Packers 31 Cowboys 28: Game Balls & Lame Calls

To heck with moral victories.  Pack wanted the real thing.

There I was, watching Tony Pollard tear through the Green Bay defense in overtime, preparing myself to accept some sort of moral victory. Surely the Dallas Cowboys looked unstoppable. Surely CeeDee Lamb was going to get behind the Packer secondary and catch the game winner in the end zone, after which Green Bay defensive backs will stare at each other with arms outraised. We’ve seen this script five weeks in a row right? The Green and Gold making just enough mistakes to lose. 

Ah, but not this night. Somehow, some way, playing one of the best teams in the NFL, this time it was the Packers making all the clutch plays. Oh, they made their share of mistakes to be sure. But this time they dug deep and found some character. They found some confidence. And along the way, they also may have found some new young stars around which to build the future.  

Christian Watson, Rudy Ford, Keisean Nixon, these aren’t the usual suspects when it comes to defining the nucleus of this team. At least, not until now. It took ten games, but the Packers finally found their identity and played to it. Run the ball, give your young talent a chance to make a few plays, rely on your defense to keep you in the game. And when you absolutely have to have it, like when it’s third and two on your own 44 yard line in overtime, trust your veterans to execute, as in Aaron Rodgers nailing Allen Lazard on a quick cross for 36 yards to set up the winning field goal. 

This is what we all thought the Packers could be. Now that they’ve seen the blueprint and executed it once, maybe they can repeat it, perfect it, and ride it to some sort of relevant finish to the season. 

 

GAME BALLS 

Christian Watson 

For the first time, we got to see and appreciate how fast he really is. It was obvious no one in the Dallas secondary could keep up with him. If he can stay healthy, he’s going to be open a lot. The question will be, can he track the ball and make the catch? For weeks on end we fans have been screaming at Aaron Rodgers to “just throw the dang ball and give his receivers a chance to make a play”. Sunday he did just that, and Watson rewarded him with four catches for 107 yards and three touchdowns. The only catch that was not a score was a key third down conversion. What made his breakout so unlikely was his dropping two balls he should have caught to ruin Green Bay’s first drive. At that point, I thought he might ride the bench and never return. But Matt LaFleur and Rodgers didn’t give up on him, and the result was a performance that will reverberate around the league. 

 

Rudy Ford 

Wow! A safety who actually breaks on the ball and makes plays! Was that Charles Woodson out there? You never want to see a player get injured, but Eric Stokes being lost for the season may have resulted in the discovery of a badly needed playmaker in the secondary. Not only did his two interceptions set up both of Green Bay’s first half touchdowns, but he also showed terrific explosion on a handful of other plays, most notably, rocketing from out of nowhere to nail Tony Pollard for a loss after it appeared the defense had yet again lost contain on a sweep.   

 

Keisean Nixon 

Ladies and gentlemen, we have found our kick returner. Nixon ran three kickoffs out past the thirty yard line (one was called back). And here again, adversity may have forced the Pack to make a positive change, when Amari Rodgers fumbled away a punt return, resulting in his benching. Nixon replaced him on punts and proved capable, if a bit unorthodox. He made a weird hands catch of a line drive punt on his own five yard line, and managed a ten yard return to save the team some field position. Granted, the punt may have gone into the end zone, but it may also have checked up inside the five. He has also played pretty well in the secondary, operating behind Darnell Savage who was moved up to the slot. 

 

Aaron Jones 

Jones and AJ Dillon are often billed as a one-two punch, but Jones is clearly the star and the rush attempts in this game finally reflected that. Jones got 24 carries, compared to Dillon’s 13. The former UTEP star responded with 138 yards, and one of the prettiest 12 yard scoring runs you’ll ever see. But I was most impressed by a carry he had in the first quarter. On second and seven deep in his own territory, Rodgers ran wide left, gained about four yards, and was gang tackled by two or three Cowboys. Yet the veteran ball carrier kept his legs churning and powered his way forward, pushing the pile down field for another four yards and a first down. A 5’9”, 208 pound back is not supposed to be able to do that. 

