Gut Reactions: It's almost like the Packers are good...

November 28, 2021 at 07:12 pm

A.J. (Armored Jeep) Dillon, as featured on CHTV. Awesome pickup for the brain trust at CHTV.
***
Rasul Douglas, awesome pickup for the front office of the Packers.
***
The MLF Packers usually find a way to win.

November 28, 2021 at 08:23 pm

Armored Jeep = love it!

November 28, 2021 at 10:28 pm

Thanks, Rossonero. Dillon played like an all-pro in this game -- with both power and agility -- didn't he?
I still love Aaron Jones as a big contributor for the Packers, but it seems to me Dillon should be our featured back. f
The Armored Jeep is the guy to pound defenses and tenderize them.
I hope Jones would accept this somewhat lesser role, realizing that we still need him to be the lightning to Dillon's thunder. In some games, Jones is going to be the guy who runs wild, and Dillon will be the one to give way.
In my book it's a win-win for both our backs, with plenty of opportunities for each to shine.
It's just that in a physical game such as this one against the Rams, Dillon has to take the primary role. It seems to me this is a key to the Packers being even better than last season.
Being for the team means being willing to let another player take precedence at times. Jones seem to have the character to make this sacrifice; and the paradox is that in doing so, he'll likely have a better time of it with the Packers.
A little less quantity for Jones could very well mean more quality, and a healthier career with more games played. f
What a dynamic duo at running back we could have on the Packers for at least a couple more seasons to come, and with a greater chance of a championship along the way!

6 replies + - | show all | hide all

November 28, 2021 at 07:13 pm

LaFleur still hasn't lost back to back games.

Tremendous effort and grit today by a team that keeps getting whittled down by injuries....hopefully Savage didn't take another concussion on that late onside kick play. Never gave up on the run game and ground the Rams into the Lambeau turf.

Maybe not the prettiest team to watch, but compelling none the less.

Packers need to find a way to fit Douglas under the 2022 cap.

On to the bye, 9-3, AND the Vikings lost.

mbpacker

November 28, 2021 at 07:17 pm

No the Viqueens lost!

therealcause

November 28, 2021 at 07:30 pm

MLF lost in the NFC championship game against Tampa Bay and in Week 1 against the Saints.

10ve 💚

November 28, 2021 at 09:02 pm

In a season, damn it, in a season.

Tundraboy

November 28, 2021 at 07:43 pm

"On to the bye,9-3,and the Vikings lost"

To quote Luigi in the Cars movie,

Punch me, Guido! Punch me in the face! This is the most glorious day of my life!

November 28, 2021 at 08:25 pm

Concur on all your points - spot on Dobber. I'm thinking Z'Darius Smith is the most likely cap casualty (he has some insane cap number in the high 20's next year), plus let King walk (who's injured all the time anyway).

November 28, 2021 at 08:31 pm

I think this was an entertaining game to watch. It had something for everyone.

We held the ball almost 40 minutes. Big days for the WR unit . Lots of targets . IF only we had one more superduper WR we'd surely have scored over 40.

And 100+ total yards from Dillon/Jones. The TE unit chipped in with 4 catches for 17 yards.

29 offensive points plus the 7 from Rasul That's pretty good. Only one turnover, and that was on Randall Cobb on specail teams. If you can't count on Randall Cobb to catchthefrickinball, I don't know what the special teams coah is supposed to do.

I keep saying that you have to try to reduce the ways your special teams can cost you a game. A missed FG is like a turnover. Cobb's fumble. The penalty that set us back to our own 11. For the most part, it's a bottom of the roster group that's on the field, but Cobb isn't a bottom of the roster guy.

I wouldn't return any punts and I'd put my best, most trustworthy guy in to fair catch it. Teams are deliberately kicking short so we have to return it, but we can't cough it up.

Huge Props ....Massively Huge Props....to these guys on the offensive line. In a perfect world, Nijman, Newman, and Runyan would be practicing and playing special teams and maybe getting a few reps in a game or two. Instead, these guys are saving our season. I have always thought that if you can give Rodgers some time to work, he'll usually get enough points on the board to win, and these guys are just really battling hard against guys who are better than them, like Donald and Von Miller.

Look at Douglas and Campbell and tell me that one or two players on a defense doesn't make a huge difference.

We're in a 3 way race with AZ and Tampa for the #1 seed. Dallas will be the #4 seed. LA will be the #5 seed. Nobody else matters. So if we win the #1 seed, we'll get a bye week and the winner of Dallas/LA. Then the Championship game against either Tampa or AZ.

NJMagic

November 28, 2021 at 09:01 pm

"I wouldn't return any punts and I'd put my best, most trustworthy guy in to fair catch it. Teams are deliberately kicking short so we have to return it"

Can't wait to ask Tom on Wednesday-

I have to imagine that's exactly what they were planning when they put cobb in to field it over Amari. Just catch it and then start the offense...

But even that backfired! Man oh man, this ST bug..

November 28, 2021 at 09:46 pm

It’s not a bug; it’s the nature of special teams. Shit happens, high school, college, pros. You can count on it. That’s why you shouldn’t give special teams a chance to blow the game. Why let the bottom of the roster undo the work of your highly paid stars.

I can’t believe Cobb messed that up. He’s the last guy I would have ever thought would do that.

BradHTX

November 29, 2021 at 07:44 am

At this point, I’m seriously starting to question whether they should not only not attempt to return punts/kicks, but rather, not even bother trying to catch them. Just let everything bounce and be downed by the kicking team, even if it means starting every drive on the 1. That’s honestly a better outcome than handing the ball back to the other team because they can’t just f***ing catch it.

flackcatcher

November 29, 2021 at 01:42 pm

After watching one too many missteps last year, I became a firm believer in the Letterhead school of ST. With the way the Packers develop their high draft choices, a lot of these guys will never be on an ST squad.(outside the OL player) It is an accident waiting to happen. After last night with Cobb and Crosby, two of the most reliable players on this team. I can't explain it...

