The Lass Word: The Rest of This Season Should Be An Audition

Time to use the present to plan for the future.

I may be the only Packer fan who is perfectly fine with the team making no deals before the trade deadline. The rest of this season should be an audition for the players who are already here. Use these last nine games to find out what you’ve really got. Find out whether Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure can be a legitimate one-two-three NFL receiving unit, in any order. Find out if Zach Tom can be a starting tackle in this league. Find out if first round pick Devonte Wyatt can learn his craft and at least function as a solid starting defensive lineman. Find out if Kingsley Engabare is the real deal at edge rusher. Find out if you need to make changes at safety. 

Stop worrying about whether this team can still make the playoffs. They’re not going to win the Super Bowl, right?  So what does eeking into the playoffs accomplish besides pushing their draft position down into the twenties? Play the young guys. Plan for the future.  

I know the natives are restless, and the social media platforms are blowing up over Green Bay’s lack of activity leading up to the trade deadline, but I was happy the team didn’t blow a bunch of draft capital on mediocre players.  Much of the attention has been on the Bears acquisition of receiver Chase Claypool.  Don’t spend a second in angst over this.  There is a reason the Steelers felt this former second round pick was expendable.  Claypool has been a major disappointment.  Pittsburgh has a terrible offense, and yet, Claypool had fallen as low as third on the receiver depth chart, below Diontae Johnson, and even rookie George Pickens.  In fact, he even trails tight end Pat Freiermuth in receiving yards.  There is no way he was worth the second round pick the Bears coughed up for him.  Chicago had just obtained an extra second rounder by trading away their best defensive player Roquan Smith, then gave a second round selection away for the receiver.  In essence, they traded Roquan Smith for Claypool.  Not a great deal.  The Bears did get a few more picks in the Roquan trade which I’m willing to bet will turn out to be more valuable than Claypool. 

You have probably seen reports that the Packers also offered a second round pick for Claypool, but the Steelers elected to trade with Chicago because they figured the Bears draft selection would be much higher.  That should tell you how much the Steelers thought Claypool was going to help the Bears.  I’m glad it worked out this way.  The Packers are going to need that second round pick, and all of their picks, for the inevitable rebuild after this season. 

Bottoming Out?  

-- So far during this season of discontent, we have learned that the Green Bay Packers are certainly not as good as the elite teams in the NFL, such as Buffalo.  We have also learned that they are not as good as the young, up and coming teams such as the Giants and Jets.  We further learned that they are not as good as the mediocre teams, such as the 4-4 Washington Commanders.  Are they at least still capable of beating the worst teams in the league?   

We will find out Sunday when the Packers travel to play the Lions in Detroit.  The Lions are considered so bad by the oddsmakers, that despite playing at home against a team that has lost four in a row, they are still three point underdogs.  If the old saying is true, the one that says you are what your record says you are, then the Lions are literally the worst team in the NFL.  No one has a more futile record than their mark of 1-6.  

Yet, many Packer fans, myself among them, are skeptical about Green Bay being favored in this game.  Detroit has shown they can be explosive.  Amon-Ra St. Brown has emerged as a legitimate star receiver.  The running back tandem of Deandre Swift and former Packer Jamal Williams has put the Lions among the top ten rushing teams in the league.  Quarterback Jared Goff can play very poorly, but he can also get red hot and, when he’s in rhythm, he can be very good.  Don’t forget, he once led the Rams to a Super Bowl.  Don’t forget also, the Lions beat Green Bay the last time they met, week eighteen of last season, 37-30.  That game was meaningless to the Packers, but this one is not. 

The Packers won’t stay in free fall forever.  At some point, they will bottom out and stabilize.  Through sheer trial and error, they will recognize the things they can do reasonably well, and by necessity will stick with them.  You could begin to see it in the second half against the Bills.  Green Bay ran the ball consistently, setting up a few big plays to the young receivers in the passing game off play action.  The defense held the explosive Bills to three points in the half, and even manufactured a pair of turnovers.  Essentially, the Packers became the team everybody expected them to be coming into the season.  Granted, Buffalo was comfortable with a seventeen point lead, and might have been laying back and playing softer, but Green Bay looked good doing what they could do.  It looked like a formula they could sustain against other opponents. 

