Mahomes was off, but he had chances if he went that way.
How many unexcusable drops did the Chiefs have yesterday? This game was winnable, but it was also 2 or 3 catches away from a laugher.
Philarod
November 08, 2021 at 07:59 am
GAME: I agree that Barnes seemed to play a great game. In fact, the D as a whole - though still missing some key guys - may be deserving of a collective game ball. (I digress a little, but if the Pack had a "D" at this level all those years AR led us to the playoffs, it would not be a stretch to say they were capable of reaching and winning three more SBs.)
LAME: MLF is doing a very good job, but I can't give him high marks for yesterday.
Special teams has to figure things out. I can't blame this on the long-snapper.
Is Amari Rodgers making a slow adjustment to the NFL, or...I don't want to think about it.
Packerpasty
November 08, 2021 at 10:41 am
on Amari..dont think about it, he certainly isn't getting "it"....he was supposed to be the next really good return guy...hows that working out...and people have to quit saying "he needs more time" with all these young guys and with Love...there are other rookies and first year guys doing well they don't "need more time" like many of the Packer draft choices seem to...
PeteK
November 08, 2021 at 01:20 pm
Want to wager that the vast majority of rookies in the league need 1-2 seasons to fully develop.
barutanseijin
November 09, 2021 at 02:19 pm
I recall Randall Cobb being pretty good as a return man from Week 1 of his rookie year.
LambeauPlain
November 08, 2021 at 08:03 am
20 of 37 for just 166 yards, 4.5 per pass and just one TD surrounded by great receivers and RBs just isn't good enough.
BTW, those are Mahomes passing numbers.
Amazing how we'd feel today if STs hadn't given up 9 easy points and the Pack won 16-13: "What a defense we are seeing!" Packers have a SB caliber running attack!" "Love wasn't perfect but he managed the game to a W!"
Please fire Drayton and hire the best ST coach available. Who has the best STs in the college ranks? Drayton was the top assistant for both Zook and Mennenga. Looks like he "learned well" from them.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 08:38 am
Its kind of hard to look at numbers and say one was better then the other. There were at least 3 big drops by the Chiefs players on very accurate throws. Loves throws were not accurate and could have easily had 3 interceptions in the game.
I don't know how Love managed the game to get a win. He didn't do enough to get a win. Its that simple.
Yes the Special teams was a nightmare. They didn't get 6 points. They cost them another 3. Packers could have been at 13 and could have held them to 10.
But I don't see how Love managed the game. He put 7 points on the board against the 30th ranked defense. He was not good enough to win.
LambeauPlain
November 08, 2021 at 11:07 am
It is hard to believe had the Packers scored 9 more points and maybe won the game, the comments here would be very different. I know I would feel differently.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 02:08 pm
If the special teams scores the 6 points, and if they don't muff the punt and allow a FG. Lets say they win 13-10. This game would be completely different. We would be talking about how Love did just enough to get the win. Its what the talk would be about.
Unfortunately it didn't work out that way.
In my eyes Love didn't do enough to win the game. His in accurate throws were a big reason why. Sure there were issues with the blitz, there were issues with the OL. But he simply missed a lot of throws.
Dr.Rodgers
November 08, 2021 at 03:17 pm
If doesn’t ever cut it. If you change even one play, all the plays after it will be affected. This game would only be completely different if it was played over in its entirety. The way the Packers played made the game unwinnable. If, if, if….not!
gpt999
November 08, 2021 at 11:23 am
Yes, Drayton far past his Best Before date. Its discouraging as a fan to watch these poorly coached not-so-special teams every week. I can't imagine what it feels like to the rest of the team? Time to move on from Mo Drayton.
SwedeBayPacker
November 08, 2021 at 08:04 am
So this is what it feels like being a Bears fan: a QB nowhere near ready for prime time thrown in the deep end and a coach that does him zero favors.
Makes one wonder how much of the team's success was thanks to Mr. Rodgers over Flower Matt. Ouch.
croatpackfan
November 08, 2021 at 09:46 am
You mean thanks to Arrogant Lying Diva over honest humble young coach?
SwedeBayPacker
November 08, 2021 at 09:55 am
A win's a win. 7 - 1 with Mr. Diva. Question is, was it all thanks to QB12 or The Flower? Can anybody flourish in the MLF offense or does Rodgers make his coach look good by bailing him out?
If this is how it will actually look without a star QB in Flowers offense, the future is bleak...
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:27 am
"If this is how it will actually look without a star QB in Flowers offense, the future is bleak..."
Roll through the standings and look for a team more than a game over 0.500 that doesn't have a "star" QB...
maybe TN, maybe Vegas, maybe Cleveland, depending on your definition. Any one of those could be a landing point for #12 this off-season.
You've just described modern cap football.
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:10 am
Let's not presume that the "aw-shucks" demeanor of LaFleur isn't hiding a significant ego. I think he's got some "smartest man in the room" syndrome, too, and he's got to get past that.
LambeauPlain
November 08, 2021 at 11:35 am
I don't know Dobbs....I have worked with arrogant people with the "smartest person in the room" egos. Matt doesn't strike me as having this personality nor has anyone ever described him as such.
I believe he is very confident and hard working. Arrogant people are loath to accept responsibility and admit mistakes publicly. ML seems genuinely very humble, IMO.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 08:11 am
Game Balls:
AJ Dillon - He didn't put up eye opening numbers. He didn't really have a huge impact per say. But damn does he do a lot of work. Dillon had 8 rushes for 46 yards. He had 4 catches on 4 targets for 44 yards. 2 of the catches i have no idea how he caught it. The one should have been intercepted, and the other should have hit the ground with Loves inaccurate throws. He averaged 7.5 yards per touch. He needs more touches!
Barnes/Campbell - Barnes was a tackling machine. Campbell is our best player on defense this year!