November 29, 2021 at 06:20 am

Cobb has always been a decent catcher of kicks. I can only venture lack of practice as an explanation. Though that should be a sufficiently ridiculous notion worthy of immediate discounting, Drayton makes it plausible.

CheesyTex

November 28, 2021 at 09:34 pm

The 2021 Packers are showing tremendous effort and grit, and doing it with so many draft choices and free agents.

Obviously the leadership of #12 has to do with it -- playing through COVID recovery, broken toe, etc., It is just so great to see players like Douglas, Campbell, Nijman, Runyan, Stokes, etc. step up.

IMO Campbell needs some love, too, and Pack needs to resign him too.

myabfr

November 28, 2021 at 07:13 pm

Go Pack Go time to get healthy!

LeotisHarris

November 28, 2021 at 07:14 pm

A very sweet victory over a collection of all-stars wearing identical uniforms.

Mr. and Mrs. Stokes, congratulations on your new baby boy. He’s perfect, except he has canoe paddles for hands.

That Stafford boy ain’t right.

Kenny Clark can have whatever he wants.

Just look at our D tackling and hitting like it's a football game!

State of Wisconsin officials predict a 15000% increase in infants named Rasul to be born in the Badger State.

As we all anticipated, the Minnesota NFL franchise celebrated last week’s Super Bowl win by flying to the west coast and soiling themselves. #Skolol

The Green Bay Packers are 9-3. I really like these guys and I love this TEAM!

November 28, 2021 at 07:56 pm

Please don't label Stokes already as a cornerback with bad hands.
It seems people have been saying something similar about MVS as a wide receiver, and to me he looks like a star in the making.
Also, fans have been giving Gary a hard time, and just look at him now.
Patience, my friend, patience.

November 28, 2021 at 08:39 pm

The fast guys with good hands play WR. The fast guy with average to bad hands plays defense. Maybe in HS it doesn't matter as much, but if Stokes had good hands, he'd have played WR in college. He didn't.

10ve 💚

November 28, 2021 at 09:44 pm

In the NFL, a good CB is valued much more then a good WR. And they are much harder to get. Be glad Packers have Stokes, Rasul and Jaire.

November 28, 2021 at 10:08 pm

No. Not a true statement. There are more WRs making over $5 million/year. The average salary of the top 5 WRs is greater. Teams allocate a higher percentage of their cap for WRs. All facts are easily checked at Spotrac.com.

I am thankful for what we have. With everybody healthy, this is a pretty good group. Alexander, Stokes, Douglas, Sullivan, King……..there’s not a team in the league that can dress 5 guys like that.

November 29, 2021 at 06:27 am

I agree. Value aside, if a player has the physical ability and stature of a perimeter starter at CB and great hands, he’s a WR. I can’t think of one exception to that rule of thumb currently playing. Maybe Dion Sanders and the much greater Charles Woodson in their primes could have been WRs if they worked on it harder, possibly.

Guam

November 28, 2021 at 09:54 pm

How Rasul Douglas was sitting on the AZ practice squad instead of on their 53 is just unfathomable. He has been solid to excellent for the Pack and saved his best game for a big game against the Rams. I have no idea how Gute found him but am incredibly happy he did.

Big props to Gute for Campbell, Douglas, Nijman and Barnes. Where would the Pack be without those four finds?

barutanseijin

November 28, 2021 at 07:15 pm

Packers putting the NFC West in a hole. 4-0, including a Cali game.

Rams played and acted like losers. They aren’t going anywhere this year.

November 28, 2021 at 09:18 pm

So much for that daunting draw of the NFCW by the schedule-makers...

November 28, 2021 at 09:44 pm

Sweep of the consensus best division in the league!

Bitternotsour

November 29, 2021 at 08:50 am

what if Matthew Stafford is just jay cutler with better body language. he has a glorious arm, and he seems to be very tough, but he's like 8-68 against winning teams in his career. i mean, he had megatron for most of his career. maybe the rams made a bad gamble.

November 28, 2021 at 07:14 pm

Maybe the Packers are a good team. I think so. Are they legitimate super bowl contenders? Let's give it two weeks and also see if any of Myers, Bakh, Jaire, ZaDarius return and look healthy. Because that might open up new possibilities for the coaches to deploy.

I suspect that Aaron is correct: LAR might be more of a fantasy team than a football team. I think the Packers won this game, but I think the Rams gave a large assist in helping to beat themselves.

November 28, 2021 at 07:26 pm

We're a good team. When we come off the break, we'll be 9-3. So will Tampa Bay. Cardinals might well be 10-2. We own the tie break with the Cards. I'm not sure what happens if all three of us tie at 14-3. Both the Cardinals and Tampa could win out.

The Rams helped us. Most Games Are Not Won, They Are Lost.

Here's the Rams: They are led by Matt Stafford, who has been in the league 12years and never won a playoff game. He's 0-3. They don't have a strong run game to bail him out, so the Rams just put a bunch of superduper receivers on the field and tell Stafford to throw a victory. I think that's a failed strategy. If you're ever going to win with Stafford, you need to put a team around him that can win if he just manages the game.

November 28, 2021 at 07:31 pm

LOL. This was a superduper 🤣 win. Adams with 104 chain-moving yards and Cobb with 95.

Still in it for the bye. Head to head is clear. The rules on a three way tie are fairly complicated sometimes.

GregC

November 28, 2021 at 08:34 pm

Stafford played for the Detroit Lions. That's why he hasn't won a playoff game. He's a very good QB and much more than a game manager. Something is off with him right now, though. He's probably playing through an injury. The Rams lost one of their best receivers to injury and are breaking in Odell Beckham. They don't seem to be very strong at TE and RB. I'm not so sure that they have the tools to be an offensive juggernaut, no matter who their QB is.