The question is, will the coaching staff, and Aaron Rodgers, have the patience to stick with it?  The Lions rank 27th in pass defense.  The temptation will be there to open it up and throw the ball all over the stadium.  But the Packers simply don’t have the pass protection, the receivers, or perhaps even the quarterback, to defeat teams that way any more.  If they have any identity at all, it is to grind it out on the ground, setting up a limited number of downfield throws.  Of course, to do that, the defense must keep them in the game.  If they allow the Lions to get out front early, forcing Green Bay to abandon the run, it’s trouble.  It might also be helpful if the Packers could actually put two good halves together in a game. 

Game Prediction:  Packers 28  Lions 27 

Hero of the Game:  AJ Dillon 

Upset Special of the Week:  Panthers over Bengals  

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.

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Comments (58)

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

November 03, 2022 at 03:07 pm

Great article Ken but did you intentionally avoid the biggest question of Jordan Love over Rodgers?

Jordan Love needs to play starting this weekend thru the end of the year. He needs experience and the Packers need to see what he can do. Sure Rodgers might be able to possibly win an extra game...possibly two games....maybe. However, what difference will that make? Sit Rodgers and insert Love! Yes, we will see some growing pains but we will also see a 22 year old player who can get out of the pocket and pick up first downs when under pressure. A player whose upside is still years ahead. Will Lefleur and Gutey have the fortitude and courage? Probably not just like the writer of this article.

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jlc1's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:34 pm

Totally agree. If it is try out time it is Love time, for better or worse. However it is not try out time for the defense, unfortunately. They are now in as close to open mutiny as I have ever heard of, at least in GB, so whatever any one player does there has no way of being measured against what they were supposed to do because there is no agreed upon page for everyone to be on. And it is this open mutiny that answers the article's question of whether they can beat the league's worst teams. The answer is no, because the word team is hard to apply in such a situation. Can their 33 beat another team? Maybe but don't call this a team right now.

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Swisch's picture

November 03, 2022 at 04:32 pm

I agree, Knock, let's go with Jordan Love from here on out.
It seems silly to make the rest of the season an audition for young players if we're not going to play our young quarterback.
Our old quarterback is not a leader these days, but a petty tyrant. We need to get his arrogant attitude and rotten influence as far away from our young players as possible.
I'm excited to see Love develop along with the rest of our young players, including our young wide receivers (to which I would include Amari Rodgers, and possibly Winfree).
Let's get the new era of the Green Bay Packers started this Sunday to get back to the top of the NFL as soon as possible.

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Packerpasty's picture

November 03, 2022 at 06:19 pm

you have no idea how the locker room feels about AR...you are an AR hater and nothing will change your mind..most really good QB's are arrogant, have you checked out saint Brady on the sidelines recently?? He throws more fits than AR ever did...

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Coldworld's picture

November 03, 2022 at 07:23 pm

I don’t think we know what the locker room thinks.

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Packerpasty's picture

November 03, 2022 at 06:21 pm

don't you think the coaches know what they have in Love?? don't they watch him day in and day out..did you not watch him in preseason or maybe you went to spring training and watched?? Then you would know..he doesn't have "it"...didnt have "it" in college and doesn't have it now...

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BAMABADGER's picture

November 03, 2022 at 07:22 pm

You obviously have faith in this coaching staff. The Head Cheerleader, OC and D Coord have lost or are losing this team. I think "we know what we have in the FO and staff," and it ain't good.

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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

November 04, 2022 at 08:43 am

What makes you think keeping Love on the bench is even up to Lafleur? Lafleur answers directly to Murphy.

