Rival Watch

[Dantés]

A Vikings win was probably the better outcome for the Packers last night. It gives them a two game cushion on the rest of the division. Minnesota is obviously surging, but they could theoretically win out, finish 11-5, and still not catch Green Bay. And they won't win out, realistically.

Their next three weeks are pretty soft-- DAL, CAR, JAC all at home. But after that they are @TB, CHI, and @NO. I would guess that they finish at 9-7 or 8-8 and maybe sneak into the WC race. If they drop one of these winnable matchups, 7-9 is probably more realistic.

I think most people have been able to recognize that the Bears were never for real. They have a good defense, but their offense is so lousy that every game is very realistically losable. And now they lost Foles, possibly for good. They have two shots at us, but I wouldn't be surprised if we swept them. Splitting with them wouldn't help them out much. I'd guess they finish right where they are now-- .500.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

What's a bit troubling is that on paper, the Saints have a big cupcake schedule remaining with only one tough opponent being KC.

The Saints could be in trouble with Brees probably missing the next few games.

But... but...but...they got the $16m wonderman Taysom Hill to carry them.

Jameis Winston will most likely start at quarterback for the Saints this week.

 

[PikeBadger]

MVS 14.6%
Lazard 6.4%
Shepherd 3.0%
Taylor 1.9%
EQ 1.9%

Adams getting 50% of the WR targets doesn’t alarm me considering the RB’s and TE’s are getting good numbers as well.

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

The Saints could be in trouble with Brees probably missing the next few games.



Jameis Winston will most likely start at quarterback for the Saints this week.

And they were 5-0 without Brees last year so I wouldn't assume they are in trouble s

 

[gopkrs]

I think most people have been able to recognize that the Bears were never for real.

Man, their O line is horrendous. Minihaha did blitz a lot but QB did not have much time.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

For lack of a better place to put this, figured I would pose it here. Has anyone noticed the Packers have 4 games against teams that are coming off either a mini bye (Thurs. night game) or a full 2 week bye? I would think the schedule makers would try to not have this happen so much to a team.

• 10/18: Buccaneers last played 10/8 (Packers off bye)
• 11/1: Vikings last played 10/18
• 11/22: Colts last played 11/12
• 11/29: Bears last played 11/16

At least with the Bucs game, their "mini bye" was less than our full bye, but other than that, we benefited one other time against the Jags, when we had a mini bye after the Thurs. night game against the 49'ers.

Maybe stats will prove me wrong, but it sure seems like an advantage to have that extra time between games and we will be facing both the Colts and Bears in the coming weeks after their extended times off.

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

Hated seeing Foles get hit the way he did last night. From what I'm reading, looks like he'll be all right which from a personal standpoint, good to see.

But ... with how god awful that Bears offense is, we really had better run the score up on them. Their passing game is the worst I ever seen.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

But ... with how god awful that Bears offense is, we really had better run the score up on them. Their passing game is the worst I ever seen.

Sadly, our defense isn't as good as the Vikings, which only gave up 2 FG's to the Bears. I also think that the Bears defense is one of the better ones that we will face, so could b e low scoring games against them.

 

[XPack]

Well it sounds like brees will be out some time that should take care of the Saints for us depends how many games he is out for. I think we will need 12-4 to get the 1 seed. If we can beat the colts I will like our chances.

News says he's getting a second opinion to get to IR.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...d-opinion-to-determine-if-he-should-go-on-ir/

Thr broken ribs on right, two on left plus a punctured lung. Had I not known better, I'd have said he was in a car crash or something!

 

[Dantés]

News says he's getting a second opinion to get to IR.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...d-opinion-to-determine-if-he-should-go-on-ir/

Thr broken ribs on right, two on left plus a punctured lung. Had I not known better, I'd have said he was in a car crash or something!

Sounds like a 41 year old that was playing NFL football.

 

[weeds]

Don`t feel bad about the hanging bit, age catches up with us all . The flag I mean....obviously...lol

Caught that didja?

 

[Deleted member 6794]

And they were 5-0 without Brees last year so I wouldn't assume they are in trouble s

I don't expect Winston to be as successful as Bridgewater was last season. We'll see about it though.

 

[PikeBadger]

I don't expect Winston to be as successful as Bridgewater was last season. We'll see about it though.

I think Winston is erratic. I wouldn’t hang my hat on him to be better than Bridgewater either.

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

Sadly, our defense isn't as good as the Vikings, which only gave up 2 FG's to the Bears. I also think that the Bears defense is one of the better ones that we will face, so could b e low scoring games against them.

While I agree with that to a certain degree, Foles has made a lot of defenses look good as of late with having awful accuracy. I don't know how that guy ever had those successful seasons that he did in Philly, but man.... he's looked even worse than Cutler in these losses the Bears have had.

 

[tynimiller]

I think Winston is erratic. I wouldn’t hang my hat on him to be better than Bridgewater either.

Wouldn't shock me if he threw for 400 yards and 4 TDs on average while starting......also wouldn't shock me to see Taysum Hill in full time by half time for him....nothing would shock me, dude has skills and can be terrible.

 

[PikeBadger]

Wouldn't shock me if he threw for 400 yards and 4 TDs on average while starting......also wouldn't shock me to see Taysum Hill in full time by half time for him....nothing would shock me, dude has skills and can be terrible.