Too many honorable mentions to...well.....mention. But there were so many key plays that were easy to forget in the wake of the late comeback. Dillon’s protection pick-up on the TD bomb to Watson, the sure tackling and clutch pass break-ups of Jaire Alexander, Lowry and Clark pressuring Dak into an important intentional grounding, just to name a few. Really a good team effort, which was badly need to overcome several untimely mistakes. 

LAME CALLS 

Inability to handle the hurry-up 

It was disturbing to me that the Cowboys were able to consistently hurry up on third and short and catch the Packers unprepared to stop a quarterback sneak. On another occasion when Dallas had third and ten on their own 42, the Cowboys hurried to the line again. The Packers defense was completely unprepared for the play and it forced Matt LaFleur to use a timeout. This is something the coaches definitely need to do a better job preparing for during the week. You can bet other opponets have noticed and will do the same. 

 

Slow whistles 

Speaking of quarterback sneaks, one of the things that really annoys me is when officials wait forever to blow the whistle on a running play that has been neutralized. A perfect example came when Dallas went for it on 4th and 1 on their own 40 yard line. Dak Prescott sneaked it, and was stood up short for the longest time. But officials let the play go on forever until Prescott was able to surge forward to reach the line to gain by a hair. When forward progress is stopped, that whistle should blow, instead of waiting to see if a teammate is going to get behind the ball carrier and shove him forward. 

 

Amari Rodgers 

I don’t like to pile on, but has Amari Rodgers finally done enough to disappear from special teams? At least from returning kicks? His fumbled punt ruined a great hold by the defense and gave momentum back to the Cowboys, who promptly blew out to a 14 point lead. I wouldn’t mind the second year man from Clemson being used more as a pass receiver. He might just have some potential in that area, but his trial at returner surely must end. I know he’s a third round pick but his gaffes are killing us. 

 

THREE AND OUT 

-- So now that you’ve seen what Christian Watson can do, think back to some of the great catches Romeo Doubs was making before he got hurt. Now imagine both of them on the field together as Green Bay’s receiving tandem of the future. Toss in the potential of Samori Toure. Pretty exciting, yes? 

-- Look, I appreciate Aaron Rodgers trying to be a team player and go the extra mile and all that rot, but I would just as soon he refrain from trying to throw blocks on wide running plays. He’s lucky the Cowboys defender, who was twice his size, didn’t truck him like a bug and send him to the injury tent. 

-- I tried, I really did, to feel a little sorry for Mike McCarthy. This was supposed to be his triumphant return to Lambeau. But to lose this way, blowing a fourteen point lead to a team on a five game losing streak, that had to hurt. And by the way, he also owes us for a new set of headphones. 

 

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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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NFL Categories: 
5 points
 

Comments (65)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
PackyCheese500's picture

November 14, 2022 at 07:15 am

Add Quay Walker and Mason Crosby to game balls. Walker played well today, and is gradually becoming more confident and decisive. Crosby because even with an injured back, he was able to hit the game-winning FG in OT. He’s still his usual clutch self.

Also, I know I have been critical of our GM lately, but it looks like he may have hit it out of the park in this past draft. Walker is becoming a good player, Wyatt and Watson have showed their upside, Tom and Doubs were hits, and Enagbare and Toure have impressed far more than anyone thought at this point. The only bleak spot was, of course, the third round!

6 points
8
2
HawkPacker's picture

November 14, 2022 at 07:20 am

PC500, I totally agree. I kind of wish that in the future, they would trade away their 3rd round pick~;-))

5 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:27 pm

Trade away Gutedkunst, he made the selections.

-4 points
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Barnacle's picture

November 14, 2022 at 11:53 am

Add a game ball to Mike McCarthy. He finally helped us win a game!

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:26 pm

I would add Isaiah McDuffie. He played like a LB. Aware in the hook zones. When Campbell returns he should pair with #58 and let Walker bring the pass rush.

4 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

November 14, 2022 at 04:21 pm

Interesting idea...

0 points
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packerbackerjim's picture

November 14, 2022 at 07:16 am

Game: Watson evolving from an early James Jones to potentially a polished James Lofton. AR couldn’t have had more fire in the belly than he did yesterday.