Savage - He is becoming our eraser on defense. The guy who erases plays. He made an amazing play on the 4th down play to stop get the ball back.
Gary - He has been the one guy that can constantly get in the back field.
Defensive coaches - Lets face it. The one major change from last year to this year has been the coaches. Yes we picked up Campbell and he has been amazing. But the style of defense is different and it has been impressive. Love did not look good. But he put up better numbers then Mahomes. The defense was the reason for that.
Lame Calls:
Special teams - My god are they horrible. I don't blame the long snapper. His snaps were right there. MUCH better then our previous guy. Bojo didn't spin the ball at all on any of the snaps. But the FG unit is terrible. There is no threat of a return game.
The narrative that Rodgers vaccination status costed him to not play in this game - I have tried to avoid the vaccination stuff, I have tried to avoid anything covid related on here. My personal feelings are different then others and that is ok. We should all be able to have healthy conversations without people fighting over it. But I am sick and tired of seeing people blaming Rodgers for not being vaccinated and that was the reason why he missed this game. That is simply not accurate. He missed the game because he tested positive. There would have been very slim odds that he would have been able to play if he was vaccinated. At the end of the day he tested positive, and couldn't play. No difference then Adams for example who tested positive, missed a game and was vaccinated.
Game plan/Love -
Love's first meaningful action was not good. I don't know how else to put it. His throws were not accurate at all. His timing was off, which is to be expected. But he simply didn't look like he is ready. I don't know if it was a game plan problem or Love running that game plan that was the problem. Either way, Love didn't look good, except for the final drive.
Injuries -
Packers simply can't catch a break with injuries. Clark got hurt in the game. Lancaster later in the game went out. Stokes before the game got hurt. The most concerning injury is definitely Clark. Stokes was seen walking around so that is a good sign. But Clark's injury could potentially be a big one if they miss him for a long period of time.
Notes:
Gutey - We got to see some good and bad with Gutey's first round picks. Good - Gary and Savage on one drive took over. Those 2 first round picks have been very, very good. Bad - Love. I don't know how else they can view it, that was a bad game for Love. Is it just 1 game or is this who he is? Is he the future of the organizations. After that game its hard to say he is.
LaFleur - He is a great coach. I don't think he helped Love as much as he could have game play wise, but sometimes there is only so much you can do. Love was not good, he was not accurate. There is a reason why he basically said that Rodgers will be starting next weekend without practice.
Cobb - All he does is makes plays. Cobb got deep pass. Somehow he caught that very inaccurate throw. He also got the first 3rd down completion, on a 3rd and 10. He caught it and ran for about 12ish yards. Cobb needs to start becoming a bigger part of the offense.
Lazard - He also needs to be a bigger part of the offense. He catches everything and is a big body guy. I want to see him start to get more time with the ball in his hands.
GB Future - Its way to early to talk about next year. But, how do the Packers move on from Rodgers to go to Love based on what we have seen? It is only 1 game, but that was not good from Love. I don't blame them for drafting Love, but he is not ready. He is at least another year away and he may never be ready. We simply don't know.
One thing that has been stuck in my head since he said it is Adams talking about Love. He said that he is starting to look like the first round pick that was drafted and he was excited to see what he does in the game. So up to this point he hasn't looked like a first round pick in practices? That is not a good thing to hear honestly. Rodgers flashed the talent as a rookie. Mahomes everyone knew as a rookie would be great. Love is just now starting to show some things?
I would just warn Packer fans to be very hesitant in what you wish for if you are wishing Rodgers to be gone. Because there is a very real chance that the next QB won't be very good.
LambeauPlain
November 08, 2021 at 08:59 am
Glass half full: Love's first start of 2021 was better than Rodgers first start.
Razer
November 08, 2021 at 09:17 am
But not as good as Matt Flynns :o(
Since'61
November 08, 2021 at 01:09 pm
Except that the Packers won the game in Rodgers first start. They also won Favre's first start. That's all that matters. Rodgers and Favre were both much more accurate than Love in their first games.
I observed 2 major problems for Love. First his throws were inaccurate until the last drive in the 4th quarter. More importantly it was clear that the game has not "slowed down" for him yet, which is to be expected. And that is the big question for any NFL QB. How long will it take for the game to" slow down"? Until that occurs Love will not be ready to be a starting QB in the NFL. Thanks, Since '61
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 07:47 pm
His footwork is not in synch as he has to watch D lineman up in his grill instead of reading the safeties. Some designed roll outs and RPOs would have helped him, more running plays and I do believe they did not alter a designed for Rodgers' game plan set up over the Halloween break. In the long strategy, they probably feel comfortable with a split between KC and the Sand Pit. The focus is on NFC contests from now on and Seattle has to be taken out.
Thegreatreynoldo
November 08, 2021 at 09:46 am
Cobb led the team in yards/route run at 1.85. Adams came in at 1.08 IIRC. Every other wide receiver came in at low numbers. Cobb is a useful player. GB should probably use him on punt returns. I don't care if he fair catches every one. [I'd guess Dillon would have very good yards/route numbers but I didn't find a breakdown except for WRs.]
I thought you would be more lenient towards Love than you were. It is interesting. Yes, be careful what you wish for, and take the emotion out of it. But that discussion can wait for several months.
2.87 WRs per play is a high number for GB and seems ridiculously high for this situation. Never thought GB would play a ton of 11 personnel.
Leatherhead
November 08, 2021 at 11:16 am
Welcome to the dark side, TGR.
😎we should use Cobb to catch punts. We should change the job title from punt returner, and just call him the punt catcher. Stop screwing around. You’ve got a field full of rookies and UDFAs. They’re young, dumb, and full of ways to screw up. Remember Bostick? The coach looked him in the eye and said “don’t try to field this. Block”. And then he went out on the field and did the exact opposite.
