Rodgers: Just needs to break some bad habits. What's killing him is the little things on the mental side, not his physical limitations.

Tramon: He's 38, of course he is holding. I'd be trying to tackle WRs at the LOS if I was 38.

Kenny Clark: Pay that man his money. Yesterday.

Defense being gassed: Of course they were gassed. The offense did zero for them in the fourth quarter. The Lowry interception should have resulted in a field goal that iced the game (at a minimum). Instead the defense was thrown back out there (repeatedly) after not enough time to drink a cup of H2O.

MVS: Ugh. Just ugh.

You neglect mention Rodgers diving head first on 3rd and 20 for a 5 yard gain and fumbling, luckily call overturned. Why didn't he just slide? The mental errors are the most surprising for me. I understand missing some throws but cmon man, losing 2 field goal opportunities was rookiesque. He is definitely on the back 9 of his career. Time to take a shot on his eventual replacement in the early rounds of next draft.

Would add Jake Kumero to the Game Ball list, and do like your overall Game Ball - Lame Call list.

With limited time of late taking offensive snaps, WR Jake Kumerow found an open space, made a nice grab and, ran hard and far for YACS, shedding
wanna-be tacklers. JK looked like a tough TE plowing through his 49 yard pick-up.

And a Lame Call to whoever decided that Aaron Jones should be assigned to block one - on -one a Bears pass rusher - at least twice Jones was unceremoniously shoved straight back into Rodgers. Number 33 was willing and game in the assignment but that blocking assignment call was just lame.

1--I think the miss throws by Rogers are more glaring this season because he hasn't had that many chances to follow them up by a 15 yarder and he can't get into a rhythm as in past seasons. Something always goes wrong, drops, poor blocking, penalty, or poor routes.
2--Offensive line was the culprit this week. They couldn't block a D line minus Smith and made a beat up, gassed Hicks look like Reggie white in his prime.
3-- Besides the dropped balls, you can see on replays that the receivers are just running poor routes( running into coverage instead of finding the open areas in the zone).
4--Thought the tackle on Williams on the return was a clear spearing. He lowered his helmet right into his upper chest and hit his helmet.
Even though I'm not very confident this season , nobody is, Niners lose to Falcons at home. I won't be very surprised if Colts beat Saints tonight.

For the first time I can think of, we won in spite of AR's play and not because of it. Not bad for a 13 year veteran. But hopefully not the clear beginning of the end.

Game Balls... The ENTIRE Packers Defense for the first 41 minutes and 37 seconds of the game...The Bears had done pretty much nothing. Jarie was a BEAST, Kenny Clark was a BEAST, the pass rush was doing an excellent job making Trubisky look like Trubisky.

Lame Calls...The ENTIRE Packers Defense for the final 18 minutes and 23 seconds of the game. UHG, UGH, UGH, UGH!!!

Coaching adjustments... Once again as soon as the opposing team makes adjustments, the Packers coaching staff is unable to make counter adjustments.

WHY O WHY then does Pettine INSIST on dusting off a version of Dom Capers "Prevent Defense" EVERY time this team has a lead going into the 4th quarter? It NEVER prevents anything except taking a game the Packers had in hand and giving us all a near heart attack by the time the clock reads 00:00.

Rodgers...After a win like that Rodgers has NO BUSINESS being smug at his presser talking about fine scotch.

"Again, no killer on this defense to count on late"

I get why this would be written but I disagree. While it is true that game was much more exciting finish that it should have been, the Bears had possession with the chance to tie up the game 3 times. They were 0-3 on those attempts.

In fact, the Packers are 7-1 in one possession games. Sounds like they can finally count on people to make plays late in the game. Which is a welcome change from the last 5-6 years when you could count on the defense to give up a late lead. For this year anyways, they have reliably held late leads. I haven't yet shaken the nervous feeling I have been conditioned to have over those years. But I'm starting to believe that they can get it done.

Game ball to Mike Pettine and this defense.