Lame: Besides the obvious, the run D is the Achilles heal (susceptible to the draw much?) on top of the way too loose coverage of receivers. Olson made a point of emphasis if you’re going to blitz you need to play the receivers tight.

9 points
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HawkPacker's picture

November 14, 2022 at 07:23 am

'Lame'

I would agree. It was hard to imagine why Jaire was playing about 10 yards off of the receiver when we were blitzing and they needed about 6 yards for a first down. Is this Alexander's issue or coaching. I would be the coaches incorrectly made that call as I know Alexander would rather press!

4 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:31 pm

You knew it wasn't on Jaire. He had a great game blanketing the WRs and breaking up passes when in man coverage. Douglas is a zone guy and needs the safety help. Savage not making contributions as a playmaker.

0 points
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HawkPacker's picture

November 14, 2022 at 07:19 am

' Look, I appreciate Aaron Rodgers trying to be a team player and go the extra mile and all that rot, but I would just as soon he refrain from trying to throw blocks on wide running plays.'

I hear you but it sure pumped me up. Also, the play in the 4th quarter when Aaron Jones had the long run and then recovered his own fumble. Did you watch Rodgers run after Jones and get in the mix at the end? Priceless!

It was a great win and I see that the Packers open as 2.5 points favorites in Thursday night's game against the Titans. Home field advantage I would guess.

7 points
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Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:13 am

If we were storming the division then I’d agree, don’t do it. If the season is on the line and the play could make a difference, then absolutely the right thing to do. No point in worrying about after if you don’t get there.

3 points
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HawkPacker's picture

November 14, 2022 at 09:47 am

Nothing wrong with firing up the players, coaches AND the fan base!

0 points
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mnbadger's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:28 pm

Agreed about going the extra mile.
My only question, why has everybody been going only 100 yards or so the first 9 games? Where has that team with that fire been? not just the AR12's on the roster, but the guys fighting for jobs. Seems green bay doesn't cut players so they don't have to play with that intensity out of fear of losing their jobs like other teams.
GPG!

2 points
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bjkdad44's picture

November 15, 2022 at 08:17 am

Coaching?

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 07:36 am

It was frustrating to see Toure sitting while Amari ran routes ineffectively. The differences in this game on offense were;

1) that Jones and Dillon consistently ran the ball at a 5+ yard clip from the start. That kept us willing to run and kept their offense off the field at least

2) Ford bailed us out with a red zone and then another interception that masked a completely futile passing O in the first half.

3). Rodgers was accurate from the outset

4) Rodgers kept going back to Watson, presumably because nothing much was happening with anyone else till he did. And Watson caught more than he dropped.

We still were excessively cautious on O other than Watson. Today circumstances overrode that. I give the credit to Rodgers despite the game plan.

It just goes to show that if you have raw talent it’s better to use it even if it’s hit or miss. Once Watson started to stress the D, suddenly Watkins and Lazard were able to play roles. Yet we largely ignored the possibilities of having Toure and Watson involved at the same time.

This game also showed us actually using the run effectively and how much difference that made to the O line and pressure, particularly when passes started to be caught too. Will we continue to do that even against a team where it’s hard sledding?

So much if this game was what we had to do with this roster but it was still half hearted from LaFleur and months late. We win or die by rookie talent grounded in a balanced attack. That talent unlocks the veterans, it’s not the other way around mid and it’s not going to work every time. If we had a less timorous coach, this roster could have got us a lot further and be a lot further along individually by now. Give Rodgers credit, he realizes that now and far more so than LaFleur.

No more Amari, more Toure, more aggression and we might have a half way decent if up and down passing attack able to help the vets contribute too. Oh for a head coach worth the name.