Wouldn’t shock me either. Especially if you include 2 interceptions average.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

While I agree with that to a certain degree, Foles has made a lot of defenses look good as of late with having awful accuracy. I don't know how that guy ever had those successful seasons that he did in Philly, but man.... he's looked even worse than Cutler in these losses the Bears have had.

I kind of hope Foles is just healthy enough to play against the Packers. While I don't don't think TurdBiscuit is much of a QB, I think his ability to scramble, as well as having a fire lit under his *** that its "now or never", might be trouble for a Packer defense that isn't very good. Turd his injured too, so maybe he won't be ready as well, that would even better.

 

[gonzozab]

Either way, the Rams win over Seattle yesterday was big. It keeps the NFC West wide open, especially since both the Rams and Cardinals got Ws vs the Hawks and still play each other.

The two NFC South teams are the ones we gotta hold at bay. What's a bit troubling is that on paper, the Saints have a big cupcake schedule remaining with only one tough opponent being KC. It's certainly possible that Atlanta will show up against them again this year like they did last year, but they won't be winning both games vs NO. Good news is TB also has to play vs the Rams and Chiefs, but should they win one of those games, we might need help from Detroit against them as well.

Meantime, not sure which team losing tonight would be better. I mean obviously the Bears going to 5-5 would keep them at 2 1/2 games behind and potentially jeopardize their playoff chances. But it could potentially give the Vikings a head of steam too that I'd rather they not have. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

It would actually behoove us for the Saints to keep winning, so long as we keep winning too. They have to keep Tampa behind them since the Bucs own the tiebreaker over us. It will be tough to do with Brees out for who knows how long. At least they don't have to play Tampa anymore.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It would actually behoove us for the Saints to keep winning, so long as we keep winning too.

If we win out, it won't matter what any other teams do, we will secure the #1 seed at 14-2. Odds are though, we won't win out. I am fine with the Saints, Bucs, Seahawks, Cards, Rams and our North Division rivals all continue losing.

 

[Do7]

Tbh I would really love it for Minnesota to make the playoffs, and we potentially meet them again. That loss against them in Lambeau really left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[sschind]

Tbh I would really love it for Minnesota to make the playoffs, and we potentially meet them again. That loss against them in Lambeau really left a bad taste in my mouth.

Sorry but just no. I don't want the vikings sniffing the playoffs.

 

[Do7]

Sorry but just no. I don't want the vikings sniffing the playoffs.

If they don't make it that's fine. The only reason why I would want them in there is so we can eliminate them. That's all, but I get it.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I kind of hope Foles is just healthy enough to play against the Packers. While I don't don't think TurdBiscuit is much of a QB, I think his ability to scramble, as well as having a fire lit under his *** that its "now or never", might be trouble for a Packer defense that isn't very good. Turd his injured too, so maybe he won't be ready as well, that would even better.

Be careful what you wish for, the Packers defense might have Tyler Bray look like a HOFer if neither Foles nor Trubisky can play.

Tbh I would really love it for Minnesota to make the playoffs, and we potentially meet them again. That loss against them in Lambeau really left a bad taste in my mouth.

I would rather prefer the Packers to not face Cook in the playoffs.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Tbh I would really love it for Minnesota to make the playoffs, and we potentially meet them again. That loss against them in Lambeau really left a bad taste in my mouth.

I think the Vikings are a lot better team than their record, especially if they can get a bit healthier and avoid any more major injuries. Given the teams they play over their final 7 games, I can see them finishing at 10-6 or 9-7.

Packers have 7 games left as well, 4 of those might be tough games (Indy, Bears (2), Titans). If the Packers defense doesn't improve and/or the offense can't figure out a solution to quick, athletic defenses, they may struggle in those games, as well as the playoffs.

This Sunday's game I think is going to be a good measuring stick as to just where the Packers are.

 

[Do7]

Be careful what you wish for, the Packers defense might have Tyler Bray look like a HOFer if neither Foles nor Trubisky can play.



I would rather prefer the Packers to not face Cook in the playoffs.

I think the Vikings are a lot better team than their record, especially if they can get a bit healthier and avoid any more major injuries. Given the teams they play over their final 7 games, I can see them finishing at 10-6 or 9-7.

Packers have 7 games left as well, 4 of those might be tough games (Indy, Bears (2), Titans). If the Packers defense doesn't improve and/or the offense can't figure out a solution to quick, athletic defenses, they may struggle in those games, as well as the playoffs.

This Sunday's game I think is going to be a good measuring stick as to just where the Packers are.

That's fair you guys but let's remember we beat The Vikings the first time, and held Cook to roughly 50 yards. So it's a question of which Vikings team do you think they are more like. For me I think a lot of things went their way last time including rough winds, questionable calls, etc. No way do I see Cook running over our Dline like he did last game. I think we'll be so focused in trying to have Cousins beat us with his arm, because we know how much they rely on Cook. Again this is just me, but that win they got against us was a fluke. Call it me being bias, call it me being a sore loser, those are all fair and valid points, especially when it comes to this team in particular. I think we match up very well with Minnesota and more times than not we beat the breaks off them like we did in week 1.

We're likely going to deal with one of these running backs in the playoffs anyways, so it's kinda pick your poison. But again I get I'm in the minority. The ONLY reason why I would want to play Minnesota again is so we can knock them out of the playoffs. That's all.