Official Week 17 Green Bay vs Minnesota Pre-game

[tahoebum]

It hasn’t been mentioned in this thread, but does anyone think Aaron Jones will be running with a chip on his shoulder? I think the Pack did the right thing by letting him go, but he certainly has extra motivation for this game.

 

[Voyageur]

My reason for liking Addison over Reed is that IMO if Reed were playing with JJEFF his numbers would be down. IMO Addison would be the clear WR1 in GB. Again, not arguing, just giving my opinion on an opinion based website.

I'm not a bit convinced that Addison would be WR1 in GB to be honest. I think he'd be a nice fit with Doubs, Reed, Watson, and Wicks. But, #1? He'd have to prove it to me to be honest. That's not knocking him as a talent, because he's good. But so are the Packer receivers. Addison's game is helped by the fact that Jefferson draws double coverage constantly. In fact, JJ has nearly 100 receptions this year I believe. Also, despite the talk of the solid receivers the Vikings have, I don't like any of them outside of Jefferson, and Addison, belong in the NFL. Sherfield, Nailor, and Powell suck up roster spots. That said, their only TE is Hockenson.

The Packers WRs and TEs have the ball spread around more, so they don't have the gaudy numbers teams have when they only have two or three guys who can hang on to passes.

That's just my opinion. I could be wrong. Then there's his personal problems. Addison is tolerated only because he's a decent receiver. If he was not quite as good as he is, they'd jettison him like the sewage from a cruise ship. I think he has fewer guys on their roster that like him, than those that would just as soon see him hitting the road.

 

[gopkrs]

I agree that Addison is darn good. But also agree he isn't better than what we have. I have no idea about what kind of teammate he is. It hasn't seemed to be affecting them. He could test our secondary tomorrow though. Hope we get some pressure.

 

[chemist]

Yeah and I was asking PackerDNA as follow up to his statement re: decisions in the offseason.

My take - whether GB makes a deep playoff run or not, the CB group needs to be re-engineered, similar to what Gluten did with safeties last off season. Eventually they will also have to make decisions on which WRs to keep, but even that seems pretty easy - Watson, Reed, Doubs and TE Kraft need to be retained. Well, as of now.

A history of the season for GB
Our 1st loss was a 5 pt loss to the eagles in brazil. Certainly unusual circumstances for any NFL team to play under which the eagles handled better than us because as someone pointed out we have a bunch of young guys who tend to start the season slowly and then continue to build momentum as the season goes on.
2nd loss to Minn by 2 pts .. a game we could have won after being way behind if we had placeckicker who could actually kick FGs and XPs. If we had mcmanus back then it would have been one of the greatest comebacks ever
3rd loss to lions by 10 in the pouring driving rain that never let up. Same conditions for both teams, but I see it as probably the worst game the packers played all year. Several terrible decisions by coaches and players doomed us.
4th loss to lions on last second FG. This is the game I thought GB would win but in hindsight I can see our D was not up to the task of holding off the lions on that final drive. Our D needed a,few more games to finally figure things out

None of these games ended as a,blowout. We,were right there in every game. Now here we are at the end of the season and I finally feel we are ready to take it to the next level .
So GB Packers as the nike slogan goes
JUST DO IT!!!!

 

[OldSchool101]

At this point in their careers, I would rather have Addison and Hock over Reed and Kraft.

My reason for liking Addison over Reed is that IMO if Reed were playing with JJEFF his numbers would be down. IMO Addison would be the clear WR1 in GB.

Sure and that’s fine I respect you offering your opinion. You’ve actually solidified my opinion even more because nobody is switching teams Sunday Afternoon!

Just to be clear I was responding to this post above by you. You claimed you preferred those 2 over our 2 guys at this point and we have a game Sunday. No offense but switching teams isn’t even in my small brain.
Your favorite grouping of those 2 players you like over my 2 Packers might blow us up on Sunday, but GB wins by spreading the ball around. It’s just a different concept but it’s obviously successful? We do have a higher ranked O in yards and points than MN. I think that’s telling because MN is very good on O

The reason I mentioned doubling Jefferson is Outside of Jefferson we have a better group of 6-7 weapons and it’s close but definitely NOT leaning Vikings. Our players are very similar and Id even submit outside of JJ we’re playing better. If we can hold JJ to 6X85 or less I’d call that a Win.

