Packers VS Eagles Playoffs

[Pokerbrat2000]

Let the Playoffs begin!

I think MLF did a disservice to the players and team by playing the starters yesterday, but what is done is done. We can only hope that both Love and Watson didn't suffer injuries that will keep them out of Sundays game or limit their abilities.

Meanwhile, the Eagle starters will come in rested.

For me the keys to the game will be to keep Barkley under 75 total yards and keep Hurts from hurting us with his legs. Hurts rushed for 630 yards this season, for an average of 40+/game. Those are the kinds of numbers that can just kill a defense, especially on 3rd/4th down.

For the Packers to beat the Eagles and Lions (locked in with a win over Eagles), they are going to need to play mistake free football. Limit the penalties and come out on the plus side in turnovers. Otherwise, they won't get out of Philly with a W.

 

[gopkrs]

I'd like to kickoff. And you are certainly right about Barkley and Hurts. I'm hoping Q will be playing. Alongside Cooper.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'd like to kickoff.

100% agree.

Another move that I have wondered WTF MLF is thinking. When you win the toss and especially when you are on the road, you kick the ball off! Why would you put your offense on the field first when the fans are going to be at their loudest? If the Packer defense stops the opposing team and forces a punt, that gives the offense momentum and maybe a bit quieter audience.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Not fun to read stuff like this from players. Just another fallout of playing your starters and losing a game, at home, to one of the worst teams in the NFL.

Xavier McKinney's quote about the Packers' morale doesn't inspire a ton of confidence​

"Mentally, we know that we've got one game," McKinney said. "One chance. And so if we don't do it right, we'll be bounced. That's just the reality of it. So I think that's where we're at mentally. We've got to move on from this game ... It is what it is. Same stuff, every week. I think it's guys, individually, looking at themselves and saying, 'OK, what do we want to do? How far do we want to take this?' And I think that's just the reality of it."

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It's official....Watson tore his ACL.

 

[Dieseljunkie12]

While it hurts to lose Watson for the playoffs and a good chunk next year, the only good thing is now MLF can come up with a horrible game plan during the week already knowing he is out.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

While it hurts to lose Watson for the playoffs and a good chunk next year, the only good thing is now MLF can come up with a horrible game plan during the week already knowing he is out.

Also, after the Packer victory on Sunday, Matt will also be able to point to just how crappy the Eagles played, because they rested their starters in week 18.

These were the players the Eagles rested:

• RB Saquon Barkley
• QB Jalen Hurts (in concussion protocol)
• LB Zack Baun
• WR A.J. Brown
• DT Jalen Carter
• LG Landon ****erson
• RT Lane Johnson
• LT Jordan Mailata
• CB Darius Slay
• WR DeVonta Smith

 

[Sanguine camper]

It's official....Watson tore his ACL.

It takes a good year to come back from an ACL so next season is a big rehab process for Watson. A lot of people will blame MLF but sitting guys has been the demise of the Packers in previous seasons. What it means is the draft will be massively impacted. A WR will be a top priority. The team is entering the playoffs banged up, playing poorly and dejected. McKinney sure as hell sounded like the season was one more game. There's noone on the roster that can replace Watson's skill set.
Given that that the Packers are a seventh seed, do they draft before higher seeds ?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

A lot of people will blame MLF but sitting guys has been the demise of the Packers in previous seasons.

I see, is that your opinion or based on facts?

BTW, the Eagles rested many of their starters on Sunday and still beat the Giants. I guess we will see which team benefited from no rest or rest, this Sunday.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Assuming Jalen Hurts starts Sunday, the Eagles will have all 22 Week 1 starters healthy for the Wild-Card round.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Given that that the Packers are a seventh seed, do they draft before higher seeds ?

No. At the end of round 1, the 6 losers are seated for their draft positions, based on their regular season record. However, they will seated ahead of any teams that lose in round 2 or beyond.

 

[lambeaulambo]

The 2 key players to stop is Brown and Barkley. The defense cannot allow Hurts to take off either. If Jacobs can hang on to the ball and pound it, chances are decent for a favorable result. Gotta try double tight w 85 and 88 and see if effective. Love seems to be regressing in the wrong direction but all it takes is 1 game for him to wake up and that factor could change everything. I loathe Philly but they are beatable.

 

[milani]

Not fun to read stuff like this from players. Just another fallout of playing your starters and losing a game, at home, to one of the worst teams in the NFL.