November 28, 2021 at 08:43 pm

Why do you think Matt Stafford is a very good QB?

I've watched him a bunch and I believe he'll always make enough mistakes to hurt you. His arm is fine, but IMO, the QB position, above all else, is a leadership position. I don't think Matt Stafford is going to lead anybody anywhere. He never has.

November 28, 2021 at 07:48 pm

Respectfully, TGR, the Rams seemed pretty tough to me, and both teams made mistakes.
I think this game was much more the Packers playing hard and smart football overall than the Rams not playing well. If we get the Rams again, I would expect a tough battle.
What I saw from the Packers offense was a good mix of run and pass, and a good array of short passes to a variety of pass catchers. There were some good passes farther downfield, and some not so good passes farther downfield -- but in general the key was excellent ball control.
As for the defense, it seems hardly recognizable from recent years in its aggressiveness and physicality and tackling, plus understanding assignments to be in the right places. What a treat to see the amazing improvement!
***
I think the Packers as the team was tonight in its roster could compete with all of the best teams in the NFL and come out on top as often as not.
I agree that to win three or four games in a row in the playoffs against the best teams would be a difficult stretch -- so it would indeed be a big deal to get back as many of our injured players as possible.
With five games in the regular season after the bye, there's still a lot of time to see how the Packers develop.

November 28, 2021 at 08:06 pm

I think we are in agreement. The biggest difference in this iteration of the Packers seems to me to be that they are very gritty; they seem able to take and throw a punch. And the ability to tackle is huge and appears to be a big difference. Amos and now Douglas both lead by example.

That ability to win 3 or 4 games in a win or out playoff series could use the return of a few high quality players to provide some margin against bad breaks in addition to allowing the Packers to open the playbook in more situations.

November 28, 2021 at 09:44 pm

I'm glad we can agree to be in agreement.
Even if we should disagree on something else, TGR, it's good to have you here for good discussion.

November 29, 2021 at 01:06 am

Yeah, I think GB is a good team. I like math, though. If GB has a 70% chance of winning playoff game one (Div) and game two (Conf), that a 49% of getting to the super bowl. At that point, in single elimination, if that game's a toss up, odds are very decent. Having a 50% chance in each game really lowers the odds, so I'd like to see the return of some of these pro bowl type players to push the team from being good to very good.

I think the bye is important, based on the math. I was going to write a comment on Corey's article that the Packers should play Gary, Jones and company rather than allowing them to heal up absent an objection by the medical staff.

Heard AR talking about surgery on his toe. I guess I am amazed that he could have a surgery on his pinky and not miss time.

November 28, 2021 at 08:26 pm

Not having a run game severely limits LA.

McVay is a crafty coach and play designer (as Zimmer is a Defensive mind).

They are dangerous - but fragile - and therefore beatable only if not taken lightly.

November 28, 2021 at 09:21 pm

They CAN have a run game...they just don't stick with it.

November 28, 2021 at 10:01 pm

Sounded familiar until tonight

10ve 💚

November 28, 2021 at 09:50 pm

The Rams chose to pay the big bucks elsewhere. You cannot pay elite players at every position. So the running game suffered. Good for the Packers. We don't want the Rams to get too strong 😁

November 29, 2021 at 06:32 am

You beat me to it. That team is extremely uneven in talent levels in terms of individuals and positions. I don’t rate the Ram’s rushers highly. As we may recall, stats look better if the rush is a surprise or a team is happy to let the clock burn or to avoid a big passing play. The Rams are a big play or bust offense currently, we saw that very clearly yesterday.

TheKanataThrilla

November 28, 2021 at 07:16 pm

Funny a couple of weeks ago the media was practically crowning the Rams. Oops.

Rasul Douglas needs a new contract. I wish he made that second INT, but he has been amazing.

Dillon...I just love everything about the guy.

Aaron Donald chokes a guy and gets nothing? Review was right in front of a ref.

I am starting to admit that I am glad that the team held on to ESB. Making plays on ST and Offense. Happy for the guy.

Bye week is here and hopefully we can get some bodies back. I am amazed how we have managed to stay competitive and win with all the key injuries.

Go Pack Go!!!!

Bure9620

November 28, 2021 at 08:32 pm

Aaron Donald is going to get fined this week when that choke is reviewed. He's a great player but kind of a douche.

November 28, 2021 at 09:47 pm

Ndomankin Suh.
No HOF worthy, just played in a market.

November 28, 2021 at 08:33 pm

"Funny a couple of weeks ago the media was practically crowning the Rams. Oops."

All the more reason why the Packers shouldn't start proverbially "reading their own press" after this win either.

This team's DNA is as the scrapping underdogs who everyone doubts - I'd like to see them keep this mentality.

November 28, 2021 at 09:53 pm

Good stuff, Minniman.
I really like this particular Packers team with its players, but we don't have much margin for error.
We're a top team in the NFL as of now, but could easily slip to being mediocre.
I hope that after coming so far to this point, our guys aren't going to want to throw it all away by becoming complacent.
If we keep playing hard and smart, I like our chances for a fantastic finish.

November 28, 2021 at 10:13 pm

I think that our only challenge is Tampa. When we come back from break, we’ll both be 9-3. Cards will be 10-2.

croatpackfan

November 29, 2021 at 01:07 am

That is expected, but this season is very tricky. This season underdogs has more wins than favorits, so who knows...

Starrbrite

November 28, 2021 at 07:15 pm

The glamour and glitz - buy every free agent on the market paper tigers (as you call them), got their goat- smelling butts handed to them by a team missing 5 pro bowlers. The winning score should have been a couple TD,s more—Packers completely outplayed them. A great and extremely satisfying win.