Oddly, If anything? I’d offer its the MN DEFENSE that has upperhand over our DEFENSE. Their Defense wins them most games imo. Ours is surging but needs a signature performance. Hopefully we can slow them down or get them off their mojo.

 

[PackerDNA]

I hope they beat the Vikes and make a deep run in the playoffs. But let's say they don't. What kind of big decisions will they need to make in the off season?

For me Joe it always comes down to the pits-both lines of scrimmage.We mostly go with guys in the 4th round and we'll coach em up. Who's the top contenders now and in recent years? The Lions, Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs . All with one thing in common - they kick your *** up front when it matters most.

 

[OldSchool101]

For me Joe it always comes down to the pits-both lines of scrimmage.We mostly go with guys in the 4th round and we'll coach em up. Who's the top contenders now and in recent years? The Lions, Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs . All with one thing in common - they kick your *** up front when it matters most.

I still think we are 1 great iDL away from reaping some havoc. If you had 1 more guy that was slightly above Kenny Clark level we’d be hard to beat

Although our guys are coming around as of late.

We are now
#3 in total Takeaways
#5 INT
#3 Fumbles
#7 Yards allowed
#6 Points allowed
#6 Sacks

 

[milani]

It hasn’t been mentioned in this thread, but does anyone think Aaron Jones will be running with a chip on his shoulder? I think the Pack did the right thing by letting him go, but he certainly has extra motivation for this game.

It was a win win for both teams. I believe Jacobs could last longer in his playing days but we will see.

 

[OldSchool101]

3rd loss to lions by 10 in the pouring driving rain that never let up. Same conditions for both teams, but I see it as probably the worst game the packers played all year.

Really all good points. I try to error on being cautious about changing the outcome because sometimes opponents force us to make mistakes. Yet here we truly just played lousy. We couldn’t get the snap off correctly. We couldn’t even get to the point where we fumbled a snap because we’d jump offsides!

Our 1st loss was a 5 pt loss to the eagles in brazil. Certainly unusual circumstances for any NFL team to play under which the eagles handled better than us because as someone pointed out we have a bunch of young guys who tend to start the season slowly and then continue to build momentum as the season goes on.

Totally agree. Something I would like to offer. It’s very normal for a team to either Win or Lose in the first week and it be totally out of character. The Bengals started 0-3 as one example and I didn’t need to look out of teams who played today. Even Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers both had seasons where they lost to the Saints 3-38. Only to go deep playoff bound or win a SB. Week 1 is a terrible way to evaluate a team for long term. Might as well be Preseason.

The Eagles essentially Won similar to our Lions game on a FG with :27 sec left. Had we had a minute left? 50/50 GB wins that game. Everyone acts like that first loss was an indictment on our future for a decade. Totally blown out of proportion. GB led for 37.5 minutes of 60 minutes and had Narveson not did his usual 43 yard miss to close 3rd qtr GB would’ve led for 57 of 60 minutes until :27 sec left in that game. With any normal Kicker we lose 32-31 on a walk off FG. Against what we all 100% know now is a legit #1 seed.

Don’t let the experts fool you. If you are going to judge strength or rankings? HOW you win and lose makes a big difference. HUGE difference.
The Packers lost 2 of 4 losses by the skin of our teeth. Another loss (MN Week 4) caught us severely wounded in what was Week 2 for our starting QB and with 3 weeks off and a leg brace. That’s not an ideal evaluation imo and anyone using that game as supporting evidence just doesn’t follow the sport closely at all.

 

[Heyjoe4]

My reason for liking Addison over Reed is that IMO if Reed were playing with JJEFF his numbers would be down. IMO Addison would be the clear WR1 in GB. Again, not arguing, just giving my opinion on an opinion based website.

It's an interesting opinion. Part of the reason Addison is doing so well is that he is playing with arguably the best WR in the NFL, certainly top 5. That means coverage rotates to JJ and away from Addison.