The final 20 minutes of the game for GBs offense…
6 plays, 13 yards, punt
3 plays, 5 yards, punt
3 plays, -3 yards, punt
3 plays, -5 yards, punt
3 plays, -1 yard, punt

The defense held strong, even creating a turnover to put the offense in scoring position.

#9 in points allowed now this season. The Vikings and 49ers have an extra $20-40M in payroll, and have only allowed 25 fewer points all year. Pettine deserves a big contract extension.

I'll go on record as saying that if Terrell Suggs makes it down the waiver wire to this team, they should claim him. I know he's threatened retirement if he's claimed by anyone but Baltimore, but some have said that Tennessee will take a shot because they have his former DC. Maybe--by that logic--he'll want to play with Z. Smith and for Pettine. I could see that move freeing up P. Smith to play some snaps in the middle on run-downs.

There are only a couple teams behind the Packers in waiver claim, but a little keepaway might not hurt.

When you can't fix a weakness, double down on strength.

Don't know what but something VERY big has to change in time for PLAYOFFS or are one and done!

"teams that are going deep in the postseason aren't struggling to end that effort. "

The only thing that happens in the regular season that automatically disqualifies a team from making a deep playoff run is missing the playoffs. Once you're in, anything can happen.

Tyler Ervin came out of college with a track record of being small, but dynamic. Between him and Aaron Jones, the Packers really don't have anyone who fits that bill. I wonder how long before we see the Packers trying to work a couple looks per game for him on offense...I certainly don't want to see GMo catching any more flat passes behind the LOS. Why not give those to a guy who can make things happen in space (Jones, Ervin).

Game ball to Desmond Howard happy to have him back!

* If the Packers offense is excellent on opening drives that are apparently scripted by the coaches; and in this game at least excellent at the beginning of the second half also due to scripting; but generally terrible on offense at other times in the game when Aaron Rodgers presumably has more of a role in calling the plays -- what do we make of that?
* As we see Rodgers in somewhat of a decline, yet still stellar in some ways, it seems to make even more sense that he would make adjustments to his game such as not holding onto the ball so long. He would do well to watch the first Vikings game from last year when his leg was injured, and he had to throw quickly, and our offense thrived in rare fashion.
* Please don't keep piling on MVS for dropping one freakin' pass. Perhaps he should be the one who is frustrated for having so few opportunities to catch the ball this season. It amazes me when people give up on young guys like MVS and Rashan Gary so very soon, and seem to forget how long it took some of our better players to develop.
* On a more upbeat note, Aaron Jones is the new Paul Hornung. I was about in kindergarten when Hornung retired -- and thus sadly missed out on his fantastic career -- but my Dad told me he had an uncanny knack for working his way into the end zone. A lot of our 11-3 seems to be Aaron Jones as league MVP.

Lame call: Farts After Wins...where are you brother? Hope your intestinal track is OK.

Wow, that shot looks really cool.

Game Balls:

11-3 - There is no apologizing for this record! They have a winning record for a reason. They are flawed just as are every other team. The 49ers who were supposed to be the 1 seed lost to a team that was 4-9. This team finds ways to win. They make it way more interesting then we want them to be, but they are finding ways. They were playing a team that had momentum. A team that won 3 in a row and 4 of their last 5. A team that just beat the Cowboys. They had momentum.
We control our own Destiny. Win the last 2 and we will have no worse then the 2 seed. Can't ask for more then that.

Ervin - We FINALLY have a return man. A guy that can make people miss and run with speed. Finally!!!

Clark - Beast!

Lame Calls:
Dropped passes - The first attempt to MVS should have been caught. May not have been a TD, but he should have caught it. Huge play that was not. Perfect throw and it was not completed. 3rd down same drive Allison drops pass that hits him in the hands. 2 pass plays that should have been caught. Adams dropped 2 passes. One of which would have set them up well on 3rd down. It was 2nd and 20 and would have made it 3rd and 8.