You’re not working with future HOFers or rocket scientists, you’re working with guys who think it’s fun to launch Roman candles out of their butt crack. So put Cobb back there to catchthefrickinball.
😎. I recommend that you strongly consider that this game was about evaluating Love, and that winning was a secondary objective. That theory explains why we played 3 WRs, it explains why Love only handed off 20 times. They know he can handoff. LaFleur said he wanted to see what Love did when stuff goes wrong, and now he knows.
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 11:42 am
I agree, use Cobb to fair catch unless absolutely necessary, as we once used Woodson.
In contrast, I don’t think that this game was about evaluating Love, to find so obscures the fact that LaFleur handled a debuting QB as naïvely as he did. That was a horrid scenario if indeed a useful analysis had been intended. It wasn’t, LaFleur just got it wrong.
Leatherhead
November 08, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Did he get it wrong if the goal was to see what Love does when things go wrong?
PeteK
November 08, 2021 at 01:29 pm
LH, how the hell do you light the fuse? hahahaha
Dr.Rodgers
November 08, 2021 at 03:31 pm
I agree with you but even for me that is pretty cynical. If true, La Fleur needs a talking to. Every damn game should be played to win. I hope someone shows Matt LFsome clips of Lombardi coaching.
LeotisHarris
November 08, 2021 at 04:30 pm
..."You’re not working with future HOFers or rocket scientists, you’re working with guys who think it’s fun to launch Roman candles out of their butt crack."
LH, so you've been to family reunions in Wisconsin at county parks north of Hwy 8?
Leatherhead
November 08, 2021 at 09:03 pm
I grew up just north of Hwy 8. I mean like 100 yards.
But this is stuff I see on Ridiculousness.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 01:15 pm
I'm one of the most optimistic fans you will find. I knew there would be struggles with decision making and whatnot. In all honesty I thought his decision making was ok. He was just so inaccurate with throws. He was slow to pull the trigger some times. Which is to be expected.
The biggest thing to me though is his inaccurate throws. He is just off. Maybe some of that gets better. Maybe not.
I'm not saying he will be horrible in the future. I have no idea. I just am saying I don't feel optimistic about him taking over next year. I think he is at least another year away from being ready.
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:20 am
"Gary - He has been the one guy that can constantly get in the back field."
He got a sack last night and was around Mahomes a lot. He's got 4.5 sacks on the year and is on track for about 8.5. Many have been saying the sacks would come, and I think we'd all like to see double digits, but he's playing well, and playing well as part of a unit. We can't overstate the importance of that.
"GB Future - Its way to early to talk about next year. But, how do the Packers move on from Rodgers to go to Love based on what we have seen?"
We presume Love will be the QB in '22 if ARod isn't in GB. We don't know that. In order to figure that out, he needs to be assessed in game situations, and the coaches have to be honest with themselves in terms of what they see. They took a flier on Love when the opportunity presented itself. If he can be the guy they need in that offense, it's a huge win, but if he's not, they need to cut the cord and move on. You can't tell that based on 2 preseason games and about 5 quarters of football...but as they said in the broadcast last night: in the current age of the NFL, you sometimes need to make a leap based on minimal information.
The salary cap, age, and the ongoing health of the franchise pretty much require ARod to be sold off this off-season. Loyalty lands you in the bottom of the standings in the NFL. It could be they'll use one of those picks they get in return on another QB...it could be they'll bring in a game-manager vet to run the offense. Who knows. I'm not wedded to Love as the future of this team, and none of the rest of us should be, either--but they've got to be critical and sure as they make moves.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 01:40 pm
"They took a flier on Love when the opportunity presented itself"
They don't trade up (4 spots and a 4th round pick, really not that big of a trade up honestly), to draft a guy to take a flier on him.
They would obviously bring in other QB's to compete, but Love would be their top guy.
All I'm saying is that I don't feel overly confident he could lead us to the playoffs next year with what I have seen.
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 02:44 pm
Next year is a mess and it's impossible to say what this roster is going to look like. That's all I can say. Maybe this defense will continue to grow and will lead the way as they look for that next QB...Love or whomever else it happens to be. I'm not going to hang Love on this game, but the coaching staff needs to be honest with itself in his appraisal, and my bet is that #12 finishes the year and Love only sees mop-up duty from here on--good luck making an honest assessment based on that. When #12 goes, they'll have to find a veteran backup who can manage a game.
As for the draft, what I'll say is this: Gutey has never been afraid to go get a guy he likes, and to pay handsomely to make sure he gets that guy. Savage...Alexander: he's been aggressive and he's moved large distances even at the top of the draft for people he believes in.
In the case of Love, he let him slide a long way--assuming he had a high grade on him--before he jumped to get him. They definitely allowed him to reach their spot...4 draft slots and a 4th round pick wasn't very far to go in the first round, all told, for a QB prospect. Ask the Bears.
jeremyjjbrown
November 08, 2021 at 01:23 pm
"There would have been very slim odds that he would have been able to play if he was vaccinated. "
We'll see if that is still true for Seattle. He can't come back at all until Friday IIRC. If he was vax'd the timeline is different. Either way I don't believe in forcing people to get vaccinated even though I hope they do. I do blame him for flouting the rules though. He wasn't supposed to be at a party at all let alone unmasked. He knew that and he didn't care, even though he's being paid 1.3 million a week by the Packers to follow the rules.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 01:54 pm
To my knowledge he has to be symptom free. The earliest he can be in the building is Saturday. Sounds like LaFleur already said he would be the starter if he is cleared to play.
If he is good to go, and can play, he will have missed the same amount of time as Adams.
As far as the press conferences, clearly the NFL was not punishing teams for this. A lot of unvaccinated players around the league were not talking with a mask on.