I haven't seen quite enough of Addison to say if he's better than Reed, or who I'd take. And the Packers really are WR-by-committee. But I have to take a side here. My instinct tells me you're right, that Addison would be a clear #1WR on most teams. If Reed were that good, he would have clearly established himself as a #1 by now. He's very good he just hasn't gotten enough targets to know what his ceiling is.

 

[Heyjoe4]

For me Joe it always comes down to the pits-both lines of scrimmage.We mostly go with guys in the 4th round and we'll coach em up. Who's the top contenders now and in recent years? The Lions, Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs . All with one thing in common - they kick your *** up front when it matters most.

And always has it been so Packer. One reason Jacobs is having a great year is the OL in front of him is good enough to open at least a crease, and that's all a back like Jacobs needs. Many times they are opening lanes and that's been great for the running game. (And I agree that the Packers get their best OL in rounds 4-7 and coach em. They haven't had much success in rounds 1-3, or it sure seems that way.)

Same on the DL. These days, the down 3 or 4 limemen have to be very athletic and very fast. GB has some players like that, but they haven't been as consistently good as the OL.

So who is better at this - the Packers or queens? We'll find out. But yep, that's where games are won/lost. The Packers have certainly become a much more physical team this year on the lines. Chalk that up to losing too many playoff games to the very physical Niners. (Well not so much this year for the Niners, but they'll be back.)

 

[PackerDNA]

I still think we are 1 great iDL away from reaping some havoc. If you had 1 more guy that was slightly above Kenny Clark level we’d be hard to beat

Although our guys are coming around as of late.

We are now
#3 in total Takeaways
#5 INT
#3 Fumbles
#7 Yards allowed
#6 Points allowed
#6 Sacks

Massive improvement by the defense this season over years past. I feel the best is yet to come as they get more comfortable in Hafleys system

 

[Heyjoe4]

Massive improvement by the defense this season over years past. I feel the best is yet to come as they get more comfortable in Hafleys system

Agree. We're human so we tend to focus on the problems (for the D I'd say it's the CB group), but this D under Hafley is performing far, far better than under any DC in recent memory. They tend to be around the ball a lot more, they have prioritized takeaways and succeeded, overall they just play faster and with more intensity.

 

[PackerDNA]

Tough matchup on the road against a tough team. Missing Alexander, Williams, and now Watson.
We need to start fast, not turn the ball over and make big plays at key times on defense. I hate to say this and hope like hell that I'm wrong, but I just think too many key injuries especially in the secondary against this offense is going to be a little too much to overcome.
Vikings,34-27

 

[Sanguine camper]

It may be perception. After the death of the 3rd round draft pick this summer, the Vikes also lost a starting CB, their LT, and JJ McCarthy for the year. Darrisaw out is a big loss as he is easily their best O lineman and as a top 5 NFL left tackle. Ivan Pace their defensive captain is also questionable.

IMO, this is a battle of two top 7 NFL teams and will likely be a great game decided by turnovers or one or two big offensive plays. The Pack has and all time win percentage of .572 but has won just 51.5% of the games since the Vikings became a team in 1961 so it’s always a battle.

O'Neil is their best player on the line. Darrisaw is good but not elite. McCarthy has no impact on this season as he's at best a back up who would've held a clipboard. The Vikings are missing one starter on offense and perhaps one on defense for this game. At this point in the season, that's remarkabky healthy.

I think the Vikings are 25-10 in one score games because they force feed their weapons until they take advantage of a mismatch and break defenses. O'Connell doesn't spread the ball around. With 2-3 starters out in the secondary, that approach will be easy to see. That said, I think the Packers have more to play for than just seeding. Lose this game and you can forget about the playoffs. I doubt any team has ever been swept by 2 division opponents and did anything in the post season.

 

[chemist]

Tough matchup on the road against a tough team. Missing Alexander, Williams, and now Watson.
We need to start fast, not turn the ball over and make big plays at key times on defense. I hate to say this and hope like hell that I'm wrong, but I just think too many key injuries especially in the secondary against this offense is going to be a little too much to overcome.
Vikings,34-27

I have a different view. I favor teams that are starting to play their best football near the end of the season. Teams that can start a winning streak of their own, which can build confidence and continue to ride a wave of momentum, getting better and better with each game. That describes where the packers are perfectly
I do not like teams that come into the plaoffs with supersonic seasonal records or teams that are riding very long winning streaks. Those kinds of teams eventually get arrogant or they get worn out from the pressure of maintaing their winning streak.