14 points
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Since'61's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:33 am

Excellent post Coldworld! Thanks, Since ‘61

0 points
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wildbill's picture

November 14, 2022 at 11:37 am

Ditto

0 points
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wildbill's picture

November 14, 2022 at 11:37 am

Ditto

-1 points
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GP1's picture

November 14, 2022 at 09:42 pm

Amari Rogers has been showing us what he could do as a punt returner for a while now; very little.
Nixon, when given the opportunity, also shows us what he can do; a lot. But still we kept going back to Amari who we may now have ruined, confidence destruction, as wide receiver.
MLF, and Rogers, only go to whom they know until injuries force them to try out the kids and discover that the kids can play.
I still think MLF should not be doing the play calling; reminds me of Mike McCarthy.

1 points
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bjkdad44's picture

November 15, 2022 at 08:21 am

I want to see more Toure

0 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

November 14, 2022 at 07:44 am

Game Balls:

Watson -
We finally got to see why the Packers drafted Watson. We had glimpses before this, and have seen his speed on the first play of the season. But we finally saw him making big time plays. He still had some rookie mistakes but more then made up for it! He is running at a different level then all the DB's.

Jones/Dillon -
They got the run game going. Both of these guys ran really hard. They both averaged over 5 yards per carry. The run game was a huge reason why the offense finally got things going. Jones had the bigger game, but I'm including Dillon because he was a bowling ball on many plays, and on the first Watson TD, Dillon bought Rodgers just enough time to get the ball off. Dillon had probably his best game of the year.

Ford -
I truly believe this is a different game if Ford doesn't get that first interception. Cowboys are up 7-0, and Rodgers just fumbled the ball away at their own 10 yard line. Cowboys are looking at 10 or 14 - 0 and then Ford intercepts it, and takes it back to about the 30. Packers score after that. His next interception set up the Packers well and they scored again. They scored 14 points after Ford had 2 interceptions.
With Stokes going down, it opened up the ability to move Savage to the Slot and allowed Ford to come in. Also there seemed to be less defensive miscommunication.

Lame Calls:

Amari Rodgers -
Packers were doing well. They were just about to get the ball at about midfield and Rodgers fumbles it which gave Dallas all the momentum. I think Rodgers has more fumbles then receptions in his career. I thought Rodgers looked good while on offense, but he can't be the PR anymore. If they put him out there as a PR it needs to be considered a criminal act.

2 minute offense -
Clearly Rodgers wasn't happy with the play calls. Clearly LaFleur was playing to not lose, but not to win either. It was just poorly executed. you have a minute 30 left. Get the first down, trust the QB who was on point. I hated the decision to not go for the win and they would rather have played for OT.

Three and Out:

- OL played their asses off. Outside of a few pressures they held up really well. Jenkins isn't the same player after injury to this point as he was before the injury. He unfortunately gave up the sack on the play that Toure was Wide open and Rodgers didn't have time to throw him the ball.

- WR Future looks BRIGHT! Watson's breakout game just showed why they traded up to get him. After 2 bad drops, he refocused and played extremely well. Doubs has been the most consistent WR until he got hurt. And Toure had been emerging. If Rodgers had time he likely has a deep bomb TD. This trio of rookie WR's has had some really good moments.

- Quay Walker is making plays that don't necessarily go on the stat sheet. Walker prevents so many big plays because of his speed. He has been really good overall.

(edited)

I forgot a bonus Three things

Its finally victory Monday again! Lets enjoy this one more because its been a while.

6 points
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1
jvole's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:19 am

Bad 2 minute management has been a hallmark of Rodgers for his entire career. So I don't put this on LaFleur--Rodgers did the same damn thing with McCarthy. Saunter up to the line, read the defense, snap at 1 second, rinse and repeat. This is why he is like 20th or so in 4th quarter comebacks and why the packers do not run hurry up. He won't do it.

-11 points
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12
Guam's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:36 am

Post game interviews indicate you have this one wrong jvole. Rodgers stated he was unhappy with the conservative running calls on first and second down and LaFleur agreed in his post game interview that he was too conservative with those calls. I am not an AR apologist (still wish they had traded him to Denver), but this bad two minute drill was on LaFleur.

4 points
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jvole's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:51 am

He said he was unhappy with the play call not that he would have changed the pace. The only time he 'hurries up' is when he thinks he can get a 12 man flag. Really, I don't think this is a debatable point. This is how he has always played.

