Happy New Year Packer Nation……Best wishes to you and your families and of course our beloved Packers. Go Pack Go!

Great column and I don't have much to add. A perfect way to end the year.

It was a tough year for my family and look forward to this year-2024.

There was one thing I wished for past year and that was for us to find out if Love would be our qb of the future. I think we have found that out even before last night's victory. I am in full support of Jordan Love moving forward.

Our packers have a bright future ahead of them which is just great news for us fans. I just totally enjoyed last nights whipping. So entertaining to watch!

Happy New Year!
Nice article Ken, and I gotta' admit the Packers surprised me a bit last night. They definitely came to play, maybe the Alexander thing had a positive effect. Poor Jaire, standing at the door with his nose pressed against the glass, and nobody will unlock the door! Hmmm........
The "D" played well, but don't be fooled. The guy NBC kept showing in the booth was a Barry imposter trying to save Barry's job, Barry doesn't call timely and well-planned blitzes. The real Barry will re-surface way too soon, leave him outside with Jaire!
Love played extremely well, it seems that when he tries to 'float one' he can be inaccurate at times, but when he just reaches back and fires he's dead-on the nuts. He looked very comfortable all night long.
Jones was, well, Jones, and that was great to see, I was looking for him in the passing game a bit more.
The young receivers group seem to be the classic example of 'next man up' and that's a great 'problem' to have, the Vikings are likely already waiting for next fall's Packer cuts. The TE's looked good. With that said, what the hell was Toure doing on a punt return with Nixon on the sidelines, WTF? The ST's were not special.
Nice to get the win, but here comes Da Bears, NOT with a 4th string QB, and with a better defense than the Vikes showed last night.
Let's hope this carries over.

Happy New Year fellow Packer fans and CHTV contributors and staff.

Agree on the Game Balls. Jordan Love had his best game yet and Aaron Jones proved, once again, how important he is to the Packers offense. Reed and Melton led the way for the receiving corps. The OL played their best game of the season and made the offense go all game. The defense played aggressively for a full 60 minutes for the first time this season. Granted the Vikings are a mess at QB but the defense won the LOS and the Vikings had no answers..

Lame Call: Fumbled punt by Toure. The STs with Bisaccia as their coach should be past these mistakes by now.

Gret win for the Packers. Bring on Da' Bears. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

Happy New Year everyone!

Going into this game I was not very confident of a win. The Packers proved me wrong in very convincing fashion. This was the most complete game thus team has played. I was shocked Barry actually called an aggressive game and blitzed the Viking QBs regularly. Where was that all season?

My game ball would go to Gutekunst - he hit on the next great Packer QB and had one hell of a 2023 draft. Between Love and the kiddie corps, the Packer future is bright.

Happy New Year to all the Packer Backers out there!

The future looks promising for these young GREEN BAY PACKERS and there seems to be a whole lot of parity In todays NFL If the Packers can
get their Defensive Unit Issues straightened out pronto there could be some Deep Playoff Runs In the very near future! Let's see what happens next week! PS the Bears and may I say the Vikings Both Suck!

I just want to note the two second half 8-minute drives. Bend and not break defenses depend on offenses making mistakes or being effective somewhere in the drive. Two long drives shows many good things about the offense, including the play of the offensive line, as mentioned, and the play calling.

I'd be interested in knowing the number of downfield pass plays where the receiver was wide open. At times I thought the vertical routes were catching the safeties in a shift as the Vikings tried to disguise coverage. But above all, the medium crossing routes continue to be productive.

Last night's game was about as fine of a way to roll into the New Year as any Packers fan could ask for.

Absolutely own and beat down the Vikings at home? - Check
Drink in the looks of resignation and defeat on the faces of Vikings players and fans like Mother's milk? - Check
See the future of your franchise come into sharper focus? - Check
Keep a shot at the playoffs alive? - Check

This team is reminding me more and more of the 2010 Packers. One game to make the tournament. Next man up.

Happy New Year, fellow Cheeseheads.

I don't know about Alexander, but for me we looked worse with Stokes on the field. Before he came back we found our groove. We managed to win without him and Alexander. Than he came back for two games which we lost - not because of him, but it looked like we lost our balance in secondary. From what I recall he was burnt for score 3 times during Giants and Buccs games. Alexander is a big caliber player. If he is motivated he is plug-and-play, but you never know with him. It reminds me the situation we had with depleted O-line some time ago. When it finally started to work, coaches decided to shuffle it again before deciding game to make it look better "on paper". Don't fix what is working. Let players win their spot back. Ballantine limited Jefferson so he can try with DJ Moore.