Since'61

November 28, 2021 at 07:18 pm

This game was never as close as the score indicated. The Packers were dominant in this game. They were 20 seconds short of 40 minutes of TOP. Except for 2 big plays our defense stuffed the Rams rush game to only 68 yards and harassed Stafford for much of the game. Our offense moved the ball at will for most of the game and Dilloon took over during the 4th quarter. Rodgers played excellently despite his injured toe and missing 3 starters on the OL and very little from Aaron Jones.

It was an excellent team effort all around and now the Packers have a well earned bye week. Hopefully some of our guys like Bak and A. Jones come back after the bye. Maybe Alexander and Z. Smith get back in time for the playoffs.

We still need our FG unit to figure it out.

Great win coupled with a Vikings loss puts us in great position in the NFC North and keeps us in the hunt for the #1 seed. GPG! Thanks, Since '61

Starrbrite

November 28, 2021 at 07:17 pm

The glamour and glitz - buy every free agent on the market, paper tigers ( as you call them), got their goat- smelling butts handed to them by a team missing 5 pro bowlers. The winning score shud have been a couple TD,s more—packers completely outplayed them. A great and extremely satisfying win. Now get healthy.

Starrbrite

November 28, 2021 at 07:21 pm

Apologies for the double post.

SteelyPhil

November 28, 2021 at 07:43 pm

Really impressed with how the OL minus DBakh, Jenkins, and Myers held up, especially in pass protection. Statement win and sitting pretty going into a much-needed and well-deserved bye. Get healthy and finish strong!

mbpacker

November 28, 2021 at 07:18 pm

Great team win! Drama as always but a win is a win! GPG!

NickPerry

November 28, 2021 at 07:27 pm

The Packers just won the most important game of the 2021 regular season and IMO did it IMPRESSIVELY down 4 All-Pro / Pro-Bowl players.

I wonder if Odell Beckham is still pumped up about the FEW extra bucks he made? Since he signed the Rams are what, 0-2 or 0-3.

Rasul Douglas HAS been a Godsend and if Alexander AND King both come back then King needs to be moved the the quarter defense. You know, not nickel, not dime, but the one AFTER dime. In other words just about EVERY, no make that EVERY Packers DB is in a cast or street clothes only then should King be allowed on the field.

3rd and 5 after the fumbled KO return by the Rams Rodgers throws to MVS without a prayer of it being caught. Aaron Jones was out to the right WIDE OPEN without a look by Rodgers. Hey we're getting better on offense but common AR12, you have got to at least LOOK. It would have been a easy first down, maybe a TD.

Rashan Gary...YOU THE MAN!!

Rest up boys, that first round bye is still right there. Plus the Packers own the tiebreakers with the 49ers who won again, the Cardinals, the Rams, and Seattle if they ever win start winning again...

Hey...Imapayne.... Any nasty comments this week about the Packers, especially after your Vikings got trounced again!!

November 28, 2021 at 07:35 pm

his name is imapayne....

jurp

November 29, 2021 at 12:53 pm

It should be "NoFunAtParties".

fordguy

November 28, 2021 at 09:42 pm

If Rodgers gave you a million dollars you'd still bitch about it because they were all 1 dollar bills.

November 28, 2021 at 07:33 pm

Aaron Donald = Suh
OBJ < Megatron
Stafford = Stafford
Ramsey = Slay
WTF?

bjkdad44

November 28, 2021 at 08:03 pm

I’d take Megatron in a less than heartbeat!!

November 28, 2021 at 07:28 pm

We managed to do just enough to rattle Stafford enough. No mean feat with a one armed Gary and nothing but Preston showing outside. Good to see Clark again, but also Keke stepping up too. If we get Z back, Gary healthy and Garvin as our depth then this D will be scary.

Loved the performance from Dillon. Hard yards with not a lot of blocking over and over … wore them down and kept them in heavy boxes. Hats off to Nijman. Looked to belong to me against a good bunch of rushers.

Now let’s hope we can rest up and get healthy and drive in from here. Except the kicking unit. They should just stay and practice.

mbpacker

November 28, 2021 at 08:22 pm

Douglas had another good game, what a get Gute!

November 28, 2021 at 09:25 pm

Watched Gary very closely, and he certainly didn't look hindered by that injury at all.

Gee

November 29, 2021 at 09:21 am

Great call on Nijman, him and the O line. What's the old saying a sign of a good O lineman, is you never hear their name. Only time I heard Nijman name yesterday, was when he recovered the fumble. For me at that point if he doesn't recover that fumble, no telling how the game goes.

A New Era

November 28, 2021 at 07:28 pm

I'm often a motormouth but after this win, all I can say is I love this team!!!

November 28, 2021 at 07:33 pm

yeah i hear you i got nothin to say, i just felt good this game. watchin a practice squad corner save his career in lambeau doing the lambeau leap was a thing of beauty!!

Rebecca

November 28, 2021 at 07:29 pm

That sore toe might have helped keep QB1 playing pretty good pocket passer. I liked it. Team effort, turnovers, pro-tackling. This is a very good team.

November 28, 2021 at 07:39 pm

AR must have figured EQ could not have scored, even though he lined up in the backfield and was not covered on that 3rd and goal. I dont think his toe was a factor, but Crosby's was.

November 28, 2021 at 08:01 pm

I don't think Crosby is driving the ball. (That DL wasn't going to block it.) It just doesn't look right coming off his foot. More Air then Force.

MWendlandt

November 28, 2021 at 10:50 pm

Broadcast talked about it a little bit, essentially saying the timing is off between the snapper and Crosby so that Mason has to hesitate before starting his approach because Wirtel is taking too long to let it go.