Actually he is tied with Jake Plummer and a host of other luminaries for 4th quarter comebacks.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/comebacks_career.htm

-7 points
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Guam's picture

November 14, 2022 at 10:22 am

Not questioning the pace issue - Rodgers has taken the clock down to the last couple of seconds throughout his career and that isn't going to change now. But the play calls were extraordinarily conservative given the situation. LaFleur should have tried to score rather than just giving up the last minute plus of the game. Don't blame Rodgers for being pissed about the play calls. Given his connection with Watson during this game, I would have liked to see Rodgers air it out in the two minute drill.

3 points
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Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:17 pm

Agreed Guam, most of this game was Rodgers making the most of the little LaFleur gave him and being willing to stick with the run and the rookie. This was still an incredibly negative game plan that would otherwise have taken us the same way as prior ones. Fortunately Jones and Dillon kept us in a first half with I think 6 passes thrown. If they hadn’t we’d be back in Detroit.

1 points
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mnbadger's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:34 pm

ar12 has options in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. If he takes 28 seconds to run the called play, that's on him.
When OBJ had an outburst aimed at a coach he got suspended.
ar12? not pushing for it, just saying.
It is nice to see that something other than mushrooms burning in 12's belly though!
GPG!

1 points
2
1
Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:23 am

Watson is still likely to drop balls, particularly on go routes. He’s only learning how to track and his catching technique is rough over the shoulder. We at least tried hi. In the deep overs he’s familiar with from college—finally. We got lucky with the body catch sticking. However, that doesn’t matter if he can get free and Rodgers hit him. As MVS showed, you just have to be able to get behind and get some to change defenses and scores. Now if we’d just use him and Doubs & Toure as alternate deeper targets we could really help things. Baby steps I suppose, but it’s certainly telling that suddenly WRs who couldn’t get open could by game end.

3 points
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Guam's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:41 am

I had the same observation that he body caught the first TD pass, but I really liked the next two TD passes. He snatched both balls out of the air with his hands. It was good to see that he does have WR hands. I think he just needs more confidence to trust his hands.

3 points
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Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:23 pm

He can hands catch. He just isn’t consistent and had never really learned the over the shoulder stuff. His bread and butter was in space, facing the QB or crossing. He’s raw. The thing is though that raw and capable is a better bet than marginal but efficient if that’s your only choice. That’s something LaFleur is worse at recognizing this. Rodgers it seems.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:43 pm

Seemed to catch quite a few deep balls over his shoulder from Trey Lance. The difference is just adjusting to the speed and strength of NFL CBs. Getting his leverage.

0 points
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dcoop's picture

November 14, 2022 at 07:53 am

Game Ball:

Finally getting back to more snaps under center and play action.

7 points
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HarryHodag's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:02 am

GLOVES!

Am I seeing things, or did Watson shed his bulky white gloves after the two drops for a pair of tighter fitting yellow ones? With the yellow gloves on he caught three touchdown passes.

If you recall he had the white ones on when he dropped the sure TD against the Vikings.

Maybe not accurate(I didn't record the game) but it might be an interesting footnote.

Another footnote: has the Amari Rodgers experiment finally ended?

7 points
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Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:25 am

I hope so, it’s been a consistent pattern of failings and he’s never really looked like a great threat to gain yards. I also hope we can now use Rodgers spot on O for a more versatile threat. Time to move on.

4 points
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wildbill's picture

November 14, 2022 at 11:43 am

No twitch and no speed, add in bad hands and not sure what the Pack saw in him as I don’t watch college ball. I get it that in theory he would be a Cobb replacement but a healthy Cobb is light years better, even at this age

3 points
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Packers2020's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:27 am

The difference in this offense today was Christian Watson. We finally had a WR that could take the top off the defense. That made all the difference.

This defense is still average to below though as once again they gave up an average of almost 6 yards per carry on the ground.

4 points
4
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Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:34 am

They got two interceptions and faced short field s twice. The D wasn’t perfect, but Dallas are not a bad O and we were blitzing a lot. Gary’s loss is going to be hard to overcome. Lamb is a good WR and Z Prescott had too much time too often.