I don't think he is to worried about being fined honestly.
jeremyjjbrown
November 08, 2021 at 07:56 pm
Well I hope he's clear. Love has plenty to work on.
HarryHodag
November 08, 2021 at 08:13 am
It's amazing how the spoiled Packers fans are so willing to toss away Jordan Love after he's played four quarters of professional football.
Lest you all forget, if Crosby makes both field goals the score is tied and goes into overtime.
Jordan Love was not Aaron Rodgers, no question. But Matt LF didn't help him any with his play calling.
The special teams are worse than ever. The defense was pretty good, even with two, then three, All-Pros out of action.
One other point: it wasn't too many weeks ago that a mediocre New Orleans team humiliated the Packers on national television. At the helm that day was another QB who the Packers have under contract. That quarterback wasn't raked over the coals then, but his actions recently likely cost the team a victory by being stubborn. Is Sunday's loss on Aaron Rodgers shoulders?
Crankbait
November 08, 2021 at 08:27 am
Love played badly no matter how you try to justify him.
croatpackfan
November 08, 2021 at 09:58 am
Still better than Arrogant Lying Diva in the first game this season. More yards, more TD, less TO, higher throw %, better QBR!
So, how you will justify your beloved Diva?
Not to mention that Diva had all players he was practicing with, Jordan Love had few.
It is easy to blame young guy at his first true NFL game. I would like to to see Diva in that situation!
Crankbait
November 08, 2021 at 08:34 am
Rogers was not being stubborn, he was being smart. Big difference.
PackerGravy
November 08, 2021 at 10:18 am
Jordan love is just a Deshon kaiser in disguise. Packers also wanted to draft Kaiser thinking that he was the next great quarterback. I watched all of Jordan loves college film and this is who he is he will never be better than an average quarterback in the NFL never
Caden819
November 08, 2021 at 10:58 am
Considering you can still test positive even if you get the jab, putting this loss on Rodgers is idiotic. If we lost last week against AZ would you put it on Davante because he was out with covid? Be smarter
jeremyjjbrown
November 08, 2021 at 01:26 pm
Anyone passing final judgement on Love after one game for positive or negative is just plain ignorant of how the NFL is.
When Love had a clean pocket he was good. He can learn to make line calls and deal with the blitz. If he does he has a chance.
Bure9620
November 08, 2021 at 08:13 am
The biggest lame call is not running the football to help your young QB and defense. Dillon was getting in a groove and then we just started chucking it. 3 passes, 3 and out. This would have slowed the pass rush, screens too. The ability to run the ball fixes everythint.
This one is on Lefleur.
Jordan
November 08, 2021 at 08:12 am
My Lame Ball goes to Debra Silverman (Aaron Rodger’s astrologer). She told me the Packers would beat the chiefs because I’m a Sagittarius and the stars are aligned.
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 08:19 am
See, I'm a saggitarius and she told me that the yogurt in the fridge was going bad. Maybe it was all a metaphor for special teams and the OL...
I suck at symbolism.
jeremyjjbrown
November 08, 2021 at 01:27 pm
I forgot my crystals, blame me.
Crankbait
November 08, 2021 at 08:33 am
I really feel that MLF treated this game as a throwaway. If not he would've started Bortles.
I also believe the organization is on the fence whether or not to keep Love so they used this game to see what they really have.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2021 at 08:33 am
Bortles joined the team midweek. For the first time since summer. Bortles was there for emergency only. This was Loves game. He simply was not ready.
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:27 am
Maybe that he was ready for a different game than the one that was played.
He had stretches where he looked competent...just like against NO. I'm not going to anoint him the future of the franchise, but I don't think the cupboard is bare.
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 08:07 pm
That's what Q said, too......
Packers0808
November 08, 2021 at 10:21 am
Wonder is Lafluer any good or is it unfortunately Rodgers MAKES him look good? "D" is there, ST look like 3rd string high schoolers and LaFluer yesterday a major failure.
Cubbygold
November 08, 2021 at 09:51 am
Well... what changed with Rodgers that suddenly got him out of his funk and got him winning another MVP last year? Certainly seems like the coaching change was a big part of that.
Packers0808
November 08, 2021 at 10:22 am
You tell me, that is why I obviously asked the question?
Cubbygold
November 08, 2021 at 10:28 am
Certainly seems like the coaching change was a big part of that.
gpt999
November 08, 2021 at 11:14 am
I guess we're all wondering the same thing about LaFleur? A genius last week against the Cards and very "suspect" this week in his call selections. You had a winning formula last week with a good running attack and you don't repeat it this week even though your RBs are getting 5.0 yards a carry? MAYBE MLF was more affected by the late week Rodgers antics than he should have? Who knows?
jeremyjjbrown
November 08, 2021 at 08:51 am
One important difference between MLF and MM is that MLF owns his actions and MM just mumbled BS.
BruceC1960
November 08, 2021 at 08:52 am
Special teams and Kevin Kings dropped int. Little things lose games . Expected better from Love, but certainly not ready to give up on him. Trevor Lawrence was the #1 pick in the draft and a sure 1st ballot hall of famer. How’s he looking.
Razer
November 08, 2021 at 09:16 am
...Special teams and Kevin Kings dropped int. Little things lose games...
This is so true. KC kept leaving the door wide open but we couldn't step through. Kevin King played well but his inability to catch that pass is the kind of thing that defines him. Special teams is such a liability that it is like spotting the other team points. This game was so winnable that it makes the loss a little harder to take.
BruceC1960
November 08, 2021 at 09:23 am
Didn’t KC go down and kick a field goal after King’s drop?
BruceC1960
November 08, 2021 at 09:23 am
Didn’t KC go down and kick a field goal after King’s drop?
Razer
November 08, 2021 at 09:51 am
I think you are right...
And...
I think you are right.