Ya_tittle

November 29, 2021 at 05:47 pm

Why did we change long snappers in the middle of the season????

November 28, 2021 at 07:44 pm

Of course, AR ran one in for a TD despite being one on one with Ramsey. That's a handy ability. Not what he once was in that department, but he isn't a statue like Brady.

Grandfathered

November 28, 2021 at 08:26 pm

In his post game presser with McCarren, , MLF said that Rodgers changed the play.

November 28, 2021 at 09:26 pm

Ramsey has had two less than stellar trips to Lambeau in the last 11 months.

November 29, 2021 at 02:11 am

Theramswire indicated that Ramsey covered Davante Adams 56% of the time (25 of 45 routes run by Adams), according to nextgen stats. Adams caught 5 passes on 5 targets for 41 yards against Ramsey, but Ramsey allowed just 1.6 yards of separation.

I'd call that a good battle that is close but the battle goes to Adams on a decision. Yds/rec is just 8.2 but Yds/target is healthy, and then there is the 100% completion percentage. The 1.6 yds of separation suggests that AR is willing to throw to Adams even with a tight window.

Adams caught 4 of 5 targets for 64 yards otherwise, including 43 against CB Dont'e Deayon.

Edit: PFF indicates that overall Ramsey allowed 7 receptions for 49 yards, so that sounds like 2 receptions for 8 yards to receivers not named Davante Adams.

November 28, 2021 at 07:33 pm

dillons gonna be a problem in the cold if the playoffs go thru lambeau.... douglas is awesome man. its kind of crazy because he was a pretty bad corner on his previous teams, i remember the eagles specifically. lambeau is the perfect home for him i guess. the O line held up, they werent great but they held up. dillon helps. if your O line is banged up, and its cold out, its nice to have a truck in the backfield to get them going forward and get the D lineman going backwards. its awesome to have a guy to just give it to on 3rd and one. hope savage is okay.... this is a much needed bye week....

November 28, 2021 at 07:34 pm

Yeah, Eagles fans hated Al Harris too

November 28, 2021 at 07:46 pm

I didn't chart the game, but the Packers seemed to run over RG and up the middle in general over and over. Right at Aaron Donald. Interestingly, the zone stretch seems to be wholly missing.

November 29, 2021 at 06:33 am

Would make sense as Donald is not big and his pursuit speed is crazy good. Just pound the rock right at him.

Gee

November 29, 2021 at 09:27 am

Figured the same thing about Donald, watch a few plays where he was in the backfield gets hands on AJ, but can't hold him. I remember at least 4 runs that were going to behind the LOS, do to Donald, but AJ just kept pushing. The results were not great, maybe back to the line, or a couple of yards, but it kept the D from just pinning their ears back

November 29, 2021 at 06:43 am

He wasn’t bad on the Eagles. He was good in short area but he got beaten a lot over the top for big plays. He was also known as a poor tackler. He’s still vulnerable deep, he doesn’t have good long speed, but his awareness and short area burst and mobility are showing through. Looks like he’s worked in his craft and certainly his tackling.

Desire is so important for most NFL players, but I do think the Packers are trying to use him to maximize his pluses and minimize his minuses—something I think Barry has brought to the D after so many years of system is everything thinking.

Grandfathered

November 28, 2021 at 07:34 pm

Game predictions from CHTV:

Sarah and Maggie win with the closest score and Packer predictions!
Sarah Kelliher and Maggie Loney: Packers 31-27
Gunnar Davis: Packers
Dusty Evely: Packers 27-21
Mark Oldacres: Packers 27-24
Ken Lass: Packers 21-17
Jersey Al: Packers 24-23

Jennerjohn, Backes, Bretl and Roadcap picked the Rams.

Bure9620

November 28, 2021 at 07:35 pm

Brian Gutekunst needs credit for building the depth he has on this roster...Without it there no way we are 9-3.. I still believe to win it all, we need Jaire, Z and Bahktiari back healthy..Great win.

splitpea1

November 28, 2021 at 07:51 pm

Play of the game: Davante picking up the staff member(?) he knocked over and putting his cap back on carefully before returning to work. What a gentleman!

Now, between the lines: For all the ballyhooed talent the Rams have, the Packers were the better team in every phase, even special teams this time. Our OL only allowed one sack (excellent protection schemes by MLF), and with the exception of a couple of holding calls, held up remarkably. And the sacks we got were BIG; hats off to Gary for persevering through his injury and setting the tone early with his strip sack.

With the exception of a perfectly thrown bomb by Stafford, Douglas was outstanding. Run defense and overall tackling also outstanding.

Thank goodness we drafted Dillon. Not a flashy game from AR, but nonetheless outstanding.

Great alertness by Yosh snagging that Lewis fumble.

ESB: Getting better all the time and coming through on third down again.

You really couldn't ask any more of the Packers, being 9-3 with all their injuries heading into their late bye.

jeremyjjbrown

November 28, 2021 at 07:48 pm

Aaron Donald grabbing Lucas Patrick by the throat was pretty scummy. Him and Von Miller make a nice scummy pair.

November 29, 2021 at 12:34 pm

donald got roughed up by jenkins in the playoffs last year. he did nothing again yesterday. it seems the packers O line as well as arodg are getting under his skin a bit.

jeremyjjbrown

November 30, 2021 at 09:58 am

I suspect they've seen something on film and Rodgers has the line checks to neutralize him.

November 28, 2021 at 07:49 pm

Rodgers and state Farm. Hilarious! He is our insurance. Another MVP performance with a bad Toe! Love Kenny Clark! So under-rated. Douglass was everything a CB should be. Outstanding job by this OL. (Nice Follow up on the Lewis Fumble. ) The Rams were a test. The OL Passed. I think DeGura is the next starting TE. Dillion has just scratched the surface. The clutch short yardage gains, Awesome!