Xavier McKinney's quote about the Packers' morale doesn't inspire a ton of confidence​

"Mentally, we know that we've got one game," McKinney said. "One chance. And so if we don't do it right, we'll be bounced. That's just the reality of it. So I think that's where we're at mentally. We've got to move on from this game ... It is what it is. Same stuff, every week. I think it's guys, individually, looking at themselves and saying, 'OK, what do we want to do? How far do we want to take this?' And I think that's just the reality of it."

Actually, this is a common statement from players on teams that are in this position. They are professionals. It is just as demoralizing if you have everything set up perfectly being the #1 seed and getting bounced at home which has happened to a number of teams over the years. Like us.

 

[Sanguine camper]

I see, is that your opinion or based on facts?

BTW, the Eagles rested many of their starters on Sunday and still beat the Giants. I guess we will see which team benefited from no rest or rest, this Sunday.

In 2011 MM rested a lot starters vs the Lions for the last game of the season. How did the ensuing playoff game against the Giants go ? How did the bye week help the Packers in 2021 when everybody got a rest? Not good. I can be a huge critic of MLF when he deserves it. He's in a no win situation when it comes to sitting players. I don't blame him for the injuries yesterday. Watson is injury prone and he's going to get hurt sooner than later.

 

[milani]

In 2011 MM rested a lot starters vs the Lions for the last game of the season. How did the ensuing playoff game against the Giants go ? How did the bye week help the Packers in 2021 when everybody got a rest? Not good. I can be a huge critic of MLF when he deserves it. He's in a no win situation when it comes to sitting players. I don't blame him for the injuries yesterday. Watson is injury prone and he's going to get hurt sooner than later.

Watson could have gotten injured just as easily in practice. As good as he is back in the day we referred to that someone as a klutz.
The NFL kind of baited teams. If our game was after the Cowboy-Commanders we know the outcome. Or if we had played Saturday we know we have to wait and see.

 

[weeds]

Watson hurt himself tripping on the turf. He could have done that playing catch pre-game.

I'm with Belichick.

 

[Magooch]

Watson hurt himself tripping on the turf. He could have done that playing catch pre-game.

I'm with Belichick.

Or in practice getting ready for the Philly game. Or in warmups just before kickoff. Or four snaps into the game like Rodgers’ Jets start. It’s a non contact injury. Until someone can produce for me documentation from the physician who assessed Watson’s injury I don’t think there’s any way we can say with any degree of confidence that his injury was “caused” by (or even made more likely to occur) strictly by playing yesterday. Three extra days of rest doesn’t change that Watson seems to just generally be a fragile dude.

 

[OldSchool101]

It's official....Watson tore his ACL.

As much as this sucks, I think it’s highly unlikely 1 more week would’ve made much difference if any. It’s just as well this doesn’t happen during our game at Philly.

 

[OldSchool101]

Much to think about after last Weekends frustrating finish. If there was anything fortunate to take from this Bears scrimmage was this:

1. We have the full week to prepare knowing Watson is out. Heath and Melton took up the Slack Week 18. It’s Highly Likely Doubs and Musgrave will both be playing together more regularly in this one. Both are very capable of getting open. Doubs absence was illness related. Luke Musgraves’ snaps (17) in Week 18 is gradually becoming normalized. In his first 3 contests (Week1-3)Luke averaged 28 snaps. I suspect we see somewhere between 20-25 snaps next Sunday at Philly.

2. While it is a Road game, this young Packers team has generally traveled well
(5-2 when playing in our Opponent’s house). Losses to the #1 seed Lions on a walk off FG (3 pts-Week14) and a Loss to the #5 Seed Vikings in the closing minutes of a near 4th Qtr comeback 2 pts-Week17).

3. While resting players and limiting snap counts for select players likely cost us a Win, it also gave our starters needed rest through being home. Several key players only playing a fraction of typical snaps.
Kenny Clark had 28 snaps. The 3rd lowest of the season behind the 38-10 49ers and 34-0 Saints Blowouts.
Jordan Love had season low
23 snaps:12 Passing attempts
Josh Jacobs had season low
20 snaps;6 carries

4. If it becomes necessary to look to our bench, several players have been primed. Many Playoff games have been Won or Lost on the quality of depth at each position. For GB in the past we have been ravaged by injuries entering the playoffs. We only have 2 key starters that have zero chance of playing this Wildcard, plus a couple questionable. With Christian and Jaire, Neither are shocking news at this point as Jaire was either injured during the bulk or missed 11 contests altogether. Watson played at least 50%+ snaps in 12 contests. So between the 2 it’s like a Starter missing an entire season. We’re not really without both, we’re without the equivalent of one because both together barely played a starters snaps.