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 11:48 am
I have said it before and I will say it again, blaming a DB not making an interception for tipping the game may be narrowly accurate (although here try looking to LaFleur and STs first), the fact is that DBs usually don’t and if you win by one making one, celebrate it and still don’t overlook that other things made that turning point necessary.
BruceC1960
November 08, 2021 at 02:08 pm
Don’t know that the drooped int tipped the game, but it would have kept 3 points off the board.
LambeauPlain
November 08, 2021 at 08:54 am
No doubt many will believe had Rodgers played the Pack would have won.
I am not so sure. Rodgers has one of the worst QB rating in the NFL this year when passing under pressure.
The OL was uncharacteristically porous yesterday and I expect Rodgers would have been sacked on the pressures Love escaped with his legs.
Matt has to get a lot better overcoming it. I expect a steady stream of blitzing from Seattle coming next Sunday regardless of who is under center.
He kept calling 3rd down passing plays to the perimeter when the middle was wide open. Dinks and dunks to the open field would have made Love's day so much easier. It would have changed the Chiefs reliance on blitzing, especially on 3rd down...only 2 first downs on 12 3rd downs? Yikes!
PeteK
November 08, 2021 at 09:34 am
Rodgers would have been much better against the blitz because he is a veteran and has better communication with his receivers, linemen, and most importantly has seen it all so remains composed.
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 10:04 am
Remember game one though. I don’t think it would have been pretty with that much pressure (although Ridgers would be more likely to deter that).
LambeauPlain
November 08, 2021 at 11:02 am
We will never know but Rodgers QB rating under pressure this year is uncharacteristically terrible.
What we do know is Love's first start of 2021 was better than Rodgers first game this season.
barutanseijin
November 09, 2021 at 02:35 pm
What happened in Week 1 then?
Leatherhead
November 08, 2021 at 12:12 pm
The OL was uncharacteristically porous.
Truth.
jeremyjjbrown
November 08, 2021 at 01:30 pm
I think Rodgers would have made much better line calls and it a real skill he has from ~15 years of NFL Quarterbacking. Hell, I bet if Rodgers was watching from the both and telling Love the line calls over the mic the Packers would have trounced the Chiefs in spite of the ST disaster.
ThxJackVainisi
November 08, 2021 at 09:06 am
Lame Calls: I agree LaFleur deserves one and even though his HC didn’t help as he should have, I’d give one to Love as well. But of course it was his first NFL start: Remember Rodgers performance against the Cowboys happened in his third season. Who knows how he’d have looked if thrown into the fire in his second (after a covid-like preseason as a rookie)? All I’m saying is there’s still hope for Love.
Mark Murphy, or whoever decided to low-ball special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi in 2019, deserves a multi-season Lame Calls plaque. Of course it’s not guaranteed Rizzi would have had the STs near the top of the league but particularly with the depth on this year’s team I think it’s a pretty good bet. And I wonder how the past two seasons would have benefited by having an experienced and successful ST coordinator. Sometimes you get what you don’t pay for.
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 10:04 am
I have to think that would be Drayton and that he oversaw the transition
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:32 am
All I can think is that LaF must have some kind of a soft spot for Drayton and really wanted to give him a chance. Why else--when your STs are a train wreck--would you dismiss the coordinator but promote from within? Hopefully he's learning from that mistake.
ThxJackVainisi
November 08, 2021 at 10:43 am
I think it most likely was a money-driven decision and although I think LaFleur should have been making decisions regarding his staff, someone above him in the organization decided to pinch "pennies". It was reported Rizzi received an offer from the Packers.
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 08:17 pm
low-Ball and tire kickers get you participation ribbons.
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 11:54 am
With a mistake of that magnitude, learning is proven by action. In this case that is replacement. This is too bad to try and muddle through and too pervasive.
LambeauPlain
November 08, 2021 at 11:52 am
Rizzi and LaFleur apparently really hit it off during the interview. I read both Matt and Gutey wanted to hire him and when they told Murphy of Rizzi's salary expectations, MM said no...too much for a ST coach. Matt continued to jawbone Murphy and a few days later he relented. Rizzi was then offered the job and his desired salary but he said "thanks but I have moved on" to the Saints.
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 11:56 am
I heard it was Ball who was the opponent initially, but who knows. That does not explain Drayton unless you believe that Ball or Murphy blocked other options again.
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 01:03 pm
I think it's time to get over the Rizzi thing...we're a couple years--and many Zooky years of bad special teams--down the road.
PackerGravy
November 08, 2021 at 12:21 pm
And to add insult to injury Rizzi was hired by the Saints “penny wise and pound foolish “ as the old saying goes. With the money the packers are going to get fined for the Rogers fiasco they could’ve paid for a decent special-teams coordinator
Razer
November 08, 2021 at 09:09 am
...Jordan Love simply wasn’t ready for the moment. For three and a half quarters, his throws were inaccurate, he didn’t see the field well..
I would agree with this summary. I expected a little more from Love against a pretty average defense. In his defense, the O-line particularly center and RG, didn't do him any favors. And LaFleur coached like a rookie.
I am getting the feeling that Aaron Rodgers covers a lot of Matt Lafleur's inexperience. LaFleur did a shitty job of gameplanning and adjusting to KC's obvious strategy. Your run game is working use it. They are blitzing on all 3rd downs - quick stuff. Aaron Jones gashed that D-line for big gains - you'd think he'd be an option against the all-out blitz. Glad he owed it.
I am hoping that Love gets another chance against Seattle to show us the money.
Kudos to the defense for making this close. Kudos to KC for making this close. Kudos to special teams for their consistency.
PeteK
November 08, 2021 at 01:04 pm
It would have been very interesting to see how the game would have ended if we got the ball back towards the end because Love was starting to connect with his receivers. I'll be honest, it would have been tough because of time constraints.