3 points
3
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Packers2020's picture

November 14, 2022 at 10:20 am

Cold,

I have not rewatched the game. Do you know how many times we blitzed? We might have to do that more often to get to the QB.

Although, I do think Enagbare is continuing to show something.

2 points
2
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Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:27 pm

A lot more often and more rushers than we have before. I am sure as a direct recognition that we can’t replace Gary as a threat.

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:46 pm

Let Walker bring it from a 4-2/4-3 looks. He has to move into the pass rush schedule.

0 points
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Wilment's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:37 am

Walker certainly deserves a game ball, but shout out to Preston Smith, who continues to get down and do the dirty work with the interior d linemen and do the things you dont see on the stat sheet. Give Mike McCarthy a game ball too for the consistency he showed as coach of the Packers; aggressive when he should be conservative, and conservative when he should. be aggressive. What the mindset was on fourth down with Prescottt passing to.....nobody, still has me scratching my head. He abandoned the ground game and put the ball in Prescott's hands and it cost him the game.

1 points
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Swisch's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:47 am

Some encouraging and even exciting developments include:
The second touchdown pass to Watson came with him in a triple-bunch formation and then crossing the middle of the field.
The third touchdown to Watson came with Rodgers under center and faking a hand off to a running back, in other words a play-action pass.
The key third-and-two conversion to Watson came on a shallow crossing route across much of the field.
After the Cowboys scored a touchdown to go ahead 28-14 near the end of the third quarter, the Packers didn't panic and stayed with the run.
In general Rodgers did a really good job mixing run and pass.
I loved the block by Rodgers.
***
A serious problem:
Sigh . . . because the Packers did win, fans don't care that Rodgers blew up on the sidelines near the end of regulation and humiliated his head coach.
What an embarrassment to anyone who cares about the integrity of the Green Bay Packers!
I'll never understand why fans will allow stars to get away with acting like jerks as long as they win.
Plus, the dysfunction will almost certainly come back to bite us in the future with a huge disappointment.
Alas . . .
***
Final note:
The fumble by Amari came after he was seemingly crunched by three tacklers at the same time.
In related news, Jones fumbled near the end of the game after a long run (by not switching the ball to his arm near the sideline), but was fortunate to recover.
Rodgers lost a fumble on a snap. Last week, he threw two picks on the doorstep to the end zone.
In other words, fans overreact and underreact, failing to keep things in perspective.
Amari is only in his second season, and didn't get many opportunities in his first one. If he is truly terrible, the coaches should cut him; but let's not rush to judgement for youthful mistakes.
After all, how many times has Doubs fumbled the ball this season?
Yesterday, Josh Allen fumbled the ball on a simple quarterback sneak that would have clinched victory, then threw a terrible pick in overtime with his team in position for a tying field goal or possibly a winning touchdown. Maybe the Bills will trade him today for Aaron Rodgers ;-).
Please, let's be careful about destroying the confidence of our players.

-11 points
3
14
Lphill's picture

November 14, 2022 at 10:21 am

Good for Rodgers getting in MLf' face, its about time!

6 points
9
3
Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:25 pm

I’m not a fan of that ordinarily, but LaFleur earned that and has done all season. Try to win LaFleur.

1 points
3
2
Swisch's picture

November 14, 2022 at 02:52 pm

I agree that LaFleur played it too cautiously at the end of regulation -- but in a way it doesn't really matter what I think, or what you think, or what Aaron Rodgers thinks, does it?
I'm surprised, even shocked, that fans think it's okay for any player to humiliate a coach on the sidelines.
How can a team go on to function properly if such tantrums are allowed to go uncorrected?
If you let your kid scream unabashed at the grocery store until he gets his favorite cereal, it'll probably happen again.
As I said below, there's a time and a place, as well as a way, to express honest disagreements.
I'm not only angry but sad about Rodgers being a jerk yesterday, and about fans saying it's okay.
I guess that's why all nations decline at some point. They lose their principles.
Then, with the smoldering rubble all around, they wonder, "How did this happen?"