Happy New Year one and all! And the future looks so bright, I'll have to wear shades. I also think there should be a special mention of Tucker Kraft, especially the ball he caught near the sidelines, and the beautiful, bone crunching "stiff arm" he gave a Vikings defender. And thank goodness, the guy has apparently decided that trying to leap over people is not a good idea, and instead lowers his shoulder and bulls for another few yards. So much development in such a short time is a breath of fresh air.

Loved to see the terrific results from all of the young WRs as well as the rookie 2nd string TE.

I would toss a game ball to Jason Vrable - the WR coach and the passing game coordinator and also a game ball to John Dunn, TE coach who has Tucker Kraft playing quite well.

Really coming on strong as a group!

GO BO GO!

GPG

Game ball to: the coaching staff. Game plan was good on both sides of the ball. Stuck with the run, distributed the ball. Didn't get passive on D at the end, AND--after a week of crappy press, Jaire and Campbell speaking out--when everyone wondered whether this team was finally breaking down and whether they would phone it in, the players rallied and delivered a complete and aggressive game.

In a sad way, it says something when you give a game ball to the coaching staff...

I think you have to give a game ball to Kraft.
His blocking is so much better than his college tape.
And he really got some things started.
The 3rd rd curse is broke!
In fact: Kraft should be the #1 TE now.

Game: GB won the LOS on other sides of the ball. The OL appears to have gelled at the right time, allowing Love and the offense to play in rhythm.

Lame: The team needs to add a PR to their draft needs.

Roll out the old year and roll in the new year with a sound beating of the opponent, can't ask for more than that! Great victory, couple flubs last night, but game ball to whole team. They played like a full unit led by Love. He sure looks like the right thing for Packers future! Happy New Year Packers and all fans out there.

Regarding Nixon's flag for unnecessary roughness on the viking QB: That flag Nixon got was more than Anthony Barr got, for a late hit on Rodgers, which broke his collarbone. Nixon did not injure the viking QB, at all. BTW, Barr was on the vikings sideline, last night.

Game balls: Everyone on the OL gets one as they blew open holes for our RBs and then they protected one all game. A solid effort! Our DBs , especially the "Tines" and Nixon, played really well keeping minnesota from moving the ball. Aaron Jones is the man! Bo Melton! Tucker Kraft! Sean Clifford! The coaching staff with a great game plan! Jordan Love is our QB!!!

Lame calls: STs miscues and our injuries. vikings players throwing punches at Packers players. the vikings threw a punch at, I think it was Kraft, when two other vikings were tackling him, and then again, a viking threw a punch at Dillon's broken thumb, when he was being tackled ,and then the melee after the game when Booth threw a punch and hit Aaron Jones in the face. Dirty players and sore losers, all around, on that squad.

Love the energy and catching skill of the receivers. Especially enjoy the confidence and beauty of Jayden Reed's play. Bo Melton and Ballentine have heart. I heard someone (MLF?) say they will spend the offseason digging deep to assess the hamstring issues with Watson and others. I heard the Niners employ some state of the art recovery practices such as cold water therapy and
and other modalities.

So happy for Jordan Love. He has shown class and poise through the entire 3-4 years. Enjoy his newfound quiet swag and his Steph-Curry towel over the head while off field-maybe wearing a ball cap would ruin his coiffure-lol.

Re Jaire: Per Adam Schefter: "the Green Bay Packers' decision to keep or trade cornerback Jaire Alexander in 2024 will hinge on the defensive back's upcoming $8 million roster bonus". He also did not attend OTA's

To me that victory was a spectacular foot-in-mouth by the Vikings coupled with a great day from Reed and Melton in the air and Jones on the ground.

Hall never tested our D, Mullins might have a bit more, but we essentially were given a mulligan. For all the praise of Flores, his D was horrendous. Almost Barry-like acres of space. Their OL got it handed to them.

It’s almost like the Vikings didn’t show up. They had no offense. A great receiver is nothing of you can’t get him the ball. Thank you for the new year’s gift Minnesota.

We have already won this season. Love is real. He’s starting to impose himself in plays as well as making them. 63.1 percent passing for 3,843 yards, 30 touchdowns versus 11 interceptions. That’s a major win. His 93.8 rating is almost identical to Rodgers in his first year as a starter (16 games then) and 2 less interceptions—That’s a bet i’d never have taken!