PackerGravy
November 08, 2021 at 10:16 am
If you watch Jordan loves college film and I’ve watched every game, this is who he is
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 11:52 am
I’ve watched a lot. I couldn’t disagree more, this was not the Favre like risk taker of his second year nor the highly accurate player of his first. So much so that I doubt your assertion.
13TimeChamps
November 08, 2021 at 09:12 am
Two things that I just don't understand with this organization:
Year after year after year the Special teams are just horrible. This game a missed very makeable field goal, a blocked very makeable field goal, a punt into the end zone, TWO muffed punts. When's the last time we've had even an average Special Teams unit?
Why our offense completely falls apart when our starting QB is out. Dallas won with a backup last week, Arizona won with their backup yesterday, the FREAKING JETS won with their backup a few weeks ago. The last time we've had competent backup QB play was with Matt Flynn years ago. I'm not blaming Love per se, first game and all, but this has been going on for years as well. Starting QBs get hurt, there has to be a better plan in place.
PeteK
November 08, 2021 at 09:23 am
We"re improving, Love looked better than Huntley or Tolzien.
13TimeChamps
November 08, 2021 at 09:36 am
....Graham Harrell, DeShone Kizer, Seneca Wallace.
PeteK
November 08, 2021 at 09:18 am
The freshmen football teams I coached had better special team play. What is going on out there, and than Crosby kicks it to the 10 after we scored a TD, luckily our coverage was finally good.
One simple O line rule is block inside out because a rusher can disrupt and get to the QB quicker up the middle. This was not the case with the right side of our O line.
This just might serve as a great coaching experience by being thrown into the fire and learning what he needs to improve on. I just hope Love doesn't lose confidence because it's a big difference for a young QB to gain experience playing in a few games towards the end of the season on a team with no playoff aspirations.
Buckywunder
November 08, 2021 at 09:17 am
Disagree about Chandon Sullivan.
Yes, props on containing the reverse. But he gave up the game-clinching completion, getting totally lost in coverage. At best he was a wash…
Thegreatreynoldo
November 08, 2021 at 09:52 am
He allowed a passer rating of 83 when he was targeted.
Qoojo
November 08, 2021 at 10:07 am
You are complaining about him giving up the completion against Hill, fastest guy in NFL, on a play where the QB extended the play. Put some extra thought into that.
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 08:23 pm
Amos should have been reading the QB and Playing the Ball, not sitting in space. Recognize and react.
Qoojo
November 09, 2021 at 09:54 am
Definitely should have had help. I am more upset about the crappy zone play that got KC to that point where no one was within 10 yards of the receiver.
PackerGravy
November 08, 2021 at 10:15 am
Yep
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:35 am
Slipped and fell, too. You can't cover a guy that long.
Mahomes was a half a step from being sacked, too. Game of inches.
Gee
November 09, 2021 at 10:22 am
was going to say the same thing about the slip, he was with him the entire way, up to that. Not lost just too long a cover, and Gary was so close on the other end. ugh
Coldworld
November 08, 2021 at 10:40 am
Lol, fastest receiver in the league made a smart play on a scramble. Coverage in that situation is very tough to maintain, as Rodgers and Adams/Nelson/Jennings have proved.
greengold
November 08, 2021 at 09:28 am
Ken, sorry, but this misses the mark, entirely.
You incorrectly went out of your way to throw much, if not ALL of the blame for this loss on Jordan Love's shoulders. This was his first game in over 1000 days, his first NFL start. Matt LaFleur deserves the majority of the criticism.
THIS is your worst take of the 2021 season.
GAME BALLS
TJ Slaton.
He was rock solid subbing for Kenny Clark after he went down in Q2, and had the best stat line of any of the Packers DL for the day, combining for 4 tackles while absorbing constant double teams.
Tyler Lancaster.
His best stat line of the season in the most action he's seen all year. 3 tackles and 1 TFL.
Joe Barry.
Phenomenal coaching job, with his players under duress after losing 2 more top performers. Well done, coach!
I agree with the others you had mentioned here.
LAME CALLS
Aaron Rodgers.
This loss is on him. Let me get this straight... you declare this is the "Last Dance." Pulling out all the stops. Yet, you can't protect yourself and the team, staff, reporters, and other NFL players you come into close contact with on a regular basis by simply getting vaccinated? Wow. The doors blown off your negligence on a day the NFL is honoring our Military Service Members & Veterans? Did they refuse vaccinations, at the cost of losing wars? WTF?
Matt LaFleur.
First drive, and he calls 2 pass plays and 1 run in a 3 & out? That's the tone you want to set??? REALLY??? Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon combined for just 20 carries in a game where EVERYBODY knew a RUN HEAVY ATTACK was the road to victory? WTF???
You can't keep an extra OL in on both run and pass plays, with Bob Tonyan lost for the season a week prior??? REALLY??? You didn't anticipate that heavy pressure on your QB in his first NFL start, LaFleur??? WTF???
You CAN'T ADJUST MID-GAME to the insane pressure your QB is taking in his 1st start by adding an extra OL, Matt LaFleur???
Maurice Drayton.
How? How are you and your players completely unprepared EVERY week to take the field?
This was a game the Packers should have EASILY won. The Packers D held KC to its LOWEST 3rd down conversion efficiency all season at just over 35%. Had Matt LaFleur and Mo Drayton done anything to help this team with game planning and preparedness, which is at or near the very top of their job responsibilities, the Packers would have EASILY won.
Razer
November 08, 2021 at 09:33 am
....This was a game the Packers should have EASILY won. The Packers D held KC to its LOWEST 3rd down conversion efficiency all season at just over 35%. Had Matt LaFleur and Mo Drayton done anything to help this team with game planning and preparedness, which is at or near the very top of their job responsibilities, the Packers would have EASILY won...