0 points
1
1
Guam's picture

November 14, 2022 at 10:37 am

Football is a game of emotion and fierce competition Swisch. I don't have a problem with the in-game exchange between Rodgers and LeFleur. As long as both of them understand the context and setting, there should be no issues going forward.

As far as Amari in concerned, he is (by all reports) a nice kid and tries hard but he is killing the team with his turnovers. At best he needs to be sat down and at worst will be cut. It is hard to spend a roster space on someone who has no where he can help the team. Pro football is a hard world.

6 points
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Swisch's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:02 pm

In the heat of the moment during the most important situations of a football game is when players need to unite behind the head coach the most.
If the head coach isn't up to the job, then fire him; but as long as he is the head coach, he is in charge.
This seems so elemental to me, that I marvel if good fans lose sight of it even in the excitement of a big win.
It seems to me the Rodgers tantrum was a clear sign of the underlying problems that have caused all the misery of the prior few games.
Now, we're going to forget all of that after one win that we barely eked out?
It causes me to cringe at all of the future misery down the road that may not be addressed in the mania of this moment.

0 points
1
1
Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:37 pm

A competent NFL punt returner fumbles in some form about 1 in 10 to 13 catches/returns attempted, historically. Rodgers entered the season about 1 in 8 and has got worse. That’s without counting his sub par yards per return or the badly judged leaves. This is not a one off, it’s a consistent pattern of below acceptable performance.

At some point it has to stop and one has to accept it’s not fluke but representative of ability. We are, and have for a while, been past that point with Rodgers. It’s sad as it is when any good kid doesn’t make the grade, but that’s what football is: many have less chances than Rodgers has.

3 points
3
0
wildbill's picture

November 14, 2022 at 11:54 am

Your a pussy if you’ve never gotten into it with your boss over a very important issue. Nobody respects passive workers who are afraid to stand up for what they believe.

0 points
4
4
Swisch's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:13 pm

What if I told you that this comment of yours makes you sound like a superficial and stupid prick with no regard for character.
Do you respect me, now! Seriously, do you? Should I go on . . . and in so doing gain more of your respect?
If someone humiliated you in front of some 80,000 fans and before a national TV audience -- especially if you are supposed to be in charge -- are you going to say how much you respect their lack of passiveness and appreciate the aggressiveness of their attack?
There's a way to do things that is assertive and respectful, in the proper time and place.

2 points
3
1
Houndog's picture

November 14, 2022 at 02:24 pm

C'mon Swisch,

MLF has ridden the arm of the most recent 2-time (4 total) MVP to three consecutive 13 win seasons, making himself look good.
Now, in much tougher times, the HC and the QB have a heated disagreement over something and it's the end of the world? Didn't you see them sitting side-by-side on the bench just minutes later laughing about something together?
Nobody ever gives a damn about someone they have no respect for or doesn't care about.
It's the passion for the game and the relationship between them that allows for what you're condemning.

3 points
4
1
pete-nado's picture

November 14, 2022 at 05:58 pm

bs...if you have a problem with the boss, you confront it behind the scenes. Boss' office after the meeting, not in the meeting with anger in front of everyone. That sometimes takes more cajones anyway. And, can you imagine if MLF called Rodgers out for making a dumb play change at the line? I'm sure he could have and been justified numerous times. Not a MLF fan, but tired of Rodgers behavior.

0 points
3
3
Razer's picture

November 14, 2022 at 08:49 am

Game Ball to the team for digging deep and not giving up.

Lame Ball to me who kept giving up on the team throughout the game. Fumbles on punt returns, soft coverage on 3rd and 7, running 2 plays with over 90 seconds at the end of the fourth and the numerous other miscues had me throwing my hands up and walking away from the TV. It was far from perfect but this may be the most inspiring win I have seen from Rodgers in the last 3 years.

Go Packers

6 points
6
0
Guam's picture

November 14, 2022 at 10:28 am

I'll share that Lame Ball with you Razer. I had no confidence this team was going to pull out a win.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

November 14, 2022 at 09:08 am

Game Balls: Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, Christian Watson,
Alexander and Ford.