We all boasted (me included) before the season of how “complete” out WR was. Well it either is or it isn’t. We should stand by our convictions when they are tested. Ok, We don’t have a true #1 but we’ve got a nice grouping of #2-#4’s and that is still formidable IF they rise up.

5. We have one of the better TE groups in this league and for the first time since week 3 BOTH are healthy. IF used properly and I say IF. THIS could be a key to both ball control and Overall O success. I’ll say it again.. PLEASE use your TE/RB more in the passing game. They have been largely underutilized for a variety of reasons, but it’s not because of injury. Bill Belicik even said he would push it to Tucker more and he would use the LB to blitz more to simulate the Pass Rush we are lacking. I don’t think he was being deceptive. That said, we have sprinkled LB blitz in and successfully, just not recent.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

As much as this sucks, I think it’s highly unlikely 1 more week would’ve made much difference if any. It’s just as well this doesn’t happen during our game at Philly.

Do you feel the same about Love's injury? Had he not played Sunday, he would have gotten hurt against Philly?

You and I are usually on the same page, but not on this one. Watson getting one more week of rest and NOT playing on Sunday has him playing in Philly. Unless he slips in the shower and tears it. Would he have done the exact same thing in Philly and tore it running in the open field? I would say "odds are no", but that might be me.

 

[tynimiller]

There are a few things I feel need to happen for us to have a legit chance but.....IF I see Evan Williams and Quay Walker are both going to play I honestly expect this to be a last possession type game. Those two are field shifters because of where and whom it takes off the field.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

In 2011 MM rested a lot starters vs the Lions for the last game of the season. How did the ensuing playoff game against the Giants go ? How did the bye week help the Packers in 2021 when everybody got a rest? Not good. I can be a huge critic of MLF when he deserves it. He's in a no win situation when it comes to sitting players. I don't blame him for the injuries yesterday. Watson is injury prone and he's going to get hurt sooner than later.

So 2 games over 14 years is your "evidence"? I can cherry pick several games where teams sat starters and did fine their next game. We can look at wins for the Packers after the Bye week and see mixed results too. I would say at best, sitting or playing starters is a 50/50 proposition for any team.

MLF didn't sit his starters on Sunday, I guess we will find out this Sunday, just how that decision worked out for the Packers.

 

[Sanguine camper]

So 2 games over 14 years is your "evidence"? I can cherry pick several games where teams sat starters and did fine their next game. We can look at wins for the Packers after the Bye week and see mixed results too. I would say at best, sitting or playing starters is a 50/50 proposition for any team.

MLF didn't sit his starters on Sunday, I guess we will find out this Sunday, just how that decision worked out for the Packers.

I can find many more examples where sitting players left both the Packers and other teams out of synch going into the playoffs. Those were two examples where the rustiness ended seasons where the Packers were favored to reach the SB. Another example is week 1 in the NFL. Plenty of examples where not playing starters leaves them rusty.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Another example is week 1 in the NFL. Plenty of examples where not playing starters leaves them rusty.

You want to compare week 1 with week 18? Come on man! Oddly enough, I am on the same page with you about playing starters in preseason, if that is what you are implying should happen. Now I wouldn't do that in the 3rd and final preseason game, but in the 1st and 2nd, I would play my starters for at least 2 series per game.

Like I said, the strategy of sitting starters or playing starters in Week 18 has resulted in different outcomes for all teams over the years. It's probably why it is still debated. This past Sunday, I think there were more teams that sat starters, but I could be wrong.

Ultimately, we can both cherry pick situations of when it did or didn't work for a team, but neither of us will be 100% correct on which strategy is best. So far in the case of the Packers, I would say MLF's strategy of playing key starters has backfired, but I guess we will see how it concludes on Sunday.

 

[Schultz]

So 2 games over 14 years is your "evidence"? I can cherry pick several games where teams sat starters and did fine their next game. We can look at wins for the Packers after the Bye week and see mixed results too. I would say at best, sitting or playing starters is a 50/50 proposition for any team.

MLF didn't sit his starters on Sunday, I guess we will find out this Sunday, just how that decision worked out for the Packers.

We still won't know. Watson may have been this year's version of A. Jones and M. Lewis with a big fumble helping knock the Pack out of the playoffs. No-one will ever know for sure.