Packers1985

November 28, 2021 at 10:10 pm

That too without any practice from past one month. Hopefully he'll be able to practice after the bye to even out any wrinkles we have in our offense.

Bohj

November 28, 2021 at 07:54 pm

- Seriously forgot this team is even injured.
- OBJ and Von Miller were supposed to put the Rams over the top? Nope.
- Hold on to the interceptions please
- Welcome back Gary. Probably felt the Michigan vibe.
- Rasul paying homage to Sir Charles
- Get the kicking game in order please. We’ll need you Mason.
- Love how Barry didn’t play prevent after getting the lead. Pettine would have.
- Go Pack Go Packer nation!

13TimeChamps

November 29, 2021 at 10:54 am

"OBJ and Von Miller were supposed to put the Rams over the top? Nope."

Just like Khalil Mack was supposed to put the Bears over the top. Nope. Remember how many people on here were losing their collective minds when the Packers weren't able to sign him?

Lphill

November 28, 2021 at 07:55 pm

Why doesn’t OBJ at least dye his hair team colors ?

LayingTheLawe

November 28, 2021 at 08:18 pm

Team on its third left tackle, backup center, a rookie guard, a gimpy running back, and down its tight end possessed the ball for 40 minutes and gained 400 yards and scored 36 (ok the d got 7 of em - sue me) on this supposedly all world defense.

This team still hasn't peaked. Heck it hasn't even played its best lineup yet. Losing Jenkins is a big blow as my dreams of moving him back inside and not having to see Newman playing regularly anymore are gone now. But if health of the squad improves this team can be dangerous.

The defense looked great if you take out like 3 plays. Just got to fix that susceptible to the big play thing. Maybe a dose of Jaire could help that affliction. Could you imagine if all 4 d backs could be healthy and playing at the same time. Sigh - we can dream.

November 28, 2021 at 08:54 pm

Both of those long touchdowns could have been prevented if the DB didn't stumble around like a drunken goat and fall down. IMO, the DB would have been better off to concede the catch and focus on tackling the guy and maybe knocking the ball out. OBJ is very good at playing the ball in the air and he's going to win a fair share of those. but if we'd tackle them, we could line up and play defense again.

November 28, 2021 at 09:30 pm

Agreed...Sullivan in particular would've had to concede the catch, but got caught up in his own feet. He should've been able to make that tackle.

TheKanataThrilla

November 28, 2021 at 09:20 pm

"Losing Jenkins is a big blow as my dreams of moving him back inside and not having to see Newman playing regularly anymore are gone now."

Wonder if we would consider moving Yosh to RT and pushing Billy Turner to RG? Yosh makes me wonder whether we shouldn't have played Jenkins inside to improve the line before he got hurt.

MWendlandt

November 28, 2021 at 10:53 pm

Not every left tackle can play on the right side. There's subtle differences between the two. Yosh seems to be a pure LT at this point.

November 29, 2021 at 06:47 am

He was purely training at LT till camp, but he looked pretty decent at RT by the end of camp.

Packers0808

November 28, 2021 at 08:41 pm

I for one am Glad than Stafford is a Packer no matter what uniform he is wearing! We sure got some REALLY good players from other teams practice teams! B the Punter had a nice game and pin back today!

crayzpackfan

November 28, 2021 at 08:33 pm

A.J. “The Big Villain” Dillion is hopefully part of GB’s future for a few years. Or A.J. “Down Hillin” Dillion?!
Crosby better…..but?!
At least the hero ball was limited to maybe 2 series?
Opportunistic defense!!
Kenny Clark!! Beast!!
When not playing hero ball Rodgers was dealing dimes.
No notable injuries!!
Bye week. Leading division. Getting healthy.
Things are looking good.
Spotted Cow!!
Go Packers!!

November 28, 2021 at 08:40 pm

Good call on the Spotted Cow! Cheers to that!

November 28, 2021 at 08:39 pm

Loved Nagler's comment about fantasy football vs. real football. Just watch the Rams collapse like a house of cards in the couple years when they have no draft picks and can't afford to pay all these guys.

Health:
- From what I can tell, there weren't any major injuries in this game, which feels weird to say after a seemingly never ending stream of guys heading to the blue tent or going to the locker room on crutches
- Be smart on the bye and don't come back with COVID, please. This team needs to get healthy!

Special teams:
- Aside from Cobb's muffed punt, coverage was better
- Forced and recovered a fumble on a kick return
- Crosby made all his kicks but the last FG, so of course he has to do that to make our blood pressure go up. There was 11 mph winds, but still, it's not like he's never kicked in this before
- Seems like the long snapper and holder are a bit more comfortable
- Bojorquez is a legit punter. I've never been so excited for a punter

Offense:
- Dominated time of possession and kept Stafford off the field
- Rodgers made some fantastic throws that we've just become accustomed to
- Adams had another great game, made Jalen Ramsey look invisible
- O-line struggled initially with collapsing pockets, but later settled in and did a great job protecting Rodgers. Outstanding work by Nijman, Patrick and Runyan
- Had a feeling that Jones would be on a snap count - there's no sense in risking his knee when we have Dillon and a bye week coming up
- Dillon is a beast; can't wait to get Jones back to full strength

Defense:
- I said before the game that Stafford would throw up a few ducks, and he sure did. Glad Douglas had a pick 6, he should've have had the other
- Rashan Gary arrived when Whitworth choked him out (holding), but forced a fumble anyway
- Kenny Clark is a man among children
- Adrian Amos is the hard hitting safety who just goes about his business
- Credit to Joe Barry for a sound game plan for the most part
- Giving up the big plays to Jefferson and OBJ are a bit worrisome

GregC

November 28, 2021 at 08:45 pm

I don't understand all the people putting down the Rams. Let's give the Packers credit for beating a really good team that was coming off a bye. Having said that, it would've been closer if Stafford was playing decently. We can add him to the list of really good QBs who have thankfully played like crap against the Packers this year. The others are Ben Roethlisberger, Patrick Mahomes, and Russel Wilson. Good to see the defense finally get some turnovers, and the offense may be starting to gel. It will be interesting to see what happens if they get some players back after the bye, or at least by the end of the season, especially Jaire Alexander and Zadarius Smith.