Lame Calls: Amari Rodgers and the coaches for continuing to use him on punt returns after he hurts the team in nearly every game. Run defense is not very good. The Packers were fortunate that Elliot was not available.

Hopefully MLF and Bisaccia have finally realized that Amari Rodgers cannot ever be used on punt returns again. He should be chucked. He continually hurts the team not just with fumbles but poor decisions on running back the punt even when he doesn’t fumble. In the Dallas game he ran directly into the coverage and he failed to cover up the ball.
Time to chuck him and move on.

Just when the Packers finally get going they have a short week for TNF. One of the many reasons why I detest TNF.
Thanks, Since ‘61

4 points
6
2
HawkPacker's picture

November 14, 2022 at 10:00 am

Yeah, we are early favorites to win Thursday and we do really need that victory. Not sure I agree with us being favorites, even though it is a home game.

0 points
0
0
jannes bjornson's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:59 pm

Players know who is dogging it and fu...ing up the bottom line. Amari would be on the street in any other organization. Tolerating incompetence will lead to failures. Get ready to Rumble. Pack needs to keep the big MO rolling. The Wheel moves Forward. Savage is still taking up space.

3 points
3
0
JohnnyLogan's picture

November 14, 2022 at 09:31 am

The euphoria of victory and we forget that we may have the worst DC in football. Barry is a significant liability. CBs playing too far back, run defense pitiful, never a clue on how to cover a top receiver when you have the highest paid CB in football. This game is reminiscent of last year when Douglas or Campbell bailed us out of sure losses. This time it was Ford. That's not a reliable formula for success.

Barry must be replaced or this team is going nowhere.

I'm glad that Rodgers erupted at MLF. His gutless play calling on that last drive was symbolic of his vanilla offense all year. Rodgers had simply had enough and was voicing what many of us felt.

I'm ecstatic over the victory mainly because it piped some hope into the next game and a victory over the Titans will have us all hoping for a miracle playoff appearance. But at the end of the day, it's still hard to imagine with MLF and Barry in command.

2 points
4
2
bjkdad44's picture

November 15, 2022 at 08:39 am

Playoffs??????

0 points
0
0
T7Steve's picture

November 14, 2022 at 09:43 am

GAME BALL: Just read where the Cowboys were 195-0 with a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. Now 195-1!

Lame: Not being able to watch most of the first quarter because the Vikings and Bills went into overtime.

Have to give HarryHodag a thumbs up cause I wouldn't have noticed Watson's glove change (even if I'd seen the first drops). Did notice that with Lazard switching last year or the year before.

5 points
5
0
LambeauPlain's picture

November 14, 2022 at 09:48 am

Game Ball: O Line.

Finally saw what I consider to be the best 5 on the OL and they played well: Bakh, Jenks, Myers, JRJ, Yosh. All are good run blockers and really played hard for AJ and AJD. Pass pro was sturdy too.

If these guys can stay healthy, the O could be really good down the stretch as the young receivers get battle tested.

Lame Call: No snaps for Toure.

I do not understand this. Has to be something going on we don't know about. Maybe Toure was one of the young receivers complaining about Rodgers surly attitude towards them? He was prolific in college with two different programs. I would find it hard to believe he doesn't know the playbook. Let him play!

2 points
2
0
YouAskedForThis's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:23 pm

"Lame Call: No snaps for Toure"

Toure had 12 snaps.

Definitely not enough though. Every time I focus on him he gets impressive separation.

3 points
3
0
Coldworld's picture

November 14, 2022 at 12:45 pm

That’s LaFleur. Extreme caution and safe little calls which get us nowhere that Rodgers this week overcame in the second half. Last week he died trying.

1 points
1
0
PortlandMark's picture

November 14, 2022 at 09:54 am

I would rather the Packers beat the Cowboys than any other team. This win is up there with coming back from being down 26-3 at halftime in Dallas in 2013. It was also great to beat the team led by MM. He had great moments in GB but by 2015, it was over.

3 points
3
0
Starrbrite's picture

November 14, 2022 at 04:04 pm

And there was a phalanx of very confident Cowboy fans in attendance; but we punched them in the groin—again!

0 points
0
0