I totally agree. KC kept begging for the Packers to take this home a win. If Rodgers had been at the helm, we would of won this. Even with a shaky rookie QB, better playcalling and some adjustments we could have won this game.
I don't know what to say about Mo Drayton. We can't even do the fundamentals of blocking. Without words
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:37 am
I'm not going to just say that taking Love out and inserting Rodgers gives the same kind of game with a different result. I think Mahomes comes out and plays a different ballgame, and he had guys open--he missed many of them.
I agree: the game was there for the taking and they couldn't do it. I hope it doesn't come back to bite them on the ass later.
PackerGravy
November 08, 2021 at 10:14 am
This loss is on MLF and Mo Drayton I agree
jeremyjjbrown
November 08, 2021 at 01:33 pm
"by simply getting vaccinated"
How about even just not going to parties unmasked? I mean it's Halloween, your supposed to wear a mask.
Cubbygold
November 08, 2021 at 09:34 am
I'd like to hand a game ball out to the Rams, Cowboys, Vikings and Saints... appreciate them all losing in solidarity and not making things tougher on GB down the stretch run.
MEO73
November 08, 2021 at 09:35 am
Love played the way he played in college. Im not sure the issues he has are fixable. He has great physical characteristics, but his intangibles (ability to read & react, poise under pressure, adjustments) are Kizer like. After watching him play in college, I thought he was an odd pick. Hopefully, I am completely wrong and he develops into another HoF'er.
PackerGravy
November 08, 2021 at 10:12 am
You are completely right, I saw the same stuff in college. Good between the 20’s and then will throw the killer pick. Terrible draft choice by Gutey, another Kiser
dekan51
November 08, 2021 at 09:36 am
I agree w lots of you.
ST was awful, but the snapper wasnt the problem.
Why cant we field short punts? enough of letting them drop.
I thought we ran better when we lined up more receivers. put less of their guys in the box.
why all the screen calls when it clearly wasnt working. screen plays take time to develop, and you have to let OL get through
why did Love force so many balls to DA, who was never open?
the D was great, but why were we still 10 - 15 yards off their receivers at the end of the game? we needed 1 stop but we were still taking away the long ball, which at that time was stupid, esp their last 1st down that sealed the game....
Cubbygold
November 08, 2021 at 09:46 am
I thought the continued focus on Adams was interesting too, considering the narrative is that these two haven't had many/any reps together. Was a little disappointed in Adam's visible frustration with JL, would have liked to see him take the leadership role and remember that it wasn't so long ago he was the underperforming youngster.
Razer
November 08, 2021 at 09:57 am
...Was a little disappointed in Adam's visible frustration with JL, would have liked to see him take the leadership role...
Totally agree. Davante Adams became the surrogate pouter for Rodgers throughout the game. Yes Jordan Love was off but I didn't see much space between Adams and coverage. Maybe beating your man was discounted out of the equation.
Cubbygold
November 08, 2021 at 10:01 am
Right. I get when Kelce throws his arms up in frustration when he's wide open and Mahomes is throwing into double coverage. It's not like Adams had easy TD's available and Love just wasn't looking his way.
PackfanNY
November 08, 2021 at 09:39 am
A loss is a loss. However, their was a lot to like about yesterday. Mainly the Defense. Barnes and Campbell are playing their asses off. I also don’t see too many criticisms of Rashan Gary. He is developing nicely and he is a handful.
The one takeaway on the negative side that MUST be addressed is the all out pressure that was a huge factor. Yes Love is a young QB but where was the GB adjustment? The Packers never figured out how to handle it. I don’t know if it was Love needing to adjust blocking schemes or check downs or what. Where was the coaching? If someone is sending 8 or 9 rushers we should have been able to catch them and hit for some big plays. It wouldn’t matter if Rodgers was back there, you can’t have unblocked pass rushers running up the middle and expect the QB to be successful. This is something this staff needs to work on.
Cubbygold
November 08, 2021 at 09:42 am
Grew up a baseball guy, so I don't know the ins and outs as well as some of you, but would like to ask a question and see if my logic is correct here...
Clearly KC was bringing a blitz to get after the young QB.
It seems like the best way to beat a blitz is to run quick developing plays so the ball gets out before anyone can pressure/hit the QB. But these types of plays are based on timing/rhythm/chemistry... and these types of plays work best when an experienced QB reads the defense pre-snap and understands which of the quick routes are likely to be most advantageous.
If I've got this right, then evaluating Love's ability to do these things on such short notice/limited reps/limited live NFL game experience just seems silly. I'm sure the kid was really focused on not giving the game away by throwing a pick 6, which is why he was sailing some of those passes high. I think I heard he was 13/16 for 130 yards and a TD when he wasn't blitzed... that seems pretty darn good.
jannesbjornson
November 08, 2021 at 08:33 pm
Best to move the go to guy away from Adams with Honey Badger playing him man-up. MVS would have taken the top off, but it is pretty clear he is not 100% to run the go routes. Where was the motion offense withCobb and Rodgers keeping the LBs and safeties honest and creating more space for Love and Jones to run verticle or RPOs? Pretty lazy game plan. Lazard gets his target and he scores. This is also another criticism of Nathan Hackett a' la the SB collapse. Stay driven. Continue employing the plays that work.
Qoojo
November 08, 2021 at 10:08 am
The thing that bugged me most about Love's performance was the inaccuracy. All the rest of the issues can be resolved with experience and time. I am not sure how much accuracy can be improved.
Also, gotta love (no pun intended) MLF helping Love out by going no huddle so much.
Wtf?! is it with packers and special teams!
gpt999
November 08, 2021 at 11:01 am
Couldn't agree more on Special teams! Love looked nervous and under siege most of the game which likely contributed to his accuracy. But MLF should take a lot of the heat here. He should have run the ball FAR MORE and schemed better for the inevitable blitzes that were to happen to a green QB. So, while MLF looked like a genius against the Cards, not so much against KC...