November 29, 2021 at 04:54 am

I suppose people put a team down as a normal post game reaction if one feels the other team gets more than fair share of hype. Its kind of sweet when you think of the public reaction after Rams signed big names Von Miller and OBJ, verdad? Meanwhile Gute signs practice teamers or JAGs: Campbell, Douglas among others that didn't pan out so nicely. But you're right, Rams are a stacked and talented football team with great coach. Stafford is a very good quarterback, and has killed the pack in the past with his arm. So the reason he didn't play well against the packers, like Mahomes, Wilson and Roethlisberger, would....statistically provide an explanation. Might be a 'barry' good Defense.

ReaganRulz

November 28, 2021 at 08:48 pm

…and our Special Teams forced a fumble!!!! Holy _ _ _ _ !!!! Or did I hallucinate that? :)

November 29, 2021 at 12:39 pm

they didnt force a fumble. they jumped a dude and snatched his ball and his chain!

NJMagic

November 28, 2021 at 09:06 pm

I can't say it enough...

I am really really impressed with the depth and team BG put together.

Ditto with MLF coaching staff.
Mea culpa Joe Barry, I was way wrong.

CharlieHobart

November 28, 2021 at 09:10 pm

Amos’ stop on that 4-1 was a game changer

4 replies + - | show all | hide all

November 28, 2021 at 09:32 pm

I shot a deer on Friday that flipped like Henderson did on that play...

albert999

November 28, 2021 at 09:15 pm

Great win but lafluer calling an unbelievable amount of up the middle runs that amounted to nothing was predictable,stupid and un imaginative

GregC

November 28, 2021 at 09:28 pm

Aaron Jones was on a limited snap count, and A.J. Dillon is a straight-ahead runner. I think those calls were reasonable, even though they did not have great success with them. I think those running plays also helped slow down the Rams pass rush. The Packer offense scored 30 points against a pretty good defense.

November 28, 2021 at 09:32 pm

It was good playcalling.

albert999

November 28, 2021 at 10:01 pm

Every time we didn’t score it was because we didn’t get more than 2 yards on the first 2 down because we ran up the middle
You call that good play calling? Seriously
Look at the stats of the game

November 29, 2021 at 06:57 am

Dillon averaged 3.9 yards per carry I believe, the vast majority after impact. Not too shabby.

November 29, 2021 at 12:42 pm

it was cold. dillon was wearing them down. stats only tell part of the story. the other part of the story was; the line couldnt hold up in protection. we saw that at the end of the half. running the ball in the cold and wearing down the defense might not of shown up on the stat sheet, but its what they had to do with the current construct of this O line. i would like to see a few more swing passes to dillon tho, but pounding up the gut opens up everything else.

ImaPayne

November 28, 2021 at 10:48 pm

Actually I liked it because its his way of rewarding our O linemen who like to do some hitting too versus playing defense. They get a chance to t it up and hit some people like Donald et al. Running to the end is not as much fun for them

November 29, 2021 at 12:43 pm

damn right. its cold, and the rams are from LA. pound the rock. those 2 yards turned to 6 yards in the 4th quarter.

November 29, 2021 at 06:54 am

That was absolutely the right tactic. The Rams have a pretty good run D, so it was never going to be easy. By pounding the middle we not only averaged enough to get repeated first downs in theory, we forced them to stay heavy in the box and tired their rushers. Finally LaFleur may have realized that that’s the way to blunt a D like that. Certainly he stayed committed to it. That is something that he should be commended for.

jurp

November 29, 2021 at 01:01 pm

And AR stayed committed to it, too. Maybe those plays don't have an "AR-option" baked into them...

November 28, 2021 at 09:39 pm

Congrats on the clean sweep of the NFCW GB.

With only the 3 NFCN divisional games and 2 out of conference games remaining, the Packers are firmly in the drivers seat for seeding.

On paper, the only "must-win" game for them from here that could affect seeding is the Vikings game at Lambeau in week 17..... sure, winning them all is the objective, but from an advancement to the playoffs perspective, only the Vikes can hurt the Packers from here on.

packer132

November 28, 2021 at 10:08 pm

To me, the must win was today against the Rams to move to 9-3. The Vikings can't hurt the Packers as they sit at 5-6. Even if Minnesota won all 6 to finish 11-6, that would not win the NFC North. You want to go into the playoffs on a roll, and a bye week to rest and the Bears will be a good start. Arizona plays the Rams, Colts, and Cowboys, and need at least one loss. Even without the #1 seed, as long as Green Bay is playing well in January is the most important thing.

November 29, 2021 at 12:45 am

Agree, the most important thing now is to build momentum into January - and hopefully get some of the starters back.

That said, I've had this same chat with Dobber - when the #1's do return, how do the Packers not continue playing some of the players that got them there in the first place?

........I guess that with the recent spate of injuries, the only position group that this applies to is CB - Z will go into rotation in the OLB's and Bakh will take his normal spot

ImaPayne

November 28, 2021 at 10:45 pm

I had a real laugh when just as a play ended and Mr Donald looked very frustrated that he didnt get to Rodgers, he leaned up against one of our O linemen who was vastly larger and I could see him looking down at Donald and was wondering, did he say, "hey your pretty short arent you" I know that didnt happen but it should have.
Donald just knows how to find and sneak through the cracks, he aint bowling anyone over at least not today.