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Coldworld's picture

November 03, 2022 at 06:57 pm

I agree Love needs to play, but there’s plenty of time for that after the next few games. This weekend actually probably tells us more with Rodgers because it will allow us to see what, if anything, LaFleur learned and who he uses.

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Starrbrite's picture

November 04, 2022 at 01:11 am

Agree CW—this isn’t the week to experiment with JLove. Maybe in the near future if we continue losing.

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KenEllis's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:14 pm

"Stop worrying about whether this team can still make the playoffs. They’re not going to win the Super Bowl, right? So what does eeking into the playoffs accomplish besides pushing their draft position down into the twenties? Play the young guys. Plan for the future."

Just like the geniuses in the suites at 1265 have been saying all along, it is time to PLAN FOR THE FUTURE right?

Now, wipe away any thoughts about that huge contract those same front office geniuses doled out to Aaron Rodgers a couple of months ago, because no one in their right mind could pretend that this franchise was planning for the future while simultaneously paying about to be 39-year old Aaron $200,000,000.

It is a darn shame that Packers management is being raked over the coals by the national media (but not the adoring local media folks) for supposedly trying to be all in and planning for the future at the same time -- and failing miserably at both.

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jannes bjornson's picture

November 03, 2022 at 05:12 pm

A lot of Fans spend time walking, playing a last few rounds of golf, fishing, riding the bicycle, anything, but wasting time with this half-ass operation(quoting the old man) on beautiful autumn days. Now that we are closing in on the winter of our discontent, it would be best to dream of sugarplum fairies and anybody but the group of crop dusters from the silage committee running the draft and building the next iteration of a Pro Football team.

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Coldworld's picture

November 03, 2022 at 07:02 pm

It’s a darn shame that some think that Rodgers plus this roster/cap is “all in” or was ever grounded in anything other than emotion. I can only assume that Rodgers has you blinded by hope and admiration. It was a terrible decision with a high probability of failure even if we had competent coaching. That’s what most neutrals saw. Many here did too.

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PackyCheese500's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:23 pm

Totally agree. The Rodgers era is done.

Prediction: Packers 24 Lions 27

Star: Samori Toure

Upset of the week: Titans over Chiefs

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jlc1's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:36 pm

How do see the Packers running the score all the way up to 24?

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PackyCheese500's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:51 pm

Bad Lions D and defensive TD

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Coldworld's picture

November 03, 2022 at 07:03 pm

You said running.

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stockholder's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:35 pm

Time to take out the Garbage? We need money. And Money fixes everything! The only way to get ahead, is have a great Free -Agent class again. Respect what we have. And not you're whims and hopes. Don't undermine Rodgers. He'll fight back.

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Coldworld's picture

November 03, 2022 at 07:08 pm

We don’t have that. We’ve kicked our cap up tighter than Fort Knox through the structure of the extensions Russ Ball has been handing out. There will be no major influx of FAs while Rodgers is here and for a year after, maybe two. It was over last season.

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

November 04, 2022 at 12:16 am

Reality is a bitch and only now some are waking up....some still haven't!

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nygary's picture

November 05, 2022 at 07:56 am

Knock your so right.

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701Packer's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:43 pm

I know it's not in a mathematical sense, but if they lose this game the season is over. That said, they can absolutely beat the lions, but the lions are a team with a lack of talent and a bunch of fight. This could be another one of those games where GB gets punched in the mouth, then...

I don't see any switch to Love until they are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and even then they probably won't make the switch. But they absolutely should.

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jannes bjornson's picture

November 03, 2022 at 05:15 pm

Rodgers is paid a lot of cash/game. He leaves the lineup only if he is injured.

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Coldworld's picture

November 03, 2022 at 07:28 pm

The cash is paid. That logic ends with the end of serious playoff hopes.