I believe Tucker Kraft may prove to be the best TE on this roster. It’s not just his blocking improving, it’s his quick feet and balance that could really open things up. I’m one who also thought Melton could have helped at various times this season. It was great to see a player seizing the opportunity and finally see us making use of his speed as well.

This is a really good core of receivers and TEs. Ridiculously so given their youth. Love growing with these guys could really be exciting. As to the D, credit to the rush, but otherwise they will seldom be less tested. I am grateful for that. I enjoyed watching Vikings fans see Love turn the screw on a purple team that never showed up at home.

by far their best game all year on both sides of the ball. and has been noted for once we did not make a third string qb look like joe montana. so good to see Jones back being Jones; what a gift he has. but there is still no excuse for a kicker who misses so many extra points. we need to find another. and what a find Reed is, so that one sees his inestimable value when he is not on the field and one must resort to a replacement return man. next week we meet a much better bears team, in a replay of last year's one and IN. will the team be ready? they sure were not last year,

"Don’t you wonder what was going through the mind of Jaire Alexander as he watched this game? The cornerback was suspended for bad conduct. He watched those young secondary guys play the game of their lives. Wonder if he thinks he is becoming expendable to this team? Will be interesting to see if he starts next week."

Honestly Kenn I could give a flying crap about what Alexander thinks. He should be worried about what his teammates, MLF, and Gutey think of him and if they even want him back. Sorry, but IMO what he did in Carolina was as selfish as it gets. He don't give a God Damn about anyone not named Jarie...AND he showed NO REMORSE.

Ken Lass quote: "Then there was the muffed punt by Samori Toure. It was the kind of error that could let an opponent back into a game."

Ken, that just goes to show us how valuable Jayden Reed has been to this team. Having him get injured impacts more than the receiving prowess of the Packers.

Also happy new year to all you Packer fans. It has been a pleasure reading all your comments this past year.

Finally, I'll add a big thumbs up for the fine job the CheeseHead TV staff has done on this website every single day.

I wonder if Jaire has been trying to run the defense the way Rodgers was running the offense. Watching Love throw those short passes and check downs made me think Aaron was not doing that last year. Watching the defense appear to be assignment sure made me wonder why they weren't playing like that with Jaire in the game.

Just some random thoughts.

Jack White, one of my favorite musicians, would have loved this game with his weird obsession with the number 3 (interesting back story there). 33 points...Love's 3 TD throws...#33 going off for 120 yards.

So refreshing to not be pissed off about a soft defense for a change and just enjoy a good old ass whipping of a division rival.

Bring on the Bears...and the playoffs!!

Bo knows patience, perseverance, and seizing the opportunity.
***
If all of our wide receivers were to be healthy for the game against the Bears, which ones get the most reps?
If Bo is one of our two fastest WRs along with Watson, he would play a role that's unique in spreading the field (and we know that Watson, for all of his wow plays, can go down at any moment).
Exciting drama as far as our WRs as we approach the huge game against the Bears.

So the defensive lowlight was a 71 yard drive that resulted in no points?

Curse Joe Barry!!!!

A year ago, we were 8-8 and needed to win one home game against a division opponent to make the playoffs, and our offense put 16 points on the board, not enough. From the 21 players that were dressed on offense for that game, gone are Rodgers, Cobb, Lazard, Lewis, Tonyan, Bakhtiari, Watson is still with the team but didn't dress. That's 7 guys out of 21. Overhaul.

Before the season, I predicted that 2023 Love would do as well as 2022 Rodgers, that the team would score more points, and that we'd make the playoffs (I thought we'd win the division).

In our last six games, we're averaging over 27ppg. I think this will be a 30ppg offense next year.

Game Ball to every member of wide-receiver corps.
Remember all the hand-wringing about needing another big-time free agent? It seems, to quote the Who, the Kids are All Right. Melton is a revelation. And when's the last time we had 3 TEs who can get open, catch, and block? Get Musgrave healthy next year, and we'll have it.
Now beat da Bears and take it from there. It's all gravy now. The Pack is Back.
The Szotman

Happt new year

Lets give it up to the oline. I not sure sean ryan or john runyan played more snaps but they dominated this game

Zack Tom and Rasheed walker stoned outside pressure . Guards and center created huge holes all night. Without them the playmakers can not do what they do.

The finally used quay walker to his strength and showed he can be dominant . Will it continue. Van ness is coming along nice.

Tucker Kraft can block catch and is a dog love that guy.

Old man jones lol 29 on this team is still a player and always has been a special person.