ImaPayne

November 28, 2021 at 10:53 pm

Wonder what they would do for his toe other then try and fit a metal brace of some kind to protect it. I had a broken toe, it hurts like hell but the bottom line you just let it heal. I know they do not wrap it with band aids anymore. Not much you can do unless of course the bone is coming through but he cant have that, he couldnt play with that.

November 29, 2021 at 05:13 am

Plate and screws. Will secure it and may prevent him from rebreaking it easily and repeatedly.

4thand1

November 28, 2021 at 11:29 pm

My gut tells me this team is going to get better. They play hard and the o-line coaching staff deserves a huge raise. They are missing 3 all pro players IMO not a few JAGS. They win in spite of dismal STs and injuries. The Pack has the big 3 a team needs. AR, AJ, and DA, hell throw in Dillon for the big 4.

MarkinMadison

November 28, 2021 at 11:41 pm

OMG. This team is tough. This is the first time I've said that about a Packers team in years. Go get some rest Gentlemen.

November 29, 2021 at 06:45 am

Very true MinM, gritty and resilient team so far. They just can't ever get complacent....so at least having so many obstacles in the injury status, they keep fighting hard. Now if only special teams can climb out of the mineshaft, and sprout something positive.

ricky

November 28, 2021 at 11:50 pm

What a difference a year can make. Dillon was a wasted pick. Ditto DeGuerra. Gary was a bust. Dump Preston Smith, he had one good year, and deserves to be cut. MVS also stinks; bad hands, that can't be cured. Now, it looks like, just maybe, Gutekunst knows what he is doing. Though, the jury is still out on whether the change in long snapper was a good move. Joe Barry? Seems like he has taken a group of round pegs and is putting them into round holes. And what can you say about Stenavich? The OL has been decimated, and yet Rodgers remains upright while the proverbial "next man up" steps in and takes care of business. This team is being constantly challenged, and, so far, has been extremely resilient. If this is indeed the "Last Dance", then it seems they are determined to make it count.

November 29, 2021 at 05:04 am

I'd give you many more thumbs up if I could. Stenavich and Barry are on track for some kind of Assistant of the Year award if there aren't enough coach of the year awards available to go around after LaFleur. Stenavich, the hog-whisperer. Perfect comment on all the outcasts of last year, so we hear so little from the gloomers and haters that posted all off season. Being an underdog or, facing formidable obstacles sometimes presents a better fight than a presumed win, perhaps. Each game (since the saints), that was a presumed loss to be, Packers came in with a pretty impressive plan and handed their opponents and Vegas some humble pie.

November 29, 2021 at 07:03 am

I don’t know how long we will be able to keep Stenavich, unfortunately. I do think what Gute has done to give him material to work with is quite remarkable.

CheesyTex

November 29, 2021 at 03:57 pm

Any idea how important Butkus' contributions have been?

November 29, 2021 at 06:48 am

Ricky,
Good post and so true! Amazing how all those naysayers have been silenced.

Lots of candidates for the GBP's 2021 MVP award but IMHO it hands down goes to Gutey! What a job whether in draft or FA! No way Packers are even competitive this year with all the injuries without the amazing pickups.

jurp

November 29, 2021 at 01:12 pm

More than a few of those naysayers are now "I told you so's", pretending that they never posted what we know they posted. Others appear to be trolls.

Me? I'll proudly state that this spring I wanted AR gone before training camp. I think had that happened we'd be worse off record-wise this year but one year ahead in the multiple-super-bowls-in-the-next-five-years phase of this team. I think by waiting we have severely diluted AR's trade value and will be lucky to get more than a 4th rounder or two for him this winter; after all, we only got a 6th rounder for Favre, IIRC. Of course, if we have multiple suitors then I'm way wrong. Here's hoping!

Was I wrong to want AR gone? Sure seems like it. I also thought that AR would be a lockerroom distraction and that the team would implode. I think the combination of Gutekunst getting Cobb, AR's truly committing to this team, MLF's leadership, and the true professionalism of our players have all combined to prove me way, way wrong! Yay!

I wish this board had an archive (maybe it does and I just don't know where it is?) - it would be interesting to see how all of our predictions panned out this year.

November 29, 2021 at 07:36 am

Lots of positives that could be mentioned but instead will focus on ESB. WOW!

For those of you (and I remember many of you) who said ESB played soft and didn't like contact have you been watching ST's? He appears to be our best ST player the past few games always around the ball. He is getting a couple touches a game on offense, however his touches need to increase. I'm a big Lazard fan but there just doesn't appear to be a positive connection this year between Rodgers and Lazard. Lazard is a possession receiver. ESB stretches the field and he needs to touch the ball more on offense, particularly across the middle. With his size and speed I love watching him running quick slants across the middle.

November 29, 2021 at 07:05 am

I’m wondering if Lazard is still hampered by his recent injuries.

November 29, 2021 at 07:45 am

He's rusty. And he better get his butt in gear.

November 29, 2021 at 06:59 am

Hey Taryn, we haven't heard from you for awhile. I've ribbed you plenty, mostly amicably so. Are you enjoying the play and wins? Of course, you could still be right in the end, and this team tanks with its mediocre roster. Probabilities are on your side as the stats are still quite low probablities for winning the superbowls for any team. But, you can also join the hopefuls!

November 29, 2021 at 07:39 am

LOL!

There are many who for the time being have temorarily retreated and barely have their heads peaking thru the bushes. They will return in force should the team falter blaming Gutey, Murphy, LF, and others.

November 29, 2021 at 07:46 am

No - Were letting Rodgers play do the talking.

barutanseijin

November 29, 2021 at 04:26 pm

Is it not enough to enjoy the victory without rubbing someone's nose in it? Not everyone is a rah-rah homer land that's OK.