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canadapacker's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:43 pm

First off the AR era will be done when AR said he is done. And anybody who knows the game and has even watched Brady - and is really watching the game should know that. He still has the arm and I dont care what the naysayers are saying - even the long ball to Doubs that didnt connect was a strong throw as was his caught passes to Doubs even with a sore thumb. And he also still can scramble when needed. Out problem plain and simple all year long is that he has had NO and I mean NO protection and when you factor that in with rookie wideouts then it is hard to be productive - Lazard and Cobb do make some plays but when the coverage is really tight even they are hard to complete and factor in even they are dropping passes. Finally when there is no blocking and 8 in the box it is even hard to run the ball for those who are saying run run run. Well if you start with a run and make negative yards or only one yard - and the same on second down and then 3 and out is on the table often. So I agree with not trying to get a receiver or tightend - I wouldnt have minded getting a guard or tackle if someone was available and better than what we have or even a middle linebacker which appears to be a hole in our D . But why get Claypool who goes long and hasnt had recent success with Pickett in Pittsburgh as they are having the same Oline issues as us.

So the issue needs to be stay the course and get these guys rolling and even if we dont make the show - at least they will have a year under their belt and maybe will be like Nelson and Adams have their breakout years in number 2. And maybe the rest of the year the Oline guys will get healthier and play up to what their preseason potential was supposed to be.

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:52 pm

CP,
Good post but I want you to fully remember AR was very clear he didn't need to be at OTA's to work with the rookie WR's and help them get in synch. The rookie WR's who everyone should have known would be better than the veterans sometime during the year. AR was the one who clearly said he didn't need to play in pre-season and the team would be fine. Well, we are about mid-season with a losing record and AR's passing stats are in the bottom portion of the league. I just don't see putting this on the rookie WR's. I will agree the OL has been in shambles making it difficult. Clearly! At the same time....AR will not run anymore when there is a full out blitz/pressure to keep the defense honest. Jordan Love needs playing time and he has wheels when pressured. I personally believe Love can make those defenses hesitate with full out blitzes because he can run if needed.

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canadapacker's picture

November 03, 2022 at 05:56 pm

And Brady as when he had proven receivers - but what senior QB - has the guys in their home city to practice - not many if any - David Mills . More importantly might have been playing in some preseason games. It used to be that the starting guys played a half in preseason game 3 - now they dont even take a snap. That is the coaching staff and most coaching staffs now - afraid of getting somebody hurt - and yes they all talk the talk- and yet for the past 3 years won 13 games even if they have had bummers first game 2 years in a row. I am not sold on Love = from preseason he can barely hit the backs out of the backfield and when they manage to catch it - the pass is behind and mostly that is with second string defenses. That is why it is so hard to evaluate offensive players - because they are not playing against first stringers except for maybe one or two series and even then not their best of their best on defense. It would be nice if Love gets a few series - if we ever blow a team out - no use for a few snaps when way behind. But if we get way ahead - like this week ( probably not) put Love in and run the full offense .

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Packerpasty's picture

November 03, 2022 at 06:16 pm

its all AR's fault, right?? These WR rookie or not, are not very good, at least yet, and when Lazard is your #1...yikes...but, its all on Rodgers...say the 2%

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jannes bjornson's picture

November 03, 2022 at 09:45 pm

They listen to the 1% grifters all day on hate radio, what would a rational person expect??

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Since'61's picture

November 03, 2022 at 08:20 pm

Let's be clear that numerous veterans on the Packers and other teams do not show up at OTA's. Even the coaches have stated that OTAs are the time for the coaches to work with the players. If a player like AR shows up at OTAs the focus will be on him and not on the younger players where it belongs. Rodgers did not show up for OTAs in 2020 or 2021 and the team went 13-3 and Rodgers won 2 MVP awards so what does OTAs have to do with anything?

As for the preseason MLF has not played his starting players since he has become the Packers HC. He did play the OL during this preseason for the first time because he was allegedly looking for the best 5 to start the season. As we now know that hasn't worked out very well.