Dropped Interceptions - I can count 2-3 for sure dropped interceptions. Amos could have had one had he not been zeroed in on a hit. Packers DB's were getting their hands on balls, but need to start pulling them in. Savage had one that IMO would have been a pick Six. He read it perfectly and had a clear opening to run it back. Those are the game changing plays this defense needs to start making especially as we get closer to the playoffs.

Notes:
-This game would have looked completely different if MVS brings in that first catch, if Adams doesn't have 2 dropped passes, and if they don't drop 3? interceptions, one of which could have went for a TD.

-It felt like they got conservative in the 4th quarter offensively. But some of that was guys not making plays either. Overall the play calling didn't bother me, but I would have liked on the Packers last possession when it was 3rd and 5 to see them spread the defense out and try and get those 5 yards. If Rodgers didn't have a clear throw he could have taken a knee or something to keep the clocking running. But if they get a first down there the game is over. Why put the defense back on the field.

-To me it felt like the defense got wore out in the 2nd half especially in the 4th quarter. Packers offense didn't give them any breaks and it was noticeable.

MVS and Allison should not even be on the 53.........practice squad at best....NOT kidding.....they consistently drop passes, and when contested, they fold like a cheap suit....Lazard and Kumerow deserve the #2 and #3 spots.....they've earned it....

Good grief, I can't wait for you dang cry babies to have to live the 80's again. Every damn one of you will deserve it. #12 carried the team for years and now all you want to do is trash him. None of you are true Packers fans, not a damn one of you. Enjoy being 11 - 3 and going back to the playoffs. There is a reason to watch after week 17 this year.

Let's all consider that the only real ugly win is a win but with significant injuries. This team has been incredibly healthy, including an Oline playing its preferred starters 100% of snaps. At least a few wins this season can be attributed to good health, compared to opponents.

Game ball: the trainer and stretch instructor

Jason, one of the best articles you have ever written, perhaps because I agree with everything you wrote (though I am not sure you can say certain things without being ripped apart by blindfolded Packer fans). The Packers' safeties and corners are athletic, fast and strong but are clearly stupid or don't know their job. Holding at the wrong time, allowing tight ends to wonder alone for long completions, trying for a pick instead of knocking a pass down and how many more picks could the Packers have had yesterday if they did their job? As for Rodgers, he continues to hold the ball too long, not see open receivers far enough to get the first down yet close enough to get the completion but chooses instead to throw the ball down field to a receiver covered by three players, runs out of time because of the 0:00 clock at the snap and is getting more false start calls on his own players than off sides calls. He is playing like a scared pouting rookie and being outplayed by the opposing QB in almost every game regardless of whether Packers win. I cheered Rodgers when he was the greatest of all time (f*^k Brady) but I'm entitled to trash him when he's hurting the team. I was there during the 80's Packers, even the 70's Packers. The biggest problem the Packers will have advancing in the playoffs is getting Rodgers head back to being screwed on straight.

At 11-3 are the Packers the best team in football....the answer is no........right now. But they are 11-3. They take care of the football and win the turnover battle normally (+14 and 2nd in the league on that) and they play good red zone defense (top 10 in ppg). Those two statistics are the most important in the recipe for success in any football game. Rodgers getting a lot of heat for not being what he once was, but gosh darn he takes care of the football better than anyone. And the reality is in the past he had 3 guys he could trust to make a catch (Nelson, Jones, Cobb). Today he has one (Adams) although I believe Lazard has grown into that role and the LeFleur needs to turn more to Kumerow and the young TEs, but that will come. Rodgers is I believe reluctant to throw down the middle unless wide open because of the turnovers associated with dropped and/or tipped balls. This will come either this year (later) or next year. Running game is solid especially when the backs are used in pass game (which they do). As Rodgers said, I like this team...and I like their chances. THe more time in this offense...the more the young guys grow...the more dangerous they will become.