Happy New Year to all Packer Fans!

Game Balls:

Jordan Love - To put it as the late great Stewart Scott always would say, He was as cool as the other side of the pillow. He missed a few throws but damn was he cool under pressure. Every down they did not know where the blitz was coming from but it didn't matter. He felt like he was a step ahead every time.

Aaron Jones - The offense is just different with him on the field. His speed is just so much better then what any other RB on the roster has. His shiftiness allows him to gain a lot of yards. He also looks extremely fresh.

Bo Melton - He will definitely be making it to the 53 this week. What a performance. Outside of the 4th down play that he dropped, he put on a great show. While that throw to him was not good, he was able to get his arms on it. Gotta pull it in.

Jayden Reed - He and Love are starting to get that Manning/Harrison, Rodgers/Nelson cohesion. There is something special starting to brew here. Reed is special! I can't wait to see what he can do fully healthy with the supporting cast around him. I can't wait to see this offense to its fullest ability.

Coaching staffs - The coaches deserve a ton of credit for this win. They have been ridiculed most of the year for various reasons. But they did a tremendous job in game planning for this game. The offense could have easily put up more points. The defense held them to 3. I don't really count the TD they gave up after the fumbled punt against the defense. They were put in a really bad spot. But the coaches deserve some credit for this win.

Honorable Mentions - Kraft, OL, Preston Smith, Corners.

Lame Calls:

Toure - While Melton really shined, Toure did not. Melton has clearly passed Toure on offense. And when he got an opportunity to do something and fumbles it away. I get it was as a punt returner, but for a guy who very well could be cut to elevate Melton, he blew a major opportunity.

Three and Out:

- Clark was a beast again.

- Kraft continues to be extremely reliable in the passing game.

- Anyone else listen to LaFleur's press conference. He was talking about how happy he was for the defensive staff and brought up how much heat Barry has taken lately. He said that he was proud of those guys. But when he said that he mentioned that it was just one game. But he was proud of those guys.
To me its a foregone conclusion that Barry is gone after this year.

I doubt JA is thinking about being "expendable". there are the practical cap reasons for not thinking that but there is also the fact that he doesn't doubt himself. That can often be a good thing on the field but is hard to abide in a situation like the one he has created now.

One thing I really haven't heard about is how for Farve and Rodgers, Minnesota Metrodome and Bird Killer Stadium has been their kryptonite but Jordan was as calm and collected as ever and that stadium got quiet, except for random Go Pack Go shouts. Matt had them prepared and we're back to controlling our destiny. It's been an eye opening season. Happy New Year All!

I would be very disappointed if the front office made that stupid knee jerk reaction and got rid of Jaire Alexander based on a couple of back ups looking good against barely NFL quarterbacks. If that was the case then they should have kept the cheaper Rasul Douglas and garnered a higher return on a draft pick during the trade deadline. It’s that kind of thinking that seemingly bites this team in the ass from being a long term Super Bowl contender.

- Let Adams walk only to waste two second round picks recieved on a single wide receiver. Where does last years team go if he’s on the team? How good are these receivers with him teaching them how to be pros.
- Let Micah Hyde go then proceed needing a quality Safety for the ensuing 6-7 years including drafting one in the first round.
- Let Casey Hayward walk only to need better CB play followed by drafting corners in first and second round
- Let a so so Blake Martinez walk only to go to free agency to find a MLB
- Let a low cost TE with good production leave then spend two draft picks on TE the following off season.
- Let Brian Bulaga leave only to be crippled by the inability to pass block in the following seasons play off loss
- Let Corey Linsley go then spend the entire next season behind inadequate Center play and poor rushing offensive production
- Let Jordy Nelson leave despite the discounted contract proposed by his representatives and then not replace him until the fifth round with MVS

Look I understand bringing in cost effective youth to balance out larger contracts but these things should be planned for. Spending a second round pick on a center, two seconds on a single WR, a third/ Third/ fourth on three tight ends, a first on a safety, and a first and second on corners. To play devils advocate here what if they keep all of the names above except Adams (only real large contract of the group) then allocate those picks towards positions of supreme need which has been WR, OL, Edge I think the organization plays a lot differently because of it. However I do recognize hindsight is 20/20. I’ve just been frustrated with the way the organization goes about drafting talent

Nobody mentioned that the biggest problem our defense had was so many getting home to the QB that #58 McDuffie got his bell rung in between 2 other Packers. I didn't hear anything after it was announced that he was being evaluated for a concussion. Anybody?