Most importantly Rodgers will continue to play assuming that he is healthy until the Packers are eliminated from the playoffs. Even then he may continue to play because teams don't like paying a player $50 million to sit on their bench. Or the other possibility is that the Packers have already realized that Love is not good enough. Thanks, Since '61

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canadapacker's picture

November 03, 2022 at 09:45 pm

One thing that nobody talks about except maybe in chat rooms and I kind of was reminded of it when a player was recently traded who is suspended for betting on games - How can you sit your best player when there is so much riding on each game betting wise? It is bad enough when games turn on obvious bad calls or no calls. The NFL is now doing expedited reviews to speed up the game - they need to do one other thing as far as I am concerned. Firstly put a ref in the box with a mike connected to the ref and when there is an obvious missed call - tell somebody and also put a mike in the linesman ear and when the time clock is out call it so that the linesman throws the flag - this obvious look at the clock and look at the ball and then miss obvious delay of games is ridiculous in this day and age. They dont even have any linesman calling the lines in tennis - all automatic and the NFL cant get the time clock/snap done correctly?

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Since'61's picture

November 04, 2022 at 08:46 am

canadapacker that is what the league should do but they won't because that costs money. If at some point the owners vote for these updates then they will be implemented. But that will take at least several of them being really screwed by the officiating. Thanks, Since '61

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jannes bjornson's picture

November 03, 2022 at 09:47 pm

I am assuming the detractors do not realize he shows for all mandatory OTAs.........

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Since'61's picture

November 04, 2022 at 08:43 am

They only realize whatever fits their narrative of hate. It's easy to blame the QB for everything. It makes the game simpler for them to understand. Thanks, Since '61

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Coldworld's picture

November 04, 2022 at 10:19 am

I agree to the extent that I don’t think Rodgers play is the issue. However, there’s a narrative that Rodgers solves everything and that nothing in which he is involved in the field can be criticized. That stance is just as common.

The reality is that Rodgers and this roster was a truly bad match. In my view, the hiring of LaFleur and their pairing is equally disastrous. Rodgers might be excelling with a great roster around him. That wasn’t going to be here this year, and folks just need to face up to that. Unfortunately the hangover will be worse, but it’s coming anyway.

Your response is valid, but it fuels the Rodgers is the answer regardless blindness. I actually think that’s more damaging to the franchise and future and what got us here.

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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

November 04, 2022 at 08:45 am

And yet its not the other vets publicly throwing everyone under the bus. Only Rodgers is doing that. This was all too predictable.

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Packerpasty's picture

November 04, 2022 at 04:08 pm

why do you always try to make sense?? Once again you are spot on...only fools think Love is going to play the rest of the year and MLF will sit Rodgers...good grief...your whole post makes way too much sense for some of the 2% Rodgers haters...

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Packers2020's picture

November 04, 2022 at 09:35 am

Knock,

I agree that AR could have and should have been at OTA's to work with the new WR's but his stats are not near the bottom of the league.

He is:

9th in passer rating
6th in TDs
12th in completion % (with one of the highest drop percentages in the league)
13th in yards

He is not having an MVP season by any means but he is still playing solid. He definitely has missed some passes and not been as accurate but you can also attribute that to the new WR's not being in the right places.

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Coldworld's picture

November 04, 2022 at 10:23 am

You can attribute it to both and to an offensive design that is self defeating. This year required coaches and Rodgers to change things up or it wasn’t worth it. It was always unlikely, but they didn’t try. That’s just reality. We approached this season as we did any other. Thus wasn’t just any other season. Rodgers deserves some, but not the majority, of the blame for not seeing that.

One observation on those stats. Were one to read those in a vacuum, unaware of the season to date, one would assume they reflect a decent team. Do you really think that’s a fair reflection of what we have been? If not then, as with any stats that tell you up should be down, they are telling you something that is unreal because of what is missing: they are valueless at best.

3 points
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Tundraboy's picture

November 04, 2022 at 10:53 am

One of these years Rogers will come into camp with a fire under his ass and realizing he needs to hit the gym himself. I know I'm dreaming. I have felt for years he's doesn't look like he's ever put any extra effort into strengthening his body to ward off time. But who am I to tell him, he knows everything.