RedRight49
November 08, 2021 at 10:05 am
Many of the Packs' defensive players are deserving of a game ball and the D kept the score within a very winnable range.
In particular Krys Barnes put that impressive hard smack on the KC runner near the goal line to prevent a TD and keep the score in check.
The Barnes hit was as hard a hit and and as important of a stop as the Pack had all day, a great play and game ball worthy.
Lame Calls
Special Teams play was disturbing, abysmal and utterly unacceptable this far into the season and for a team with SB aspirations.
This would be terrible Special Teams play in a pre-season game, how can Gute / MLF tolerate this sham production mid-way through an all - in season?
PackerGravy
November 08, 2021 at 10:07 am
Lame Calls:
MLF - his game plan with a young inexperienced QB was simply awful.
He should have leaned on the running game a called pass plays to get the ball out of Loves hands quickly. Come on Matt, WTF?
Mo Draeton: a horrible job getting special teams ready, this group has been a laughing stock all year. Mo gotta go!
Brian Gutekunst: for as good as Gutey has been patching this team together he has neglected to part of the team that cost us the game today and almost a few others, Special Teams! His refusal to go get a real return specialist, long snapper and the front office’s refusal to pay the money for a good special teams coordinator may cost this team a last chance at the last dance for a super bowl!
Game balls: Joe Barry and his defense - this was a defense without Alexander, Z. Smith, Kenny Clark (for most of the game) no Stokes either, yet this group swarmed and played amazingly well!
PackerGravy
November 08, 2021 at 10:26 am
I hate to pile on the kid because I would like to believe that Love could be a WB in the NFL. But hear me now, Jordan love will never be ready, if you watch his college film and I have watched it all,
this is who he is. I have nothing against the kid he seems like a nice young man, but he’s a horrible quarterback. Remember this is the front office who thought that Deshon Kiser was the next great quarterback and wanted to draft him with a high draft choice. While Gutekunst and his group are good at drafting some players they are woefully terrible at evaluating and drafting quarterbacks. Mark my words Jordan love will be the biggest flop since Rich Campbell and will get Gutekunst fired eventually. Again Jordan Love will NEVER be better than a below average backup QB in the NFL.
Cubbygold
November 08, 2021 at 10:31 am
This has all the quality of a 'Gary is a bust' and 'Joe Berry was only hired because he's MLF's friend' hot take.
dobber
November 08, 2021 at 10:41 am
"But hear me now,"
We've heard you for about six nows in a row.
Packerpasty
November 08, 2021 at 10:46 am
I'm with ya...pretty sure you will be proven right...most of these people have never looked into his Utah State career, it wasn't anything that would indicate he should be drafted where he was...which is why there was a lot of head scratching when they took him...he has had plenty of time to look better than he did yesterday, running the scout team or not...it seemed to me that Davante knew what was coming with Love at QB, didn't seem to have his heart into the game...because he knew...Love..somewhat servicable mediocre QB probably with a long NFL career as a back up for a few different teams...also just to pile on, he should have been picked twice more yesterday with those inaccurate floaters he was throwing up...
PeteK
November 08, 2021 at 02:09 pm
Love threw 32 TDs ( 6 INTs) in his junior year. I don't care if its backyard football, it still shows some ability. We have seen worse college QB develop and vice versa.
Since'61
November 08, 2021 at 10:44 am
Game Balls: All on the defensive side this week. Barnes, Savage, Gary, Barry and overall defensive effort.
Lame Calls: MLF, offensive game plan, play calling and failing to adjust to KC blitzing.. Special teams except for Bojorquez punting. OL was overmatched. Love needs time, he has a long way to go.
Given the circumstances Love's performance was OK. He needs to be able to convert 3rd down, that is where the OL failed and when Love made his worst throws.
No excuses for our Special Teams performance or for MLF allowing it continue 9 games into the season. Chuck the ST coach and move on. It's a weekly shxt show and it's embarrassing and frustrating to watch especially when we know that Crosby can make the FGs. Thanks, Since '61
gpt999
November 08, 2021 at 10:52 am
9 points of this game were given away by the not-so special teams. They didn't know where to line up, personnel coming to the field late, new snapper, FG holder setting laces the wrong way, punt returners fumbling the ball, punt returners not getting out of way of the ball - did I miss anything? And from previous weeks - FG kicker not getting enough height on ball, the FG line blocking collapses and the FG snap count is too predictable. Every once in awhile, an NFL team will have issues with these things but correct them quickly. They do this because Special teams make up 20% of all plays in a game! How long will Mo Drayton be allowed continue with this subpar performance? He may be a nice guy but we all know about nice guys and where they finish...
Dr.Rodgers
November 08, 2021 at 11:08 am
La Fleur is turning into MM the second. He looks like a kid out there with his sad little face. That game was not planned for Love or if it was, it was worse than he admitted to. I’m amazed that with such an excellent defensive effort he couldn’t come up with something at halftime to protect Love and pound the ball. That was malpractice like the crappy coaching job last January against Tampa Bay. Manage the fucking game!
Leland
November 08, 2021 at 11:39 am
You really have to be optimistic to think JL has IT. No feel, no intuition, and not a rookie. Give him every oppurtunity but keep looking at next years class.
LambeauPlain
November 08, 2021 at 12:11 pm
After losing one game as a redshirt rookie by 6 points?
Mistakes are good teachers...just don't let the same one "teach" you twice. Love...and ML both had coachable moments yesterday.
BruceC1960
November 08, 2021 at 08:47 pm
Why isn’t the media judging Justin Fields the same way they do J. Love?
Point-Packer
November 09, 2021 at 11:47 am
Lame Call
Aaron Rodgers getting medical advice from Joe Rogan.