I feel the packers are ready. They were close last year so I expect them to improve on that and make it to the SB.

 

[AmishMafia]

I have a different view. I favor teams that are starting to play their best football near the end of the season. Teams that can start a winning streak of their own, which can build confidence and continue to ride a wave of momentum, getting better and better with each game. That describes where the packers are perfectly
I do not like teams that come into the plaoffs with supersonic seasonal records or teams that are riding very long winning streaks. Those kinds of teams eventually get arrogant or they get worn out from the pressure of maintaing their winning streak.

I feel the packers are ready. They were close last year so I expect them to improve on that and make it to the SB.

Absolutely.

Packers keep playing better each week. Lions play is decreasing. Vikings seem to be holding steady. We almost beat them when we were playing okay, but now we are playing great. The Vikes always play us tough regardless.

Packers 27 Vikings 23

 

[chemist]

Absolutely.

Packers keep playing better each week. Lions play is decreasing. Vikings seem to be holding steady. We almost beat them when we were playing okay, but now we are playing great. The Vikes always play us tough regardless.

Packers 27 Vikings 23

Very accurate observations...

 

[GBkrzygrl]

Someone raised this question on another board. Play the starters for a while and then pull them. It's better to be healthy than to satisfy our ego by needing to beat the Vikings.

What do you think?

 

[chemist]

Someone raised this question on another board. Play the starters for a while and then pull them. It's better to be healthy than to satisfy our ego by needing to beat the Vikings.

What do you think?

On the surface It sounds line a good thing to do but ive seen to many times teams that do that or teams that have the top seed and not play for a week seem to loose that rhythm or continuity they have gotten use to during the season. Each day they had a schedule, each dsy they knew what tbey were going to do. When you disrupt that those teams tend to come out flat and dont play well.
The packers have gotten to this point playing on a regular schedule. I dont want to change that. I go with the old phrase if it aint broke dont fix it.

 

[PikeBadger]

Jaire probably not playing this week. Does he have injury guarantees in his contract?

He never plays. I'm pretty sure Russ Ball has included game day active bonuses into all second or third player contracts. Alexander is nothing more than a ghost player.

 

[milani]

Really all good points. I try to error on being cautious about changing the outcome because sometimes opponents force us to make mistakes. Yet here we truly just played lousy. We couldn’t get the snap off correctly. We couldn’t even get to the point where we fumbled a snap because we’d jump offsides!

Totally agree. Something I would like to offer. It’s very normal for a team to either Win or Lose in the first week and it be totally out of character. The Bengals started 0-3 as one example and I didn’t need to look out of teams who played today. Even Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers both had seasons where they lost to the Saints 3-38. Only to go deep playoff bound or win a SB. Week 1 is a terrible way to evaluate a team for long term. Might as well be Preseason.

The Eagles essentially Won similar to our Lions game on a FG with :27 sec left. Had we had a minute left? 50/50 GB wins that game. Everyone acts like that first loss was an indictment on our future for a decade. Totally blown out of proportion. GB led for 37.5 minutes of 60 minutes and had Narveson not did his usual 43 yard miss to close 3rd qtr GB would’ve led for 57 of 60 minutes until :27 sec left in that game. With any normal Kicker we lose 32-31 on a walk off FG. Against what we all 100% know now is a legit #1 seed.

Don’t let the experts fool you. If you are going to judge strength or rankings? HOW you win and lose makes a big difference. HUGE difference.
The Packers lost 2 of 4 losses by the skin of our teeth. Another loss (MN Week 4) caught us severely wounded in what was Week 2 for our starting QB and with 3 weeks off and a leg brace. That’s not an ideal evaluation imo and anyone using that game as supporting evidence just doesn’t follow the sport closely at all.

I have the feeling today will be different. The Vikings have one player out and we have four for sure. If they were as banged up I would feel better. Even missing Watson can be crucial against the best opponents.