I've been loyal to the Packers since the times when Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton tormented us with his twisting escapes in the Seventies; and while living in Bears country during the heyday of Coach Ditka in the Eighties.
I'm also a big fan of Brett Favre to this day -- but watched him, after the glory years of three straight MVPs and a Super Bowl triumph, seemingly hinder the team in latter seasons to the extent that he put himself above coaching.
We do have to be careful not to overdo the negativity with the Packers; but constructive criticism in a caring way is necessary for a team to reach its full potential.
If a bad driver somehow got me home safely, I'd count it as a win -- but still not get back in that car until there were real signs of major improvements.
I'm truly glad for all of the Packers victories of 2019, and yet the ride has often been clunky and bumpy and nerve racking. Let's correct things before suffering a crash.

Game: Defense allowed 13 points despite total plays/TOP lopsided. In 2 games, Bears scored a total of 1 TD.

Lame: Final GB drive—Total elapsed time 0.58

I agree with the the Rodgers assessment. It was clear that he's not the same QB of yesteryear. Always have to qualify it with "He is still very good" but just not as good as he used to be. There's a reason why mid-30s and up is old for the NFL.

Super-Lame: That offensive performance after the Lowry INT was beyond lame. How times a defense have to "kill" an offense? The offense should have put it away right there, but due to Rodgers' mental mistake, didn't even get a FG attempt from it.

I have a difficult time giving Adams a game ball for half-game performance and so many drops.

Rodgers is not performing at an MVP level:

1. Except in the 1st Quarter...he is excellent....Matt is very good with Hackett and Aaron scripting the attack plan for the Ds weaknesses in the first 15-20 plays....and Aaron and the O are prepared and disciplined.

2. Quarters 2-4 for the most part are dysfunctional, haphazard, and head scratching. Except the 3rd quarter yesterday was encouraging....then came the 4th qtr....ugh.

3. #12 seems very indecisive after the script is done. Feet of clay or receiver corps that is “not OK”? He doesn’t have Jennings, Jordy, Jones, Driver, Finley, Cobb...Adams, Lazzard, Kumerow, MVS, Allison and those TEs don’t match up. But neither does the #12 in his 20’s to todays version.

4. Coach Matt is learning, the D is Red Zone strong and bend and often break until then....STs are maybe becoming not awful...perhaps a good QB for the playoffs can get it done.

Pack has beat some good, solid teams. They are not dominant...but they too are good and solid. There are no lucky paths to 11 wins...with a chance for 13 in the NFL.

Let’s roll!

Game Balls: Kenny Clark with a huge game, Tyler Ervin saving our ST returns, Lowry, Amos and Savage.

Lame Calls: MVS who has no idea of how to catch a pass. Back in the Lombardi era the Packers had a backup WR named Bob Long. He may have been the fastest receiver that ever played for Lombardi. In any case Starr threw a perfect deep shot, similar to Rodgers throw to MVS yesterday, and Long let it get threw his hands. After the play he comes back to the Packers sidelines and Lombardi says to him, ""Mister, what are you doing here? Long knows he blew the play and is sheepish. "Lombardi growls and says I pay you to do exactly one thing and that thing is to catch the ball!!! If you can't do that one thing I don't need you. The next time it happens just keep running right out of the stadium because that's where you belong." That's how MVS should be handled for yesterday. In fact he should have been chucked by now and his spot given to Ryan Grant.

Other Lame Calls: T. Williams for a bad holding call on 3rd and 15 and keeping the Bear's drive alive.

Notable mention: Davante Adams for his extra effort TD run (good) and then for running out of bounds (lame) with no one around him after receiving a pass from Rodgers on a crossing pattern. He should have run for another 5 to 10 yards on that play. Also Aaron Rodgers. He is taking plenty of heat for the performance of the offense, some of which is deserved. However, we should remember that he carried the team from 2011 until his injury in 2017 and everyone was fine with that while the defense gave away leads and games. IMO it is about time the team carried him for a while especially as long as he is not throwing picks or costing us games like the defense did for many years. Besides the MVS non-catch he had at least 3 other passes that were dropped. Then there is Graham who runs like Diver Dan if not worse. On to the Vikings. Thanks, Since '61

Gotta piggy back off a lot of you guys. The mental errors from AR are just baffling. Taking the sack in FG territory especially got to me. Let’s hope he cuts down ASAP.