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nygary's picture

November 05, 2022 at 07:58 am

Right again knock. I feel the same way.

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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

November 04, 2022 at 10:45 am

The Rodgers era is finished. Somebody at 1265 needs to be the adult and address the elephant in the room. Too many are still going through the 5 stages of grief while refusing to accept the truth.

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jlc1's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:44 pm

28 points? How do they get there? 4 offensive TDs? No FGs means no red zone stalls. The odds of that happening are win the Powerball likely. Do the special teams or defense count for a TD or two? I do not see this offense getting in the end zone four times. Maybe enough trips to the Detroit side of the field to get a couple of FGs plus a TD or two but 20 is the max they can muster against anyone right now. If the Pack goes +2 in TOs then a win is possible but 4 TDs is not happening. Even with that TO margin they still are not getting above 20, the TOs will just keep the defense off the field enough to keep the Lions under 20.

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splitpea1's picture

November 03, 2022 at 03:52 pm

I think we already know we need to make changes at safety.

We're still going to need to invest prime capital in another receiver once Cobb and Watkins are gone. In the meantime, it will be interesting to see how Doubs and Toure perform the rest of the season, especially against good defenses like the Eagles and Dallas.

I certainly hope our defense had bottomed out in regards to the missed tackle epidemic; hard to do much worse than last week.

Although the Packers are effective at running the ball when they set their minds to it, this is one of our best opportunities to get the passing game on track. Other than Hutchinson, the Lions have little in the way of a pass rush; they also fired their DBs coach a few days ago (playing soft coverage, sound familiar?), so this unit may be dealing with new assignments and alignments.

4 points
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marpag1's picture

November 03, 2022 at 04:00 pm

Virtually everyone I know is happy that the Packers didn't make silly moves at the deadline. The internet isn't real life. As usual, 2% of the voices make 98% of the noise, despite having 0% of the knowledge.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 03, 2022 at 05:27 pm

I was good with no moves honestly.

I would have loved to have seen a move if it was a good deal. If it was for the right price. Clearly there wasn't one for the right price. So i'm good with no deal.

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PhantomII's picture

November 03, 2022 at 08:59 pm

We need a #1 WR and a #2 WR and a decent TE....and a good Safety...and...OG and OT and...HC and DC...

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Leatherhead's picture

November 03, 2022 at 04:38 pm

I think people are throwing in the towel too soon. A win puts us at 4-5 and right in the mix.

Here's the thing: I coached HS football and basketball for quite a while, and you don't get to just give up halfway through the season. You HAVE to play the schedule, even if you're getting your ass kicked . Your ONLY choice is to try the best you can to improve.

The Packers aren't going to mail it in yet. At some point, we might start preparing for next year, but we're not going to just throw the season away half way through.

5 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

November 03, 2022 at 05:15 pm

Do you remember those twitter pictures of the guys laughing at opposing teams fans celebrating their victory with 2 minutes left in the game. And we come back and win the games.

That is what this feels like to me. It feels like everyone is laughing at GB because we are 3-5, lost 4 straight. People are walking out of the building ready to blow the whole thing up. It feels like a lot of fans have thrown in the towel already. Which if they want to do that, that is fine.
I just can't do it. I can't throw the towel in until the horse is dead.

This is what I see. The offense has struggled with injuries at OL and WR. Well they have reworked the OL, the right side is figuring it out. The left side they are figuring it out and Tom has looked really good overall the last 2 games when he was thrown into action right before the game.

The WR's are starting to figure things out too. Doubs and Toure with highlight catches. Rodgers has quietly been producing when given the chance. I just am feeling that Watson is going to have a monster game, and our offense is going to just turn a switch on. I feel like our offense is close.

This last game they started figuring the run game out. Jones was dynamic, and after Dillon got hurt he turned it on! He started running behind his pads. They finally got the ground game going which should open up the passing game.

I think the offense is about to turn it on and when they do that will help the defense.

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LeotisHarris's picture

November 03, 2022 at 08:10 pm

"I can't throw the towel in until the horse is dead."

Yogi Berra would be proud of you, RC.

5 points
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Packerpasty's picture

November 03, 2022 at 06:12 pm

yup...its called pride...pride in your ability to do your job whatever it is..

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Since'61's picture

November 03, 2022 at 08:51 pm

I agree Leatherhead it's too early to throw in the towel on the season. It doesn't look good right now but the NFL is a week to week league and anything can happen.

My increasing concern is that the Packers don't have the coaching staff to pull this team together and make a playoff run. Sure they can beat the Lions even without playing a strong game. All we can do is take it one game at a time and that is exactly what the Packers need to do. The coaches need to send that message and they need to challenge the team before the game begins rather than wait until halftime to do it.

Even an eliminated team cannot and certainly should not mail it in. As you know if players aren't playing 100% their risk of injury actually increases. Plus their portfolio for other teams are their games tapes. Poor tape is not going to help them with their next contract whether they want to stay with the Packers or move in FA. It also doesn't help them if there is a coaching change. While younger players may get more snaps once the team is eliminated it still behooves all of the players to make their best effort. For those reasons I don't see the Packers tanking or mailing it in.

Beat the Lions and go from there. Thanks, Since '61

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Starrbrite's picture

November 04, 2022 at 01:27 am

10-4 LH—there is absolutely no way we should go belly-up yet.
The litmus test is this week vs the Lions.

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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

November 04, 2022 at 10:41 am

I dont think giving young players a chance is the same as waving the white flag. Not with this team anyways. They have an entire wave of 1st-3rd round picks who either arent playing at all or only play sparingly. Its not like they would be turning the team over to undrafted free agents. Love is a 1st rounder, Wyatt is a 1st rounder, Dillon is a 2nd rounder, Deguara/Rodgers/Rhyan are all 3rd rounders, etc. Most teams would kill to have that kind of talent just chillin on their bench. Lets see what these kids can do. What does this team really have to lose at this point? I think the answers are already on this team but they need to be given the chance to prove it.

2 points
2
0
EnemyTerritory's picture

November 03, 2022 at 05:28 pm

I generally agree with the author but also think it’s too early to totally wave the white flag (although doing nothing at trade deadline looked pretty white flag ish to me). I’m not optimistic the Lions is a W and I’m pretty damned sure that McCarthy is going to roll out of Lambeau with a shit eating grin in two weeks. Then it’s time to bench QB1 and give his thumb a long recovery and see what Love can do in a few consecutive starts with the young WRs. Sit the vets and start Touree, Watson if healthy, Doubbs and Rodgers. Can’t get much worse. If all the games are losses we move up in the draft order. Start the best offensive line we can. Run the damned offense the way it was supposed to be…TE and RB heavy. The next few years are going to be brutal. Start the rebuild asap. It’s also an audition for MLF

2 points
4
2
Packerpasty's picture

November 03, 2022 at 06:11 pm

I'm with you on all these things..I am so glad they didn't go get Claypool just to satisfy a few fans who thought getting him would help turn things around...they may win a few more games but my expectations are low...I won't even get very angry when they lose...I do wish they could somehow put a whole game together though, not just one half...and if they score it would be nice if the defense would not then allow the other team to score...it would be nice to see the defense be allowed to take some chances and be more aggressive....wishful thinking I know..

3 points
5
2
FAN24583's picture

November 03, 2022 at 07:22 pm

Business as usual at 1265, BG and MM are laughing at all the silly packer fans that want bold leadership and another SB. Not going to happen under this regime. It all starts with Howdy Doody/MM.

4 points
5
1
The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

November 04, 2022 at 10:35 am

Im with you Ken. However, I dont see making a move to the younger players as waving the white flag. I think this team will immediately benefit through addition by subtraction.

5 points
5
0